I spent the entire night perfecting my plan, working out the details. They brought in dinner, which I refused to touch. Who knows, they might have drugged it. By morning I was famished and had no other option except to give in to my hunger and eat breakfast.

The fear of falling asleep surrounded by a group of criminals who hate my guts didn't allow my eyes to flutter shut for longer than a heartbeat.

The leather bag they had placed on the bed had very limited items of my clothing from home, which surprisingly is very thoughtful, and, as much as I despise them, I can't help but be grateful. Regardless, it didn't have my sleeping pills... nor did it have my other stress-related medications, which made feeling sleepy impossible.

I've been desperately trying to not think of being locked underground and then witnessing someone being shot in front of me. Even though I'm a prosecutor, I had never witnessed anyone being killed before me.

I know if I fall weak, the sound of the bullet, Aaron's eyes, the blood, its scent, and everything in that moment will haunt me till the very end. I must remain strong.

It's challenging but possible. The moment I let my guard down, the raging whirlwind of darkness, already triggered by being in the dark, tied up and helpless, will consume me whole, and I cannot afford that right now. I refuse to fall back into the hole I climbed up from. I cannot become that frightened little girl I had been for the bigger part of my life.

I have to be sharp and smart.

It's already nine PM and so far, the first part of my plan has not happened—at least to the extent of my knowledge.

I was hoping Ruby, Caleb, or even Dad would notice I'm missing and file a report. These gangsters would surely be notified, and that had to cause a commotion of some sort... but so far, everything has been too quiet for my liking.

But I will carry on with my plan, even though I don't have anything to use up against them. Right now, the odds are against me, but I will try.

I run my hands over my shirt, smoothing it out as I stop in front of the closed door. My heart hammers in my chest, my palms are clammy, and the tips of my fingers are icy.

Hesitantly I turn the doorknob, almost certain the door wouldn't budge, but to my great surprise, it opens. The men guarding the door turn with surprise.

"I want to meet your boss," I announce and they nod.

"Down the 'all, firrsta rrooom." One of them lifts an arm and points to the left end of the hallway.

I frown with confusion; they're not going to follow me?

Without asking questions, I move. First with hesitant steps, then slowly gaining confidence as I walk down the narrow hallway. I reach the door placed at the edge of the hallway.

With a deep, shaky breath, I gather my courage, pulling the strong and unaffected Cerise to the front, hoping everything moves according to my plan. I knock on the door.

It's already open but I don't step inside.

"Come, Ms. Campbell, I was waiting for you." The devil's voice comes from inside.

I roll my eyes and enter the large room. The wall across from the entrance door is covered with books. On either corner of the wall on my left two statues, same as my height, are placed. A woman on the far end and the one is a man. Both are almost nude, save for the fabric-like shape that's carved around the slender and beautifully detailed bodies. They remind me of Michelangelo's works... though I can't put past these criminals to have stolen his creations.

A plush black loveseat is placed across from the gigantic mahogany desk of the mega criminal, who is sitting behind it, patiently waiting. On either side of the loveseat, leather armchairs are situated.

The Russian woman who might be Slava is standing next to the Mariano dude's office chair, one hand resting on the top of the backrest.

Her light blue eyes glare at me with such intensity that if I wasn't used to being glowered at, it would have set me fleeing.

"It took you twenty-three hours and twenty-seven minutes to decide." He steeples his hands, showing off a ring on his middle finger as he sets his dark eyes on me.

I pull myself to my full height, pushing my shoulders back as I nonchalantly reply, "It did, but you're in no position to judge me."

A cynical smirk arches his lips. "I was merely stating facts. No one ever said speaking the facts is considered judging."

I fist my hands, pursing my lips. Asshole.

"I have come to offer negotiation." I take a long stride, placing myself next to the loveseat.

The woman frowns, throwing an unreadable glance at her boss.

"I don't negotiate with lawyers," he flatly says.

I clench my teeth to stop myself from huffing. "You don't even know what it is... it might be beneficial for you too."

His eyes are slightly narrowed as he leans back in his seat. The woman is glaring at me like I'm her nemesis, well maybe I am... but at least not exactly at this moment.

