Zinnia
I should never have gone behind Reed’s back and called the Bull.
The realization hit me hard as I stood alone in the dimly lit hallway, my pulse pounding so hard it echoed in my ears. At the time, it had felt like the right thing to do. I was sick of sitting around, waiting for Roman to make the next move, tired of letting the monster who had destroyed my life continue to dictate my every step. But now, as I stood here, a lamb in a wolf’s den, I knew Reed had been right all along.
Roman wasn’t stupid. He would never believe Reed would willingly let me out of his sight, not after everything we had been through. This plan, this reckless gamble, was hanging by a thread, and I wasn’t sure if it would hold. But it was too late now.
The Bull had gone over the details one last time, his voice low and unwavering. “No contact once you’re taken. You have one job, Zinnia-find out everything you can about my sister before they either set you free or kill you.”
The weight of those words settled in my chest like a lead brick. I swallowed, my throat dry. “And if things go sideways?”
The Bull had only stared at me for a moment before turning away, disappearing into the shadows without another word. No reassurance. No backup plan. Just silence.
Now, standing there, alone, the walls closing in, doubt gnawed at me.
Maybe I could still back out. Maybe I could turn around and find the Bull, tell him we had to come up with something else, anything else. My gut twisted as I took a hesitant step forward, my mind swirling with ways to fix this mistake. The air in the hallway felt heavier now, suffocating even. Every shadow seemed to move, each creak of the old flooring echoing like a warning.
That was when I felt a heavy and suffocating presence like a storm rolling in. Before I could react, before I could even think, a strong arm wrapped around me from behind, pinning me against an unforgiving chest. A cloth, soaked in something sharp and acrid, pressed against my mouth and nose.
No. No, no, no-
I thrashed, my instincts kicking in, but my limbs felt sluggish, my strength fading faster than I could fight it. My vision blurred, darkness creeping at the edges of my sight.
“Easy now,” a voice murmured, thick with amusement. “Roman’s gonna be real pleased with this little gift.”
I tried to fight, tried to scream, but my body betrayed me. My mind screamed in protest as the world slipped away, swallowed by the darkness I had walked right into.
*****
A sharp sting burned against my cheek, the force of the slap jolting me back into consciousness. My head spun, nausea rolling in waves through my stomach. The floor beneath me was cold, the metallic scent of blood lingering in the air.
I groaned, my eyelids heavy as I tried to lift my head. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the cracked concrete walls. My wrists burned, the coarse rope binding them biting into my skin.
“Well, well, look who’s awake,” a voice sneered.
I forced my gaze up, my vision still hazy. A man stood in front of me, his stance casual but his eyes filled with cruel amusement. One of Roman’s men. I didn’t recognize him, but the insignia on his jacket was enough to make my blood run cold.
I licked my dry lips, forcing down the fear clawing at my throat. “If you’re waiting for me to scream, it’s not gonna happen,” I rasped.
The man chuckled, crouching in front of me. “Oh, we’re not in a rush. Roman will decide what to do with you soon enough.” He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. “But I gotta say, you’re either real brave or real stupid for walking right into our hands.”
I didn’t flinch. I refused to. I force myself to believe that whatever happened or was about to happen to me was because I wanted it. Was because I wanted Roman to believe that he had me trapped once again. And although that gut-wrenching thought of everything I had endured came crashing like a thousand bricks, I force myself to say: “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
The man’s grin widened before he let go of me roughly, standing up. “Sit tight, sweetheart. Roman’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
As he turned away, my mind raced. I had to focus, had to remember why I was here. The Bull’s sister. I had to find information on her whereabouts and kill Roman. But first, I had to survive.
Hours after being drugged, I wake up groggy, my head pounding like someone had taken a hammer to it. My wrists burn, the rough rope cutting into my skin as I struggle to move. I’m in a warehouse. I can smell rust, damp wood, and something sickly sweet, like old blood. I swallow hard, trying to calm my breathing. My heart is racing so fast I can hear it in my ears. I yank at my restraints again, but it’s useless. Whoever tied these knots knew what they were doing.
Shit.
The plan was reckless, but I hadn’t anticipated being this scared. I hadn’t anticipated how real it would feel to be back in Roman’s hands again. Every part of me screams to stay strong, to hold my ground, but there’s this creeping doubt settling into my chest. What if this was a mistake? What if this was the last choice I ever made? What if Reed doesn’t find me in time?
Footsteps echo from somewhere behind me, growing louder. My breath catches. I can’t see who it is, but I know. Roman.
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