Sophia's POV. My eyes widened in shock as I could hardly believe what Ray was saying. Priest? Marry? What the hell was going on? What was this sick bastard thinking? I started struggling to speak. He saw that I wanted to talk. "You want to say something?" He asked. Since my mouth was taped, I could only nod. "Then promise me that if I remove the tape that you will not shout," He said and I nodded again. "Alright," He looked at me suspiciously and the removed the tape from my mouth. I exhaled deeply and began to breathe fast. "So what is it you wanted to tell me?" He inquired. "I need us to talk Ray," I told him. "Talk about what?" Ray asked. "This whole marriage thing, you can't force me to marry you," I said. "Why? Force? No, have you forgotten that you already promised your father that you will give me a chance? And besides, we were already engaged before the whole Alessandro issue came up," He replied. I blinked at him surprised that he seem to have f
Alessandro's POV. I continued looking around as I walked cautiously with Jared beside me. Something felt off about the whole thing but since I was already here, it was pointless to turn back. We got to the dock where the people were already offloading the shipment. It was hard drugs that Angelo was supposed to get but I decided to take it from Angelo just to prove who the mafia king is. "Are these everything?" I demanded in a rough voice. "Yes sir, they are all here," The loader trembled as he spoke. I could not blame him, many people who have heard of me or come across me all know who I was so he had every right to be afraid. "Alright! You may go!" I said to the loader He bowed his head and quickly turned the boat back. "Check it," I instructed Jared. I knew the loader would not dare try to decieve me which was why I did not bother checking it in his presence. Jared went on my knees and opened the shipment, he counted and saw that they were complete. "It's
Alessandro's POV. The moment the words left my mouth, everyone was shocked. My men were surprised and I could see Jared pleading with me silently with his eyes, but I shook my head. This was for the best. There was no need living such a dangerous life and besides, we were already outnumbered. If we wanted to remain alive, this was the only way. "Wow!" Angelo exclaimed. He was actually not expecting me to agree to his request so he was shocked. "So this is all there is to the great Alessandro?" He started mocking me immediately he got his composure back. "I do not have the time for this Angelo, I have already agreed to your request so let me and my men go!" I gritted my teeth in anger as I spoke but Angelo did not acknowledge what I said. He only waved his hands in the air as if to wipe away my words. "You know, for someone clearly under my mercy, you have quite the guts," He teased. "But then, I'm not surprised, you are still trying to show that you are not weak w
Alessandro's POV. My mind was a whirlwind of different emotions. I could not think. I was scared. I needed to know where Sophia was and Mary was not giving me a reasonable answer. I went to my study and began to think of who could have kidnapped her. I called Mary in again to question her. "Mary, think, who do you think would have taken Sophia?" I asked her. Mary shivered in fear. I knew she thought I would be angry with her, though I was, but I didn't want to take it out on her. I knew how stubborn Sophia could be, so I was sure that it was Sophia that put her up to it. So, Mary related everything that happened again. How she and Sophia split up so that Sophia could stop me. But then, she waited for her for close to an hour, but she didn't find her. It was when she heard a gunshot that she became scared and she ran back home. I believed that it was during the time I was shot that Mary ran back home. But what about Sophia? I could not eat, I could no
Alessandro's POV. I located Laura and headed straight to her. She was staying in a hotel not far away from my house, which made it easier for me to reach her. Upon reaching the hotel, I met with a receptionist who was reluctant to give me Laura's room number since I didn't have an appointment. I urged her to call Laura, which she eventually did. Fortunately, Laura agreed to let me see her and without hesitation, I headed straight to her room. As I entered, she was sitting on the bed with a smirk on her lips. I let out a low growl and marched up to her. I grabbed her arms and lifted her off the bed, making her frightened. "Where is she?"I demanded, my voice filled with rage. "Where is who?"She looked at me in confusion. I tightened my grip around her arms and yelled, "Where is Sophia? She has been missing since the day I went for a shipment! I have looked everywhere for her, but she is nowhere to be found. I don't know why I think you have something to do with that!
