The moment he left, I bided my time and checked the clock to check when Marilyn would leave. Then I needed a way to get Enzo distracted. But he never fell for my suggestions to grab something for me to eat when Marilyn cooked more food for a party of ten. I prayed he wasn’t hurt, but I had to do what I needed to do. I took a piece of statue, hit him over the head, and ran out of the penthouse as far as I could. I called Rena to pick me up. So here I was, at her place right now, showered and sitting on her couch, drinking tea to help calm my nerves. I didn’t have my phone, so I didn’t know whether my parents or Joseph called me today.
“Rewind everything that happened again,” Rena said.
“Rena, it’s too crazy to even repeat.”
“I understand, but what you’ve been through sounds like a Lifetime movie.”
I unlocked my legs on her couch, set my tea on the table, and wrapped the blanket tighter around me.
“After I finished dancing with that Marco guy, I went to the restroom.”
“But went outside to pee.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, and I heard some noise, so I went to look and stumbled on something I shouldn’t have.”
“The leader of the Calabresi killed a man in front of you.”
Thinking back on that night was still too fresh, and I cried from the nightmares.
“What did you tell Joseph?”
“I told him you had a family emergency, but he did have Rory fully on the Calabresi story.”
“Ughh… great.”
“Yeah, I tried to tell him you would be back, but he didn’t care.”
Pop! Pop!
“Aghhhh!!!” We both dropped to the floor and screamed. The door was kicked open, and I felt someone snatch me up.
“Help me! Aghhh…” I screamed. I opened my eyes in surprise to see Enzo standing with a gun in his hand, pointed at Rena. Another man who looked just like Savio stood next to him. Renato held me in his arms, and I saw the evilest look on Savio’s face.
“Please, she had nothing to do with this. Don’t hurt her.”
Savio waved his finger at Enzo, and he cocked it back, ready to shoot Rena.
“No, wait! I won’t run again. I promise.”
“How can I trust that when you left once?” Savio questioned.
Renato let me go, and I ran to stand in front of Rena.
“She won’t say anything, I promise. Just let her go.”
“She’s seen our faces.”
“Savio.”
“Renato, take her to the car,” Savio said.
“No! If you hurt her, I swear I will.”
He closed the space between us.
“You what?” He raised my chin to look into my eyes.
“Whatever you think you’re covering will be exposed. I’m not the only one working on your father’s story.”
“McKayla,” Rena muttered.
“Shush…” I grabbed her hand.
“Are you saying there’s more than one person who knows about your book with my father?”
“Yes, and if something happens to me or her…”
“Then I’ll kill them too.”
“Whhattt… You don’t even know who it is.”
“I’ll kill your parents and find your boss and torture it out of him.”
“You’re insane.”
“I’ve heard way worse. Take her to the car.” Renato reached for me, but I slapped his hand away and wrapped my arms around Rena.
“No! You kill her, then you have to kill me too.”
“Savio, maybe I have a suggestion?” the only guy with a short, black haircut and blue eyes asked.
“What, Sante?” Savio groaned.
“I’ll take her friend to my place.”
“What?” Rena and I said at the same time.
“You into kidnapping now?”
He motioned his hands out.
“It hasn’t worked out for you so far.”
“Whatever, Sante. Take her and keep her out of the public eye until I can decide what to do with her.”
The guy Sante went to grab Rena, but she pushed him away and stood.
“Listen Rena, just do what they say, and I’ll call you.”
“We can call the police, McKayla.”
“How did that work out when you tried to find your friend here?”
“You must have paid them off, but I’m not scared of you,” Rena answered.
“I don’t need you to be scared of me,” Savio argued back, stepping in front of her face. I placed my hand on his stomach to push him back.
“Savio.”
He looked over at me, and something in his eyes seemed to click. He stepped back, and I dropped my hand.
“Grab what you need,” Sante told us.
“How do we know you won’t kill me when we’re separated? It could be a trap,” Rena demanded.
“You want to find out?” Savio remarked and walked out of the apartment. Enzo grasped my elbow and forced me to follow Savio.
“He better not hurt her!” Rena shouted.
I clenched my jaw, seeing him sitting so casually in the limo like he didn’t kidnap me twice in one week. Enzo nudged me to get inside, and I sat across from him and buckled the seatbelt, looking outside. It was getting dark, and I wanted to talk to my parents and check in, but I hated the situation I would put them in with me having to lie.
“Can I call my boss?”
The car pulled out into traffic. I saw Rena arguing back and forth with Sante and Renato, laughing at them.
“No.”
“To be honest with you, this one answer conversation is not helpful.”
“I didn’t ask for your thoughts.”
I chuckled.
“What does your girlfriend or wife think about this situation?”
I couldn’t fathom any woman dealing with a man who had no respect or regard to her feelings.
