Indebted (A Kingpin Love Affair 1)

“You don’t make deals with the mafia, my dear. I’m the mafia king, and I don’t take payments, unless they’re in blood. So tell me… Who shall be paying today?” A sick smile creeps onto his face as he points the gun at my father. Alzerro’s cold, dark eyes stare into mine, and there isn’t an ounce of mercy there. He will shoot my father without blinking; he will shoot me without blinking. He isn’t the type of man who gives second chances.

“No…” I beg. I am not sure where it came from. All I know is I can’t face losing someone again. It will be as if I am dead anyway.

He lowers the gun, turning his attention back on me. I can feel his hot breath on my face as he looks down at me. “What is your form of payment then?” I notice the way his eyes linger over my breasts, my body in general. He is intrigued with me. He wants me.

“Me,” I whisper for his ears only. He isn’t stupid; he knows what I mean. I, however, am so stupid, so very fucking stupid. I know there will be no walking away from someone like him. He pushes his longish black hair from his face as he continues to hold the gun in his hand, like he is weighing his options carefully.

His eyes narrow, and for a brief second, I think he will say no.

“Deal…” I know he isn’t done, though. There is a “but” in there somewhere… “But if you run, I will kill you. Men, take care of her father.” Alzerro’s hand snakes out, gripping the hem of my shirt. I thought he said that we had a deal! An icy, sweaty feeling of dread sweeps through my body. This can’t be happening! I only offered myself so I could save my dad! I try to push his hand away, but I am obviously no match for him. He looks amused, yet deadly serious, as my skin feels the burn of his hand slowly roaming up to the top of my shirt. I hear the tear of fabric as he rips my shirt to gain access to my chest, but I hardly notice because I’m held captive by the fear in my father’s eyes as Alzerro’s men surround him.

“Stop! You said we had a deal!” I cry out. Alzerro said we had a deal, so why did he order his men to hurt my father?

I am horrified as the thugs grip my father’s head to hold him in place. The man who had guided me in here looks gleeful as he takes his place next to my dad and prepares to carry out “the king’s” orders. Tears stream down my dad’s face as he waits for the pain to come. His eyes never leave mine, telling me how much he loves me and how sorry he is.

The brute’s fist lands against my father’s face with a sickening crunch. Hearing my dad’s painful groans and seeing his blood gush out is just too much for me to handle, and I’m on the verge of collapsing. These thugs can’t do this! They have to stop! It’s wrong!

“Make them stop! Please! I will do whatever you tell me!” I am screaming and sobbing as I plead with Alzerro. My eyes beg for his to meet mine, but they still linger over my body. I am close to being a hysterical, blubbering mess, but I have to keep my wits about me; I have to find strength. I have to do something. I can’t lose my dad.

“Make them stop!” I implore desperately as my hands grasp his arms to get his attention and for stability before I collapse. “I already said I belong to you, that I’m my dad’s payment. I’ll do whatever you want. Please stop making my father suffer!”

Alzerro shrugs my hands off his arms, leaving me feeling vulnerable and unsteady. His fingers grip my chin tightly, roughly tilting my head back to force me to meet his callous stare.

“If I make them stop, you have to go with me without a problem. No fighting, no questions, and no theatrics. Do you understand?”

The second the words fall from his lips, I shake my head yes. I will do anything I can to save my father including making a deal with the devil.

“Stop,” Alzerro commands. His guys immediately pull away from my father.

“Untie him and leave him be. Take her…” His eyes linger over my chest again as if he’s already planning what he’s going to do to me. A creepy smile spreads across his face, making my skin crawl.

“Tie her up and gag her,” he orders as he runs his thumb across my bottom lip.

“I said I would go with you willingly…” My voice is weak as the men come near me. The man who retrieved me from my car roughly grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him. The other men untie and release my father. His body is so worn out, he falls off his chair and lands on the ground in a heap. Even though he has been badly beaten and is still bleeding, I know he will be okay. It is better than being dead, after all.

“Where are you taking me?” I turn the best I can to face Alzerro. His eyes pierce mine.

“Somewhere you will never be able to escape from.” His words should scare me, and they did to some extent, but I have a feeling that I will never live more than in the moments I am with this man.

“Are you going to kill me?” I ask foolishly. I can’t help it; the question is burning a hole in my head. Another man comes up behind me to follow through with Alzerro’s orders.

“Wait. Before you take me, may I please hug my dad good-bye?” I tentatively ask, hoping I can feel safe in my father’s arms one last time. I am not surprised when there is no response. Instead, my hands are tied together, causing my arms to pull together tightly. Alzerro takes a step forward while a man works rope between my legs. I don’t put up any resistance. There is no point in fighting them – they are heartless, cruel beings who won’t hesitate to use their guns to kill me.