60 Days To Seduce The Mafia King

Sophia's POV.

My heart pounded violently against my chest, each beat fast and excruciating. I strained my ears to catch the sound of slow claps and the deliberate click of heels against the floor.

Someone was approaching. I struggled against the ropes binding me to the chair, a surge of panic making me want to scream. But to whom? My mouth was gagged so tightly, stuffed with a handkerchief to ensure I couldn't make a sound.

My eyes were blindfolded, the fabric tied so securely that not even a sliver of light could seep through. I was engulfed in darkness, forced to rely solely on my ears to discern the sounds around me.

From what I could gather, there were likely four men in the room with me. The ropes binding me were unyielding, ensuring I remained seated against my will.

A chuckle shattered the silence, dripping with mockery at my feeble attempt to escape.

"What do you think you are doing? Trying to free yourself?" someone asked. I ignored the taunt, my hands still struggling against the restraints.

I heard footsteps approaching, then felt a rough hand on my face. An overwhelming urge to spit at him surged within me, but the gag rendered me powerless.

He removed the blindfold, and I squinted at the sudden light. The man before me had the most repulsive face I had ever seen. His hair was a tangled mess, and his beard was uneven, with patches cleanly shaved and others bristling with stubble.

He reeked of alcohol and sweat, his eyes roving over me with a sickening lust. As he reached to touch the side of my face, I turned my head away in disgust.

A thunderous slap followed, sharp and painful, causing me to bite my tongue. He grabbed my chin forcefully, forcing me to look up at him, his eyes filled with cruel amusement.

"Who do you think you are?" he demanded, his voice dripping with contempt. I glared back at him, defiant, but my defiance only seemed to enrage him further. Another slap landed, the sting intensifying the burning pain in my cheek.

I had no idea who these men were; I had never seen them before in my life. Today was supposed to be a celebration-our anniversary, Ray and I. We had gotten engaged three months ago, and our wedding was just a few months away.

A month ago, Ray had asked me for money to cover his mother's hospital bills. He had exhausted his savings on a significant portion of the amount and needed more. Wanting to help, I gave him the money I had saved for my art exhibition, informing him of its purpose. He promised to repay me before the exhibition, which was now only a week away.

Earlier today, Ray had called, asking me to come over to collect the refund. I had happily agreed, eager for the chance to see him. We hadn't spent much time together recently, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to reconnect.

But when I arrived, Ray was nowhere to be found. His door was unlocked, and his room was in disarray. Panic surged through me as I stepped inside, fearing the worst-that he had been robbed or, even worse, killed and his body dumped in the house.

I grabbed my phone to call 911 and file a missing person report, but before I could dial, a sharp pain exploded at the back of my head. When I woke up, I was here, tied to a chair with no idea where I had been taken.

I tried to speak, desperate to understand who these men were and what they wanted. They must have mistaken me for someone else.

The man seemed to notice my expression. He walked over and removed my gag, allowing me to cough, spitting out saliva mixed with blood.

"You have something to say?" he taunted.

"Who are you people and what do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice trembling with fear and pain. Tears welled up in my eyes, the sting of my cheek making them flow freely.

"You belong to me now. I made a deal with dear Ray," he replied, a mischievous smile twisting his lips.

"You're bluffing," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. There was no way Ray would do this to me. Absolutely no way.

He wouldn't betray me, right? He said he loved me. He said he cared about me and if he didn't, why the hell would he propose to me?

"You think I'm bluffing?" he sneered, pulling out a phone. I held my breath, apprehension tightening in my chest as I wondered what he was about to show me.

He smiled, adding a wink, then leaned forward, raising the phone to my eye level. He tapped the screen, and a recording played.

"Here is a picture of her... her name is Sophia Gordon. Take her far away and kill her, I owe her a lot I cannot pay back. I will pay you the rest of the money once the deed is completed."

The recording ended, and he shoved the phone back into his pocket, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he studied my reaction.

I felt my heart squeeze in agony. The man I had planned to spend the rest of my life with wanted me dead-all for the money I lent him. He had promised to protect and love me, but it was all a lie. Tears slipped from my eyes, and I broke into sobs.

