(DANTE'S POV)

Since my father ordered his men to find Ria, I haven't heard a thing.

It's been three days.

And it hurts deeply knowing Ria is still with these monsters.

Who knows what the hell they've been doing to her?

I walked out of my office and went to the kitchen to get some water.

I have to find her soon.

I have to bring her home even if it's going to be the last thing I do.

I sighed before starting to make my way up the stairs. I needed to shower and head back to my parent's home.

Who knows? Maybe my father got something and he isn't telling me.

I was ready to hold on to anything.

Anything at all that will keep some hope in me.

God knows I can't lose hope.

Not when I know Ria is out there going through a lot.

I heard a sound and I turned abruptly, disconnecting myself from my thoughts.

I wasn't expecting anyone.

And besides it's still very early, still a little bit dark out there.

I tiptoed back to the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

I'm not alone.

I heard the faint sounds of footsteps and turned around.

But I saw nothing.

I walked quietly to the switch and turned on the lights.

There was no one in the living room. It was exactly the way I left it.

Maybe the stress is getting to me and I'm just being paranoid.

I sighed before walking back to the kitchen. I dropped the knife on the counter and went to the stairs.

Or maybe I shouldn't have dropped the knife.

Because something or someone grabbed my ankle and I lost my balance, my back landing painfully on the floor.

I winced in pain, trying to get back up.

A fist landed on my face and I groaned in pain.

I was right. I wasn't alone.

Someone had broke into my house.

He was so fast, sending his fist to my face, my stomach. I couldn't even make out his face.

I was still holding my stomach in pain when I saw a gun pointed at me.

I looked up and saw the perpetrator right before my eyes. He was huge and his eyes were cold befitting for the murderer I knew he was.

I promised to bring Ria back home.

I can't die now.

I have to do something.

"Who the hell are you?" I groaned.

He laughed, bending down to level his eyes with mine.

"You and your girl are very fond of asking questions."

Something went off in my head and I felt anger rush through my veins.

Son of a bitch.

"Where is she? Where the hell is she?" I shouted.

He groaned in what seemed like disappointment and I raised a brow questioningly.

"Well knowing where she is won't be of any help to you now."

"Because my friend, you just met the grim reaper and he's here to send you straight to hell."

And he's just another dumbass with dumb lines.

I need to do something.

I can't give up now.

"Say your last prayers brother." he said, blowing the tip of his gun.

"Fuck. You." I gritted out, blood dripping down the corner of my lips.

Okay maybe I shouldn't have pissed him off.

"That's it? Okay then."

"Goodbye Dante Moretti."

I closed my eyes tightly thinking of Ria. Her beautiful hazel eyes staring deeply into mine. The thought made me smile.

Even if I die now, I'd rather die thinking of nothing else but her.

I heard a gunshot being fired and I knew there was no point in fighting the inevitable.

It's over.

Or maybe not.

I opened an eye before opening the other.

Mr. Bad guy was on the floor, grabbing his wounded arm.

"You didn't shoot me?"

Instead he was the one shot.

But how?

Did he shoot himself?

That's impossible.

I was pulled up by some men and I realized they were my father's 'gentlemen'.

Thank goodness. They must have shot the asshole.

"I believe I owe you gentlemen." I groaned inwardly.

I can't make myself appear weak in front of them.

They totally ignored me and I rolled my eyes.

My eyes landed on Mr. Bad guy and I launched towards the bastard but the 'gentlemen' held me back.

"Where is Ria?" I growled.

"Ask. My. Ass." the idiot laughed hysterically before wincing in pain.

My attempt at launching towards the idiot was subdued when the front doors flew open and my eyes landed on my father.

Every movement of his screamed power and authority.

He didn't waste time, he walked to where I was, checking for what I presumed to be any sign of bullet wound.

I saw him sigh in relief before the danger in his eyes returned.

If I didn't know better, I would think my father was a leader of an Italian mafia.

I don't think he is though.

Right?

"So this is our man I see." my father told Mr. Bad guy who was still groaning in pain.

