I have no idea how I ended up here. I mean, seriously. One second I was fine, and then? Everything went down.

"Don't, please." I begged, trying to free myself from his grasp. I've tried begging, kicking, shouting, everything. But none of it worked.

"I won't do it again, I promise." I pleaded, pushing my head as far away as I can from the cold muzzle.

"Give me one good reason not to shoot you." he said, finally letting my arms go. I scrambled back, still looking at the gun in his hands.

I widened my eyes and shook my head, looking around me desperately. I need to find anything that'll get me out of this mess. "I don't-"

"Your time is ticking, Olive."

"You're right, you're right." I held my hands up and started to back off, but with every step I took, he followed. "It's my fault, alright? But you don't have to-"

He pulled the trigger.

And shit, did it hurt.

"Santo!" I yelled in shock while wiping the water off my cheek, looking at him with wide eyes. "One inch up, and I'd be fucking blind!"

He laughed, swinging the water gun over his shoulder. "Then you shouldn't have tried to drown me, you psycho."

I used my entire force to splash water on him, hoping it'll hurt as much as the spot he shot on my cheek hurts.

"You're aiming to my face and I'm the psycho?" I exclaimed, swimming towards him. "You could've taken my eyes out!"

We've been here for a few hours, and let me tell you- I don't think I'll ever get used to living this... Rich.

This indoor pool is gigantic, and it's not even the only one around here. Shit, I'm never leaving this house.

"How is this my first time in here?" I wondered out loud, floating on my back. "Do you have any more secret rooms I should know of?"

Santo leaned against the edge of the pool, both of his arms resting above the water. "Well, there's this movie theater in the basement and, oh," he pinched the bridge of his nose. "And the zoo."

"What?" I spat, losing my balance and dropping back to my feet. "What zoo?"

I stared at him for a few seconds, completely shocked. And then I noticed his smile.

"You're such a- ugh." I rolled my eyes, turning my back on him. "It's not even that funny."

"How'd you fall for that?" he asked between laughs. "A zoo?"

"I don't know." I tried defending myself, turning around with pursed lips. "Pablo Escobar had a zoo, I mean, it's possible."

"Did you just compare us to Pablo Escobar?" he asked with a small smile, pushing himself off the edge.

"Stop talking about Pablo." I groaned, splashing more water at him. I haven't smoked in a while, and this conversation is not helping. Maybe Theo still has some.

Shit, Theo definitely has some.

Just then my phone rang shortly, making me snap my head to it.

"D'you think it's Alessandro?" I questioned and shot a quick look at Santo, swimming to the corner I left my phone at.

"Is it?" he asked as I stretched my hand forward, grabbing the phone.

"No." I shook my head and furrowed my eyebrows, looking carefully at the message on the screen. "Just Ares."

"Oh."

I snapped my head back, watching how he starts doing laps around the pool, away from me.

My hand was holding the phone tightly, and I read the text over five times before actually realizing I have to get the hell out of here, now.

"I'm going out." I murmured, turning off my phone. Santo didn't seem to hear me, so I repeated it louder, harsher.

"What?" he stopped swimming, looking at me with furrowed eyebrows. "Where?"

"To hang out with Ares and Theo, I, uh, I don't know when I'll be back. Just call me or something." I responded while pushing myself out of the pool, not even bothering to use the ladder.

I need to go, I need to fucking go.

"Want me to drop you off with the guards? I can join-"

"It's fine." I shook my head, giving him my best smile. "If you'll tag along they'll have to send every guard with us, and then who's going to babysit Rivo, right?"

He snorted. "Right."

The moment I turned around, my smile completely vanished. I ran as fast as I could across the house and up the stairs, trying my best not to slip and break any bones in the process. I was dripping all over the floor, but that was the least of my worries.

I slammed my door shut and immediately opened the closet's door, pulling out the first white tank top I saw together with some jeans. I snatched a bra, underwear and socks too, adding them to the growing pile in my hands.

Shutting the door of my bathroom with my leg, I didn't waste any time before taking off my swimsuit and stepping into the shower, washing everything off me in the speed on light.

"Shit." I hissed as I yanked opened the shower's glass door right into my knee, but I couldn't let it slow me down.