"Hey, don't cry... I got you," the man mocked, streams of laughter escaping from him and the others. "Why cry over a man when you've got us? All four men, just for you, baby." Another burst of laughter followed his vile words.

They approached me, my heart pounding wildly. The thought of them attempting to defile me overwhelmed me with dread. There was no way I would let them do that-I'd rather die than become their sexual toy.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled at the first one, as he attempted to lay his hand on my cheek.

He slapped me before kicking the chair I sat on. I fell back, hitting my head on the concrete. I could hear sounds of torn fabrics and I tried not to pass out from the pain.

"Please stop!" I begged, tears bursting from my eyes, as I struggled against the ropes that still restrained my movements.

They ignored me. Laughter echoing in the silence. I could feel their hands roaming over me and I shut my eyes, accepting my fate.

Ray had betrayed me. He had sold me off to get killed because he doesn't want to pay me back over one million dollars he borrowed from me. There was nothing I could do and with the intentions my captors had, I knew they'd do more than kill me.

"Did you not hear the lady, she said you should stop!"

There was silence. I threw my face to the entrance and felt a certain sense of relief. There was a man at the entrance, his hands were buried deep into the pockets of his long black overcoat.

He wore a black top hat, held a brief case in one hand and wore a black suit underneath the coat. His head was slightly lowered, his face obscured.

His head tilted slightly as he lifted it, his eyes met mine. I didn't know why but I felt drawn to him like we had a connection. His oceanic blue eyes seemed to call to me. Despite the coldness they held, it felt like they warmed up for me.

"Who the hell are you?!" One of my captors asked with irritation tainting his voice. "Stay back! Stay right there or I shoot!" he warned as soon as my mysterious savior approached, with his heels going click clack against the concrete-Slow but steady.

I was losing consciousness. My world turning dark. I could hear the hollow sound of screams and the seemingly endless bursts of gunshots that enveloped the room.

I had no idea why but it was like his eyes had assured to protect me and so I let go, succumbing to the darkness that had wanted to claim me.

Sophia's POV.

Beep. Beep.

The gentle sound of the machine beside me forced me back to consciousness, and as my eyes fluttered open slowly, it landed on the ceiling and it took a while of glancing around the room before I realized I was in a hospital and the memories came rushing back.

"...take her far away and kill her."

The words of Ray that had played out of the recording filled my head and I felt a sharp pain twist my chest like something had just pierced through it.

Ray sold me off so he wouldn't pay me back and his intentions were to kill me. How? That man said he loved me, he said he was willing to do anything for me and wanted me to be the mother of his children. I had given him all my money, trusting him when he mentioned his mother was dying. I believed it when I saw a video of her critically sick in the hospital. That money was the only money my father had left after his company went bankrupt years ago. He had sacrificed that money so I could fulfill my dream of hosting an Art exhibition to showcase my talent.

How could Ray do this to me?

I had no idea when the tears began to roll down my cheeks, my throat ached as I cried in silence.

"The stranger!"

His strange presence hit me out of the blue. Him showing up at that time must mean something, it must have been Ray that sent him to save me. Ray must have asked him to bring me to the hospital.

Maybe Ray didn't really betray me, maybe he had no choice, maybe they threatened him into selling me off but he couldn't do it and came back to save me. He knew they shouldn't see his face so he sent someone else.

Desperate to find a way to exonerate the man I loved from what happened because I couldn't believe he could change in a twinkling of an eye and do that to me, I came up with all sorts of excuses in my head for him, even though the truth was gnawing away at me, I tried to ignore it as much as I could.

"You're awake." A soft voice said beside me, startling me out of my thoughts.

I turned and my eyes landed on the nurse,

"Where is the man that brought me here?" I asked immediately but she shook her head and moved closer to me.

"He left the moment he dropped you off. You don't have to worry though, he has sorted everything out so you would be free to go as soon as you're okay."

"What about Ray?"

"Excuse me?"

"Ray. You know, my boyfriend, he has blonde hair and..."

"No one came for you after the gentleman that brought you here Miss. No one else." She replied, shattering the little hope I had managed to gather.