“That’s none of your concern.”
“So, someone likes this attitude on you.”
He stopped texting and peered over at me. I felt a little self-conscious because Rena only had shorts and a shirt for me to change into, and I never went back to my apartment to change. I thought he’d find me there first.
“Our time together can go one of two ways.”
“Which are?”
“Do as I say or find yourself on my bad side.”
“Those options aren’t surprising.”
“Good, because I wasn’t trying to surprise you, McKayla. I’m direct with everything I say.”
The curtains were pushed back, and the sun shined down on my face. I groaned, not wanting to be woken.
“Mr. Calabresi wants you down for breakfast.”
I pushed the cover back.
“Marilyn, right? Tell Mr. Calabresi I’m not hungry.”
“He’s not going to like that answer.”
“He might be able to kidnap me, but he can’t force me to eat with him.”
“I know it’s difficult being in your situation.”
“Can you get me out of here? I have some money saved up.”
“What’s taking so long?” Enzo stood in the doorframe.
“Tell your boss I’m not hungry.”
“You can tell him yourself when you come downstairs.” He started to approach the bed. I jumped up and went behind Marilyn.
“Don’t touch me!”
“Enzo, it’s fine. Tell Mr. Calabresi she’s coming.”
He shook his head and walked out.
“Come on, I started a bath for you. Please do as he wants,” Marilyn told me.
I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.
“How long am I expected to be here?”
“As long as he wants you here.”
“I have a life, friends, and family.”
“Whatever you did must be important enough for him to keep you here.”
“I…” I caught myself before I explained the sordid details and jumped up to walk into the bathroom. I saw clothes laid out on the marble counter with my correct size—underwear and bra set, a black blouse, and jeans. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw bags under my eyes. I opened the cabinet and felt a little better that he had a few skincare products, but wondered what woman left them here.
“Shake it off,” I told myself, feeling a little weird at thinking of another woman and him together. He was the biggest jerk and asshole I’d ever met before in my life. I picked up the brush, combed through the curls, and wrapped my hair to get ready to wash it since I’d gone a week almost. An hour later, I came out of the bedroom and walked into the living room to see him sitting and reading the newspaper like the first day I woke up here.
“You enjoy the shower?”
I cleared my throat.
“Thank you, I did.”
I placed the napkin on my lap, poured orange juice in my cup, and took a bite of toast.
“Today I have a few meetings.”
“Okay.”
“You’re going with me.”
“What? I don’t want to be anywhere near you killing people.”
“I leave the killing to the other people.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“That was a special situation.”
“You only kill in special situations?”
I cut into the pancake, poured syrup on top, and scoffed it down.
“You have a little syrup on the bottom of your chin.” He motioned to my chin, and I grabbed the napkin to wipe it off.
“Did he steal money from you?”
“Who?”
“The guy you killed.”
“I don’t talk about my business at the table.”
“Why do I have to go with you today?”
“Because you can’t be trusted to be alone.”
“That was a mistake, and you said we would start over fresh.”
“We are starting over, and the consequence of your mistake is coming along with me for the day.”
“Can I talk to my parents at least?”
“You can if you behave.”
“I’m not a child.”
“How old are you?” He closed the newspaper and placed it on the table.
“Twenty-three.”
“Are you a virgin?”
I choked on my drink.
“What?”
“I need to know if a guy is lingering and looking for you.”
“That’s none of your business. If you don’t answer personal questions, neither will I.”
“I’m not a virgin.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-four.”
“You look twenty-five.”
“Good genes. Now answer the question.”
“There’s no guy in my life at the moment.”
“Perfect, one less person to kill.”
He rose from his seat, and I watched him stalk over to the door and grab his jacket.
“Are you dating anyone? I saw women’s skincare and shampoo in the bathroom.”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
I rose out of the seat and went to confront him.
“Be honest. How long do you plan on keeping me hostage?”
“Until I figure out a plan to keep you from talking that doesn’t involve me putting a bullet in your head.”
“The last thing I want to do is talk, now that my best friend is involved.”
“Grab your shoes, and we can go to your place for a few things.”
“Why?”
“Because you made it a point to talk about the female skincare products and shampoo in the guest bathroom.”
“I wasn’t saying it like I was jealous.”
“My mother bought it for guests. If you’re going to be here for a while, it might as well be comfortable.”
“I want to go to my job.”
“No.”
“Why not!”
“I’m letting you call your parents and go to your home. I already let your friend live.”
“I kept my mouth shut!”
“After running away!” he yelled back at me, and I started to tear up.
“I need to grab my shoes.” I started to walk off, and he tried to reach out for my hand. I pushed him away, grabbed my shoes, put my hair in a ponytail, and wiped my eyes free of any tears.
You won’t let him break you..