KINLEY I woke up alone in the room and breathed a thankful sigh. Rummaging through the closets I took out an oversized band shirt and a pair of shorts that would fit before going to shower. Once I was done, I made my way through to the living room where Gianni sat on one of the sofas. Talon was opposite him. Gianni smiled at me, "Gattina, come here," he motioned for me with his hand. I glanced at Talon before going over to sit beside Gianni. He slung an arm casually around my shoulders, "Did you sleep well?" I nodded, not wanting to speak. "She shouldn't be here, Gia." I watched as Gianni's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing at Talon, "Why not? She handled herself well back there." "She is our leverage against Dom, she is not a guest and she is not a friend." I was surprised at the anger coming from Talon, he had seemed calm and sweet most of the time. Gianni dropped a hand to my thigh making me squirm uncomfortably. "Kinley, we believe there is a mole amongst us. We will
KINLEY Gianni looked at Talon before taking me by the arm, "Talon, car. Now."I hurried to keep up with Gianni while he pulled at my wrist."What were you doing in the study?" he asked suddenly, spinning to a stop so abruptly that I almost bumped right into him."Uh... I got lost coming out from the toilet."He frowned, I knew he didn't believe me."I was going to run away from you." Honesty is the best policy, right?He scratched at the back of his neck, "You were going to try and escape?"I nodded, "Yes. I was going to run off, but then I had to hide in the study and I came across all this, these two guys came in and started talking about me, saying I'd get them good money," my eyes widened as I remembered the rest of their conversation, "Oh! They spoke about you too and the mole. They said they would speak to Dom about me tomorrow, and that the mole is getting real close to putting you away for a long time."Gianni tilted his head, a dangerous glint in his eye, "They want to sell y
KINLEY Opening my eyes I stared out at the sun shining through the open curtains.Pulling the blanket closer around me, I thought of how Gianni had chosen to punish me the night before.It seemed like such a strange punishment."Hey, you're up." I looked over at the door to see Talon."Don't tell Gianni, I want to lay here for a bit longer.""Gianni is busy," he walked in closing the food behind him, "Did he make you sleep with him?"My eyes widened, "He would do that?!""Yes. He has before.""Well, thankfully he didn't... He made me strip to my underwear and get in the pool for a long while."Talon took a seat on the edge of the bed, "You can count yourself lucky it wasn't worse.""While I can agree with you, I still can't understand it. It seems like such a strange form of punishment.""Gianni is a strange man, Kin. He knows ways to punish you that you could never even dream of."I shuddered at his words, "I guess I shouldn't piss him off again.""That's what he wants. He wants to
KINLEY My eyes opened slowly, as if my eyelids were heavy and scratchy.I wasn't in the beach house, nor Gianni's mansion.I sat up slowly, my hand going to my head, it ached and as I touched it, I remembered my fall.Getting to my feet I walked from the small room into a small living room with an open plan kitchen to the side.My so called saviour sat at the kitchen island with his back turned to me."Dom?"He jumped to his feet, turning to face me, "Kinley, you're up. Fuck I was so worried about you."As he came towards me stepped away from him, "Hang on. How did you know where Gianni was keeping me?""I have my ways, Kin. Did you really think I was going to allow him to take you like that? You know I always have your back.""Yeah," I glanced at the counter where he had sat, there were papers strewn all over it, "Where are we?" my heart hammered in my chest, my mind continuously reminding me of the trafficking he was involved in."I'm getting you far away from here so he can't come
My leg ached, each step sending sharp shooting pain through my leg as I hurried away from the airport, keeping to the small back roads.Fear rushed through my body as I shot glances over my shoulder.I couldn't let Dom find me."Fuck! I need Gianni." There was something I never thought I would have heard coming from my lips.Yes, the man had kidnapped me and still terrified me to the core, but I knew he was capable of keeping me safe.And he could keep me away from Dom.My ankle ached, protesting each step I took, but I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, knowing that this pain was nothing compared to what would happen if Dom got his hands on me.I contemplated stopping someone and asking for help, but where would I go?I couldn't go to Gianni because I had no idea where he was, I didn't even know what part of town he was in.I could maybe ask to be taken to the police station, but could I trust them?I had a nagging feeling that the answer was no.Leaning against a wall, I gasped in
The man holding onto my arm was holding tight enough to hurt my arm, but I didn't care.I felt utterly hopeless as they dragged me behind an ambulance and shoved me into the back seat of a waiting car.I sprawled over the seat."Jesus! Kinley?!"My head shot up at the sound of Gianni's voice."Oh my God! Thank God it's you!" Without thinking I sprung into his arms."What the fuck happened to you?!""Dom! He took me!" I sobbed into his shoulder.His arms tightened around me, "He took you? I thought you ran away!""No! I went out to the pool and he was just standing there. I slipped and hit my head. I woke up with Dom and he took me to the airport! I ran away from him."To my surprise, Gianni stroked my hair, planting a soft kiss on the top of my head, "You look terrible, we need to get you checked out,' he began shouting in Italian and the car started, speeding from the hospital."I was so scared! I didn't know how to find you!"I felt him tense briefly, "It's okay, you're safe now. You
"Kinley!"I woke with a start, wincing at the pain rushing through my body from the sudden movement.And then the cold from the water hit me.I had obviously drifted off to sleep after washing myself.I was still submerged in the water, and Gianni was standing frowning at me."I must have fallen asleep after bathing," I frowned, "Could you turn around, please?"He scoffed, "And how exactly do you think you're going to get out of the bath without help?""I'll figure it out."He rolled his eyes and came over to the bath, completely ignoring my protests as he lifted me out and set me on my feet.Grabbing a towel, he handed it to me.I wrapped it around myself.Gianni sighed, "Kinley, you need to relax."I glared at him."Fine," he turned his back and I dried myself off before wrapping the towel around me again."I, uh, need to go back to my room. I didn't bring any clothes with."He helped me from the bathroom, but left me standing against the wall.I watched with curiosity as he went ove
TW: Self harm mentioned in this chapter, nothing in depth though. KINLEY "Where exactly are we going?" I asked, taking a seat on Gianni's jet.He took a seat opposite me, unbuttoning his black blazer."My home. We are going to Italy."My eyes widened, "Holy shit, Italy?! You really had to wait until I had a busted ankle to take me there?"He laughed, "I'll make sure to take you back when you're not injured."I shook my head and rolled my eyes at him."I'm serious, Kinley," he sat forward, "One year from now, if you are still with me, I will take you to Italy and you will experience it in a whole different way.""Still with you? You plan on holding me captive for that long?""No. But I am hoping you will still be here willingly."I looked away, his gaze too intense for me.Talon sat towards the back with a few of Gianni's guards, and I wondered if they had a falling out.If they did, I knew it was probably somehow my fault.Gianni had food and wine brought put to us, it was quite inte