The Mafia's Pet: Pawn Of The Ruthless ( A Dark Romance)

Chapter 39: So fast

Evangelina

As we approached the garden, I tried to distract myself by striking up a conversation with the maid. My heart was racing, my nerves on edge, and I needed something—anything—to make the tension bearable.

"So, I haven't seen you around much. Do you usually work in this part of the house?" I asked, keeping my tone light, though my mind was swirling with dark thoughts about Aemilio and what awaited me.

The maid didn't look at me, her steps quickening slightly. "I'm in the cleaning department," she replied quietly. "I don't usually come out much. I prefer to stay in the quarters after a long day."

There was something off about the way she spoke, like she was choosing her words carefully. I frowned. "But I've been here for a while, and I feel like I know most of the staff. I don't remember ever seeing you."

She stiffened at that, her hands clenching slightly. "Well, it's a big mansion," she muttered. "There are lots of maids. You can't know all of us."

Her nervousness was palpable. I studied her face, noticing how her brow had begun to glisten with sweat, even though the night was cool. She was hiding something, but what? Why would a maid be this tense just walking me to the garden?

I tried another approach. "Do you know Kate?" I asked casually. "She's the chubby one with the long lashes?"

The maid blinked rapidly, a quick nod following. "Yes. Kate's nice. I've seen her around."

I chuckled softly. "That's funny. I don't know any Kate like that."

The maid froze for a split second, her face going pale. "Oh, well... maybe you haven't met her yet. There are lots of maids, like I said. You haven't been here that long, so..."

My stomach twisted with unease. Something was definitely wrong. The maid was acting too strange, too suspicious. But before I could press her any further, we reached the garden.

I sighed in frustration as I walked through the open gate, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of Aemilio. My head was bowed, and I was steeling myself for whatever insults, commands, or punishments he had waiting for me. But when I didn't hear his voice or see anyone immediately, I lifted my head slowly, glancing around.

The garden was empty.

No Aemilio.

No Erico.

No one.

I stopped in my tracks, my heart thudding loudly in my chest. A cold breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, but aside from that, there was nothing. No footsteps. No movement. Just silence.

I turned to the maid, confused. "Where is he? Aemilio... where is he?"

The maid looked even more pale and frightened than before. Her eyes darted around wildly, as if she was expecting something—or someone—to appear at any moment. Her hands were trembling slightly, and when I looked closer, I could see that she was sweating more now, her entire body stiff with fear.

"Answer me," I demanded, my voice rising. "What's going on?"

The maid opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. She looked like she was on the verge of tears, her lips quivering as she struggled to find a response.

And then, before she could speak, it was too late.

The sound of footsteps came from behind, heavy and fast. My heart leapt in my chest as I spun around, but I barely had time to react before two large men appeared through the open gate. Thugs. Their faces were hard and menacing, their eyes locked on me as they rushed forward with terrifying speed.

"Run!" I tried to scream, but the words caught in my throat.

I backed up quickly, but my feet felt like they were glued to the ground. Panic surged through me as the thugs closed the distance, their hands reaching out to grab me.

The maid was frozen, completely useless. Her face was a mask of fear, but she made no move to help me, didn't even shout for help. She just stood there, watching as the two men lunged toward me like predators closing in on their prey.

One of them grabbed my arm, his grip painfully tight as he yanked me toward him. I struggled, kicking and clawing at him, but he was too strong. The other man circled around behind me, his hands seizing my other arm, pinning me in place.

"Let me go!" I screamed, thrashing wildly in their hold. But they only tightened their grip, their faces impassive, like they had done this a hundred times before.

My mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening. This wasn't Aemilio's doing, was it? He had never sent thugs after me before. He enjoyed tormenting me himself, face-to-face, so why would he send these brutes to attack me?

I looked at the maid, hoping for some explanation, some sign that this wasn't as bad as it seemed. But her wide, terrified eyes told me everything I needed to know.

She had known. She had known this was going to happen, and she had led me right into it.

"Why?" I gasped, barely able to breathe under the pressure of their hands. "Why are you doing this?"

The maid took a shaky step back, her face ashen. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't have a choice."

Before I could respond, one of the men clamped his hand over my mouth, muffling my screams as they dragged me deeper into the garden. My heart pounded in my chest, fear and rage swirling inside me like a storm. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have trusted anyone in this cursed house?

I kicked and fought with every ounce of strength I had left, but it was no use. They were too strong, too determined. The maid had disappeared, retreating into the shadows, leaving me alone with these monsters.

And as they dragged me further into the darkness, my thoughts turned to Aemilio and Erico. How much of this was their doing? Had they known? Had they planned this, just another way to break me?

I had no idea, but I knew one thing for sure: whatever was about to happen, it was going to be worse than anything I had faced before.

And there was no one coming to save me.