A Dangerous Love

Meeting the Boss

Rowan

I can hear the girl's muffled crying from the backseat. She must be scared out of her mind. Damn it! I feel lower than fish crap at the bottom of the sea, but I push it away. I have a job to do.

Remembering what the Boss said gives me the chills.

"That bastard is going to pay for stealing from me." he laughed, a sinister sound that made the hair at the back of my neck stand up. "You bring me his daughter, Rowan. I am going to sell her to get my interest back." he grabbed me by my shirt.

"And do not fail me, ragazzo, because if you do, mio figlio... I will personally kill you." he tapped me lightly on the cheek.

I will be damned if I let it happen to her! Too many innocent girls have been sold by the Sicillian Mafia into the s*x trade. They have to be stopped. It has taken six months to gain Sergio Morello's trust. It wasn't easy. There were times I had to do things which goes against my grain. s**t, I don't want to think about it now. But it will soon be over. It is almost time to make our move on their operation. My team is ready and waiting for my orders.

Raine

I am trying so hard not to cry. My heart is racing, my mouth dry as a bone. In my mind the most horrific scenes keep playing out. What will he do to me? Where is he taking me to? Oh my god! Will I ever see my parents again? I chocke back a sob. Try and stay calm I tell myself. Maybe I can escape if I see an opportunity. Just don't panic.

I wriggle onto my side. It hurts. My wrists are burning. The cable tie tightened when I struggled against it. Maybe I should try and talk to the bastard. Get some idea of what his plans are. Thinking of that I feel nauseated. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself.

"Who- who are you?" I cringe at the shakiness in my voice.

He is glancing at me through the rear view mirror. The sunglasses doesn't help, I need to see his eyes.

"You don't need to concern yourself with me, Ms Thornton." His voice is quiet and cold.

It hits me like a fist in my gut. He knows who I am! This isn't just some random kidnapping.

"I am just the delivery guy." he says.

"Delivery guy?! What the f...! Where the hell are you taking me?" I try to sit up, but the cable tie around my ankles cuts into my skin.

"You will find out soon enough, Ms Thornton. Try to relax, you're hurting yourself."

"Oh thank you so much for your concern!" I bite back, snarling. If I ever get my hands on him...

He chuckles at my sarcasm. Which makes me livid! How dare he! I stare daggers at his reflection. Obviously I won't get anything out of him. I try to get myself in a more comfortable position but fail dismally. My legs feel cramped and I can't feel my hands.

"Hey asshole!" I shout at him. "I need the bathroom. Unless you want me to use your nice leather seat?"

I don't need the bathroom. I need to get the hell out of here.

He sighed. "Nice try but I'm not buying. Anyway we're here."

Rowan

I admire the girl's spunk. Not that it will do her much good against a monster like Morello. He is not a huge man, rather short and somewhat portly, but dangerous like a cobra. His dark eyes hold no compassion. Whatever Mr Thornton is I hope our agents can get to him first before Morello's men. I'll try my best to keep Raine safe.

When I open the back passenger door I am again struck by her shapely body. She is still wearing her bikini. I realise that it could be a problem. I have to find her some clothing. I take out my pocket knife and immediately see the terror in her green eyes. She flinches.

"I won't hurt you. I'm just going to cut the cable tie around your ankles. Don't move."

She makes a small whimpering sound between clenched teeth. I rub the red skin where it has been chafed. Then I help her out of the SUV.

Raine

"Where are you taking me?" I demand, glaring at him.

"I'm going to find you something decent to wear."

"You're WHAT?" I can't believe my freaking ears right now.

He removes his sunglasses. I stare into the most compelling grey eyes I have ever seen.

"I am dead serious Raine. These men are not gentlemen. So be grateful. And one more thing... If you know where your father is, please tell me now. It's very important that I know." he said in a low tone, almost a whisper.

"I.. I.." My mind is reeling. What the hell?

He gives my arm a shake. "Tell me!"

"Oh my god! Why? What has he done?"

"Come." He practically drags me up the gravel driveway to the back of the house. We went in through the kitchen. A woman is busy preparing food there. It smells wonderful and my stomach growls in protest. I haven't eaten all day I just realised.

"Ola Maria, per favore, get me some clothes for the girl."

"Si, Rowan. Wait here."

The woman just raised an eyebrow at me and hurried off into the house.

"Ms Thornton, I am running out of time and patience. Where is he? If you value his life then tell me." He looks down his aquiline nose at me, his lips a thin line.

"Last I heard he was on a business trip to Berlin. And that's all I know. We don't talk much." And that's the truth. Dad and I don't spend much time with each other. He pays for my tuition and food and whatever else I need and that's about the size of it. "Now tell me what the hell is going on."

The woman comes back with a tracksuit pants and a T-shirt. He thanks her and then cuts my wrists loose.

"Here. Put it on."

I don't argue. I was feeling cold. My wrists stung and I rub them hard.

A burly looking man comes into the kitchen.

He motions to us. "He is waiting for you. And he is not in a good mood."