Semua Bab Killing Me Slowly: A Dark Twisted Slow-Burn Auction Romance: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The idea of the press getting too close to my operation made my blood boil.One wrong move, one slip-up, and everything we’d built could crumble.I couldn’t afford that.The family couldn’t afford that.That’s why I always made sure to keep a tight lid on things.Pay off the right people.Make problems disappear before they even had a chance to surface.Journalists were just another nuisance to be handled, another fire to put out before it spread.I liked my world clean, controlled, out of sight.And as long as I was in charge, that’s the way it would stay.Amina narrowed her eyes at me, her body rigid with tension.I could feel the distrust pouring off her, radiating in waves.Good.She shouldn’t trust me.Not yet.“And where exactly are we going?” she asked, her voice sharp, cutting through the air between us.I leaned in a little, lowering my voice so only she could hear.“Somewhere safe. For both of us.”Her gaze flicked around the auction house, as if she were weighing her option

The silence was suffocating, and my stomach twisted with every step.I couldn’t shake the feeling that once I walked through those doors, there would be no going back.Arben glanced back at me, his eyes unreadable.“Don’t worry, Amina,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “You’re safe here.”Safe?I doubted that.6ARBENI could sense the tension radiating from Amina as we walked toward the entrance.Her shoulders were stiff, her steps hesitant.I didn’t blame her for feeling out of place.This world was completely foreign to her—one she never expected to be a part of.And while I knew it would take time, I needed her to feel safe, at least for now.We stepped through the front doors, and the atmosphere changed immediately.The lobby was warm and welcoming, the opposite of the cold, imposing exterior of the building.Soft, golden lighting cast a gentle glow over the room, and the plush furniture made the space feel inviting.It was designed to disarm anyone who walked in, to make them b

She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly not convinced.“I’m not some pawn in your game,” she said, her voice low but steady.“I never said you were,” I replied. “But you have to understand that this isn’t just about you anymore. You’re part of something bigger now, something dangerous. I don’t want you to just survive, Amina—I want you to thrive. But you need to trust me, or at least let me guide you, until you can figure things out for yourself.”Her gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers tightening around her arms.She was processing everything, trying to make sense of the reality she had been thrust into.I gave her the space she needed, knowing that this was a battle she had to fight on her own.Finally, she looked up, her eyes meeting mine, still full of defiance but laced with uncertainty.“Fine,” she said, her voice softer now. “I’ll listen. But I’m not making any promises.”I smirked, satisfied with the small victory. “That’s all I ask. For now.”Amina was strong, but strength wa

“Yes. You’ll be my mistress, but it’s more than that. You’ll be protected. You won’t have to worry about the things you used to. Money, food, clothes, a proper life, stability. But you must trust me.”“Trust is earned, Arben,” she replied, her voice softening slightly. “You haven’t done anything to earn it yet.”I nodded, acknowledging her point.“I get that. Just give me a chance. Let me show you what I can do to keep you safe. The life you knew is gone, but we can create a new one together.”Her expression was a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.“And what if I refuse to accept this?”I sighed, running a hand through my hair.“Then you’ll be lost, Amina. You’ll be exposed and vulnerable. I don’t want that for you. I see potential in you, but you have to let me guide you through this. You can either fight against it, or you can learn to navigate it.”She hesitated, weighing my words. “And if I choose to learn?”“Then you’ll have a chance to thrive,” I replied, my voice softer. “I’ll m

13ARBENI watched as Amina processed my words, her brow furrowing in thought.I could see her conflict, and it both thrilled and worried me.This girl was a wild card, and I needed to harness that energy, not extinguish it.“Let’s get you settled in,” I said, gesturing for her to follow me. “I’ll have someone bring you a change of clothes and food.”As we walked through the lavish hallways, I could feel her eyes darting around, taking in everything.I wondered what she thought of my world, the stark contrast to hers.When we reached her room, I opened the door, revealing a spacious space decorated in soft colors and elegant furniture.“This will be yours for as long as you need it.”She stepped inside, looking around in disbelief.“You really expect me to stay here?”“I expect you to consider it,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “You have a choice, remember? Although you wouldn’t last one day alive on your own out there… making everything your father fought for all for nothing if