Park Jimin: Romeo and Juliet

ɢᴜɪʟᴛ ᴛʀɪᴘᴘɪɴ

CHAPTER FIVE
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"You can't just kidnap me! I'm the daughter of Don Cordano!" I say the only thing I can think of.

Jimin straightens his tuxedo, "Indeed you are, bella. But for tonight, you are my prisoner."

Jimin takes a step back, his face expressionless. Luca, Jimin's right-hand, pushes me towards their car. I twist in Luca's grip, but he over powers me easily. Jimin tut-tugs with disapproval.

I kick, bite, squirm, but nothing works. Luca's too strong.

"She's a feisty one, boss."

"Please, Jimin... you don't have to do this."

I end up in the backseat of a car, still struggling. Luca ties my wrists with a table napkin.

"Sorry, honey. But the boss would kill me if you got free, and I can tell you're a fighter. No hard feelings?"

I glare, "Let's just get this over with."

"Fair enough."

A key turns in the ignition. I close my eyes. I still can't believe this is happening. In the past hour, I've survived a marriage proposal and a massacre. Kidnapping should be no problem, right?

Minutes later, as the sun comes up, I'm pulled out of the car and thrust into a warehouse-meets-auto shop. Luca pushes me under a table in the corner, a finger to his lips. A moment later, he follows Jimin out of sight.

Focus, Sam. My hands are still tied, my throat parched, but I crane my neck to study my surroundings. A few men are playing cards nearby. There's cars, tables, and the unmistakable stench of danger.

I'm just going to stay right here under this table and wait it out. As I've mentioned before, growing up as a Mafia princess, you have to be smart in these kinds of situations. I can't be like those clueless girls in most Mafia fiction books. Eventually, I'll be able to escape... right?

I hear a creak of a door opening. I look up, praying for a miracle. For someone to rescue me.

It's Jimin. He's changed out of his suit and into a casual outfit. And he's only got eyes for me.

"Good morning, bella," He pulls up a chair opposite to me. I lift my chin, assessing him carefully.

I have to play this smart. I hold his gaze steadily. I want to show him I can't be intimidated. He grins.

"You look hungry. And thirsty. We have plenty of food here if you'd like some," He sits back.

"Are you going to untie me?"

"No. I'll feed you."

My stomach squirms. I can't decide if I find the idea hot or humiliating. Perhaps both.

I can't believe one of the most powerful mobsters in Vegas has me tied up. And he just wants to make sure I'm fed and comfortable? Who is this guy? Not the kind of mobster I'm used to, that's for damn sure.

"We have a lot of food. Pastries, fruit, coffee... whatever you want."

I'd just about kill someone for a croissant right about now. Or a bite of an apple. Or even just a sip of water.

I raise my gaze to meet his. His eyes travel down to my lips, lingering there for a long moment.

"What do you say, bella?"

"I'd rather starve."

"You sure?"

As badly as I want it, I don't trust him. Or myself around him.

"Your loss, bella."

Jimin rejoins the rest of the men playing poker. I listen in on the hushed whispers.

"Can you believe someone tried to whack three bosses in one night? Who would have the balls?"

"Well, if it's that little girl over there, apparently no balls at all."

"You know what else I heard? Taehyung's still alive. Thank God."

Why is it always the awful ones that end up surviving?

"Apparently the restaurant is crawling with cops. No weapon found yet."

Jimin keeps glancing over at me as he talks with the other Park associates. He's the enemy. Just remember that, Sam.

After a few more minutes talking to others, Jimin approaches my corner again. He gestures at my clothing: the punk dress, the boots, the glimpse of a tattoo.

"So this is the real you, huh?"

"You don't know the real me."

"You're right, bella. But I'd like to."

I bite my lip as he takes the chair opposite of me.

"So, Sam Cordano. Are you ready to tell me what you were doing at the restaurant last night?"

"Depends. What can I get in return?"

He raises a brow, "What do you want?"

"Untie me."

Jimin laughs, "Nice try but I'm not much of the negotiating type. I have other ways to make you talk."

"Do your ways involve beating women? Because I've had enough of that from Mafia men, thank you."

He leans close to me, cupping my cheek, "I'd never hurt you, bella. Or any woman."

I realize how close our faces are. I can smell the faint, woodsy smell of his cologne.

"Kidnapping me and keeping me tied up isn't hurting me?"

There's a sudden pang of guilt across his face. I feel my stomach lurch.

"I.. I don't..."

I can't believe it worked. Maybe if I keep going, I can get him feeling sorry enough to help me.
I lean forward until my hair brushes his face. I breath into his ear.

"My hands... they really hurt," I chafe my wrists for added effect, batting my eyelashes. He shifts in discomfort.

"I am... I am sorry, bella," His cheeks are flushed. His eyes bright. Guilt blaring across his expression like an alarm. He's almost there. I just have to say the right thing, at least to convince him to untie me.

"Look, the way I see it, you're a big, handsome mobster... and me? I'm smarter than I look. I can see that I'm outnumbered by the big guys," I sigh, "I won't do anything stupid. If you untie me, I'll make sure your men know you call all the shots."

"Oh?" Jimin's mouth is a breath away from mine, "and how exactly do you plan on doing that, bella?"