I requested for my phone and she brought it before she left to get the doctor. There was not even one text or missed call from Ray.

How was that possible? If he had sent the man from earlier then he should at least try to check up on me to know if I am fine. Or maybe he asked the stranger and...

What was I even saying? What if it is true that Ray actually wanted me dead?

Then who was that man and how was his timing so perfect?

I never got a chance to thank him and he just might be the only one that can tell me what really happened, if Ray truly sold me off.

"Father! Oh my father would be worried sick," I exclaimed as the thought of him crossed my mind, I put a call through to him.

"Oh My God!" My father's voice called out from the other end, "Sophia I was so worried that I almost..." he sighed in relief and I smiled weakly.

My father was the light in my world and his ability to make me smile regardless of whatever was going on made me love having him around even more.

"I am fine, father. Just got into a little bit of a sticky situation but I am sorting it out already. At the hospital closest to the city park." I said to him, I could tell which hospital I was in by just looking out the window at the street.

"What? What are you doing at a..." he yelled and just as I opened my mouth to assure him that I was fine, I noticed something move in front of me and I glanced up sharply to find the stranger from before.

My heart skipped a beat and I slowly ended the call and let the phone drop from my ear to my side.

His hat was gone this time, giving me a clear view of his dark hair and thick brows. His sharp green eyes were captivating so I couldn't look away when he held my gaze. His muscles flexed underneath his shirt as he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall.

Regardless of how captivating he was physically, there was this dark, strange aura around him that creeped me out. As if he was the grim reaper coming for my soul or something.

When he moved, his shirt opened up a little and I noticed the tattoo of a hawk on his chest.

"Thank you." I managed to mumble, suddenly realizing that I had been staring at him and salivating for way too long. I forced myself to swallow and tried to concentrate on what had happened.

"Thank you for saving me but I need to know if Ray sent you? I don't believe what those guys said about him and I don't believe Ray would do something like that to me. He cares about me too much to do that."

A dark chuckle slipped from him before he pushed himself away from the wall and stepped closer to my bed,

"You think I saved you?" He asked with an expression on his face that I couldn't read, "I didn't save you Sophia, I would never save you nor would your little boyfriend. Whatever the men told you about him is the truth. The man you have known all your life is someone I bet you don't wanna know about. Being with him for three years as I have learned, I can commend you really ate with a devil... Fuck, I really want you because of that but," He paused and held my eyes before he continued,

"I am simply here to collect you as the collateral that was promised. It's been over a month and he has failed to pay back. I mean, I couldn't let those men harm you."

I had no idea when he moved away from the wall until he grabbed my chin and turned my face sideways as if he was examining me.

"You would fetch me a whole lot of money anyways so I don't care if he pays up or not." He added with a grin and I felt a chill race down my spine.

My eyes widened in shock because his face was so close to mine that I could barely breathe or think straight. His heavy, musky scent was intoxicating and filled my head almost immediately.

"W-What is this about? What collateral?" I managed to ask.

"Listen Sophia, I know you're pretending not to know about this and I don't have time to waste. I am someone you don't want to cross paths with but when you do, things don't end well for you." He growled.

"But I have no idea what you're talking about." I protested, not sure if this was the time to be brave or at least pretend to be.

"You're saying you don't remember agreeing to be his collateral? You don't remember signing the papers and you don't remember speaking to me on the phone and even agreeing again?"

"Be whose collateral?" I asked, exasperatedly and with my brows furrowed.

"Ray's."

At the mention of that name, it felt like something shattered inside of me and the entire world around me faded away, leaving me alone with the stranger that had just mentioned his name.

I was Ray's collateral?

"He took a loan of five hundred thousand dollars and you agreed to become my property if he doesn't pay up. I have your signature and thumb prints on the papers just in case you try to wriggle your way out of this." He said with a wide smile on his face as if he was enjoying whatever this was.

I had no idea what else to do than to burst out laughing but it was obvious that I was freaking nervous due to how his intimidating posture towered above me.

Nothing he was saying made sense to me.

