Chapter 1
Serena’s POV
Doing a double shift for extra cash felt worthwhile until the city turned silent. The streets were empty… too empty. The sound of my heels clicking against the pavement felt like gunshots.
I clutched my bag tighter against my chest as the night grew more ominous. My heart rose to my throat, and I looked around when I felt someone following me.
I released a shaky breath of relief when I found no one and mentally slapped myself for overthinking.
Something feels off. I can’t wait to reach home, take a long bath, and drift into a peaceful sleep.
My apartment was just two blocks away when I suddenly heard a low, muffled groan coming from the alley beside the old construction site.
My feet came to a halt.
My heart began to thud in my chest again, and my senses became alert.
I looked around and realized I was standing in the middle of the road, alone. I swallowed hard, and when I decided to mind my own business, I heard the painful groan again. Someone is definitely in need.
I wanted to ignore the cry, which felt like a warning bell, but something tugged at my heart. I have always helped people and animals in trouble. I would not be able to sleep peacefully if I ignored the cries. They would haunt me.
Being helpless in the face of my helping nature, I began moving toward the construction site, but not before taking off my heels that were making too much noise.
Slowly and cautiously, I stepped ahead. My breath hitched when I peeked into the shadows between the rusted fences and witnessed a heart-wrenching scene.
A man was on his knees, surrounded by four others. Blood dripped from his gagged mouth, staining the concrete beneath him.
From where I stood, I couldn’t see the face of the man towering over him, as he was partially hidden behind a pillar. But his dark shadow loomed over the poor man like death. The kneeling man looked up at him with paralyzing terror. His wide eyes were practically pleading for mercy.
Suddenly, one of the men moved forward and hit the kneeling man so hard that he collapsed backward. His body went limp, and his eyes rolled back as he hit the ground with a loud thud.
My eyes widened, and a gasp escaped my throat before I could stop it, and by the time I realized what I had done, it was too late.
I slapped my hand over my mouth and hid behind the nearest wall. My heart was now pounding in my throat.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I should have listened to my intuition. I shouldn’t be here.
God, I knew better.
After everything I had escaped, this was the exact mess I swore I would never get caught in again.
I have to leave this place before they catch me.
But before I could take even a single step forward, a cold, deep, and commanding voice cut through the silence, “Bring her to me.”
My heart stopped for a second, and for a moment, it felt as if my soul had left my body.
The sound felt familiar… too familiar.
But I didn’t have time to ponder it. I needed to save my life, so without thinking much, I bolted.
My feet ran as fast as they could, my breaths came out in harsh gasps as my lungs struggled for oxygen, but I didn’t dare stop. I could hear my death approaching as the sound of their footsteps chasing me grew louder and louder.
My lungs burned, and my legs begged me to stop as I sprinted faster. I was glad I was barefoot until the blessing turned into a curse. A sharp edge of a stone dug into the sole of my foot.
“AHHH,” I cried out and stumbled forward as pain shot through me.
NO!
My eyes stung with tears, but I didn’t give up. With trembling hands, I immediately shuffled into my bag to bring out my phone and call someone… anyone. I was about to call the police, but I was late… too late.
They were already here.
A large hand wrapped around my arm as he forced me up on my feet. A sharp yelp escaped my lips when my wounded foot scraped against the pavement. Another man grabbed my other arm, holding me in place.
“Leave me.”
I thrashed in their hold, but they were too strong for me to fight alone. Still, I didn't give up.
I lifted my leg and kicked the third man who tried to approach me. He stumbled slightly but composed himself quickly.
“Feisty little thing!” he muttered with a cruel smirk, pretending my hit didn’t affect him.
“What a waste?” Another man chuckled darkly, “She will have to die.”
“I hope the boss hands her over to us. It would be a shame not to enjoy her before that.”
Chills.
This is what I felt.
I know very well what these men are capable of and what exactly they do to women. I don't want to be one of them.
“Pl… please let me go.” I knew it wasn’t going to work, but it was the only way left to me. “I didn't see anything. I swear. I won’t say a word.”
They only laughed at me in response and dragged me back to the place where I witnessed a murder.
"No—please!"
I kicked my legs and tried everything in my power to break free, but they didn't slow down, not even a little. The pain in my foot was nothing in comparison to the fire of dread burning through my veins.
My heart pounded violently in my chest as we neared the spot.
Abruptly, one of the men shoved me forward. I fell hard onto my knees, taking my weight on my hands. My knees and palms were both badly injured.
I didn’t dare look up; I kept my eyes tightly shut, internally praying for the earth to split in two and swallow me whole.
Suddenly, a rough hand curled into my hair and yanked me up. My hands flew back to grab his wrist, but the grip only tightened. I screamed as my head snapped back brutally, and sharp pain shot through my scalp.
The man holding my hair forced me to look at his face, and my heart stopped when I saw the man I had prayed never to see again.
Matteo.
But a completely different Matteo from what I knew. He looked so dangerous and cruel. A deep scar ran above his eyebrow, which I hadn’t known before.
Everything inside me froze.
What is he doing here?
How and when did he get out?
His hand tightened in my hair upon seeing me. His hold was possessive and cruel. He leaned in slightly as his eyes narrowed, taking in my features. Those dark, cold eyes locked onto mine, and a flicker of recognition passed through them.
NO, please no.
My body started trembling even more.
For a split second, his expression was unreadable, and I hoped he didn’t know. His eyes relaxed, and slowly he pulled back. Just when I thought he hadn't recognized me, his lips broke into a cruel, twisted smirk.
A smirk so dark that it sent chills down my spine, making every hair on my body rise in alarm.
Instinctively, I flinched and tried to move away, but he wouldn’t let me.
I shivered when he leaned down to my ear and whispered,
“Hello again… my sweet, sweet Sera.”