4

I stared at Christopher as my chest tightened with my mind running in circles. He had just told Sean to let me leave. Was he serious? Or is he joking? Was he really going to let me walk out?

My feet felt heavy, like they were nailed to the floor. I don’t trust him. I don’t trust any of this.

Sean waited at the door, looking at me with a blank face. Christopher leaned back in his chair with his eyes on me like a hawk, as if daring me to move.

“You wanted to go,” he said calmly. “Then go.”

I swallowed hard as I tried to steady my shaking hands. This was what I wanted, wasn’t it? To leave this place. To run.

But his words from earlier echoed in my head... “Step outside, and they will track you down before you make it ten minutes. You will be dead before the hour ends.”

I didn’t know if he was trying to scare me or if he was telling the truth.

Still, my pride made me lift my chin. “Fine,” I said in a small voice.

Sean opened the door wider. “This way, miss.”

I walked quickly, brushing past him. My legs felt weak, but I forced them to keep moving. The hall seemed endless, every step echoing in the silence. I could feel Christopher’s eyes burning into my back even though I wasn’t looking at him anymore.

Sean walked behind me with his footsteps calm and even. I wanted to ask him questions, but his stiff face told me not to bother. He wasn’t going to answer.

We reached the main floor, and he led me to the front entrance. My breath quickened as the huge doors opened.

It was Cold, Quiet, Empty outside here.

“Good luck,” Sean said flatly. His tone made it sound more like a warning than kindness.

I stepped outside as I clutch my shoes in my hand. My heart hammered as the doors shut behind me with a loud thud.

The gate wasn’t far. I could see the guards still there, standing tall and watchful. For a second, I thought about running back inside, but I shook my head. No. I couldn’t stay in a mafia boss’s house.

I walked quickly, almost jogging toward the gate. The guards glanced at me but didn’t stop me. One of them pressed a button and the gate opened slowly.

The street outside was dark. Too dark.

I hugged myself as I stepped out. The moment the gate closed behind me, the silence felt heavier. My eyes darted around the street. Empty. No footsteps. No voices.

But my stomach twisted with unease.

I walked faster with my bare feet cold against the ground. Every shadow looked alive. Every corner felt like danger.

Maybe Christopher was lying. Maybe I will be fine. They would have gone by now. There is no way they will still be waiting for me.

Then I heard it.

A low whistle.

I froze.

The sound came from behind me. My blood ran cold.

Slowly, I turned my head.

Down the street, three dark figures stepped out of the shadows. Their eyes glinted in the faint light, and I recognized the faces instantly. The same men from the alley.

The Cruz Mafia.

“No…” I whispered, my throat dry.

One of them smirked. “Look who we found. The brave little girl who tried to play hero.”

My knees weakened.

I took a step back, then another. My mind screamed at me to run, but my body wouldn’t listen.

Another man pulled out a knife. the blade was flashing in the streetlight.

“You made a mistake, sweetheart,” he said coldly. “Nobody humiliates the Cruz Mafia and lives.”

Tears filled my eyes as my back hit a wall. There was nowhere left to go.

I thought about Anna. I thought about how she tried to convince me not to go to the club.

This is it.

This is my end.

I'm sorry Anna.

I'm sorry.

To be continued