Her father's sins

Predator

EVADORA DONATO’S POV

The lecture finally mercifully ended, and a wave of chatter and laughter spilled across the sun-warmed campus. I grabbed my black tote bag from under the desk, slinging it carelessly over my shoulder, the strap dug slightly into my arm, and stretched, relishing the freedom from hours of half-asleep note-taking. Kara fell into step beside me, her long braid bouncing as she skipped ahead, excitement practically radiating off her.

“So,” she started, her voice lilting, “you have to come to the party in my basement this weekend. Everyone’s going to be there!.”

I snorted, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “I don’t know, Kara. My father’s been hovering all week like a helicopter. I’m thinking about swinging by home in Milan instead just to check up on him. See what his problem is.”

Kara groaned dramatically, elbowing me lightly. “Ugh, you’re going to miss out. You remember that guy I told you keeps asking about you in class? He’s going to be there, remember the other guy that asked for your number last week? Yeah he’s gonna there too. You really want to give it up?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smirk tugging at my lips. This was typical Kara always finding a way to drag me into drama.

I grinned, walking faster now, my leather sneakers scuffing lightly against the pavement. “I’d come if I return on time from Milan.”

Kara laughed, tossing her hair. “Fine, you know I don’t take no for answer.”

I waved a hand, trying to brush off her enthusiasm. “We’ll see.”

We rounded the corner toward the school gate, the late-afternoon sun warming the tops of my shoulders. My eyes caught the sight of a sleek black car parked right in front of the entrance and my father sitting behind the wheel, expression unreadable, eyes locked on me.

My stomach did a small flip. Was it really that serious? He’d never picked my up from uni before. He lived in Milan, hours away, and I was more than capable of getting home on my own. Seeing him here really felt strange.

I walked toward the car, my Ugg boots clicking against the pavement. I let out a small huff as I slid into the leather seat beside him. The smell of expensive leather and faint cologne hit me, oddly comforting but also suffocating.

“Hello, Dad,” I said, voice clipped, gripping the edges of my tote bag on my lap.

He didn’t answer. Just started the engine. The hum filled the small space between us, along with the faint scent of asphalt from the city streets outside.

I crossed my arms, leaning back against the seat, tapping my foot impatiently. “So… what’s the emergency? You can tell me now.”

“Eva,” he said, calm but deadly, “we need to talk.”

“Talk?” I shot back, furrowing my brow, lines drawing acrooss my forehead. “You’re the one not talking, Dad.”

The city blurred past as we drove, sunlight glinting off the skyscrapers. I tried to keep my thoughts from spinning. Mother was gone too soon, the hollow ache of loss still gnawing at the edges of my chest. I didn’t like thinking about her, it made me feel weak.

“You’re betrothed, Eva. Soon to be married.”He finally said.

I froze mid-breath, tote slipping slightly from my grasp. “Excuse me?” My voice sharpened, disbelief mixing with anger.

“You were promised to someone when you were a child,” he continued, tone unyielding.

I burst out, letting out a loud, incredulous laugh that echoed in the small space of the car. “What are we in, the 60’s? I could as well wait for a prince charming to come save me while sipping tea. I spat out still refusing to believe him.

“I only kept it from you until now. But today… you will come with me.” He said again and I realized he wasn’t joking.

I whipped around to face him, eyes blazing. My chest heaved as fury rose like a storm.

“Oh, you’re taking me to this so-called… betrothed of mine? You must be delusional if you think I’m just going to sit here and watch you take me to some f*****g stranger I’m supposed to marry.”

I slammed my hand on the seat, leaning forward, my voice sharp and incredulous. “Stop this car right now,dad. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He ignored me. His hand just tightened on the steering wheel.

“Stop this car now or I’ll get myself out.” My pulse went wild. I leaned toward the door, hand on the handle.

But his hand stayed firm on the wheel, eyes forward, he was unshaken by my tirade. He thought I was joking.

Before he could react, I swung the door open and jumped. The pavement scraped my palms, my side screamed in pain, but I rolled to absorb the impact.

He slammed the brakes, leaping out. “Eva! Are you insane?!”

Ignoring him, I got up immediately and flagged down the nearest taxi, climbing in, wincing as my scraped leg throbbed. “Drive.” I demanded, voice tight with frustration.

I told the taxi driver to drive without looking back, my mind already racing. If I reach my apartment, I would grab my things and head straight to Kara’s before he even finds me.

The cab pulled up in front of my building. I paid the driver, tossing the bills onto his palm with a hurried glare, and practically leapt out of the vehicle. Relief washed over me but it evaporated in an instant.

Before I could even take a step, two men dressed in black came out of nowhere, pinning me down with iron strength.

“Let go!” I screamed, thrashing wildly, my fists pounding against their arms. My legs kicked, swinging back and forth, but their grip didn’t waver.

My black tote bag slipped from my shoulder, tumbling to the ground, scattering my notebooks and pen across the pavement.

I clawed at them, smashing and hitting, refusing to give in, but the combination of my torn shirt from the earlier jump and the scrape along my side made every movement sting sharply.

“Get off me!” I yelled, straining with everything I had, heart hammering in my chest.

Before I could react, one of them brought a handkerchief up to my nose. The scent hit me instantly it was sharp and overpowering. Panic flared in me as my vision blurred, darkness creeped in from the edges until everything went black.