A PROMISE OF PROTECTION AND LOVE

Mason's eyes darted around the pool area, trying to find any sign of Melody. He had been searching for her for what seemed like hours, but it had only been a few minutes. The party had taken a dark turn, with people engaging in sexual acts everywhere. Mason's heart was pounding in his chest as he caught a glimpse of blonde hair underneath a guy who was having sex with a girl.

He pushed the guy away. "Why are you having sex with Melody? Are you nuts?" he yelled at the guy and punched him in the face. The guy looked at him with confusion, his eyebrows raised.

"Who is Melody?" Mason realized that the girl he was having sex with wasn't Melody, just another blonde. Feeling frustrated and angry, Mason shoved the guy away and walked away, feeling like he was going mad.

He couldn't find Melody, so he stopped to catch his breath. Suddenly, he saw her. She was wearing a blue bikini and was seated with a group of people, talking and drinking. Mason was taken aback when he realized that she was talking to Savage Huns.

Mason stomped over to them, his heart pounding in his chest. "I will pay off the debts you owe Ashley so she can leave you and your brother alone, but on one condition." Savage Huns sipped her drink. "You will have to become a member of my gang and you will owe your life to me."

"I will be part of your gang." Melody quickly agreed to Savage Hun's demands with tears in her eyes. "I will do anything to be free again," Melody added.

Mason cut in and pulled Melody away from Savage Huns, his eyes blazing with anger. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

Melody looked at him with fear in her eyes. "I...I didn't know what else to do," she said, her voice shaking.

Mason turned to Savage Huns, his hands balled into fists. "And you, what the hell do you want with her?"

Savage Huns smiled, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Just a little business deal, that's all," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Mason felt his blood boiling. "She's not some piece of property for you to buy and sell," he spat.

Savage Huns shrugged. "Suit yourself," she said, getting up from the bench and pulling Melody to herself. "But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

Mason watched as Savage Huns and her gang walked away, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned to Melody, his eyes softening. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Melody nodded, her eyes still filled with tears. "Why are you suddenly acting concerned? Let me go with her," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know what else to do. I don't want to be your whore."

Mason put his arm around her, pulling her close. "It's okay," he said, his voice soft. "I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you." He felt like he was going crazy when he thought she was gone forever. He knew nothing about this girl, but she was making his heart flutter after a long time.

Melody leaned into him, her body shaking with sobs. "Thank you," she whispered.

Mason held her close, his heart aching for her. He knew he had to find a way to help her, to keep her safe from the likes of Savage Huns and her gang. He just wasn't sure how to do it yet. But one thing was for sure, he wasn't going to give up on her. Not now, not ever.

Mason led Melody out of the pool party and up to his room. The sound of the raging party was muffled by the thick walls, and the only sound that filled the room was their breathing.

As soon as they entered the room, Mason opened his closet and tossed a few of his sports clothes to Melody. "Here, they'll fit you," he said, gesturing for her to change.

Melody hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Why are you doing this? Why are you being so nice to me?"

Mason looked at her, his eyes softening. "I don't know," he said. "I just know that I want to help you. I feel like I have to...I think I am in love with you, little bitch."

Melody's heart skipped a beat. She had never met anyone like Mason before, and she didn't know what to make of him. He was kind and gentle one moment, then cold and distant the next. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, and she didn't know what to expect from him.

But she knew one thing for sure. If she became the girlfriend of this Mafia lord, Ashley wouldn't be able to harm a hair on her head, and she wanted to go for it. She moved closer to him and looked into his brown eyes, hoping to start a kiss.

Mason returned the energy and placed his hand under her chin. Melody could feel her heart racing in her chest. She wanted him to touch her, to kiss her, to hold her close. She wanted to forget about everything that had happened to her and just be with him.

But then he pulled away, and Melody's heart sank. "I'm only attracted to you when you don't give in to my demands," he said, his voice cold. "I don't like girls throwing themselves at men."

Melody felt a sudden surge of anger. Who was he to judge her? Who was he to tell her what to do? She opened her mouth to say something, but then he spoke again.

"I want to know what Ashley has done to you," he said. "And I want to help you. I have her wrapped around my finger, and I can make sure she never bothers you again."

Melody's anger dissipated, replaced by a sudden sense of relief. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what to do. I'm so scared."

Mason sat down on the bed, and Melody joined him. She told him everything, how she had been forced into prostitution by her greed and how she had stolen from Ashley.

Mason listened intently, his eyes never leaving hers. When she was done, he said, "You don't have to pay Ashley anything. I'll take care of her. And I'll take care of you. I promise."

Melody felt a sudden surge of hope. Maybe everything would be okay. Maybe she had found someone who could protect her, who could love her, who could be there for her.

And maybe, just maybe, she had found a way out of the darkness.