Kidnapped by my ex's boss

As I gulped in the next shot, the muted tones of the bass music slammed in my ears and swam beneath my skin. How many had I already taken? Even though I had lost count, it didn't matter because I was still sane.

I felt a wave of vertigo as soon as I moved. Perhaps I had gone a little too far. I didn't realise someone was calling my name until I felt a hand abruptly shake my shoulder. I turned to face my closest friend.

"Sarah! For the benefit of Pete. Why are you in this place? With a heaving motion, Bailey let out a curse and ran towards me. Remembering that I'd called her here took a time.

"Bailey." I drew her in with a smile and said, "Come drink with me."

She shook her head, but didn't move from her spot at the bar next to me.

"Is it about him, baby?" Under the lights, her voice was clear and sweet as she enquired. She could have dipped me in ice instead.

The thought still caused my heart to thump terribly. I wanted to forget about him forever. Athan Slater. That idiot.

My fiancé-or rather, my ex-fiance.

Life was pleasant. I believed that as long as I had him, it didn't matter how bad my hand was from the start. When I dropped out, Ethan helped me through my mother's illness and remained by my side till her death. He had swept me off my feet. He was my rock, and I believed that he was the same.

That's what I believed until I heard nothing when I got home, discovered that all of his possessions were gone, and discovered his engagement ring and a note that said, "It's over," on the dinner table.

Done. After three years of courtship, they split up. And he couldn't even say it directly.

It had taken me an entire day to come to terms with the fact that he was not returning. I asked all his acquaintances and the individuals I assumed he worked for, and I searched everywhere for him, but nothing turned up. He had vanished, leaving me alone.

I had already progressed through half of the grieving process, from acceptance that he wouldn't return to anguish and guilt.

Was I the one? Was it something I'd done? Was I a burden, in his opinion?

I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was working at an office with no skills, barely out of high school, just to make ends meet. As a security guard, it was him who brought in the majority of the cash. He had never addressed my feelings of inadequacy as an issue, but he had always consoled me when I felt inadequate. He could have easily told me if that was the case.

Or was there another reason?

I had now chosen to feel rage, as there was no way to know otherwise.

"I'll report sick to work tomorrow on your behalf." Bailey jolted me out of my reverie with her voice.

No need, I said, shaking my head. It was oppressive to consider spending more time in that house than was required. Whether I was drunk or not, I wasn't going to stay in. In the first place, the office job wasn't that vital. I wouldn't be the first person to arrive there inebriated.

"I appreciate you coming here for me." As I mentioned,

You weren't supposed to come here by yourself. Things happen in settings like this all the time. Things mafia and gang related. Horrible garbage. She flicked her braid and gave me a wary look. "We must leave here as soon as it is necessary."

Observing the concern in her gaze, I hummed. I could see why she was always so worried about visiting places like this. If my life was difficult, hers had been much worse. She talked a lot about that, always being so unduly circumspect. Occasionally, she would regale me with a series of hazy tales about various things that she said she had heard from a friend of a friend, all of them terrifying. from trafficking to gangs to the shadowy underworld. She had even mentioned the Mafia boss before.

Again, what was that name? Dante? David?

"Whatever," I thought as I got up from the chair. Although I appreciated her prudence, all I wanted to do tonight was forget.

I said, "I'm going to dance." I moved fast, amazingly stable for an alcoholic, before she could object. I moved, swaying to the beat of the music as I blended in with the crowd.

It was not like me to do any of this. Clubs and bars had never been my scene, mostly because it would never have been appropriate to do so while I was engaged. It was time for something different.

My courage came from the drink as I joined in the crowd's dancing. I started to feel a little pressure in the middle. Odd. I could feel someone watching me.

Since I was near the periphery of the dancing crowd, it wasn't too difficult to turn around. I saw the look and quickly froze.

There was a man seated on a chaise lounge. The lights dance across his face, deepening the shadows to accentuate his chiselled jaw and blackened hair.

