Marco’s presence was overwhelming, his body heat making it hard to breathe. His dark eyes locked onto mine, making my heart race. “Why do you fight me, Sarah?” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

I tried to step back, but the counter trapped me. “I won’t be your plaything, Marco.”

He smiled, a dangerous, seductive curve of his lips. “Is that so?” He pulled me close, his hand burning through my dress. His lips brushed my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “I think you like this more than you admit.”

I wanted to resist, but when his mouth claimed mine, I melted into the kiss, my body betraying me. Every touch ignited a fire I couldn’t control.

When he pulled back, his eyes were full of desire. “You can’t deny what’s between us, Sarah”

Sarah’s simple life turns dark when she catches the eye of dangerous mob boss, Marco De Luca. To settle her father’s debt, Marco forces her into an arranged relationship. Sarah fights to resist his control, but their fiery clashes spark undeniable passion.

SARAH

The bakery smelled of fresh bread and cinnamon, a comforting aroma that greeted me every morning. I enjoyed the simplicity of our life. Our bakery, though it was small and modest, it was our pride and joy. Papa, had poured his heart and soul into this place, and it was a decent addiction to our community.

“Good morning, Mrs. Alvarez! The usual?” I asked, already reaching for a loaf of brown bread.

“Good morning, Sarah. Yes, please,” she replied with a warm smile.

Handing her the loaf, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride. Despite the financial struggles and the countless hours of hard work, I loved every moment spent here. My father and I shared a close bond, working side by side to keep our beloved bakery running.

After Mrs. Alvarez left, I returned to kneading dough, humming softly to the tune playing on the radio. My father was in the back, preparing a new batch of new dough. The old Spanish tunes on the radio filled the space with nostalgia, reminding me of my mother. I pushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand.

“Sarah, how’s it looking out there?” my father called from the kitchen.

“Busy, as usual,” I replied, looking at the clock. It was mid-morning, our busiest time of day. “But I can handle it.”

He appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands on a towel. His face, lined with years of hard work, softened as he looked at me. “You’re a good girl, Sarah. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

I smiled, but before I could respond, the bell above the door rang again. This time, it wasn’t a familiar face that greeted me.

A group of men, rough-looking and clearly out of place, walked into the bakery. They spoke in low tones, casting glances around the room that made my stomach churn.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of my father’s warnings about not getting into trouble. “Stay calm, Sarah,” I muttered under my breath.

One of the men, tall with a scar running down his cheek, approached the counter. “Hey, sweetheart,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Got any fresh bread for us?”

I forced a smile. “Of course. What can I get for you?”

He looked me up and down, a nasty look playing at the corners of his mouth. “How about a smile to start with?”

I clenched my teeth, resisting the urge to insult him. “We have rye, sourdough, and baguettes fresh out of the oven.”

Rye, huh?” he said, leaning over the counter. “You know what I like about rye? It’s tough. Just like me.”

The other men laughedlaudly, crowding closer. I could feel their eyes on me, sizing me up like I was some kind of hooker. My heart pounded, but I stood my ground. “How many loaves do you need?”

“Let’s start with two,” the scarred man said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “And we’ll see if your service is good enough for more.”

I turned to grab the loaves, trying to keep my hands from shaking. As I placed them in a bag, one of the men knocked over a display of pastries. “Oops,” he said with a smirk. “Clumsy me.”

“Hey, watch it!” I snapped, it was getting difficult to control my patience. “Those aren’t free, you know.”

The scarred man’s grin widened. “Feisty, aren’t you? I like that in a woman.”

Another man, shorter but stocky, moved closer, he looked at me with a perveted smile. “What else you got back there, sweetheart? Maybe something sweet for us?”

I glared at him, my fists clenched up. “Just the bread. Take it or leave it.”

“Oh, we’ll take it,” he said, reaching out to brush a finger against my cheek. “But I bet you’re sweeter than anything here.”

I slapped his hand away, my heart racing. “Don’t touch me!”

The men laughed, the scarred man leaning over the counter again. “What’s the matter? We’re just having a little fun.”

“This isn’t fun,” I said through gritted teeth. “This is harassment. Now either buy something or get out before I call the police.”

The scarred man’s expression darkened. “You’ve got quite a mouth on you, girl. Maybe we need to teach you some manners.”

Before I could respond, the bell above the door chimed again. Mr. Morales, an elderly man who visited the bakery daily, shuffled in. He looked around, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the men and the mess they had made.

“Good morning, Sarah. Could I get a baguette, please?” he asked, his voice a little shaky.

I quickly handed him the bread, my hands steadying slightly in the familiar transaction. “Of course, Mr. Morales. That’ll be two dollars.”

