In the Shadows Of Our Hearts

Dark lights, loud music, and hungry looks. Those, are all things that Aelia never really dared to surround herself with. She was more of a bookworm herself, preferring a quiet corner in a library over anything. A good book in her hands and a cup of tea that was freshly brewed. The loudest thing she'd ever really enjoyed was a thunderstorm. This, this place that she was now forced to call her work place? She hated it, she hated it with her whole being, but. The money, it was good money, especially on good nights.

"Aelia, you'll be on in five." The head dancer called into the changing room. Snapping the young newbie out of her thoughts. "Oh, okay!" Lia called back and listened for the door to the dressing room to close before she finished with her make-up.

Next, Aelia changed into the sexy outfit that was laid out for her by the head girl, Tiffany. She always knew the best things to wear to get the girls the most money. The girls would get together on days off and go shopping together, Tiffany, helping everyone find pieces that'll really make them look attractive, while also earning them the most respect from the men they'd be showing off for.

Once Lia was done dressing, she pulled on a robe before walking out of the room. She was thankful that the showiest thing was the spider web squares that were opened around her butt cheeks, but still. She liked her modesty, especially when there might not be paying customers around looking for a free peak.

As Aelia approached the stage, she set her robe on the small end table that was set up for the girls. Then, when her song started to play, Aelia took in a deep breath and made her way onto the stage. Doing her best to remember her dance routine that she was being taught. It was simple, but hot and attractive, and way over her head. Lia always seemed to go red-faced when she went on stage, but, Tiffany says it makes the guys love it even more because they think she's getting off on stage. Ew. Still though, as she danced, she could feel eyes on her, and it caused her skin to crawl. Hopefully, she'll only have to do this for a few more weeks. At least, until she finishes paying off her dads' debts and then she can get another job somewhere.

Luca had completely and utterly destroyed the man who dared to tell Aelia the truth of what had happened to her father. It had angered him like nothing ever before because of the fear in Aelia's eyes. The anger there that had woven itself into the fear. But she'd spoken ill of him and just like that, Luca realized that he didn't have another option. He had to put her under his iron fist, just as he put everyone else. He had no other choice. If he lost Aelia, it would break his heart but if he lost everything that he had built for himself, that would completely destroy him. That was the very last thing that he wanted in his life.

It made him into a hardened man, angry and bitter with everything that he did. Aelia no longer warmed his bed every morning. He saw her in fleeting moments when he lingered at his club, taking care of business that needed tending to. He hadn't spoken to the girl since she'd lost her tongue on him. He'd banished her to work at his club because at least then, she was watched and he didn't have to be concerned with what happened to her. Because she would never be alone. He would never have to worry about what she could potentially get herself involved in. Whose ear she could mumble into about his crimes.

This was the first night that he planned to garner Aelia's attention after everything that had ever happened between them. Luca sat in the center of the stage, his legs crossed over the other, with a glass of only the finest brandy in his hand. He had waved off the girls that attempted to serve him, only demanding that his glass was never empty.

His attention was going to be focused solely on Aelia tonight and she was going to learn about the anger that had been steadily brewing inside of him. She was going to learn what it meant for people that crossed him. She was going to be lucky if she didn't face the same consequences that her father had faced.

Lifting his gaze when Aelia appeared, Luca's eyes hardened as his back straightened. His attention was focused solely on her, his grip tightening on the glass in his hand as he sipped at it. He watched her expectantly, waiting for her to catch sight of him. Waiting for her to realize that everything was going to culminate tonight.

@ castle.
As Aelia danced, she got lost in the rhythm and played her part. The good girl that's gone bad. The one who screamed for these guys to fuck her like they always dreamed to take a woman. Doing her best to make them spend their money on her. The regulars of the club always spent the most on Fridays. It was the end of the work week and it was payday, time for them to party.

All was going as usual, the regulars Hollard and drunkenly sang along. Throwing their money at her as she moved along. While the more respectable men watched with interest, debating on asking for a private lap dance from her after the show. Then, it happened. Just as she was doing her final split on the stage, her eyes met the ones that she adored staring into in the early hours. Those lips that she couldn't get enough touching. Luca was here, and he was looking right at her.

The blood that ran through Aelia's veins ran cold as she locked eyes with him. She knew he was here to see her. Since she ran out of him, calling him a fucking monster that she hoped burned in hell. Yeah, she'd be a fool to think he's not come to find her at his secret cover up the building. He was keeping her under his watchful eyes, just like some sick pet.

