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.”

SARAH

“You’re insane! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” I screamed, my voice barely audible over the throbbing music in the lounge. The air felt heavy with smoke and sweat, and my heart pounded in my chest.

Marco’s smug expression didn’t waver. “You’ll see, Sarah. You’ll come around.”

I couldn’t stand to be in the same room as him for another second. I spun around and pushed through the crowd. As I reached the door, Marcel stepped in front of me, concern written all over his face. “Hey, you alright?”

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak without breaking down. “I need to go,” I muttered, trying to sidestep him.

“Sarah, what happened?” Marcel persisted, his brow furrowed.

“I just… I need to leave,” I repeated, brushing past him. My steps quickened as I made my way through the club, the pulsating music and flashing lights becoming too much to bear. I felt like I was suffocating.

I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to Nicole: “Had to leave. Don’t worry about me. Will explain later.” My hands were trembling so much that I had to type slowly to avoid mistakes.

Men catcalled and shouted vulgar things at me as I pushed through the crowd. “Hey gorgeous, where you going?” “Come back, sweetheart!” I ignored them all, my only focus was on getting out of this nightmare.

Finally, I burst through the club’s front door and gasped for the fresh night air. I kept walking, nearly running, until I reached home. The familiar sight of our little house brought a brief sense of relief. I knocked, and a moment later, Dad opened the door.

“How was the party?” he began, but stopped short when he saw my face. “Sarah, what happened?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, a fresh wave of tears spilled over, and I leaned into my father’s embrace, the events of the night finally catching up to me.

“It’s the same men from the bakery,” I blurted out, my voice shaky. “They threatened us, said they’d kill us.”

Dad’s face paled, but he tried to keep his voice calm. “Sarah, come inside. Let’s talk about this.”

We moved to the living room, and I sat on the couch, trying to steady my breathing. Dad sat beside me, his hand on my shoulder. “Tell me everything.”

“They said you owe them money. A lot of money. They want me in exchange for writing off the debt. I have three days to decide,” I said, my voice trembling with fear and anger.

He looked shocked. "Calm down, Sarah. It's probably nothing—"

"No, Dad, it’s not nothing!" I interrupted, my voice rising. "He said you took a loan from his family and haven't been able to pay it back. He wants to claim me in exchange for writing off the debt, Dad! We have three days to decide, or it might get bloody."

Dad’s eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he was speechless. Then, taking a deep breath, he held my hands and looked into my eyes. “Sarah, I need to tell you the truth,” he began, his voice heavy with emotion. “It’s about your mom, about when she was in the hospital.”

I leaned in, desperate for answers. “What happened?”

His gaze shifted as if he were reliving the past. “Your mother, Sarah,” he said softly. “She was everything to me. When she fell ill, we were drowning in medical bills. The hospital demanded payment upfront for the life-saving operation she needed. I begged, pleaded, but they turned a deaf ear.”

His voice cracked. “I had no choice. Desperation drove me to the De Luca family—their name whispered like a curse in our neighbourhood. They offered a way out, a loan. $25000. It seemed like salvation at the time.”

“But salvation came at a cost,” he continued. “Your mother lay on that sterile hospital bed, her life hanging by a thread. I signed the papers and sealed our fate. The De Lucas are ruthless, their eyes clear of mercy. They didn’t care about love or desperation. Only repayment.”

He paused, wiping away a tear. “I paid for the operation, Sarah. But it was too late. She slipped away, leaving me with guilt and a debt that clung to my soul. The De Lucas never forget. They’ve come for their pound of flesh—the only currency they value.”

I stared at him, the weight of generations pressing down. “And now they want me,” I whispered. “Three days to decide.”

Dad’s grip tightened. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I never wanted this burden for you.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I had no choice, Sarah. I had to try.”

Tears filled my eyes as I processed his words. The De Luca family. The loan. The threat. It all made a twisted kind of sense now. We were entangled in a web of old debts and dangerous promises, and I was about to be the price.

I squeezed his hands, trying to process everything. “We need to run, Dad. We can’t stay here.”

“It’s no use, Sarah. They’ll find us wherever we go. But maybe I can gather some money,” he suggested, though his voice lacked conviction.

“We can’t raise that amount in three days. We have to leave,” I insisted. “I can’t let them take me.”

Dad finally nodded, defeated. “Alright, I’ll contact some old friends. Maybe they can help us.”

The next day was a blur of frantic activity. Dad had managed to get in touch with a childhood friend in Miami who agreed to take us in. As we packed, Dad hugged me tightly. “We’ll be alright, Sarah. I promise.”

“I know, Dad. We just have to get through this,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at my insides.

"I'll be back soon, Sarah," Dad said, his voice tense with worry. "I need to go to the bank to close some accounts and gather whatever cash I can."

I nodded, trying to hide my own anxiety. "Okay, Dad. Just be careful out there."

As soon as he left, I threw myself into finishing the packing. Each item I placed into the suitcase felt like another step closer to safety.

"I can't let them win," I muttered to myself, stuffing clothes into the bag with more force than necessary. "We can't stay here. We have to leave, I can't succumb to that man, no matter what."

With my heart pounding in my chest, I decided to run to the nearby grocery store for a few necessities. As I walked back, the weight of our situation pressed down on me over and over making each step feel heavier than the last.

When I reached home, my heart sank as I saw our front door ajar, the handle broken. Fear clutched at my chest as I walked in cautiously, calling out, “Dad?”

The place was a mess, completely scattered. My breath caught in my throat, and panic surged through me. I ran back out to the street, my mind racing. What if they’d already taken him?

A dark car sped up and screeched to a halt in front of me. The back window rolled down, and a cold voice commanded, “Get in.”

I stepped back, shaking my head. “No.”

“If you don’t get in, you’ll never see your father again,” the voice threatened.

Terror gripped me. Dad. They had him. Without another thought, I got into the car, the door slamming shut behind me.

The interior of the car was dimly lit, and I could barely make out the faces of the men sitting in the front. The car started moving immediately. I tried to steady my breathing, but my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.

“Where’s my father?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Don’t worry about him,” the man in the front passenger seat said without turning around. “You’ll see him soon enough.”