Look, I'm used to doing things fast. When the three of us lived, we'll, not here, we were always prepared to leave fast. I remember Ares barging into the bathroom while I took a shower, telling me we had to take off in exactly ten minutes if we want to see the next day.

We managed to escape through the back door of our building as soon as the group we had a... Quarrel with took our door down, guns in hands.

And hell, I was fucking high back then. This is nothing.

After drying myself as good as I could, I threw my clothes on, jumping up to slide into the jeans faster. I left my hair wet on my back, telling myself it'll just have to dry off with time.

I skipped down the stairs while putting my jacket on, walking fast towards the door. I stopped for a second as I passed by the living room, looking hesitantly at Rivo's sleeping form.

I glanced down at the phone in my hand, reading again the text Ares sent me twelve minutes ago.

Found something on Viktor, meet us at the bridge in 30. Ollie, it's urgent.

I sighed and shook the thought out of my head. I can't tell Rivo about this. He won't understand.

While opening the front door, I thought about the bridge he mentioned. I know exactly what he talks about and where it is. When we walked to Andreas' bar, we came across this huge lake with a concrete bridge above it. I can get there in no time.

"Where do you think you're going, princess?"

I stopped dead in my tracks, a few feet away from the gate. Goddammit. I turned around swiftly, putting on my best fake smile.

"Hey, Gianni." my voice leaked sweetness as I looked at the man in front of me. He was smirking down at me, and even though he was wearing sunglasses, I knew his eyes were full of amusement.

You see, Gianni is the head of security around here. A part of his job is to catch me trying to sneak out, something he's very, very good at.

"I-"

"No, don't tell me." he clicked his tongue, blowing the smoke of his cigarette to the side. My body tried to stay calm, but the smell, oh God. I need to smoke.

"You're here to find out which type of metal the gate is made of?" he gestured towards it, crossing his arms over his chest. "Or, like you claimed last time, you're here to make sure it won't break when you toss a rock at it-"

"Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?" I smiled tightly and walked past him, not before snatching the cigarette right from between his two fingers. "You know exactly why I'm here."

"You can't keep stealing my cigarettes, princess. Your brother will kill us both." he shook his head and jogged ahead, blocking my way.

"You're such a cowerd for a thirty-year-old, Gianni." I said and tilted my head up, blowing the smoke right into his face. "Wasn't Alessandro supposed to pick the bravests of them all?"

Of course, I'm so full of it. Gianni is one hell of a man, towering over me and having way too much muscles. He's always there when I try to sneak out, and I hate him for it. And for the stupid nickname he gave me. Do I fucking look like a princess?

"You're not going out alone." he said, leaving no room for arguments. I clenched my jaw and looked past him, noticing how the other guards are already well aware of our little interaction.

I need to go.

"How many?" I asked, tearing my eyes away from them. Gianni took his sunglasses off, giving me a quick once over.

"Why aren't you trying to fight me?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because I don't have time. I need to be somewhere, " I replied, quickly glancing at my father's watch. "Even though you know how much I love fighting you."

"Unbelievable." he muttered after I blew the smoke on him again, making my smile widen.

Gianni is actually kinda cool, never snitching on me when I'm smoking his cigarettes. He has a little boy, I think. Other wise, I hope he has a really good explanation for the photos in his office.

"So, how many guards are you giving me?"

"Eight." he said, putting the glasses back on. I watched with wide eyes as he turned around and started walking towards the nearest group of guards, not even giving me a second look.

"Eight?" I exclaimed, throwing the cigarette on the floor and pressing on it with the heel of my shoe. He keeps telling me not to do it, but now it's an emergency.

"I don't need eight!" I argued as I caught up to him, my eyes still wide. I can't have eight of them around, especially not when Ares and Theo are planning to give me some important information on the guy who made my life a living hell.

If one of them will hear about it they'll immediately tell my brothers, and then I'll be monitored all day, every day. I can't have that.

"I thought you had no time fighting with me." Gianni raised an eyebrow, looking at me for a good second. He turned back to the four guards in front of us, ones I'm, sadly, too familiar with.

I internally groaned.

"I want two cars ready to go with her." he ordered, looking between all of them as he takes another cigarette out his pocket.

"Sure thing, boss." Malcolm nodded, but his eyes were on me. He smirked. "Failing to sneak out again, are we?"

