Emily’s POV:

After my shift ended, I walked home. No cabs, no buses—just my own two feet. Transportation costs too much, and I’m barely making ends meet as it is. The club isn’t far, but it isn’t close either, which is why I only work there on weekends.

It was past 11 PM, and the streets were nearly empty. I should probably be scared, but I wasn’t. Not anymore. When you’ve been through enough, fear starts to feel like background noise.

As I reached my building, something caught my eye. A bouquet of tulips, lying near my door.

Again.

This wasn’t the first time. Someone kept leaving flowers, always without a name. My fingers trembled slightly as I picked them up. It should feel sweet—romantic, even—but all it did was send a chill down my spine.

Still, I unlocked my apartment door and stepped inside. I needed a shower.

Steam filled the small bathroom as I let the scalding water run down my skin. It was the only thing that ever made me feel clean.

By the time I got out, hunger gnawed at my stomach. I checked the fridge—empty. Great. Grocery shopping was officially added to my to-do list. I grabbed a granola bar instead, sighing as I collapsed onto my bed.

And then—my phone rang.

I frowned. Who would be calling this late? When I saw the name on the screen, my stomach dropped.

Salley.

Something was wrong.

“Salley?” I answered quickly.

All I heard was sobbing.

“Salley! What happened? Where are you?” My voice was frantic now.

“E-Emily… y-you have to help me,” she stammered. “M-my date… He’s a psycho. A gangster. He locked me in a room. I—I don’t know where I am.”

A wave of terror crashed over me. My fingers tightened around the phone.

“Breathe, Salley. Just breathe,” I said, trying to keep my own panic in check. “Look around. Do you see anything? A window? A sign?”

Shuffling noises. Then her shaky voice:

“There’s a sign outside… It says 26th Avenue.”

My stomach twisted into knots. That area was notorious for crime.

“Okay, listen to me. Turn your location on and hide your phone. I’m coming.”

I didn’t think. I just moved. Within minutes, I had booked the fastest Uber I could find. When the car pulled up to the address, I hesitated for the first time.

What the hell was I doing?

This wasn’t a stupid school fight or some drunk creep at the club. These were real criminals. Dangerous men.

I swallowed hard and stepped out of the car.

I barely had time to process my next move before three black SUVs screeched to a stop in front of the house. My breath hitched as I ducked behind a wall.

What the hell is going on?

The doors burst open, and men in suits stormed out. Armed. They moved like a well-oiled machine, kicking the door down and rushing inside.

Holy shit.

I took this as my chance. Rushing toward the back of the house, I twisted the doorknob—unlocked. I slipped inside, keeping to the shadows. My heart pounded so hard I was sure someone would hear it.

Gunshots echoed from the other room. My legs trembled, but I forced myself to move. Upstairs. Find Salley. Get the hell out.

I reached the door. The key was still in the lock. Thank God.

I turned it slowly and stepped inside.

Salley was curled up in the corner, her mascara-streaked face buried in her knees.

“Salley,” I whispered urgently. “Come on. We have to go.”

She lifted her head, her eyes widening. Nodding quickly, she scrambled to her feet, gripping my arm like a lifeline.

We moved fast, creeping down the stairs.

The gunshots had stopped.

I should have left. I should have run.

But curiosity made me glance toward the living room.

And that’s when I saw him.

The man in the black suit.

The man from the club.

He stood like he owned the world, exuding raw power and dominance. His gray eyes locked onto mine, sharp and predatory.

Every muscle in my body froze.

He murmured something in Russian, and before I could even blink, one of his men grabbed me.

I gasped, struggling as I was yanked forward. The grip on my arm was painfully tight.

“P-please,” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.

Black Suit Man tilted his head, his expression unreadable. Then, in that deep, accented voice, he asked:

“What are you doing here, kotenok?”

I flinched at the foreign word.

“I—I came to save my friend,” I stuttered. “That man… he locked her up.”

His icy stare pierced right through me, like he was peeling back my layers, searching for the truth.

The man holding me jerked my arm forward, making me stumble.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Black Suit Man said calmly. “I don’t like leaving witnesses behind.”

My stomach dropped.

Oh God.

They killed him.

I knew it before he even confirmed it.

Tears blurred my vision. My lips trembled. I was going to die here.

“Should we kill her, boss?” the man gripping me asked.

No. No, no, no.

I turned to him—the devil in a black suit—and begged.

“Please…”

Just one word. Barely a whisper.

He watched me for a long moment. Silent. Calculating.

Then, he smiled.

But it wasn’t warm. It wasn’t kind. It was cruel.

“Let her go,” he ordered.

Relief flooded me—until he suddenly grabbed my jaw, forcing me to look at him.

His fingers were cold, his grip firm but not painful. His thumb brushed over my lower lip.

I shivered.

His smirk deepened.

“You have no idea what kind of fire you just walked into, kotenok,” he murmured. “And now that I’ve seen you… I think I’ll keep you.”

My pulse stopped.

“What?” My voice was barely audible.

He leaned in, so close his lips almost brushed against my ear.

“You belong to me now.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine—not just of fear, but something else.

Something dark.

Something dangerous.

I didn’t understand it yet.

But I would.

Oh, I would.

Hey, lovelies!

I know this chapter might be a little intense (or maybe even a bit wild), but honestly—who cares? Let the girl have her moment!

Don’t forget to vote and comment—your support means the world to me! I’d love to hear your thoughts.