1 - Prologue

This book is a DARK Mafia Romance, reverse harem story (meaning the girl in this book will be in a relationship with more than one guy). There will be recurring mature themes, including but not limited to explicit sexual content, BDSM, extreme male dominants, blood and knife play, breeding kink, and other types of kinks. Torture, violence, assault, abuse, kidnapping, forced relationships, and other acts of violence will happen in this book. Chapters 20-23 are particularly extreme; please do not let this discourage you. There is a reason and much will be revealed by chapter 70. Consider this your trigger warning. The book contains triggers from start to finish, and there will not be another warning. This is a work of fiction. Please keep negative comments to yourself. This is a safe space for all readers. If you decide to venture on, this is your warning. Enjoy the story.

Fresh air. The smell of pine, citrus, and fresh leaves consumes my every cell, forcing my lungs to expand and inhale the glorious scents. It’s refreshing; too bad I can’t enjoy it as I frantically look around, searching the garden around me. I quickly whipped my head to both sides, looking to see if those big burly men that wear all black with the guns strapped to their shoulders saw me scurry from the trellis on the balcony that connected to the luxurious room I called my prison cell.

The cool night air does nothing for my nerves as my heartbeat increases. I wait patiently, counting in my head, watching the last security team member walk out of sight. This is it. This is my chance. If I fail, I doubt they will ever let me see the sun again for an awfully long time. I will not be bound to that bed any longer. I can’t be their queen. Five… four… three… two… one!

I quickly dash across the vast open gardens. The silver glow of the crescent moon reflects off the neatly just-trimmed grass and hedges. The smell of it just being cut this morning still lingers in the air, mixed with the rose bushes that line the walking paths. I need to get to the tree line. The forest is thick and should hopefully be my salvation. The sound of chirping crickets is all the sounds I hear amongst the rapid beats of my own heart and the soft thudding of my feet along the ground.

At the furthest edge of the garden is the bench under the big Magnolia tree, where they would allow me to sit and read on the good days. It was the only place I ever found some semblance of peace. The quiet serenades of nature would help transport my mind to the imaginary places of my books, allow me to revel in the beauty of the literature, and forget why I was there, in this house, with those men.

I stopped briefly at my bench to take a moment to check my surroundings. I made the mistake of looking back at the house—a big mistake. Standing on my balcony, illuminated by the moon in the sky and the harsh bright light of the room behind them, stood the men I feared the most—my captors.

They had their arms crossed, watching me in silence. Even though I was on the far side of the garden and the sky's darkness blocked out their stern gazes, I could still make out the challenge in their features. They are daring me to take another step. I take a quick breath and lower my head like I have done before, giving them the impression that I am once again submitting to them. But this time, not a chance! I look up and stick my tongue out, raising both of my bruised wrists in the air, holding out my middle fingers as a show of defiance before I turn on my heels and run into the forest behind me and under cover of darkness.

“AURORA!” one calls out. I hear my name a few more times, slowly fading in the distance as I pick up speed. It’s so dark under the canopy of these trees. I stumble into fallen branches and hear the crunch of twigs and leaves beneath my feet—a few scrapes litter my legs and arms. My chest is becoming heavy as I try to push oxygen into my screaming lungs. Every muscle is burning, but I cannot stop. I swerved left and then right, trying to find a path. It feels like I have been running for hours, but it was probably only minutes.

“AURORA!” Oh no. They are getting closer. I stumbled and fell on a broken limb of a tree. My palms and knees took the brunt of the fall, my weight harshly pounding into the ground. Ouch. I took a moment to look behind me. I saw tiny lights dancing through the tree line. Four… no six… no… no Fudge! I saw at least ten lights dancing in the direction I was in. My breath started to speed up.

“Aurora! Come back, sweetie! Surrender now, and you will only get the whip! You know you can’t run from us!”

I stay silent. I saw a large tree to my right with a small hole at the base. I quietly pick myself up and crawl towards the tree, trying not to make any sounds. Once at the tree, I pull my knees to my chest, cover my mouth with my cut-up hands, and try to breathe as slowly as I can to bring down my racing heart. If I move, they will see me.

“AURORA! BABY GIRL, YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE!!.... COME. OUT. NOW!” Ugh. This is not good. They are so mad.

And then silence. Nothing. Not even the chirps of the insects can be heard—no shining lights through the forest reflecting on the trees. I hold my breath. I count one one thousand… two one thousand… three one thousand… four one thousand... five one thousand... and get to sixty. Maybe they finally gave up? I close my eyes momentarily, trying to concentrate on any sounds. I don’t hear them. I don't hear any footsteps crushing leaves on the forest floor, breathing, or yelling. I finally allow myself to exhale the breath I was holding, and a small smile creases my cheeks. I did it! I really did it. Now I must get out of here... I slowly crawl out of my hiding spot only to see shoes in front of me.

“Well, hello, sweetheart.”