As Mr. Morales fumbled for his wallet, one of the men snatched it from his hands. “What do we have here?” he taunted, rifling through the old man’s belongings.

“Hey!” I shouted, I didn't care about my fear. “Give that back!”

The scarred man laughed. “Looks like the little princess wants to play hero. Why don’t you stay out of it, sweetheart?”

I stepped around the counter, my anger boiling over. “Give it back, now!”

The men laughed again, clearly enjoying the show. The scarred man waved the wallet in front of Mr. Morales, taunting him. “Come and get it, old man.”

Mr. Morales looked at me, his eyes pleading. I could see he was terrified, but he tried to put on a brave face. “Please, just give it back,” he said softly.

The men ignored him, their attention focused on me. One of them, a burly guy with tattoos snaking up his arms, knocked over another display, sending pastries scattering across the floor. “Oops,” he said again, smirking.

“Enough!” I shouted, my voice shaking with anger. “Leave him alone and get out of my bakery!”

The scarred man stepped closer, his face inches from mine. “You’ve got guts, girl. But guts can get you in trouble.”

I stood my ground, refusing to back down. “I said, give it back and get out.”

The bell above the door jingled, and another man entered. My breath caught in my throat. He was tall, professionally dressed, and he had an air of authority that made everyone in the room turn to look. His dark eyes scanned the bakery with a mixture of curiosity and calculation, finally landing on me.

“Boss!” the scarred man exclaimed, visibly straightening. “We were just—”

He silenced him with a look. “Behave with class,” he commanded, his voice smooth yet edged with steel. “This is not how we conduct ourselves.”

There was something about him, something magnetic and intimidating all at once. He moved with the confidence of a man used to being obeyed, his every step purposeful. He was undeniably attractive, with chiseled features and an air of authority that made my skin crawl.

His gaze returned to me, and I felt a strange pull, as if he could see right through me. “I apologize for my men,” he said, his tone surprisingly courteous. “They seem to have forgotten their manners.”

I managed to find my voice. “It’s… it’s okay. No harm done.”

He smiled, a small, knowing smile that felt more like a threat than a reassurance. “Good to hear. What’s your name?”

“Sarah,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Sarah,” he repeated, as if savoring the sound. “A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, not from flattery, but from anger and discomfort. I quickly looked away, busying myself with a tray of cookies that didn’t really need arranging. What was it about this man that made me so uneasy?

He turned to his men, his expression hardening. “Apologize to the lady and help clean up this mess.”

They scrambled to obey, their earlier drama replaced with obedience. As they arranged the fallen display and muttered apologies, I stole glances at Marco, trying to understand who he was and why he had such a powerful effect on everyone around him.

“Again, my apologies,” he said once more, stepping closer. “It seems my visit caused quite a stir.”

“Who… who are you?” I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop myself.

He chuckled softly, a sound that was both charming and dangerous. “Just a businessman, Sarah. But I think we’ll be seeing each other again.”

With that, he turned and walked out, his men following like obedient dogs. The door closed behind them, and the bakery seemed to exhale, the tension slowly disappearing.

I stood there, trying to steady my breathing, my mind dashing with questions. Who was that man? And why did he have his subordinates come here?

MARCO

The ride back to the estate was silent. My men knew better than to question me right now, not when I was deep in thought. “Sarah..” I muttered to myself. , seeing her action at the bakery, had been an unexpected surprise. I hadn’t planned on her—hadn’t planned on any of this, really. But sometimes, life throws curveballs.

I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes for a moment. Her face flashed before me: bold, fierce, and simply captivating. There was something about her that stirred something wild within me. I loved breaking the wills of stern girls, and Sarah just had “challenge” written all over her.

When we finally pulled up to the estate, I got out of the car and motioned for my men to follow me into my office. Once we were all inside, I closed the door and turned to face them.

“Change of plans,” I announced, my voice steady. “We’re not touching Santiago. Not yet, anyway.”

Tony, my younger brother and second-in-command, looked confused. “But boss, I thought the plan was to rough up the old fool, make him understand why he should never take the De Luca name for granted?.”

I shook my head. “Sarah.. The girl at the bakery today was definitely his daughter. There’s something about her. Seeing her in action at the bakery… it aroused something in me.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “And that changes our plans how?”

I took a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into words. “I love breaking the wills of stern girls. There’s a fire in Sarah that I want to extinguish, a strength I want to bend to my will. Roughing up Santiago might get us what we want in the short term, but if we play this right, we can get much more.”

One of my other men, Carlos, chimed in. “So, what do we do instead Boss?”

