Gangster's Paradise // Rio (Good Girls)

10.a Night

Isla's heart ricocheted against her ribcage, the adrenaline pulsing through her veins. The rush of blood in her ears seemed deafening, each thunderous beat amplifying her rising fear. The initial wave of nausea that had washed over her upon hearing his voice had subsided a little, but he still made her stomach twist in unease.

With shaky legs, Isla pushed herself up, her fingers instinctively reaching for her phone as she edged away from him. Her gaze remained locked on his intimidating figure while she scrolled through her contacts, frantically searching for Axle's name. Panic surged within her, a silent scream in her head urging her to call the police. This man was an enigma, and she had no idea of the depths of his capabilities.

As her fingertips lingered over Axle's contact, ready to dial, he spoke again, his voice a low rumble that sent icy tendrils down her spine. "Nah, don't do that," he said, a hint of warning in his tone as he took a deliberate step towards her. Isla's heart stuttered, but she continued to retreat, determined to maintain some distance.

"We both know how that'll end," he continued, his words heavy with an undercurrent of darkness. Her grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles blanched. Fear seized her, but she willed herself not to freeze.

Summoning every shred of bravery she had, she lifted the phone to her ear, her voice quivering as she dialed Axle's number. But before she could hit the call button, he interjected, his tone firm and laced with an implicit threat. "Be smart, Izzy. Hang up the phone. No need for unnecessary drama."

Isla's breath hitched, her eyes brimming with tears. A wave of helplessness washed over her, trapped in a perilous situation, uncertain of her next move. Slowly, she lowered the phone from her ear, her hand trembling violently.

"Please, just go," Isla pleaded, her voice trembling with fear and desperation. She could feel the gravity of the situation pressing down on her, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm in her chest.

"Drop it," Rio ordered, his voice as cold as ice. Isla's hands shook as she complied, letting her phone slip from her grasp to clatter onto the floor. Following his gaze to her discarded phone, she understood his silent demand and nudged the device away with her foot.

Trembling, Isla summoned the courage to voice the question gnawing at her, her eyes darting around the room in search of an escape route. "W-What do you want?" she stammered.

"What do I want?" Rio echoed, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You ask me that a lot, Isla." Each word, each step forward, was calculated, gradually eroding the distance between them. Panic surged through Isla's veins as she tried to back away, only to find her retreat blocked by the unforgiving wall. Trapped, her breathing became rapid and shallow.

Rio continued, a mix of resentment and frustration seeping into his voice. "Your brother called me, said to stay away from you, that you had nothing to do with... this," he said, gesturing vaguely around them. Isla's mind whirled, desperately searching for a way out of this dire situation.

"Look, they'll get your money," Isla choked out, her voice threaded with terror and desperation. "I'll make sure of it, just please... please leave me alone," she implored, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion. She hoped that by appealing to his greed, she might find a way to make it out of this alive.

"It's funny," Rio mused, a note of amusement seeping into his voice. "They say you ain't mixed up in this, yet you know everything. You're helping them get the money, so you're in this whether you like it or not." He didn't stop moving, his presence a pressing weight, suffocating her.

Tears tracked down Isla's face as she pleaded once more, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, please," she begged, her words almost inaudible. "You'll get what you want. Just go, please."

A slow, predatory grin curled Rio's lips as he leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. His hands found the wall, effectively trapping her between his body and the unyielding surface. Isla's heart thudded wildly, her breathing shallow.

"You see, Isla," Rio murmured, his voice a dangerous whisper. "I'm not here for the money they owe me." He paused, drinking in her fear.

Isla's voice was barely above a whisper as she managed to ask, "Then what are you here for?" She pressed herself further into the wall, a feeble attempt to put some distance between them.

"To get what I want," Rio replied, his voice filled with an eerie calm. The room seemed to close in on them, and any hope for escape felt like it was rapidly slipping through Isla's fingers. She was left with no choice but to confront the terrifying reality of her situation and brace herself for whatever was to come.

"A-and what's that?" Isla stammered, her voice barely audible, laced with trepidation and uncertainty. She held her breath, waiting for his reply, her eyes wide and fearful.

"A night," Rio responded, his words chilling her to the bone. Her heart seemed to stop, the world around her fading into a blur. Her breath hitched in her throat as she struggled to understand his meaning.

"A-a... a night?" Isla echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with confusion. She desperately hoped that she was misunderstanding his words. Fear surged within her, raw dread settling in the pit of her stomach. "Look, I did what you asked... I've kept quiet, didn't call the police. I've been good. Please, just go," she pleaded, her words a desperate prayer for mercy.

Rio leaned in closer, his voice a low whisper in her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "I want a night with you, Isla," he murmured, his voice husky and filled with a dangerous allure. Isla's eyes fluttered shut, tears welling up as she fought to keep her emotions in check. The shock of his request left her momentarily speechless, her mind whirling.

Her voice quaked as she finally managed to speak. "I'm not a whore," Isla whispered, her words a mix of defiance and vulnerability. She refused to submit to his demands, to compromise her integrity, no matter how alluring or terrifying he might be. She braced herself for his reaction, unsure of what would come next.

A chuckle escaped Rio's lips. "Oh, Isla, you say that like I was asking... I'm gonna spend a night with you, but it ain't gotta be like that, not right now," he said, his dark eyes locked on hers, his words shocking her in their straightforwardness. She felt a wave of shock wash over her as he stated his terms.

"If not that, then what?" Isla asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "And what does a night with you do for me and my siblings?"

"I'm gonna make a deal with you, Isla," Rio murmured, his voice a husky whisper in her ear, causing her body to shiver involuntarily. She clenched her thighs together, feeling an unexpected heat pooling there. Confused by her physical response, she realized she was dealing with a situation far more complex than she'd anticipated. "But the rest of this conversation is for another night," he added, stepping back while maintaining eye contact.

"Isla, I'll give you a couple of days to think this over," Rio said as he sauntered towards the door. "But I do expect an answer, and it better be one I like." With that, he exited the room, leaving Isla alone to contemplate his proposal.