**Chapter 4: Bound and Silenced**

As James carried Amalia through the dark and deserted corridors, she slowly began to stir in his arms. She groggily opened her eyes, only to find herself being laid down on a cold, metallic bed. The bed was equipped with straps on each side, and James's intentions became clear as he reached for the leather straps. With a swift motion, James tied one strap around Amalia's wrist, securing it to the bed frame. Amalia's eyes widened in horror as she realized what was happening. She tried to struggle, but James was too strong. He repeated the process with the other wrist, and then moved on to her ankles. Amalia's mind was racing with thoughts of escape and defiance as she watched James restrain her. She knew she had to keep her wits about her if she was going to survive this ordeal. As James finished securing the last strap, Amalia's eyes flashed with anger. "Go to hell," she spat, her voice venomous. Lucien, who had been watching from the shadows, stepped forward. "Good morning, Amalia," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I trust you're feeling well?" Amalia's gaze locked onto Lucien, and she began to insult him. "You can stick your plan where the sun don't shine," she said, her voice rising in anger. "You're a pathetic excuse for a man, and you'll never get what you want from me." Lucien's face twisted in annoyance. "We'll see about that," he said, snapping his fingers. A medical cart was wheeled into the room, and a nurse stepped forward with a gag. Amalia's eyes widened in horror as the nurse approached her. "No, no, no!" she shouted, struggling against the straps. But it was too late. The nurse quickly secured the gag around Amalia's mouth, muffling her screams and insults. Lucien turned to one of his men. "I want her to be comfortable," he said. "Make sure she receives the best care, but also make sure she understands that she is a prisoner." The man nodded, and Lucien turned to leave. As he exited the room, Amalia's eyes locked onto the door, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and revenge. She was determined to find a way out of this situation, no matter what it took. The nurse checked Amalia's restraints, making sure they were secure. "Don't worry, dear," she said, her voice cold and detached. "You'll be comfortable. And who knows, maybe you'll even cooperate with us." Amalia's eyes flashed with anger, but the gag muffled her response. She was trapped, and for now, she was at the mercy of her captors. But she was determined to fight back, and she would not go down without a struggle.