Pomegranates (18+)

CHAPTER 3

𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝔂 𝓼𝓮𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 27𝓽𝓱, 𝓳𝓾𝓵𝓮𝓼

I blinked my eyes open, squinting as a pounding ache throbbed in my head, like I'd downed four bottles of wine the night before. Instinctively, I tried to lift my hands to rub my temples, but they wouldn't budge.

"What the..." I muttered, my voice weak as I took in my surroundings. My eyes widened in alarm when I realized my body was bound tightly to a seat, held down by thick straps. Panic flared, and I struggled against the restraints, twisting and pulling, but they didn't give an inch. After several minutes, my wrists and arms began to burn, an angry red where I'd fought the belts.

Breathless, I slumped back, a heavy knot of fear settling in my stomach. "Hi, darling," a blond man said as he stepped into my line of sight, a slight smirk playing on his lips. I flinched, my heart racing as I took him in.

"Who are you?" I stammered, my voice barely steady.

"Alexander," he replied smoothly, as if introducing himself over coffee instead of in the middle of some twisted hostage situation. I swallowed hard, nerves overriding my better judgment. "You know, kidnapping isn't exactly legal, sir," I blurted, instantly regretting the words.

His smirk widened. "Ah, but legality isn't really my concern, is it?" he replied, his tone almost amused, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently grip my chin, tilting my face up toward him. "Do you need the toilet?" he asked, his tone surprisingly calm, though his eyes held an unsettling intensity.

Relief at the idea of moving, of getting off this seat, flickered through me. "If... I'm allowed to?" I replied softly, keeping my gaze anywhere but on his face.

He studied me for a moment, then nodded, moving behind me to release the straps that had held me firmly in place. As the restraints loosened, I took a slow, steadying breath, trying to mask the pulse of dread building inside me.

I tried to stand, but he shoved me back down, leaning in so close his breath was warm against my ear. "try anything" he whispered, his voice low and cold, "and you'll be back in that seat before you can blink. Understood, darling?"

A shiver ran down my spine, and I swallowed, nodding quickly. "Y-Yes, I understand," I managed, voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded approvingly, then grasped my arm, hauling me up from the seat with a grip that made it clear I had no choice but to follow. I staggered beside him, my legs unsteady, but froze the moment I caught sight of the window. My heart dropped—clouds stretched endlessly outside, drifting past at dizzying heights. I wasn't anywhere near solid ground. I was trapped on a plane, far from any chance of escape.

Alexander seemed to notice my panic, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. My voice shook as I stammered, "You can't—you have no right to take me... out of the country."

Alexander's smirk vanished, replaced by a flash of anger that made my stomach twist. Without a word, he yanked me forward and practically dragged me down the narrow aisle. Before I could even process what was happening, he threw me roughly onto the seat next to a familiar face—the dark-eyed man from the bakery and an unfamiliar face. My heart sank as recognition hit me.

"Can't keep your mouth shut, can you?" Alexander hissed, his eyes cold. He forced me back against the seat, tightening the straps around me so hard it hurt. Panic flared as he reached into his bag and tore off a strip of duct tape. I tried to turn my face, but his grip was unyielding as he pressed it over my mouth, the adhesive tugging painfully at my skin.

"Now, stay put," he growled, leaning in close, his gaze dark and unforgiving. "Unless you want me to make this even more uncomfortable for you." He gave one last tug on the straps, making sure I couldn't move an inch, before stepping back, leaving me trapped and silenced, my pulse pounding as the gaze of the men settled on me.

"Hey, sweetheart," the voice of the bakery man taunted me as he leaned closer, his dark eyes glinting. I shook my head, pulling uselessly against the straps that held me in place.

"Oh, come on, birdie, we won't hurt you—unless you give us a reason to," another man said, the one called Cas if I correctly remembered from the night before, his voice almost mocking. My breathing turned shallow as I struggled to stay calm, but it was no use. I felt trapped, every nerve in my body on high alert.

"Sweetheart," Nico murmured with a cold smile, "Alex, grab the siringa'' My eyes widened as Alexander turned, retrieving something from a sleek, black bag on the table nearby. The sight of the syringe in his hand sent a fresh wave of panic through me, and I shook my head frantically, the instinct to fight reawakening as dread pooled in my stomach.

But the man from the bakery had enough of my resistance. He gripped my chin firmly, tilting my head to the side and holding it in place, his expression steely and unyielding. I barely had time to react before I felt the sharp prick of the needle as Alexander pushed it into my neck. My vision blurred almost instantly, my thoughts slipping away like sand through my fingers.

"Dormi bene, amore mio," Alexander's voice whispered as my eyes fluttered closed, his words barely registering before I felt the soft press of his lips on my forehead, sealing me into darkness.