Chapter 5

ERICA

The train station was louder than I expected. People bustled about, bags slung over shoulders. My heart pounded, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder for what felt like the hundredth time. Every stranger with a cold expression made my stomach churn. My palms were slick with sweat, gripping Lilibeth’s hand tighter than I probably should.

Lilibeth, beside me, trembled, her small fingers twisting in the hem of her sweater. Her eyes darted around, wide with fear. I knew she was scared—I could feel it radiating off her like heat.

“We’ll be okay,” I whispered, pulling her close as we moved through the crowd. My voice was calm, even though every nerve in my body was screaming. “Once we get to Aunt Rosa’s, everything will be fine. We’ll be safe there. We can start over.”

Lilibeth looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. “But what about Dad? He’s all alone now. What if Raffael—” her voice wavered.

I clenched my jaw, forcing down the bitterness. “Dad can take care of himself,” I muttered, almost spitting the words. “He’s done enough damage to us. He’ll be fine.” My voice hardened, surprising even me. “We’re better off without him.”

Lilibeth didn’t respond, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She wanted to believe me, wanted to trust that I had it all figured out, but I wasn’t sure she did. Hell, I wasn’t sure I did.

I scanned the station again, forcing a deep breath as I caught sight of the ticket counter. “Stay here, okay?” I instructed, crouching down so I was level with her. “Don’t move. I’m going to get the tickets, and then we’ll be on our way. Just… stay where I can see you.”

Lilibeth nodded, biting her lip. I gave her hand one last squeeze before turning and pushing through the crowd toward the ticket booth. It was a chaotic mess—people shouting, bodies pressing close. My hands shook as I fumbled for the little cash I had saved, every second that passed making me more anxious.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I managed to get the tickets. My heart pounded harder as I clutched them in my hand, a small sliver of hope creeping in. We were almost out. Almost free.

But when I returned to where I had left Lilibeth… she was gone.

I froze, the tickets slipping from my fingers, fluttering to the ground as my chest tightened. I spun around, my eyes scanning the crowd desperately, calling out her name in a frantic whisper. Where was she? She was just here. I told her to stay put. Why didn’t she stay put?

“Lilibeth!” I hissed, my voice rising as panic took over. “Lilibeth!”

My breath quickened, the station around me blurring into one endless stream of faces. And then, just as I was about to lose hope, I spotted them. Two men standing near the corner, their broad shoulders blocking my view, but I knew them. They were the same men. The ones who had broken into our house. Raffael’s men.

My blood ran cold.

Before I could move, the taller one approached, blocking my path. I froze, my heart pounding, panic flooding my body. His eyes were dark, his smile sharp. "Looking for your sister?" he asked, voice low and menacing.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

The shorter man stepped closer, leaning in with a smirk. "If you want to see her alive," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear, "you’ll come with us. Otherwise, she’ll be dead in the next two minutes,” he said, lifting his coat just enough to reveal a glint of metal tucked into his waistband. A knife. Or was it a gun? I couldn’t tell, and frankly, I didn’t want to find out.

I swallowed hard, my legs trembling as I nodded. Fear gripped me like a vise. I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe.

“Where’s my sister?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “What have you done to her?” I demanded, barely keeping my voice steady.

The taller man chuckled darkly, pulling his coat open just enough to reveal a knife tucked into his waistband. "She’s fine... for now. But we don’t have all day, sweetheart."

I swallowed hard, my breath coming in shallow gasps. My mind screamed at me to run, to get away, but I couldn’t. Not without Lilibeth. My eyes darted around, searching for an escape, but they were too close, too dangerous.

"Move," the shorter one growled, stepping behind me, his hand brushing the small of my back, pushing me forward. "Let’s not make a scene."

I hesitated for a split second, fear knotting my stomach. But then I thought of Lilibeth’s terrified face, her wide eyes pleading for help, and I forced myself to comply. I couldn’t risk it. Not her life.

*********************

I stumbled onto the dirt ground, groaning in pain as my knees bruised against the gravel stones.

My hands were tied behind my back, the rope cutting into my wrists, but the pain was nothing compared to the dread tightening around my chest.

“Let’s go!” one of the goons barked as he led Lilibeth and me into what looked like an old, abandoned building—a warehouse, maybe, or a basement of sorts. The brick walls were crumbling, graffiti scrawled across them like a warning. The windows were shattered, dark holes staring back at me like hollow eyes.

