ensation of something soft beneath me. A shiver ran down my spine as I
eep, I forced my eyes open, but the
e wa
up, my breath cat
s
ro
noted a woman holding a stack of towels, her features softened by the dim light of the r
soon," she offered
ons swirling like a storm.
e to me. Please, let me know if y
memory of the attack flashed through
whispered urgently, my
me. "Miss Russel, Don Salvatore had instructed you
my tone. Surely, she must have understood how dehumanizing this felt. After
ei was alright. He saved my life," I ple
ammered, her voice bet
veled hair, only to notice the state of my hands. I dis
hands?" I demand
. I'm not your enemy, Miss Russel. I'm genuinely concerned for your well-being. These people are
he swiftly crossed the room, unlocked
they were capable of, and
bed. The cold tiles sent a shiver up my warm feet. I wished I hadn't left the comfort of
against my will. But at this mom
room through the door, finding
o if it's some kind of lockdown? Or was it left open intentionally, a trap waiting to snap shut? My mind
mer of hope ignited within me. Maybe t
wers. Why did he take that bullet for me? I kn
I stumb
Michael was indeed from a Mafia clan. But could Michael really be a part of it? It seemed inconce
a loud noise interrupted my though
happening
obstructed by another wall. Stepping cautiously inside, I posit
g filled the air, each blow ech
es, thundering against my ribcage as the so
he was, right
ent seemed effortless, his muscles rippling under the strain of his workout. His motions were flui
family of killers, where suc
raw power in his stance as he paused, shedding his gloves with a sense
but also the weight of the world's burdens. Perhaps
frustration when he en
y remorse in
s features, cleansing away the physical and emotional residue of the day's events. As he reached for
r
place, my breath c
es. His piercing gaze bore into mine, cutting through the air like a sharpened b
, his voice sliced through the
his eyes boring into mine with an
ame question," I muttered, my f
asked, his
ersely, shifting my ga
ooking for a way out of this hall, it's no use. It's a dead-end." He paused, shooting me a quic
handle right now. I watched as he disappeared into his room, feel
from the bathroom, dressed in his usual attire of dark j
I demanded, my voice
plied, his eyes still f
wards him and snatching his phone from his hand. "Awake or
s expression unreadable. "Do it again
assertive, before casually tucking it into his pocket. My heart
y voice trembling slightly, but I foug
as chilling. "
nt to know what your plans are with me
his eyes narrowing into a threateni
back down. "You thought I'd forget the
ung girl like you should willingly want to get involved wi
"Well, to be fair, you're keeping me here against
one of the men here are allowed to touch or misbehave in any way w
ion. It was a strange thing for a kidnapper to sa
lear?" His scowl deepened,
g in my stomach. "Yes," I replied, my voice barely
etreat to a secluded corner for privacy. My gaze trailed after him, but something glittering
ooped it up-a brac
ghteenth birthday, adorned with diamond stones
ignificance, the night I surrendered myself to Michael completely, our first time making love. Des
come to posse
wish to see him?" He inqu
tightly. "Why do you have my bracelet?"
across his face, swiftly maske
y with me
I pressed him about the bracelet. His jaw tensed, but he attempted to dismiss
ng too much into it," he muttered, att
that easily. I stepped forward, blocking
That bracelet disappeared from my life the same night you en
n't k
me. But I refused to budge, planting myself firmly in his
my voice rising with each syllable. "Th
certainty dancing in his eyes before it
ern," he bit out, his t
own, my frustration boi
e ringing with defiance. "Tell me the tr
unspoken tension. And then, in a moment of unchec
e roared, his voice reverberating off the w
I staggered backward, stunned into silenc
steely whisper. "That bracelet holds sentimental va
ze, his jaw clenching with
is voice sharp and biting. "Som
caught his hand and stepped in
it," I
d my arms, his grip tight and force
shot back, refus
room the night yo