"The man who did this, do you remember his face?" Elliot asked with a frown. I shook my head.

"I didn't get time to memorise it. I was just so scared and he kept hitting me and I was so powerless," I said sadly.

"Hey," Elliot said turning my face to his. "You are not powerless. You seem like a very strong and independent woman."

"Thanks Elliot," I said with a small smile.

Gag much.

"No problem. I just wish I had gotten there in time. What were you doing in the hallway?"

"I was looking for you. After you left, I got bored quickly and... I've never met someone like you Elliot. You just make things so much easier," I said sliding my hand onto his where it rested on the couch. He entwined our fingers and gave me a soft smile.

Don't pull away.

"I'm sorry. I feel like this is all my fault," Elliot said sighing.

"Oh no. Don't blame yourself," I said quickly but Elliot glanced away from me. Despite the way my body was repulsed, I put my hand on his cheek and turned him to face me. "You saved me from him. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't come."

Elliots eyes searched my face before he smiled. "You know what, we shouldn't be in such a depressing mood. Why don't I get your mind off things?"

"Oh that would be wonderful," I said removing my hands from his and clapping. Anything so our skin didn't touch.

"Well we have this huge penthouse to ourselves, what would you like to do," he asked. I wracked my brain for something that'd take a lot of time.

"Bake! We can bake a cake. I have this wonderful recipe my mother told me that I think you'd fins absolutely divine," I said smiling brightly.

"Baking? Well I can't say I've done that before..."

"Great! Then this will be your first time!" I stood up.

"Come on Elliot. Live a little. Show me your kitchen and let's make history," I said grabbing his hand and pulling him up.

"Ok ok. Follow me," he said grabbing my hand and pulling me with him to the kitchen. It was quite big and fucking spotless.

I picked out a few ingredients as we talked, making sure to take my bloody time. I started baking with his help, making sure we'd make a mistake here and there. I fake laughed at everything he said and poor thing actually looked happy.

We were mixing some chocolate in a bowl when there was a sudden power outage. I knew that was courtesy of Vittore.

"Elliot," I said feigning fear.

"I'm here love," I heard in the dark and a hand wrapped around my shoulders.

"When are the lights coming back on?" I asked.

"In a few seconds love. I have a back-up generator," he said, his voice laced with smugness.

Oh for Lord's sake.

Just as stated, the power was back and running in no more than 20 seconds.

"That was weird," I said.

"I know. It's never happened before..." Elliot said musing.

"Imagine if it happened while our cake was in. It would be a freaking disaster," I said with a pout, looking his way. He laughed at me.

"A freaking disaster indeed love," he said and there was a loud ringing of a phone.

Elliot reached into his pocket and checked the caller ID.

"It's ok if you answer that. It must be more important..." I said adding a soft, almost pleading sigh at the end. Elliot looked torn but he turned off his phone.

"I'd rather spend time with you love," he said giving me a soft smile. I smiled back.

"Good cause you're the one stirring the cake butter," I said.

I continued, doing all I could to make time drag. The cake was placed in the oven and I wasn't sure I could keep him occupied for long. Just when I was losing hope, an alarm rung through the penthouse. I walked to the living room where my bag was, picking out my phone.

I'd done it. I'd kept him busy for two and a half hours. I honestly need an award.

"Oh my God! I have to go!" I said stuffing my phone back.

"What? Why?" Elliot asked following me.

"I can't stay long. I knew I shouldn't have come in the first place. Stupid stupid," I mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Elliot asked as I made a move to walk past him. He grabbed my arm. "Talk to me love."

"I loved our time together, I really did but I have to go," I said and walked to the elevator, remembering I had sabotaged it. Fuck.

"What do you mean you have to go. We are having such a good time," he said.

"I know but... I have a life outside this Elliot. I'm sorry. I have to go," I said pressing the button that I knew didn't work. After a while, I huffed in annoyance.

"Could you point me to the stairs?" I asked.

"Not until you talk to me," Elliot pressed.

"Elliot if you really have any feelings for me like I do for you, you'll let me go. Please," I begged.

Elliot sighed and run a hand down his face. He shook his head and pointed to a hallway to my right.

"Thank you. Goodbye," I said gladly walking down the hall, my heels clicking with every step. I reached a metal door, pulling it open, I started to descend the stairs.

I went to the floor two levels under Elliot's penthouse and took the elevator to the ground floor, just at the place I last saw Maddox. I made my way through the casino, hiding my face from all cameras and walking out, into the street.

I walked towards the hotel where the others were waiting, disappointed I didn't get to use my gun, knife or even fight a little. As much as I loved acting and playing damsel in distress, I also liked hitting and killing things, a habit that grew on me.

I took a few detours before finally finding myself in the hotel, walking to the meeting place. Music could be heard outside the door and i opened it, looking at the different piles of cash the others where counting while drinking and laughing.

Peyton and Lily were dancing together to the song.

Give it to me, I'm worth it

Baby I'm worth it

Uh huh I'm worth it

Gimme gimme I'm worth it

Give it to me, I'm worth it

Baby I'm worth it

Uh huh I'm worth it

Gimme gimme I'm worth it

"So y'all did it?" I asked taking off my heels. They were killing me.

"Dalia! You made it!" Lily cheered as she looked at me. "What the fuck happened to your face?"

"Nothing," I said with a roll of my eyes.

"How'd you manage it really? You even gave us an extra hour almost," Carter asked, leaning back in one of the couches, counted bundles of money before him.

"That's for me to know and for you to never find out. Where's Vittore?" I asked, eager to talk to the cold mafia boss.

"Master bedroom," Felix answered for me, counting some money.

I walked over to the room Felix talked about, not bothering to knock when I opened the door. Vittore turned from looking out the window and I flattered for a second.

He was still in his suit but he had taken off the jacket, the buttons of the long sleeves of his dress shirt were undone and so were the buttons of his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. My eyes quickly scanned the tattoos he had, a few scars present too. I stared at his abs for a second more than necessary before snapping out of it.

Clearing my throat, I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me.

"We need to talk Vittore," I said and we did need to talk. I'd doe the heist, perfectly well I must add and I wanted something in return.

Vittore turned and his cold dark gaze met mine as he slowly advanced and for the first time in what felt like forever, I was intimidated. It wasn't just because of his power, it was because Vittore wasn't like anyone I'd met since I was sold. He was calm, collected and showed less emotion than a block of ice. His whole aura and presence was predatory. It made you cautious of your actions because he was unpredictable.

So unpredictable that when he came close to me, invading my personal space, tilting my chin up to get a better look at my face, I was shocked. I knew it looked bad, I'd seen myself in the elevator mirrors. My face was bruised black and purple. It took a lot for brown skin like mine to bruise but it showed clearly.

Vittore's eyes were locked on every mark and when his thumb brushed over the cut on my lip, my heart skipped a nervous beat. Vittore's eyes locked on mine and he uttered one word that made my brain freeze for a moment. One word that caused my heart to pound in my chest. One word that made my stomach flip and turn like it did when he looked at me.

"Who?"