What was he talking about? I never agreed to be anyone's collateral. Ray never even mentioned he was taking out any loan, he wanted to before but I ended up borrowing him my own money instead.

"I sincerely have no idea what you're talking about. How can I agree to be a collateral to a loan I don't know about? It makes no sense at all. Maybe you have me mistaken for someone else."

He didn't say a word, he simply brought out some papers from behind me that I had not noticed until that very moment. He pulled it open and turned it towards me, a gasp slipped from me when I saw my signature right underneath where my name was written boldly on top and the word, "Collateral" written in front of it.

A fingerprint was even on it and it had been stamped...

That was impossible! How was my signature on that document? My heart began to race as I grabbed the document from him and got a good look at it.

A gasp slipped from me when it hit me. I had seen these papers before but where? I racked my memories for it and like a truck slamming into me, it hit me.

That day, Ray asked me to help him sign and stamp my fingerprints on papers he had said was for a contract he got which he used me as one of his surety to gain the trust of the man that had given it to him.

Ray had taken me to the office of the man he had mentioned who was also helping him fund the contract and I agreed to meet and talk with him because Ray made me believe the man wanted a serious minded person in a serious relationship.

It felt good to know he thought of me as a serious relationship so I went as far as talking on phone with someone I thought was the man I met with Ray who asked if I was willing to be his collateral and I said yes.

The man never mentioned anything about a loan to me and I wasn't suspicious of anything since I had met with him and saw the contract but now it dawned on me that I had been manipulated and deceived.

I trusted Ray and didn't read through the documents I signed. It happened two months after I had lent him my money he made away with.

My breath became labored and it suddenly felt like the room was spinning around me. Ray had done the worst to me, from taking all my money to signing me away to a stranger and not only that, he had also given the go ahead for some men to kill me.

The back of my eyes stung as I stared up at the stranger who was there to collect me as a collateral for something I was tricked into by a man I dated for three years and loved with all my heart. How could he be capable of doing all that to me?

"Please...you have to help me here. I had no idea what happened. I was tricked into this," I pleaded with the stranger as tears rolled down my cheeks. "I..I didn't know it was a loan." I struggled to speak but the lump in my throat seemed to spread rapidly, making it even more painful and impossible to talk clearly.

"You have two options, either pay me back the five hundred thousand dollars he borrowed or get ready to become one of my properties. Either way, I get my money back." The stranger growled and I didn't think twice before agreeing to it.

I had no idea where or how I was supposed to get the money but it was better than becoming an item for him to display and sell.

"I will definitely pay, just give me a few weeks and the money should be ready."

"It had better be." He replied sharply before he turned and walked out of the room.

I collapsed back on the bed, trying so hard to steady my breath while thinking at the same time of a way to come up with such an amount of money within such a short period of time.

It was impossible and I was so helpless that all I could do at that moment was cry.

At that moment, my father rushed in and the sight of him made the tears roll down my cheeks in heavy torrents.

What was I going to do?

"Sophy, I saw a man leaving your ward, who is he? He doesn't seem like he is a gentleman," my father said, panic evident in his eyes.

"Oh, that man. He is no one. He only saved me and I thanked him and he is gone," I said trying to wipe my tears off but instead broke out crying bitterly.

My father consoled me after informing me that he heard about Ray leaving the country. Father was aware I borrowed all my money from Ray and tried not to make me feel sad but I was more than sad, I was petrified.

I was scared of what the stranger would do to me if I didn't pay back.

The money I lent Ray was the money for my exhibition, I thought he was going to pay it back but now that things had changed, I might never be able to hold that exhibition and father knew that.

"I will make sure I get the money to make your exhibition a success." He said reassuringly, as if he read my mind.

"And how do you intend to do that, dad? I know you don't have any money and also anyone to reach out for help."

"Trust me, Sophia. I will do anything in my power to fulfill your long awaited dream." He whispered as he pulled me into his embrace.

For a second, I felt relieved, hoping the money I will make from my upcoming exhibition will be enough to pay back the stranger.

It had better be or else...

Sophia's POV.

