SOLD TO THE GANG LEADER

Adriana's POV

It felt amazing to finally finish college. Four years away from home, and now I'm wondering how much has changed since I left.

The plane ride from Otranto to California felt like it dragged on forever. I had a window seat in first class, so it wasn't terrible, but even with the extra legroom and decent food, I was more than ready to be off that plane. There's only so much sitting still a person can take especially after four years away from home.

Once we landed, I made my way to baggage claim and grabbed all of my luggage, which let's be honest was probably more than I needed. But hey, I was moving back home. A girl has to be prepared.

I scanned the crowd, expecting to see my parents waiting for me with excited smiles and maybe even a welcome-home sign. But instead, my eyes landed on a man in a dark suit holding a small white sign with my name typed neatly across it: Adriana Hayes.

A chauffeur. Of course.

I sighed, half amused, half confused, and made my way over to him with a polite smile. Without saying much, he gave a respectful nod, took my bags effortlessly, and led me through the bustling airport to a sleek black limousine parked just outside.

A limo. Seriously?

Guess my dad wanted to make a statement.

Talk about arriving in style.

The car ride was quiet but thankfully short. Before I knew it, the massive house I grew up in came into view, standing just as tall and grand as I remembered. God, I missed this place.

As soon as the car stopped, I hopped out and made a beeline for the front door. My feet seemed to know exactly where to go straight up the stairs and into my old room. I dropped my bags, launched myself onto the bed, and buried my face in the pillow.

"Oh, I missed you so much," I mumbled dramatically into the soft fabric.

"You're still a drama queen, huh?" a familiar voice teased with a chuckle.

Dylan.

I shot up and grinned before launching myself at him, knocking us both to the floor in a laughing heap.

"Ow," he groaned.

"You're fine. I always take the fall like a pro," I said, grinning. "Pretty sure I just saved your spine," he complained.

"Quit whining and hug me," I said, giggling as I threw my arms around him.

He let out a long-suffering sigh but hugged me back well, more like crushed me in a bear hug.

"I missed my wittle sister," he said in a ridiculous baby voice.

"Your wittle sister can't breathe," I gasped as he finally released me. I rolled off him and hit the floor with a thud.

"Thank God," I exaggerated, pushing myself up. "I thought I was gonna die."

"Oh, quit it," he laughed, getting to his feet.

I took a good look at my brother, and I could immediately tell he'd changed.

His frame had filled out, more muscle than I remembered, and his arms were covered in tattoos. His hair had darkened, and he looked... well, a lot more intimidating. But deep down, I knew he was still the same dork.

"Well, you look..." I paused, studying him, "different."

"Thanks," he said with a grin. "You, on the other hand... look awful."

"Perfect," I shot back with a smirk. "I was going for your look today."

He gave me a dramatic eye roll and a mock glare.

"Seems like you two are still getting along just fine," my mother's amused voice came from behind me.

"Mom," I called, spinning around to hug her. We embraced tightly, and I could feel her tears soaking into my shoulder. The familiar scent of her perfume and the warmth of her embrace made me feel like I was home again.

"I've missed you so much," she sniffled, pulling back slightly to look at me with watery eyes.

"I missed you too," I choked, fighting to keep my own tears at bay. We pulled apart, and she gently ran her fingers through my hair, like she used to when I was younger.

"You're absolutely gorgeous," she smiled, her eyes glistening with pride.

"Really?" I beamed, a little embarrassed. "Because I was told I looked awful today." I shot a glance at Dylan, who was still grinning like he was enjoying the whole scene.

"I'm not wrong," he teased with a playful wink.

I quickly spun around and punched him in the arm, my hand feeling the muscle beneath his shirt.

"Oww," he groaned dramatically. "Mom, she hit me!"

"Can you two act your age?" she giggled, her voice light but still full of that motherly authority.

"Dylan, you're 24, and Adriana, you're 22. Seriously, you two should know better by now." She shook her head, but the smile on her face said it all she was just as happy to have us back together as we were.

"What are you talking about? This is a solid sibling connection," I said with a grin, wrapping my arms around Dylan in a tight hug. We both flashed her cheesy, over-the-top smiles, and she just laughed, her heart clearly full of warmth.

"Where's Dad?" I asked, pulling away from Dylan and glancing around the house, suddenly aware of his absence.

He'll be home soon he had an important meeting to attend," Mom explained.

"Oh, okay," I said with a nod. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"Same," Dylan said, rubbing his stomach with a grin.

