Chapter 84
FREYA
Bianca, as I learned her name was, had returned two hours ago. Her demeanor was calm, almost too calm for the situation. She had assured me that she’d done her part, and that soon I’d be free to go home. But the word home felt like a distant dream–a fragile whisper in the storm of my thoughts. Hope was dangerous. Life had made that abundantly clear. And yet, against my better judgment, a sliver of it wormed its way into my
chest.
I hugged my knees tighter, sitting against the cold, damp wall of the room, trying not to spiral. Bianca sat beside me, her eyes fixed on the door, her jaw set in a way that betrayed her inner turmoil. She said nothing further, but the tension radiating off her was palpable.
In my mind, I painted an alternative reality. A balm to soothe the fear gnawing inside me. Last night could have been perfect. A small, neatly wrapped box, non–alcoholic champagne and champagne glasses, would have found their way to Aiden’s hands. I would see him with that look as he realizes what this package holds. The happiness is seen in his features, we would have laughed, talked about our future and our life.
But now! Now, I wasn’t even sure if I would leave this place alive, much less find Alden again. The thought of him, of us, was like salt on an open wound. And yet, the baby inside me was a reminder of why I couldn’t give up. But if there was one thing I was absolutely certain of–it was that I would die before letting myself be broken into submission
The faint murmurings cut through my thoughts, sharp and ominous. I stiffened, my heart hammering in my chest. Bianca straightened beside me, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the door.
“This way, boss, a deep voice said, muffled but drawing closer.
The door creaked open, the sound cutting through the still air like a knife. I caught my breath as the man entered, possessing an aura with his presence alone. The guy was slightly taller than six feet, and his entire build told me of strength and power. His dark suit fit him to the inch, telling stories of wealth and authority. It is the eyes that really hit me, though Cold, calculating, and sharp, they scanned the room, coming to rest on me with an intensity that sent my stomach rolling.
cars as she spoke.
Bianca and I leapt to our feet. My pulse roared in my ears as
“Mr. Sanchez.” Her voice was steady, revealing none of the tension crackling through the room,
So this was him. Roman Sanchez. The name alone carried weight, whispered in tones of reverence and fear. The leader of one of the most dangerous mafia organizations in the world stood mere feet from me.
His eyes dug into me, weighing, measuring. His brow creased ever so slightly, and I thought I saw a flicker of something–a glimmer of recognition. But that had to be my imagination. How would he recognize me1 We were strangers.
“What is your name?” he asked, his voice smooth but laced with an undercurrent of menace.
My throat felt dry, and it took me a second to find my voice. “F–Freya. Freya Wilson”
His reaction was immediate, a sharp curse muttered under his breath. “Motherfucker.
Thy would
I flinched at the venom in his tone, confusion swirling in my mind. Why
my name provoke such a reaction!
“You’re Aiden Knight’s girlfriend,” he stated, his words landing like a punch to the gut.
“How do you know that?” I blurted out, my voice sharper than I intended.
“He is looking for you, Roman said simply, as though that answered everything.
That struck me like a freight train- the weight of his words. Aiden was searching for me. That one simple thing threw me off balance. I thought I was going to drop from my knees, but some sort of strength carried me up. Tears pushed through the corners of my eyes, and my control gave way. A wailing cry lore from my chest, raw and unchecked.
“Please. Please let me go. I don’t wanna be here. Please. The words spilled out, trembling and frantic.
Roman’s face darkened further, his expression unreadable but undeniably dangerous. He took a step closer, his towering presence suffocating. I flinched as his eyes roved over me, lingering on the bruises and cuts that marred my skin.
“Did Lucas do this!” His voice was low, but there was a deadly edge to it that made my blood run cold.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding.
7:02 AM
Chapter 84
His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as he turned to the man standing behind him–a burly figure who had been silent until now.
“Grab him Knight would want his head.” Roman ordered, his voice low growling that did not encourage argumentation
I stared back at hum, my mind all over the place. Was he serious? Was he going to punish Lucas for what happened to me?
Roman turned his eyes back to me.
“Let’s go inside,” he said, making no way for refusal. ⠀
“I won’t sleep with you.” I said, the words spilling out before I could stop them. My voice quavered, but I made myself look up at him, even as fear twisted my stomach.
Something flickered in his eyes–annoyance, amusement, or maybe both. “Good to know. Now come on.”
I froze, my feet rooted to the spot. The weight of my fear was almost paralyzing
Freya.” Roman’s voice was soft, almost gentle this time around, yet no less forceful. “I’m not here to harm you. However you have to go now.”
I glanced sideways at Bianca and watched as she mouthed slightly, Move.” Deep in my chest and giving myself one last view, I made my muscles shift again, dragging along with me as I stalked in the direction he walked toward the door.
My mind ran at full speed as I trailed after him down a dimly lit corridor. Questions screamed in the tip of my tongue, yet I could not find enough courage to voice them out. Who was Roman to Aiden? How did he know about me! Most importantly, why was he helping me?
Every step felt like a gamble, as if I was putting my life in the hands of a man who could easily end it. But glancing at Roman’s broad back, I couldn’t help but cling to the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, he was my way out of this nightmare.