"I must say Sophia, you surpassed my expectations and this exhibition is the best I have seen so far. I would be making a donation at the end of the day to support you and if you don't mind, my company would like to market some of your art pieces." One of the men father invited said to me and a wide smile appeared on my face as I thanked him profusely.

It's been two whole weeks since the incident with the stranger and Ray's disappearance. I had filed a report at the station and they said they would handle it but there was no development on the case and I knew better than to bank on the police to save me from the stranger.

"I am someone you don't want to cross paths with but when you do, it doesn't end well for you."

Those words were my driving force over the weeks. I needed to raise his money and the only way to stand a chance was the exhibition.

Father surpassed my expectations, I had no idea how he had managed to put together all the funds we needed but he did and simply refused to tell me anything about it. He invited as many guests as possible, important guests he associated with before his company went bankrupt.

I was amazed at how they turned up in their numbers and actually bought enough art pieces and even complimented me to the extent that they decided to work with me.

"...and sold to the gentleman in the blue suit." One of my auctioneer's voices echoed around the room as she sold off the last piece of the night at the auction we had put together to sell the artwork.

I glanced at my phone and was elated to see the figures we had made for the night. The amount surpassed my expectations and I was more than happy because I now had the money to pay off the stranger.

I was about to join my auctioneers backstage when a loud noise erupted from the back of the hall and everyone's attention turned towards it. A group of men in black coats were causing a scene so I rushed over there to see what was going on and was stunned to see them dragging my father towards the exit.

"What is going on here? Let him go." I yelled as I rushed over to their side and tried to pull him away from them but one of them shoved me aside roughly and I crumbled to the ground.

"Sophia! Go back to the auction and let me handle this." Father cried out on top of his lungs but I simply refused to back down.

By now, the guests were already distracted by the ruckus but I paid no attention to what was going on, instead, I ran after them. They refused to stop dragging him along with them, neither did they consider the fact that he was old when they pushed him down the stairs. I screamed when I saw the cut on his lower lip due to the fall and they didn't stop until they got close enough to a black van parked outside the building.

The door swung open immediately and a man dressed just like the ones that had dragged father out, stepped out and stood tall in front of father.

A gasp slipped from me as I crumbled to the floor beside my father and my breath got stuck in my throat. My heart began to beat so fast that it felt like it was about to rip its way out of my chest.

Why the hell was he here? Was he here for the money? But if he was here for the money then why was he taking my father away.

"My father has nothing to do with this, I am the one that owes you money so please let him go. The money is ready, I am going to pay everything tonight so please, don't hurt my father, he is innocent. I am the collateral right, he is not part of this please." I sobbed, begging at his feet but he simply stepped away from me.

I glanced up at him and was stunned to see the cold look in his eyes as he stared down at me,

"As much as I love to hear that my money is ready, this is not about you. I am not here for you Sophia, I am here for another debtor." He replied, his gaze fixed on my father.

I glanced at my father and then back at him, what was he talking about?

"He stole $1 million from me and like I told you earlier, it never ends well for whoever crosses paths with me," he squatted in front of father with a heavy frown on his face. "Did you really think you could hide from me? That you could steal from me and I would not find you?"

"My father would never steal from anyone, you must be mistaken."

"Like you said I was about you?" He raised a brow at me and I turned to face father, to confirm that whatever this man was saying was not true.

My father shook his head weakly, "I didn't do anything Sophia. I would never steal." He whispered and I believed him.

He was about to say something when one of the men that had dragged him out landed a slap on his face and pushed him to the ground with his foot.

"Keep quiet." He hissed and I immediately sprang forward and used my body to shield my father's.

"Don't touch him!" I yelled on top of my lungs as tears rolled down my cheeks, "He said he didn't steal your money."

"Please, please just take the money I owe you and leave." I sobbed as cold sweat broke out all over me, the stranger looked really pissed and I was scared of what he would do to my father.

"And what about the money he stole?" The stranger asked with a cold voice that cut through the air like a sharp blade.

"We don't even know what you're talking about. If you can just explain maybe we would be able to point out that there is a misunderstanding s–"

"I don't have time for this," he snapped as he signaled to his men to grab father and before I could do anything, I was pushed aside and father was tossed into their van.