"There's food in the kitchen," Mom added with a smile.

"To the kitchen!" Dylan shouted, his footsteps thudding as he took off down the stairs.

"Yay, food!" I laughed, the smell of something warm and buttery drawing me after him.

Man, it feels so good to be home.

Adriana's POV

After a long, refreshing shower, I threw on a pair of soft lavender athletic shorts and a matching crop top. Feeling clean and relaxed, I sank into the couch, joining my mom and brother for a casual chat.

"So, when are you finally going to face me in tennis, slowpoke?" Dylan teased with a grin.

"Whenever you're ready to lose," I fired back, smirking.

"Ha ha," he laughed. "I'm not going to lose. I'm going to kick your a-"

He was cut off by my mom's warning tone.

"Dylan Alexander Hayes," my mom said firmly. "That sentence better end in 'butt.'"

"It was," he said quickly, then continued, "Anyway, you ready to lose?"

"Pssh," I giggled. "I'm ready to kick some... booty."

"That's my girl," my mom smirked.

Dylan and I grabbed rackets from the gym and walked outside to our tennis court. My mom grabbed a bag of tennis balls from the garage and handed them to us with a smile.

"Alright, let's do this!" Dylan yelled, serving the ball at me.

Luckily, I managed to return it and with a solid hit. The ball bounced back and forth for a bit before Dylan sent it flying out of bounds.

"Nooo," he groaned dramatically.

"Fifteen to zero!" my mom called from her chair on the patio. "Or fifteen–love." Dylan and I played three full matches of tennis. Sadly, I only won the first one.

"I'm the winner!" Dylan chanted proudly. He'd been repeating it for the past ten minutes, and I was seriously starting to get annoyed.

As we walked onto the patio, I grabbed a tennis ball and tossed it at the back of his head. "

"Really?" he frowned, then grabbed Mom's lemonade and took a long drink.

"I was drinking that," my mom frowned.

"Sorry, Mama," Dylan apologized, rubbing the back of his head.

I poured myself a glass of lemonade, only for Dylan to snatch it right out of my hand.

"Thanks, sis," he smirked, dropping into one of the patio chairs.

"You're welcome," I muttered under my breath as

I poured another glass. I sat down beside him, taking a small sip just as my mom started to speak.

"So, how was col-" she started, but she was cut off by the sound of the sliding door opening. My dad stepped out onto the patio.

"Dad!" I shouted, jumping up to hug him.

But the second I wrapped my arms around him, I knew something was off. He didn't hug me back. I stepped away and looked up at him. His eyes were glassy, filled with unshed tears, and guilt weighed heavy on his face.

"What's wrong, Dad?" Dylan asked cautiously. My mom stood up, her voice tight with concern. "What's going on, William?"

"I-I'm so sorry, Adriana," my dad choked out, his voice breaking.

"What happened?" I asked, my chest tightening.

He looked at me, tears spilling down his cheeks.

"I-I sold you," he said, barely above a whisper.

"You did what?!" I shouted, my voice rising with disbelief and panic.

Adriana's POV

"What do you mean you sold me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I sold you," he sighed, looking down.

"To who??" Mom yelled, her face contorted with anger. "Why?"

"Hunter Rivers," Dad gritted his teeth and huffed.

"Hunter Rivers?" Dylan raged, clearly furious.

"Who's Hunter Rivers?" I asked, my frustration growing. But no one answered me.

"Why on earth did you sell her to Hunter Rivers??" Mom yelled, her voice shaking with disbelief. "Why did you sell her in the first place?!"

"I didn't have a choice!!!" Dad snapped, his eyes wild. "Here were my options: watch him kill all of you, or give him Adriana. Luckily, he bought her for $100,000,000. But she has to move in with him... today."

"Today?!" I argued, feeling my heart race. "I just got here! And I don't even know who Hunter Rivers is!!".

Dad sighed and motioned for me to follow him. We all followed him into his office, and he told me to sit down. He took his seat behind the desk and let out another heavy sigh.

"Now Adriana," he began, "promise me you won't get mad."

"I'm already mad," I huffed.

"Fair enough," he said with another sigh. "Now, my corporation Hayes Industry isn't really what it seems."

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. Mom and Dylan moved behind Dad and stood by his side.

"Hayes Industry doesn't invest in stocks," he admitted. "We're a drug business. A gang, as a matter of fact."

"What?" I stared at him. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, he's serious," Mom sighed.

I stayed silent, trying to process it all.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" I snapped, my voice shaking with anger.

