Made for crime

The Abyss of Fear

kai's POV

The moon hung high, a silver sentinel in the night sky, as I paced the dimly lit study of the sokolov estates. The evening had started off innocently enough; we had shared dinner, laughter, and the easy intimacy that had begun to grow between us. But as the hours slipped by, unease settled into my bones, an unshakable feeling that something was off.

Nina had excused herself to go upstairs, and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling in my gut. She had been so vibrant, so alive, a light piercing through the shadows that had long surrounded my life. I found myself lost in thoughts of her—the way her laughter danced in the air, the softness of her touch, the way she looked at me as if she could see through the walls I had built.

But tonight, the darkness seemed heavier, more oppressive. My instincts were on high alert, honed by years of navigating the treacherous world of the mafia. I glanced at the clock—ten minutes had passed since she went upstairs. Ten minutes too long.I moved to the window, peering out into the night, searching for any sign of danger. The streetlights cast a warm glow on the cobblestones, but shadows lurked in every corner, and my heart began to race. Something wasn't right. I could feel it in my bones.

A loud crash echoed from upstairs, breaking the stillness. My heart dropped, and without a second thought, I bolted from the room, adrenaline surging through my veins. I sprinted up the staircase, each step heavy with dread.

As I reached the landing, I noticed the door to her room was ajar. My instincts screamed at me to be cautious, but all I could think about was Nina. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my heart pounding in my chest.

The room was in chaos. Furniture was overturned, pillows scattered across the floor, but there was no sign of Nina. Panic clawed at my throat as I moved through the room, calling her name.

"Nina!" My voice echoed in the silence, filled with a desperation I had never felt before. I turned toward the closet, half-expecting to find her hiding there. But as I approached, I heard a faint sound—a muffled cry, barely audible but unmistakable. My heart sank.

I yanked open the closet door, but it was empty. In a frenzied search, I spun around, scanning the room for any sign of her. And that's when I saw it—her phone, lying discarded on the floor, the screen cracked.

"No, no, no..." I muttered, my mind racing as dread settled deep in my stomach. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut: she was gone.

I rushed to the window, throwing it open and looking out into the night. My heart sank further as I spotted a black van parked across the street, the engine rumbling quietly. It was too still, too deliberate. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and dialed carter, my right-hand man. "Get everyone. Nina's been taken," I barked, my voice low and filled with urgency."

What? How?" he asked, panic creeping into his tone.

"I don't know, but we don't have time. I need eyes on that van now." I hung up before he could respond, my mind racing as I forced myself to focus.

i felt a storm brewing within me—anger, fear, a deep, gnawing sense of helplessness. I had promised to protect her, to keep her safe, and I had failed.

Rushing out of her room, I descended the stairs in a blur, my thoughts racing. The familiar corridors of the estate felt alien, suffocating. I needed to act fast. I needed to find her.As I reached the front door, I saw carter, rosetta who was a mess of tears and a couple of other men waiting for me outside, their expressions tense. "What do you have?" I demanded, my voice low and fierce."We've got eyes on the van," carter said, his jaw clenched. "It's registered to one of the rival families. They're moving fast."My blood ran cold. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."

We hopped into the SUV, and as we sped away from the estate, my mind raced with thoughts of Nina. I could see her in my mind—her bright smile, the way she lit up a room just by being in it. The thought of her in danger sent a surge of rage through me. I would find her. I would bring her back.

As we drove through the night, each moment felt like an eternity. The streets blurred past, but all I could think about was getting to her. The image of her scared, alone, terrified, gnawed at me. "What if they hurt her?" carter's voice broke through my thoughts, and I clenched my fists, fighting against the surge of helplessness that threatened to consume me."They won't," I gritted out, my voice filled with a cold determination. "Not if I can help it."

Finally, we reached a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of the city. I could see the van parked outside, its doors slightly ajar. My heart raced as I stepped out, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I motioned for the men to follow my lead, moving toward the entrance with stealth.

As we approached the warehouse, I could hear muffled voices inside—men laughing, taunting, their voices low and cruel. I felt a wave of anger wash over me, a primal instinct to protect what was mine.

I nodded to carter, and we moved in, weapons drawn, ready for whatever lay ahead. The moment I stepped through the door, the sight before me was like a scene from a nightmare.

There she was—Nina—tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear but defiant. Rage exploded within me as I spotted the men surrounding her, their faces twisted with malice.

"Let her go!" I bellowed, my voice echoing through the warehouse. The room fell silent as they turned to me, surprise flashing across their faces.

In that moment, time seemed to freeze. I saw her flinch, her eyes locking onto mine, filled with fear and relief. The sight of her vulnerability sent a surge of fury through me, and I moved without hesitation, stepping into the fray.

"Get away from her!" I roared, charging forward. The world narrowed down to that one singular purpose—protecting her, saving her from whatever horrors these men had in mind.

As chaos erupted around us, I fought like a man possessed. Every punch thrown, every shot fired, was fueled by the fear of losing her. I could hear her voice calling out to me, urging me on, and it drove me forward.

Finally, as the last of the men fell, I rushed to her side, my heart pounding in my chest. I crouched in front of her, my hands shaking as I untied the ropes that bound her.

"Nina," I whispered, my voice hoarse, filled with a mix of relief and desperation. "I'm here. You're safe now."

Her eyes were wide with tears, but she managed a shaky smile. "Kai... I was so scared."

"I know," I said, my heart breaking at the sight of her fear. "I'm so sorry. I should have protected you."

As I freed her from the last of the ropes, she threw her arms around me, burying her face in my chest. I held her tightly, feeling the weight of everything that had just happened wash over me.

"I thought I'd lost you," I murmured into her hair, my voice trembling. "I won't let anyone take you away from me again."

We stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the chaos of the night fading into the background. In that moment, I realized how much she meant to me, how fiercely I would protect her, no matter the cost.

As the sirens wailed in the distance, signaling the arrival of backup, I knew this was just the beginning. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe. Because losing her was no longer an option; she was my light in the dark, and I would fight for her until my last breath.