I jolted awake from what felt like a long, heavy sleep. My head throbbed, my thoughts hazy. When I tried to stand, I realized my wrists were bound to the chair, a cloth gag pressed against my mouth, and my legs tied firmly in place. Panic surged through me. I struggled against the restraints, forcing myself to recall what had happened yesterday, but my memory was foggy.
The room was dark and empty, shadows stretching across the walls. After several desperate attempts, I managed to free myself. I rushed to the window, only to see armed guards stationed below. The drop was far too high. My only option was the door.
As I approached, a tall, muscular man in a black suit blocked my path. He scanned me from head to toe before speaking in a low, commanding voice.
"Get back inside. The boss is coming."
I narrowed my eyes. "Which boss?"
He didn't flinch. "I'd advise you to calmly take a seat."
I considered tackling him, but the heavy security outside made it impossible. I needed a plan. Seconds later, the door opened. A man in a white t-shirt and black trousers entered, accompanied by an older woman in a nanny's uniform.
"Who are you? And what do I owe this pleasure?" I demanded.
The man smirked. "I'm Axel. And I like you."
My voice rose in fury. "Is this how you show your liking—by kidnapping me? I've done nothing to you!"
He ignored my anger, turning to the nanny. "Get her cleaned up. Show her to her room. She should be ready for dinner."
Rage burned in my chest. I lunged forward, grabbing his collar. "If you don't let me out of here, I swear I'll kill you."
Axel chuckled, brushing me off with ease. "Persist all you want. You can't escape my grasp." He pushed me to the floor, adjusted his collar, and walked out. His men handed him a briefcase as he disappeared down the hallway.
The nanny's British accent cut through the silence. "Welcome, miss. I hope you enjoy your stay. This way, please."
She led me to a luxurious room, its closet filled with everything a woman could want. I sat on the bed, showered, and cried myself to sleep. Later, she brought food, but I refused to eat. My attempt to escape that day failed—Axel's men caught me instantly. If I couldn't escape, perhaps I could make him hate me enough to discard me.
Evening came quickly. The nanny insisted I shower again and laid out a blue dress with a slit and silver heels. I refused. Her patience snapped, and she slapped me. Tears stung my eyes. I was a trained CIA agent, yet here I was—helpless. Betrayed.
Defeated, I wore the dress. My smile had vanished, my joy burned to ashes. She led me downstairs, where Axel sat waiting. His eyes locked on me as though I were a goddess. He pulled out my chair before taking his seat at the far end of the table.
Food was served, but I couldn't eat. He broke the silence.
"How was your day?"
I smirked and ignored him.
"I heard you tried to escape," he continued, laughing. "And that you were slapped by an old woman. A top CIA agent, failing so miserably—hilarious, isn't it?"
Anger flared. I stood, chuckling bitterly. "Hilarious? I had a life. It wasn't perfect, but it was mine. Then you showed up and destroyed everything. You kidnapped me against my will—for what? To keep me here like some possession? That's your idea of a joke?"
I turned to leave, but Axel rose and stepped closer. His presence was suffocating, his gaze unrelenting. He pinned my hands to the table, leaning in.
"This is my house. My rules. You'll do everything I say—or else."
Fear and fury collided inside me. I broke free, bolted upstairs, and slammed the door to my room. My chest heaved as tears spilled down my face. I stripped off the dress, threw it aside, and collapsed into the bathtub, sobbing as the water ran.
Later, I pulled on pajamas and curled up on the bed, crying myself into restless sleep.
The next morning, I jolted awake to the sound of a deep, husky voice. I couldn't make out the words at first, but when I opened my eyes, a man was standing at the door. His piercing blue eyes were so vivid they seemed like the ocean itself. He wore only trousers—his chest bare, his abs sharply defined.
I rubbed my face, blinking twice to be sure I wasn't imagining him. "Oh, shit," I muttered under my breath.
He spoke again, his voice low and commanding.
"Get up and take a shower. We're going somewhere."
I nodded silently, and he left the room.
The space around me was luxurious, though strangely dull. It felt smaller than it had the night before, as if the walls themselves were closing in. I forced myself out of bed and stumbled toward the bathroom. After showering, I began applying lotion, trying to steady my nerves.
Moments later, two maids entered. They greeted me politely, each carrying trays. One held jewelry, the other a box of shoes. Their presence was efficient, almost mechanical, as though this routine had been rehearsed countless times.
I slipped into the dress they had laid out, fastened the jewelry, and stepped into the shoes. When I was finished, I moved toward the stairs. On my left, I noticed something strange—the dining table that had been there the previous night was gone. Moved, perhaps. Or hidden.
The house was shifting around me, piece by piece.
AXEL'S POV
As she descended the stairs, I felt my breath catch. She looked radiant—like a goddess draped in silk. Her hair was tied neatly in a ponytail, her lashes long, her lips painted a striking red. The dress clung to her frame, elegant and commanding. She was stunning, and I had to force myself to remain composed.
