PTE

es widened with joy as

exclaimed, relief washing over her. "How

ed with a mix of worry and guilt. " oh Ana! I

h Emily. "Come untie me. Le

f as if trying to loosen the ropes tying her feet. Then she

you laughing?" Luciana's eyes searched

onio, who had been silently observing the scene. She wrap

come over here." She sniffed. "Please, untie me. L

. "You're not

he clapped his hands. "What a drama queen

He sauntered towards her. "Let

s like a vice. "Princess Sophia of the Spanish C

rtsied low, with a look of s

ntonio, confusion and shock all over her fa

you kn

t trash name!" she spat. "Are you d

She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice failed

voice, her words were envelo

ng. "You knew he was going to be at the gala. That's why you coerced me into

her so much, she wished to be swallowed b

e just told you that you were going to get kidnapped, so I needed yo

to be my friend. You got a job wh

sweetheart." Sophia fac

ness." She sniffed the fluid running from her nose and spat it towards Sophia. "I'll strangle y

hed. "you and I know yo

s over." He turned to Luciana, an intimidating smile spreading acros

io's words hung in the air. She struggled

ana's face. "Viktor!" he called out,

red instantly

instructed with a blunt tone. "We're

. "Yes, boss." He tur

n? we just arrived, can't we go

an." Antonio fired at her, prompt

s she faced Sophia, who was laughi

d towards Luciana, her face already boing w

d for a moment, but she st

alm connected with Luciana's cheek, the force of

her to cry out in pain. Luciana's lips throbbed with pain,

tervened. He grabbed her by the chin and pinned h

eath warm on Sophia's face. "If you lay your hands on my p

ith fear as Antonio's grip

ut he held her fast, his fing

over to Luciana to lift her, dis

er mouth, his touch gentle despite the

madness towards him as

et yourself ready for tomorrow or jump into the ocean.

before leaving the room, b

* *

ggled against the ropes, her wrists and

elp, her voice hoa

d on the door. "Shut up, girl!" he gr

t and struggle. She knew she had to keep

he ropes began to loosen slight

maybe, she

hard not to cry from the pain the loss of circulatio

om her hand, and started wor

g open, and Viktor, Antonio's consigliere, steppe

give you that," he said. "Bu

th puppy eyes, her fist c

ly." She knew crying wouldn't work on kidnappers. She

"I have a sick mother to care for. You h

d and pushed her to the floor. "I don'

the room, a look of mild annoyance on his face. Vik

is eyes narrowing as he noticed the loose

ed to esc

then back to Viktor. "who tied her u

inn

instructed, and Vinnie cam

er up?" Antonio

es, boss. I made s

about to escape."

I didn't think she'd

think," he repeated, his voice filled with disdain.

Vinnie's temple. "You're supposed to be one of my best guard,

rror. "P-please, boss," he stutt

"I don't think so," he sa

fening. Luciana screamed, her eye

ou see, Luciana," he said. "I don't tolerate

from him. "P-please," she

his head. "You're so... spi

o his waistband. "now,

he tightened the ropes, making su

to admire his handiwork. "That

Viktor, when will the jet be

the station again, boss." He signaled two gu

s shoulder and sta

stration and I don't want to keep them waiting. I n

iktor nodded a

hes and shoes to change into. She'll also prepare a meal for you. Th