Kidnapped By The Mafia

Leaving

I could still feel the bruises under my skin, the feeling of his lips on my neck. The few servants who still spoke to me now avoided my gaze, their eyes downcast as if they knew better than to meet my stare. They had seen the marks on my skin, the way I flinched at any sudden movement, and they knew, just as well as I did.

As I reached the grand staircase, I paused, my hand gripping the banister as I looked down at the sprawling foyer below. Would I survive if I jump? I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I ascended up towards my bedroom.

I entered my room and he was there, leaning against the wall, waiting for me. His figure dark and imposing against the dim light, his eyes locked onto mine.

"What are you—"

"Pack your things." He ordered, his voice low and controlled, but there was an edge to it that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I stared at him, confused. "What? Why?"

He took a step forward, his presence filling the room, making it feel smaller. "Don't question me, Melena. Just fucking do it."

I wanted to argue, to push back, but something in his eyes made me stop. They were dark, almost black, a bottomless pit of resentment. There was no reasoning with him when he was like this. I nodded mutely, turning towards the closet to start packing.

But before I could even take a step, he crossed the room in three long strides, his hand wrapping around my arm in a grip so tight it made me wince, pulling me closer to him. "And don't even think for a second that I'm letting you go." He said, his breath hot against my ear. "You're mine. No one else's. Not even your thoughts belong to you anymore."

I flinched at his words, a shiver running down my spine. "Stop it, please—"

"Please, what?" He cut me off. His hands moved up to my throat, his fingers wrapping around my neck, not squeezing, but just enough to make me feel the weight of his control. I could feel his breath on my skin, his heartbeat against mine. "Please let you go? Please leave you alone? Not going to happen. Not now, not ever."

He released me abruptly, shoving me away with enough force to make me stumble.

I steadied myself, my fingers brushing over my throat where his hands had been, where his fingers had pressed hard enough to remind me who held power. I turned to look at him, my breath coming in shallow gasps. He was still standing there, his dark green eyes locked onto mine.

"You're scared." He said, his voice almost gentle now, but it was a gentleness that held no comfort, only a mocking edge.

"What the fuck do you want from me? Why are you doing all this?" I hated this side of him.

His lips twisted into a dark, humorless smile as he stepped closer, once again invading my space.

"What do I want?" He echoed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I want you to stop fighting me for once. Stop pretending like you have a choice in any of this."

I shook my head, taking a step back, but the wall behind me blocked any chance of escape. "You can't control me forever." I said, keeping my best efforts to stay strong. "You can't fucking—"

Before I could finish, his hand shot out, grabbing me by the chin and forcing me to look up at him.

"Watch me." He whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "I can do whatever I want. And you? You'll do exactly as I say or I'll make sure you regret it."

I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, his fingers digging into my skin painfully. "Xander..." I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. "You're hurting me..."

His expression softened slightly, but only in the most twisted way. "Am I?" He asked, almost as if he was genuinely curious. He loosened his grip just enough to let me breathe, but the pressure of his hand still lingered. "Good. Because you need to understand something, Melena Hart, pain is the only language you seem to respond to. So if that's what it takes to get through to you, then so be it."

His hand slid from my chin to the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our faces were just inches apart. "Now." He murmured, his breath hot against my lips, "You're gonna pack your things, and you're gonna to do it quietly. Because if you so much as think about going against me, I won't hesitate to remind you who you're dealing with. Understand?"

I nodded.

His grip on me only seemed to tighten. "Use your words, Miss Hart."

"I understand." Fuck this guy.

He released me immediately, stepping back just enough to let me move. My legs shook as I turned towards the closet. I stuffed the last of my clothes into the suitcase, my hands trembling so badly that I could barely zip it shut.

He moved closer, his steps measured and deliberate, the sound of his boots on the floorboards echoing in the silent room. I could feel his eyes on me, burning into my back, and it took everything in me not to flinch. When he spoke, his voice was low, a soft growl that sent a chill down my spine.

"Let's go." He ordered, and it wasn't a request. He grabbed my suitcase and marched out of the room, leaving me no choice but to follow. His hand closed around my arm, not as rough as before, but firm enough to make it clear that resistance was futile.

"Where are we going?" I dared to ask. I hated how small I sounded, how weak.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he tightened his grip, guiding me toward the door with a forceful pull. "You don't need to know that." He said. "All you need to do is keep your mouth shut and follow me."

My felt frantic as we stepped outside, the night air cold against my skin. The darkness seemed to close in around us, the only light coming from the flickering streetlamps that lined the driveway. The car was already waiting, its engine idling, and Xander shoved me toward it without a word.

"Get in." He demanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated, glancing around as if I might find some miracle of escape. But there was nothing, no one.

"Now, Melena." He growled, his patience wearing thin.

I nodded and slipped into the backseat of the car. Xander followed, sliding in beside me, and the driver pulled away from the estate without a word. And as the city lights blurred by outside the window, I realized with a sinking heart that I might never see the light of day again.