A traitor's kiss

CHAPTER THREE

“Emily?” Luciana’s eyes widened with joy as Emily approached her.

"Oh Emily, I'm so glad you're here," she exclaimed, relief washing over her. "How did you find me? The taxi...that night..."

Emily's expression was somber, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and guilt. " oh Ana! I got here as soon as I heard," she said softly.

Luciana's gaze pleaded with Emily. "Come untie me. Let's get out of here, please."

“oh yes, of course.” Emily walked to her and lowered herself as if trying to loosen the ropes tying her feet. Then she paused, look up at Luciana and burst into a roar of laughter.

“Emily, what ..what happened? Why are you laughing?” Luciana’s eyes searched for answers, as she looked at her friend.

“Shut up Luciana!” Emily rose up. She walked over to Antonio, who had been silently observing the scene. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him passionately.

Luciana's face contorted in desperation. " Emily come over here.” She sniffed. “Please, untie me. Let's go," she begged, tears streaming down her face

Emily laughed. "You're not going anywhere.”

Antonio's eyes sparkled with amusement as he clapped his hands. "What a drama queen," he said, his voice filled with sarcasm.

"Luciana, or should I say Ana?" He sauntered towards her. "Let me introduce you to my fiancée."

He turned to Emily, his hand closing around hers like a vice. "Princess Sophia of the Spanish Colonel," he announced, mockery all over his voice.

Emily, or rather Sophia, curtsied low, with a look of sarcasm. "Thank you, my lord."

Luciana's eyes darted between Sophia and Antonio, confusion and shock all over her face. "I...I don't understand," she stuttered.

"Em, you know him?"

Sophia frowned. "Don't call me that trash name!" she spat. "Are you deaf? Didn't you just hear my name?"

Luciana's eyes welled up with tears as she sniffled. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice failed her. She bowed her head, and her body shook with sobs.

When she finally found her voice, her words were enveloped with pain and accusation.

"So you knew all along this was going to happen," she said, her voice cracking. "You knew he was going to be at the gala. That's why you coerced me into attending. Lying to me that it would help my mother with her hospital bills.”

The feeling of being betrayed overwhelmed her so much, she wished to be swallowed by the ground at the sound of their mockery.

Sophia’s eyes sparkled as she let out a wicked laugh. "Should I have just told you that you were going to get kidnapped, so I needed you to be there?" she taunted. "You're even more naive than I thought."

“all these years, you pretended to be my friend. You got a job where I worked? Just to monitor me?”

“I’d do anything for my sweetheart.” Sophia faced Antonio with a smile.

“I told you about my mother. I taught you how to make coffee for 6 years. I showed you my weakness.” She sniffed the fluid running from her nose and spat it towards Sophia. “I’ll strangle you once I’m set free. solo pruébame!.” Her eyes displayed a mixture of anger and vulnerability.

“Ana baby” Sophia laughed. “you and I know you can’t even hurt a fly.”

Antonio's voice cut through the tension. "Well, well, ladies. Show's over." He turned to Luciana, an intimidating smile spreading across his face. "And you, my dear prisoner, are coming with us to Italy."

Luciana's eyes widened in horror as Antonio's words hung in the air. She struggled against her restraints, but they held firm.

Antonio's turned his gaze from Luciana's face. "Viktor!" he called out, his voice echoing through the room.

Viktor appeared instantly. "Yes, boss?"

"Get one of the jets ready," Antonio instructed with a blunt tone. "We're leaving for Italy by noon tomorrow."

Viktor nodded curtly. "Yes, boss." He turned and left the room.

“ we are going to Italy so soon? we just arrived, can’t we go next week?” Sophia asked Antonio

“I don’t work by your rules, woman.” Antonio fired at her, prompting Sophia to erupt into laughter

Luciana's eyes blazed with fury as she faced Sophia, who was laughing in the corner. "You evil witch!"

Sophia's laughter ceased, and she sauntered towards Luciana, her face already boing with rage. "What did you call me?" she asked.

Luciana's bravery faltered for a moment, but she stood her ground. "You're a—"

The rest of her words were cut off as Sophia's palm connected with Luciana's cheek, the force of the slap sending Luciana crashing to the ground.

The chair she was tied to added weight to her fall, causing her to cry out in pain. Luciana's lips throbbed with pain, and she could taste the metallic tang of blood in her mouth.

But before Sophia could strike again, Antonio intervened. He grabbed her by the chin and pinned her against the wall, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Don't forget, you're in my territory," he hissed, his breath warm on Sophia's face. "If you lay your hands on my property again, I promise your remains will be taken home."