I straightened my suit, the deep blue fabric catching the light, and said simply, "Let's go." She followed behind me, silent, cautious—like a wary shadow.
Outside, the convoy awaited. My guards moved with precision, each car sliding into formation. She was placed in a separate vehicle, watched closely. I wanted her to understand: escape was impossible.
The drive was steady, neither fast nor slow. I noticed her eyes flicker toward the roadside bushes, calculating. She was observant—always searching for an opening. That defiance intrigued me.
We arrived at the hotel, its glass doors gleaming. My men bowed as I entered, no questions asked. The elevator carried us upward, opening into a hidden world—a nightclub buzzing even in daylight. Gambling, indulgence, corruption. This was my domain.
I showed her around, letting her see the decadence, the power. At lunch, she barely touched her food, her restraint obvious. Time slipped by until a woman took the stage, stripping under the hungry gaze of men. I watched her reaction—disgust, defiance.
"Stand up," I ordered. She obeyed, though her eyes burned with resistance. I led her into a private chamber, a place designed to break wills.
"Do as I say," I commanded, my voice sharp.
Her reply was quiet but firm. "I won't. I won't do anything I'm not comfortable with."
Her defiance ignited my fury. I stepped closer, and she backed away, clutching a vase. It shattered against the floor, shards scattering like her rebellion. She had nowhere left to run—the door was locked.
I seized her wrist, tightening my grip. "You will learn," I said coldly. "In this house, my word is law."
Tears welled in her eyes, but her voice trembled with courage. "I'll never be yours. Not like that."
I studied her, torn between rage and fascination. She was strong—stronger than most. And that strength made me want to break her even more.
I tore her elegant dress and, in a domineering tone, ordered her to obey. I raised the whip and cracked it against the wall, the sound echoing like a threat.
She immediately understood the assignment and knelt down.
I said firmly, "Tell me you are sorry for defying my orders. Tell me you belong to me, and that from today onwards you will obey."
She did as instructed. I still held the whip in my hands, cracking it sharply against the floor to remind her of the consequences of defiance and then she dropped a tear I snapped I flogged her hard till she bled ,My voice was cold as I warned, "Never make the mistake of disobeying me again." ,she nodded in agreement ,I gripped her chin firmly and locked my gaze onto her's then I slapped her hard she bled ,her tears kept on flowing down to her cheeks she tried not to make a sound and then I said "defy me again ,and this will end gruesomely ",I left the room, and she slipped into the simple clothes my men had provided. They escorted her out while I went clubbing, and she eventually made her way home.
AVERY'S POV.
I hadn't slept all night. What had happened at the club haunted me, leaving me shaken and restless. By dawn, I realized I had developed a cruel insomnia, born from fear and exhaustion. Strangely, the urge to resist him had slipped away. It felt useless—pointless. I was trapped, and the thought gnawed at me: perhaps I would simply rot in this prison.
All of a sudden, Axel entered my room. His voice was cold as he ordered, "Take a quick shower and wear something sexy. The nanny will lead you to my room." He didn't even bother to ask how I was doing—it was as if he didn't care at all.
"Yes," I whispered softly. He left without another word.
I forced myself out of bed, ignoring the pain from the bruises I had earned the night before, and headed straight to the shower. When I returned, a box lay on my bed. Inside was a short, see-through dress with nothing else to accompany it. The sight taunted me, mocking my helplessness.
Hopelessness pressed down on me. If the CIA had truly wanted to help, they would have done so long ago. If I were really a valuable asset, they would have come for me. But they hadn't. And then it clicked—I wasn't. Something was wrong, something fishy.
Perhaps, I thought, the only way forward was to befriend Axel. If I could get close enough, maybe I could uncover the truth about the CIA's behavior—and even about my long-gone family.
I wore the dress, then pulled on a robe to hide my body. Axel would go mad if any guard saw me like this—he might even kill them. I left the room and found the nanny waiting; she led me upstairs to his door.
I opened it and saw him seated in a domineering posture, legs crossed, his bare chest exposed above the trousers he wore.
I entered his room and closed the door firmly behind me. He didn't flinch, acting as though he hadn't noticed me—though I knew he had. I slipped off the robe, and his gaze snapped to mine. He looked straight at me, as if staring directly into my soul. The intensity of it sent shivers down my spine.
He spoke in a hushed tone.
"I can help you get revenge for your murdered family. I have a lot of intel on that issue—but you'll need to do something for me."
I looked at him and, for a moment, forgot that he was Axel—the man who could end me in the blink of an eye.
"I don't need your help," I said firmly.
The words triggered something in him. His fists clenched, and his expression hardened. I froze, unable to move. He gripped my chin fiercely, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes burned into mine, cold and unrelenting.
"I'm not asking you for a favor," he said, his voice sharp. "It's an order. If you don't obey, I'll make your friend suffer. What's her name again?" He smirked mockingly. "Reese ."