The grand foyer of the mansion swallowed Sophia whole.
Marble floors gleamed beneath the soft glow of chandeliers, their golden light casting shadows that flickered like ghosts. The air smelled rich-like leather, wood smoke, and something darkly masculine. Like him.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she took an unsteady step forward. Everything about this place screamed power, control-a cage disguised as luxury.
Rafael stood beside her, his gaze unreadable. He hadn’t touched her since they’d stepped inside, but his presence was an unspoken command, an invisible chain wrapped around her throat.
Sophia’s hands clenched into fists. She needed to think. She needed to get out.
She turned sharply, fixing him with a glare. “You can’t keep me here.”
Rafael’s lips curled at the corner, slow and knowing. “I already am.”
Her stomach twisted, but she refused to let fear win. “Someone will come looking for me.”
He took a step closer, towering over her. “Who?”
The single word sent ice through her veins.
Who?
Her fingers twitched at her sides. Her father was gone. Her mother barely noticed when she was home. And her closest friend? She doubted Anna would even suspect something was wrong for at least a few days.
Rafael must have seen it in her expression because his smirk deepened.
“No one’s coming for you, Sophia.”
Her throat tightened.
“Why me?” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “What do you want from me?”
Rafael studied her for a long moment, then slowly reached out, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. She flinched but didn’t move away fast enough.
“You,” he murmured.
A shiver ran down her spine.
“You’re insane,” she choked out.
His gaze darkened, something dangerous flickering in the depths of those emerald-green eyes. “Perhaps.”
Before she could move, his hand shot out, gripping her chin-firm, unyielding.
“But I always get what I want, bella,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “And what I want is you.”
A sharp knock echoed through the space.
Sophia jerked, her breath coming fast.
Rafael’s fingers lingered for a second longer before he pulled away. He didn’t look at her as he called out, “Enter.”
A man stepped inside. Dressed in black, his broad frame radiated the same lethal energy as Rafael. But where Rafael’s power was refined, controlled, this man’s was more brutal-like a beast barely restrained.
“Boss,” the man said, his voice rough. “Everything is in place.”
Rafael nodded. “Good.”
Sophia swallowed hard. “What’s in place?”
Rafael turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Your new life.”
Panic surged in her chest. “I’m not staying here.”
Rafael tilted his head. “Aren’t you?”
Her heart pounded as she took a step back. “You can’t force me.”
His gaze sharpened. “Can’t I?”
The air between them crackled, thick with unspoken threats.
Then, before she could react, Rafael moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
In an instant, he was in front of her, his large hand wrapping around the back of her neck. She gasped, her body locking up.
His grip wasn’t painful, but it was unshakable-a silent reminder of his power.
“You don’t understand yet, do you?” he murmured, his voice soft, almost gentle.
Sophia’s breaths came fast, shallow.
Rafael leaned in, his lips ghosting over her ear. “I don’t need to force you.”
Her pulse spiked.
“I’ll make you want to stay.”
Her stomach flipped violently, heat pooling low in her belly despite the fear twisting inside her.
No.
She wouldn’t let him get inside her head.
She wrenched away, breathing hard. “You’re sick.”
Rafael smirked. “Maybe.”
Sophia’s hands curled into fists. “I will find a way out of this.”
His eyes gleamed, as if he welcomed the challenge. “Then run, little rabbit.”
Her stomach clenched.
He was toying with her.
A predator playing with his prey.
But she wouldn’t break.
She couldn’t break.
She lifted her chin. “You’ll regret this.”
Rafael only chuckled. “I doubt that.”
Then, with one last lingering glance, he turned and walked away.
Leaving Sophia standing in the middle of her new prison.