Chapter 5

Nadia’s POV

My heart hammered frantically against my ribs as I watched Lorenzo walk to my uncle and crouched down in front of him. “I want her. Consider it a repayment of your debt. Also, here is seven million dollars. Do not come for her in future, I’m paying you pretty well for her.” He said as he threw a check at my uncle’s face.

My chest tightened. I couldn’t believe what was happening. My uncle crawled and picked up the check from the ground. “Yes, Lorenzo. You can take her, she’s all yours.” I looked at him, hatred burning through my gaze.

Lorenzo walked toward me and crouched down, drew in his cigar and puffed the smoke on my face, “you belong to me now, but I will give you time to digest everything.” he said, tangling a strand of my hair in his fingers before grabbing my chin and pulling me closer to him.

“Seven days, piccola. Crawl to me or I take you by force.” He whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, released my chin and straightened up, then walked out of the living room with his people following closely behind him.

Tears burned my vision. I blinked hard trying to understand what just happened. Did he just purchase me like I am some item? How did things turn out this way.

I took my gaze to my uncle and I could see the satisfied grin on his face as he stared at the check.

“You really are not selling me to him, are you? You definitely are not.” I muttered.

He scoffed and looked at me, “the deal’s been made, Nadia. You belong to him now.” He said, his face void of any emotion.

I blinked the tears that had already formed in my eyes, what is happening? I was finally going to leave this hellhole soon, and now this?

“I won’t accept this. I won’t!” I yelled at them. My aunt got furious and slapped me, the force sent my head sideways, the metallic taste of copper filling my mouth.

“You will accept it, whether you want to or not. Consider it a means of repaying us for taking care of you for the past five years!” she yelled at me.

The tears I’d been trying to hold back finally came rushing down, “but why? You owe him, not me. Why do I have to pay for something I know absolutely nothing about?” I asked my uncle, staring daggers at him.

“Because you deserve nothing good in life, Nadia, that’s why.” Elena chipped in, a big smile on her face.

“Don’t forget you have just seven days to go to him, make the right choice, Nadia. Lorenzo is not someone you can mess with.” my uncle said and walked out of the living room, the three of them followed, leaving me alone.

I let out a bitter laugh, my hands trembled. I was still suffering the aftermath of what Alex tried to do to me, now this.

Tears flowed freely from my eyes. My life has not been easy this past years, and now its about to get a lot worse. I can’t accept this.

I have seven days, I have to leave Italy before then. With a heavy heart, I climbed the stairs back to my room, showered and got ready for work. I arrived late and the manager scolded me.

“Why are you coming this late, Nadia? Do you not want to work here anymore?” He thundered.

“I am sorry. Something happened at home.” I murmured.

“Let this not repeat itself again.” he warned and stomped upstairs.

My shoulders slumped with a numb sigh, Jaxon rushed over.

“Are you okay? Your look so pale.” he asked, a worried expression on his face.

“I’m fine Jaxon, I’ll go and change now.” I smiled softly and walked into the locker room and changed my dress, my hands were still trembling. I sighed and walked out.

The day went on at the bar as usual, I kept staring at the door at intervals, hoping he wouldn’t come here again.

I couldn’t sleep the days that followed, I jumped at every shadow at the bar, my eyes always looking behind me, checking over my shoulder everytime a black car drove bar. I was gradually losing myself.

* * * *

Five days have passed, I haven’t heard anything about Lorenzo, deep down, I prayed he had totally forgotten about me. I’ve managed to book a flight to Australia, I’ll be leaving tomorrow. My aunt and her family have been totally hostile toward me, pretending like I don’t exist.

“Nadia, can you cover for me? I have somewhere I should be now.” Jaxon pleaded, I was already tired from working extra shifts, but I couldn’t refuse him.

“Sure.” I said, he smiled and left, while I continued working.

My shift ended at nine, I went back to the mansion. After taking my shower, I arranged my things properly and went to sleep.

I woke up at four the next morning, I quietly showered and got dressed, grabbed my bags, tiptoeing down the stairs I walked out of the mansion to the gate. I already discussed with Max and he promised to help by leaving the gate open at four.

I stepped out of the gate, the street was eerily quiet, I quickly walked down and headed to the bus station. Luckily, an early bus to the airport was waiting. I guess God is helping me.

I arrived at the airport at five, an hour before my flight. We boarded the plane and waited.

I closed my eyes, letting out the first real breath I’d taken in days. My dreams of college were shattered, and I’d have to start at nothing in Australia, but I was free. I made it.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside, I peered out the small window, my blood turning to liquid ice.

Men in tailored black suits were walking towards the plane, cutting through airport security like they owned the runway. I recognized the lead guard instantly.

Lorenzo’s men.

Panic rising in my chest, I bolted from my seat, rushing blindly towards the exit, only to freeze as the cabin door hissed open, i almost crashed hard into a broad, solid chest.

“Well, well… we meet again, piccola.”

His voice was a low growl that vibrated through the floorboards. My breath hitched, my legs turning to lead as I stumbled backward into the aisle.

“What do you want?” I murmured, he kept walking closer, his hands in his coat pockets until I collapsed into one of the passengers seats. He leaned forward and grabbed my chin.

“Where do you think you are going? Hmm? a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

“Away from you.” I blurted out, my voice trembling with fear.

“Tsk tsk” he clicked his tongue and dug his fingers deeper into my chin, “I would have been lenient with you if only you did not try to run,” he roughly released my chin and straightened up.

“You are coming with me,” he stated firmly.

I shook my head vigorously in refusal. “No, I am not.”

He scoffed, a dark grin spreading across his lips as he grabbed my arm, pulling me up against his chest. “Non provocarmi, piccola.” His expression darkened with every word. “You do not get to negotiate with me.”

That was the last thing I heard before his hand struck the side of my neck, and the world instantly went black.