"Shut up." I hissed, glaring at his stupid face. I fucking hate Malcolm. He's one of the regular guards Gianni assigns me with, and I swear, he loves to gloat more than anything.

Brian, Kate and Evelyn, the other guards next to him, are also ones I know. I don't hate them as much as I hate Malcolm, but I can't say I like them either. Well, maybe Kate. She's fine.

I watched with a clenched jaw as the four of them started to walk towards the security house's garage. "Go on." Gianni nudged me forward, his voice taunting. "You are in a bit of a hurry, aren't you?"

"When I'm back," I started, tilting my head to my right where he stood. "I'm going to get you fired."

He shook his head in amusement, chuckling. "Goodbye, princess."

"Bye." I mumbled, stepping away from him. I ran to catch up with the rest of the guards, trying to form a plan in my mind. How the hell do I get rid of eight guards?

"Just, ugh." I muttered, pushing past their group to stand in front of them. "Just listen."

Malcolm shook his head, looking really punchable at the moment. I decided to ignore him.

"Look, you don't need to give me eight guards because I'm not going anywhere." I began to explain, looking especially at Brian. He's the oldest among them, I think he's twenty six. Can't really remember.

Malcolm is a twenty two years old douche, that I can clearly recall. But he's not in charge. Brian is.

"I'm just going to leave the car for a few minutes, right in front of your eyes! I'm going to hear what my friends have to tell me, that's it. I won't run off, I promise. Oh, and we're meeting by the bridge, it's not even fifteen minutes drive from here."

Evelyn pursed her lips. "We-"

"Come on, please!" I cut her off, giving them my best sad-puppy look. "You guys are capable to protect me, right? I mean, unless you don't think so. And in that case, I'm sure Alessandro would love to hear that."

My words floated around for a few seconds, and by their faces, they all understood the message behind them. Look, I'm not a saint. All I want is to find the man who ruined my life and make sure he's dead. If I need to threaten their jobs for it, I fucking will.

"Alright." Brian sighed, gesturing towards the car next to us. "Get in."

I smiled widely, almost jumping up and down. I still got it.

Brian made his way to the driver's seat, Malcolm hot on his tail. "What?" he exclaimed, holding his rifle's strap tightly. "Are you joking? Gianni will end us."

I opened the back door just as Brian turned around to look at Maclom, and even though he whispered it, I still heard.

"And if she'll go crying to the Don, he'll kill us." Brian hissed, talking a step closer to him. "Get in."

I furrowed my eyebrows as I closed the door, moving to the middle seat right next to Kate. A few seconds have passed before Brian and Malcolm got in, stiff just like the other two.

I didn't think they'd react so seriously to that. I mean, why the hell would he tell Malcolm Alessandro will kill them?

"Shit, relax." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat after a few minutes of silent driving. I was trapped between Kate and Malcolm, and the tension in the air was not helping. "I'm not going to say anything to Alessandro, okay? Gianni will never find out."

"Gianni always finds out." Malcolm muttered from my left, making me roll my eyes. "You're going to get us all fired, princess." he mocked.

"Malcolm." Brian warned him. I tore my eyes away from the annoying blonde guard, now looking at Brian's eyes through the rear mirror.

"You're not going to run off, are you?" he asked, no humor in his voice. "We need to bring you back in one piece."

I banged my head on the headrest. "I already told you. Once I hear what Ares and Theo have to tell me, I'm back."

"And you won't-"

"Come on, Brian." Kate cut him off, smiling at me. "Everything is going to be alright."

"No, in fact," Malcolm turned his head to us, narrowing his eyes. "Everything is not going to be alright. We're fucked because you idiots wanted to suck up to the don's sister."

"Watch it, she's still your-" Brian started, but I cut him off.

"Oh, so you're here for some other reason?" I asked, returning Malcolm's glare. "You could've walked out and go straight to Gianni. Don't pretend you didn't have a choice."

"Malcolm, don't." Kate shook her head. "Remember who she is."

I furrowed my eyebrows even more. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

"Believe me, I know." he muttered, returning his gaze to mine. "And that's exactly why I didn't have a choice."

"You always have a choice!" I argued.

