5

I staggered back, wincing as a jolt of pain shot up my leg. My palpitating heart ached in my chest when I lifted my head to see one of Massimo's men staring daggers at me.

"And where do you think you're going?" He asked in a gruff voice that made dread twist in my gut, making me feel sick.

I shook my head, struggling to think of a reasonable excuse. My heart thumped so loud that it drowned out my thoughts.

I moved back, limping because the more I tried to put my weight on my right leg, the more it stung like a knife buried in molten lava had been shoved into my ankle.

Unsure of what to say, I resorted to begging, saying, "Please, let me go." The raw panic in my voice could not be missed.

He gripped my arm, harshly dragging me with him. Pain lashed across my ankle, and tears glistened in my eyes, threatening to roll down.

"Ouch! My leg," I whimpered with trembling lips.

He paid deaf ears to my pleas, dragging me further.

"Please, I promise I'll go far away from here. I'll pay you when I get–" I swallowed the rest of my words when he vigorously shook me.

"Shut the fuck up," he growled.

Tears rolled down my eyes as pain lacerated my leg, and his grasp tightened around my arm, causing his nails to bite into my skin.

"I found her!" He announced once we got into the midst of the rest of the men and an angry Massimo.

He shoved me, and the moment I fell, a scream slipped out of my lips at the immense pain that the push came with. I landed into a pair of strong arms, feeling helpless like a caged animal.

I was forcefully whirled around by the strong arms, and now I was facing Massimo.

For a fleeting moment, my heart ceased to beat when I met his eyes, which blazed with anger that spread across his face, turning it red.

He trudged towards me, his jaw clenched, and fingers rolled into fists.

"What did I tell you about running away?" His deep voice sent terror down my spine, and I limped backwards, bumping into the chest of the man who had spun me to face Massimo.

His anger dissolved for a second, and he eased his facial muscles, glancing down at my ankle.

"I–I'm sorry," I stammered, voice shaking.

Massimo's eyes narrowed into slivers, his veins throbbing in his temples.

"I asked you a simple question," he said, lifting his eyes back to my face. "What did I tell you about trying to escape?"

My chest tightened.

"You–you warned me–me against it, threatening to have your men shoot me." A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard, trying to dislodge it.

Snapping his mouth shut, he pivoted on the balls of his feet, walking away from me.

Worse case scenarios flashed in my head. What if he was going to get a gun?

"Please, don't kill me," I begged, desperately trying to limp after him, but before I could take a step, the man behind me clutched my arms, firmly holding me in place.

Massimo trudged into the mall, leaving me with little to no knowledge of what he had planned.

Had he forgiven me? My heart hammered in my chest. Maybe he wouldn't kill me today.

I struggled, trying to break out of the man's hold, but he was ten times stronger than I was, so I gave up.

A few people walked by, and I craned my neck, screaming out my lungs. "Help, help me!"

They ignored me, acting as if we were invisible. My stomach twisted into knots. Why weren't they charging over here to help?

"Shut up!" The man holding me hissed.

From the corners of my eyes, I caught Massimo emerging from the entrance of the mall, prompting me to jerk my head in his direction.

Behind him was Viola, tailing after him with a pale face. The wind tossed her hair around as she held her head down.

"Walk faster," I could read his lips as he snapped at her.

She hurried after him, and once they reached me and his men, they halted.

Anxiety pricked my skin like a thousand needles, and goosebumps devoured the entirety of my arms as I anticipated his next course of action.

He jutted his chin towards me, and Viola lifted her head, fearfully looking at him.

"Now!" he snapped through clenched teeth.

Viola's shoulders jerked up, and her eyes met mine for a second.

Her eyes watered, and she averted her gaze to the ground, now standing beside me.

My thoughts spun in my head. What was going on? Why did she have eyes that blamed me for whatever Massimo did to her in the mall?

"What did I ask one of my men to tell you this morning when you were late?" Massimo's voice sent shivers down my spine, prompting me to face him.

"Please..." Viola begged, and I could swear I heard her gulping in fear. "I didn't do it, please..."

My tongue glued to the roof of my mouth, and I glaced at Viola to see beads of sweat on her forehead.

"I don't remember asking for an apology," Massimo said in a gruff voice. "Answer the question."

Viola sniffled, and I watched her shiver, gripping the sides of her dress as if it was life itself, and she was clinging on to it.

"Y-you said you'd shoot my legs," she stuttered, and my eyes widened.

"And you did not only delay me. You also helped her to escape." Massimo's leering made me sick in the gut. Cold fear settled in my stomach.

"No, no. I didn't help her escape. She excused herself to the bathroom, and when I noticed she wasn't back—" Viola paused to take in a deep and loud breath. "—I went to the bathroom to get her, but the door was locked, so I got one of your men to burst the door open."

"So you're saying she ran on her own?" Massimo asked, and she nodded, shivering.

"Well, you'll still get punished," Massimo said and pulled a gun out of his pocket.

"Massimo, no. Please, it was my fault," I begged, lips quivering.

"So I should shoot you instead?" He pointed the gun at me, and my pulse raced.

"No, shoot neither of us," my voice shook.

"Impossible," he grated.

He pointed the gun back at Viola, who was whimpering and begging.

"Next time, you'll watch her closely," Massimo said, cocking his gun and lowering his hand, pointing it at her legs.

"Massimo, please! But I'm your cousin si–" the sharp, ear-splitting sound of the gunshot cracked the air, draining the rest of Viola's voice.