“Lay off Santiago for now. He can can continue playing bakery man for the little time he's got. I want you to focus on keeping tabs on Sarah. Follow her, learn her routines, understand her every move.”

Tony nodded slowly, processing my words. “You want us to stalk her?”

“Not stalk,” I corrected, though the word didn’t bother me. “Just keep an eye on her. I want to know everything. Where she goes, who she talks to, what she likes, what she fears.”

Another man, Luis, spoke up. “Boss, this sounds risky. What if she finds out?”

I met his gaze, my expression hard. “You know better than slipping up. You make sure does the find out. You’ll be careful. We need to gather information before I make our my move.”

Tony glanced around at the other men, then back at me. “Alright, boss. We’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Good,” I said, feeling a strange mix of excitement and anticipation. “This isn’t just about power. It’s about control. And I intend to control Sarah.”

“Good,” I said, satisfied. “I want regular updates. And remember, no one touches her. She’s mine to deal with.”

The men nodded, and I could see the loyalty in their eyes. They knew better than to question my decisions, especially when it came to matters of my interest.

“Now get out of here,” I ordered, waving them away. “I need to think.”

They filed out of the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I poured myself a drink and sat down at the desk, staring into the amber liquid. Sarah was a complication, but she was also an opportunity. Breaking her would be a challenge, and I loved challenges.

I took a sip of my drink, savoring the burn as it went down. The memory of Sarah’s defiant gaze lingered in my mind. She was strong, but strength could be broken. It was just a matter of finding the right pressure points.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Come in,” I called, already knowing who it would be.

Tony stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Boss, there’s something else. While we were at the bakery, I noticed a couple of guys hanging around outside. They didn’t look like locals.”

“Go on,” I said, intrigued.

“I did some digging. Turns out, they’re connected to the Rossi family. Seems like they’ve got an interest in Santiago too.”

I frowned, my mind racing. The Rossi family was a problem. They were our biggest rivals, always looking for ways to undermine us. If they were interested in Santiago, it could complicate things.

“Keep an eye on them,” I ordered. “I don’t want any surprises.”

Tony nodded and left, leaving me alone once more. I drained my glass and set it down with a decisive thud. This was getting more complicated by the minute, but I thrived on complications. They kept things interesting.

I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes. Sarah’s face appeared once more, her eyes blazing with defiance.

“Yes, she would be a challenge. But she would also be mine. It was only a matter of time.” I said out loud.

SARAH

After Marco and his men left, the bakery felt oddly quiet. I locked the door behind them, my hands still shaking. I took a deep breath and went to find Papa in the back.

“Papa,” I called, my voice shaky. “We need to talk.”

He turned around, concern etched on his face. “What is it, Sarah? You look pale.”

“Some men came in today,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “They were rough, making a mess, and harassing me. One of them even grabbed Mr. Morales’s wallet.”

Papa’s eyes widened. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

I shook my head. “No, but it was close. Then, a strange man showed up. He stopped them and made them apologize, he seemed to be their boss.”

Papa’s face tightened, a nervous glint in his eyes. “Strange, you say?”

“Yes. Tall, dark eyes, commanding presence. Seemed like a really shady man, Papa?”

Papa hesitated, then shook his head. “Just be careful, Sarah. Men like that can be dangerous.”

I frowned. “It’s funny, though. You didn’t hear any of the racket? The shouting? The displays getting knocked over?”

He looked away, wiping his hands on a towel. “I was busy in the back. Sometimes I don’t hear everything.”

I didn’t believe him, but I let it go. “Okay, but promise me you’ll be careful too.”

He nodded, but there was something in his eyes, a worry he couldn’t hide. “Let’s lock up and head home.”

We locked the doors and set everything for the night. As we walked home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Papa seemed more uneasy than I’d ever seen him.

“Papa,” I said softly, “is there something you’re not telling me?”

He sighed deeply, avoiding my gaze. “Just be careful, Sarah. There are things you don’t need to worry about.”

His words only made me more anxious. What was he hiding? And why did Marco’s presence affect him so much?

SARAH

I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the incident at the bakery. That guy who walked in—yeah, he was undeniably good-looking. The kind of looks that make you glance twice. But, ugh, that cocky attitude. I hated cocky guys. They always thought they could get whatever they wanted just because they flashed a smile or said the right things.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grabbed it and saw Nicole’s name flashing.

“Hey, crazy girl!” I answered, trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

“Hey, Sarah! Guess what tomorrow is?” Nicole’s voice was practically vibrating with excitement.

“Hmm, let me think… your birthday?” I teased.

“Bingo! And you know what that means—we’re hitting up the biggest club in town to celebrate!”

