Vanished in Chicago (Vanished)

“Is everything alright, Mr. Walsh?” He slithers from behind his desk and leans against it.

“No, everything is not alright, little Miss. I don’t know who you think you are, but you don’t get to disrespect me in my class by first coming in late and then by mouthing off like some sort of…some sort of…” Oh, this ought to be good. “Entitled brat.” He finishes his sentence. I am looking at him, waiting for something to come after it, but then I realize that is all he has got so, I laugh. A full-on giggle-fest because he has no idea how much of a brat I can be, and I have been called worse.

“First of all, as you know, my name is Chiara DeSantis, and if you weren't so busy trying to wet your tiny little wick under your desk, staring inappropriately at your female students, then you would know what is going on with me. I am grieving the loss of my father and being away from my family. I am never late and always turn in my assignments on time. Furthermore, you should watch yourself. I am a mafia princess, and one phone call from me and you will never be found again. Is there anything else?”

He licks his lips as a sheen of perspiration coats his face. His breathing picks up, and it hits me that something about that exchange has turned him on. Ewwww. His hand wipes across his face as he grabs his bags. “I know what you need, little girl. You need a man to keep you in line...” he pauses for dramatic effect, but all it does is make me feel sick since he is standing at my ear. “Over his knee, with a hand and a nice deep fuck.” My head whips around to confront him, but he is halfway down the stairs.

“Shit,” I curse to myself. What do I do now? I need to report his ass, but it is his word against mine. I should have let what’s his name come in here with me. I make it into the hallway and see no one is there. So much for him waiting for me.

Damn, it’s late. I should have driven today, but I love the walk sometimes. I pat my pockets and make sure my pepper spray is in it. I stop, look around and listen, making sure to be aware of my surroundings before I start walking.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary at first. It is my usual thirty-minute walk from campus to my uncle's house, except fifteen minutes in, I feel goosebumps spread up my arm. When I stop and look around, I see nothing, but I know someone is following me. Speeding up, I grab my phone. I need to call an Uber screw this. I barely get the app up when I see a pair of feet land in front of me. Startled, I look up. “Shit. Where the hell did you come from?”

“Straight out of your nightmares, little Tink.”

“How…” Before I can finish asking him how he knew once again where I was, everything goes black.

THREE

JAKUB

I am aware of the danger of taking her on the street, but under the cover of night, it is the best option. Carefully, I load her limp body into the car and drive to the compound. My body, still tense, always alert, also relaxes slightly, having her within my grasp. I didn’t expect this feeling of possessiveness to be instant but fuck if I can’t feel it coursing through my veins like a shot of heroine. My mind conjures images of her naked, legs strewn open, her ankle and neck covered in my hardware as she waits for me to take her, welcoming me into her body like a hero being welcomed from war. Only, I am the enemy, and she is going to become the spoils.

“Jak, what is your eta?” The walkie-talkie on my dashboard lights up.

“Pulling up to the gate,” I answer back. I watch the wrought iron open as the cameras zoom in on my car. Rolling up the mile-long driveway, I roll my shoulders back, a weird satisfaction at being able to bring her here, a castle fit for the queen she will one day be. “Long way from the sewer,” I mumble to myself. Zef opens the front door, watching while I reach into the back of the car and pull her from the seat. Making sure to safeguard her head, I cradle her against my chest and walk past my brother.

“I know you might say it is none of my business, but I am curious, have you thought of how you are going to explain your change of trajectory to Miko?” We don’t call our father, father... We simply call him Miko. He did not earn the title. I don’t bother telling him I haven’t thought that far. I haven’t. My dick saw, he wanted for himself, and somewhere in between, the organ in my chest has started feeling…different. Not to mention I am going to have an uphill battle with this little fairy full of fire. “I take that as a no.” He snorts as he steps out of my way.