She thought he was her savior. That he was saving her from her brother's cruel game. But little did she know that he was the game master. The orchestrator of an entire web of deceit and hidden intentions. When she looked at him, she saw hope. And when he looked at her, he saw his shot at revenge. Vengeance for the crimes she didn't know her family committed against his. Surely he would fall. But how soon? Would it be too late before he realizes that the woman he intended to break completely was his only shot at happiness? Would he destroy everything with no amends, or will he come to his senses and accept the love Fiona had been longing to give.
Chapter 1 She's All Yours
The sound of a whip landing on something echoed throughout the mansion and each whip was followed by Fiona's weak cries. Her tears fell heavily as she wrapped her arms around her head, trying to protect herself from the hits. She knew she couldn't defend herself, not against her brother's cruelty. He was bigger than her in more ways than one, and trying to stand up to him would be signing your own death sentence.
Her small frame trembled violently with each lash that Lorenzo delivered on her delicate body. Her face was buried in her hands, but that was not enough to block out the sharp, biting pain her brithe inflicted on her and the bitter tears that escaped her eyes.
"You stupid, unreasonable girl! "Lorenzo finally yelled, his voice dripping with venom.
"You think you can just scratch my business partner's eyes out and get away with it? "He yelled and Fiona shook at the anger in his voice. She had expected him to be angry but underestimated how angry her actions would make him. He swung the cane again, and as Fiona let out a wail, a sick, twisted smile crawled onto his face.
"Why can't you just do as you're told, Fiona? "He then spat as he threw his foot at her side, and Fiona gasped for air.
"You scratched the eyes of the man I sent to you last night. A man who was willing to pay a huge fortune to spend a night with you! Just one night! Yet you chased him off like a rabid dog! "He growled, and Fiona curled tightly into herself, gasping and whimpering as he body tried to recover from the torture she just faced.
Her body was a map of red welts and bruises, each mark evidence of her brother's cruelty. Lorenzo was cruel and rootless, but Fiona was just as stubborn.
"I'd rather die, " she managed to croak through her tears, and Lorenzo raised his brows in shock.
"I'd rather die than give up my body to satisfy your disgusting greed! "She added, and Lorenzo froze in amusement.
"Die? "He questioned with mockery heavy in his voice as he brought the cane down on her once more.
"You think you're making some grand gesture here? You're just being a fool. Men are willing to pay any amount I call for a night with you, and you drive them away with your ridiculous defiance. What exactly is so special about your body!? You know we're going bankrupt, yet you won't help! "He yelled, Fiona shut her eyes as she heard and felt the anger in his voice and words.
Her skin stung and burned, but she wouldn't beg him to stop hitting her. She learned the hard way that Lorenzo would never stop if she begged. He relished in her helplessness and it only seemed to inflate his ego. So, although she was weak and felt like she was dying, she wouldn't beg him. Not once. She would rather weep and bite the inside of her cheek.
"You're so stupid, " Lorenzo spoke again. This time, pacing in front of her.
"So unreasonable. You could be making us both a fortune, but instead, you're making my life difficult. "He added and Fiona gulped.
The air in the room was thick with the smell of sweat and fear, and through it all, Fiona tried to breathe, but every drag felt more difficult than the last. Her body was weak. Lorenzo knew this. But he didn't care.
"Why won't you just do as you're told?" Lorenzo then spoke. his voice was almost pleading now, as he stood in front of her
"If you gave in willingly, it would be so much easier for both of us. But if you keep this up, I'll have to break you. And you'll once again make me the bad guy. "He added and Fiona just watched him from under her lashes.
"After our parents died two years ago, I've been the one taking care of you. I'm the one who's kept you from ending up on the streets. You owe me, Fiona. You owe me. This is the least you can do. We need money. " He spoke as he squatted in front of his younger stepsister.
Fiona's silence was heavy, her body weak and battered. The truth of Lorenzo's words was a cruel reminder of her dependence on him. Their parents' death had left her at his mercy, and every day since then had been a battle for survival in a world that suddenly turned cold and unforgiving.
Lorenzo's face hardened when he realized that Fiona was not willing to yield. He shut his eyes in defeat before standing up and looking at her shaking weak form.
"Since you can't handle the simple task I've given you, at least you can be useful in another way. You're coming with me to a meeting with one of my business partners. "He said and Fiona held her breath.
The words were delivered with finality. There was no room for argument, and Fiona knew that resisting would be futile. It has always been. Her role in these meetings had become a twisted form of "service".
The "service" was simple. All she had to do was distract men with her presence while Lorenzo manipulated the deals.
"Your job, "Lorenzo continued.
