Owned (Dellucci Mafia Duet)

“I came to bargain.”

He laughs like a maniac. “Oh … I understand now.” With narrowed eyes, he stalks me like a predator. “You’re in love.”

“I want to speak to Molly. I know she’s making you do this,” I say.

He laughs again. “You think Molly owns me?”

He shoves me into the wall and slams his fist right beside my head, making me jolt up and down. “I own her now. My men are guarding this place and Marcello’s filthy prison. She would be nothing without me.”

So Marcello is here. I was right.

“You’re right,” I reply, cocking my head. “So don’t you think it’s disgusting that she’s letting you do all the dirty work?”

His face turns sour, and he walks off and starts pacing up and down the small room we’re in. He starts talking to himself in Polish, and I have no clue what he’s saying, but he’s obviously conflicted. Suddenly, he stops and points at me.

“You’re trying to trick me into letting you see her,” he says, rubbing his chin after smiling viciously. “I see right through that game of yours.”

“I’m not. I just want to free Marcello.”

He scoffs, “And you think this was the way to do it?” Again he laughs, maniacally, like it’s funny or something. “Like you’d ever have a chance.”

“I’m willing to trade,” I say.

“For what?” he barks back, not taking a second to even absorb what I’m saying.

“Me.”

He just stares at me for a moment before narrowing his eyes again as they home in on my perked-up boobs. Then that vicious smile spreads on his face again, making goose bumps scatter on my skin.

“You’re willing to make yourself my pet in exchange for Marcello’s freedom?”

A chill runs up and down my spine at the thought of that fucker touching me.

“Yes.”

He circles me like a vulture, taking in every inch of my skin like it’s for sale.

“And what if I don’t agree? What are you going to do?” He raises a brow. “Stop me from taking what I want?”

“Marcello will cut off your finger before you even dared to touch me,” I say with a scowl.

A menacing smirk spreads on his face. “Darling, do you not realize he’s already chained up to a wall only a few doors away from here?”

Only a few doors from here? That means he’s close!

“I’d be very impressed if he managed to break through that.” Stefan lifts a finger and caresses my cheek, and I lean away as far as possible, shuddering in place. “You know, I always wondered what Marcello saw in you when he bought you at that auction. Why, after all those years of sulking over a girl who was already dead, he would suddenly want another. But I see it now. I see your raw, naked beauty.” His tongue dips out to lick his lips, and it makes my skin crawl. “Maybe I should see for myself if your pussy really has the ability to make a man forget all his troubles.”

Right as his lips hover near my ear, the door bursts open.

“Is she here? I heard her name!”

I hear her voice before I see her storm inside, shoving aside some guards. I push Stefan off me right as our eyes meet.

“Harper!?”

“Molly,” I say through gritted teeth.

Of course I would find her here. The Polish and Irish are working together after all. Which means Stefan wasn’t lying, and Marcello is nearby.

“Get your hands off my daughter,” she hisses at Stefan.

She steps toward him and slaps him across the face, hard. Within seconds, he’s grabbed her wrist and pinned her to the wall. “Do not provoke me, woman!” he growls in her face. “Do not forget who you made a deal with.”

“Stay the fuck away from my daughter, or this deal is off,” she hisses.

“You’d be wise to keep your hands off me,” Stefan replies.

“The same applies to you,” she retorts.

He releases her from his grip, and she rubs her wrists, throwing him damning looks. Seems like they don’t enjoy working together. Which means they’re not doing this for fun and games. This is business. Did Molly promise Stefan something only she can get him? Is she only interested in Marcello?

She focuses her attention on me, and I swallow all the questions I had the second her heels click-clack across the floor. Her eyes travel from my boots all the way up to my skimpy red leather dress. “My daughter … dressing up like a whore.” She makes a tsk sound. “I expected better from you.”

“Well, I expected better from you, Mother.”

Her eyes twitch while she stares at me for a moment.

“I’m not interested in games. Enjoy, ladies,” Stefan quips, and he marches out the door and slams it shut. Guess he’s pissed off at not having a shot with me. Not that I’d let that slimy dude anywhere near me.