Zane
No — this can't be true. How could Dante know where I was? Wait. Someone had been tailing me, but I hadn't paid attention because they hadn't done anything.
I should have acted sooner. My son Nico was with them and I had no idea what they were doing to him.
"Zane, what happened? Is everything all right?" I glanced up. Viktor was standing in front of me, his face worried.
"My son! I have to go now," I said, glancing at Adam.
I was about to step away when my hand was grabbed from behind with a tight grip. I looked back and saw Viktor holding my hand.
"I don't have time for your jokes, so don't do this," I said, my tone serious.
"What happened to your son? Come on — I'll drive you." His voice was steady.
My heart was pounding. Nico was my child, and those bastards dared to kidnap him. I wouldn't forgive them if anything happened to him.
I pulled my hand back without saying anything and rushed for the elevator, feeling as if someone followed me. Viktor came in with me.
"Can't let you go alone, can I? I'm worried about those two gentlemen too." He tried to sound casual.
I was listening when my phone rang — an unknown number. My eyes flicked to Viktor before I answered; he was already watching me. I picked up.
(Zane) "Hello?"
(Unknown) "Your lovely son is with us right now. If you don't want him to die, come to the mian riverside — the abandoned building."
The call cut off. We were just arriving at the parking lot, but I had already pressed the button for the first floor.
Suddenly Viktor grabbed my hand, pulled me out of the elevator, and grabbed his car keys. He pressed his thumb on the remote; the car honked and we left.
"Get in and tell me everything," he ordered.
I got in. I'd come by taxi, and if I left now I had no idea how long it would take to get another. It was a relief that Viktor was here.
Once I sat in the passenger seat he buckled his belt and so did I. He started driving, his eyes on the road but frequently on me.
"Mr. Blair, please take me to the mian riverside abandoned building," I said.
He raised his eyebrows like he was about to ask why, but to my surprise he didn't. He kept driving while looking ahead.
My eyes darted everywhere as the car moved. I felt like something bad was going to happen.
No. No. I couldn't think negatively. Everything would be fine. I was here for my son. I wouldn't let anything happen to him.
We reached the location. The mian riverside area had been abandoned since a fire had gutted that building and everyone inside had died.
We were standing in front of the building.
"Mr. Blair, you can stay here if you want. I'll go in."
"Are you serious? You want me to leave you alone? Do you even realize what might happen inside? This place is perfect for killing someone." He turned to me, incredulous.
"I already know that. I can protect myself — believe me. But if you want to come, it's your choice." I didn't want him to come in; this was my problem, not his.
"I will come with you. Let's go." He insisted.
We went inside, and as soon as we stepped through the door two fat thugs blocked our way.
"So finally you're here," one of them sneered. They grabbed us, tied our hands behind our backs, and dragged us upstairs.
I glanced at Viktor. He didn't say anything; he went along with them like I did. They stopped on the fifth floor and shoved us into an apartment.
They threw us onto a sofa. I looked up and found Dante sitting there, flanked by a heavyset man wearing thick gold chains and rings on every finger.
My eyes scanned the room. "Dante, what is this? Where is my son?" I shouted.
"Zane, learn to beg when you need to. You weren't like this before — how come you're shouting at me now, darling? Aren't I your fiancé?" Dante said with a smile that made my blood boil.
"Dante, don't make me spit on you. You're not my fiancé. You're with Arin, so be happy with him and give my son back. If anything happens to him, I swear I'll make you regret it." I meant every word.
"Oh really? I'm so scared. Bring that little bastard here. Let me see what you will do. And who is this man with you?" Dante's eyes scanned Viktor.
Viktor gave a small, strange smile — the kind you didn't wear in a situation like this. Then someone dragged Nico into the room.
He was bound hand and foot, his mouth gagged. Tears had reddened his eyes, and there were fresh red marks on his cheeks where he'd been slapped.
The man who had brought Nico here handed him over to Dante.
"DANTE! How dare you? I'll kill you!" I shouted.
"Chill, Zane. I didn't kill him, did I? So why are you getting so worked up?" Dante said.
Suddenly he put Nico down right in front of us. Nico began to cry and squirm because he had seen me.
"What do you want, Dante?" I asked.
"Great question. First, I want you to hand over those clothing designs to me — Arin needs them more than anyone right now," he answered.
He'd kidnapped my son for those foolish designs.
"You have the guts to do this to Nico for that?" a voice echoed through the room. It was Viktor.
I looked at Viktor — he was still smiling at Dante.
"Who the fuck are you? And what the hell are you smiling for?" Dante snapped.
"Your name is Dante. It's such a nice name to write on a grave," Viktor said, still smiling.
Viktor's smile only made Dante angrier. While Dante's attention was on him, I started to move my hand; there were tricks I'd learned during combat lessons.
My rope loosened on my hand — just a little more and it would come off. But then I saw Dante standing in front of Viktor.
What had Viktor said to make Dante so furious? I hadn't paid attention to them; I'd been completely focused on untying my rope.