KIDNAPPED BY THE MAFIA [THE PERAZZO SERIES]

THIRTEEN | Anything He Wants!

[ZARINA]

“Zarina!” Xavier whispered, hushing me as he looked directly into my eyes and gently cupped my tear-streaked face. “You need to calm down,” he murmured in a husky voice, his gaze conveying genuine concern and care.

I couldn’t comprehend the intensity of his stare, as if he was searching for something within me; as if he was trying to uncover answers to questions I didn’t even know existed.

His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I became aware of how close we were sitting. His face was mere inches from mine, but this proximity was vastly different from the uncomfortable closeness I had experienced with Vladimir.

Yes, I know his name now. I know who he was. I know how cruel he could be, and what kind of monster he could become. He loved seeing people suffer and wouldn’t think twice before exploiting their vulnerabilities. Now, I know enough and all I feel for him is hatred. I hate him.

I shook my head slowly and responded, “How could I?” My voice was filled with sadness and despair as fresh tears streamed down my face. “My life is ruined, and I feel like I’m slowly dying,” I whispered.

Xavier’s eyes remained fixed on mine as he wiped away my tears with his thumb. “Hey, don’t say that,” he gently chided me, his gaze soft and caring as he examined my face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when everything fell apart. But I’m here now, and I’ll do everything in my power to help bring things back to normal,” he promised, his voice tinged with sadness. He sighed and tucked a few stray strands of hair behind my ear. “I promise,” he added, his smile weak but genuine.

“But isn’t it too late to fix everything?” I asked, tilting my head to one side. Xavier’s hands slid away from my cheeks and rested on his lap.

“I know,” he admitted. “But he can’t hurt you anymore. You’re safe here,” he reassured me, and I realized that I was in a new place. It was a new room in a new house - Xavier’s house.

Unlike the previous room I had been in, this place was modern and unassuming. The atmosphere exuded a sense of energy and positivity that made me feel right at home. I felt safe and secure in this space.

As Xavier spoke, I was reminded of the day we first met. At that time, it had been difficult for me to trust him as he was a stranger to me. His words had been unconvincing and unable to earn my trust. Ironically, on this day, I had nothing else to hold onto except his comforting and reassuring words.

There was nothing more to say, so I simply nodded, silently conveying my trust in him. For some inexplicable reason, I truly believed in him.

Xavier’s face lit up with a small smile as he nodded back at me. Sometimes, words weren’t necessary to provide comfort, and I was grateful that Xavier understood that. He didn’t push me to talk about the events that had occurred a few hours ago, and I appreciated his understanding and consideration.

Although we had only met twice, I felt like I already knew so much about Xavier. Today, he had stood up for me against Vladimir, the devil himself, and fought to protect me from his vicious wrath.

“It’s time for you to rest,” Xavier said as he rose from the bed in front of me.

I nodded at Xavier, trying to force a smile, but my efforts fell short. Perhaps I truly was emotionally dead.

“If you need anything, I’ll be in my room,” he said before leaving, closing the door behind him and wishing me a good night.

I sighed and took a deep breath, realizing that forgetting what had happened was impossible, and forgiveness was out of the question. Never. Ever.

Eventually, I curled up into a ball on the bed, shedding tears intermittently. Without realizing it, I succumbed to the darkness, drifting off into an endless slumber.

* * *

[A few hours ago…]

Zarina gasped, frozen in shock as Vladimir pulled out his gun and aimed it directly at Maria’s forehead. Her mouth fell open in horror, and she was momentarily unable to speak.

“Please, no! Stop it, I beg you,” Zarina finally managed to plead, her voice trembling with fear. Her entire body shook, and her knees felt weak beneath her.

Vector loomed behind Maria, his grip tight around her wrists, holding her hands firmly behind her back. Maria’s eyes were dry, but the terror on her face was unmistakable as she stared down the barrel of Vladimir’s gun, her life hanging by a thread.

Vladimir’s twisted smirk stretched across his face, highlighting his malice as he drew his gun away from Maria and began to twirl it around his finger. The metallic sound echoed through the room, a stark contrast to the deafening silence that hung in the air. With his back to Maria, he fixed his gaze on Zarina, his voice dripping with venom.

“It’s all because of you, Tesoro,” he spoke in a calm yet menacing tone. The words felt like a chilling breeze against Zarina’s skin, causing goosebumps to rise. Vladimir’s movements were calculated and predatory as he took treacherous steps towards her, towering over her small frame with his towering presence.