But I was imprisoned by his intense stare. I was afraid of it because it was so intense that I found myself pulled to it.

The crowd of people about me felt oppressive all of a sudden. I made myself turn away, pushing and tugging to get out of the crowd and stumble into the arms of those I knew.

Bailey mumbled, "I think that's enough for today, babe." I lacked the will or the strength to object. She helped me out of the club together as I staggered.

I looked up, saying an apology, after a severe bump. The look was so familiar, like the mysterious man I had met before.

There was not time to think things out. I skirted him and met the refreshing night air outside the club. All other memories vanished until I stepped into Bailey's plush vehicle seat cushion.

..

I felt immediate guilt for turning down Bailey's offer the following day. I forced myself to go to the office and work despite having a pounding headache and feeling sick.

I had to let go. Ignore him. I was able to look after myself.

That was my motivation for the entire day. Bailey could only help me so much when it came to quelling the migraine-inducing cries coming from our manager's office. She needed to leave, I had to persuade her, lest the manager see her with me and try to get even with her.

The hours passed inertly, yet my motivation persisted. When nighttime finally arrived, I treated myself to some takeaway and ice cream before returning to the flat.

I hummed softly as I worked my way through the takeaway with my keys, but nothing occurred when I tried to use them. My door was not locked.

My heart began to rush right away. There was a problem.

I never forgot to lock the doors, not even on the morning after a late night. Had I?

I cautiously opened the door as anxiety filled me, yet something bothered me even though nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everything was as it was supposed to be. I stepped inside and looked around to see what had set off my alarm.

Then I caught sight of it. In the corner of the space, there was a human-shaped shadow.

"How the heck is that?"

Suddenly, a hand covered my lips. I screamed at it, but before I could fight back, a stinging chemical smell flooded my nostrils.

All was lost.

"Hmm."

I saw the world again in a blur. Despite my heavy eyelids, I forced them open. Everything seemed to reverberate, and I could only dimly make out a faint dripping sound.

When I finally woke up, I saw that it was getting dark. utterly dark.

Where the hell was I?

My recollection of being kidnapped returned to me. I strained and made an instant attempt to stand up, but something rough scraped at my back and arms. Glancing down, I saw that my arms were restrained by the low lights. I started to panic.

What on earth was happening?

Who was it that had stolen me? How could they possibly harm me?

I became more and more aware that I was in an empty place as I grew used to the sight. It was unable to pinpoint my exact location right now. The quiet slammed against my heart. On the way back home, I thought back on the memories, and I just couldn't stand it yet. I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. I didn't even get to see who abducted me, holy crap.

It was then that I remembered Bailey's incessant warnings about being safe. I squeezed my eyes shut to prevent myself from crying.

The moment I heard a loud metallic sound and footsteps, my heart almost leaped out of my body. I sprinted into the shadows and saw two approaching shadows.

I was unable to see their faces, not even up close. The instant they halted a few inches from me, I stiffened.

"Who are you?" "What do you want?" I trembled, unable to control myself.

A harsh voice said, "Shut up. We're the ones asking questions."

I took a sharp breath to try to relax myself, but it didn't help.

What more could they ask for from -

"Ethan Graves, where are you?"

My breathing became laboured. It takes a second to process that name. My fiancée's name.

What made them want to find him? Why?

"I'm not sure." When I gave an honest response, I was so taken aback and perplexed that I was unaware of it.

Well, what else could I say? It was the truth.

My ears were pierced by laughs. They included no humour at all. Before I knew what to do, one of them moved in closer, his mask becoming more noticeable.

We have two options: the simple way or the difficult way. You wouldn't want us to damage that attractive face, I'm sure. He complained,

Instinctively, I cringed.

"I am being truthful." I merely said that so that a severe grip might firmly crush my cheeks.

He asked, "You want to keep acting stupid?" and I threw my head back. My neck ached from the discomfort.

