I looked for my staff, but I couldn’t find them immediately. In my haste, I grabbed the car keys myself and drove one of Gio’s cars.
When the house guard noticed my fast driving, he quickly opened the gate. I saw the bewilderment on his face, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.
I drove quickly towards our house. I parked the car haphazardly. I got out of the car and entered our home.
The gate was open, and it was quiet. I quickly entered our home.
The surroundings were dark, and there were no lights on. I called for helpers, but no one answered.
“Sienna?” I called for my younger sister.
I called her name several times until I heard Sienna’s voice.
“S-Sis, we’re in the kitchen.”
Her voice was weak, and it was clear she was overcome with tears. I immediately went there, ready to help Sienna with Aunt Elsie. But before I could enter the kitchen, I saw Sienna kneeling on the floor, her hands tied.
Aunt Elsie and other people in the house were in the same situation. My eyes widened when I saw the house guard, who had been shot.
There were many unfamiliar men here.
“I’m sorry, Sis. I’m sorry. They’ll kill Mama if I didn’t bring you here. I’m sorry.” I kept hearing Sienna’s repeated apologies.
Liquid welled up in the corners of my eyes, but it didn’t fall.
Through the back door, I saw a man enter. My eyes widened when I saw a familiar man with half his face covered.
“Nicolas…”
“It’s a pleasure you still remember me.” He snapped his fingers. I heard the click of a gun behind me, and I felt the cold metal pressed against my head. “I didn’t know how to approach you, so I used your family. I hope you don’t think ill of me.”
There was a sinister smile on his lips that you wouldn’t wish to see. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t know how to approach me! He planned all of this! He might know that with Gio gone, it meant the majority of Gio’s men were with him, and some Locatelli members were occupied with the meeting. During such gatherings, security at Gio’s headquarters tightens as the high-ranking officials of Gio’s organization convene. This means that my security at home becomes more relaxed. This is why I don’t leave the house alone when Gio goes abroad and Dario isn’t around, or they have meetings like this. But because of what Sienna told me earlier, I was so panicked that I didn’t think this could happen.
I might be able to save myself, but what about my sister and the others?
Sienna was still crying and asking for my forgiveness for what she did.
I clenched my fist before speaking with all my strength. “What do you want? Don’t hurt them!”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I don’t want you to be angry with me, but that is if… you willingly come with us. I just want to talk to you, Millie.”
He signaled to the man behind me, who spoke immediately, and I followed.
“Raise your hands,” he ordered. I did so while keeping my gaze fixed on Nicolas. He was grinning and seemed pleased that I was following their instructions.
One of the men immediately seized me and tied my hands to ensure I couldn’t resist. They also checked if I had anything hidden that I could use to free myself or any tracking device.
“All clear.”
“Take her to the car. Bring her sister too, so we can make sure Millie cooperates.”
Sienna cried louder as one of the men grabbed her and dragged her outside. Another man held me and followed the first man outside. But before the men could fully take me away, I glanced at Aunt Elsie.
“Call Gio,” I mouthed. I could only hope that Aunt Elsie understood.
~*~
My eyes were blindfolded. They did the same thing before to keep me from knowing where they were taking me. I can’t tell where we’re heading because the car has been running for a while now. Sienna is sitting next to me in the car. I reached for her hand and held it because she’s been crying for a while. Her hand feels cold and trembling. I remember myself in her position the first time I was captured because I’m Gio’s wife.
“Sis, I’m sorry. I really didn’t know what to do earlier. I put you in danger. They aimed a gun at Mom and said they would kill her if I didn’t bring you there, and I got scared.”
She’s been apologizing since earlier, and I know she doesn’t want me in this situation, but she doesn’t have a choice. Her mother’s life is at stake.
“It’s okay.” I held her hand tightly. I want to tell her that I know Gio will rescue us, but I also don’t want to let those who captured us hear it. Besides, Gio might not be in the country yet.
I don’t know what Nicolas wants from me, but I have a growing feeling that he’s connected to the Belleza family.
After a long journey, the car stops. I feel the door opening, and someone pulls us out.
“Sis!” Sienna cries.
“I’m right here, Sienna,” I assure her.
I grope my way as I walk. I want to know where I am. I hope Aunt Elsie or one of Gio’s people managed to contact Gio.
They lead us into a room and finally remove the blindfolds. I see Sienna and breathe a sigh of relief that she seems okay, aside from the fear she must be feeling.
Nicolas catches my eye as he enters the room. He grins when he sees me and greets me warmly.
“Hello, Millie,” he says.
I clench my fists and almost lunge at him when I realize that Sienna and I are both chained. I close my eyes tightly.
“There’s no escape. I’ll only release you when you need to eat, but you’ll remain locked up here because I need you, Millie.”
Nicolas takes a deep breath.
“I thought you’d side with me after learning about your mother and what Gio Locatelli did, but I was wrong. I underestimated you, my dear.”
I turn away from him when he touches me. No one can touch me except my husband.
Nicolas straightens up before looking me in the eye. “You are part of our organization, Millie. You were already a part of my organization before you were even born. Your whole life is tied to my family. So what you’re doing now is betrayal. Nevertheless, I’ll turn a blind eye to all this. Just do everything I say.”
My forehead creased at what he said. I had a strong sense of where this conversation was heading.
“What do you mean?” I asked him. I pretended not to know, but my instincts were growing stronger about who he really was. If I had been hesitant before, now I wanted to trust my instincts.
“Your mother was a part of the Belleza family when she was still alive. When she became pregnant, she promised my father that, like her, her child would also serve us faithfully. Too bad she died early. Nevertheless, her promise remains unbroken, even in the afterlife.”
As he spoke, all my suspicions seemed to align even more.
“I know nothing about that, Nicolas! Who are you really?” I had to pretend that I had no idea. I would gather the information I needed to confront Nicolas. If I had to pretend to be swayed by him, I would.
I could see a slight curve of his lips on half of his face.