Zarina felt her heart hammering in her chest as Vladimir’s dark eyes bore into her, brimming with peril. He seized her wrist, yanking her closer and forcing her to face her palm. “You wrote her destiny with your own hand,” he snarled, his breath hot against her face.

With a brutal jerk, he crushed Zarina’s fragile body against his hard chest, making her gasp for air. She could feel the cold metal of the gun pressing against her cheek, a cruel reminder of the danger she was in.

Zarina could feel her heart racing as she watched Vladimir’s face twist into a terrifying expression of evil.

“Her blood is on your hands,” he snarled, spitting out the words with such force that Zarina flinched, her eyes squinting to shield herself from the burning intensity of his gaze.

“You’re messed up, Mir! Haven’t you learned anything from the past?” Maria retorted angrily. But before she could say more, Vector tightened his grip around her wrists, causing her to yelp in pain. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered something that Zarina couldn’t quite make out, but the look on Maria’s face spoke volumes - her eyes widened in shock and fear.

Zarina’s world came to a screeching halt as she struggled to comprehend the weight of the accusation thrown at her. Her hands shook and her heart raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. Was she really to blame for Maria’s death? The mere thought made her feel sick to her stomach; hot, acidic bile rising up her throat. She fought the urge to retch, but her body betrayed her as she gagged.

The man before her stood tall and imposing, his eyes cold and hard. Zarina searched desperately for a shred of humanity in those dark orbs, but found none. She had to find a way to save Maria, no matter the cost.

“No, you can’t do this,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “She can’t die on me.”

The man c****d an eyebrow, a nasty smirk twisting his lips. “Is that a challenge?” he sneered, the dangerous glint in his gaze growing more pronounced.

Panic set in as Zarina realized that this man would stop at nothing to exact his revenge. She had to do something, anything to save her friend. “What do you want?” she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. “I’ll do anything you say, but please don’t hurt her. She isn’t responsible for what I did. If you want to punish someone, then punish me. Please! Let her live and go.”

“Anything I want?” he repeated, his tone dripping with malice. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her cheek. “I can think of a few things,” he whispered, his lips curving into a wicked grin.

She nodded.

“Vector!” Vladimir barked, his eyes never leaving Zarina’s trembling form.

“Yes, Boss?” Vector responded, his voice betraying a sense of trepidation.

“Kindly take Ms. Maria to her room and make sure the door is locked this time,” Vladimir ordered, his tone deceptively sweet. “Or be prepared to take another bullet to your shoulder.”

Vector didn’t need to be told twice. He knew that Vladimir’s threats were not to be taken lightly, so he quickly grabbed Maria by the arm and led her away, down the stairs and into one of the many dimly lit corridors of the mansion.

Maria’s protests echoed through the empty halls, her voice growing fainter as Vector dragged her towards her room.

“You’ll rot in hell, Mir!” she screamed, her voice barely audible as the door slammed shut behind her.

Zarina stood there frozen, her heart beating so fast that it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. She couldn’t believe she was standing so close to the man who had caused so much pain and suffering in her life. Her eyes flickered to his glossy black shoes, but before she could look away, Vladimir lifted her chin with the tip of his finger.

As he looked down at her tear-stained face, she could feel his hot breath on her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She tried to avoid his gaze, but he demanded her attention.

“Look at me!” he ordered, and she complied hesitantly. She felt like she was about to break apart as she stared into his eyes, seeing nothing but lust and desire.

He ran his thumb over his lower lip, sending a shiver down Zarina’s spine. The way he looked at her made her feel exposed and violated, and her clothing did little to protect her modesty from the ruthless man determined to destroy her.

Before she knew it, Vladimir had grabbed her arm and pulled her along to an unknown destination. Zarina was too afraid to ask where they were going. The world around her began to fade away, and she no longer cared where he was taking her. She had made a deal with the devil, and now he was going to tear her apart.

He brought Zarina back to the room that had become her prison. The air was thick with the scent of mold and despair, and the only light came from a flickering bulb in the corner. She stumbled behind him, her thoughts a jumbled mess as she tried to process what was happening. Before she could make sense of it all, Vladimir grabbed her and threw her onto the bed.

