I didn't get any sleep. How could I? Not when the most dangerous man in Italy had stood inches from me, whispering words that left my skin crawling.

"You're not as weak as you pretend to be."

That phrase ran in my mind like a harsh lullaby. Not only the accusation, It was the way he said it like he wanted to peel back my skin and see what was underneath. He assumed I was concealing something. And now he was watching me. When a gentle tap knocked on my door, the sun had not yet risen. Heart thumping, I jumped up.

A woman's voice said, "Miss Dawson." You have to get dressed; Mr. Vitorri will be ready downstairs in an hour.

I did not reply. I just stared at the door, wishing it to vanish. I had never been wanted by anybody certainly not like this before. But I couldn't say no. Not here in this building. Not when I was still alive by Isaac's whim. Soft gray slacks, a silk blouse, and heels that appeared custom-made were among the folded garments on the bench. Everything fit perfectly.

It made me sick. As if they had always known my size. As I was ushered through a labyrinth of gleaming marble and enormous doors, the corridors of the mansion were silent. Though I was internally unraveling, I walked with my head held high. Every corner felt to be a great place to vanish. My pulse jumped at every shadow. Finally, I was led into a vast, sun-lit chamber with tall windows and a long table prepared for breakfast. There he was as well. Isaac Vitorri. Sipping coffee like this was any other day, he stood close to the window. Like he hadn't held my life in his hands less than twenty-four hours ago. I was firmly planted in place. He turned.

"Sit." I followed but with tight fists. The chair was soft, but I felt I was seated on glass. He grabbed the chair across from me. A moment passed before he spoke.

"Do you know why I let you live, Ariana?"

I stared at him, refusing to look away. “Because I begged?” I whispered

A flicker of amusement touched his mouth. “No.”

“Because you realized I wasn’t the person you were looking for?”

“Also no.”

I swallowed hard. “Then why?”

He leaned forward, eyes fixed on mine. “Because you reminded me of someone.”

That knocked the breath out of me.

“Who?”

He didn’t answer.

Just sipped his coffee.

I pressed on. “You said I matched a profile. Who were you trying to kidnap?”

He looked at me for a long moment. “Someone who betrayed me.”

“Then why not let me go now that you know I’m not her?”

“Because I don’t believe in coincidences. And I don’t trust accidents.”

“You think I set this up?” I choked. “I don’t even know who you are!”

He laughed darkly. "You would be astonished how many people claim that... right before they display their teeth."

I shoved my plate away. "I am not hungry."

"You'll eat," he said firmly but not cruelly. "I need you healthy."

“Why? So I look good in your dungeon?" I snapped

He chuckled dryly. "You are not in a dungeon. You are in my home."

"Still feels like a cage."

"Because it is," he just said. I blinked, shocked by the honesty. He ascended the table, approaching me once more. Each stride caused my skin to prickle.

"I am going to give you a choice, Ariana."

I raised my head at him suspiciously.

You can stay here, locked in that lovely room upstairs, watched every moment. Or you may earn some independence, He paused.

I narrowed my eyes. "How?"

"You work for me."

My stomach churned. "Work? Doing what?"

He grinned. "Helping me with some... administrative requirements." Information. Filing of background checks. Elementary things. I will provide you a laptop and several names.

He leaned in close. “People I am watching.” Those I distrust.”

My breathing stopped. "You want me to spy?"

"No," he murmured. "I want you to watch. And perhaps one day you will come to see that the planet you thought was clean… never really was.

"I am not helping you harm anyone."

He straightened. "Stay locked up then."

My hands curled. "You think because you feed me and dress me silk, I'll forget you kidnapped me?" That I'll start liking you?

"I don't want you to like me," he said "rather, I want you to remain alive."

A phone in his pocket buzzed before I could respond. He pulled it out, looked at the screen, and tightened his jaw. Everything within him shifted. From relaxed to lethal. Before walking toward the door, he gave me one final look. "You'll be led back to your room."

"What happened?" I questioned. He declined to respond. But I heard him whisper one word into the phone just before the door closed after him. "Kill him."

Later the same night…

Lying in bed, I gaze up at the ceiling. I had not had anything to eat. I had not cried. I was unable too. I was trying to grasp my identity in this new world. I had always been a nobody. A young girl with a sick mother, a sibling to raise, and costs we couldn't meet. I had never seen myself as anything worth watching. I was stuck inside a mansion run by the devil himself, though. And worse? I did not know how to prevent him from accessing my thoughts. A knock came once again. Heart in my throat, I sat up swiftly. The door opened. That was not a guard. It was a girl, perhaps younger, with light eyes and trembling hands, apparently around my age. She seemed frightened, so she entered and then closed the door behind her.

She murmured, "You have to listen to me," adding, "They watch everything in this place. But there's something you need to know."

I stood, wary. “Who are you?”

“I’m… I was like you. A mistake. And I tried to escape once.”

I held my breath.

“What happened?” I asked.

She looked toward the camera in the corner, then back at me with haunted eyes.

“I’m not the only girl he’s kept here.”