Bound by Vows: Ruthless Desires.

ALESSIA'S POV

"Ugh..." I groaned, squinting at the light cutting through the curtains.

"Good morning, ma'am," the maid greeted with a bow.

This is Cesare's room... Did we- I remember watching him and that nasty maid... He'd asked me to get on my knees and-

"Ma'am?" The maids voice brought me back from my mind's wandering.

"Good morning." I pushed myself up against the headboard. "Where's... Cesare?"

"The Boss is at the dining room. He said you should join him. That's why I'm here."

Of course. Orders. Always orders.

"I'll wash up first."

"Yes, ma'am."

---

"He's waiting," the maid whispered as I entered the dining room.

"She's late," Cesare muttered, glaring at her.

"I had to wash up," I said before she could explain.

His eyes held mine a second too long before he waved the maid away.

I sat down. My side of the table was lined with fruits I liked-peaches, walnuts, apples. Does he remember? Or just another trick.

It's just a coincidence.. I tried to tell myself. Cesare doesn't give a fuck about the fruits you like.

What if he wants to poison you?

This thought made me hesitant at first but I wasn't about to let him see that he was getting to me.

"Is this supposed to be breakfast as a couple?" I asked, reaching across to steal cranberries from his plate. I kept my gaze on him to look confident.

He didn't answer.

"Where's Martha? I didn't see her-"

The steak knife slammed into the table, inches from my hand. I froze.

"Has anyone told you that you talk too much?" His voice was low, and it send ice down my spine.

"Not really," I muttered.

"Well, you do." He stood, pushing his plate aside. "Meet me outside in twenty minutes. No more, no less."

"I have to finish-"

"And I really dislike stubborn girls." He leaned down, his hand heavy on my shoulder.

A shadow moved. A man I hadn't noticed stepped out of the corner. Cesare smirked. "See you in twenty."

---

There was a convoy already waiting outside. I frowned. "Are we going somewhere?"

He spoke quietly to one of his men before turning to me.

"Where are we headed?"

"To a traitor." His eyes didn't leave mine.

My throat went dry. I hope it wasn't Papa.

"Get in."

I stood there, my feet glued to the ground.

He grabbed my arm, " I said, get into the fucking car."

"Y-yes." I was trying so hard to hide my voice that was shaking like that of an old lady.

I slid into the limo. The air was thick. His men were armed and silent.

Cesare was staring out the window. I desperately needed to breathe.

"Today," he said finally, still looking out the window, "you'll see the price of betrayal."

The car stopped. One of his men tapped the glass. "Boss. Some men ahead. Blocking the road."

"Take care of them."

The window went up.

The men stepped out. Seconds later, gunshots cracked through the air. Screams. Bodies hitting the ground.

I clenched my fists as the car rolled slowly through the chaos. When it stopped again, a man opened Cesare's door and bowed.

The stench of blood hit me as I stepped out. I gagged, turning my head.

"Pathetic," Cesare muttered, walking past the corpses.

An old man stumbled from the building. "Cesare!" His voice cracked as he fell to his knees.

Cesare raised his hand. The guns lowered.

"Uncle Vicky," he said quietly, pulling him up. "You taught me to swim. How did we get here?"

"I-I didn't plan this. I was forced-"

"Planning to see me dead," Cesare cut in. "Too bad."

"My kids... they know nothing. Spare them, for old time's sake."

"Did you think of old time's sake before you decided to become a snake?"

The man didn't reply.

"Answer me!" Cesare yelled, making me and the man jump at the same time.

"Cesare, please...my son-"

Cesare cut him off and laughed. " Did you just call me your son?"

He looked at the men, " He just called me son."

He laughed some more. "You old bastard!"

"Mi dispiace per favore, Cesare." The man pleaded in Italian.

Cesare's face softened for a breath. Then the gun was out. One shot. Clean through the head.

I flinched, bile rising up.

"Kill everyone inside," Cesare ordered, stepping back into the car. "No one escapes."

I stared at the ground, my legs trembling.

"That's what happens to traitors," he said as his eyes met mine.

I couldn't say a word. I didn't know if I was too scared or angry.

So this would have been Papa's fate of I hadn't agreed? I felt tears beginning to form in my eyes. I held them back and but down on my lip.

God! I just wanted to go home... Back to Papa, I have enough money for us to leave and lay low till I figure out how to clear our name.

I can't be with this man... He's a freaking monster... No... He's the devil.

---

I lay staring at the ceiling later, every sound of today still ringing in my head.

A knock came at the door.

"The Boss says to meet him in his room."

I swallowed hard. My body moved before my mind could stop it. I straightened myself up, cleaned my tear stained face and exhaled before stepping out of the room.

---

"Come in," his voice called before I could knock.

I pushed the door open. Clothes were scattered on the floor. Maid clothes.

My eyes landed on the naked girl spread across his bed. Another maid.

"Sit." His tone left no room.

I sat in the chair opposite them. My heart pounded.

"You're going to be learning lesson number two."

He stripped his belt, pulling his pants down. His cock sprang free.

The girl opened her legs wider.

I shifted in my seat, heat burning my skin.

"You better pay attention," he said, climbing onto the bed.