Zarina’s heart raced as she looked up at him, fear and panic pulsing through her veins. She watched with growing horror as Vladimir removed his blazer with a single fluid motion, his eyes glinting with an unholy desire. He tossed the jacket carelessly to the ground, not bothering to look where it fell. Zarina scooted backwards on the bed, her eyes locked on Vladimir’s every move.

“No,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew what was about to happen, and the thought filled her with a cold dread.

Vladimir grinned down at her, his lips twisted into a cruel smile. He seemed to relish the fear he saw in her eyes, enjoying the power he held over her.

“Time to keep your promise, Tesoro,” he breathed, his voice thick with lust. Zarina felt sick to her stomach as she realized that he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

He moved closer, his chiseled physique now in full view as he unbuttoned his shirt with purposeful intent. Every muscle on his body was defined and rippled beneath his taut skin.

Zarina’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with fear and disgust. She wished she could disappear, escape from the nightmare that was unfolding before her. She couldn’t believe that she had ended up in this situation, trapped and helpless.

As he climbed onto the bed, she could feel his hot breath on her skin. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the horror of what was happening to her. Her body shook with sobs, tears streaming down her face.

The sound of his laughter filled the room as he leaned in closer, his face inches from hers. She could smell the alcohol on his breath and feel the weight of his body pressing down on hers.

Zarina knew that she was in too deep, that there was no going back from this. She had made a deal with the devil, and now she was paying the ultimate price.

Vladimir’s eyes glinted with a dark intensity as he surveyed Zarina’s quivering form. He knew exactly what he was doing, relishing in the power he had over her. Was it really her he wanted, or was it just the thrill of the chase? As he slowly lowered himself onto the bed, his hand reached out to grip her ankle with a cruel force. Zarina gasped as he pulled her towards him, her body now pinned beneath him.

“I want you so bad, Tesoro, if only you knew,” Vladimir breathed, his voice thick with desire. The hairs on the back of Zarina’s neck stood on end as she felt his hot breath on her skin. She shuddered as he trailed his fingers up her leg, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “So bad. So much. So deep.”

Despite her fear, Zarina couldn’t help but wonder why Vladimir wanted her so badly. Was it something about her that drew him in, or was he simply fixated on possessing what he couldn’t have? As these thoughts raced through her mind, she remained frozen, unable to summon the courage to fight back against his advances.

Zarina was frozen with fear as she looked up at the man who held her captive. She knew what he was capable of, and she was acutely aware of the fact that Maria’s life was spared only because of a stupid agreement. She was tongue-tied, unable to find her voice to respond to his demands.

Tears streamed down her face as she silently sobbed, her body trembling with fear. The salty droplets swamped the pit of her eyes and landed on the white top she was wearing, leaving damp patches on the fabric. She felt powerless and hopeless as he trailed his fingers along the curve of her jawline, gripping her chin and forcing another shaky gasp to escape her throat.

As he leaned in closer to her, his lips met the hollow of her neck and she shuddered with disgust. She could feel his hot breath on her skin as he whispered in her ear, “I’m going to f**k this pretty little body of yours, baby, and you’re going to love it. I know you will.” She closed her eyes, praying for this nightmare to end soon.

Zarina refused to agree as his one hand grasped her by the waist and squeezed it firmly.

She let out a cry.

His touch felt like sharp thorns on her delicate skin, causing a shiver of disgust to course through her body. Zarina followed his hand as it moved to encircle her throat, tightening just enough to make her gasp but not suffocate.

As Vladimir drew closer to her lips, she squeezed her eyes shut, a tear rolling down her cheek as she resigned herself to her fate. The heat emanating from his body was suffocating, scorching her exposed skin. If only this were a terrible dream.

“Open your eyes,” he commanded, and she reluctantly obeyed. “I want you to see me devour your cunt and f**k you so hard that you’ll scream your head off.”

Zarina remained motionless, her breathing ragged and strange as she waited for him to take her innocence. She braced herself for the onslaught of his lips, which she knew would only increase the loathing she already felt for him in her heart. The thought of it made her feel even more repulsed, but she was powerless to stop it. She couldn’t help but wonder how she would ever face herself in the mirror once this long night was over.

However, when his lips grazed the skin below her ear, she couldn’t suppress the hiss that escaped from the back of her throat. Her eyes fluttered shut once more.

