The Mafia and Her ✔

Chapter 4

After what felt like an hour, we arrived at an abandoned warehouse. I carried Alvaro, who refused to let go of me as tears poured down his rosy cheeks. I would not let Heath or anyone else lay a hand on him. He was under my protection, even if it'd cost me my life.

"What's in your boobies?" Alvaro whispered as he hid his face in my chest. My eyes widened at the realization, and I wanted to scream at my stupidity.

"Our ticket out of here. Shush!" I winked. He giggled, shoved his face in my chest again, and wrapped his arms around my neck. I had my phone and now intended to use it once we were alone, if ever.

I did not worry about it ringing since no one had this number. 

Pathetic.

No, Verena. You're just focused on surviving.

It's true that you don't have friends or someone you can fully trust, but you've survived all these years. 

You'll make it out of this.  

Heath shoved us inside a small, barely lit room, making us fall on the rough, unpaved ground. I groaned when I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. It didn't break, but it was sore. "Careful, you son of a female dog!"

"You still can't curse like normal," he commented with a smug expression, making him look uglier than normal. 

I rolled my eyes. "I can, but I won't. You are lower than these words, isn't that right, Alvaro?" I asked, and the bundle of joy giggled. 

"Since you intend to keep us here until the ransom is paid, get us something to eat and some water," I demanded with a smile. I was done playing around. Alvaro's stomach was growling.

"Don't think of doing anything stupid. My men are guarding this place. Behave." Heath warned and locked the door behind him.

"Behave," I mimicked, and Alvaro laughed. "Now, I need you to be silent. I want to use my phone and call for help." He nodded as he sniffed his nose and wiped his wet cheeks. His eyes were red from crying, and I got angrier at the ugly duckling. 

I pulled the phone from my bra, smiling like I was a genius, but my smile fell once I saw the black screen. It was half full right before the kidnapping, and now I regretted getting the older version—typical Verena luck.

Old phones suck.

Alvaro tapped my shoulder, and I took a deep breath to calm my anxiety. "Is it broken?" he asked when he saw me return it to where it was, concealed and warm between my boobies, as Alvaro said. 

I nodded sadly, unable to come up with an excuse. "It's okay, we will be okay," he reassured me as if he was the adult and I was the child.

I kissed the top of his head. "How are you so mature for a- how old are you?" He held out four fingers. "How are you so mature for a four-year-old?" I asked in an exaggerated tone, making him laugh.

"I don't know. Mamá says I am smart."

"That you are my friend," I agreed, and we sat silently, waiting for the food.

~~~

"Here you go," a not-so-gentleman threw a bag at us after hours of trying to entertain ourselves with literally nothing. 

As he was about to lock the door again, I stood up with crossed arms and a glare. "Where is Heath?" I asked, shielding a sleepy Alvaro behind me. He looked so tried, and I felt sick to know that Heath was also that kind of person. He was a greedy, abusive prick.

"None of your business." He shut the door in my face.

"Rude," I muttered, and Alvaro opened the bag despite his exhaustion. "What's in it, buddy?" I sat beside him, and we looked inside. A small water bottle and two sandwiches, which did not look fresh.