Daisy's POV
I woke up disoriented, my hand instinctively reaching for the unfamiliar silk sheets. For a moment, I panicked until I remembered where I was. Vincenzo's mansion. My back still ached, but the pain had reduced compared to yesterday. The events that took place yesterday played through my mind. My father's visit, the whipping, fainting in front of my boss, Vincenzo discovering my injuries... It was a lot to take in.
The bedroom was massive, and everything about this place screamed wealth and power. Of course it does, I was in the Don's mansion.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Miss Daisy?" Maria's gentle voice called through the door. "Mr Marino requests your presence for breakfast."
I glanced at the clock on the wall. 7:30 am. It was too early to face him, but I didn't have much choice. "I'll be right down," I replied, wincing as I sat up.
The walk-in closet stopped me in my tracks. Rows of designer clothes hung neatly, all in my size. These weren't here yesterday. I ran my fingers along the expensive fabrics. Silk blouses, tailored pants, designer dresses. The thought of Vincenzo arranging this overnight, of him knowing my size, made my cheeks flush. I picked out a high-necked cream blouse and black pencil skirt, carefully selecting pieces that would cover my bruises.
The mirror revealed dark circles under my eyes. I applied makeup, making sure no traces of yesterday's breakdown were visible. I smiled at my reflection. The woman staring back at me looked composed and professional, exactly what I needed everyone to see.
As I made my way downstairs, I followed the sound of voices to the dining room, stopping in the doorway. The room was massive. Vincenzo sat at the head, but he wasn't alone. Two men in black suits stood around him, speaking in low voices.
"The Colombians are getting restless," one was saying, his Italian accent thick. "They want answers about the shipment."
"Tell them to wait until I'm ready," Vincenzo replied coldly, not looking up from his tablet. "They'll get their merchandise when I say they do."
"And if they don't like that answer?" The other man asked, his hand resting casually on what I suspected was a concealed weapon.
"Then remind them what happened to the last people who questioned my timeline." He finally looked up, he found me hovering in the doorway. His expression softened a bit, or maybe I imagined it. "Daisy. Come, sit."
There's something about the way he says my name... I hate to admit it, but I love how it sounds, rolling off his tongue.
The men turned to stare at me, their faces unreadable. I walked to the chair Vincenzo indicated. It was right beside him, not across the table.
"Leave us," he ordered, and they disappeared. The room suddenly felt bigger without them.
"I can come back later," I offered, uncomfortable with having interrupted their business. The kind of business I'd grown up around, one that often ended in violence.
"No." His voice left no room for argument as he poured coffee into my cup himself, dismissing the hovering staff with one look. "You need to eat. The doctor said you're undernourished."
"Thank you," I flushed, staring at my coffee. "You don't have to take care of me, sir."
"Clearly, someone needs to." His voice had that dangerous edge again. "Since you won't tell me who hurt you."
Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. "Change of plans. We need to go to the office. There's an issue with the contracts."
---
When we arrived at the company, people stared as we walked in together. I could almost hear what they were thinking. Why are they coming in together? Didn't they also leave together yesterday? I kept my head high, pretending not to notice how Beatrice from accounting leaned over to whisper to Emanuele, or how Diane quickly averted her eyes when I caught her staring.
"Mr Marino," Marco approached urgently. "We have a situation in the parking garage."
"Handle it," Vincenzo said dismissively, his hand resting on my lower back as he guided me toward his office.
"Sir, they're trying to force their way in. The Colombians..." Marco's voice dropped lower, but I could still hear him. "They're demanding to see you. They say the shipment was compromised."
"I said handle it. I have other things to take care of." Vincenzo's voice could have frozen hell itself. "That's why I pay you. And Marco?" He paused. "Make sure they understand the consequences of showing up unannounced."
Marco nodded grimly and walked away, already speaking nonstop Italian into his earpiece. I caught phrases about "backup" And "clean up crews," making my stomach turn. I knew what that meant.
"Mr Marino!" A female voice sounded from behind. I immediately recognized Victoria, our head legal counsel, and one of the women who had cornered me in the bathroom some time ago. Her perfectly made-up face twisted in disdain as she looked at me. "We need to discuss the De Santis contract. In private."
It took a lot of effort for me not to scoff. I tried to step away, to give them space, but Vincenzo's hand pressed more firmly against my back, keeping me in place. "Anything you need to say can be said in front of her. That's why she's my assistant."
The way he said "my assistant" made my stomach twist but in a good way. Victoria nodded and followed us into his office.
---
The meeting was tense. Victoria kept shooting me venomous looks whenever Vincenzo wasn't watching. I stood by his desk, taking notes as they discussed the contract.
As we exited his office twenty minutes later, Victoria waited until we were out of the office before stopping at my desk.
"I see you've begun to show your true colours, slut," she hissed.
"Excuse me?" I stood, facing her.
She gave me a cold glare. "Everyone knows you went home with the boss yesterday, and now you're arriving together. Which means you spent the night at his place." She said, drawing everyone's attention. "So tell us, dear, what other services did you provide besides filing? You were probably missing Antonio so much, and the closest you could get was his dad. Such a sad story."
The mention of Antonio made my blood boil. "How dare you..."
