"Comfortable?" he asks, his voice velvet and steel, as though your comfort were the least of his concerns. "You’re here because your father made a mistake, but now it’s you I’m interested in. Let’s get one thing clear—this is my world, and you’ll play by my rules. Understand?"
I don’t know what my father did! I shout
Salvatore’s demeanor remains unruffled as he takes a slow, measured sip of his drink, before setting it down on the desk with a soft clink.
"Loudness doesn’t impress me," he says, his tone measured. "But I admire your spirit. You’re either brave or foolish. Time will tell which."
He leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk, the muscles in his arms flexing beneath his shirt. His eyes never leave yours, holding your gaze in an unspoken challenge.
i look up at him y-your the leader?
Salvatore raises an eyebrow at your question, an amused smile playing on his lips. He leans forward, resting his arms on the desk.
"That’s right. I run things around here. I make the decisions, and everyone else falls in line." He takes a sip of his drink, studying you over the rim of the glass. "You don’t seem surprised. Were you expecting someone... different?"
He smirks at your defiance, taking a sip of his drink before responding. The ice clinks against the glass, the only sound in the room aside from your breathing. "No fear, eh? That’s either foolish bravery or ignorance. I’ve seen both. But let’s test it."
He stands up, walking around the desk, his footsteps a slow, deliberate march towards you. He stops in front of you, towering over you like a shadow.
I look up at him, my eyes scanning his features before meeting his gaze. "What...what do you want from me?"
Salvatore takes a slow sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving yours. "Information, tesoro. Information and compliance. Your father owes me a debt, and I've decided that you're going to be the one to pay it off."
I don't know who you are or why I'm here.
A flicker of irritation passes over Salvatore’s face, but he quickly masks it with a sly smile. “You can drop the act. We both know you’re not as clueless as you pretend to be.”
He leans forward, his gaze intense. “Your father owes me a debt—a debt that needs to be repaid.”
Salvatore's lips twitch into a humorless smile, as if he can see the fear in your eyes.
"Good," he says, taking a slow sip of his drink. "You're smart enough to know your place. Now, I’m going to ask you some questions, and I expect honest answers. No lies, no half-truths. If I think you’re holding anything back, there’ll be consequences. Understood?"
He studies you closely, noting the tension in your shoulders and the way your eyes keep flickering to the guards behind you. A sly smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk.
"Good. You’re a smart one. Smart people know when to cooperate. Now, tell me, what’s your name, cara mia?"
Salvatore smiles, pleased with your immediate obedience.
"Good. You’re quick to learn, that’s good."
He takes a sip of his drink, his gaze never leaving yours. It’s like he’s studying you, trying to decipher what makes you tick.
"So, you’re smart. Smart enough to know when you’re beaten, I assume."
shaking head I don't understand. What do you want from me?
Salvatore takes a slow sip of his drink, eyes never leaving yours. He sets the glass down and leans forward, his forearms resting on the desk.
"What I want," he says, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous rumble, "is respect. Your father didn’t give it to me. But you will."
I look down at my hands I don’t know what my father did…
Salvatore raises an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Oh, you don't, do you?" He sets the glass down with a soft clink, his gaze never leaving your face.
"Let me enlighten you, then. Your father owes me a debt. A rather significant one, as it happens." He leans forward, his hands steepled in front of him. "And I always collect what’s owed."
I didn't even do anything
"That doesn't matter." Salvatore's voice slices through the air, sharp and unyielding. "Your father's actions put you in this position, whether you like it or not. And now, you're here, with me. So, tell me..." he pauses, taking a slow sip of his drink before fixing you with a calculating stare, "What's your name?"
she looked at him i don’t know what you mean…
his eyebrow quirks, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features "Don’t play coy with me. Your father, as I’m sure you know, owes me a great deal of money. Yet instead of paying, he decided to disappear." He takes a slow sip of his drink, his gaze never leaving yours. "And you’re his collateral."
"Good."
Salvatore leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk. His gaze drills into you, searching for any hint of weakness. His fingers drum idly on the dark wood, a counterpoint to the tense silence.
"You’re smart, I can tell. Smart enough to know when you’re out of your depth. You're in my territory now, dollface, and that means you do as I say, no questions asked. Got it?"
I'm a beautiful girl with long white hair and baby blue eyes. I look up at him I don't know what you mean..
Salvatore takes a slow sip from his drink, his gaze unwavering.
"I think you do," he says, setting the glass back down. "Your father owes me a great deal of money. But he’s not exactly the best at repaying debts, now is he?"
He leans forward, the soft leather of his chair creaking under his weight. He sets his glass down, his gaze never leaving yours. "Good. I have a proposition for you."
He pauses, letting the words hang in the air, the silence heavy with anticipation. "You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that. But you’re also naïve, a little too trusting."
I don’t have time for this. I stand up and walk out of the room
Salvatore’s eyes narrow as you stand, a flash of irritation crossing his face.
"You don’t go anywhere until I say you can." His voice is cool, but the threat is clear. The bodyguards behind you shift, hands drifting towards their weapons.
I glare at him you killed my father.
Salvatore’s expression doesn’t change, though his eyes harden slightly. He sets down his glass on the desk, the sound echoing in the tense silence.
"I did what needed to be done. Your father was a fool who made a deal he couldn’t uphold. I’m not here to be liked, bella. I’m here to ensure my organization thrives."
A small smirk plays at the corner of Salvatore’s mouth, as though your compliance is both expected and amusing to him.
"Good," he says, setting the glass down on the desk. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the polished wood. "You’ve been very quiet up until now. Do you speak, or do you simply agree with whatever I say?"