Mafia's African Rose

Decision

I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room, the walls damp and the dim light flickering. Memories from last night surged back, hitting me like a punch to the gut. Panic shot through me as the reality settled in—I'd been kidnapped. My hands trembled as I curled into a corner, the sense of isolation and dread choking me.

"She's the girl," a man's voice said from across the room, his tone cold and rough. I tried to make sense of why they'd taken me—I was just an innocent girl trapped in this nightmare, caught in a war that had nothing to do with me.

Then, another voice, full of rage: "He dared kill my son for that whore?" The words were thick with menace. My heart stilled. I remembered the man at the club, Oh my god. My blood ran cold. I was sure now—I wasn't making it out of this alive.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a metallic clang, revealing a tall, terrifying man who sneered and spat something in German? I was familiar with languages, it made my stomach twist. He crossed the room and yanked me up by my hair, dragging me out. I whimpered, my scalp throbbing from his harsh grip as he pulled me through a narrow corridor.

"Now I see why you've got Alexio so hooked," a big, fat man leered at me, his beady eyes trailing over my body like I was some piece of meat. A shiver ran down my spine. "I mean nothing to him!" I stammered, trying to make my voice sound strong, but it came out shaky.

"Film us," he barked to another guy holding a camera, positioning it to capture every horrible detail. The fat man's hand shot out, squeezing my backside cruelly. I cried out, trying to shield myself with my hands, but another man grabbed my wrists, forcing them down as I thrashed.

A hard slap cracked across my face, the taste of blood flooding my mouth as my lip split open. In one brutal motion, he tore my corset top, leaving me my chest exposed. A sob broke from my throat as I hugged my arms around myself, desperately trying to cover what I could, but his grin only widened.

Just when he reached for the waistband of my pants, a thunderous bang echoed down the hallway. The men froze, glancing toward the door with alarm. The guy holding me released his grip, instinctively pulling out his gun. Another gunshot followed, louder and closer this time, reverberating off the walls.

"What's happening?" the fat man snarled, his gaze darting around. Panic flickered in his eyes as footsteps thundered down the hall. And then, as if out of nowhere, a bullet cut through the air, striking him square in the chest. He fell instantly, his eyes wide with shock as blood spread over his shirt.

I cringed back into a corner, clutching my arms to my chest, still trying to cover myself, but too paralyzed to move. The room exploded into chaos—gunfire blazed from all sides, and more men poured in, shouting that it was the Russians. Relief sparked in me. At least someone was here, but I knew I couldn't just trust anyone.

"Take the girl!" a voice shouted, his tone sharp and commanding. My heart raced as I tried to crawl away, but I felt a sudden, searing pain at the back of my head. My vision went hazy, darkness seeping in. The last thing I saw was Viktor's familiar face, and then everything went black.

I woke up on a soft, comfortable mattress, the familiar ache in my body reminding me of everything I'd been through. My eyes took in the grey-painted walls around me, a dull reminder of the dark reality I couldn't escape. As I scanned the room, the door opened, and a familiar figure entered—Adriana, Alexio's mother, with a warm, comforting smile.

"Oh, my dear, you've been through so much," she said, her eyes filled with a gentle concern. I noticed I was wearing a large T-shirt, its scent distinctly masculine, which made my heart ache. "Where am I?" I asked, still disoriented.

"You're safe, sweetheart. Viktor brought you here, to my home," she replied, still smiling.

"Why?" I asked, my voice shaky. "I'm supposed to be with Alexio." At the mention of his name, Adriana's face shifted slightly, a shadow of pain crossing her features. Before she could respond, the door burst open, and Viktor stepped in, his tall frame filling the doorway.