Cecelia's POV
The first gunshot made my whole body jump. It was so loud it felt like it exploded inside my head.
I flinched hard, my hands flying to my ears, my breath catching in my throat. My body shook as the sound echoed across the large room.
Then came another shot. And another. And another. Each one sharp. Each one felt one fetal
I didn't want to look. But I couldn't stop myself. My eyes slowly lifted from the floor. The men from the warehouse were on their knees behind me.
No, some were already on the ground. Not moving. Blood spread across the clean floor. Too bright. Too fast. One of them tried to crawl.
"Please please we didn't know—"
Another gunshot cut him off. His body dropped instantly. Silence followed. Heavy and thick.
Like the air itself stopped moving. My chest rose and fell too fast. My fingers trembled against the floor as I stared.
They were all dead. Every single one. Just like that. My stomach twisted hard. I swallowed quickly but it didn't help. I felt sick.
I had just escaped them. I thought I was safe. But this was worse. Much worse than I could ever imagine.
I slowly turned my head. My eyes found him again. Marcus Vale.
I had heard of him and thought he was a myth. But he was here before me, in flesh. I couldn't believe my eyes
He stood a few steps away now. A gun rested in his hand. Lowered just casually.
Like what just happened meant nothing. His face didn't change. No anger. No emotion.
Nothing. He handed the gun to one of his men without even looking.
"Clean it,"
He said simply. The guard nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir."
My body shook harder. This man. He didn't even blink. My chest tightened as fear crawled deeper into my bones.
I pushed myself back slightly on the floor. Slow. Careful. Like sudden movement would make things worse. His eyes shifted to me.
I froze. His gaze moved slowly over me. From my wet hair to my torn dress.
To my shaking hands. It felt like he was seeing everything. Every weakness and fear.
I looked down quickly. I couldn't hold his gaze but not for long. The silence stretched. Then
"Who is she?"
His voice came out calm and flat. But it filled the room. One of the guards answered immediately.
"She ran into the estate, sir. The men chased her."
Marcus didn't look away from me.
"Why?"
The guard hesitated.
"She said they were after her."
My throat felt tight. I forced words out.
"I… I owe them money."
My voice sounded small and weak. I hated it. Marcus tilted his head slightly.
"Money,"
He repeated. Like the word didn't matter. Like it meant nothing to him. I swallowed.
"It got bigger… I couldn't pay…"
My voice shook. His eyes narrowed just a little. Not angry, I just stood there thinking. Then something changed.
His expression didn't soften. But his gaze sharpened. Like he noticed something. His nose flared slightly.
Just for a second. I didn't understand. But I felt it. The shift.
"What is that?"
He said quietly. I blinked.
"What?"
He stepped closer, slowly and measured. Each step made my chest tighten more. He stopped right in front of me.
Too close. His presence felt heavy. Like it pressed down on me. He looked down at me. His eyes were dark.
Focused.
"Your scent,"
He said.
My brows pulled together.
"I… I don't—"
He crouched slightly, not fully. Just enough to get closer. I held my breath.
"Say that again,"
He said.
"I don't understand—"
"Speak."
"I said I don't understand."
My voice trembled. His eyes stayed on mine for a long second. Then he stood up straight again.
Something about me bothered him. I could see it. Even if he didn't show much. He turned slightly.
"Throw her out."
My heart dropped instantly. No. No, no, no. Panic hit me fast.
"Wait please!"
My voice came out louder than I expected. The guards paused. Marcus stopped. But he didn't turn back yet. My chest felt like it was breaking.
If they threw me out, I knew what would happen. More men. More danger. More running.
Or worse. I pushed myself forward quickly. My knees hit the floor hard. Pain shot through them but I ignored it.
"Please," I said again.
My voice cracked.
"I have nowhere else to go."
Marcus turned slowly this time. His eyes landed on me again. I swallowed hard. My hands clenched tightly together.
"I'll do anything."
The words came out before I could stop them. The room went quiet again. The guards exchanged looks. Marcus didn't move. Didn't speak. I forced myself to keep going.
"I won't cause trouble. I won't ask for anything. Just… don't send me out there."
My chest rose and fell quickly.
"I'll work. I'll clean. I'll—"
I stopped. Something inside me broke. Because I knew that wasn't enough. Not for a man like him. I lowered my head.
Tears slipped down my face again. Then I said it. Slowly and shaking.
"I'll be your mistress."
The words felt heavy. Wrong. But I said them anyway.
"I'll stay with you… do whatever you want… just protect me."
Silence hit the room again. Stronger this time. No one moved or spoke. I kept my head down. I couldn't look at him. I didn't want to see his reaction.
I didn't want to see disgust. Or anger or rejection. Seconds passed. They were long and painful.
Then a low sound. Almost like a quiet laugh. I looked up slowly. Marcus watched me.
His expression changed slightly. Not soft. Not kind. But… interested. Amused.
"You're offering yourself,"
He said. Straight and simple. I nodded slowly. My throat felt tight again.
"Yes."
He stepped closer. Again. I didn't move this time. I couldn't. His eyes stayed locked on mine.
"You understand what that means?"
I swallowed.
"Yes."
Even if I didn't fully accept it and it scared me. It still felt safer than the outside. Safer than being alone. Safer than dying.
He studied my face carefully. Like he searched for something. Then
"Fine."
The word hit me like a shock. My eyes widened slightly.
"You'll stay."
Relief rushed through me so fast it almost hurt. But it didn't last long. Because his next words came cold.
"You belong here now."
My chest tightened again. The guards straightened immediately.
"Yes, sir."
Marcus turned away like the decision didn't matter anymore.
"Take her," he ordered.
"Clean her up."
I stayed frozen for a second. Then the guards stepped forward. They pulled me up gently this time. Not rough. Not kind either.
I followed them. My legs still felt weak. My head still spun. As they led me out of the room, I glanced back once.
Marcus stood where I left him. Watching me. Then I looked away quickly. They led me down a long hallway.
I felt out of place. Like I didn't belong there. But I kept on walking. Because I had no choice.
***
Marcus POV
The door closed behind her. Silence returned. The room still smelled like blood. But something else lingered. Something strange.
I stood still for a moment. My eyes fixed on the spot where she stood before. That girl… Cecelia.
I exhaled slowly. My fingers tapped once against my side. Her scent didn't make sense.
It wasn't normal. Not weak or strong. Just… wrong. Different. I didn't like things I couldn't explain.
But I also didn't ignore them.A faint smirk touched my lips.
"Something about you…"
I murmured quietly. My eyes darkened slightly.
"…isn't normal."
And for the first time in a long while I was curious.