Chapter 5: No escape

Nadia’s POV

The next five days that follows, I live in a state of constant, paralyzing paranoia. Every shadow in the hallway of the mansion looks like an intruder.

Every black car that drives past the bar looks like one of Lorenzo’s vehicles. I barely sleep, my mind always calculating, planning and counting down the hours.

But I have a plan.

I had gone to the bank, emptied every single penny of my secret university savings, and purchased a one-way ticket to Sydney, Australia.

At 4:00 AM on the sixth morning, the Bennett mansion is as silent as a tomb. I quietly slip out of my bed, pack my single duffle bag with my few belongings, and crept down the dark staircase.

I had spoken to Max, the gatekeeper, the day before, begging him to leave the side gate unlocked for me. He is the only person who has ever shown me kindness, and he promises to help.

I slip through the side gate, the cool morning air biting at my cheeks, and ran toward the nearest bus station. By 5:00 AM, I am standing in the crowded terminal of the Rome International airport.

My heart is pounding so loudly as I check in, pass through security and finally board the massive commercial airline.

When I find my window seat and buckle myself in, I let out a deep, trembling breath. The engines of the plane begin to hum, a deep , powerful vibration that signals the beginning of my new life.

I close my eyes, a single tear of relief slipping down my cheek, I made it. I thought. I’m free.

Suddenly, a loud, panicked commotion echoes from the tarmac outside. I open my eyes and press my face against the double-paned window . My blood instantly turns to liquid ice.

A fleet of five black, armored SUVs has driven directly onto the runway, bypassing the airport security gates entirely.

Towering men in tailored black suits steps out of the vehicles, cutting through the airport security like they own the runway.

I recognize one of the men leading the group instantly, the same one who had opened the door for me at the VIP lounge that night.

They are coming for me.

Hot and blinding panic seizes my chest. I unbuckle my seatbelt, throw my bag aside and bolt from my seat, rushing blindly down the narrow aisle toward the front exit of the plane. The other passengers stare at me in confusion, but I don’t care. I have to get off.

But before I can reach the exit, the heavy cabin door hisses open.

I collide into a broad, rock-solid chest, the impact sends me tumbling backward onto the carpeted floor. I look up in panic, my breath hitching completely in my throat.

Standing in the doorway of the aircraft, his dark hair slightly windswept, his hands tucked into the pockets of his expensive wool coat, is Lorenzo Romano.

“Well, well… we meet again, piccola,” he says, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that vibrates through the metal structure of the plane, completely silencing the cabin.

“What do you want?” I whisper, my voice trembling as tears of terror blur my vision. I scramble backward on my hands and knees, desperate to put distance between us.

Lorenzo steps into the cabin, his heavy boots thumping against the floor. He pays absolutely no attention to the terrified flight attendants or the gasping passengers.

He corners me against the front row of seats, leaning down to grab my chin in a grip of pure iron, forcing me to look up into his icy, merciless eyes.

“Where do you think you are going, Nadia?” he asks, his voice low and deadly quiet. “Do you really think a commercial airline can save you from me?”

“I’m going away from you!” I scream, clawing at his leather glove. “Let me go!”

Lorenzo clicks his tongue, a dark, chilling smirk spreading across his lips. He releases my chin, only to wrap his hand around my arm, pulling my body up from the floor and slamming me against his chest.

“Non provocarmi, piccola,” he whispers against my ear, his voice carrying the finality of a death sentence. “I told you to crawl to me. But because you decided to run… the rules have changed.”

Before I can draw breath to scream, his hand strikes the side of my neck with practiced force.

My vision instantly blurs, my legs turning to lead as strength drains from my body. As my eyes flutter shut, the last thing I feel is his strong arm catching my falling frame, pulling me tight against his chest as the world goes completely black.