THE RUTHLESS MAFIA KING AND HIS FEISTY HOSTAGE

ON'

e when I heard a

e family business, the Morello Mafia, passed down for generations. Ricardo and Carlos's dads were part of it but retired a few years ago. Being born a male in my famil

or you, Ricardo?

well, I'm afraid she's hurt..." H

ed, and he almost se

et..." I stood up and walked around m

g on the bed next to Maya. Seeing her for the first time, with a bright red handprint on the side of he

y her features: sandy blonde, wavy hair that reached just below her chest, eyes a striking blend of blue and grey.

room, drawing my attention aw

sister exited the room. I turned to Carlos and Ricardo. They looked terrified, as they should. We'

mbled in his pockets, fishing out the keys. He placed the

ndcuff her in the first

mark with dried blood around it. Maya let out a giggle, but stopped abruptly when she saw o

course you manage to mess that up! Not only did you slap her, you busted her lip, a

was happening?" I turned to Ricar

ger out on her. It won't happen again. You have

out," I ordered, and they all but ran out of the

to behave?" I asked her. Her expression

I know how to "behave." She snapped.

to behave." I sarcastically replied. My pa

the process, I was slapped and gripped so hard that I'm covered in bruises. Why did you

ked up her dark purple wrist and rubbed circles around the bruise. I got lost in

on enough why I've had you taken away from your family, but for now, yo

human being," she spat so disgustingly that I almost felt bad for everything tha

. Might as well get comfortable "princess." I spat with so much venom. She stared at me for a moment before laying down and rolling over into a ball. She brought her knees up to her chest and starte

______

ya

They dropped off food three times a day, but I was always asleep. At first, I barely ate, but eventually I started eating because

bathroom, just a toilet and a shower. I wore the same clothes since I got here. The br

ng, and I turned to see Ricard

id, motioning me to follow. I was grateful,

ked, my voice ho

irs and stopped at another bedroom door. I expected it to be like the last one, but it was much nicer.

e?" I whispered, almost afra

e, from undergarments to pajamas and more," Ricardo said with a bright smile

was confused about the sudden change from prisoner to havin

home, but it was better than the room upstairs. There was no keypad, so I wouldn't be locked in. There was even

at 6:00 sharp. Damon wants you to join us for meals. See you

ight, I froze at the sight of my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a tangled mess, my eyes lacked their usual brightness, and

unter, I stripped down and stepped into the shower. The hot water turned my skin red as I washed my hair with coconut shampoo and

e closet and wrapped it around myself before exiting the bathroom and l

ard silky boy shorts and a plain black bra. Satisfied with the fit, I then picked out black jean shorts and a

, makeup, shoes, shower stuff. I was grateful for that. Finally feeling like a person again after days of f

, bushes filled with beautiful flowers – it was a nature lover's dream. My mind wandered to my parents. Were they looking for me? Did they miss me? What would

ound the living room and kitchen I'd seen before. A few girls were sitting in the living room, watching TV. They all stared a

a," I introd