We were shoved forward into the basement, and my stomach twisted with dread as my eyes adjusted to the dim light. The walls were grimy, and the only light came from a single bare bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows across the room.

And then I saw him.

Raffael.

He stood in the center of the room, surrounded by a group of men—his thugs. They were scattered around him like a pack of wolves, all dressed in dark clothes, their faces hard and unreadable. Raffael’s eyes locked onto mine as soon as I entered, and the cold smirk that spread across his face sent a chill straight through my bones.

“Erica,” he said, his voice low and smooth, like a predator that had cornered its prey. “I’ve been expecting you.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze even though every instinct screamed at me to look away. His presence filled the room, commanding, dangerous. The kind of man who enjoyed watching people squirm under his control. I hated him. I hated every inch of him.

He took a slow step forward, his eyes flicking to Lilibeth before settling back on me. “I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to try and run,” he continued, his tone mocking, almost amused. “But here we are.”

I clenched my fists, the rope biting into my skin. “My father was the one who wronged you. We are both innocent.”

Raffael chuckled, the sound dark and cruel. “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble, Erica. Both of you.” He nodded toward Lilibeth, who shrank back behind me. “And I don’t like people who make my life difficult.”

My heart pounded in my chest as he circled us, his eyes never leaving me, like a predator stalking his prey.

“Didn’t you promise me that you’d give me back my money, you wench?” he snarled.

I nodded timidly, “I did and—”

“So why did you go back on your promise? I hate people who can’t keep their word, Erica. You should know that by now.”

I was lost for words, my lips beginning to quiver as I searched for a response.

“Answer me!” he growled, gripping me by my hair and forcing my head up. I whimpered, gritting my teeth as his fingers sank into my scalp.

“I w-was just scared.”

A dark chuckle escaped his lips, and he forcefully pushed my head away, causing me to almost fall right on my face.

“Cara Mia, I have no problem with killing your sister,” Raffael said casually, his hand motioning toward one of the men. “In fact, I’ll do it if you don’t start cooperating with me.”

“No!” I shouted, my body shielding Lilibeth, who was huddled up behind me. “Leave her out of this. She’s innocent.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction. “Innocent?” He leaned in closer, his face inches from mine, his breath hot and menacing. “No one is innocent in my world, Erica. Especially not after crossing me.”

I tried to swallow the panic rising in my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Please just let us go. Please.”

Raffael’s eyes darkened. “Too late for that. I gave you a chance to live, and the two of you blew it. Now Lilibeth will pay for your mistake, and trust me, neither of you will get a painless and quick death.”

His words were so acrimonious and bloody.

One of the thugs stepped forward, grabbing Lilibeth roughly by the arm, and she yelped in fear. My body reacted before my mind could, trying to shield her, but Raffael’s hand shot out, gripping my shoulder hard, forcing me to stay still.

“Please don’t kill my sister! She’s the only family I have. She’s innocent, she’s just a teenager, please!" I pleaded frantically as I watched the cold barrel of the gun pressed against Lilibeth’s head.

“If you want her to live,” he hissed, his grip on my shoulder tightening painfully, “you’re going to do exactly as I say.”

“I’ll do anything. I swear, this time I mean it. I’ll be your maid, your stripper—whatever you want. I’ll pay back every cent, just please, let my sister go," I begged, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face.

A slow, crooked smile spread across his lips, and with a lazy flick of his hand, he signaled the thug to release Lilibeth. Relief surged through me, and I exhaled shakily, barely able to catch my breath.

"Take her back home and get her things ready. She’ll be transported to Osborne Villa," Raffael commanded coldly.

"What?" My voice faltered, confusion creasing my brow. "Transported to Osborne Villa? Where are you taking my sister?" I demanded, panic rising in my chest.

"I spared her life, not her freedom," he sneered. "She’ll be moved to one of my villas, where I’ll have her every move watched. In simpler terms, she’ll be a prisoner. And if you even think about trying something smart," his voice dropped to a chilling whisper, "I won’t hesitate to kill her first, and then your pathetic father."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry, my breath hitching. Tears welled up in my eyes again as I watched helplessly while Lilibeth was dragged away, her wide, terrified gaze meeting mine for one heart-wrenching second before she disappeared from sight.

“And as for you, sweetheart,” Raffael murmured, leaning close to my ear, his breath warm and menacing, “you’re coming home with me.”

He had won.