THE DON'S CAPTIVE MISTRESS

To Be Here

HAZEL

The next afternoon, Angela brings me a new attire.....a red dress, gold shoes, and even new jewelry. She doesn’t have to tell me who wants me to wear them or where I have to go, because I already know.

So, at seven, I start getting ready.

Yes, because I’m not going to be ready at eight sharp. He’s going to have to wait. Duh. If you’ve learned anything about me by now, it’s this: Axel can keep me here, but I don’t have to like it. And I can push some of those buttons—and I won’t waste a single chance.

It’s one of the only things exciting about this place, anyway... When I get to push back.

I’m already dressed, standing in front of the mirror. My fingers move through my hair as I pin it up into an updo, leaving a few soft strands trailing down the sides, brushing just above my ears. Then I start thinking about makeup.

Do I want “girl next door” makeup?

Or maybe “girls’ night out” makeup?

Date night makeup?

Party makeup?

Hmm. Let’s see. What’s going to make him mad? What’s going to get to him?

And that’s when it hits me. Yeah. I’m going to strip club makeup. Or s*x worker makeup. Something extra sexy. So....sexy.

Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door. Angela steps in, her eyes landing on me.

“Mr. Morelli is waiting for you downstairs.”

“I know,” I say without looking up. “I’m getting ready.”

“Well, hurry up. You should’ve been ready before eight.”

“I’ll get there when I get there,” I snap, going back to my eyeliner.

Angela sighs, walks out, but then pokes her head back in a few seconds later.

“That’s too much makeup,” she says flatly before closing the door behind her.

I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”

When I’m finally done, I take one last look at myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me doesn’t look scared. She looks dangerous. Beautiful. Defiant. I smile....

I walk down the stairs, expecting Axel to be there waiting for me. But he isn’t. For a second, excitement flickers through me, maybe he decided I was too much and left without me. Probably called Kat to accompany him instead.

But then, from the direction of the kitchen, Nico walks in.

“Wow,” he says, his eyes widening. “Don’t you look hot.”

“I know, right?” I reply with a little smirk.

“Well, hurry up. Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“Axel had to go ahead,” Nico says, checking his phone. “But he told me to take you there.”

“So he just… left me?” I ask, my voice rising.

“He told you to be ready by eight sharp.” Nico glances at his watch. “It’s eight-fifteen. Learn to be punctual next time if you want to go with him.”

I scoff. “I don’t even want to go. If he’s left, I think I’m just going to go back upstairs.... I didn't want to go anyway.”

I start turning around so I can walk away, but of course, there’s Nico, raising his hand in front of me.

“Wait, wait,” he says, palm out, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Just before you get ahead of yourself....you can’t not go.”

“Why?” I snap. “It’s not like my company is here waiting for me. I’m sure there’s another woman out there dying for the chance to go to this stupid party. I didn’t even want to go in the first place. I’m going back upstairs.”

“You don’t want to do that,” Nico says, and there’s an edge of warning in his voice that makes me stop.

“Why? What are you going to do? Are you going to manhandle me? What....tie me up and take me there? Please.... You can’t do that.”

“I know I can’t do that,” he says, sliding his hands into his pockets, casual as ever. “But if you don’t want to go with me the easy way, I might have to bring up my big machines.”

I arch a brow. “Big machines?”

He shrugs. “Like, one, you know, I could just tell Luca to take you instead.” He pauses, watching my reaction. “And this is Luca we’re talking about. Luca’s an asshole. Do you really want to go with him?”

I stay silent, glaring.

“That’s one,” Nico continues. “And second, do you really want me to call Axel and tell him you don’t want to go? You want him to come back and take you there himself? Is that what you want?”

I stand there for a minute, thinking.

“There’s no time to think,” he says quickly, stepping closer. “You’re going. You and I both know you’re going. Shouldn’t you be happy to leave this house? You’re always complaining about being stuck here. And every time Axel takes you out, you still complain....”

“Really, Nico?” I bite out. “Because you think I want to be here? You think I want to go with him to his clubs, where I have to stay in his office or in a booth? Just somewhere where I can’t even talk to anyone? I can’t even ask for my own drink. You really think that’s going out and having fun....while he gets to do whatever the hell he wants?”

I take a deep breath, trying to swallow the anger that’s burning up my throat. “Do not lecture me, Nico,” I say tightly, and start heading toward the front door.

I wish I weren’t wearing these damn heels. They’re new, stiff, and clicking too loudly against the floor. I can’t stomp the way I want to; I can’t release the frustration building in my chest.

Nico, of course, is quick to move ahead of me, swinging the door open like he’s doing me some kind of favor. I stop on the threshold, take a deep breath, and force myself to keep walking—past him, past the house, down the steps, and toward the waiting car.

The air outside is filled with silence that feels like it’s holding its breath. I slide into the seat, and by the time I look up, Nico’s already behind the wheel, smirking like he’s won something.

Of course, he’s smiling. I’m going just like he said I would.