CHAPTER 3:Slave to Him

ISABELLA

“Where are you going?”

Liliana stood frozen in the doorway, watching me shove clothes into my duffel like I was packing for the end of the world.

“Egypt,” I muttered, zipping hard, my hands trembling.

“Egypt? Isa what? Slow down!” Her voice cracked. “Stay with me. Just for a night. We’ll figure something out. Together.”

But there was no together anymore.

Not in this world.

I knew what happened when a mafia family fell.

There were no survivors.

No mercy.

Only silence and smoke.

And if Damian had killed Vincent and my father then he was coming for me next.

Staying here meant handing Liliana a death sentence.

“I can’t risk your life,” I whispered. “If he finds me with you...”

She didn’t need the rest. She already knew.

“You’re not a loose end, Isa,” she whispered, eyes wet. “You’re my family.”

“And you’re mine.”

I took her hands. Held them tight. Tried to memorize the warmth of her skin. The way she smelled like strawberry lotion and cheap coffee.

Because goodbye wasn’t just goodbye anymore.

It was survival.

“I don’t know why he did it,” I said, my voice breaking. “But I know how this works. He won’t stop.”

She walked me outside, arms wrapped around herself like armor.

“Let me at least drive you to the airport.”

I scanned the street. Too quiet. Too still. “No. He could be watching.”

Liliana pulled me into one last hug tight, desperate, like she was trying to press goodbye into my bones.

“When we meet again,” I said, forcing a smile, “everything will be different.”

I turned before she could see me cry.

Didn’t look back.

The cab reeked of cigarettes and stale leather. The driver didn’t ask questions. I was just another girl in a hoodie, hiding behind sunglasses and a mask.

But I couldn’t stop checking the mirrors.

Every black SUV felt like a ghost.

Every red light an ambush.

I pulled my cap lower. Tucked shaking hands beneath my thighs.

Then my phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

One new message.

Running from me, Isa?

My blood iced.

I stared at the screen. Heart in my throat.

Then yanked the SIM card out and tossed the whole phone into the nearest trash bin.

I was done being traceable.

-----------

Inside JFK, the world spun on as if mine hadn’t just collapsed. Kids screamed. Lovers kissed. Suitcases wheeled past in a blur.

I was invisible.

And I needed it to stay that way.

At the check-in counter, I handed over my passport.

The woman behind the desk Lisa, her tag said smiled. But it didn’t reach her eyes.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard longer than they should have. Her eyes flicked to me. Then back to the screen.

Too slow.

Too careful.

Something was wrong.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

Lisa didn’t answer. She picked up the black phone behind the desk, turned away, and whispered into it.

My stomach dropped.

My passport was clean.

My name wasn’t flagged.

This wasn’t a delay.

This was a setup.

When she turned back, that same flat smile was plastered on her face.

“Just a quick security check, ma’am. Please follow that gentleman over there.”

I followed her finger.

And froze.

Black blazer. Polished shoes.

And on his wrist, just under the Rolex A black dragon tattoo.

Damian’s mark.

I stepped back.

One step. Two.

Lisa’s smile faltered. “Ma’am”

I ran.

---

Gasps behind me. Shouts.

I didn’t care.

I shoved through the crowd, breath coming fast, heart pounding.

Every turn, every corner felt like a trap.

Security lines blurred. People cursed.

But I saw the sign Emergency Exit.

I darted for it.

So close.

Then

CRACK.

Pain exploded behind my ear.

The floor rushed up to meet me.

Cold tile. Bright lights. Distant yelling.

I tried to move, but my body didn’t listen.

Footsteps circled me. A shadow loomed.

Then

A face.

Not his.

But his soldier.

And on his wrist, the dragon grinned.

I tried to scream.

But darkness swallowed me whole.

He found me.

He took everything.

And now

Where were they taking me?

And what would Damian do when I woke up?

*************

AUTHOR’S NOTE

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