Okay, so I threatened to tell Alessandro shit about them. And? If Malcolm had told him I tried to blackmail them into driving me with less guards, he probably would've given him a fucking raise.

"Even if I did walk out, those three would've still taken you, am I wrong?" he asked loudly, glaring at them. "I'm here to keep you safe, because I, unlike them, take my job seriou-"

Bang.

"Brian!" Evelyn yelled as glass flew towards us. The car started to spin, and she reached towards the steering wheel, trying frantically to keep it steady.

Malcolm and Kate were yelling too, but I couldn't hear any of them. My focus was solely on Brian.

Or, more accurately, on the bullet in his forehead.

I tore my eyes away from him as another bang shook the entire car. Someone grabbed me by my waist, stopping me from flying forwards.

I looked up with wide eyes, taking in the tree we just crashed into. Oh my God.

"Cover us, now!" Malcolm yelled, and as if something in me flipped, I snapped back to reality. I quickly unbuckled my seat belt, grabbing Malcolm's outstretched hand.

"What's happening?" I yelled, trying to overcome the loud noise of gunshots. Malcolm kept me behind his back as we got out of the car, not letting go of my hand.

My eyes moved around frantically, trying to realize what the hell is going on. Kate and Evelyn were right next to us, shooting into unknown targets ahead.

Malcolm pushed me behind the car, his eyes scanning my body. "Are you hurt?" he yelled, forcing me to sit down.

"No!" I shook my head, eyes wide. "What's happening?" I repeated. He opened his mouth to say something, but then a loud thud echoed near us.

We both snapped our heads to the right, and my breath got caught in my throat. Kate's body is lying on the ground, and even though it was almost pitch black, I could still see her blue, dead eyes looking at me.

"Oh, shit..." I mumbled, pushing myself back with my feet. My heart was racing, and the never ending gunshots were making my head spin.

"Malcolm!" Evelyn yelled, making both of us turn around. She was crouching on the ground, shooting bullet after bullet. "I could use some help!"

I slightly raised my head up, trying to see who she's shooting at through the smashed windshield of our car.

Brian's lifeless body was still in there, but I couldn't let myself get distracted. Not when I'm about to end up like him.

I managed to spot four cars, but by the look on Evelyn's face, there are much more.

"We need to call back up!" she yelled, twisting to hide behind a tree as she reloads her rifle.

"Who are they?" I shouted, lowering myself as a bullet smashed the window above me. I hissed as I felt the glass pierce my arms above my head, but I was quickly pulled away by Malcolm.

"All that matters right now is that they want us dead." he said, grabbing both of my shoulders as he looks me in the eyes. "Do exactly as I tell you, alright?"

I nodded faintly, my heart beating in my ears.

He turned around, carefully stepping over Kate's body. "We're going to shoot at them, and you're going to run into these woods, got it?"

"No!" I tried to warn him, but it was too late. As soon as he moved from our hiding spot and pointed his gun towards them, his head snapped back.

All I could do was stare as he fell down next to my feet. I was completely frozen, looking at the guard I hated with all my heart just a minute ago. "Malcolm!" Evelyn yelled, tearing her eyes off her scope to look at us. At him.

And that was her last mistake.

When the bullet pierced her shoulder, I wanted to get up. I wanted to push her behind the car and try to do something, but a second later, three bullets in her chest made me press my back into the car.

I closed my eyes tightly for a second, trying to make my brain work again. They're dead. All four of them are dead.

I grabbed a piece of broken glass from the floor with shaky hands. Where the fuck is my phone?

My legs shook as I lied down on the floor, trying to spot it in the darkness. I didn't even care there were no more gunshots, because all I could focus on was the familiar phone under the car.

I pressed my body to the ground, feeling how the glass tears my skin open. My arm was bleeding, but just an inch further and-

I got it.

I cried in pain as I slid out from beneath the car, but immediately began to type in my password.

"I'm afraid I have to ask for that phone."

I snapped my head up, already backing off. My eyes were full of terror as I watched the man in front of me and the gun he had to my head.

I tried to pull it together, but when I accidentally touched Malcolm's hand, my mind completely shut down.

"The phone, Olive." the man repeated, cocking the gun. I tried to think of a way to keep my phone and get out alive, but I couldn't find one.

So I held it up for him to grab.

