Inaya's POV

My eyes slowly open up, half expecting everything was a horrible nightmare.

Once my eyes adjust to the darkness, to my horror and a sort of a relief, I'm still in the SUV.

"E-excuse me..." I quietly call out.

"Oh, look, Benny. The Princess is awake." The man on the passenger seat says.

My head feels like it's been through whiplash. After a couple of seconds, I try to focus on my surroundings by looking out the window.

Everything is dark and I don't see anything but trees and empty fields.

I gulp, what will be my fate from here on out?

"I'm sorry to interrupt but... w-where are w-we going?" My voice comes out like a squeaking of a mouse.

If I'm going to be... killed, I might as well know right now so I can really think over everything.

The one in the driver's seat, which I now know is named Benny, snorts. "She's real polite for a chick who's been kidnapped, don't ya think, Lenny?"

Lenny looks back at me and there was a slightly look of pity that crosses his eyes for a split second. "You'll know when we get there, Princess."

• • •

I sit quietly in the back of the car for what feels like an eternity, but in reality, it must've been 15 to 20 minutes.

The whole ride, I was itching to just jump out of the moving vehicle, jump out to my freedom but I know I'd never be able to outrun any of them. It'll only lead to more problems. I can't be causing even more problems.

Once the car stops, both Benny and Lenny get out of the car.

I slightly giggle because how in the world did I end up in such an absurd situation?

And why do Benny and Lenny's names rhyme? Are they brothers? Are they just friends? Are they nicknames? Did they come up with the names on purpose?

I'm 90% sure I'm going insane because I'm more concerned about Benny and Lenny's name origin story rather than thinking about my life or death situation.

Benny opens the car door. "Get out."

I just stare at him, blinking.

"Didn't you hear me?" He says. "Get out of the car."

I quickly stumble out of the car, holding my hijab tightly out of nervousness.

"Wait here." He points beside another identical looking black Cadillac Escalade SUV. "You'll be switching to this car in a few minutes."

He was about to leave when he abruptly turns around on his heel. "Oh, and don't even think about running. Look around you, there's nowhere where we won't be able to catch you."

I nod as I stand beside the door of the other SUV, while he walks inside a small shed.

I wasn't planning on running... even if I wanted to, I'm surrounded by empty fields; there's visibility for miles ahead and all around.

I could be shot dead within seconds.

The shed is small but there's enough light surrounding it for me to be able to see my surroundings clearly.

I would love to run around in such an area one last time, with the wind blowing through me, fresh air filling my lungs; no worries, no anxiety, the feeling of freedom running through my veins.

I sigh as I stare back at my reflection on the car window. "What happens to all the children I was supposed to place into good, loving homes? I hope Caterina can take those cases over for me..."

My heart clenches at the thought of Cat finding out such horrible lies about me. She won't believe it, instead, she'd lecture the life out of my uncle.

I take another glance at my reflection; I look worn out. My eyes are droopy, my minimal makeup is now mostly worn off. There's new tears falling from my eyes, covering the old tear stains.

Just a few hours ago, everything was so different.

"Oh, fuck! He's already in the car?" I hear Benny yelling. "Why didn't anyone fucking say so?"

Who's in what car? I raise a brow.

"Move!" Benny aggressively pushes me out of the way and to my horror, opens the back passenger door... the one I was staring at my reflection on.

Seconds after, a man begins stepping out.

"I'm sorry, Boss. No one informed me beforehand that we wouldn't be picking you up." Benny's tone was an instant 180 degree turn.

He sounds much more respectful and mannered.

The man in the car hasn't stood up up yet, and he's covered by Benny and the door.

Once he does stand up, I stumble backwards from shock.

He's tall; probably around 6 feet. He had looks that could halt anyone in their tracks to just stop and stare for a few seconds.

His eyes are a dark chocolate brown that match his dark, neatly tousled hair.

His cleanly shaped, dark stubble accentuates his sharp jawline, along with his cheekbones. His lips are pursed into a thin, unimpressed line as he looks onto Benny impatiently.

He's dressed in a dark suit, that's slightly tight around his arms, clearly defining his muscles. Tattoos peak through his sleeves onto the back of his hands.

He has that dark, mysterious European look to him. I would say he looks pretty Italian.

My God, he's really handsome, I almost couldn't breathe while looking at him.

He also looks awfully young to be a boss or leader of the mob. What God awful things did he have to do to get a position like this at this age...?

The thought sends shivers down my spine.

"Basta così!" His voice is edging in anger, making me jump slightly.

Benny had been trying to talk about something while I was... staring at the man.

"I'm sorry, Sir. It won't happen again, I swear it." Benny is trying hard to mask his fear.

The Boss looks at him and within seconds, pulls out a gun to point at Benny.

My limbs go numb, is he going to kill him?

No, no, no.

Benny doesn't move, he stands his ground. He looks like as if he's ready to take the shot; as if he deserves it.

"Don't—" Just as I was about to say something, a loud gunshot goes off as Benny screams in agony.

The man points his gun at Lenny, he's physically terrified.

From instinct, I run to Benny to see that he was shot in the arm. Blood is gushing out at an uncontrollable rate.

I wanted to throw up, not from all the blood, but from all the fear building up in me.

"Oh my God, you need immediate medical attention." My hands shake as I try to reach for his wound but he pushes me out of the way.

"This is none of your business, Princess."

"But—"

Benny, having no energy to throw snarky comments, just gives me a look scary enough for me to back off.

"Well, well..." The man's voice is laced with disturbing intent. "Who do we have here?"

He takes a few steps towards me while I take a few steps back.

"Name." He states.

"She's the girl that—" Lenny begins but the man whips back his head to give him a warning look.

"I didn't ask you, Lenny." He says sternly.

"I-I-Inaya." I could barely form my name.

"Inaya... I'm going to have you do something for me." His lips twist into sinister smile.

I stare at him push forward his hand gun towards me. "Shot Lenny for me, amore mio."

- - -

Terms:

• Basta così: That's enough!

• Amore mio: my love

A/N: sis- 💀

Next Update: Sunday, September 15, 2019.