Sarah, please don't weep. I kept saying to myself, "Don't cry," but it didn't feel helpful.

It was just too much. I had recently been left behind, devastated, and now I was kidnapped under threat of torture? Why?

Will you now start talking? Says one of the males. That was my last straw.

"What on earth are you expecting me to tell you?" "I don't know where the hell he is," I cried out. A few days ago, he abandoned me and left me with nothing except an idiotic note! From me, what do you want?

I was unable to contain it any longer. My whimpers and cries filled the room. It was very embarrassing that these folks thought this of me.

"The difficult route is the-"

"Cease." Suddenly, a whole new voice could be heard.

"The boss is eager to see her in person."

A beat skipped in my heart. What was happening?

I stiffened as soon as the men approached, but instead of doing anything inappropriate, they undid the ropes that were securing me. I was so happy to be free that my arms hurt, but I didn't have time to enjoy it before I was pulled to my feet and taken away.

I was hardly aware that I was truly in a cellar when they carried me upward. Once we were outside and walking through the corridors, I flinched at the dazzling lights. The skinny man in front led me.

I stopped right away when they stopped. The man turned to face me as he opened the door.

He said, "Go."

I was let loose by the men next to me. I cautiously staggered forward, doing as he said. As soon as I walked in, the door shut behind me, but my attention had already moved.

The man facing me from behind the desk.

I looked away and stood motionless, surreptitiously mopping my tears. Something ignited in my head as I faced him once more.

I knew who he was, but how? I rummaged through my memories, but they were all hazy.

"Take a seat." His rich, deep voice rang forth. I shifted as I sat and did so. Upon closer inspection, it finally dawned on me. I could still recognise it even in my fog.

That look.

It was the nightclub guy.

Sorry about how you were treated, Cara. My men are sometimes rude. He stated. I felt uneasy as the deep rumbled through me. I shifted on the chair in an attempt to cover my eyes.

"What am I doing wrong?" I talked in a raw voice. I had no time for phoney sentiments.

"You are aware of the reason already. That's why I brought you here. He leaned forward and said,

"Ethan," I said, eavesdropping. My brain whirled with correlation. Was it merely a coincidence that he was there? What made him search for Ethan?

To begin with, who was he?

He reclined in his chair at the corner where I could see him.

He said, "If you can tell me where your fiance is, I'll lead you on your merry way. Silence won't do you any good." He uttered,

"I don't even know who you are." Without thinking, I lost my temper. He hummed before the regret could set in.

It's true that not everyone, even your fiance, gets to see my face. I still keep my word, though.

"What are your desires with him?" I enquired,

"Are you the one asking questions or am I?" His light-hearted tone didn't make me feel any less cold. My lips were pursed. He sighed after a few seconds.

"It's my job to know where he is, isn't that right?" He uttered,

That's what made me decide to check. Worker?

The words "You aren't his boss" escaped my mouth before I could process them.

"I know him; I had a conversation with him yesterday. You are not him.

Ethan was a guard for a security company. I had gone to the aforementioned workplace to enquire, but I was promptly dismissed. Since I didn't know his coworkers well, I made unsuccessful attempts to find out.

His brows knitted for a brief while, and a taut feeling enveloped me, making me feel constricted.

"And to whom did you speak, Cara?" His eyes blazed as he questioned.

Once more, with that accursed moniker.

My pulse raced as I whispered the name I knew by heart, hoping for his response. He burst out laughing.

"You believed he was employed by security?" He questioned, stressing the word as though it were the most absurd thing he had ever heard.

He was making fun of me. My mouth tightened in frustration, but I was too stunned to speak again.

He shook his head and stopped laughing.

"Not at all. He was employed by me.

His remarks struck me as a blow.

"I should have introduced myself. Please pardon my mistake, Cara. He raised his hand and spoke.

Dominic Caruso. Glad to have met you

I was instantly moved by the name.

