Chapter : 1 [ A Narrow Escape ]

[ Arielle ]

I gulp down, embracing myself with my hands, the heavy fur overcoat wasn’t helping much in this chilly weather as I was trying my best to reach home before my father comes. It is an unsaid rule in my house, no women should be out after six and it’s past seven thirty. I don’t need to visualize what my father would do to me if he finds out that I wasn’t home before the dusk.

I live in a world where my life was decided for me even before I was born and since last twenty-one years, it has been the same. I can’t even breathe without my father’s permission. My father is Desmond Wilson, the head of the American mafia syndicate. He is the most feared man, the human incarnation of Satan, what people call him in the whispers of night. His power radiates off him, power that demanded respect and obedience from everyone, the business, enemies and family.

I took a deep breath and began to walk with quick steps, I already regretted ditching my security. Sometimes, it’s my escape from my scripted life but I didn’t know it’d turn out to be a stupidity since I lost track of time and my father’s hounds were sniffing me everywhere.

Just as I was about to cross the deserted road, I heard footsteps and my senses got alerted. My hand went for the little knife I keep for my safety but it was too late. Suddenly, I felt a gloved hand slip over my mouth and pulled me behind trees. Fear gripped me. It was inevitable and obvious when my father had enemies everywhere.

“You were a hard one to catch, bitch.” A gruff voice reached into my ear, I could smell tobacco and alcohol in his breath. I tried to kick him but another man held my hands to keep me still. The other man pressed hard against my throat.

I couldn’t breathe. A shadow appeared in front of me. My heartbeats raced.

“Hello, my sweet little kitten. You are more beautiful than your brother described. Rare jewel of Desmond Wilson.” The man, whose silhouette came into light, said with a sly smirk. He tried to touch my face but I jerked my face to other side.

“Release her. She won’t be a trouble. Just look at her fragile frame. She looks like she’d pass out if we put gun on her skull.” He laughed. I realized I wasn’t in my father’s area.

“Wha…what..do you want from me?” I asked him in a trembling voice.

“I do not want anything from you, malishka but my brother wants a compensation for what your younger brother has stolen from us. We had a peace pact with your father but your brother is an imbecile who needs to grow up first if we spare his life. Anyways, the loss was huge and only you can compensate for its value. Your brother Adrian stole our cocaine worth thirty million dollars.” The man said and I felt like my blood froze into my veins.

“It’s impossible! Adrian hardly takes interest in business. You’re lying. Let me go or my father will come for you. He will make you pay for this. If you love your life then let me go.” I cried and yelled. I tried running but those bulky men blocked my way, they had guns in their hands whereas I was all alone, helpless.

His face hardened and a slap crashed across my left cheek. As a result, I stumbled and fell on the concrete ground. My knees hurt and cheek stung. I cried silently and prayed my father’s men would come to save me.

He towered above me, “Your father won’t do anything, my sweet little kitten. This is our area and he’d be a fool who will try to strike a war with Russian boss Nicolai.” He said and fisted my hairs, “My brother wants me to bring you untouched and pure but I don’t take his orders by words. I want to have a taste of you first.” His eyes displayed lust and I froze more with fear. He was going to do the worst with me.

“Please..let…me go.” I whimpered but he began to kiss on my face, it was rough and disgusted but there was no one who could help me.

A deafening barrage of gunshots echoed in the peaceful air, sounded like a sinister melody replacing the silent terror. It was swift and silent, if you blinked your eyes or not looking forward, you wouldn’t have seen the impact. In the next moment, it hit the man who was holding me first, right between the eyes and he fell on the ground lifeless. The man who was forcing himself on me, stood up and pulled out his gun whereas I crawled into a corner.

“Shit! We’re under attack! Who is this fucking motherfucker! Catch him!” He shouted but more gunshots blared and one bullet pierced through his leg and he fell on the ground limping, crying and cursing. But the man were laying dead before they could shoot more.

A tall man, walked through the heaps of bodies and his cheering men. He wore an expensive black suit, all black and his steel grey eyes pierced into mine.

Darkness wrapped around him, he radiated fear and the regal presence of a war god. His feet halted a few steps away from me. my body shook in fear. Was he going to kill me?

“Long time no see, Anton. I didn’t expect to meet you like this.” The man said to my molester in a deep voice, his face devoid of any emotion but emptiness and icy cold blankness.

“Vincent De Niro! What are you doing here? You know my brother won’t spare your life if he sees you here.” Anton yelled but another bullet hit his arm and he whimpered on the ground.

“You dared to touch what is pure and meant to be worshipped, Anton. You had to pay the price.” The man named Vincent smirked, his eyes showing no mercy, “I am sparing your life because I want you to pass my message to your brother. We’re going to meet very soon. He tried to steal from me to compensate for the loss done by the Wilson pup.” He said and my ears perked up.

How did he know my brother?

“Are you okay, Miss?” The man asked me and I was pulled out of the living nightmare.

I nodded my head weakly and tried to stand up but my knees buckled up. I had scratches on my knees. He forwarded his hand but I refused. He was also a dangerous man who killed four bulky men in front of my eyes.

“I don’t force women against their will.” He said in a smooth voice.

I hesitantly accepted his help and stood up. When I took a glance at him in light, I gasped when I noticed his white shirt smeared in crimson red. He was pressing the side of his stomach. He was shot.

“You’re shot.” I said pointing on his wound but he stood unaffected.

“Let me drop you safely at your house, Miss.” He said ignoring my words but he saved me and it was my duty to repay his kindness.

“I have a spare apartment at ten minutes’ distance where I keep my paintings. Please, allow me to tend to you.” I said with gratitude and the man.

“How can you be a fool to trust a stranger who just killed people? It will be fatal for you, principessa. Our world doesn’t know the word ‘trust’. It runs on deceive and foul plays.” He questioned me. His grey eyes showing some amusement.