Taking my opportunity, I continue, "My deal is, you answer my questions and I'll answer yours."

He snorts. "I'm not answering anything to you. Either tell me where the flash drive is-"

I hold up my arm and interrupt him. "Sure, by all means. Kill as many innocent civilians as you want, I insist." Daring another step towards them, I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans, holding his indecipherable gaze.

"Go on, Emiliano Mariano, the biggest crime lord, boss of bosses, go ahead and kill people, break the peace treaty between the Sicilian mafias and the States. You'll be giving my dad and all the other attorneys the opening to rain hellfire down on you and your gang."

His face remains blank. With each passing heartbeat, my confidence grows. I have him nearing my trap. But the woman on his right gets more agitated.

"Niet," she warns in a soft voice but when he doesn't make a move, she warns louder, angrier.

I'm going to take a wild guess, and assume she's saying no. With the way she's behaving, the word can't mean anything else.

After a lengthy pause, he says an oddly complicated-sounding word and her eyes widen.

"Emiliano," she barks.

I fail to hide my surprise. Of course, I've never been inside a mafia, and I've never seen how these people interact with each other, but I doubt a consigliere would ever raise their voice on their boss.

Then what's it with these two?

First, she forces him, an Italian guy, to learn her language instead of learning Italian herself, and now she's bossing him around... odd.

He glances at her and then at the door.

Oh. Realization sinks in, he's throwing her out. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop a smile from forming on my face.

Her eyes bore into the side of his head as he keeps his gaze fixated on me. At last with a loud huff, she turns and marches out, not before scowling at me. She slams the door shut on her way out.

"Ask your question." He rests his forearms on the armrests of his chair, the sleeves of his black shirt cover his forearm, hiding any tattoos marking his olive skin. I plant myself on the armchair nearest to him.

"Has anyone reported me missing?" I cross my legs and shift on my seat to be able to face him.

"Surprisingly no."

My eyebrows jump with shock. No one realized I was gone? The notion stings my heart aside from the slight streak of panic. What if no one comes for me? Will I be stuck with these outlaws for the rest of my days?

"Where is the flash drive?"

I ignore his question. "Have you seen the content inside of it?"

His lips press into a thin line. "Not all of it," he mutters through gritted teeth.

I nod. "I will tell you where it is, but I want something in return."

An incredulous laugh escapes him. "The safety I'm providing for you is already far more than what you deserve," he spits.

I fist my hands, my nails digging into my palms. "I never asked for your protection. I am fully capable of keeping myself safe without your help."

He drums his fingers on the armrests, the ring on his middle finger makes a constant clunking sound as he squints at me. "I don't know if you're stupid or plainly ignorant but I'll break this down for you once and for all. The only reason you're alive right now is because of me. My family members want you dead. All the families whose information was in that flash have discovered you're the one in possession of it. And I can assure you none of them are fond of you. Some of them are guessing you're under my protection so for now, they've backed off, the others are searching for you and I can promise you, if they get their hands on you, they're not going to handle this situation the way we did." He raises to his feet, his chair sliding backward.

"You are alive because you're with Marianos. You are here because one of my men made a stupid mistake, took a step without consulting with me, and started this shitshow. I don't need unnecessary casualties to line up for now, and I don't want anyone to pay the price with their life, be it my sworn enemy."

He leans down to my eye level, planting his palms on either side of the armchair. I shrink back into the seat, my heart thundering as I stare at him with wide eyes.

"You have no idea what kind of people you're messing with. Wake up, this is the real world. We don't wear fancy clothes and sit around a large room and argue whose crimes are bigger or who's at fault. The one who pulls out the gun faster and shoots will always win."

He comes closer to me, his fiery dark eyes lock with mine, his heavy breaths fan over my face, setting my insides ablaze. The strong scent of his cologne overwhelms my senses, quickening my pulse.

"So Cerise Campbell, it's in your best interest to not piss off the only man who is keeping you alive. Understood?"

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Thank you for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote if you did and comment your thoughts. Do you agree with the things he says? Or not? =)

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