"I'm looking forward to have some real fun with you. Pick him up boys."

"And you mio figlo, let's go home. Your mother is waiting for you."

***********************************

(RIA'S POV)

Since Mr. not-so-friendly left, he hasn't returned.

I was worried as hell.

Worried that something had happened to Dante.

"No."

My voice came out in a whisper. Tears prickled the side of my eyes, tears that threatened to fall.

And it did.

It will absolutely kill me if anything happened to him.

The door opened and as usual, I kept my eyes tightly shut.

Footsteps.

Wait.

Since when did Mr. not-so-friendly put on heels?

Or is it a woman?

The room was silent again and I felt the presence in front of me.

There's only one way to find out.

I opened my eyes slowly, my eyes settling on the fine pair of heels in front of me.

My eyes settled on her black leather leggings and then to her black leather jacket.

Isn't it hot out there?

When my eyes landed on the woman's face, I gasped.

Even though she was putting on a large sunshade, I knew it was her.

How could she?

"Hello there." she said, excitement dripping in her tone as she pulled off her sunshade.

"Do you know who I am? Oh I think you do actually. I mean your eyes doubled in size when you saw me and then you looked as if you couldn't breathe and then you look as if you have a lot to say to me."

"But you still can't talk right?" she laughed hysterically.

"Cici?" I choked out.

"Aww the dumb princess isn't so dumb anymore. I thought you could no longer speak."

I've always heard the name Ceilia Ferrari but I never got to meet her in person. Well not until now. I had seen her pictures pop up each time I google searched Dante but I never knew-

I never knew we would meet like this.

Why?

What did I ever do to her?

"You seem like you have a lot of questions." she tapped her chin gently with her index finger.

"Why?" I forced out with every energy I had left.

"Are you seriously asking me that?"

The excitement in her eyes were long gone and was now replaced with so much fury that sent shivers all over my body.

"You took him away from me." she screamed before hitting my stomach with her heels.

"You selfish little thing."

She didn't stop. She kept hitting me even when I cried and begged her to stop.

"You think this is pain?"

She took a step back, laughing hysterically before sending a sudden kick to my stomach.

I screamed.

I felt as if I was dying.

Fatigue had built a mansion in me and even lifting a mere finger seemed to be impossible.

If there's a similarity between my body and the Titanic ship, it will be the fact that we are both wrecked.

"This isn't pain. Pain is what I felt when Dante left me."

You are a psychotic bitch. Obviously he's going to leave you.

But I didn't say that to her.

I still have a little strand of hope that I'll get out of this hole. Making Dante's psycho of an ex-girlfriend angry is a terrible idea especially if I want to leave here alive.

Oh I mean Ex fiancée.

"You know what? It's fine." she smiled, laying down beside me.

My eyes almost flew out of it's sockets when she started patting my hair.

Whatever she's going to say next, it can't be good.

"Dante is either dead by now or about to get killed."

Tears fell from my eyes at the thought of Dante being in danger.

I felt helpless.

There was nothing I could do.

I can't even save myself so how can I save the one I love.

I'm totally useless.

"Ssh! Stop crying princess." she wiped my tears and continued patting my hair.

"I can promise you one thing."

My eyes met hers and she wiped the last tear that escaped from my eyes before smiling at me.

She hugged me to her body and whispered enough for me to hear.

"No matter what I promise you, you are not getting out of here alive."

My gasp instantly changed to screams when she bit my ear and her fingers clawed deeply into my scalp.

My screams filled the room. Struggling out of her hold, I covered my bleeding ear with my palm.

My body was shaking uncontrollably just like the tears that fell from my eyes. My lips were trembling.

I felt weak and pathetic.

She stood up and wiped her mouth with her jacket, disgust flashing in her eyes.

"Even her blood tastes cheap."

I was still crying, trembling, my hand still grabbing strongly to my wounded ear.

I heard the door close with a loud bang. When I looked up she was gone.

I need to get out of here.

No matter what it takes I have to.

And I have to do it fast.