The Harlot

— Where did you bring me? _I ask, looking at a very beautiful house. Not a house, a mansion—it looked like something out of a movie.

— My house. _He said simply, getting out of the car, startling me by slamming the door hard and walking around to open the door on my side as I unbuckled my seatbelt. My God! Why the hell did he bring me to his house?

I step my heel out, planting it on the ground, and take his outstretched hand, getting out of the car and nearly gasping at the surreal mansion. So he's rich.

Of course he is, Lavínia. Just look at this man's clothes, his watch, his rings.

Not wanting to show too much awe and seem like someone who's never seen a mansion up close, I clear my throat and let go of his large hand. I take a deep breath and run my hands over the fabric of my dress.

— I need to get back to the house. _I look at him, worried, remembering I could get in a lot of trouble if I don't check in with the pimp. — I don't do clients outside the brothel.

His gaze darkened, and his jaw clenched, as if what I just said deeply displeased him.

— I didn't bring you here to work. _His look was disappointed, and his voice carried an otherworldly force. I saw him pull his phone from his pocket, dial a number, and put the call on speaker so I could hear.

— Mr. Fontana, to what do I owe the honor? _It's the pimp, but what catches my attention is the same surname engraved on that knife. Fontana… he was a Fontana. If that knife was a family heirloom meant for someone who sinned, was he the sinner?

Also, how did this man get to me and save me on the road?

He just killed and blew up a police car.

And he didn't kill me when I was so bold with him on the way here. But I was nervous and did it because I couldn't stay quiet—I was imagining a thousand ways I'd end up a corpse and him ravaging me afterward. He's crazy!

This means my chances of survival are getting slim, because you can't predict when this lunatic might put a bullet in my forehead.

— Lavínia is with me. I'll bring her back tomorrow.

I shake my head in denial, and his expression turns grim.

What does this man plan to do with me here alone?

Kill me?

— The policeman said he'd bring her back…

— It doesn't matter what he said. I'm telling you Lavínia is under my control, and I'll bring her back. _He stated authoritatively, and I swallowed hard, shivering at his tone.

— Could I speak with her?

He came closer, and it was a foolish attempt on my part to avoid breathing in his strong masculine cologne.

His eyes pressured me to comply with Margaret's request.

— I'm listening. _I say, shifting my gaze to the phone screen.

— Don't do anything stupid and come back to the house tomorrow. _I hear from her. It's a veiled threat. I couldn't even escape if I wanted to—my brother is in a boarding school only that wretched woman knows about.

— Don't worry.

— And don't forget. Nothing is free. _She reminds me, and I grimace. She wants me to charge if I sleep with this man?

Before I could raise my finger to hang up on her, he did it and pocketed the phone, walking elegantly ahead, giving me a view of his broad shoulders in a deep burgundy shirt and black dress pants that hugged his ass. Even thinner, this psychopathic killer's body is out of this world.

He stopped walking and looked back, one hand in his pocket. Men with rolled-up shirt sleeves, showing a bit of skin and dark hair, are so attractive.

— Are you going to stand there eating me with your eyes, or are you coming in so I can be the one to eat you?

He didn't seem very patient with my delay.

I roll my eyes and, with no other choice, move my feet and walk, hearing my heels click as I follow him into his marvelous, splendid house. My jaw dropped right at the entrance. The impeccable, perfectly aligned paintings on the gray walls, the hanging plants from the high ceiling, the marble floor—everything screamed luxury. Surreal.

Seeing a tiny black kitten, I smile, enchanted by its size, and pick it up from the floor.

— What a beautiful kitten…

— It's been a while since I got such a sincere compliment. _I hear, and a shirtless man comes down the stairs, hand on the railing, smiling.

— I'm pretty sure her compliment was for me. _Another guy jumped off the couch, turned off the TV, and walked over, ruffling his damp hair.

— You two are way too full of yourselves. _I was stunned when another man came from a hallway with a frying pan, making an omelet—the smell was unmistakable. — Obviously, the only kitten here is me.

Suddenly, the three men came toward me, all with beautiful smiles on their faces.

And I thought the brothel was "paradise."

Look at these men…

Gorgeous…

I feel like I'm in a harem.

— Thanks for the compliment, beautiful. I'm Hitman 1. _The man who came down the stairs extended a hand to me.

Hitman 1… how funny, are they comedians?

Holding the kitten to my chest, I took his hand.

— Hitman 1. _I repeat, smiling, and my eyes shift to the one who jumped off the couch. — And you?

— I'm Hitman 2.

I can't stop laughing and shake his hand, narrowing my eyes at the one with the frying pan.

— You must be Hitman 3.

He laughed and raised a hand.

— Unfortunately, no. Hitman 3 died. I'm number 27.

My smile fades.

— I'm so sorry. _I shake his outstretched hand too.

— And who's the beauty visiting the abandoned? _The so-called Hitman 1 asked kindly.

— I'm Lavínia.

The three exchanged glances and looked at a point behind me.

— Lavínia. An absolutely beautiful name. _27 complimented.

— And you, Ângelo Fontana, are you just going to lean against the wall? _One of the men looked my way.

Ângelo…

So the psychopath's name was Ângelo.

I remember the pimp saying that name before punishing me months ago.

Ângelo Fontana…

There's nothing angelic about him.

— It's a horror show watching you three flash your teeth. _Ângelo scoffed. What a jerk.

— We didn't know you'd bring a guest. I'll set another plate at the table. _The guy with the frying pan smiled at me with his eyes and left.

— Well, I'm going back to my movie. Welcome. _The other caressed my arm and waved, heading to the couch.

— And I'll be the best company you've ever had, Lavínia. _The shirtless man, nicknamed Hitman 1, held my shoulders and led me to a couch.

The kitten jumped from my arms to the floor and ran to Ângelo, who picked it up and headed upstairs with it to some room in the grand mansion.

It's their little mascot.

I smile discreetly, watching Ângelo climb the stairs with the kitten.

— What's this about Hitman 1, 2, and 27? _I ask curiously, settling into a couch more comfortable than my bed at the brothel.

— The name speaks for itself. _He winked.

My brow furrows.

— I don't get it.

— We're hitmen, Lavínia.

— Oh. _That's the dreadful sound that comes out of my mouth. I'm skeptical but not disbelieving. I've seen too much horror to doubt.

I was in a house with three hitmen…

I didn't even want to live anyway.

— No need to be afraid of us or shrink away. You're the clan's protected one.

— Protected? _He nods. — I'm so protected that Ângelo almost killed me. _I say sarcastically, crossing my legs.

— He's got a tough personality. _He intercedes.

— Are you four family—cousins, brothers? _I want to know.

— No. Just friends.

— And what number hitman is Ângelo? _I ask. I knew he was a killer. Everything about him is kind of murderous. Kind of horrifying. His gaze is a soul-devourer.

— He doesn't have a number.

— He's so bad he doesn't even get a number. _I mock.

— You're mistaken. He doesn't have a number because he's the boss of the whole damn thing. He has eight clans of hitmen, each with 27 members. Right now, they're all scattered around the world killing people.

My eyes widen, I'm horrified, and my heart races so much I need to touch it and press my hand against it.

What the hell?

The psychopath isn't just the boss—he owns clans of hitmen?

My God! That's why he took out the cops in no time. The guy has no remorse.

— I'm in shock. _I say, horrified by the discovery. Until a few minutes ago, I barely knew this wretch's name, and now I know he's the biggest killer.

Now I'm certain. He hasn't killed me… yet.