Duchess Trilogy: Book 1: Mafia

Chapter Twenty-One: Run

Alex's POV

I stayed awake after getting shocked in the middle of the night. I fear something happened to Brie after feeling it in my arm. But I knew that if I was shocked, then she would still be alive.

However, the last time I saw her on the screen, I noticed she didn't eat or drink. If she is holding out being tough when she hasn't eaten yet, then I fear she will be in a poor state. I can fast for a good week, but she isn't used to that food diet. I fear if I did attempt to escape, she wouldn't make it. I circled the cell, pondering how I could describe the place we were in if I was managing to escape. The only thing I overheard of the masked men was about some young women that they were holding, but I don't see a place like this for a sex trafficking ring. It doesn't give all the signs.

A door opened, and it caught me off guard, wondering if it was time for Brie and I's arrangement. It wasn't yet, as it was two women who looked like maids coming through the doors. She ushered the other men to leave to have us in the room alone.

The room grew silent when the two left. Leaving me alone with them.

"Is something wrong," I ask politely.

"No, we are here to bring you a new set of clothes for your departure. And to remove the device out of your arm." Speaks Marg.

"I see. And Brie? Is she alright?"

"She is... tired. But she is well taken care of."

"Has she eaten since the last I have seen her?"

Both of the women grew silent, confirming my suspicion. "Is there a way that you can bring the food to me so we can have breakfast like a farewell meal? That way, I would be more comfortable knowing she ate before I left?"

Marg was working on removing the device from my arm as I took the clothes from the other woman. "We will have to ask the boss first. It may please him to see her eat as she became ill last night." She says truthfully.

"She was ill, and he hurt her? Punishing her to eat or something? God, I wish there was something I could do." I think to myself. "When is our meeting?" I ask one last time.

"In twenty minutes. We have to go change Brie out of her clothes first." She says as she finishes stitching my arm. She makes a small knot with the string and then cuts the string off. I pulled back my arm, admired her stitch work, and then nodded. One of the ladies then took the cuffs off my wrist and rubbed the roughly. They both left the cell to lock the gate from earlier. I watched the two walk out of the room and then went to change my clothes. I was eager to see Brie once more. And maybe if I can get her to eat, she can hold on for a little bit more so that someone in Sicilian, whether I or Ryan or someone else, can rescue her.

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What felt like an hour was honestly twenty minutes. I knew the time was up when 'he' showed up behind the screen with his familiar mask.

"Are you ready to go home, Alex?" He asks in a direct tone.

"Ready when I see Brie first," I say, staring hard into the camera and adjusting my long-sleeved shirt.

"A promise is a promise, dear friend. Marg asked about the food you mentioned, and I couldn't agree more! I even offered you food as well before your departure, so you are well fed, too." He says humbly.

I nodded my head and thanked him for the food. The doors opened wide, and I saw Brie slowly walking into the room. My heart sank when I saw she had lost some weight. She seemed paler than usual, but it was noticeable with some makeup trying to hide how pale she truly was. Her red dress was simple but looked like an expensive dress to wear for this occasion. I presume that he forced her to wear this outfit.