Chapter 4

"Your body is perfect; your measurements are incredible," he says.

I noticed DOM's serious expression.

"It's perfection from birth," I reply.

"A ballerina's body is perfect; it's strong without being overly muscular and defined without being exaggerated. You are perfect," he says.

"I wish I had bigger breasts; I find them beautiful."

"For me, you're perfect. Your breasts are perfect; they easily fit in the mouth," DOM says in English, making me feel embarrassed. "They are beautiful as they are." DOM was serious, visibly trying to control himself with Leon touching me, and he was possessive. Believe me, Leon was only alive because he's gay, and DOM is in a hurry for the dress and the wedding.

We spent the rest of the afternoon together, and he showed me things from his late mother. She was also a ballerina and enjoyed playing the piano. He was taking me home since Jack was calling every second. He called me his little princess.

"I'm one meter seventy; I'm not small. Why do you call me that?"

"I'm one meter ninety, so compared to me, you're still small," he says, holding my hand while driving.

"Okay, then," I say, smiling.

"I'll be away for a few days. I ask that you behave and not do anything that puts you at risk. The damned bratva will want revenge, and there's still Roxana's bitch who survived, and Uncle Daforela is walking around freely. Behave, Laura."

"DOM, why don't we give up on this wedding?"

He stares at me seriously and lets go of my hand.

"No," he says, gripping the steering wheel.

"Why are you so stubborn? You know I will never love you."

"Yesterday, you became completely mine. Do you think I'll easily let you go after that?" he says, getting upset.

"That's precisely why. You've already got what you wanted."

He looks at me seriously.

"Do you think I only want to f**k you, Laura?" he shouts.

"No, damn it. It's not just about sex; it's not just about desire. But you already know that don't you, and you prefer to ignore it?" he says.

I don't respond; I keep looking at the road.

"Do you prefer to hate me rather than love me?" he asks.

"Yes, I prefer to hate you."

"And why?"

"Because it's easier to hate than to love. When you hate someone, you don't expect anything from the person, and when they hurt you, it doesn't hurt as much because you already anticipated it. But when you love, you have expectations; you create hope, and when the person hurts you, the pain is unbearable."

"I would never do something to hurt you."

"You already did, on the day you entered my life."

"Do you have a notebook and a pen?"

"Yes," I replied, confused, and took out an agenda and a pen from my bag.

"Write this down so you won't forget. I'm going to teach you how to love me and take that hatred you have for me out of your heart."

"Maybe loving you is not what I want."

I see the disappointment on his face upon hearing that.

DOM drops me off at home. I go up to my room to try to rest, and my brother Jack enters without knocking, which already irritates me.

"Does your hand fall off if you knock on the door?"

"What happened between you and DOM Morgan?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me all the details. Yesterday, you were drinking with him, and then what happened?"

"Nothing happened."

"You've never lied to me, little sister; don't start now."

"Do you want to know?"

"Yes, of course."

"We slept together."

"How could you do that, you slut? Do you want to embarrass us? Couldn't you have waited until the wedding? What if this bastard only wants to dishonor you and tarnish our family's name and our legacy? Did you think about that while screwing him like a whore?"

"If I'm a slut for sleeping with someone who will be my husband in a few days, then I was a willing slut. Now that you know, get out of my room."

"Don't mess with me, or I'll give you the beating you deserve. You're a woman; you should have respected yourself."

"You're a piece of sh*t, thinking you can talk to me like that."

"You're a Lancellotti; you should respect yourself. He's a man, and he did his part. It's you who should have preserved yourself."

Your words hit harder, leaving me truly hurt. He was the one who handed me over to DOM and now he was complaining.

"You're trash, Jack, but actually, trash is recyclable. You have nothing useful to offer; you're a disappointment."

My brother is a bastard and a jerk. I should be hurt by his words, but I'm not. Do you know why? You can't expect anything from someone who has already surprised you in every possible way.

Suddenly, a look of anger appeared in his eyes. He started to unbuckle his belt, saying, "If you want to be treated like a slut, then you'll be treated like one. Sluts like getting beaten."

"Don't you dare do that, you bastard!" I shout, grabbing a glass vase, knowing it's my only means of escape.

"You asked for it," he says, advancing towards me, but I jump to the other side. "Don't do this," I yell.

He looks at me sternly and charges again. I look back and see that the door was slightly open.

"You asked for it."

I say, throwing the vase in his direction. I didn't want to hurt him; I just wanted to distract him and get out of the room. He dodges it, and I take the opportunity to run through the door. I'm halfway down the stairs, running when I trip. I'm in the middle of the staircase, unable to hold on to anything. Likewise, I feel my body tumbling down the stairs, and finally, my body collides with the hard floor. An excruciating pain overwhelms me, and my mind is completely lost. I look at everything, but I can't think straight.

"Laura!" I hear Jack shouting, and then I lose consciousness. Hours later, I woke up with Fabian sitting beside me in the hospital room.

"How are you feeling?" she asks, getting up and walking over to me.

"My body hurts. What am I doing here?"

"You fell down the stairs, but you'll be fine."

"I'm going to kill Jack."

"Don't worry, DOM Morgan already gave him a few good punches."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"As soon as he heard about your fall, he went looking for Jack to find out what happened. They exchanged blows and almost killed each other. He said he wouldn't let anyone talk or lay a hand on his woman, not even her brother."

"That's all I needed, his woman. And how many days have I been here?" I reply, irritated.

"Two days, Laura. You hit your head, and the doctor gave you a sedative."

"Are DOM and my brothers here?"

"They are. They're sitting in the waiting room, and DOM hasn't left since he arrived."

"I need your help."

"Sure, tell me, friend."

"I have to go to Texas to see James. He's the only brother who can help me. I can't live amid this war."

"And what about DOM? You know he'll search for you to the ends of the earth."

"I have to take the risk, my friend. I can't marry someone like him."

"Alright, you're right. I'll help you."