A scowl appeared on Aelia's lips. She couldn't do this now, she needed to get away from him, from this stupid place. Her song was over anyway, so standing up, Aelia collected her money from the stage, not daring to go towards Luca's seat near the stage. She didn't want anything to do with him. They were through, and there was no going back. Not in a million years.

Moving as quickly as she could, Aelia moved off the stage. She gathered her robe and swung it on as she briskly walked towards the dressing room. She needed to get changed and out of the club as quickly as she could. She needed to run somewhere, somewhere far away. Somewhere that Luca wouldn't be able to find her and hurt her like he hurt her father.

As Aelia got to the changing room, she slammed the door closed and locked it. Then, she quickly went about pulling on her normal clothing, not caring that she still had the sexy lingerie on that she danced in. There was no time to put on her comfortable t-shirt bra or underwear. She was on a time crunch, at any moment Luca could barge in and do who knows what to her. So, Aelia rushed towards the door and flung it open, ready to make a run for it, a foolish attempt on her part to save herself.

Luca's eyes never left Aelia as she danced in front of them, smirking at the sight in front of him. She was utterly delicious, wanting to reach out and take her. There was no one here that would tell him no if he chose to take her in the club or in the back room - they all knew what Luca was capable of. He was not a man to be messed with and when he controlled everyones' employment in the building, there was no one who would be brave enough to stand up against him.

When Aelia spotted him, Luca simply looked up to him. He blinked, not giving her any sort of reaction despite the fear he could see play out on her features. No, he was going to make her panic before she suffered beneath his touch. Seeing the sneer that passed over her lips though, it sent his blood boiling. That had not been seductive whatsoever, if she thought that she was going to get away with anything under his watchful eye, she had another thing coming.

Luca raised to his feet after a few moments, after he heard the door to the changing room slam shut. He cleared his throat, finishing off the last of the drink he had before heading toward the changing room.

He wasn't foolish enough to even try the handle, fully expecting Aelia to have locked the door. Luca folded his hands in front of himself, blinking lazily as he listened to the sounds coming from behind the door. Aelia was obviously in a panic, trying to rush through getting out of the building before he could locate her. A foolish notion but she was trying regardless.

Luca looked down at her as she appeared in the doorway. "Aelia," he spoke, a hard edge to his voice. He looked up for just a moment to look around the room behind her. Empty. Good. His attention turned back to her and he nodded toward the room. "I don't believe your shift has finished. Has it?" He asked, pushing the door open further. "Get back inside, Aelia. Now."

@ castle.
Every nerve in her body froze as Luca appeared in the doorway in front of her. Lia gulped and stayed still as his deep voice met her ears. A shiver ran down her spine as she could feel the cool edge in his tone.

Gulping, Aelia did her best to take in a deep breath and slowly exhale it through her mouth. "Leave me alone," she said, trying to stand up for herself. "I was just going out to get some air. I'm allowed a break, aren't?" She narrowed her bright green eyes at the man she used to adore looking at. The man, who she'd been crushing on since her father had started to work for. The man who saved her from becoming homeless after her father died. After he killed him.

Trying to think quickly. Aelia glanced towards the side. There was an emergency door on the other end of the dressing room. It was usually kept locked, but, maybe Ashley left it open when she went out to smoke. Keeping her fingers crossed in her mind, Aelia bolted away from Luca and the main door to the living room.

There were clothes and props littered around the dressing room, but Aelia had little trouble as she practically stumbled over everything. She moved as fast as she could, grabbing onto the fire escape with both hands as she tried to push the door open with all of her strength. Wanting nothing more then to get away from the man who just might be here to kill her.

Luca let out a bitter laugh as he shook his head slowly, his eyes narrowing as Aelia tried her damnedest to stand up against him. He had to give her credit for feeling brave enough to stand up to him but that meant nothing at all because she was disrespecting him and that wasn't something that he was going to stand for. He straightened, running his tongue along his bottom lip. "Yes, you are entitled to a break. Unless I call upon you, Aelia. I am the owner of this fine establishment, after all."

He watched as Aelia looked to the side and Luca couldn't help the sense of giddiness that washed over him. He knew she was about to run and just for the fun of it, Luca stood there and gave her a few seconds of a head start. He knew the emergency exit was locked - when he was in the building, rules weren't broken. If he were to catch someone breaking the rules, Luca had never been known to be kind to them.

Luca stepped into the dressing room, kicking the door shut behind him. He turned, pressing the lock closed before he turned back to Aelia. "Now, do you honestly believe that I would bother finding you in here if there was a chance at escape for you?" Luca purred, shoving his hands into his pockets. He took slow, calculated steps toward her. A sick little smirk settled on his features, his eyes racking over Aelia's form. It was obvious as day to him that she was afraid and he was all but drinking that fear up.

