Chapter 2 Kidnapped

Springfield, Missouri

“Yeah, I just checked into a hotel,” Janet said to Sophia on the phone, careful not to mention that she was within walking distance of the Genovese casinos.

“Did you speak to your father?”

“No, he isn’t answering my calls or messages.” She pressed her lips.

“Janet, if you can’t reach him, just come back, okay? Don’t do anything that might get you into trouble.”

“Yes.”

“Alright, it’s late already, so just go to bed and forget about everything. I love you, okay?”

“I love you, too. Bye.” Janet looked out the window and felt a wave of unease as she watched the crowds of people rushing through the streets.

‘I have mourned the loss of one father. I will not suffer the same fate again.’ Determined to reunite with her father, she made another call. ‘If you don’t answer this time, I’ll do whatever it takes to find you.’

Once again, the call went unanswered.

Janet put on black leather pants and a white silk shirt, carefully applying dark makeup to hide her identity. After slipping into a black jacket, she shook out her long, shiny blonde hair, letting it flow down to her waist.

She bravely ventured out of her hotel and walked for several miles before stopping outside the casino. Taking a deep breath, she confidently entered, passing the casino tables on her way to the bar.

“Water, please?” she asked, and the bartender nodded. Biting her lips, she scanned the crowd, taking in the various faces and expressions. Although some men matched the description of the Mafia, she hesitated to approach them.

“Here you are, ma’am.”

Turning toward the bar counter, she flashed a friendly smile. “Thanks.” After taking a small sip, she surveyed the surroundings.

“Looking for someone?” The bartender called her again, prompting her to turn her high-rise stool towards him. “Are you new here?”

Janet hoped to gather some helpful information and flirted back with the young bartender, who was showing interest in her. “Springfield isn’t new to me, but this is my first social call here. And I’m already enjoying it,” she said, swaying her body to the music. “What’s your name?”

“Dane,”

“Janet,” she said as she extended her hand to him, and he greeted her with a smile.

“For newcomers like you, the Missouri Mule is a must-try. I’ll be right back.” As he went to get her a drink, Janet observed a man in a black suit, who radiated mystery while smoking a cigar and often checking his watch. His intense presence and apparent hostility made the servers nervous as he scolded them.

“Here you go,” Dane said, appearing with a drink.

“Thanks.” She sipped the drink, impressed by its bold flavor. “Amazing! Thank you so much.”

“I know, right? So, what are your plans for tonight?”

Janet choked on her drink, her eyes watering as she looked up at him. “Sorry?”

“Oh, I mean, I can show you around if you’d like. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy making friends,” he smiled at her. “Anyway, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Do you like this place? It’s the coolest casino in town!”

"Honestly, I feel a bit intimidated by the man sitting on your far right." She took a blind shot and hoped it wouldn’t ricochet back at her. “I accidentally bumped into him on my way in, and he glared at me with an unmistakable intent to kill.” Janet noticed a change in his expression from playful to serious.

“Steer clear of Genovese men!” Dane warned her. “Even though Genovese claims they spare women and children, their soldiers are notorious for being ruthless and relentless.”

“Just a few days ago, one of them killed a woman for trespassing in the restricted area. I wouldn’t recommend dealing with them,” he whispered.

Wow. I’m feeling scared now. Should I head back home?” she whispered.

“No, this is a good place. Just keep your distance from their affairs.” Dane gently patted the back of her hand on the counter.

“But how can I recognize them?”

“All the soldiers wear emerald rings on their thumbs,” he whispered.

Janet nodded as Dane’s eyes flicked toward the entrance behind her. “That’s the Capo of the Genovese family.”

He gestured toward the entrance, and Janet’s heart started pounding. She spun around on her bar stool and saw her father standing there.

Dressed in a tailored black suit and a crisp white shirt, he looked like a confident executive ready to face the day. Janet watched as he approached the man she had mentioned to Dane.

That’s Connor Blair,” he whispered. “You won’t find a ring on his thumb, just in case you encounter him tonight or ever. Avoid any interaction. He is very dangerous and has many corpses hidden up his sleeves. He makes no distinction between males, females, or children. If you make a mistake, it’s better to end your life peacefully than suffer a merciless death at his hands.”

Janet fought back her tears. Each word from Dane felt like a knife to her heart as she listened to her father’s cruelty. Still, discovering that he was alive after three years of reflection was too much to bear.

Connor was engaged in a conversation, and his face showed his irritation. It rapidly turned to anger as he forcefully slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

Janet quickly slid off the barstool and opened her clutch to pay for her drink. “Hey, it’s on me!” Dane’s voice caught her attention.

“Thanks,” she said to him, glancing at her father out of the corner of her eye. “I don’t feel safe here, but I’ll come another time.”

“Sure.” He offered a quick smile and then shifted his attention to the new customer.

Connor was climbing the stairs when Janet hurried to catch up, but the guards stopped her. “Dad!” she called from the bottom.

Connor stopped in his tracks.

“Dad!” she called again, restricted by the watchful eyes of the bodyguards.

Connor whirled around swiftly, with a look of mild surprise on his face. He paused, momentarily speechless and unsure how to react to her presence. They remained quiet until a gunshot broke the silence, the bullet narrowly missing Connor and hitting the metal grill.

Chaos erupted as people desperately tried to escape. The bodyguards abandoned Janet to rescue their boss. They shielded him while attempting to escort him out safely, but Connor shoved them aside to reach his daughter.

He shot the man who had fired at him and then pulled Janet through a hidden exit into a dark alley. “Janet, what on earth are you doing here?” He grabbed her arms tightly, his anger clear.

“What’s going on here? You’re not answering my calls. We haven’t heard from you in three years! I had no choice but to come.” She saw the pain in his eyes before they turned cold.

“Go home and never come back here!” he said in a deep voice as gunshots echoed through the air.

“Dad, I…” Before she could finish, Connor pulled her out of the alley and onto an empty road.

“Find your way back home. And never set foot in this vicinity again!” He turned to disappear into the dark alley.

“Dad, you didn’t even ask if I’m hurt?” Janet shouted at him as he walked away.

“I just saved you. I know you’re okay. Go back home, Janet!” His face twisted with rage as he confronted her, and Janet saw a man pointing a gun at Connor from behind.

“Dad!” She saved Connor, and the shot missed. Connor protected Janet as he drew his gun, and a loud bang echoed through the air as the attacker fell to the ground.

In the dead of night, the attackers seized control of the deserted street as black cars stopped. Panic set in as Janet’s heart pounded, and Connor tightly grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from danger.

“Dad!” she shouted as Connor dodged another bullet. An attacker lunged to grab Janet from behind, but she kicked him away. Connor glanced at her briefly before a bullet hit his shoulder, making him let go of her hand.

Janet watched him cry out in pain, but his fighting spirit stayed unbroken, as if the bullet had just fueled his strength. The arrival of Genovese’s soldiers quickly turned the scene into a nightmare of gunfire, screams, and bloodshed.

Janet hurried to help Connor when the three attackers overpowered her, leaving her helpless against their brute force. As she tried to escape, they covered her mouth and forcibly dragged her to the car, tossing her inside.

“Janet!” Connor called out as he chased the car, but it disappeared quickly.

Janet was frantically banging on the window glass. “Where the hell are you taking me? Who are you?” she shouted.

“She’s Connor’s daughter. I heard her call him Dad,” the assailants said. “The boss will be pleased with our work.”

Before she could respond, a sudden prick on her arm caused Janet to gasp, and slowly, darkness enveloped her.