Chapter 2 The Kidnap

I stormed out of the hotel lobby, my heels clicking against the pavement as I fought the sting of humiliation burning my cheeks.

Adrian ran after and was right behind me. "Isla, come on-"

I didn't stop walking. "Nope. Don't 'Isla' me."

He sighed, jogging a little to catch up. "Just listen. Please. You shouldn't be out here alone. It's past midnight, and this is...well, Vegas."

I scoffed, slowing down to make sure he heard me. "Oh, so now you care? Where was this concern when you suddenly decided to kiss me?"

He groaned. "That was a mistake."

I froze mid-step, my stomach twisting all over again. A mistake.

That's officially my least favorite phrase of the year.

I had suspected that would be his response, but hearing it still hurt.

I exhaled sharply and resumed walking faster. "Whatever. I'll just get a hotel room until my flight to Rhode Island."

Adrian grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop. "You're being ridiculous. Just come back upstairs. Let's talk about this, Isla, please."

I spun around to glare at him, but couldn't, his face had softened, and he was staring at me pleadingly, in that way he knew I couldn't refuse. Tears began welling in my eyes, so I turned away, afraid he would see them and think I had the thought that I would actually come back with him.

I yanked my hand away. "There's nothing to talk about. I think you made yourself very clear."

He dragged a hand through his hair. "Isla, I like you. I really do. And I mean it...but then again, I don't want to ruin what we have."

I turned, stunned. "What?"

His expression was unreadable. "You're my best friend. I don't want to lose you over one stupid night."

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "So kissing me would 'ruin everything,' huh? What does that even mean? Am I that horrid for you to fall in love with?"

He shook his head and frowned deeply. "That's not what I meant."

I crossed my arms, scowling. "Then explain it to me, Adrian. Because from where I'm standing, it just looks like you want to have your 'fun' but keep me at arm's length. Like you always do. Like I'm some fragile little thing you don't want to deal with. Or oh, one of your model girlfriends you fuck and only call when you want to again? But at least they get to date you Adrian, am I not pretty enough to date you?"

He sighed, stepping closer to me to cup my face in his hands and wipe a tear from my cheek I didn't even realise had begun falling.. "You're overthinking this Isla."

"Oh, of course, I am," I snapped my voice cracking. "Silly little Isla, always making things bigger than they are."

Adrian looked pained, but I was done. I was done pretending like my feelings for him weren't real, done letting him hold me at a distance like I wasn't worth anything.

"I'll make do with myself," I muttered, turning away again. "I don't need you to protect me."

I started walking faster, my heels clicking more aggressively against the pavement. The Vegas strip was alive with flashing neon lights and the distant thrum of music. Tourists stumbled down the sidewalks, their laughter and drunken conversations filling the air.

I should have felt safer in a crowd. But all of a sudden, I didn't.

A strange feeling crept up my spine, as if something was staring at the back of my neck. I swallowed hard and glanced over my shoulder.

Nothing. Just people, lights, music.

Then why did it feel like someone was watching me?

I shook my head. Get a grip, Isla. You're just a bit rattled.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right; it felt like a shadow just out of sight would grab me any second. I quickened my pace, and Adrian followed, still steps behind me.

"Isla, let me just-"

But before he could finish his sentence, an arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me back into a dark alleyway.

I gasped, my scream muffled as a hand clamped over my mouth.

Adrian ran forward, but another man, dressed in black, grabbed him and shoved him into the alley too.

Panic surged through me. I kicked wildly, trying to twist free, but whoever held me was strong, too strong.

I clawed at his arm, my nails digging into his skin, but he didn't even flinch. I couldn't even breath well as I tried to fight, and then the man pressed a handkerchief onto my nose.

The handkerchief had a sickly sweet smell. Like disinfectant and jasmine.

No-no, no, no-

Chloroform.

I tried to break free, but my body was betraying me. My limbs went heavy. My vision blurred.

Through the haze that was beginning to cover my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Adrian struggling, still shouting my name, before someone struck him over the head.

I wanted to scream, but my voice wouldn't work.

Then, through the haze, a figure stepped forward.

Tall. Well-dressed. A sharp black suit that matched his black hair.

I could barely make out his face, but I saw the way he moved, with an air of authority that seemed to command the very ground he walked on.

A deep, velvety voice reached my ears, smooth and different, yet with accent oh so familiar.

"Ah, mia moglie."

Then everything went dark.