Kidnapped By The Mafia

Who?

I was in the kitchen making tea when I heard the sound of tires screeching outside. I frowned, it was late for anyone to be visiting right now. I put the cup aside and rushed to the window only to see a car pull up to the front gates. The headlights were blinding, but I could make out a figure stepping out from the front seat.

A man. Tall, broad shouldered, wearing a long coat. I couldn't see his face, but something about him felt uneasy.

I stepped back from the window, my mind racing. Who the hell is this?

Before I could think any further Xander appeared at the door, his expression dark. He had a gun in his hand.

"Stay here." He ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

"What's going on?" I asked, confused.

"Just stay here, Melena." He didn't wait for a response before he turned and walked toward the front door, his movements quick and deliberate.

I stood frozen for a moment, my mind racing. I wanted to listen, wanted to do what he said and stay out of whatever was happening. But something inside me wouldn't let me.

So, I followed him.

By the time I got to the front door, Xander was already outside, standing face to face with the man from the car. They were speaking in hushed tones, but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

I crept closer, hiding behind one of the pillars near the entrance, my heart pounding in my chest.

The man was tall, with dark hair and a rough, rugged appearance. He looked like he had been through hell, his clothes disheveled and dirty. But there was something about him that felt dangerous.

I couldn't hear much of the conversation, but I caught a few words.

"You know what I want." The man said, his voice low and menacing.

Xander's jaw clenched, and I could see the tension in his body. "This isn't your fucking business." He said through gritted teeth.

The man laughed, a cold, humorless sound. "It is now, Marcellus."

Before I could process what was happening, the man lunged forward, grabbing Xander by the collar and slamming him against the side of the car. Xander's bodyguards rushed to his side, their expressions raging as they pulled out their own guns.

My heart stopped.

And without thinking, I stepped out from my hiding place, my voice shaking.

"Stop!"

Both the men turned to look at me and for a split second, I regretted getting involved. The man's eyes locked onto mine, and a slow dangerous smile spread across his face.

"Well, well." He said, his voice dripping with malice. "What do we have here?"

His eyes, dark and hollow seemed to pierce right through me. I didn't recognize him but something about him felt inherently wrong. The kind of wrong that made my skin crawl and my instincts scream to run. But I stood frozen, too paralyzed by fear and curiosity to move.

Xander's entire body tensed as if he knew what was about to happen but he didn't make any sudden movements. His eyes, hard as stone flicked from me to the man, clearly calculating the next move.

"Leave her out of this, Cain." Xander's voice was low, dangerous, carrying a threat beneath the words.

Cain's eyes never left mine as he released Xander, letting him fall back against the car with a grunt. He took a slow, deliberate step toward me and every fiber of my being screamed for me to retreat but I was rooted to the spot.