I was struggling to remember Dominic Caruso's name last night.

Dominic, the leader of the city's subterranean Mafia. Bailey informed me about the vicious, strong man at the head of the criminal organisation. The same group, none of whose members I should dare meet.

I was meeting the boss right here. The boss Ethan seems to be working for.

I declined to hold his hand. I was so full of tension and panic that I was unable to.

What harm could this man possibly do to me?

He laughed and pulled back his hand.

"It appears that you are still in shock." He leaned back and grinned. Through shock, I could hardly feel his presence.

There had to be a joke or prank involved.

I exclaimed, "No-no, you're with the wrong person." He is employed for a security company.

Like a bodyguard, not a member of a gang.

"You're kind of right, cara." I was startled out of my reverie when he declared, "Ethan Graves wasn't working as a bodyguard per se." Though you might claim he occasionally performed some guard duty, he was employed by me as a straightforward enforcer in my company. It was merely a facade.

He got up and leaned in before I could even think. As his deep brown eyes pierced mine, I gasped.

"Your lovely fiancé took something significant from me. Two days ago, he abruptly defected and left little trace. Since then, we have been looking for him without success.

I felt a cold go through me. Two days prior? That's when he departed.

Given your relationship, you were thus our last choice. Things might have been simpler if you had known where he was, but it doesn't seem like he ever really told you anything. He chuckled and leaned back in the chair.

His hints made something acrid crawl up my throat. I desired to stand up for myself.

I was acquainted with Ethan. Over the last five years, I have known him. But now, all I had known about him had shattered beneath me. Which lies were they? He had lied to me how many times? Was all that said about us a lie?

How in the world had he done it? What had he pulled me along for?

He had departed and probably anticipated this would occur. He left me to bear the consequences on purpose. He was the one who threatened to torture me.

I desired no involvement in this.

I promise that I have no idea about this at all, just like you do. All of his possessions were gone when I returned home, along with a note. You may verify for yourself by checking. As I mentioned,

Thus, he abandoned you. I assume that explains why you were so inebriated in the club, huh? With a hint of humour, he posed the question.

I gritted my teeth to resist the need to respond. I was at his mercy, and I wasn't dealing with an ordinary individual.

"Please," I cried, "I've told you everything I know. I don't want to deal with this and I don't have any. All I have to do is return to my regular life. Please release me.

I could act as though this was simply a horrible dream if he did. It was not as good as this, but at least the memory would last.

"You have my belief."

My veins filled with relief before his voice reappeared.

"However, I can't let you go."

Shock and panic set in as I snapped.

"What?"

Even my own men are frequently unaware of who I am. You now recognise who I am because you have seen my face. Is there any chance you won't tell anyone? He enquired,

"I swear, I won't." I panicked and ran outside.

A tiny smile twisted his lips. He leaned in, sending a shudder down my spine.

"Well, cara, we're not aware of that, are we?"

His eyes had a sparkle in them that made me think of winning. Why was he looking so happy?

It dawned on me suddenly.

'He did that on purpose,' I realized.

introducing himself and bringing me here. His purpose for talking to me and sharing with me was not only to question me, but also to keep me in this place and provide him an excuse to trap me. It was extortion.

There was nothing I could do about it.

I felt a wave of hot wrath come over me, but before I could say anything, he moved away.

"You'll have to remain here for the time being. You never know, your fiancé might come after you.

His idea came together in its entirety. If I had not been seated, I would have fallen apart.

He turned to face me, but I was able to catch up to him before he did. Before I could get to it, the door clammed shut. My doom was sealed with a far-off click.

I was confined to this place.

Abruptly, the feelings I had been trying to suppress surfaced once more. I screamed, slapping the mahogany wood.

"Get over it!"

Before heat started to seep down my cheeks, my eyes burned intensely. For the second time that night, I gave in to my sorrow and stopped suppressing my sobs.