Taken By The Mafia Lord

"Tell me she's done with it," Richardo asked, walking into the room where Winters was working.

"She did it," Alex announced with a sleazy smile, lifting the USB as if it were some prize and something told Winters deep down that the asshole would have claimed her work as his if Richardo didn't know about her.

"Of course…" Richardo's eyes twinkled, staring at the USB as if it was worth a million dollars. But then, it was worth more than that, after all, he was about to destroy the Luciano family with it.

"Thank you so much, kiddo," Richardo pulled Winters forward and hugged her tight while she flinched in his embrace. The hug lasted for only a minute but it was the longest minute of her time and it wasn't exactly enjoyable.

Winters felt like bugs were crawling all over her body and when his hand actually traveled down to squeeze her butt, she felt bile rise to her throat. She didn't want to be touched that way and that gesture brought up her old trauma that left her sick to the stomach.

Thankfully, Richardo pulled away before she could throw up on him, but his hands remained on her arms as he said, "You are such an excellent young woman and would have been a great contribution to my side, but then, that damn Marcel wants you back."

Winters' head jerked up as soon as she heard Marcel's name and hope grew inside of her. Marcel wants her back. Was Marcel actually here for her? Thanks to that annoying Alex's presence, she was not able to send out an SOS to him and only prayed that Akim got to him on time.

Her heartbeat quickened and she prayed that this wasn't some false hope or a ploy by the bastard Richardo to lower her guards, only to end her life when she least expects it. Trusting any of these guys was equivalent to putting a hand on fire and expecting not to be burned.

That was the only reason she worked with and trusted Marcel. He was a man of principle and had a code of honor he operated with. But Richardo? No, he was slimy and would always sell her off to the highest bidder to get what he wanted.

She couldn't work with people like him who would only stab her in the back. It might not seem like it but reputation was everything in this business and Marcel already built enough of it.

"However, as a parting gift, I'll keep to my word by not cutting off your fingers. After all, you have already given me what I wanted." He simpered, sending goosebumps down her arms.

Ricardo tilted his head in Alex's direction saying, "See that our guest arrives safely."

Expecting to be led through the door, Winters panicked when a black bag was suddenly pulled over her head and she couldn't see anything. She fought hard until she felt a prickling pain in her neck and it wasn't even up to a minute when she felt her body become weak.

Winters felt hands on her body and the next thing, her feet were lifted off the ground. She was tossed over a hard shoulder, his frame digging into her body and the position so perilous that she was close to throwing up. But nothing of that nature happened since her eyes closed in sleep.

When Winters woke up again, it was because she was sweaty and feeling claustrophobic. Where the hell was she? It was dark and she couldn't move her hands as if they were tied together. It wasn't until the bump that shook her body that Winters recognized that she must be inside a car boot.

Where were they going? More like, where were they taking her? She remembered Richardo's words that Marcel was here for her. Could it be that Marcel paid for her ransom? Tears sprang to Winters' eyes - and she hardly cries - touched by the gesture.

Winters was not scared of dying, knowing what her high-risk job entailed. But after being with Akim and realizing the beauty in this fucked up world, she decided to live just a little, until Richardo appeared.

Also, rescuing her from a man like Richardo was the biggest favor Marcel has ever done for her. Honestly speaking, Winters doesn't care anymore if Marcel wanted to be her brother and her as his sister in exchange for this. She was eternally grateful to him. Even though they weren't related by blood, he was the first real family she ever had.

The car suddenly came to a halt and she started a countdown to when they would open the car boot and dread crawled down her spine. Winters wanted this to be over already and she couldn't wait to be in the safety of Marcel's arms.

Winters could hear conversations as they approached her and that was when she discovered that this wasn't a ransom but a prisoner exchange. They were swapping her for Macy. One could say that Winters was highly relieved that Marcel uncovered Macy's treachery.

But then her fears crept up as well, Richardo was scum and couldn't be trusted. Even though he liked Macy - Winters had seen the way he practically drooled over her - and yet, he still felt her - Winters- up. Someone like him wasn't trustworthy and he already had a vendetta against the Luciano family.

Winters knew Marcel was smart but she really prayed that he came with his brains this time because something told her this was a trap and they might not leave this place alive.

It was night, however, Winters still had to squint when the boot was opened and the man shone his touch at her while the other pulled her out of the car.

"Come on, let's go!" Winters was dragged along roughly but she didn't complain knowing this was going to be over soon. She needed to have a little patience.

"Shall we leave now, Boss?" The asshole said, pushing her forward to a man wearing a gas mask Winters assumed him to be Richardo based on the way that he was addressed, even though he looked strange. Only Richardo was referred to with that title.

"Yes, let's go." The man said and a cold chill washed over Winters. This was not Richardo.

Oh no.