"I was right about you in the bathroom that day, wasn't I? You couldn't get the son, now you're going after the father instead." She stepped closer. "Here's a bit of advice, stay away from Vincenzo, you little whore. He can never fall for someone like you."
My face burned with anger. But before I could speak, a shadow fell over us.
"And how would you describe someone like her, Ms. Ricci?" Vincenzo's voice was calm but deadly.
"Mr Marino... I... I was just..."
"You're fired." He said simply. Even I was not expecting that.
"What? You can't-" Victoria's perfectly maintained composure cracked.
"I can and I just did. Clear out your desk. You have ten minutes before security escorts you out." He turned to address the now-silent office. "Let me be very clear, and let this serve as an example. Anyone who disrespects my assistant disrespects me. And I don't tolerate disrespect."
Victoria's face was filled with rage. "You can't just fire me because of this little slut. I've been with this company for five years! My father-"
"Your father," Vincenzo cut in, his tone made everyone flinch, "will be very interested to hear how you've made him lose a contract because of that statement. Tell him I said it was nice doing business with him. While it lasted."
Her face paled further, understanding the consequences of her stupidity. Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed off.
---
I followed Vincenzo into his office, my heart still racing from the confrontation. He was already on the phone when I got there, speaking in Italian as he paced his office.
"Si, fate in modo che capiscano," he growled into the phone. Make sure they understand. I guess the issue with the Colombians or whoever, is still not solved.
I stood awkwardly by his desk, watching him pace. I know it's weird but I think he looks breathtaking when he's angry. Dangerous and powerful, like a caged predator.
The room fell silent when he hung up.
"You didn't have to do that, sir," I said quietly, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Fire her, I mean. It'll only make everyone hate me more."
He stopped pacing, turning to face me, making me step back a little. "Yes, I did." He moved closer, and I found myself stepping backwards until my butt hit his desk. "No one disrespects what's mine."
My breath hitched. "I'm not an object. What would everyone think of me now? Two people already got fired because of me and I haven't been here for long. They'll start to gossip again."
"Who cares what anyone thinks? The only thing you should be doing right now is telling me how you got hurt."
"I do care what they think," I swallowed hard, trying to ignore how his closeness made my pulse quicken. "And me being hurt has nothing to do with you."
"It does." He said simply, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw.
"Why?" The word came out barely above a whisper.
"It seems I haven't been making my intentions clear." His eyes held mine for a moment before he pulled me closer, one hand sliding into my hair as he crashed his lips against mine.
Time seemed to stop for a moment. His lips felt soft against mine. My body betrayed me by melting into his touch before my brain could catch up. His kiss was nothing like Antonio's. This was raw, possessive, and almost desperate.
I quickly realised what we were doing and pushed against Vincenzo's chest, breaking away. I could still feel the pressure of his mouth on mine.
"Sir," a voice interrupted from the doorway, making me jump. Marco stood there, his expression completely neutral. "The Colombians have been handled. But there's another situation. The Russians are asking for a meeting."
I expected Vincenzo to move away from me but he didn't, his body still caging me against the desk. "Tell them tomorrow night. The usual place." I shivered at the sound of his voice. "And Marco?" His voice hardened. "Make sure our friends in the parking garage learned their lesson about showing up uninvited."
"Already done, sir. They won't walk right for a month." Marco's lips twitched in what might have been satisfaction.
"Good." Vincenzo dismissed him with a nod, then turned back to me. His hand came up as he traced my bottom lip with his thumb. My lips were still sensitive from his kiss.
I ducked under his arm and fled, my heart was pounding so hard I could barely breathe.
My phone buzzed almost immediately with a text from Vincenzo. "Go home early today. Marco will take you."
"I'm not going to your place." My fingers shook as I typed back.
"First, tell me who hurt you." He responded instantly.
I stared at the screen, unable to reply. I couldn't possibly tell him that my father, the man he did business with had whipped his daughter bloody. That I was only here because I wanted to get back at his son but now I can't leave or continue with my plans because my father threatened to put me back in the same basement where I was always abused and treated like a sex toy for his business partners.
"My place it is," he sent another text when I didn't respond.
I groaned in frustration, dropping my head into my hands. What have I gotten myself into? I'd wanted to make Antonio regret leaving me. Instead, I had somehow caught the attention of his father... a man even more dangerous than my own. Sure, that was the plan at first. But right now I don't want any more problems.
The worst part is, when Vincenzo kissed me, I'd forgotten about revenge completely. For those few seconds, all I thought about was him. His touch, his taste, the way he made me feel both terrified and safe at the same time.
I touched my lips, still feeling his lips on mine. My father would kill me if he found out what I've been up to. And Vincenzo... did he really want me? Obviously not. He probably hasn't had sex in a while and that's getting to his head.
My phone buzzed again with another message from Vincenzo. "Stop overthinking. What's done is done. Marco will pick you up at 5."
I stared at the message, wondering how he knew exactly what I was doing. Was I that transparent to him? I should be scared of him seeing through me. I mean, I went to him for a job right after his son dumped me. He probably thinks I have an ulterior motive. After all, isn't that what I'd wanted? To cause chaos in the Marino family?
