5

AUTUMN'S POV

In the span of three days guns had been aimed at me three times. God if this was a sign I got it loud and clear. "Common move and if you make a scene. I'll pull the trigger and drag you bleeding to your useless family," she threatened, nudging me with the gun.

I straightened up immediately, nodding aggressively. "Are we clear?" She whispered and I nodded.

"Good. Switch off the phone," she ordered, pressing the gun so hard, I could feel the coldness of the metal. Trying my best to stay still, I switched off the phone.

"Throw it in the bush nearby," Without thinking, I threw my phone in my legs, barely keeping me up. "See that car there? Walk towards it," she muttered and my tongue went dry.

I was being kidnapped and it was all because my mother had a bad taste in men. I stayed still and she moved the gun farther up.

"Times ticking move one. And slowly," I took small steps, trying to find a way out. This was a fairly quiet place but the thought of running scared me. She could still shoot me or worse the bullet could hit someone else.

I watched a toddler walk towards us hand in hand with her father and that was more than enough to kill any thought of escaping. My kidnapper pulled open the car door pushing me in.

I watched her walk to the other side of the car and I tried to run out the other way, but to my misfortune it was locked. All of them. She got in and for the first time I saw her face. She was beautiful with straight black hair and really graphic eye makeup.

She gave me a bright smile although it never reached her eyes and that only made me more uncomfortable. "Dont worry if everything goes well, I might not have to kill you. Might.

The car started and I clutched my dress watching her take me to God knows where. I prayed silently, promising all sorts of things to God if he kept me alive. "I'll go to church every Sunday.

I'll tell my mom I love her.

I'll stop wishing evil on Abel.

Tears spilled from my eyes and I bit my lips wanting to be as quiet as possible. My throat hurt from the pressure and I looked up trying to get some air.

She stared at me through her rear view mirror and I watched her lips stretch in a sinister smile. Obviously the sight of my pain gave her joy.

She took a turn and I stared in confusion as she headed for Dante's mansion. She stopped at the gate and the guards came out.

"Who's the girl," one of them asked, staring into the car. Unlike I expected, she seemed completely calm.

"Common Autumn tell him," she muttered with a bright smile. I turned to the guard shaking. "She's a friend of mine,"

He stared at me for a while and I pleaded silently but he turned away leaving me, shocked and confused. The gate opened and she drove the car in, parking it in a discreet part of the house.

My kidnapper got out of the car and I watched her, anxiously drumming on my thigh. She pulled the door open and I pushed her away.

She let out a groan due to the impact but she held me by my hair. "You stupid bitch," she gritted, slapping me across the face.

"Common, let's go in," she whispered, pulling me in. I looked around confused. For the first time the house was empty. Of all fucking times to be out. They chose now.

We stepped into it and it looked completely empty. My eyes scanned the hall and I noticed the ground had a faint red colour. Blood.

Something was definitely up.

Throwing me to the couch, she hid behind it. "You move, you die.”

I nodded at her words, tears flowing down my face. It finally dawned on me that I was being used to lure someone. I was supposed to be bait.

I sat in silence for what felt like hours while thoughts of what she could do filled my head. I thought of my mom and Mateo. They were no longer in the country but I couldn't help but think that she was in danger too.

My sobbing intensified as I thought of the probability that she was dead. We were not as close after my dad was killed but she was the only family I had left. I sat still, tortured by my thoughts for so long i had no idea when Dante walked in

I lifted my gaze up to find him staring at me with confusion etched on his face. I shook my head trying to speak but my voice failed me. Getting the message he pulled out his gun but she beat him to it.

Grabbing my shoulder she stood up frying at Dante. I let out a scream as I watched him clutch his side. His face remained the same but the veins on his neck were enough to tell me he wasn't okay.

He aimed the gun at her but she pushed me towards him using the opportunity to hide. Air left my lungs as I fell into his arms. He held me but the sweat sliding down his forehead told me he was no better than me.

“Where the fuck is everyone?” He growled his breathing shaky. I shook my head, unable to think properly.

“I'm so sorry," I choked out and he scammed my face then my body probably searching for injuries.

A scream left my lips when a bullet grazed my ear. Dante threw to the floor and I crawled hiding behind a couch. My heart raced so fast I thought it might stop. I watched him pull the trigger before squatting beside mem

“Fuck,” he cursed, pulling off his jacket and my eyes widened as I took in the large blood stain on his white shirt.