Mafia Obsession

Jasmine

The darkness swallows me whole as I open my eyes, clutching at my aching forehead. My cheek is puffy and swollen, the scar crusted up from where Alex busted my face with his

damn ring. I take a moment to fully recollect what happened, but as it does lots of rage and hatred overcomes me.

Alex is a bigger asshole than I ever believed. He gave me to the mafia, and now he’s stolen me from them for a ransom. Kane would never pay a ransom, no matter what. I know how important upholding their family reputation is. Even if he wants to, he can’t.

I swallow hard, wondering where on earth Alex has taken me. I glance around the room I’m in, standing to my feet and feeling around. It’s ridiculously dark but there’s a faint light from a tiny little window in the corner.

As my senses kick in, the familiar scent of pine and forest floods my nostrils. I’m in the basement of Alex’s cabin in the Heartacre Woods.

Would Kane remember that I told him we used to vacation here? He said he used to camp up here too, so it’s possible he might realize where he has taken me. Alex isn’t stupid enough to go back to the city, not with every single Romano Mafia member searching for him.

I smooth my hands down my dress, finding the beautiful lace torn at the hem. I can’t believe he ruined a day that was supposed to be the happiest of my life, all so he could try to hold me for ransom. The guy has been doing well at his fucking club, and sells boat loads of drugs, why isn’t that enough? I’ve known for a while Alex is greedy and power-hungry, but this is a new low.

The Romano family don’t pay ransoms. They don’t give in to demands. I know that all too well from the way Kane spoke about things he’s had to do. The sound of a door creaking open and light filtering downward, forces me to sit up straight.

Alex appears at the bottom of the steps, holding a flash light. I squint as he aims it at me, laughing. “Jasmine, you’re pathetic,” he says, stepping toward me. Alex had never been so cruel before, but perhaps it’s because he could get nothing out of me before. “Sleeping with Kane Romano is a slutty and whore like thing to do.”

I shake my head. “He will kill you for this.”

“Is that right? I’m not sure how he will find me here.”

I hold my tongue, hoping that he does remember Alex owns a cabin in these woods. The only problem will be whether or not he can find it.

“If he cares about you, then he’ll pay the ransom.” He chuckles gently. “But, he’s an idiot if he thinks I’m ever giving you back.”

I feel dread slice through me, cold and chilling at his words. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You’re mine, Jasmine, and I’m going to find out exactly what has Kane so hooked on you once he pays me. We’re going far away from here.”

My skin crawls as he gets closer to me, running a finger across my neck. I swallow hard, trying to reign in the fear spreading like a disease around my body. The thought of Alex, my step-dad, touching me, makes me sick to the stomach. I’ve always known he was bad news, but this is a new low, even for him.

“Get your hands off of me,” I shout, spitting in his face.

All the muscles in his body tense, as he wipes the spit from his cheek. His hand comes down hard against my face, blistering pain sweeping across my jaw. The force reopens the wound on my cheek, and I can feel the fresh blood streaking down my skin. Tears prickle at my eyes, as I gaze up at the man whose house I’d live in the past seven years of my life.

He was never a Dad to me, but he wasn’t cruel and disgusting like he’s being right now. I’m thankful he has stepped away from me.

“You’ll get used to me touching you, Jasmine.” His eyes are burning with a sick desire that makes my stomach churn. “Kane will never find you where we are going.”

I feel a shiver run down my spine, as I don’t want to believe he’s right. Kane has to find me. He has to. “No one can run from the Romano family,”

I say, quietly.

Alex laughs deeply. “Maybe not in North America, but we will be long fucking gone from this country.”

A flood of panic hits me and I know I can’t just sit there and do nothing. Adrenaline pulses through my veins as I jump to my feet, rushing toward the steps up into the cabin. Alex tries to catch me around the waist, but I see the move coming a mile off. I dodge him, kicking him in the crotch for good measure. He falls to the floor, grunting deeply and holding his crotch.

“The bitch is trying to run, stop her,” he shouts up to someone above, sending my heart rate spiking even faster. My muscles tense as I get ready to fight, I’ll do anything to get the hell out of here.

My heart pounds faster than my footsteps up the stairs, bringing me into the cabin I spent so many summers at. There’s one guy standing between me and my escape, but he’s fucking huge. He has to be about six-foot-eight and built from pure fucking muscle. The width of him covers the entire door, and my stomach sinks, as I realize the likelihood of me escaping passed him is slim to none.

“Where the fuck do you think you are going?” he asks, smirking at me. “I’m leaving,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

He laughs at that, so I make for my old bedroom. I can let myself out of the fucking window, and he won’t be able to follow. The pounding of my feet on the wood echoes around the cabin and his footsteps follow. I slam the door of the bedroom behind me, rushing for the window.

My shaking hands make hard work of undoing the catch, but I get it undone and force the window open. My heart is in my throat as I get one leg up onto the ledge, only to feel two large hands grabbing me.

“Let go of me,” I shout, trying to break away from his grip.

He chuckles, picking me up as if I weigh no more than a feather. I scream loudly, as he hauls me down the corridor and back toward the kitchen. I’d been so close to getting out. He barely seems to struggle, as I kick and flail against him, landing a few punches. Alex is standing in the kitchen, eyes wild and full of rage.

He grabs hold of my throat, squeezing so tight I can barely breathe. “I will love breaking you, Jasmine,” he spits, forcing his lips against my own.

I tense, feeling so sick I might puke. With that, the man holding me takes me back down into the basement. He shoves me onto the floor, before turning around and heading up the stairs. “You won’t get away with this,” I shout after him, feeling so pathetic.

He says nothing just keeps walking. I hear the door slam shut, and I’m plunged back into pure darkness. Alex’s words keep running through my head on repeat.

Kane will never find you where we are going.

I can’t believe those words. Tears prickle at my eyes, as I consider the possibility of never seeing him again. A man I’ve fallen for so hard and quick I never believed it were possible.

I cross my arms over my chest and slump back against the wall, hoping beyond hope he will find me here-he has to.