I frowned, feeling a bit skeptical. “A club? You know I’m not really into that scene, Nic.”

“Oh, come on! It’s my birthday! We have to do something big. Plus, you need a break. You’ve been all work and no play lately.”

I sighed. “I don’t know, Nicole. Clubs aren’t really my thing.”

“Please, Sarah? For me? We’ll have an amazing time. I promise.”

I could almost see her giving me the puppy-dog eyes. “Okay, fine. But only because it’s your birthday.”

“Yes! You’re the best! I’ll pick you up at seven, and don’t even think about backing out.”

I laughed. “Alright, alright. I’ll be ready.”

“Great! Can't wait to make you wear something sexy. It’s time to show off that hot body of yours!”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile. “We’ll see. I’m not really sure I even have anything that qualifies as sexy.”

Nicole scoffed. “Oh, please. You’ve got that red dress, the one you wore to the New Year’s party. That dress is fire, and you know it.”

I groaned. “The red dress? That thing barely covers anything.”

“Exactly!” Nicole said with a mischievous tone. “It’s perfect. Trust me, you’ll be the star of the night.”

“Fine, but if I end up freezing to death or getting unwanted attention, I’m blaming you.”

Nicole laughed. “Deal. Just be ready for a night to remember. And, who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone who isn’t a total jerk.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, maybe. But don’t get your hopes up.”

“I’m serious, Sarah. You deserve to have fun once in a while. It’s time to let loose a little.”

I sighed, but it was a calm, happy sigh. “Alright, you win. I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”

“Can’t wait! Bye, Sarah!”

I hung up, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. A night out at a huge club was definitely out of my comfort zone, but maybe that’s exactly what I needed.

"Life's too short to play it safe, right?" I said to myself, trying to muster up some enthusiasm.

I settled back into my bed, my thoughts drifting back to the man from the bakery. “Man I hope I don't get to see his smug face again”. I said to myself.

The next day, Nicole came over to my house, practically bouncing with excitement. “Sarah, tonight is going to be amazing! We’re going to have so much fun!”

I gave her a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t get too carried away, okay?”

Nicole rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on, where’s your sense of adventure? So, tell me, how’s the love life?”

I sighed. “Nonexistent, as usual. I’m too busy with the bakery and taking care of Dad.”

Nicole’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “What about Shane? He was totally into you.”

I shook my head. “Shane’s nice, but I’m not interested. Right now, my priority is Dad and the bakery.”

Nicole frowned, putting her hands on her hips. “You need to start living your own life, Sarah. Your dad wouldn’t want you to put everything on hold for him. You deserve to be happy, too.”

I shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s complicated. Anyway, let’s just focus on tonight.”

Nicole grinned. “Fine, but I’m not letting you off the hook that easily. Now, let’s find you something sexy to wear.”

We searched through my closet, and Nicole pulled out the red dress she had mentioned. “This one. You have to wear this.”

I groaned. “The red dress? Really? It barely covers anything.”

“That’s the point! You’ll look stunning, trust me.”

I slipped into the dress, feeling a bit self-conscious. Nicole grinned. “See? You look incredible!”

Just then, my dad walked in. “Wow, Sarah, you look just like your mother. Stunning.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said, blushing.

He smiled warmly but added, “Just make sure you avoid any drama and be home as soon as possible, alright?”

Nicole and I exchanged a glance, and she gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Santiago. I’ll take good care of her.”

He nodded. “I’m counting on you, Nicole.”

As we headed out, Nicole linked arms with me. “Tonight is going to be unforgettable, Sarah. Trust me.”

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off my nerves. “You only live once, right?”

“Exactly,” Nicole said, grinning. “Now, let’s go make some memories.”

The club was a upside-down mix of flashing lights, loud music, and the constant hum of conversation and laughter. As we approached, I couldn’t help but shoot Nicole a glare. “A club-slash-casino? Really, Nicole?”

She just laughed. “Come on, Sarah, loosen up! Let’s make the best of it.”

I sighed, bracing myself. “I better not regret this, Nic.”

Stepping inside, I was stunned by the sheer size of the place. It was a insane—everything glittered and gleamed, from the chandeliers to the slot machines. Nicole grabbed my arm and pulled me through the crowd of people.

“Our lounge is right by the VIP area. Not that we’re VIP, but close enough!” She giggled. “If I were richer, we could’ve just paid for VIP!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Next time, maybe.”

As we made our way to the lounge, Nicole introduced me to a couple of her friends. They seemed nice enough, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on me. My dress, which barely covered anything, seemed to draw attention from every direction. It hugged my curves in all the right places and had a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination.