"We were trying to protect you," Dad said softly. "You always had such a bright outlook on life. I wanted to keep that for you to let you live without fear, without constantly looking over your shoulder."

"Then why did you tell Dylan?" I shot back, still reeling. I couldn't believe they had all kept this from me.

"Dylan got involved when he was seventeen," Dad explained with a heavy sigh.

"I didn't even know Dad ran a gang until I made my first drug deal with his people," Dylan added quietly.

"Wow," I breathed, finally starting to absorb it all.

"We did it to protect you," Mom said, her voice gentle but firm.

"I get that," I replied, trying to steady my emotions. "But who is Hunter Rivers? And why did you sell me to him?"

"Exactly!" Mom burst out. "Why would you sell our daughter to Hunter Rivers?!"

Dad sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Like I told you earlier, I didn't have a choice," he muttered, his voice tight with frustration.

"How did this even come up in the first place?" Dylan growled, disbelief lacing his words.

"Alright, let me explain from the beginning," Dad said. "I was supposed to meet with Hunter about some money I owe him. I told him I'd have it next week, but he's unforgiving, and I pushed him too far."

"Pushed him too far?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Yes," Dad continued, his voice growing heavier. "Hunter doesn't let things slide. He's dangerous, Adriana. He'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and I crossed a line that I shouldn't have."

"Anyway," he went on, "things escalated quickly, and he put a gun to my head. In the chaos, I knocked over a picture of you, and he saw it. He got curious, and that's when he gave me my options. But I wasn't letting you go without making him pay. I made sure he forked over the $100,000,000, and I'll give you half."

"Why didn't you fight back?" I wondered.

"Sweetheart, Hunter Rivers is younger and stronger than I am," Dad sighed.

"Oh," I mumbled. I was still furious that he sold me, but there was nothing I could do about it. A few tears rolled down my cheeks, and I buried my face in my hands. Soon, I felt strong arms wrap around me. Dylan.

"Don't cry, Adri," he cooed. "I'll get you out of this."

"Thanks, Dyl," I smiled at the old nickname I used to call him.

"No prob-" Dylan was cut off by a loud knock at the door.

"Rivers," Dad muttered.

"Shouldn't someone get that?" I asked.

"That's why we have butlers, sweetie," Mom smiled softly.

Soon, one of the butlers walked in, three men following behind him. The three men were all muscular, intimidating, and slightly attractive. They all had dark brown hair and tattoos on their necks and arms.

"We're here for the girl," one of the men boomed.

"Where's Hunter?" dad asked.

"In the car, he was on a phone call," the man explained.

"Well, all of her luggage is in her room," dad stated.

"Zane, Luke, go get her stuff and put it in the car," the man ordered. The other two men nodded and left the room.

"Adriana," dad began, "This is Marcus. One of Hunter's goons." Marcus and I locked eyes, and I gave him a weak smile.

"Goons? Really, that hurts," Marcus smirked and looked at me, "Well, Hunter was right. She is hot."

I could feel Dylan tense up next to me, which made Marcus chuckle.

"Anyway," Marcus sighed, "Let's go, Adriana. We have other things to do."

"O-Okay," I stuttered, standing up. Mom, Dad, and Dylan hugged me goodbye and escorted me outside. I wanted to cry, but I reminded myself that I was strong. I could get through this.

At least, I hoped I could.

When we reached the driveway, we were met by three sleek, black 2024 Range Rover Autobiographies with tinted windows. The two men Kent had sent to gather my belongings were carefully loading them into one of the vehicles.

"Call us if you need anything," Mom sobbed, her voice thick with emotion.

"Don't cry, Mom, I'll be fine," I reassured her, trying to stay calm.

"If Hunter tries anything, don't hesitate to kick his ass," Dylan said, offering a playful smirk. One of the men beside the cars chuckled softly.

"Roger that," I replied with a nervous laugh.

Dad then pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Remember, he's dangerous, so stay on his good side," he reminded me, his voice full of concern.

"Hunter doesn't have a good side," Dylan muttered, and the dry humor of his words made me smile.

"Adriana, I'm serious," Dad warned.

"I'll be careful, Dad. Don't worry," I reassured him.

"Here," Dad said, handing me a present.

Where did this come from? Had he been holding it the whole time? "Open it when you're alone. And use it if you need to," he whispered. I nodded and walked up to Hunter, who opened the car door for me.

I slid into the car and was surprised to find a very attractive man around my age.

"Hello, Adriana," his deep voice boomed, sending a shiver down my spine.