|5|

Talia's POV:

Don't freak out. It's okay Talia. 
Breathe in and then out.

Alright, girl, you got this.

Looking out the window, I attempted to memorize each turn and bend the car was making. 
Matteo and some other man with dirty blonde hair were currently conversing in what sounded to be Italian. 

Why did you have to kidnap me huh? 

Italians are so hot.

We could've been friends! 

OH MY GOSH FOCUS TALIA.

Well, the windows inside of the car are tinted, however, the street lights are still on; so if I could just get them to roll the windows down, maybe I could get a glimpse of a road sign or some type of area so that I could recognize where I am. 

I'm a genius. 

Okay, time to play the victim. 
Well, I am a victim...

OF A KIDNAPPING, THIS IS INSANE. 

"Umm, I was just wondering..." I started "...if it's possible for you to roll the windows down, I think I'm having a bit of a panic attack" I tried whispering for effect. 

"What?" Matteo responded. 

"I said..." I continued a little bit louder, but before I could finish I was interrupted by Matteo saying,

"No I heard what you said, I'm just shocked that you think you can make demands."

Excuse me?

I am not the one sir. 
Do not mess with me right now 

"You just kidnapped me! The least you can do is allow me to have some air," I exclaimed.

"I wouldn't really call it a kidnapping, I gave you another choice." He responded.

"Ahh, yes, what was it again? Oh right unloading ten bullet rounds into the side of my head. I should've clearly gone with that option. Silly me" I deadpanned

"I like this one, she's feisty." The blondie chuckled, I don't know if it was at the expense of his friend, or at my misfortune.

"Look, could you please just roll down the window, if I was going to do anything stupid, I would've done it ages ago," I pleaded. 

"Are you going to kill me?" I mumbled with suspicion.

"It depends on what mood I'm in..." He stated.

He's joking... right?

"What about right at this moment, like right now?" I continued 

Silence. 

"Are you in the mafia?" I inquired

He's soooo in the mafia. 

Leaning back into my chair with a sigh, my eyes widened when we pulled up to a luxurious mansion. 

I watched, as both men stepped out of the car they conversed for a while, then the blondie walked to one of the many cars parked here, got inside and drove off. 

NO. Don't leave me here! I obviously didn't trust the blonde, but he seemed less likely to kill me. 

Matteo walked up to my door, opening it he demanded: "Get out." 

Stepping out of the car, I straightened my shoulders and gave him the dirtiest look I could muster up. 

Chanel Oberlin would be proud. 

Before I could carry on walking, he yanked the back of my shirt, pulling me hard, until my back was pressed against his chest and my butt was pressed directly on his crotch.

"Watch the attitude." He muttered

I was gonna reply with something sassy, but I decided I valued my life more. 

Taking hold of my wrist, he dragged me up the stairs and we entered the manor.

I was expecting there to be loads of people inside, but it was actually very quiet with only a few maids and bodyguards conversing, however that quickly changed when a man with jet black hair and green eyes approached us. 

He kind of looked like Matteo. 

Only younger. 

"Fratello Grande!" He shouted.

(Big Brother)

"Oh fuck..." Matteo cursed. "Luca, why are you here?"

"The fuck do you mean, why am I here? Our father died or did you fucking forget?" he said while glaring.

"What kind of dumb question is that? What do you think I've been doing? Do you think I've been reciting a poem in the woods? I'm making the people who did this pay!" He seethed out.

"Really?" Luca continued, "Cause it kind of seems like you don't care." 

"What do you want me to do? Start crying? Everybody deals with trauma differently," he carried on. 

Smirking, Luca continued by saying, "Relax brother, I'm just checking that you haven't gone soft."

"Non interrogarmi di nuovo." Matteo responded.

(Do not question me again.)

Well as dramatic as that was to listen to, my feet were starting to hurt, so could we get this moving? 

"So, who's the girl?" he asked, not even bothering to look at me. 

"A complication" Matteo spoke.

"This complication has a name, it's Talia, and I'm standing right here!" I announced. 

"Hmm..." Luca started, "...I like this one." 

"Well, this one doesn't like you!" I shrugged.

Putting his hand to his chest, he made an action as if he was being stabbed. "Oh no! Whatever will I do?" he teased sarcastically.

"Alright, I think I've had enough dramatics for tonight." Matteo declared while rolling his eyes.

Yanking me to yet another set of stairs, we walked down a long hall until we arrived at a separate section, which seemed to only have four bedrooms.

We walked into the room.

It had a queen-size bed and a connecting bathroom, with minimalistic decor. 

"This is where you'll be staying from now on, so get used to it..." he muttered "...if you need anything, well that's unfortunate, I don't care enough to help. Goodnight." He said while exiting the room. 

"Well, goodnight to you bitch!" I mumbled. 

As if I was going to sleep, I'm keeping my ass up until everyone else falls asleep and then, I'm hatching an escape plan.

"Don't do it, Talia! This is how people die in those movies." My conscience begged.

Fine, I'll go to bed and deal with this later.

I CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT I'M SAYING RIGHT NOW, I'VE LITERALLY BEEN KIDNAPPED. 

What if he kills me when I'm sleeping?

"Honestly bitch, he's had many opportunities." My conscience chimed in. 

I shrugged off the blazer he gave me from earlier and threw it onto the chair that was placed in the corner of the room.

Climbing onto the bed, I pulled the duvet up and shut my eyes. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep, as I had been working an eight-hour shift before shit hit the fan.

~***~

——The Next Day——

Talia's POV:

Waking up with a yawn, I stretched my arms and sat up.

Wait a damn minute. This is not my room.

Oh yeah! I'm being held, hostage.

Walking into the bathroom, I brushed my teeth, and washed my face, and was about to shower, when I realized I had no clothes. 

Umm... do I like, leave the room and go inform someone that I have no clothes?

Walking up to the room door, I was about to open it, when the door swung open and revealed a maid, who had a pile of clothes in her hand. 

"Oh! Morning Miss Cruz, Mr. Russo said I should bring these to you!" She smiled.

Taking the clothes out of her hand, I mumbled a quick 'Thank You' and then proceeded to take a shower.

~***~

Matteo's POV:

Walking out of my room, I mentally shot myself when I saw not only Luca walking up to me, but Angelo as well. 

Raising my hand up to interrupt whatever dumb thing they were going to say to me, I simply said "Get the girl, and meet me downstairs."  

"Aye Aye Captain!" Angelo responded.

Walking downstairs to the large dining room, I took my seat at the head of the table and started to eat when a maid presented me with my food. Shortly after, Angelo, Talia, and Luca all joined me, as well as Alessio.  

Luca and I were conversing, when Alessio asked, "Aren't you going to eat?" Directing my attention to Talia, I looked at her and saw that she hadn't touched a thing on her plate. 

"Well?" Angelo pressed.

"Ahh, I see. You think we poisoned it..." I stated, "...if it makes you feel better, I would never poison anyone." 
She lifted her eyebrow in response and I continued, "That's too much of a painless death and it's not really my thing."

This enticed a chuckle from Luca and Angelo, and an eye roll from Alessio. 

"Actually, it doesn't make me feel better." She said with even more sass.

This attitude.....