Sophia's eyes went wide with fear as Antonio's grip tightened around her chin.

She struggled against him, but he held her fast, his fingers digging deep into her skin.

He finally let her go as he went over to Luciana to lift her, displaying his strength and agility.

He wiped off the blood dripping from her mouth, his touch gentle despite the anger that still simmered in his eyes.

Luciana felt a surge of madness towards him as he lifted her. property?

Antonio turned to Sophia. “you need to leave now. Go get yourself ready for tomorrow or jump into the ocean. Do anything but stay here. Leave my sight this moment!”

Sophia murmured some words before leaving the room, banging the door behind her.

* * * * * * *

“Help! Somebody, help me!” Luciana struggled against the ropes, her wrists and ankles burning from the tight restraints.

She shouted for help, her voice hoarse from screaming.

The bodyguard outside the room banged on the door. "Shut up, girl!" he growled. "No one's coming to save you."

Luciana ignored him, continuing to shout and struggle. She knew she had to keep trying, no matter how futile it seemed.

As she wriggled and twisted, the ropes began to loosen slightly. Her heart leapt with hope.

Maybe, just maybe, she could escape.

She continued struggling with the ropes, trying so hard not to cry from the pain the loss of circulation of blood, caused by the tight rope, was giving her.

Then she loosed the rope from her hand, and started working on the rope on her feet.

Just as she managed to break free, the door swung open, and Viktor, Antonio's consigliere, stepped inside. A look of surprise danced in his eyes.

"You're a feisty one, I'll give you that," he said. "But you're not going anywhere."

Luciana looked at him with puppy eyes, her fist clenched together in pleas.

“Please let me go before that monster takes me to Italy.” She knew crying wouldn’t work on kidnappers. She had seen too many movies about them, but she had to try.

She went on her knees and held his hand. “I have a sick mother to care for. You have a mother. You should know how I feel.”

Viktor retrieve his hand from her hold and pushed her to the floor. “I don’t have a mother.” He said, looking away.

Then almost immediately, Antonio walked back into the room, a look of mild annoyance on his face. Viktor was standing over Luciana, a smirk on his face.

"What's going on here?" Antonio asked, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the loosed ropes and a freed Luciana on the floor.

"She tried to escape, boss."

Antonio's gaze flicked to the ropes, then back to Viktor. "who tied her up?" he asked, his eyes filled with rage

“Vinnie.”

“call him here.” Antonio instructed, and Vinnie came running in, seconds after.

“did you tie her up?” Antonio rubbed his jaw

Vinnie nodded. "Yes, boss. I made sure she was secure."

"Secure? She was about to escape." Antonio faced him.

"I-I'm sorry, boss. I didn't think she'd be able to get free."

Antonio snapped his fingers and grinned. "You didn't think," he repeated, his voice filled with disdain. "That's the problem with you, Vinnie. You don't think."

Without warning, Antonio pulled out a gun and pressed it to Vinnie's temple. "You're supposed to be one of my best guard," he hissed. "But you can't even keep one little girl tied up."

Vinnie's eyes went wide with terror. "P-please, boss," he stuttered. "I'll do better, I swear."

Antonio chuckled lightly. "I don't think so," he said, and pulled the trigger.

The sound of the gunshot was deafening. Luciana screamed, her eyes fixed on Vinnie's lifeless body.

He turned to her, his gun still smoking. "You see, Luciana," he said. "I don't tolerate failure. And right now, you're a liability."

Luciana crawled back away from him. "P-please," she stuttered. "Don't hurt me."

"Ana, Ana" he said, shaking his head. "You're so... spirited. I like that about you.

He returned his gun to his waistband. “now, let’s get you tied up.”

With a quick, efficient motion, he tightened the ropes, making sure Luciana couldn’t move this time.

"There," he said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "That should keep you out of trouble."

Antonio turned to Viktor. "Viktor, when will the jet be ready? I don't have all day."

Viktor nodded promptly. "I'll confirm with the station again, boss." He signaled two guards outside to come remove the lifeless body.

Antonio tapped his shoulder and stared into his eyes.

"do that quickly. I have a meeting with the administration and I don't want to keep them waiting. I need to stay on their good side. Do You understand?"

“yes boss.” Viktor nodded and walked out.

He turned to Luciana. "Ms. Grace will bring you a selection of clothes and shoes to change into. She'll also prepare a meal for you. Then, we'll be departing for Italy. Ciao," he turned and left the room.