Signed, Sealed, Traded.

Anateya felt like there were cinder blocks tied to her feet as she dragged herself back to her dorm room. She dressed in a cheerful smile every day, laughed when she was supposed to and blended in like any other typical college freshman. On the inside, she felt dull. The sun didn’t shine like it used to. The food tasted bland and more and more she preferred solitude more than anything else. 

She never saw her mystery man again after that night–not for lack of trying. Lafel had made good on his promise if she had defied him and she lost the little freedom that she had. She’d snuck out of her apartment a few times to go back to Club Eleven, hoping to see him there, but they wouldn’t let her in. Her papi had made sure she was banned from the premises.

Whoever he was, Anateya couldn’t get him out of her head. He consumed her dreams and every waking moment. Could one kiss be so powerful? It couldn’t. He was a total stranger, and yet the thought of never seeing him again, never feeling his touch, made her feel like all color was gone from her life.

Pushing her dorm door open, she trudged over to her bed, dumping the books on top.

“Ana,” A soft voice sounded from the other side of the room, “You’re back.”

Anateya sat on the edge of her bed and turned to look at her best friend. “I’m here, but I’m not back.” Her shoulders slumped.

Diana sighed, twisting her hair up into a bun and inspecting her face in the mirror where she sat. “It’s been three months, Ana. You have got to let go of your obsession with this guy.” She turned on the stool, crossing her arms. “It was just a kiss from a random stranger. I promise you, if you get under one of those hot seniors that have been chasing you down, you’ll forget all about balcony guy.”

Anateya fidgeted with the tassels on her sweater sleeve, pursing her lips. “For the hundredth time, D–he wasn’t just a random stranger. And no other guy will ever make me forget him.” She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, palms cupping her chin. “Yes, it’s been three months, but the only reason I can’t get a lead on him is because papi’s made them ban me from the club.”

“With good reason,” Diana chuckled, “You were giving off major stalker vibes. He had no choice… tell me again what he looks like?”

Anateya flopped back on the bed, sighing wistfully as she stared up at the ceiling. “Like a god of sex and sin.” She bit her lip as she recalled how he grabbed her up against him, claiming her mouth like there was no tomorrow. It was true that she was very inexperienced with boys, thanks to papi, but there was no way that any other male in the city–on the planet even–could ever make her feel that way. 

Diana shrugged, skepticism written all over her face. “Seeing is believing. And I personally think you’re stretching the truth just a tad bit.”

“Believe what you want then.”

A heavy thud on the door had them jumping to attention. It sounded again and they looked at each other with wary, confused expressions.

“Who the fuck is that?” Diana mouthed, looking at the door as if a monster was gonna burst through at any second. Another thud sounded and she flinched, toppling from her perch on the stool.

“I’ll get it,” Anateya mouthed in response, tiptoeing to the door, “Grab the broom.”

She grabbed the broom from Diana, one hand on the doorknob. Twisting and yanking the door open, she prepared to strike.

Her shoulder sagged and she dropped the broom with an exasperated sigh, “Lafel! Are you trying to give us a heart attack?”

“Yeah Laf, we thought it was those frat boys coming to haze us–again.” Diana added, setting the lamp back down on the dresser.

Lafel came in and shut the door behind him. The grim expression on his face made Anateya pause. “What’s going on?”

“You’re father’s in trouble. He’s pulling you out of school effective immediately. We have to leave now.”

“What?!”

“Please Ana. It’s serious this time. Don’t try to fight me on this.”

“What do you mean in trouble–don’t touch my stuff!” She smacked his hands as he attempted to pack her books into the duffle bag he carried. “What do you mean pull me out of school? I am not leaving until you tell me what’s going on.”

“Yeah. We’re not leaving until you tell us.” Diana came around to stand beside her.

Lafel raised a brow, “Who said you’re coming with us?”

Diana scoffed, “Please. We’ve been joined at the hip since the cradle. Where Ana goes, I go.”

Anateya nodded, not budging an inch. 

His jaw clenched. “If you don’t want your father to die, you will come with me to the safe house.”

Anateya felt a pit open up in her belly. Oh God, it really was serious. Papi would never bring her to the safe house unless it was a matter of life and death. He owned one of the best international security firms and that success was bound to garner him a few enemies. Whatever trouble he was in was bad enough that he even wanted to pull her from college.

“How long do I have to stay there for?” She asked. Lafel remained silent. Sighing, she grabbed the duffle from him, went over to her closet and started shoving items in it.

⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜

They were packed within the hour and ushered into a black SUV. Anateya stared out the window at the thick fog as they drove on long winding roads up the mountains. She chewed her bottom lip, worry etched into her brows. She tried not to overthink and spiral down a mental rabbit hole of worse case scenarios. He was fine. They’d be fine.

They reached the safehouse by sunset, a modern cabin surrounded by tall trees. The air was crisp and chilly and her breath came out like puffs of smoke. Leaves crunched beneath her boots as she walked towards the porch. The door had an advanced biometric lock and she held her left eye open to be scanned. The lock released and she tugged it open, rushing into the large living room.

“Papi?” Her eyes darted around until they landed on him. He was sitting on the black leather ottoman in the middle, a drink clutched in his hand. Specks of blood dotted the collar of his shirt. He looked up, trying to smile but his face couldn’t hide his grief.

Rushing down the small steps, she rounded the large L shaped sofa and dropped on her knees in front of him. “Papi? You’re bleeding. Let me help you.” She reached up to touch the bruise on his cheek and he took her hand gently, pulling it away from his face.

“I’m fine, Ana.”

“This place is the bomb Daddy Berretta…”  Diana’s voice trailed off when she saw the scene. Dropping her bag, she covered her mouth with both hands. “Oh my gosh.”

“Who did this to you?” Ana felt her chest tighten. Papi had a cut on the corner of his mouth and an ugly bruise was just above his eye. Blood crusted beneath his nose and his olive skin was now pale and pasty.

He didn’t answer her, but looked at Lafel. “Are you sure no one followed you?”

“Positive. I doubled back twice to make sure. No one knows we’re here, Gage.”

Her father got up and walked over the to the fireplace, leaning against the brick wall. “Good. That’s good. He won’t be able to find us here then.”

Anateya got to her feet, her eyes boring into her father even though he had his back turned. “Papi. You’re scaring me. Tell me what’s going on. Who’s after you?”

A long silence followed, then his shoulders dropped in defeat. “I have to confess something to you, Ana. I… I got in with some very dangerous people. I had no choice but to take the contract you see… and I made a big mistake. And now I owe a debt that I cannot bear to pay.”

“What kind of dangerous people?” Her entire body went still.

“The Romanian Mafia.”

“H-how much do you owe them?”

He hesitated, as if he couldn’t find the words. Anateya snapped, “How much do you owe them, Papi?!”

“A billion dollars!” He threw his hands up, his chest heaving. “I’m so sorry, Anateya.”

Her legs gave out, and she dropped onto the ottoman, staring out at nothing in particular. “How did this even happen?”

Gage shook his head, turning to face her. His eyes were red from unshed tears. “It doesn’t matter. But I’m gonna fix it. I-I promise that I’ll get you back from him.”

“Holy shit, this is some heavy stuff,” Diana quipped, walking over to the kitchen. She tugged the fridge open, rummaging through it.

“What do you mean, get me back?” Anateya asked slowly, her suspicious gaze boring into his.

“I-I made a deal. You’ll be under his care until I can repay the debt.”

She felt as if she was drenched with a bucket of ice-cold water. A humorless laugh bubbled out, followed by another, and another, until she was consumed by a fit of hysteric giggles. “You mean, you’ve traded me to be a hostage until you can repay a billion dollars?—that’s triple your whole company dad! When do you possibly hope to pay that back?”

She got up and paced the floor, not quite believing his words. “And you’re telling me, that you’ve traded me, your only daughter and heir papi? To the Mafia?!”

“It’s just until your father can complete his mission and return.” Lafel offered in a consoling tone. “Then you’ll be free, and the debt will be settled.”

“Stay out of this Lafel!” Anateya snapped, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. Her father was fiercely protective of her all her life. Never in a million years did she think he would ever put her in such a dangerous position. “What could you possibly do that would amount to repay such a debt?”

“It’s better if you don’t know the details.” Gage walked over to her, taking her hand. “I had to buy time, to give him something that could appease his anger. It had to be the most precious thing to me, or he’d never buy it. He would’ve killed me. Please forgive me Ana, but I had no choice. I promise, what I have to do is for the greater good, and then you’ll be able to go back to your normal life and forget about this business.”

“I’ve watched enough movies to know that you don’t simply walk away from the Mafia unscathed.” She hiccuped, going into his embrace. She held on tightly, wishing they could stay in that moment and never let go. “I don’t wanna lose you papi, but I don’t think I can do this. What will they do to me?”