“Remind me to smack you later for making me wear this,” I muttered to Nicole, catching a few guys blatantly ogling me.

Nicole just grinned. “Oh, come on. You look amazing, and you know it. Let them look!”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Nic, if anyone gets handsy, I’m blaming you.”

Nicole laughed. “Deal. Now, let’s get some drinks and have some fun.”

As she headed to the bar, she gave me a playful wink. “Try to be in one piece when I get back, okay?”

I chuckled. “No promises.”

Left alone, I tried to relax and take in the scene. Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar face. The scarred man from the bakery incident was here, fooling around with one of the stripper girls. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to place where I recognized him from.

I was still lost in thought when a guy approached me. He had a confident smile, but not in an off-putting way. “Hey there, I’m Marcel. Do you always look this uncomfortable at parties, or is it just tonight?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m Sarah. And yeah, I guess clubs aren’t really my thing.”

“Well, Sarah, you look like you could use a good time. How about a joke to lighten the mood?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Alright, hit me.”

Marcel leaned in a bit. “Why don’t scientists trust atoms?”

I shrugged, smiling. “Why?”

“Because they make up everything.”

I laughed, genuinely amused. “That’s actually pretty good.”

Marcel grinned. “I’m glad you think so. Can I buy you a drink, or is your friend taking care of that?”

“Nicole’s on it, but thanks. So, do you come here often?”

“Only on special occasions. Tonight, it seems, the stars have aligned in my favor. I get to meet you.”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Smooth talker, huh?”

“Just honest,” Marcel said, his smile softening. “You looked like you could use some company, and I couldn’t resist.”

“Well, you’re not wrong. Company is nice.”

Marcel’s eyes twinkled. “Then let’s make the most of it. Tell me, what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?”

“Long story. But in short, I’m here to celebrate my best friend’s birthday. She dragged me out of my comfort zone.”

“Sounds like a good friend. Sometimes, we need a little push to enjoy life.”

“True,” I admitted. “And tonight, I’m trying to go with the flow.”

“Glad to hear it,” Marcel said, leaning a little closer.

Before I could respond, the scarred-face man and another guy I recognized from the bakery scuffle approached. The scarred man scowled and said, “Our boss wants to see you. Now.”

“No,” I replied, disgust evident in my voice. “Who the hell does your boss think he is?”

The scarred man stepped forward, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I don't think you understand. That wasn't a request.”

Marcel stepped between us, cool and confident. “Did your mom never teach you to be nice to women? She said no.”

The scarred man snarled and pulled out a pistol, the other guy doing the same. “Tell your pet to mind his language,” the scarred man said to me. “I won't ask again. The boss wants to see you.”

I squared my shoulders and met his gaze. “I don’t care who your boss is. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Lady, you’re making this harder than it needs to be,” the other guy hissed, waving his gun slightly.

Marcel didn’t back down. “You heard her. She’s not going. So, why don’t you two take a hike before things get ugly?”

The scarred man laughed darkly. “Ugly? You have no idea what ugly is. Last chance, princess. Come with us, or we’ll make you.”

I glanced at Marcel, who looked ready to fight, but the tension was too thick. I knew we couldn’t win against guns. Reluctantly, I nodded at Marcel. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

Marcel looked like he wanted to argue, but I shook my head, giving him a reassuring look I didn't quite feel. “Trust me. I’ll handle this.”

As I walked into the lounge, the scene I met was disgusting—strippers, men snorting lines of cocaine, and the air thick with smoke. In the middle of it all, a man sat with two strippers draped over him, their hands all over his body.

He turned as I walked in, a smug smile spreading across his face. “Sarah Santiago,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

I was taken aback. “Who are you, and how do you know my full name?”

He pretended to look hurt. “You’ve forgotten me so soon? I’m offended.”

“I remember you,” I snapped. “But I don’t recall telling you my full name. And frankly, I don’t really care. This should be the last time you send your goons to harrass me again. What the hell do you want with m-”

Before I could finish, he interrupted, his voice cold and hard. “I want you, Sarah. Be a good girl and join my line of sluts.”

My anger flared up instantly. “Your what?! You must be high on cheep weed, You’re mad if you think I’d ever—”

“Quiet,” he commanded, his voice chilling. “Your precious papa’s life is in my hands. And so is yours. I'll tell you a little story, your father owes my family a large sum of money, and he’s been unable to pay back for far too long. He’s drawn our wrath.”

He caressed one of the strippers’ breasts absentmindedly. “It would be in your best interest to grovel to me. Maybe then I could consider making things easier for you and your dad. You’ve got three days to think about what I just said, Sarah. Belong to me or lose your dad.”