"will be the same as always. Sit pretty, look charming, and keep the man's attention away from any discrepancies in the document he's going to sign. I swear to God, if you fuck that up too, you just might go join our parents tonight. "He added and Fiona's heart sank at his words.
Her role in these schemes was demeaning, to say the least. But it was the only thing that kept her from more forms of punishment. Lorenzo had orchestrated every aspect of her life to suit his needs, and she was powerless to resist.
"I'll be waiting. Expect the makeup team soon. " Lorenzo said, turning on his heel.
"We leave in two hours. "
With that, he strode out of the room, the door slamming behind him with a thud that echoed through the room. The silence that followed was a heavy blanket of despair. Fiona remained where she was, her body aching, her spirit bruised. The pain was almost unbearable.
She forced herself to stand up and her legs trembled with every movement. The pain was almost paralyzing, but she knew she had to prepare for the meeting.
She walked over to the bathroom to wash off the sweat and blood that had now stained her skin and as the bathroom mirror reflected her pitiful sight, her heart broke further.
"See what your pretty diamond has become, Daddy. "She whispered as she stared at her reflection. She painfully looked away and turned on the faucet. She let the cold water run over her hands before carefully wiping her face and cleaning her wounds. Each touch of the damp cloth sent sharp stings through her body, but she bore the pain. The water was a small comfort, and she 2oukd do anything to get comfort. Life after her parent's deaths turned into a playlist of catastrophes.
When she was done cleaning up, she dressed in the outfit Lorenzo had chosen for her... A tight, red dress that showed off her curves. She hated the way it made her feel, like a piece of meat on display. But she knew better than to disobey her brother. As she dressed and waited for the make-up crew, she thought about her dreams for the future. A future where she would finally escape Lorenzo's clutches and live the life she has always wanted.
In exactly one year, she would inherit her grandfather's fortune. It was the only thing that kept her going, the only hope she had left in a world of darkness and loneliness.
She constantly found herself praying for time to move faster, for the days to slip by quickly so that she could finally be free. It was all she had to hold on to. In just one year, she would be free. Finally,
The makeup crew arrived and two hours passed in a blur of aching limbs and anxious thoughts. When Lorenzo returned, his aura was businesslike, he seemed different from the man who battered her just a few minutes ago. He was the charming young man the whole world knew. But Fiona knew the monstywho hid under His facade.
His gaze swept over Fiona, assessing what the crew did. The crew did a good job hiding all her scars and Fiona looked ravishing. A perfect distraction for any straight man.
"Good, " he said curtly, and Fiona swallowed.
"Let's go. "He ordered.
Fiona followed him out of her room with her heart pounding in her chest. The meeting ahead was yet another test of her endurance. She walked beside Lorenzo, her mind focused on the promise of a brighter future, a future she couldn't wait for.
Funny enough, she didn't want revenge for all the wrong things Lorenzo did to her in the past two years. She just wanted to leave. Go... And free.
Despite how far away one year seemed, she was waiting happily. Finally, she'd be able to spread her wings and fly.
As they arrived at the meeting point, a loud, flimsy club in one of the city's high-class clubs, Fiona felt her skin crawl. However, she pulled herself together. Upsetting Lorenzo at such a fragile time would be disastrous.
No matter how much she hated clubs, she had to focus on why she was there. Her role was memorized. She was to use her appearance to distract and entertain her brother's partners. To keep their focus off the financial maneuvers jampacked in the documents her brother would make them sign. She had to keep their attention off what really mattered.
As they walked to the VIP section, Lorenzo's business partner was already there, a pot-bellied man with a sharp gaze and a calculating smile. Fiona took her place beside him, flashing a carefully practiced smile that hid her inner turmoil.
The conversation between Lorenzo and his partner began, and Fiona's role came into play. She was there to keep the man's attention.
Throughout the meeting, Fiona played her part with a forced grace. She engaged in light conversations. Her laughter and attentiveness were designed and rehearsed to draw the partner's focus away from the document being signed and to her. Every glance, every gesture, was part of a performance she had come to hate but was forced to maintain.
As the meeting drew to a close, Fiona's mind drifted back to her dreams of freedom. She clung to the hope that in one year, everything would change. She would finally pursue her painting dreams and maybe take up dancing again. Or cooking. She was lost in thought but was harshly brought back when she felt the man's hand on her thigh.
"If you want us to seal this deal, I have one request. "The man spoke and immediately, Fiona sought her brother's eyes.
"What? "Her brother questioned, and the man smirked.
"Her. "
That one word caused Fiona's heart to stop. The man hungrily looked her over but she only lost composure when her brother answered.
"If that's all it'll take to get your signature... She's all yours. "
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