Alexandro’s POV. I didn’t hesitate the moment Laura told me it was Ray. Sophia had been missing for over twenty-four hours, and every second that passed felt like a knife to my throat. I barely heard myself as I barked orders, my voice colder than the steel of my gun. “We’re moving now.” The police, already prepped as backup, moved with us. Time was slipping through my fingers like sand, and I was starting to lose it. Hours had passed since Sophia’s disappearance, and every lead we chased led to a dead end. We had searched every possible location—his old warehouses, his usual spots, even places that felt like a stretch. Nothing. The frustration in the room was suffocating. I could see it on everyone’s faces—the officers shifting on their feet, checking their phones as if the answers would magically appear, Laura, biting her nails, her eyes darting between me and the door. “She’s been missing too long,” Laura whispered, her voice trembling. “If we don’t find h
(Sophia’s POV).My heart pounded violently against my chest, each beat fast and excruciating. I strained my ears to catch the sound of slow claps and the deliberate click of heels against the floor.Someone was approaching. I struggled against the ropes binding me to the chair, a surge of panic making me want to scream. But to whom? My mouth was gagged so tightly, stuffed with a handkerchief to ensure I couldn't make a sound.My eyes were blindfolded, the fabric tied so securely that not even a sliver of light could seep through. I was engulfed in darkness, forced to rely solely on my ears to discern the sounds around me.From what I could gather, there were likely four men in the room with me. The ropes binding me were unyielding, ensuring I remained seated against my will.A chuckle shattered the silence, dripping with mockery at my feeble attempt to escape."What do you think you are doing? Trying to free yourself?" someone asked. I ignored the taunt, my hands still struggling agai
Sophia’s POV. Beep. Beep. The gentle sound of the machine beside me forced me back to consciousness, and as my eyes fluttered open slowly, it landed on the ceiling and it took a while of glancing around the room before I realized I was in a hospital and the memories came rushing back. “…take her far away and kill her.” The words of Ray that had played out of the recording filled my head and I felt a sharp pain twist my chest like something had just pierced through it. Ray sold me off so he wouldn't pay me back and his intentions were to kill me. How? That man said he loved me, he said he was willing to do anything for me and wanted me to be the mother of his children. I had given him all my money, trusting him when he mentioned his mother was dying. I believed it when I saw a video of her critically sick in the hospital. That money was the only money my father had left after his company went bankrupt years ago. He had sacrificed that money so I could fulfill my dream of host
Alexandro’s POV. I didn’t hesitate the moment Laura told me it was Ray. Sophia had been missing for over twenty-four hours, and every second that passed felt like a knife to my throat. I barely heard myself as I barked orders, my voice colder than the steel of my gun. “We’re moving now.” The police, already prepped as backup, moved with us. Time was slipping through my fingers like sand, and I was starting to lose it. Hours had passed since Sophia’s disappearance, and every lead we chased led to a dead end. We had searched every possible location—his old warehouses, his usual spots, even places that felt like a stretch. Nothing. The frustration in the room was suffocating. I could see it on everyone’s faces—the officers shifting on their feet, checking their phones as if the answers would magically appear, Laura, biting her nails, her eyes darting between me and the door. “She’s been missing too long,” Laura whispered, her voice trembling. “If we don’t find h
Alessandro's POV. I located Laura and headed straight to her. She was staying in a hotel not far away from my house, which made it easier for me to reach her. Upon reaching the hotel, I met with a receptionist who was reluctant to give me Laura's room number since I didn't have an appointment. I urged her to call Laura, which she eventually did. Fortunately, Laura agreed to let me see her and without hesitation, I headed straight to her room. As I entered, she was sitting on the bed with a smirk on her lips. I let out a low growl and marched up to her. I grabbed her arms and lifted her off the bed, making her frightened. "Where is she?"I demanded, my voice filled with rage. "Where is who?"She looked at me in confusion. I tightened my grip around her arms and yelled, "Where is Sophia? She has been missing since the day I went for a shipment! I have looked everywhere for her, but she is nowhere to be found. I don't know why I think you have something to do with that!
