Under the mafia mercy

Zyra POV — 

I woke up with a sharp sting in my neck and a burning ache in my wrists.

My eyes blinked open slowly… only to meet the horrifying sight of my hands and legs tied to a metal chair, the ropes digging into my skin. The room was dim, lit only by a flickering bulb that hummed above my head.

Panic rose in my throat.

I struggled hard twisting, fighting, pulling, but the bindings didn’t even loosen. My breath came out shaky, but I refused to give up. I kept trying until—

“You know that’s impossible.”

The deep voice echoed across the room.

My entire body froze.

He was standing with his back to me, tall, broad, and frighteningly calm. When he finally turned around, my heartbeat stumbled.

He smiled. Slowly. Coldly.

“Oh, Zyra,” he said my name like he had known it forever.

“You… you know my name?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He ignored my question and walked closer, the lazy confidence in his steps making my skin crawl.

“Who wouldn’t?” he smirked. “You’re sharper than most of the women my men have dealt with… fierce, stubborn. You made their job unnecessarily difficult.”

I swallowed hard, tasting fear.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, even though my voice was threatening to crack.

That dangerous smile returned—slow, deliberate, deadly.

“Let’s get to business, shall we?”

He dragged a chair across the floor and sat just inches in front of me. Close enough that I could smell his cologne—dark, intoxicating, and expensive. I forced myself to sit still. If there was one thing I’d learned from being around men like him, it was this: they feed on fear. And I wasn’t ready to give him that satisfaction.

“Zyra,” he began, crossing his leg while studying me like I was a puzzle, “I’ll make this very simple. Tell me what you heard.”

His hand slid slowly onto my exposed thigh.

I scoffed and leaned back as much as the ropes allowed. “What makes you think I’d tell you anything?”

His smile vanished.

A hard slap landed across my face.

I gasped, the sting spreading like fire.

I whipped my head to the side, only to see—

“Jen?” I whispered in disbelief.

She stood there, emotionless, like a stranger wearing my friend’s face.

The man chuckled. “Oh, you know her? She works for me.”

I stared at her—this wasn’t the sweet, gentle Jenny I knew from the club. This one had cold, empty eyes.

“What else don’t I know about your little club?” I muttered.

But before she could reply, my attention shifted back to him.

Up close, he was dangerously handsome—tattoos climbing up his neck and disappearing beneath his shirt. His presence filled the room with raw, controlled danger.

“Let’s try again,” he said softly. “Zyra… what did you hear?”

“Why should I tell you—”

SLAP.

SLAP.

Two heavier blows this time. My cheek burned, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I coughed, and a drop of blood slid down my chin.

“You are one tough woman,” he said, almost sounding amused. “I like that. But don’t waste my time.”

His voice suddenly rose—deep, commanding, dominant.

“What. Did. You. Hear?”

My body trembled slightly, but I kept my eyes locked with his.

I wouldn’t let him break me.

“Who even are you?” I whispered.

SLAP. SLAP.

“YOU don’t get to ask the questions,” he said coldly. “I do.”

Despite the burning pain on my skin, I forced out, “Then let me go. If you want answers, hurting me won’t get them.”

He stared at me for a long moment… then reached for a tablet on the table.

With one swipe, my entire world collapsed.

“Zyra Madison,” he read slowly. “Daughter of Mrs. Salvor. Your mother died in a plane crash that wiped out everything she owned. You now live alone, taking care of yourself and your boyfriend, Damien—engineering student.”

My eyes widened. 

“O did I also forget to mention your aunt Sarah who is currently working at laquite hospital as a mid nurse.”

“How do you know all that?” I whispered, terrified.

He moved closer, his voice dropping.

“Should I continue?”

I didn’t respond. Couldn’t.

“Zyra,” he said in a whisper, lifting my chin with one finger. “I am being nice. You are beautiful. Innocent. Don’t make me ruin that.”

He gently wiped the blood from my lip, and I flinched.

His phone rang.

He stood up immediately.

“Keep her here till I get back.”

Before I could move, I felt a needle pierce my skin.

Cold liquid rushed into my veins.

“No—don’t—”

My voice faded.

My vision blurred.

The room spun.

My breath slowed.

And just before darkness swallowed me, I saw Jen leaning close to my ear.

Whispering something.

Something that made my blood turn cold—

But I passed out before I could hear the rest.