Hours passed before Kate finally decided to follow Bastien’s advice and explore the house. She wandered through the gardens, taking in the scenery. The walls were high, but something caught her eye—behind the garage, a thick ivy climbed all the way up to the outer perimeter.

She looked around. No one in sight.

She tugged the vine gently to test its strength.

—“Perfect. Tonight… I’m getting out of here. Sebastian, love… I’m coming to you.”

The day passed slowly. Kate prepared herself to run. She knew Bastien would come to check on her before bed, as he always did. She put on her pajamas and climbed into bed, trying to hide her nerves.

As expected, Bastien entered the room and sat by the edge of the bed. Kate forced herself to stay calm.

—“Something wrong?” he asked.

—“Nothing,” she replied.

Bastien sighed and took her foot. He removed the bandage and checked her wound. Then, he went to the bathroom to get the first aid kit and dabbed alcohol on it.

—“Does it still hurt?”

—“No. Not anymore.”

—“Good. It’s healing well. Leave it uncovered so it can dry faster.”

—“Okay.”

—“I’ll go. See you tomorrow… princess.”

He leaned down, kissed her forehead, and left.

Kate sprang from bed, pressing her ear to the door. She listened to Bastien’s footsteps fade away… and finally, the sound of the front door closing.

She opened her door carefully, checking the hallway. It was clear.

Moving fast and silent, she slipped into her jeans and sneakers. She crept through the house, stepped outside, and rushed to the ivy-covered wall. She climbed, pulling herself up despite her injured foot, and jumped to the other side.

Pain shot up her leg.

—“Ahh… damn it…”

She forced herself to run—but a man appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her, covering her mouth. Two more approached, eyes gleaming with cruel intent. From where she stood, she could still see the lights of Bastien’s mansion in the distance.

—“Well, well, well… Look what fate brought us,” one of them sneered. “The boss’s little girl fell right into our hands.”

Kate fought back, panic rising.

—“Who are you? What are you talking about?!”

—“Oh, Bastien didn’t tell you?” —the man laughed—. “We were expecting a show that night. But you vanished. He stole you before our boss could get his hands on you.”

—“A show…?” —Kate blinked, horrified.

—“Don’t tell me you really don’t know?” —Another man grabbed her from behind while the third stepped closer—. “You’re just so tempting. We could have a little fun and blame it all on Bastien…”

—“And take her voice away,” the third grinned, running a finger down her neck—. “Quiet girls are the best ones.”

—“Let me go, you disgusting animals!” —Kate screamed, kicking and struggling.

One of them pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.

—“Stay still, pretty thing. Just a few moments of pleasure, and we’re done. Pity we missed your first time…”

—“What are you talking about?!” —she cried.

—“Oh, sweetheart… it was all arranged. A private show. You, helpless. And our trained dogs would’ve had the honor of breaking you in. Then each of us would’ve taken turns… I paid a lot for that moment. But Bastien stole you first.”

Kate froze in shock, her entire body trembling.

—“What are you doing?! That’s the boss’s prize!” —another group of men arrived.

—“Just a taste! Come on, tell me she doesn’t look delicious—”

Suddenly, a shot rang out. The man holding her collapsed, a bullet between his eyes.

—“Shit! Take her! Run!”

Gunfire exploded all around. Kate dropped to the ground, covering her head. Chaos reigned.

Strong arms pulled her up.

—“No! Let me go!”

—“Kate! It’s me—calm down!”

—“Bastien…?” —Relief rushed through her. She threw herself into his arms—. “You got here just in time… they didn’t hurt me…”

—“You’re safe now,” —he said, shielding her as bullets flew around them.

Just as they neared the mansion, a man stepped in front of them.

—“Hand her over, Bastien.”

—“Over my dead body,” —Bastien growled—. “My men are on their way. You better surrender.”

The man, dressed in black, smirked. He raised his weapon.

—“If she can’t belong to our boss, then she can’t be yours either.”

He fired.

Bastien was faster. He threw himself in front of Kate, taking the shot in his abdomen. At the same time, he fired his own weapon and hit the attacker square in the head.

—“BASTIEN!” —Kate screamed, catching him in her arms as he collapsed.

He looked up at her, a soft smile on his lips. His hand caressed her cheek.

—“You’re okay… that’s all that matters.”

—“You idiot… why did you do that?! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!”

—“Shh… Forgive me, Kate. Forgive me, my sweet Kitty…”

—“What?! What did you call me?!”

Lucca arrived with the other men.

—“SIR! GET THE DOCTOR, NOW!”

They lifted Bastien and rushed him to the guest room, slamming the door behind them as the doctor was called.

No one was allowed to enter.

Lucca stepped out…