She waited and waited, anticipating his touch that never came. As someone who was vulnerable and alone, she expected the worst, but to her surprise, nothing happened.

She could sense his presence, suffocating any attempt to resist. His breaths brushed against her face, making it clear that he had no intention of backing off.

He was determined to take her, to consume her until she was unrecognizable. Just when she thought it was too late, the door burst open with a loud bang, revealing a furious Xavier.

“What the f**k, Vladimir!” he shouted, storming in with his fists clenched.

* * *

[Back to the present...]

“Zarina, wake up!” The urgent voice cuts through my dreams, and I feel someone shaking me by the shoulders. My eyes flutter open, and through the haze of sleep, I see Xavier’s face, his features twisted with fear and concern.

What’s wrong with him?

As I stirred awake, I noticed Xavier straightening up. Sitting up on the bed, I rubbed my eyes to get a clearer view of him and to figure out what was going on.

With a sense of urgency in his voice, he declared, “We need to talk.”

My eyes drifted downward, scanning Xavier's attire - a rumpled grey t-shirt and black sweatpants that looked like they had seen better days. His appearance was disheveled, as if he had just rolled out of bed after a long, restless night.

The creases on his forehead and the tension in his jawline were clear indications that something was bothering him, and it was probably something significant.

“What happened?” Fully alert now, I asked, my focus solely on him.

With a look of frustration, he raked his fingers through his hair, attempting to tame the unruly strands that refused to stay put. I could see the tension in his jaw as he spoke, his words pulling me back to the events of the previous night and leaving me feeling disoriented. “I wanted to tell you earlier,” he said, biting his lip in hesitation. “But after what happened yesterday, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

The memories of that chaotic night came flooding back to me, causing my heart to race and my palms to sweat.

“I want you to watch as I eat your cunt and f**k you so hard, you’ll scream your head off.”

“f**k!” Xavier cursed, jolting me out of the daze I didn’t even realize I had slipped into.

“What’s the matter, Xavier? Just tell me.”

He looked at me, his eyes full of desperation. “I need your help. A favor. Please, I’m begging you,” he pleaded as he sat down in front of me.

What’s happening?

“I don’t understand,” I said, my head tilting to the side in confusion. “What favor? What’s going on?” My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for his response.

“Zarina, I want you--” he started to say, but his words were cut off by the creaking of the door. The sound echoed in the quiet room, and we both turned our heads in unison to see who was entering. The door opened slowly, as if the person on the other side was hesitant to come in. I held my breath, my heart racing as I waited to see who it was.

My attention was caught by the sound of small footsteps, and as I looked down, a pair of tiny black and blue canvas shoes came into view. My gaze followed the shoes up to a pair of delicate legs, clad in blue cotton shorts, and then to a black hoodie with ‘No.1’ written on it. Finally, my eyes met the gaze of a little girl, her eyes the same shade of blue as mine. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back, a few shades lighter than mine, and I couldn’t help but notice the innocence in her expression as she looked up at me.

Who is she?

Standing outside my door was a little girl, no more than three or four years old. Her tiny hands were clasped tightly behind her back as she stood there, a huge grin plastered on her cherubic face. She shifted from one foot to the other, as if eager to enter but waiting for my approval.

Her eyes sparkled with delight and wonder, as if she had stumbled upon a treasure trove of sweets and treats instead of a plain old room. It was impossible not to feel a surge of warmth at the sight of her unbridled joy.

I turn to Xavier with a puzzled expression, only to find him staring back at me with a look of sheer terror etched across his face. His skin is slick with sweat, and I can practically feel the waves of heat emanating from him. It’s so bad that even the air around him seems to be shimmering with the intensity of it.

Despite my best efforts, a small chuckle escapes my lips at the sight of him, but I quickly stifle it, not wanting to be rude or insensitive.

But I didn’t have to put in any effort because in an instant, my laughter and amusement were shattered like a fragile glass thrown against a wall. It happened when the little girl in blue shorts spoke up, her voice like a ray of sunshine piercing through the darkness.

“Mommy, you’re back!” Her voice rang out in excitement, and she ran towards me, her smile wide and infectious. As she threw herself into my arms, wrapping her tiny hands around me, my heart skipped several beats, caught off guard by her unexpected gesture of love and warmth.

The embrace left me completely and utterly overwhelmed, my eyes stinging with tears for no other reason but the whiplash of my own confusion.

What?