✰ ✰

"𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞"

Fuck this shit hurt.

I looked down at my bleeding thigh, the bullet deep inside the flesh—almost making me gag.

Normally I wasn't someone who got grossed out by this stuff, I mean I did this for a living. Though, seeing myself engrossed with this type of shit was enough to make me throw up the non-existent food in my system.

Fuck, what I would give for a cheeseburger and fries.

I should've asked Roman to grab me a meal before coming to get me. Maybe he would, knowing me he was smart like that.

Smiling, I think about him. The love of my life, soulmate, whatever you wanna call it—he was that.

It was all I thought about for the time being. Being drugged after drugged, it was exhausting thinking of food and thinking of the physical pain I currently consumed.

So, I thought of the only thing that didn't cause me pain.

Him.

Right now, I craved a hug. Tears formed in my eyes as I thought about his hugs. So warm and comforting, securing and addictive.

"He's not coming to save you." Haley smiled, the evil psycho smile she's been giving me for days.

"You're kind of a freak," I shrugged, ignoring her statement. Her smile dropped, her high pony swaying as she marched up to me.

"How dare you!" She yanked my hair, making me clench my jaw in anger as she forced me to look up at her.

"I was supposed to be his, not you." Snarling, she spat on my face—literally causing me to gag as I desperately brought my shoulder to my face to wipe the saliva off.

"This is getting really desperate now, honey. You should consider seeing a therapist because kidnapping me isn't going to get you my boyfri—

Cutting me off, she slapped me harshly. Digging her nails into my arm as she grabbed it. "Don't say the word." she gritted the words through her teeth as if they were poison to her tongue.

"What? Boyfriend?" I smirked and she lunged at me again. This time, the gun from before was pulled and she attempted to shoot me—missing terribly.

"If you want Roman, learn how to use it properly," I giggled, coughing up blood right after. She curled her lips up in disgust, staring at me with completely hate.

"Enough Haley."

Rodger Williams came out of the hole he was hiding in, looking at me as if I were a bag of money—and to him, I was.

"The men to collect Arabella will be coming today, and then our 30 million will be all to ourselves."

"So please keep her a little more... stable looking." Haley's father looked at her sternly, and she sighed—pouting at her father. "But what about Roman? this was the other half of the plan daddy!"

'Daddy' rolled his eyes at the blonde girl, turning on his feet as he pointed two fingers to his men. "Collect the girl and ready her for shipping,"

The fuck? Am I a fucking parcel now?

The two large men from the previous three days came up to me, silently lifting my body—one of them feeling it a little too much.

"Hands off," I growled, kicking my shin to his jewels. He groaned and slapped my cheek, making me whine at the harsh contact. If I didn't have a bullet in my thigh, I most definitely would have beaten the shit out of him.

They continued to drag me out of the warehouse, my gaze going to the dozens of men outside of the building—guarding it. They then shoved me into the back of a van, no blankets or anything—not even a pillow.

Throwing me in like some rag doll, the man who had felt me up—smirked and grabbed me by the face, pushing his thin lips to mine.

I squirmed in his grip, gagging at the horrendous tobacco taste he suppressed me and the disgusting smell that lingered on him.

Pulling away, he smirked again—looking down at my lips with nothing but lust.

"Looking so dirty, you still taste sweet."

Mother of God help me.

"Once you're out of this van by morning, you're going to wish you've never seen the light of day."

With that, he pulled away and slammed the back doors closed—leaving me in a pit of darkness.

When the van began to move, that was when I tried to escape my hell. My tied hands rubbed together, desperately trying to make them slip through.

By the time I did get them unleashed, my wrists were bleeding and almost burnt from the fabric of the rope.

Instantly, I flew towards the doors. But of course, due to my luck, they were locked from the inside too.

Sighing, I slam my body against the wall and pull my hands to my face, tears pelt down in frustration.

Then suddenly I remember the small device hidden in the side of my bra. Sliding my hand underneath Roman's shirt, I grab it and turn it on.