He smiled as he took it, putting it in his jeans pocket. "I appreciate it."

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from shaking. He looked down at me for a second before tucking his gun back into his pants. "My name is Thiago. It's a pleasure."

I pushed myself back, still holding the glass tightly. He noticed it and raised his hands up, taking one step towards me. "You won't need that."

"Yeah?" I pictured Kate's wide eyes as I pointed the glass at him, making him stop in his place. "I disagree."

"As you wish." he nodded as I stumbled to my feet, feeling blood drip down my cheek. He took his gun out, and in less than a second, shot just an inch further from my face.

I froze, not being able to to reopen my eyes. The ringing in my ears was so loud I didn't even hear him approach, only flinching when I felt his fingers brush mine, taking the glass away.

"Do as I tell you," he whispered, making a cry choke in my throat as I felt the muzzle of his gun right under my jaw. "And you won't get hurt. Understand?"

Come on, Olive. Think.

"I don't want to hurt you, Olive. Tell me you understand." he repeated, pressing the gun further up.

I nodded.

"Good." he sighed, and only when I heard the glass break under his feet, I allowed myself to open my eyes.

I remained frozen as he walked away, crouching down next to Malcolm's body. "They didn't manage to call for back up, am I right?"

Think, think.

"My friends are waiting for me five minutes away." I said, looking down at him with a newfound hope. "Your gunshots were loud enough. They'll call for help."

There's no way Theo and Ares didn't hear it. We're so close to the bridge. Once they'll call Jace, it's only a matter of time before Alessandro and Amadeo we'll get here.

"You still don't get it, do you?" he chuckled, slowly getting up to his feet. I looked around, not missing the dozens of armed men across the street.

The ones who killed Kate, Brian and Malcolm. The ones who'll kill me with just an order from Thiago.

"Your friend, Ares right? Well, he's not here." he said, not even looking at me as he takes his phone out of his pocket. "You have no idea how easy it is to hack someone's phone."

Every part of my body tensed, and my mind was screaming at me to get out. To run away, to steal that man's gun and run into the woods just like Malcolm said. But one look across the street is enough to make me dismiss that plan.

I can't think of a scenario in which I'm trying to escape and getting away without a bullet.

"We're on our way." Thiago spoke into his phone.

Think.

The ringing in my ears was like a bomb's ticking, reminding me my time is running out.

I need to make myself some more time. I need to stall.

"Do you work for Viktor?" I asked the second he hung up his phone. I remembered the text Ares, or so I thought, sent me. It's clear as day he is, but I need to make him talk. At least until Gianni finds out.

"I do."

"How did you know I was looking for him?" I kept pressing, but it was pointless. He grabbed my arm and dragged me with him, towards the ones who were shooting at killed my guards.

"Aren't you a chatty one?" he smirked down at me, and I froze for a second. The many lights of their cars lit his face, so now I could see him clearly.

And he looked so damn familiar.

He had a shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes, and even though I'm sure I don't know him, I'm also sure I've seen him before.

"How did you know Ares calls me Ollie?" I suddenly asked, feeling shivers run down my spine as I look between all the men around us. I feel like a rabbit surrounded by wolves.

"I didn't." was all he said, forcing me to keep walking. I stumbled, but didn't fall. I tried to ignore the pain in my body, trying to make me focus.

I can't think a way out of here.

He pushed me into someone's arms, and my wrists were immediately caught. I widened my eyes and tired to free myself, but he didn't budge. "Let me go!" I screamed, trying to kick the man from behind as I watched Thiago, horrified.

"I didn't write that message myself, you see," he said, pulling a syringe out of his back pocket and uncapping it.

I kept screaming, trying to wiggle out of the man's grasp. Thiago grabbed my chin and tilted my head to the side, stabbing the syringe right into my bare neck.

The pain was so intense, and as he started to inject the liquid into my body, he continued talking. "I have this one guy, I think you know him. Well, he most certainly knows you."

He chuckled and took a step back, pocketing back the empty syringe. My vision started to blurry, and even though I tried to keep fighting against the man who held me, I just... Couldn't.

"He said you and your friends had this stupid nickname for him, but I just can't seem to remember... Oh." he snapped his fingers. "Bo, is it?"

And then everything went black.

Chapter 43!!!

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