"I suppose the only question here is if you will listen to as I say or if you'll think that you're magically going to be able to outsmart me, darling?" Luca asked, his voice dipping as he eyed the young woman in front of him. "Which is it, do you think?"

@ castle.
The desperation to escape increased in Aelia as she found that the door to the outside was locked. She let out a small curse word before she slowly turned and faced Luca as he approached her. Each one of his steps sent a chill down her spine as she watched him come closer and closer to her. Making this whole thing drag out.

"I think you should burn in hell," Aelia said, trying to sound brave as she glared at the man. Trying with all her might that she'd be a tough girl. Telling herself mentally that whatever Luca dared to do to her, that she'd survive. That she'd survive and tell the police all that he had done to her. To her family, to those she considered friends once upon a time.

"I-If you come any closer, I'm going to call the cops." Lia said, grimacing as she realized that she had stuttered. Her voice had cracked a little as well, giving away how terrified she was at the moment. On the brink of pissing herself because of her fear. Being reduced to her knees as she begged for him to leave her alone and not hurt her. For him to brush this all under the rug and let her go.

Pressing her back against the cool metal door, Aelia gulped and looked around the room. Looking for anything that she could use as a weapon. Something that could hold Luca off long enough to allow for her to try and think of a plan to escape.

It was then that Aelia's gaze landed on a book on the make-up counter. Glancing towards Luca, Aelia did her best to duck under his reach as she went to grab the book. Wanting to use it to try and smack him in the face if he got to close to her. It was the only hard object in the room. It'll suck, but at least it was better then nothing for her.

Luca let out a dry laugh as Aelia told him he should burn in hell. "Tsktsk," he scolded her, shaking his head slowly. "If you think that's the worst that has ever been said to me..." he trailed off, letting out a louder laugh. His back straightened as he stared down at her, raising an eyebrow when she tried to threaten him with phoning the police.

"Oh? You want to call the police, hm?" Luca purred, pulling his phone from his pocket. He started the dial the numbers before holding the phone out to her. "Go on then. You can even use my phone, I don't mind," he said with a onesided shrug. It meant nothing to him because he knew that the police were under his thumb. The chief was under his payroll as were many of the officers and detectives that made up the entirety of the local and state police force.

Luca smirked when Aelia didn't take the phone from him. He shoved it into his pocket, looking up in just enough time to see as Aelia smacked him in the face with a book. He stumbled a few steps backward, his face morphing into a mask of pure rage as he slowly started to straighten back up. His eyes narrowed into thin slits, his hands balling into fists as he took a step closer to her.

Luca said nothing as he reached out, ripping the book out of her grasp before he threw it clear across the room. "Now. Are you going to apologize, little girl?" He growled the words, reaching out to grip Aelia's chin. Luca slammed her head back into the door behind her. His grip tightened on her chin as he leaned forward, brushing his lips over hers. "Hm? Are you going to apologize?"

@ castle.
Tears started to well up in Aelia's eyes as she listened to Luca. He was antagonizing her, pushing her around. All because he could, he was in control and she knew it. She was stuck in this life now because of him. He dragged her in deeper once her father was killed by his men, all because she was young, weak and vulnerable. He was a sick jerk, and Aelia hated it.

Clenching her eyes closed, Aelia flinched as she listened to the loud boom of the book hitting the wall across form them. The sound a thousand times worst then when she had smacked him with it. It had more force to it then Aelia would of ever dared to use. Even against Luca, he was a monster in all definition, but she wasn't. She was not a monster and she hoped to never sink to his level.

As soon as his next words left his mouth, Aelia knew she had lost. A loud yelp of pain escaped from her as she felt her head hit the door. Her eyes squeezed tightly as she felt her head getting light and her knees felt weak. She had to rest her hands on the door behind herself to keep herself standing upright.

"I hate you." She mumbled quietly, her eyes opening to slits as she swayed back and forth. The force of the slam wasn't enough to make her pass out or anything, but she did feel disoriented. "I wish we've never met." Her bright green eyes shift to the side as she tried to hide the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. "You ruined my life." She mumbled as a tear started to slowly roll down her cheek, leaving behind a glistening trail that shined in the light.

Luca couldn't help the sick sense of satisfaction that washed over him when Aelia flinched away from him. "Stupid fuckin' whore," he growled out the words, his hands balling into fists as he glared down at the woman. It was the first sign of just how angry he was with her. He didn't want to treat her like she was nothing more than the dirt on his shoes but he didn't think that it would work any other way. It was as clear as day to him that Aelia's mind wasn't going to change.