My fingers tap anxiously against my thigh, waiting for the apple logo to vanish. Stupidly, the man hadn't had a password on the phone—making it much easier for me.

This phone was really my only hope right now. I knew my father or Roman would soon enough find me, the phone call I made would've helped them dearly.

Although, none of us knew what was going to happen to me. For all I knew, someone could just open the van doors and put a bullet straight through my head.

The one in my thigh was long forgotten, now becoming numb with the pain being subsided. My cheek stung from the numerous slaps, definitely a handprint or two tattooed onto my face.

I had cuts also on the sides of my arms, Haley making sure I suffered for no apparent reason.

My body was weakened completely from the numerous amounts of drugs inside me. It was concerning. I think I've been dosed at least two times a day.

They hadn't dosed me now, which was weird—though I guess it was because I couldn't see outside.

The phone was now turned on, making me immediately open it up and switch to the phone app.

It was at 10% battery, definitely making this a lot harder for me.

I tapped onto his number from the recent call list, and then I waited.

The phone rang, dialling and dialling. I waited within every second, anxiously awaiting for him to pick up.

But then it went to the pre-auto done voicemail. I sighed, figuring I would just leave a voicemail for him.

"Hi, Roman,"

"I miss you a lot. My body is sort of numb right now so I can't move or try to escape, but just know that I'm thinking of you to keep me sane."

I play with the ends of my black hair, twirling it around my finger until it loops into a curl.

"Could you please bring me a cheeseburger, preferably from McDonald's? They have the best." I sighed again, in a daze where I imagined myself biting into it.

"I'm not sure how long I have until I reach this place they're taking me to now. I'm sort of scared in a way, but I'm not going to show it. I know you will find me, just hope it's not late enough."

I giggled, considering the glare he would give me if he had heard me say that in front of him. Possibly not even talking to me for a good hour because of it.

"I'm sad we didn't get to get the tattoo's yet. Maybe when you find me we can? I'm honestly very excited for it, it'll hurt like a bitch but I think I've felt worse."

"I'm sorry this is super long if you've even listened to the entire thing," I giggled again, seemingly amusing myself.

"Anyways, I'm sure you're busy right now—doing whatever. Though, I hope you enjoy this long-ass voice message."

"I love you, Roman. Bye."

I hung up, placing the phone beside me and sighing into the cramped area. My head laid back, my eyes closing while my body seemed to relax in the not so relaxing premises.

As I slowly fell asleep, my mind was wide awake with the thoughts of him. Every smile and mischievous smirk, every sweet whisper and delicate touch—all consuming my mind while falling into bliss.

✰

They pulled my body out of the van—jolting me awake.

As I blinked my eyes open, I suddenly closed them back as the force of light hit them. The sun was gleaming directly onto me, the strong stench of an earthly nature—engulfing my senses.

When my bare feet hit the ground, I nearly sighed as I felt the soft grass beneath them. Two men held my body up, dragging me towards a wooden farm shed.

I couldn't walk. Due to my thigh that was covered in dry blood and an opened wound with a bullet inside—I was so sure that it was infected to the worst by now.

The shed doors opened, allowing the men to drag me inside and toss me onto a chair. They strapped a leather fabric around my hands—tying it tightly behind the chair.

My feet were then next, and I didn't even bother to fight back. After that was done, the two men left my side and exited out the doors—leaving me to be alone inside the large shed.

I looked up at the ceiling, sun rays peeking through the small gaps in the brown, wooden ceiling. It seemed to be morning, my throat was dry and the awful taste in my mouth had me urging for some type of food or drink to demolish it.

Not to mention, I smelt of fucking blood and chaos. My urge to shower was entirely overtaking me, not as much as the urge to eat.

Sighing, I rocked my tied feet back and forth below me. This was overly boring and also made me incredibly anxious. Patience and time were both running thin, not knowing when or what was going to happen.

But then that slowly erased when multiple car engines could be heard from around the area. Sounds of doors slamming closed and then groups of voices were appearing.

