Page 9 of Impure Love

“Okay, Aliyah, get a grip,” I mutter to myself. “He’s gone. You’re safe. For now.”

I need to relax, even if just for a minute. My fingers are still trembling, and my mouth is dry. I head to the kitchen, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the silence. The coffee pot sits untouched on the counter. I start a fresh brew, the familiar scent filling the air and grounding me a little.

I sit at the table, my eyes staring out the window as I wrap my hands around the warm mug. The tension in my shoulders starts to ease. For the first time in days, I feel like I can breathe without fear choking me.

5

DANTE

The study in the mansion is dim, lit by the warm glow of antique lamps. A long, dark wooden table stretches before me, adorned with a curated selection of luxury items. My eyes trace over the offerings: jewelry, designer clothes, and a particularly intriguing set of barely-there lace lingerie. The thought of it adorning Aliyah's body brings a smile to my lips. I discreetly adjust myself, the anticipation stirring something primal within.

Luca stands at attention, waiting for my verdict. His gaze shifts between me and the items, assessing my reactions. His presence is solid, a testament to his loyalty and efficiency, traits I value deeply.

I pick up a delicate diamond necklace, admiring the exquisite craftsmanship and the way the stones catch the light in a cascade of brilliance. "This," I say, holding it up. The diamonds sparkle, casting a mesmerizing glow. I can already imagine the necklace resting against her smooth, dark skin, a perfect contrast that would only enhance her beauty. The thought consumes me, making my pulse quicken as I envision claiming her, making her mine in every sense.

"Yes, this one," I declare, finalizing my decision. The delicate piece seems fitting for Aliyah.

Luca nods and steps forward to retrieve it, his movements efficient and silent. He knows better than to question my choices.

I sit at my desk, the weight of my empire pressing against my shoulders, but it's a burden I relish. Reaching in the top drawer, I grab a pen, the cool metal familiar in my grip, and scribble a note with strong, decisive strokes:

You cannot hide from me, Aliyah. You belong to me now.I’ve never wanted anything I can’t have,, and Aliyah will be no different. She will belong to me, I will have her.

Luca watches, his expression impassive. "You think she'll respond well to that, Boss?"

I smirk, leaning back in my chair. "It doesn't matter how she responds. She has no choice."

Luca folds the note carefully and tucks it into an envelope. "And if she tries to run?"

I raise an eyebrow, my gaze piercing. "Then she learns the hard way what happens when you defy me." My voice is controlled, matter of fact knowing that defiance isn't an option.

He nods, understanding the gravity of my words. The room falls silent, the only sound is the faint ticking of the clock on the wall, a metronome to my thoughts. My eyes drift to the window, where the city lights twinkle in the distance. I imagine Aliyah somewhere out there, unaware of the storm that's about to engulf her.

Luca nods, his respect for my authority clear in his compliance. "Consider it done,” Luca replies. He takes the note and the necklace without another word and leaves. He knows to follow the orders I already gave him, instructing him on what to do.

As he leaves the room, I feel a surge of anticipation rise within me. Aliyah will soon realize that any type of resistance is futile. She's mine, there's no escaping it. I become consumed by the thoughts of owning her.

I sit back in my chair, savoring the silence that envelops the room. I let my mind wander back to Aliyah's wide eyes filled with terror as she stumbled upon my world, completely unprepared.

The memory of her fear, mingled with her undeniable beauty, stirs the dark possessiveness within me. She’s a deer caught in the headlights, and the thrill of the hunt surges through my veins. My fingers drum lightly on the armrest as I imagine her trying to escape, only to realize the futility of her efforts. A precious prize I’ll never let slip away.

The next morning, my black SUV purrs softly, the engine humming beneath my fingers drumming on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The tinted windows cloak me in shadow, my eyes fixed on the entrance of Aliyah’s building. The anticipation curls in my gut like a predator waiting for its prey.

One of my men Gio, dressed in a delivery driver’s uniform, approaches the intercom and buzzes Aliyah's apartment. His stance is casual, a stark contrast to the tension coiling within me. I watch every movement, every detail of the exchange, ready to pounce at the first sign of her.

“Yeah?” Her voice crackles through the intercom, hesitant and wary.

“Package for Aliyah Blackwood. Needs a signature,” he responds, his tone smooth, practiced.

There’s a pause, the kind that stretches seconds into an eternity. My heart picks up speed, a rare sensation. Control is my domain, but she’s a wild card, unpredictable.

“Fine. Be right down.”

The intercom clicks off, and I lean forward, eyes locked on the building entrance. The seconds drag, each one a hammerblow against my impatience. Then, the door swings open, and she steps out.

Aliyah’s hesitant, glancing around like a deer in a clearing, every muscle poised to flee. She’s wearing a simple outfit, but the way her clothes cling to her frame ignites more than just attraction, sparking primal desire. Her eyes, wide and alert, dart across the street, scanning for threats.

“Just sign here, miss,” Gio says, holding out the clipboard.

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