He had to protect himself and the people that worked for him. That was his job, first and foremost. His pleasure would come after and in truth, it was never hard for Luca to find a woman who wanted to lay with him. He was attractive and well off, women all but threw themselves at him when he went to clubs. Whether he owned the club or not.

"Hate me? Wish we'd never met?" Luca countered as he took another step forward. He set a hand on either side of Aelia's head, effectively trapping her against the door. There was nowhere for her to go. She was his, there was nothing that she was going to be able to do to get away from him. She was his, whether she wanted to come to terms with that or not didn't matter to him.

"I don't think you do," Luca whispered, cupping her cheek with one hand. He smirked as he forced her to look up to him, his grip tightening on her chin. "But you will be, soon. take your clothes off, girl. Do not make me ask again, it won't be so nice," he growled the last few words before stepping back, just enough to allow Aelia the space to undress.

@ castle.
Slowly, Aelia started to visibly shake as Luca approached her more and more. The look in his eyes, the way he clenched his fists. He was really man, way madder then she had ever seen him before. Way madder then she could of ever imagine. This was terrifying, he was truly terrifying her at the moment, and she was not liking it in the least bit.

As Luca placed his hands on either side of her head, She couldn't help but to clench her eyes shut and flinch at each word that he spoke. Knowing full well that he was right, in a way. It was sick and oh so twisted, but, somewhere deep down. She did care for Luca, even if it was just a little bit. He was the first guy she ever truly liked, the first guy to kiss her, the first one to ever make her feel important. He was her first, almost everything. She hadn't slept with him in the way of sex, but, they had fooled around. He had shown her the dirtier side of life, of what it was like to be with an older more experienced, man.

"Luca," Aelia said, her voice quiet as she looked up at him with blurry eyes. Her tears forming quicker as she flinched at how painful he was holding her chin. Feeling the bruising starting to form, Aelia couldn't help but flinch. The feeling of her chin swelling was a very uncomfortable feeling. So, when he let her go, a small gasp escaped from her as she felt tingling through her lower jaw as the blood started to flow once more.

Raising her right hand, Aelia pressed her hand against her jaw, feeling the skin's warmth as it slightly swelled from his tough grip. Then, she lowered her bright green gaze from his chocolate eyes as she slowly listened to his demand. She stripped from the clothing she had put on when she tried to leave in a hurry. Stopping once she had reached her underwear and bra that she had been performing in before she ran for him. She was hesitant, not sure how far he wanted to go with stripping. She didn't want to ask though, didn't want to waste time glancing up into those dark judgmental gazes.

Finally, after a moment of trying to get over her anxiety. Aelia reached behind her back and slowly unbuckled her bra, allowing for her breasts to pop free as she slid the straps from her arms. Then, she slowly did the same with the panties. Hooking her fingers on the sides, then slowly pulling them down. Once she was done, Aelia crossed her arms over her chest and pressed her legs together as much as she could, wanting to try and save some of her decency from his view.

“Hm?” Luca prompted as if he cared at all about what Aelia had to say. He raised an eyebrow, looking down to her as he waited for her to say whatever was on her mind. He was fully prepared for it to be some sort of plea for him not to hurt her. If she thought, for even a moment, that Luca would do anything other than what he had already planned, she was in for a horrible surprise. Luca took several steps backward so that he could watch as Aelia started to undress in front of him. He smirked, running his tongue over his bottom lip her breasts popped free.

Luca let out a low growl as Aelia straightened, palming himself through his pants. He smirked as he tilted his head to the side, taking a moment to appreciate the way she tried to hide herself away. It was foolish of her but she was attempting to and that would make this all that much better. Luca would be able to enjoy punishing Aelia for everything that had started this whole thing and now, because she was trying to deny him what was his. Whether Aelia wanted to accept it or not, Luca didn’t really care. She belonged to him because her father had been foolish enough to get himself so in debt to Luca that she didn’t have any choice. She was going to be stuck with him, until he decided that he was either done with her or that he could decide to make their relationship a bit more serious.

“Now, now,” Luca snapped as he reached out, prying her arms from her chest. “Do you think that hiding yourself from me is really that good of an idea? After I decided to come all the way down here so that I could see you...” he trailed off, trailing his fingers down her torso. He smirked as his fingertips brushed against her hip.

“Why don’t you put on one of those little dances for me, hm?” Luca spoke, pulling one of the girls’ chairs out into the center of the room. He was quick to sit down, leaning back as he spread his thighs so that he could be a bit more comfortable. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed that Aelia continued to simply stand there, staring at him.

“Aelia, you do not want to make me repeat myself again. Do you?” Luca asked, his voice dripping dangerously lower.