Brielle Clarke~•~I sighed as I took a step outside my bedroom. It was my haven, and I didn't dare leave unless it was mealtime.It wasn't mealtime right now.My hand was inside the pocket of my sweatpants as I clutched my cell phone tightly. Taking a deep breath, I went down the flight of stairs after checking to make sure no one was around.I was hoping I wouldn't run into anyone. However, as soon as my leg left the last step, I bumped right into someone.Avery shrieked at the surprise bump and pushed me back instinctively. I fell back on the staircase, groaning at the pain that sliced through my back.Biting my lip, I tried to hold back the tears because it hurt like a bitch. I was sure it would leave bruises. "Watch where the fuck you are going, bitch." My sister barked out, and my face flamed in embarrassment as I wondered how they could cuss out loud."I'm sorry." I apologized, not bothering to stand up because she would just push me right back."Next time, I'll put a bullet be
Brielle Clarke~•~My head was pounding when I woke up, and I could register sitting on cold ground.I opened my eyes to see I was in a small dark empty room. I looked down at my clothes, breathing in relief when I saw that they were intact. What did they want from me? Why was I here?I knew they would be dangerous people, but at least I knew my father was expecting me. He would know something was wrong, and he would start looking for me.As soon as I thought about that, I dipped my hand in all my pockets, not surprised when they came up empty. They had taken away my phone and my headphones.I took another deep breath, willing myself not to panic. I would be safe. My father would come for me. He had a lot of men. He would save me.I let out a surprised shriek when the door suddenly opened, and one of the men from before came inside. He had a scar on the left side of his forehead, almost touching his eye.As he walked toward me, I crawled sideways. "Who are you?" I demanded, trying to
Brielle Clarke~•~I stood in front of the said boss, trying my best not to shake in fear. The man from earlier had warned me that his boss was not patient. He had me clean my tears before taking me to him."Turn around." His Italian accent was thick and I could barely understand what he was saying but I turned around, knowing it wouldn't take long for him to take my life if I dared disobey him. I didn't know what he was looking for but he didn't seem satisfied because he sighed."Face me." I had not spoken a word since I was pushed inside this room but that did not mean I didn't have anything to say. I just knew I had to keep my words to myself to avoid death."Take off your clothes."I had accepted my fate because I knew things like this happened in the mafia frequently and the fact that my father sold me out meant I had no one to come to my aid.I wondered if my siblings knew about this. I wondered if my mom did. Would they miss me? Would they even care that I was gone?Before I
Brielle Clarke~•~Everyone let out a scream at the unexpected shot, including me."Shut the fuck up." The man snapped, holding the gun pointed at us. "If I hear a sound from any of you, you're next."The fear was palpable in the room, but we all tried to be as quiet as possible. I almost let out a whimper but I covered my mouth. No matter how bad my life was about to get, I was not looking forward to death.Satisfied by our compliance, he breathed out. "Number six."Number six was visibly shaking but she tried to keep a bold facade as she walked toward the guard.As soon they left, there were whispers all over the room and my eyes drifted to the dead woman every few seconds, reminding myself that it could have been me.I had to pull myself together. It was not the end of the world. I was only twenty-two. I wouldn't be in their shackles forever. I had a long way to go.Besides, how bad could it be?I cringed internally at the question. It could get very bad very quickly. I knew that.
Maxim Vasiliev~•~"Would you care to explain what you spent a million dollars from the mafia money for?""Ah!" My father exclaimed, not the least bothered by my question. "I was just about to visit and talk about that."I gritted my teeth in annoyance. I wondered how my father ever ran the mafia by himself. He was so impulsive and could be reckless at times. I hated him, but he was still my father."Pochemu by nam ne pogovorit' ob etom pryamo seychas?" I sighed. "Was it a mistake for me to give you access to the money? It's meant to be for important things, father." [Why don't we talk about it right now?]"Ty takoy plotnyy, son. I bought you a gift." [You're so dense]"A gift," I repeated, knowing it couldn't be anything good. "A gift worth a million dollars.""Yes, you'd like it.""If you wanted to give me a gift, you were meant to spend your personal money, not the business money.""What's done is done. You'd receive your gift tonight. I promise you'd like it."I knew I wouldn't li
Brielle Clarke~•~An involuntary whimper escaped my mouth at Mr. Vasiliev's words, making the two men snap their heads toward me. My eyes met the ground immediately."Raise your gaze." I heard the younger man growl out. Barely stopping myself from flinching, I looked up to see that he had his eyes trained on me already.He looked dangerous and the tattoos he had all over his body made me curious about his pain tolerance. I almost had a tattoo once and I chickened out. I didn't know who would be a better choice to stay with but I didn't have to think much about that because it was not my choice.My eyes were locked with his and my breath hitched, unable to look away for some reason. His tongue poked the inside of his cheek as he finally broke eye contact with me, facing his father instead."Ya voz'mu yeye." He finally declared. I did not understand what he said so I could only stare in oblivion.However, the smile that came on his father's face gave me an idea. "Of course, you're goi
Maxim Vasiliev~•~I automatically hated the girl. It did not matter that she had not done anything wrong to me. Her father had crossed me too many times. The stopping me from throwing a knife at his eye was the peace treaty my father had with them.They were the head of the American mafia and in order for us to continue doing business in their country, we had to be nice to them.Edward Clarke often took advantage of that.Wait, did her father even know she was here?I turned around to face her again. Her eyes were everywhere at once, taking in the place. I noticed she didn't talk much and that was one of the reasons I agreed to keep her."Does your father know you're here? How did you end up here?"Her eyes widened at my question, making me raise an eyebrow in irritation."I expect you to speak when I ask a question."I saw her gulp, which oddly satisfied me before she answered. "I— my father, he sold me out."I blinked in surprise. It was true that fathers in the mafia showed tough
Brielle Clarke ~•~ I always knew there was something wrong with me. I must have been cursed during my birth or something. I had bad luck following me around. My siblings loved each other but hated me. My mother did not fail to show her distaste for me at every given opportunity. My father was the only person that cared a little bit about me, but I guess that was just me being delusional because look where I ended up now. In the home of my father's enemy. It was nerve-wracking and scary and I blamed myself for not putting up more of a fight with those men. If I had not taken that route that day, I would not have ended here. If I had not stepped out, I would not be here, but then again, I couldn't go against my father's word. I should have moved out as soon as I turned eighteen. It was obvious they did not care for me since I was a child. Why did I stick around hoping things would change? I took in a deep breath as I looked around the room Mikhail had given to me. It was empty and