Chapter 50

Lorenzo

I was seated in a secluded booth at what used to be Elio's club, now the Volka's by right of conquest. The dim, pulsating lights and the throbbing bass of the music and the curvy whore in my lap did little to brighten my mood. I was on a shit ton of painkillers and drinking and yet everything hurt.

That Sasha bastard had been sadistic and ruthless, but he'd get what was coming to him. Elio had contacts of his own among the Russians, one of them, Dimitri, had agreed to meet me. He sat across from me, flipping through a dossier of papers.

“I’ve got plans in motion,” I said, my voice a low growl as I leaned forward. “Albert thinks he’s won, but this is far from over. I intend to make him pay for what he’s done, and for the humiliation he’s inflicted on me.”

Dimitri nodded, his eyes sharp as he listened. “What’s the next move?”

Before I could answer, my gaze was drawn toward the bar. The crowd parted, and I spotted her—Mia. She was unmistakable, even in the throng of people. Her presence in this place was both unexpected and infuriating.

I stiffened, a surge of anger and frustration coursing through me. How dare she show up here, as if nothing had happened?

But it was also too good to be true.

“Mia,” I muttered, my voice edged with venom. “I didn’t expect to see her here.”

"You know her?"

"She's married to that fucker, Albert... I've been trying to get to her, but I don't have the manpower. For her to just waltz in here... The Virgin must be smiling on me today."

She saw me and the panic on her face lit me up from the inside. Good. The little bitch should be scared. I got up and headed her way. She thought she was going to get away, thought a bit of tough speaking was going to be enough, but I knew the moment that she ran into the two men who had gotten through the other night with the least number of injuries, she knew she was fucked.

So, I waited for them to escort Mia and her drunk friend back to the bar.

"See," her friend slurred. "Everything's better when men buy your drinks..."

“She's right, Mia," I said. "I owe you at least one in your lifetime, don't I? Consider it a gesture of goodwill.”

Mia’s eyes narrowed, her posture stiffening. "I would never take a drink from you."

Katie sputtered. "She's such a straight-lace! I'll take another drink!"

I signaled to the bartender for a round of drinks. Her friend picked up the glass and started drinking, but Mia didn't even glance at it.

“What do you want, Lorenzo?”

"Just a few answers... I’ve been quite curious about what’s been going on with you and Albert. It seems like you’ve found yourself in an interesting situation.”

“Why don’t we talk somewhere more private?” I suggested. "There's someone I think who would love to meet you."

Mia

"There's no way in hell I would ever agree to go anywhere with you."

I didn't even want to think about who it was, whether he was trying to ransom or sell me to someone, I didn't care. I could feel the pressure of the situation bearing down on me, tightening with every second Lorenzo lingered. His eyes were sharp, calculating, as he watched both me and Katie with an unsettling focus.

"Where's that husband of yours? He didn't seem to be the type to let you come here alone..."

"Albert?" Katie asked, laughed. "I don't think he cares which bar she goes to. Probably doesn't know his way around the city, being foreign and all."

"What?"

"They're just married so he can get a green card," she hiccupped and giggled. "Oops... I guess I wasn't supposed to say that... Ivan's going to be mad..."

She sniffled and I winced. It seemed that Katie had no idea who Albert really was.

Lorenzo’s expression shifted subtly, his smile widening in a way that made my skin crawl.

“Is that so?” Lorenzo said, his tone dripping with mock amusement. “How interesting.”

I tried to redirect the conversation, feeling a sinking sensation as Lorenzo’s attention turned back to me. “Look, Lorenzo, Katie’s had too much to drink. We really should be going.”

“Just one drink before you go, Mia,” Lorenzo said, his smile never quite reaching his eyes. “A rite of passage and all.”

I shook my head firmly, trying to remain calm despite the rising panic inside me. I had no idea why he wanted me to have that drink and I didn't want to find out either.

“No. Let's go, Katie."

Katie, leaning heavily against the bar, mumbled incoherently, her eyes barely open. I reached out, trying to rouse her, but her inebriation made it nearly impossible.

Or... she was drugged.

Oh, god. Was she drugged?

Lorenzo’s expression hardened. “Come on, Mia. It’s just one drink. Don’t be difficult.”

I glanced at the drink he’d poured for me, my gut telling me something was very wrong. I pretended to take the glass before letting it tip too far and spill it all across the bar. The liquid spread out, and I watched as Lorenzo’s face darkened with frustration.

There was definitely something in that drink. I discreetly pressed the alert button on my phone and grabbed Katie's to do the same on hers, hoping she hadn't completely deleted the app's shortcuts.

Before I could check to be sure, Lorenzo’s hand shot out, striking me across the face. The blow sent me sprawling to the ground, the pain sharp and immediate. I tried to get up, but the world was spinning, and I felt disoriented.

Lorenzo’s men closed in, their faces cold and unfeeling. He loomed over me, his eyes cold with malicious intent. “You’re coming with me.”

Someone grabbed my arm. My heart raced as I glanced back at Katie, who was barely conscious and still slumped over the bar.

“Katie! Katie wake up!" The man yanked me up, sending our phones to the ground. I caught a glimpse of the alert lights blinking on my phone. The hope that help might be on the way was the only thing keeping me from completely losing it.

He dragged me away from the bar back toward where he had been sitting. I could see a set of dark doors ahead. Before I knew it, I was dragged into a back room. The door slammed shut behind me, and I was left in the dim light of the room.

Soon, I saw the door open again and Katie was being dragged in behind me. One of the men grabbed my face and forced my jaw apart. He pinned me down and forced a drink and a pill into my mouth. I tried to spit it out but he covered my mouth and nose. I couldn't breathe and soon I felt the pill dissolving. The liquid slipped down my throat as I swallowed, desperate to breathe.

It didn't take long before my body turned sluggish

“Someone help!” I tried to yell, but the sound came out as a ragged whisper. I struggled to move, but the room seemed to spin around me, my limbs unresponsive.

Lorenzo’s men, standing watch, seemed amused by my distress. Someone was taking off his shirt and dragging Katie across the floor. Her limp body barely making a sound as they took her to another room. I wanted to reach out, to help her, but I could barely keep myself upright. Someone grabbed my jacket, yanking it up toward my head. I turned, trying to get away.

"Don't touch me!"

They laughed.

"Have fun, boys," Lorenzo said. "Just don't kill her. I want Albert to know what it's like to be fucked with."

They laughed and though I fought, everything was getting so far away. My body was so heavy.

"Katie?" I called out.

Then, the door to the room burst open. Gunshots opened. Men cried out.

"Mia!"

"Katie!"

Was that Albert? Ivan? Had they gotten here in time. I lifted my head, watching Ivan and Albert storm in. Ivan’s face was a mask of fury, his eyes scanning the room with lethal intent. Albert darted toward me. His gaze piercing through the dim light.

"I didn't...."

“Mia, are you alright?”

I tried to speak, but my words were slurred and barely coherent. The drugs were taking full effect, blurring my vision and fogging my mind. I could only manage a pained groan as I looked at him, feeling a mix of relief and fear.

"Came...?"

"I'm here. You're safe now."

I nodded, leaning into his arms. His voice was steady, but I could see the worry etched on his face. The last thing I remember before darkness overtook me was the sound of Albert’s voice speaking, cold and militant. He was giving orders, and I hoped that whatever he was telling his men to do, I wouldn't have to find out about it.