"You know, silly girl, we have rules in the Mafia. We don't touch family members. And your father broke that rule. He sent his men to kill my brother, and he was shot seven times. Did you hear that? Or are you too numb to process the fucking info? Seven times. He was already dead after the second shot, but one of yours—Daniel something—kept shooting him five more times, just to make sure.
So I fucking shot all his family members seven times. Right in front of him. Then I locked him in his house and made him watch them bleed and die. But you know what? My thirst for revenge wasn't even close to being fully satisfied. And now I'm finishing the job—with you."
He took a deep breath as he squeezed my knee. I was trembling so hard even my breath was shaking.
I started to cry and beg—really beg—for him to let me go. But he didn't even hear me.
"I didn't know you were this pretty. Now the job's even more fun. But at least now you know—this is all your dad's fault. I wouldn't have laid a hand on you if it weren't for him."
"I'll prove to you my father isn't the person you think he is… please," I gasped, barely able to breathe. My thigh hurt so much I thought if he didn't kill me, a heart attack would.
His weight finally lifted off me, and he yanked me up by my hair, dragging me to the door.
"I have to lock up, or the shop will get robbed, please," I said as we were about to cross the door.
He laughed.
"You're so fucking silly. Now I get why you're a virgin. Do you really think I give a shit about this shitty place?"
He gestured to his friend.
"You, Jasmine—call her father. Tell him everything. And then, you never speak of this to anyone, you hear me? We know where you live. We can take you and your family in an instant. Don't talk to the police. Don't talk to friends. Just don't say a word—and you'll be safe. Got it?"
She nodded, frozen in fear, as the man stepped back slowly, still pointing his gun at her.
"Good."
He dragged me to a car and shoved me inside so hard I nearly slammed into the seat.
Then the other man started the engine and tossed me a phone.
"Watch."
My hands were trembling so badly I struggled to hold the phone steady as I tapped play on the screen.
A voice recording began to play.
"Roberto, I have a job for you."
A low, controlled voice. It sounded hauntingly like my father's.
A chill ran up my spine.
No… it couldn't be.
"Who's the target?"
"The Reeves house. You need to plant cameras in their offices. Their empire is growing, and they're developing a new formula. I've heard the quality is good. We can't let them take our contacts. Make sure Gabriel Reeves feels enough pressure to back out of the new acquisition. But don't hurt him. Got it?"
I swallowed hard.
"You want me to threaten him?"
"Do everything in your power to convince him."
The car stopped. The man jumped out and opened the door on my side, snatching the phone from my hand.
"Unlucky for him, things didn't go as planned. And my brother, Gabriel, got shot."
I was speechless. I didn't know what to believe. Tears were still running down my face.
"Do you need me to carry you inside, or can you walk?" he asked, irritated.
I managed to step out of the car, dizzy and lightheaded.
"Good. You'll learn during your stay here that it'll be much easier—and a lot less painful—if you just submit to me."
What did my father have to do with people this wicked?
That man was the pure incarnation of the devil.
I silently prayed I'd be killed before he could lay his filthy, blood-soaked hands on me.
Then my phone started to ring. He smirked.
"He was quicker than I thought."
He pulled the phone from my pocket and shoved it into my hands.
The screen lit up.
DAD
"Answer," he ordered, his eyes narrowing with rage.