Chapter Six

The car came to pick her up at 9:00 AM sharp. She'd spent another sleepless night tossing and turning, and ended up getting out of bed and ready for work at 6:00 AM. She'd opted to wear a pantsuit combo, with a turtleneck shirt. No cleavage exposure risk as yesterday. Then, she'd set herself to work on the case until the driver knocked at her door.

"Ms. Evans. I am here to pick you up on Mr. Ludovico's orders." He cleared his throat.

"I am ready," she stated. "I just need to pick up—"

"I'm afraid your attire is not appropriate. Mr. Ludovico told me if you were not wearing a skirt, you had to change."

"Excuse me?"

The driver nodded solemnly. She swore internally. She'd completely forgotten he'd asked her to wear a skirt the previous evening. Cold sweat made her hands clammy.

"Okay. I'll change. Please wait."

She hurried to her closet and rummaged until she found what she was looking for. He wanted her to wear a skirt, but he hadn't dictated how long. Triumphantly, she changed and walked out. The driver's face fell.

"He will not be pleased," he murmured.

"I am wearing a skirt," she replied, waving her arms in front of her.

"I believe he was hoping for something more, em, revealing."

"Then he should have come to pick me up himself," she cried.

Suddenly the car door opened. Ludovico stepped out. His grin made her heart race even as her hands grew sweaty.

"And here I am. I told you I looked after what was mine, and I thought you were smarter than that, Ms. Evans. Please wait in the car, Damian."

"Yes, Sir."

The driver headed back to the vehicle and Ludovico came forward. His presence filled the doorway and her knees buckled.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, unable to keep the tremble from her voice.

"Nothing bad. I merely want you to get appropriately dressed for work as my property."

"I was—"

"Pants are unsuitable."

He walked past her and made a beeline toward her dormitory as if he'd been there hundreds of times. He began to move her clothes left and right, searching for something.

"Here we go."

He pulled out a short black skirt she hadn't worn in years and a white blouse.

"Put it on."

"That skirt is too short. I'm not sure it'll fit."

"Let me be the judge of that."

He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"You're going to watch." She gaped at him.

He brushed back his hair with an impatient gesture and grinned. The mischief in his eyes was undeniable.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You're my client, a stranger, a mur—"

"A murderer?" He finished the sentence for her, cocking an eyebrow. She lowered her gaze. Ludovico took a step forward. Cupping her chin, he lifted her head forcing her gaze to his. "Yes. I am the man you saw murder another man in an alleyway. I am the man whose business you're taking care of. I am the man who makes your titties grow into hard peaks and your pussy leak with desire. I am your boss, and you are mine. Now, if you want to continue living, change, Gigi."

"No," she weakly replied.

Ludovico's laughter was deep and resonant, tying itself around her innards and squeezing in a way she couldn't decipher. His hand slipped around her throat, firmly. She gasped loudly. Crushing her windpipe ever so slightly, he lifted her off her toes. Tears bit the back of her eyes.

"I could kill you, Gigi. It would take me seconds. You wouldn't even put up a fight, unlike that other guy. But just like him, I would get rid of all evidence, and no one would be the wiser. Don't make me kill you, Gigi." He set her down and she heaved forward, coughing. She clasped her neck. There was no pain, just humiliation.

"Get dressed, Gigi," he ordered. "I will not repeat it again." Ludovico leaned against the wall, arms draped across his chest. Today, he hadn't bothered to tie his shirt all the way to the top or wear a tie. His neck was exposed, his bloody rose visible to her and anyone who dared look.

Shaking she slid the long skirt she'd originally chosen down her legs.

It could be worse.

She slipped on the other garment and zipped it. The skirt was barely mid-thigh length and indecently hugged her ass.

"Not bad," Ludovico commented. "Take off the underwear."

She spun around.

"What?"

"You heard me, Ms. Evans. Take off your panties. They make an unseemly line across your ass. I won't have it."

"But—"

"I cannot spend all day here lecturing you on how to get dressed, Gigi. Either you do it or I'll do it."

Shaking, she slipped her hands under the skirt and pulled down her underwear. Her skin burned with shame.

"Good girl. Now, take off that horrendous turtleneck and put on the white shirt."

She hesitated. Would she want him to take off her bra too? Her pussy throbbed unexpectedly at the idea, and her nipples hardened. Ludovico smirked as if he could read her thoughts.

"Today, Gigi."

She shrugged out of the suit jacket and slipped off the turtleneck. Grabbing the white shirt, she quickly put it on.

"Wait. Maybe you should take off that bra."

"What?"

"Yes. No bra."

"But everyone will see—"

"Precisely. Take it off," he demanded.

She shook her head. Tears began to stream down her face.

"Your crying merely makes my cock grow harder. Take off the bra, Ragazza."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I can, because I want to. Because I have tired of all the women who fawn over me because I'm head of the Ludovico family. You, on the other hand…" He grasped her chin, forcing her gaze upward. Using the pad of his thumb, he brushed away one of her tears.

"You have no choice. You will take what I give you and do as I tell you for the sake of your life and those you love. Your parents, your sister, your friends." Ludovico grinned. "I know who they all are, Ragazza, and I could have them killed tomorrow."

"Please, no."

"As long as you obey, they're safe."

She nodded. Eyes downcast, she undid the straps. She attempted to cover her breasts, but it was impossible. He took her arms and pressed them to her side, forcing her to jut out her chest and expose herself to him.

"Beautiful. Look at the way they become even harder under my gaze." Dipping his head, he pulled a turgid nub into his mouth. A moan swept past her lips. Ludovico chuckled. "Ragazza, you want me."

"No," she denied.

"Too fast for it to be true." He took a step back. "Worry not. I desire you too or you'd be dead by now. Fix your makeup and put on the jacket. We've got work to do."

Quickly, she put on the shirt and jacket. A tear slipped down her cheek. She was dressed but somehow, she felt completely naked. Deprived of her undergarments, a mix of arousal and fear mingled within her.

"I desire you." The rough promise of his words made her pussy throb, but what if someone saw? What if someone knew? What would people think? Her life would be ruined. No one would want to do business with her. No one would want to hire her.

"Please, Ludovico," she whimpered, grasping his forearm.

He swept around so quickly she didn't have time to react. Grasping her by the wrist, he tugged her forward and tilted her head back with a hard pull to her hair. Gigi let out a yelp.

"Do you know what my nickname is in the mob, Gigi? It's Mario Upper Hand Ludovico."

"Upper Hand?" she squeaked.

"I'm the first to find the advantage and seize it. This isn't any different."

"But I've done you no wrong. I told you. I didn't see anything."

His cool grin made her insides grow cold.

"You saw me and that was more than enough. You haven't been able to do anything because I found you first, Ragazza, and took advantage of the situation. If not, you would be another body in the alley, but I've chosen differently. Now, let's go."

Helping her upright, he placed a firm hand on her ass and led her out the door.