"Fuck," I muttered, knowing damn well it wasn't my father or Roman.

The voices got louder, meaning they were coming closer. One of them stood out to me, one being my captives high-pitched feminine voice.

Doors slammed open, making my eyes snap there. A group of men in suits walked through, all tall and powerful looking.

Haley stood behind them, a tight baby pink dress fitted onto her slim body. Her blonde hair was down in its straight form and her blue eyes were gleaming with... excitement?

"Is this the girl?" One man said, staring at me with a distasteful look. I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

Another man next to him nudged his shoulder and stared at me with an opposite look—a look Rodger Williams had been staring at me with since the day I was met by his crazy, blue eyes.

Money.

"Remember this is Angelo Malik's girl," Instantly the other man's ears perked up, eyes scanning me and replacing disgust with lust.

The fuck?

"Mhm, she certainly has the body of a man's needs." The first man said, making the others chuckle.

"We'll just have to clean her up," Another man said, staring at my opened thighs.

"You're all fucking disgusting," I spat, my face contorted into a scowl. Shock replaced their hungry gazes and then I was met with a hand coming across my cheek—harshly.

What's with these people and slapping?

"Better shut that pretty mouth of yours," The first man gripped my chin harshly, surely to leave bruises.

From the corner of my eye, I could see the sly smile on the blonde girl's lips. Her eyes stared directly into mine as I looked at her.

"How much?" The man holding my chin asked Rodger, who stood in the corner quietly observing.

Taking a step forward, he placed his hands behind his back and nodded at me as he spoke. "30 million."

My jaw dropped as the men didn't seem unfazed with the amount.

Was I really worth that much? Some desperate fuckers they are.

"We share?" One suggested, grabbing a white notebook out of his pocket—supposedly a chequebook.

"No. I want her to myself," One said, staring at me darkly as he rubbed at his beard with one hand.

Another chuckled, amused by this as he took a step forward in front of me. My lips curled up in disgust as he stood directly in front of me, the smell of his expensive cologne and pressed suit filling my nostrils.

He didn't look a day over 40, a trimmed scruff around his face and dark, scary black eyes. Hair styled back with gel and a strong bone structure.

Hurry Roman.

His hand came to my thigh, slipping it between my gap and slightly retrieving upwards to little Arabella. He didn't touch me, only grazing the area as he looked me directly in the eyes.

"She's worth more. 50 million." His gruff voice said, skimming his hand up to my face as he delicately grazed his fingers over my bruised cheek.

Haley huffed, the sound attracting me and the man to her direction. "Why is she so special," She grumbled, I looked at her strangely.

Why would anyone want to be in my position? And special? Fucking, please.

Haley's father came beside her, lightly patting the top of her head as he looked more than happy right now.

"Any higher bidders?" Rodger asked, the men all glancing at each other and then looking back at me.

The man in front of me looked at me intensely, a very ugly feeling it gave me. As soon as this bullet was out of me, I was ready to beat the life out of him and all these motherfuckers.

"50 million, sold to Elico Rodriguez." Rodger smiled, clapping his hands once as he went over to me. Untying my hands and feet.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get up and run for my life, I couldn't even stand myself. Elico, the said man in front of me stood silently—waiting for me to stand.

"Well hurry up," He urged, passing a cheque to Rodger who looked at it with wide eyes.

"I can't move," I mumbled, glancing to my thigh that bubbled with blood and had a silver bullet deeply surrounded in my flesh.

Grumbling, he pointed to two men to lift me. Grabbing me with both arms, they hoisted me up and dragged me with their boss who was leading the way.

"Wait! I want her dead!" Haley screeched. I turned my head over my shoulder, watching her rummage through the men with a gun in her hand.

Frowning, I make it back outside. The heat and cold greeted me, once again. And then, to everyone's surprise, roaring sounds of vehicles and even a motorcycle was heard from afar—getting louder the more they came closer.

