LA

my G

arms. I didn't want to look up. I couldn't. What the fuck was happening? Who were t

whose fing

re. But the longer I sat there, the more I realized it was real. I'd been kidnappe

olai I knew be pa

o be someone he wasn't? Judging by what Nico had told me, it see

directions. What did they plan to do to me? Kill me? Tortu

etted it. If I had stayed home like my dad wanted, they would have known I'd been kidnapped. But because I tried

dn't believe I was heartbroken over a guy I didn't even know for two months. We only had sex a few times. But I was in love. He didn't care who my family

t he had moved on. I never understood what happened. Now I did. Nico made it c

ugh my chest, causing

u

the truth. But he looked like he beli

ody slid down the wall. I landed on my side, crying int

o and his family held me responsible for Nikolai's death why, I didn't kn

was cruel. Girls got kidnapped, sold, raped, mur

ealth and power. It meant a better chance they could

t the bed. The box was still there, but the finger had r

and stared at the bed. Dear Lord, ple

r. I bent my knees, steadying my feet, palms flush against th

g closer to see. I could

the mattress, neck stretc

king

se of the object on it a ring. Platinum with a gold F in

yes shut. "No. Please God, no," I cr

ize the

g at the wall where

look fa

nized t

going on?" I ask

s is spinning trying to figure out w

toward the wall,

ze the ring,

kind of twisted ga

e called ca

hink I'm t

gainst that wall, your fear vibratin

eyes, cursin

e mouse, do you re

f the wall. "Yes. I recognize

oo

all made me lurch back.

t earlier. My heart ached, my body trembl

dnight hair perfectly styled, chiseled jaw with a shor

t sleeves. "Did you like

depths, noticing the s

m pissed off to

e me, Miss Falcone, you have

ack, letting

hat finger in a bo

a wa

ing for

uestion: a wa

e. I wouldn't fal

longed to the man your fathe

ped s

em surp

didn't hi

know about your father's busi

hing. All I wanted was art,

g his chin. "Your father has a legion of men. He sits on his throne while others do his dir

hy would my father

mouse, is for

t no motive,

I see plenty of motive ri

ikolai. So why woul

don't know w

ave it all wrong. My father didn't ha

you kn

oped us. My h

ing for someone. I take it that

ving you trapped here is

r n

ed, darkness

is for your f

y give i

elming. "Who do you think will

er," I w

ghed, ma

you?" He traced my jaw. "I wanted time with you

opped. My l

'm capable of in sev

question. It

few rules. This" he waved "is your new home. Live it

How long do you plan

Falcone, until they carry