Episode 3

Kaya Chinasider

Both Lesly and I are tied up in the backseat of a car, my eyes are blindfolded, and my hands are restrained with plastic zip ties. I can hear my cousin sobbing; she's a sensitive girl, undoubtedly panicking. A loud blast of music plays from outside, the car stops, and a raspy voice leaks through.

"Boss is here."

A guy says with a respectful tone; I hardly make out their words.

"Get the warehouse ready, we're taking the two tramps there."

That voice belongs to the same man who captured me at the mansion. The car moves again, and when it stops, silence engulfs us. I'm yanked from the back seat, and I can hear Lesly's shrieks of desperation as she repetitively utters a prayer in Russian that I barely comprehend.

"Shut up."

One of the men with us slaps her, sending her tumbling to the ground. This seems to infuriate someone, as the loud crash of something breaking follows. One of the thugs collapses at my feet.

"Do that again and I'll rip your head off, nobody is allowed to touch the girls, got it?"

He bellows, and even blindfolded, I sense his presence before me, standing still with his panting breath like that of a wild beast, his woody scent potent, seemingly ingrained on my skin. His hands touch the blindfold, yanking it off abruptly.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way, blondie."

He traces his thumb along the side of my face, a huge man, good-looking, with sharp features that would be attractive if not for the situation.

"Let's start with a polite and cordial introduction; we're not a pair of Neanderthals."

I remain silent—a slim, tall young man approaches, touching his arm and redirecting his attention. He doesn't seem strange, but from where do I recognize him?

"You're forgetting she doesn't speak our language, boss. The girl is Russian."

The intimidating brute glares at him, causing the young man to back away, stumbling over his own feet, nearly falling.

"My friend here thinks you don't speak my language. I, on the other hand, am a bit smarter. Every time I say something, your pretty face changes expression."

I narrow my eyes as if I can't understand, and he grins.

"Kill the other girl."

He shouts.

"No!"

I exclaim, and he raises a hand.

"Look who learned to speak our language."

He laughs hauntingly, drawing near to whisper in my ear.

"Let's start over, Kaya."

A shiver runs through my skin, leaving me completely trembling.

"I'm Venom, the king of the hill, and from now on, your master."

"What do you want with us?"

"Look at that beautiful pronunciation, for someone who couldn't speak or understand a single word we've been saying."

He mocks, a guy as tattooed as he is steps closer, whispers something, and his gaze narrows towards me.

"Your father is brave."

He steps back with his hands in his pockets.

"Must be someone influential to rally an army so quickly and come to my turf."

He moves towards the door.

"I hope he doesn't mind losing a few men; my boys will take care of them."

He exits, leaving us alone; warehouse doors close, and darkness engulfs the place. I hurry to Lesly, who embraces me; her mouth is injured, and she sobs uncontrollably.

"Easy."

I plead softly.

"It's going to be alright; Daddy will save us."

I try to reassure her, but at this moment, I don't believe my own words. The man who just walked out exudes an evil kind of danger and getting us away from him surely won't be easy. Alongside Layla, I lay down on a grimy mattress on the floor. The night will be long, and it's doubtlessly only the beginning of the hell awaiting us.

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