Chapter 3: The Contract

The aircraft touched down with a gentle thud, rousing Violet. Her voice emerged as a weak whisper, “I don’t feel very well.” The world seemed to tilt and spin around her.

“You’ll feel better after some rest,” Ribero assured her, his rich voice carrying a note of concern. “We need to stop by the club first—the boss wants to ensure you arrived safely. Don’t worry, you won’t meet him. He prefers to stay hidden, watching through the security cameras.”

“Okay,” Violet mumbled, her head swimming in circles. Ribero leaned down, pressing cool lips against her burning forehead. The contact sent shivers down her spine, an inexplicable wave of pleasure washing over her. “Mmm,” she sighed, puzzled by her body’s intense reaction to his touch.

At the club’s entrance, they encountered a hulking figure who seemed carved from granite. The bouncer’s massive frame blocked the doorway, his shredded sleeves revealing arms thick as tree trunks, decorated with intricate tattoos that writhed with each flex of muscle. “Welcome back,” he growled at Ribero, his deep voice reverberating in the night air. Violet instinctively shrank back, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Inside, the club was a feast for the senses. A massive crystal disco ball dominated the ceiling, scattering fragments of rainbow light across the polished dance floor below. The air thrummed with bass-heavy music, while the sharp scent of alcohol wafted from the sleek bar that stretched along the left wall. Private booths lurked in the shadows to the right, strategically positioned beyond the cameras’ watchful eyes. Behind the bar, several women cast venomous glares in Violet’s direction, their perfectly made-up faces twisted with obvious disdain. She pressed closer to Ribero, seeking shelter in his presence.

“Don’t fret, sweetie—they’re just jealous,” Ribero murmured. His phone buzzed with a message from Fernando: “She’s beautiful. Thank you for delivering her safely.” Ribero acknowledged the hidden cameras with a subtle nod.

“Ooh là là! A new flower in our garden!” The theatrical declaration cut through the club’s atmosphere like a knife. A striking figure sashayed toward them—a man with golden hair cascading to his shoulders, crystal-blue eyes sparkling with mischief, and an outfit that looked like a rainbow had exploded in a designer boutique.

“Bonjour, I am Terri,” he captures Violet’s trembling hand and brushing his lips across her knuckles. A blush bloomed across her cheeks as she clung tighter to Ribero with her free hand.

“Careful with her, Terri. She’s special,” Ribero warned.

“Oh, darling, I know! I have the contract right here, ready for her signature.”

“Let’s move to that booth for privacy,” Ribero suggested, nodding toward a secluded corner.

“Oh, goody! My favorite spot!” Terri clapped his hands in delight, his jeweled rings catching the light.

“Behave yourself,” Ribero’s warned. Violet slid into the plush leather booth, and Terri immediately pressed against her side, his expensive cologne overwhelming her senses.

“Terri, I mean it,” Ribero’s voice dropped dangerously low.

“Here’s the contract, precious,” “May I read it first?” Violet asked hesitantly.

“I wouldn’t,” they chorused ominously.

Despite their warning, she began to read, each line making her feel increasingly ill:

*Violet is to do anything I or my male staff say.

*She is to be completely compliant no matter what is asked of her.

*This includes but not limited to, working the bar, cleaning, taking part in the play room etc

*If I choose to marry her she is to do so.

*If I choose to pair her with any of multiple staff members she must go willingly

*I have the right to punish her in any way if a rule is broken

*Punishment may result in death.

The words swam before her eyes as panic clawed at her chest. Her lungs seemed to shrink, refusing to draw breath. The room spun wildly as darkness crept into the edges of her vision.

“She’s having a heart attack!” Ribero’s voice seemed to come from far away.

“Give me your keys—I’ll drive!” Terri’s usual playfulness vanished,

Ribero scooped her into his arms, her body limp as a rag doll, and sprinted for the exit. He fired off a quick text to Fernando: “She’s having a heart attack after reading your contract. Racing to the hospital. She won’t be signing.”

“I’ll be there.”

In the car, Ribero cradled her against his chest, pressing desperate kisses to her forehead. Her racing heart slowed marginally at his touch, though tremors still wracked her frame.

“Terri, you drive like a demon!” Ribero snapped as they took a corner on two wheels.

“Your charm can only do so much, darling. Fernando’s coming, you know—he never shows himself in public. She must be incredibly special.”

“She would have been fine without that damned contract,” Ribero snarled.

They screeched to a halt at the emergency entrance. Ribero burst through the doors with his precious cargo while Terri parked. “It’s Fernando’s girl,” was all they needed to say before staff sprang into action. They whisked her to a luxury suite, transferring her carefully onto silk sheets. The doctor arrived immediately, pressing a stethoscope to her heaving chest. Her heart thundered like a trapped bird.

“Nurse, sedate her, now!” The nurse quickly found a vein, and blessed darkness claimed Violet at last.

The doctor pulled Ribero aside, concern etching his features. “She’s just eighteen. What caused such severe stress?”

“Fernando’s contract.”

“Strange—most women sign eagerly. They practically throw themselves at him.”

“She’s different,” Ribero said simply.

“We’ll do our best, but she’s clearly too fragile for all this.”

After the medical staff departed, a figure materialized from the shadows—Fernando, shrouded in a black cloak, his face concealed behind an ornate gold mask. Only his left hand was visible, marked by an intricate octopus tattoo whose tentacles wrapped possessively around his fingers. Ribero and Terri retreated respectfully as their master approached the bed.

Fernando’s fingers danced through Violet’s hair, and he bent to kiss her forehead. Though he yearned to drink in her sweet energy, she was too weak to feed upon.

“Ribero, have the contract rewritten. Remove the death clause.”

“Why force a contract at all? Why not win her trust naturally?”

“She doesn’t trust me. For now, the contract is necessary.” Ribero nodded and contacted Alvaro to draft a new version.

“I must go. Watch over her.” Fernando pressed a tender kiss to her lips. Even unconscious, she seemed to respond, her body instinctively seeking his touch.

After he vanished, Terri whispered, “I fear for her. She’s so pure, so innocent.”

“Let’s pray he doesn’t break her,” Ribero murmured, settling beside her bed. He held her delicate hand while Terri curled up in a corner with his phone. Nurses performed regular checks throughout the long hours as Violet slumbered.

Alvaro appeared silently with the revised contract, handed it over without a word, and disappeared like a ghost. Finally, Violet began to stir, her eyes fluttering open to find Ribero’s worried face. A weak smile curved her lips as she squeezed his hand.

“Hello, beautiful! Thank heavens you’re alright!” Terri bounded over, causing her to flinch.

“Terri, easy—she just woke up,” Ribero chided.

“Sorry, darling! I’m just so relieved,” Terri giggled, subdued.

“I’m still so tired,” Violet whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Rest as long as you need,” Ribero soothed,

massaging her hand gently. Her smile softened as she drifted back into healing sleep.