Alessandro's POV. My mind was a whirlwind of different emotions. I could not think. I was scared. I needed to know where Sophia was and Mary was not giving me a reasonable answer. I went to my study and began to think of who could have kidnapped her. I called Mary in again to question her. "Mary, think, who do you think would have taken Sophia?" I asked her. Mary shivered in fear. I knew she thought I would be angry with her, though I was, but I didn't want to take it out on her. I knew how stubborn Sophia could be, so I was sure that it was Sophia that put her up to it. So, Mary related everything that happened again. How she and Sophia split up so that Sophia could stop me. But then, she waited for her for close to an hour, but she didn't find her. It was when she heard a gunshot that she became scared and she ran back home. I believed that it was during the time I was shot that Mary ran back home. But what about Sophia? I could not eat, I could no
Alessandro's POV. The moment the words left my mouth, everyone was shocked. My men were surprised and I could see Jared pleading with me silently with his eyes, but I shook my head. This was for the best. There was no need living such a dangerous life and besides, we were already outnumbered. If we wanted to remain alive, this was the only way. "Wow!" Angelo exclaimed. He was actually not expecting me to agree to his request so he was shocked. "So this is all there is to the great Alessandro?" He started mocking me immediately he got his composure back. "I do not have the time for this Angelo, I have already agreed to your request so let me and my men go!" I gritted my teeth in anger as I spoke but Angelo did not acknowledge what I said. He only waved his hands in the air as if to wipe away my words. "You know, for someone clearly under my mercy, you have quite the guts," He teased. "But then, I'm not surprised, you are still trying to show that you are not weak w
Alessandro's POV. I continued looking around as I walked cautiously with Jared beside me. Something felt off about the whole thing but since I was already here, it was pointless to turn back. We got to the dock where the people were already offloading the shipment. It was hard drugs that Angelo was supposed to get but I decided to take it from Angelo just to prove who the mafia king is. "Are these everything?" I demanded in a rough voice. "Yes sir, they are all here," The loader trembled as he spoke. I could not blame him, many people who have heard of me or come across me all know who I was so he had every right to be afraid. "Alright! You may go!" I said to the loader He bowed his head and quickly turned the boat back. "Check it," I instructed Jared. I knew the loader would not dare try to decieve me which was why I did not bother checking it in his presence. Jared went on my knees and opened the shipment, he counted and saw that they were complete. "It's
Sophia's POV. My eyes widened in shock as I could hardly believe what Ray was saying. Priest? Marry? What the hell was going on? What was this sick bastard thinking? I started struggling to speak. He saw that I wanted to talk. "You want to say something?" He asked. Since my mouth was taped, I could only nod. "Then promise me that if I remove the tape that you will not shout," He said and I nodded again. "Alright," He looked at me suspiciously and the removed the tape from my mouth. I exhaled deeply and began to breathe fast. "So what is it you wanted to tell me?" He inquired. "I need us to talk Ray," I told him. "Talk about what?" Ray asked. "This whole marriage thing, you can't force me to marry you," I said. "Why? Force? No, have you forgotten that you already promised your father that you will give me a chance? And besides, we were already engaged before the whole Alessandro issue came up," He replied. I blinked at him surprised that he seem to have f
Author's POV. Few days later Alessandro decided to go and collect the shipment. He knew that Sophia would want to try to stop him so he made all his arrangements secretly. He acted like he was going out on a normal walk but Sophia knew better. She begged Mary to to help her so she could follow Alessandro. "But you know it's dangerous, Alessandro would not be happy if he discovers that you followed him," Mary tried to dissuade her but Sophia's mind was already made up. "I know Mary but I have a bad feeling about this. Alessandro is getting himself into trouble and I can't sit back and watch so I have to do this," Sophia explained to Mary. "So what will you do when you get there? Do you think you would be able to stop him?" Mary asked her with worry evident in her voice. "I don't know for now but I will know what to do when I get there depending on the situation," Sophia tried to convince Mary. Mary knew that there was no use trying to stop her. "You are as stubborn a
Author's POV. Ray forgot to tell Marcus something so he decided to come back to the hospital. Immediately he got there, he saw some men in black marching out of the hospital. He recognized them as Angelo's men and he quickly rushed inside. He got to Marcus room and saw him all bloodied and battered. He did not need any explanation to guess what had happened. He quickly called the doctor for help dashed out of the room. He came out just in time to see Angelo's men about to enter their cars. "Hey! Stop!" She shouted and they stopped. "Yes?" Fowler asked looking menacingly but Ray was not intimidated. "What did you come to do here?" Ray asked them. "None of your business!" Came the sharp reply from Fowler. He was about to enter the car again when Ray held his hand stopping him. "Calm down, I know you came to deal with Marcus and honestly, it's none of my business what you do to him or with him," Ray explained himself. "So why are you questioning me?" Fowler asked l
Author's POV. Marcus jaw tightening in anger and his hands clenched tight that his knuckles were almost turning white. "Ray, whatever it is you are planning do not do it! Don't do anything stupid that would hurt my daughter!" Marcus warned but Ray only looked at him and scoffed. "You did the wrong thing first by allowing that useless bastard Alessandro to take her with him," Ray retorted. "I already told you that she would be coming back soon so you don't have to do anything!" Marcus tried persuading Ray, but he would not listen. "You don't understand that the thought of her staying in the same space with that psycho is enough to make my blood boil so I will not sit down and let him take her sway from me," Ray insisted. "Ray! Listen to me at least!" Marcus pleaded in a desperate voice. "There is nothing you are going to say that would make me change my mind or stop me from what I am going to do so stop wasting my time and give me Alessandro's address now!" Ray demande