Chapter 2

My eyes were still covered by the cloth and my hands were still tied behind my back as I was forced to walk forward by the firm grip that held onto my upper arm.

I couldn't tell which of the men had me, but I assumed it was the smaller man who had Auburn hair and hazel eyes, he had looked the kinder between the two of them.

The man Dom had called Gianni on the other hand had terrified me.

His cold eyes were so dark they looked like black pools; I wouldn't deny that he had good looks though, he was tall with broad shoulders and thick arms, and his short dark hair complemented his tanned skin. But where he may have had good looks, it did nothing to take away from the fact that simply looking at him had terrified me, and it had nothing to do with the scar over his eye either.

You could immediately tell that he was a cruel man, from the hard look on his face, and the lack of emotion in his eyes.

"There's steps coming up."

I nodded my head to acknowledge, I was thankful that it was indeed the red-haired man who was walking me in, I tried to recall what Gianni had called him in the car, was it Talon? 

My foot caught on one of the steps and I almost went down, but he pulled me upright, "Be careful."

I found it odd that he would offer such soft words while dragging me along in this situation. 

I couldn't help but wonder why he was even involved in any of this when he clearly had a softer side to him.

His eyes had held kindness mixed with sadness, he didn't look like someone to be involved in something such as this.

The stairs came to an end and he walked me for only a few steps before stopping, I assumed it was to open a door when I heard keys.

I lost interest in this as I heard the second set of footsteps approaching them, heavyset footsteps and I felt my throat tighten in fear; immediately knowing that it was Gianni.

"Talon. What are you doing?"

"Putting her in a room."

I felt myself begin to shake again, the fear within me causing my anxiety to show its vicious head within.

"Leave her in the room across from mine. It's more secure, after all, we don't want her trying to escape."

I heard Talon sigh, if my eyes weren't blindfolded I'm sure I would have seen a look of annoyance on the younger man's face.

Talon pulled me along before I was walked into a room where a door was shut.

Suddenly my eyes were assaulted by the bright light as the blindfold was pulled off.

I had known riches while growing up, but I was still momentarily stunned by the room I was in.

The bedroom was easily the size of the entire apartment I shared with Dom.

The floor was covered in a beautiful soft red carpet, while a queen-sized bed stood in the middle right against the wall; the covers looked thick and expensive, the golden detail over black making it look posh and sleek.

To the side, I could see two sets of doors and I assumed it was a closet or bathroom.

My attention was taken back to Talon as he took out a knife, "I'm just going to cut the ropes."

He slipped the knife through the ropes before going to stand with his back against the door while I rubbed my pained wrists.

"Look, I don't know what you must be feeling, but I would imagine that it's not good. Gianni is a cruel man, I'm going to suggest that you do not try to escape because it will not work and it will anger him. Do not be any trouble, keep to yourself and never talk back to him. I can only do so much to help you, but you need to follow these rules, okay?"

I nodded, "Why are you being nice to me?"

Talon shrugged, "I don't know. But you have this look in your eye that I'd rather not see you lose simply because your cousin is a piece of shit. Now, the bathroom is off to your left, I'll remind Gianni that you need clothes. Remember what I said."

I heard the click as he locked me in, and it was at that moment that I realized the severity of my situation.

I collapsed to the floor while tears poured from my eyes, a feeling of panic mixed with despair taking over me.

GIANNI

"Kinley is going to need clothes. And food, you can't starve her to death."

I glanced over at talon with a raised brow, "Talon, are you forgetting how long I have been doing this? I am aware that she needs to eat."

Talon took a seat on the opposite side of the desk where I sat at, "Gi, I still don't like this. You know how messy kidnapping gets. What do we do with her when Dom can't get money?"

"You were there when we made the deal tonight."

Talon didn't like my response, I could tell. But I also knew that Talon would know better than to question me.

I watched him discreetly, wondering why he was so worked up over this.

Talon was usually all about business, but it appeared that Kinley had gotten into his head, not that I could blame him; she was beautiful.

I shook his head, deciding that I would go into her room later in the night.

Later, once Talon had left to collect a debt owed to me, I decided I should check in on Kinley.

When I opened the door and walked into the room, I paused, she was laying on the bed asleep, but even though she slept she had a deep frown creasing her features.

What caught my attention was the way the uncomfortable-looking dress hiked up, just barely covering her.

I ran a hand over my face and let out an annoyed groan at the sight.

My voice had woken her, she jumped, curling herself up against the headboard while staring at me with wide frightened eyes.

The green of her eyes caught me off guard, I hadn't noticed just how beautiful this woman was.

"What do you want?"

I couldn't help the smirk on my face at her words, she was terrified yet still feisty.

"Kinley, your cousin owes me a lot of money. Now, I'm not sure if you know who I am, but I do not take kindly to this. You will not be harmed as long as you do as you're told and he keeps to our agreement. Do you understand?" I had never liked a woman who couldn't follow orders, but even as she spoke I knew that Kinley would not be easy to control; I could see it in her eyes.

"Do as I'm told?" she scoffed, "I'm your leverage to get your money back, I'm not here as some sort of slave!"

My jaw clenched at her words, I hated when people did not show me the respect I deserved.

Calmly I walked over to the bed and leaned forward with my hands on it, "I am in charge here, and you are my prisoner. It would do well for you to remember that."

"Fuck you! You hurt me-" her words turned into a yelp as my hand locked onto one of her ankles and in one swift movement I pulled her down to the end of the bed.

I leaned over her, I had planned to strike her in anger, but I was once again distracted by her looks.

Leaning down I breathed in her scent against her neck as she squirmed beneath me, grinning I held her chin with a hand, forcing her to look at me, "I think I might like to keep you as a plaything instead."

I kissed down her neck, holding her wrists in place above her head.

I knew that I was good-looking, no woman had ever resisted me.

"No!"

I paused, glancing up at her, "Excuse me? Did I not just tell you that I am in charge here?"

As I turned my face back down I was met with a knee in the face, causing me to let go of her, which gave her enough chance to shuffle back to the top of the bed.

I was enraged, how dare she do this to me? 

I lunged at her in a fit of anger, pinning her against the headboard, my rage in complete control.

Until she looked into my eyes.

What the fuck am I doing? I shook my head and got to my feet.

"Don't ever try anything like that again or I will gut you!" I glared at her menacingly before storming to the door and slamming it shut behind me.

I leaned against the door, annoyed with myself.

Since when did I allow anyone to treat me in this manner?

               ~•~