The moment the ceremony ended, Livy barely had time to process what had happened before she was led out of the penthouse and down to the front of the building.
Antonio didn’t come with her.
She wasn’t sure whether that relieved or unsettled her.
Black SUVs waited in the driveway, engines running.
Men with guns stood at attention as they approached.
A few minutes later, she was seated in the back of a black SUV, with two security vehicles following closely behind.
No one told her where they were going.
She watched the city disappear behind the tinted windows as they drove farther and farther away from the city.
Thirty minutes later, the SUV began to slow down.
Livy looked up to see the gates opening.
The D’Angelo estate was built like a medieval castle, but with a modern twist.
It was stunning, bright white, and completely beautiful under the afternoon sun.
A long, winding driveway stretched through perfectly manicured lawns.
Flowers bloomed in neat rows along the stone pathway.
Yet, for all its sleek, white elegance, its high fortified walls were surrounded by thick, lush green trees, making it clear to anyone that, it was impossible to enter.
Livy simply stared out the window as the SUV came to a stop.
One of the men stepped out and opened her door.
She remained seated for a moment, staring at the mansion.
Her entire life had changed in less than an hour.
“We’ve arrived, ma’am,” the guard prompted gently.
“You need to go inside.” Livy took a slow breath and stepped out of the car.
She tightened her fingers around the fabric of her dress.
A neatly dressed man approached her and gave a respectful nod.
“This way, Mrs.
D’Angelo.” The title made her stomach twist.
She followed him through the grand entrance and into the mansion.
The sheer elegance of the interior made it clear that the D’Angelo name came with immense wealth.
Everything here was elegant and expensive, from the polished marble floors to the carefully chosen furniture and artwork adorning the walls.
She also noticed more guards inside.
A few servants paused to stare at her.
Their curious glances followed her until she was led into a bedroom that was almost as large as her entire apartment.
Antonio clearly had money.
Lots of it.
Not that Livy was impressed, or cared.
Her only concern was how to reach her mother and let her know she was alright.
This was a nightmare.
One she terribly needed to wake up from and fast!
She crouched down at the foot of the bed and sat on the floor, pulling her knees close to her chest.
Hours passed, and evening fell over the estate.
The room grew dim as the sun dipped below the horizon.
She was jolted from her thoughts by a soft knock at the door.
An older-looking woman entered holding a long garment bag over her arm.
”Good evening, ma’am.
Are you alright?” she asked when she saw Livy sitting on the floor.
When Livy didn’t respond, the woman offered a small, understanding smile.
”I am Rosa.
I am the housekeeper,” she said gently.
“Don Antonio asked that you change into this for dinner.” She unzipped the plastic bag to reveal a stunning, expensive looking evening dress.
Livy’s eyes lingered on it for a moment before dropping to her own clothes.
The very same charcoal blazer and blouse she was wearing when her car was smashed and she was dragged into the street.
A cold flash of anger surged through her.
She was not going to play dress-up for the man who had just stolen her life.
”I’m tired.
I wish to rest.” She turned away from the woman, climbed onto the bed, pulling the covers over herself.
Rosa stood there for a moment, unsure of what else to do.
Finally, she gave a small nod and quietly left the room.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
Livy assumed Rosa had returned, but when she looked up, her eyes widened.
She immediately sat up, pulling the covers higher around herself.
“What are you doing here?” Antonio stood near the door, impeccably dressed in a black shirt.
Without answering, he calmly pulled a pair of black leather gloves over his hands, one finger at a time.
“Are you planning to starve yourself until I let you go?” Livy scoffed.
“If you’re here to force me downstairs, don’t bother.
I am perfectly ok right here.” A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Her defiance clearly amused him.
He took a few slow steps toward the bed.
Then he reached into his coat and pulled out a thick gold chain.
A small medallion hung from it.
“Give me your ankle.” Livy shrank back, staring at the gold chain.
“What is that?” ”Insurance,” he replied, placing one foot on the bed.
”I’m not putting it on.” ”That wasn’t a request.” Panic shot through her and she scrambled backward, clutching the blankets around herself.
“This is insane!
You can’t just put something…” ”You talk too much.” Livy gasped as he caught her leg and fastened the gold chain around her ankle.
She stared at it in horror.
“Is that a tracker?” “GPS,” he replied calmly.
“And a heart-rate monitor.
If you try to leave the grounds, or go anywhere without my permission, I’ll know.” ”You’re putting me on a leash.” Antonio rose to his feet.
“I’m keeping you alive.
You have no idea how many people want you dead right now.” She shrugged.
Antonio slipped his hands into his pockets.
“Right now, you have two choices.” He nodded toward the door.
“You walk downstairs willingly, or I carry you there myself.” Livy’s eyes widened.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Then, without warning, he crossed the room, bent down, scooped her effortlessly into his arms, and swung her over his shoulder.
You will not be disappointed.