"Fuck, hurry and get her in the car." The man urged, a gun being pulled out from his waistband as he directed it right towards the first car that arrived at the top of the hill.

All windows were tinted, and his bullet that flew towards the car immediately bounced off. My sight was cut off as I was starting to be dragged again, wincing as my feet dragged against the concrete—scraping my skin.

"Move it bitch," The man holding onto my left arm, sneered in a whisper. I frowned and tried moving with them, though struggled either way.

So, I did the exact opposite and stayed limp—forcing them to struggle. Cars now surrounded the area, lining in black Benz's and one single motorcycle in the centre, recognising it as my Uncle Dre's.

As I was thrown into a car, my hope was immediately cut off. These windows were tinted as well, tuning everyone who looked inside to only see their reflection—though from the inside I saw everything.

I was locked inside the car, the expensive leather seats being covered with my blood and dirty presence. My eyes widened as I watched my family come out of the cars.

Rows of men stood behind them, guns in the air as they directed it towards the group of suited men in the middle.

My brother was the first I noticed. His eyes were hard to tell from the view but easily was noticed by me—his rugged and dishevelled appearance.

He looked awful. It hurt me deeply as he frantically searched for me around the area, his eyes appearing over every edge and crack.

Tears welted my eyes as he stared directly in my direction. Eyes peering at the car, almost as if he suspected something.

I banged on the window, my fist slamming with force but not enough. And not hearing me, he looked away, moving on to the next area.

"No, no." I brought my hand to my mouth as a sudden heaviness came over me.

"Please guys I'm here," I struggled to keep in my sobs. Soon, I realised that I was having a panic attack.

My breathing was cut short by only milliseconds, my hands shaking as I saw my father also searching.

Bullets flew, my eyes widening as they hit multiple men on our side but also ones killing off the men on their side.

I continued to hit the window, hope was my only way out at this point. I tried numerous times to unlock the door, though it of course didn't work.

Roman came into sight next. His also dishevelled appearance. Hair ruffled and tousled and his golden skin a shade lighter. Roman appeared as normal, but to me—he didn't look like him at all.

Cold eyes searched and searched. My banging on the window got louder, my screams for help continuing too.

When he landed on the car I was in. He looked directly towards the window, staring straight into my eyes—unknowingly.

"Please, Roman!" I sobbed, my head pounding and my palms sweating. My chest heaved and heaved as his eyes narrowed into the car and slowly, he walked over.

"Yes, yes," I cried, my sobs getting worse with each passing second. He walked through the rage of people, missing every bullet his way—his powerful strides made my heart leap with hope.

With his eyes set directly on the door, he eventually made it to the car. One hand came towards the handle, trying to open it but then realising it was locked.

Upon that realisation, I screamed. I screamed his name, my voice raspy and weak at this point. "Roman!" I called, banging on the window, one last time.

His eyes shot to mine, they widened just the slightest and his jaw clenched into a tight knot.

"Fuck," I saw him mumble as he skimmed his eyes over the car.

"Ella, move." I watched his mouth move. I did as he said, moving to the other end of the seat. He waited a few seconds before he readied his fist and slammed it through the window.

My jaw dropped, the glass all fell to my side of the car—falling off and on the seat and car floor. My breathing stopped when both his hands reached inside the car, waiting for me to come into his hold.

Instantly, I pushed his hands to my waist as I readied myself to be pulled out. Head first, he easily slipped me out of the car and back into the fresh air.

Tears hadn't stopped pouring, my body wracking another hopeless sob as he pulled me into his arms. Wrapping my whole body around him, I hugged his neck tightly and cried into his shoulder.

"Fucking hell Arabella," He mumbled softly. His hand placed on the back of my head as he slowly stroked my hair. I felt his lips press to the side of my head, sending immediate clarification that I wasn't imagining this moment.

"You're safe now, baby." He soothed into my ear, his voice like honey to my soul.

I removed my head from his shoulder, our faces meeting as we both stared at each other deeply.