Aria's POV I find my way back easily through this maze of a house. The room is just down the hall from the one I was placed in. I take one last breath before slowly pushing the door open. It opens only a crack, I pause, holding my breath once again. There are strange sounds coming from inside the room. Pushing the door open a little wider, I see him, Stefano Moretti. He is standing against a desk with his back towards me. The room is large with extravagant furnishings and décor. Something is off, I just cannot put my finger on it. Ignoring my instincts, I take one more step into the room, ready to get answers from him. That is when I hear it. A low moan coming from underneath the desk against which he is leaning. What did I walk in on? I want to backtrack but the floors creak loudly, leaving me frozen on the spot, my eyes stay glued to Stefano’s back. As if sensing my presence, he picks up a naked blonde from underneath the desk and flips her onto the desk. She is lying on her back,

Stefano's POV The thought of having both Aria and Amber here together both terrifies and excites me. That sweet little lamb with the big eyes has been on my mind since that night in the club. There is so much I want to say to her and do to her. This interrogation is going to be a welcome distraction. “Let me take care of this” I say walking to the centre of the room where Marcello’s henchman was placed. My father stands back, raising one brow to me. “Very well, get us the answers we need” he says, leaning against the wall. This is going to be so much fun. If memory serves me correctly, I think his name is Joe. I casually stroll over to the centre of the room, while on the table behind me an assortment of tools and devices are being prepared. I take my time, first lighting a cigarette. Joe just stares out into the open space in front of him acting brave, but I can see the fear in his eyes. The eyes never lie. “Hi, Joe. Is it okay if I call you Joe? Somehow, I remember that bein

Aria's POV Once again, I am staring out the window admiring the outside world. Uncle Marcello and Johnny just left. I touch my lips where Johnny kissed me earlier. He said he is going to get me out of here, but once again, I am all alone. Johnny is good at whispering sweet nothings into my ear, making me feel special and loved, just to moments later pack up and go, leaving my heart bleeding and in pieces. He gives me whiplash with his back and forth emotions. A little sparrow sits on the windowsill in front of me grooming his feathers, he looks so carefree. I keep waiting for that moment when my life will finally begin, but it forever remains just out of reach. I watch the little sparrow fly off into the woods, joining the chorus of birdsong surrounding the house. How I yearn for that same freedom, to just spread my wings and fly. I yearn for the freedom do decide my own destiny. I want to live my life on my own terms. I sigh as I look over the landscape. If I were not a prisoner h

Aria's POV Inside my room Stefano heads to the on- suite bathroom and sets me down there. I am shocked by my image in the mirror. I look like a swamp monster. My hair is caked with mud and leaves, my clothes are brown and torn. My body is littered with scrapes and bruises. I will never survive in the wild. Stefano, however, looks like he just walked off the runway. His clothes are in pristine condition, not one hair is out of place. He must really know what he is doing out there. Stefano opens the shower and starts running the water. I wait for him to leave, but instead he takes off his shirt and starts undressing. “What are you doing?” I ask “What does it look like princess?” he says with a smirk. “You cannot shower here. You need to leave! Besides, you do not even look like you need a shower” I say frustrated with the amused look on his face. Stefano undresses casually. He takes his pants off, drops them by my feet, and strolls leisurely to the shower. “Are you coming? You def

Stefano's POV The past few days my father and I have tried everything to put Aria’s mind at ease, let her know that she can trust us. My father is yet to tell her what happened to her parents. Something is holding him back. I just wish I knew why he cannot talk about what happened the day Aria’s family was murdered. Perhaps he is hiding something that he does not want exposed. I walk towards the place where I asked Aria to meet me in the garden. I want to take her into the forest today. She needs to know how to keep her own out there. “Beautiful morning for a hike. Don’t you think” I say watching her jump up from the grass. She has grass all over her. Her hair and clothes are covered in it. Was she rolling in the grass? “Beautiful morning indeed” she says smiling brightly. She shakes the grass from her clothes and starts marching towards the thick bushes where the forest begins. She looks so much more at ease here among the trees and the grass. “Wait! Hold on. You missed a spot” I