“He gave his word that you would remain unharmed so as long as I fulfill my end of the deal.”

“And what if you don’t?”

“I will,” he hugged her tighter. “You have to be strong. For me Ana.”

Anateya felt like her world was being ripped apart. She had barely made it through her fist semester at Colombia, now she was reduced to a bargaining chip. She tried to understand where her papi was coming from. He was obviously beaten and backed into a corner. Truthfully, she would rather be a hostage than lose her father.

“What about Diana?” She pulled away, wiping her eyes. “Will I still be able to see her?”

“We didn’t get that far in the details.” He replied, then added, “Your uncle doesn’t want you anywhere near this mess, Diana.”

Diana brought over the bottle of wine she was nursing, plopping down over the side of the sofa. “That’s not my uncle’s choice to make. Besides, this Mafia bloke can’t just isolate Anateya from everyone she knows.”

“He can do anything he wants to us and no one can stop him.” Lafel snatched the bottle from her and went to pour it down the drain.

Anateya took a deep breath. In a case like this, the only way out was through, and she was determined to get through it. “Alright papi. I’ll do this–for you.”

⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜

Except for Lafel who was her driver, Anateya went to her fate alone.

After she’d sobbed all her sorrow into her pillow, with Diana consoling her, she’d gone to sleep and woke up the next morning with an armor around her heart. She was to be the heir of Premise Enterprises. How could she lead battle tested men if she herself couldn’t withstand a little hardship?

She’d taken a shower, brushed her hair into russet waves then donned the dress that she wore that night to Club Eleven. It made her feel powerful, like nothing could hurt her. She didn’t expect to stay too long, so she only brought one suitcase, and her credit card in case she needed anything extra.

According to her papi, she was not to be harmed. She prayed that this Mafia man stood by his word and didn’t touch a hair on her head. They drove in silence, and she fiddled with the hem of her dress while looking out the window.

Her eyes widened as they entered a luxurious residential neighborhood. First thing that came to mind when she heard the word mafia was a dusty, dank backwoods house where she would be starved of light and fresh air. If her captor lived in such a nice area… he must be extremely rich.

And extremely powerful.

She tried not to gape at the massive 4-storey house as they pulled into the driveway. She was well accustomed to luxury, but this was on another level.

“Are you okay?” Lafel caught her eyes in the mirror.

Anateya eyed several guards who stood out front, pursing her lips. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Hey Ana.?”

“Yes Lafel?”

“You may not be seeing me for a while, but I will always be watching over you.” His usually hard expression turned soft, threatening to make her burst into tears again. She’d done enough of that when she’d said her goodbyes to Diana and papi.

She drew a shaky breath, offering him her bravest smile as she twisted the door handle. “Just make sure you keep D out of trouble.”

She stepped out of the SUV as two guards walked towards her. One of them grabbed her by the arm and the other took her suitcase.

“Hey! I can walk just fine, you don’t have to drag me!” She yelled, stumbling a little as she was pulled into the house. She glanced over her shoulder, feeling the dread of finality wash over her as Lafel sped away.

“Otrava does not like to be kept waiting.” The guard said coldly, pushing her into the house. “I’ll let you go. If you run, I’ll break your knee caps.” His accent was thick as he issued the warning.

Anateya straightened her clothes, squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She followed behind him with strong confident steps, trying not to gawk at the magnificence of the house. The floors were covered in white marble, the walls and furniture varying between whites, grays and beige. It was obvious that great efforts were made to make the atmosphere calm and ambient.

Lost in admiration, she was startled when the guard stopped abruptly. Another two guards were stationed on each side of large double doors. They exchanged words in Romanian and the guard on the left poked his head through the door, yelling in the same language.

“Send the child in.” The order came from a resonating voice.

“Child?!” Anateya struggled as the guard who escorted her tried to push her through the doors. “Let go of me, I am not a child!” She slammed her fist against the slab of wood in defiance when they shoved her in and shut the door.

She sighed, feeling slightly embarrassed that she hadn’t kept her cool. Something about being called a child just rubbed her the wrong way. Recomposing herself, she turned to face the man who had turned her life upside down.

She froze, going deathly still.

She couldn’t breathe as the familiar presence sucked the air out of the large study.

Joy erupted in her heart like fireworks.

Horror followed, making her tremble to the bone.

She shook her head in disbelief, even as his lips curled up into a sinister smirk. No. It couldn’t be.

Balcony guy.