BEHIND THE FACADE R18

Trapped

MIA'S POV

As I sat on the soft mattress, gazing at the sky's canvas with hues of orange, yellow and crimson, the sunset's fiery dance was mesmerising. My thoughts were a jumbled puzzle, pieces refusing to fit together.

Flynn's rough voice shattered the tranquility. "Let's go." He grasped my arm, his grip tightening.

"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to wriggle free, my voice laced with a mix of fear and defiance.

Flynn's response was a cold stare. "Just keep quiet."

I glared at him. "You're hurting me. Are you trying to get back at me? You won't get away with this. I'll make sure Malcolm knows......"

What was I even saying? I sounded like a 3 year old child.

Flynn's expression remained impassive.

Resigned, I allowed him to drag me out, the other men following.

Down the stairs, my eyes locked onto the familiar pair of blue ones. Malcolm stood there in his usual masculinity and aura, his gaze was piercing, yet emotionless. A whirlwind of emotions swept through me; relief, uncertainty and something else. Something I couldn't quite grasp.

Natalie stood beside him, her face a mask of disgust before morphing into sugary sweetness. She was always two-faced.

"Welcome," Landon said, his voice full of sarcasm as he approached me with papers in his hands. I noticed his busted lip and knew this must be Malcolm's doing.

"You've been helpful. Now it's time to go, but see you soon, hopefully, of course. And you are looking gorgeous, isn't she, brother?"

Landon's lips brushed against my cheek, sending shivers. I flinched, Malcolm's expression turning glacial but he said nothing.

"Why is he letting me go?" I thought. "What deal did Malcolm make?" Malcolm's silence was deafening.

Landon's men tossed me into Malcolm's henchmen's arms.

"In the car," Malcolm ordered, his voice icy, without sparing me a glance.

The men obeyed, dragging me away.

A few minutes passed before Malcolm and Natalie emerged, speeding off into the twilight.

Our car followed, the city lights blurring. The two men at the front seat said nothing, their expression, cold.

"What's going on?"
"Why was I freed?"
"What lay ahead?"

The darkness pressed in.

As the car sped away, I let out a silent sigh of relief. Malcolm had gotten me out of Landon's clutches, freeing me from that suffocating prison. But my respite was short-lived, replaced by a creeping sense of dread.

What must Malcolm be thinking? I wondered. His face had been a thunderstorm of fury earlier.

Oh God, I thought, my heart racing. I literally disobeyed him and ran away. Is he going to punish me? Torture me?

The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Please, just take me home, I silently pleaded. Take me back to my own bed, my own sanctuary.

But deep down, I knew that was impossible. Malcolm's world didn't work that way.

Anything is possible, I told myself, clinging to a fragile thread of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he'll show mercy.

The car sped on, the city lights blurring together outside. I glanced around, searching for answers, but found none. Only the soft hum of the engine and Malcolm's invisible wrath looming ahead.