Blackmailed by the mafia lord

pte

spitalized the previous week with severe injuries, including broken legs, fingers, and bruises. Despite his condition, he reassured h

town, but with Gino owning every single business, it was impossible not to know who he was and what he did. She had hoped to have the expected twenty thousand dollars that night but only had five thousand. This was not something a person her a

at a childcare center, helping the many parents who had to work long hours. It wasn't an

es and pressed a

circumstances, she

an a small fruit and vegetable store, which he had operated for nearly two decades.

inch," he stated, his

s anything but composed. "

be his d

sipated. She nodded, steppi

he shop accompanied by four burly men. Though they were not as imposing as Gino, she wondered why he needed them. He held t

how her hand shook as she offered him the bag. "I'm afr

of his gloves and grabbed an apple. "So your fath

." She did not even want to think

en men with broken leg

him. I'm sorry, but I cannot

e of your debts

. How did he

smi

"You think I am unaware of the family members of those who ow

asked. "It won't help you. Hurti

rm to your father. A human b

s, and she saw one of h

N

round the counter, a

ound her neck. She understood the damage he could inflict upon her. She

k. Begging always left a

are him," s

the shop, and

derly man. He can't function with

ared at him, waiting for him to hurt her. Her

they pleased with her. Her body would ev

," Gino i

the fabric of his jacket. The material was

ay from the shop. With her heart pounding, she shifted h

riguing woman,

ha

ot enough to cut off her breath but suff

self for the worst. Yet

o plead for a man's life.

my f

r their bones being broken, most people do not want my attentio

t make me e

who I am?"

knows wh

babble instead of remaining shut."

ed. She knew she was in danger now

position to neg

ing a decent

. "A decent person? Really? You th

ather. Perhaps you do not understand the concepts of loyalty or love

to him, why did he borrow mo

o not wish to divulge all of

prostitutes, addicts, and gree

g the hospital. No one would stop him.

had always told her never to allow a man to reduce her to begging, yet here she was, pleading on his behalf. "I h

nkling of his thoughts, and deep inside, she kne

s exceeding

d, he could snap it and make her suffer. She coul

ly nodded a

not a ple

continue

have the opportunity to work off his debt th

ha

lease, for as long as it suits me. You will be at my beck and call, day and night. That is the only deal

al you are willing t

es

t nego

of you belongs to me. Now, accept that d

k-t

could no

ea

r's agony to persist. She would do whateve

*

Whenever someone sought money from him, he made certain to discover their vulnerabilities. Avery belonged to he

erent. Despite her fear

that in

s, and in a way, Avery had done the sa

nd foolishness, had awakened something inside him. She attempted to appeal to