JULIA

I feel the rough hands of my abductors gripping my arms, forcing me into the confined darkness of the car's trunk. Panic courses through me as I struggle to make sense of the situation. The sound of the engine roars to life, drowning out any attempt at communication. There's no escape; I'm trapped.

The car's relentless movement eventually comes to a halt. I strain to hear any hint of our location, but all I can perceive is muffled voices outside. The trunk opens abruptly, and fear consumes me again. I'm led out of the car, stumbling slightly as I adjust to the sudden change in surroundings.

As I'm escorted into the dimly lit interior, I catch a glimpse of my surroundings, at least what the mask would let me see—the grandeur of this place is unmistakable. This must be the main house of the scary man and his goons. Fear gnaws at me as I wonder why I've been brought here, masked and bound.

Alonzo, the imposing figure who seems to be in charge, strides into the room. His steps sure and strong. His presence commands respect and dread simultaneously. A man, dressed in all black, approaches him and leans in, speaking in hushed tones. My heart races, and I strain to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Boss," the man whispers urgently, "Rick hasn't been seen since the job. He was supposed to make the trade with the organization, but he never showed up with the hundreds of millions. What's going to happen?"

Alonzo's brow furrows, his expression darkening. He ponders the revelation for a moment, and then his gaze turns to me, still obscured by the mask. Panic surges through me afresh.

The man continues, "They mentioned he had a daughter, betrothed to you, ages ago. Her name is Julia Rocco."

A shiver down my spine at the mention of my name.

Betrothed? How?

I watch as Alonzo's eyes narrow in thought, and then he chuckles, a sinister sound that sends chills down my spine.

"I found a wallet with an ID belonging to one Julia Rocco last night in the car. It seems things are finally starting to add up," he says cryptically, his gaze locked on me. “Well, if you're one of us, you certainly don't need this bag over your face.”

Alonzo's sudden change in demeanor bewilders me. His strong fingers grasp the bag over my head, and in one swift motion, he removes it. I blink as the room's dim light reveals my surroundings.

His tone shifts again, this time taking on a flirtatious edge that catches me off guard. It's as if he's a master of masks, switching between personas effortlessly. The contrast between the man who was caring the night before and the one who spoke coldly about my father's disappearance is striking.

He steps closer, his intense gaze locked onto mine. "So, are you Julia Rocco?" His voice is low, almost teasing, but beneath that playful exterior, there's a dangerous undertone.

I gulp, feeling a surge of anxiety. The thought of revealing my true identity to these people incites fear and uncertainty in my gut. Before I can respond, Raymond, who had been lurking in the shadows, intervenes with a hushed suggestion.

"Boss, perhaps we should discuss this in your office," Raymond whispers, glancing around discreetly. His words remind me that we're not alone, that curious eyes are indeed watching us.

Alonzo seems to consider Raymond's advice for a moment before nodding. "You're right, Raymond. Let's not put on a show for our guests. Julia, follow me," he says, turning away and leading the way toward his office.

He gestured for someone to free me from my binds and as soon as my wrists are free I rub them to get my blood flowing again.

My heart pounds as I obediently follow, uncertain of what awaits me in that room.

As I step into Alonzo's office, my eyes adjust to the dimly lit room. The air is thick with tension, and a sense of foreboding hangs in the atmosphere. Alonzo gestures for me to take a seat in a plush chair, and then he takes his own seat leaving Raymond to close the heavy wooden door behind us.

The room is adorned with dark wood furnishings, framed photos of family members who I assume are part of this clandestine organization, and a large, imposing desk where Alonzo takes a seat. I can't help but notice the aura of power that surrounds him, the weight of his impending decisions, and the responsibility that rests upon his shoulders.

I had hardly gotten comfortable when I felt the barrel of the gun at the back of my head.

My heart started to pound all over again. I had thought this part was over.

“Now, Julia, the best thing for you to do right now is to tell me the truth or I'm going to have your head blown. Where is you father? Is that why you stole the flash drive? Were you planning on meeting up with him later?”

“I didn't take your flash drive!”

As I said those words the gun dig deeper into my scalp and I let the tears I had been holding in flow freely. I knew I probably looked very unattractive and pathetic but I didn't care. I was terrified out of my mind.

“Please don't kill me,” I blubbered. “I don't have your flash drive. I really don't want to die.”

“You're wasting your time crying,” Alonzo said as if he was telling the time. “Your tears don't move me at all. If I had a choice I would have you killed and disposed of right this second but fortunately for you I need the flash drive back. The one you stole.”

Somehow that made me even more scared. The fact that my life hinged on something that I had idea of.

“However,” he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands on his desk. “Since I'm desperate to get the drive back I am willing to make a trade. You name your price. Whatever it is I'll pay, I just need that flash drive.”

I let out a sniffle. “I'm telling you, I have no idea what . . .”

Before I could finish I was cut off by him slamming his palms on the table. The sound was so sudden that it made me jump.

His blue eyes raged with the weight of his fury as he stood up from his chair and came around the desk to face me.

He gestured for Raymond to drop the gun and the back of my head gained some relief as the metal barrel no longer prodded it.

But the relief was only fleeting as Alonzo harshly grabbed my chin, roughly jerking my face closer to his. “Do you have any idea of the deal your father made and how you belong to me? If you give me any more of that crap I am going to give you out to my men and let me tell you what they're going to do. They are going to torture you endlessly and that is after they break every single one of your pretty little fingers.”

“Alright,” I started shakily. “Alright. I'll tell you everything.”

I knew there was nothing else to do. They were not going to let me go if I kept denying it.

“I don't have all the details, but someone paid me to seduce you and steal that flash drive.”

Alonzo adopted a shocked expression at my words. He probably could no believe that I would admit that so easily.

“I'll strike a deal with you for my freedom.”