Forced To A Mafia

Escape into the Abyss

Adrenaline coursed through Emily's veins as Alessandro's hand clamped onto her wrist. Every instinct in her body screamed at her-to run-away from him, from the strange and dangerous world she was suddenly being thrown into. But the message on her phone, the eerie picture of her apartment door, the urgency in Alessandro's eyes-all spoke of one thing: this danger was real, and it was closing in fast.

"Emily, we have no time!" Alessandro exclaimed irritably, pulling her toward the door. She resisted, jerkily releasing her wrist from his hold.

"No!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "How do I know it's not all part of the plan? Maybe they're coming because of you!"

Alessandro's face dimmed, his jaw working. "You're right to be scared of me. You should be. But the ones coming for you are far, far worse right now. I know you don't believe me, and that's okay, but you won't make it out there on your own. Not tonight.

Emily stuttered. Her heart was racing. She didn't really trust him. Not completely. But if the ones who watched her were more hazardous than Alessandro, she couldn't afford to take chances. What if he is telling the truth?

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

Alessandro tensed. His eyes narrowed. "They're here."

He moved before Emily could utter a word of protest, sure hands clamped around her waist tugging her toward the back door opening onto the fire escape. Her heart slammed in her chest as the atavistic fear of being dragged off to unknown regions fought with an even worse terror of whatever-or whomever-was coming for her.

They burst through the door onto the fire escape; the chill of the night air hit Emily's face like a slap. With no time for reflection, Alessandro half-carried, half-shoved her down the metal stairs. As they descended floor after level, she gripped the railing and her breath came out in ragged gasps.

A black SUV slid to a halt in front of the structure, revealing multiple guys dressed in dark suits. Their motions were as quick as blades; they advanced towards the front door without wasting any time or energy.

"They're coming in through the lobby," Alessandro said, his voice tight as they reached an alley behind the building. "We need to move, now.

Emily's heart thudded against her chest as Alessandro pulled her toward a sleek black car parked at the end of the alley. She turned a half-expecting glance over her shoulder, anticipating the men bursting through the doors any second.

"Alessandro opened the passenger door and said, "Get in." "Time is not on our side. She paused for a few moments, her mistrust clashing with her terror. However, it was the distant sound of a door slamming that ultimately decided for her. Her heart hammering in her ears, she got inside the car without saying another word.

The motor roared to life as soon as Alessandro got into the driver's seat. They tore down the alley and onto the main road, tires roaring. Emily felt uneasy as Alessandro skilfully manoeuvred through traffic, causing the city's lights to become blurry.

"What in the world is happening?" At last, in a voice trembling with dread and frustration, she asked. "Who are these people, and why are they after me?" Alessandro's jaw was gritted, hands gripping the driving wheel tightly.

Emily, they don't want you. They desire me. You'll be used by them to reach me. "Why drag me into this in the first place?" At that moment, her dread gave way to wrath and she screamed. "I didn't ask for any of this!"

Alessandro's eyes flicked to her, something unreadable passing behind his gaze. "I didn't want this for you either," he said quietly. "But you were already involved the moment we met. My world, my enemies—they were always going to find you.

Emily felt her stomach turn. "What does that even mean?"

Before he could respond, a black SUV with dazzling headlights in the rearview mirror accelerated up behind them, causing the automobile to veer violently. Alessandro cursed beneath his breath, and Emily's heart leaped into her throat.

"They've found us.

It was an SUV, and it rammed their car, sending it skating sideways. Emily was clinging to the seat, her knuckles white as Alessandro wrestled for control of the vehicle. The roar of the engine filled her ears as the SUV rammed them again this time harder.

"Hold on!" Alessandro yelled.

Emily's heart pounded as the car accelerated, speeding through the city streets at a breakneck clip, the skyscrapers blurring in front of her. Her body tensed with every swerve and each turn. The SUV was relentless, gaining on them with each second.

"Alessandro!" she shouted, and then the SUV drew abreast of them, its windows tinted dark. A glint of something metallic there caught her eye, her blood running cold.

A gun.

Alessandro cursed again, swerving hard to the right just as a gunshot exploded. The bullet shattered the passenger side window, spraying glass over the seat. Emily ducked instinctively, her pulse racing.

"We can't outrun them," Alessandro growled, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "I have to lose them another way."

But before anyone could question his meaning, Alessandro floored it and sent the car sliding down a small alleyway. The SUV blew by them, tires squealing from the effort to stop.

Alessandro hit the gas again, speeding down the alley. But as they emerged onto another street, Emily realised their luck had run out. Another black SUV was waiting for them, blocking their path.

Dammit!" Alessandro exclaimed as he hit the brakes again. They were stuck.

With their weapons pulled and their faces hidden in shadows, the guys in the SUV began to pour out into the street. Emily realised there was no way out of this, and her breath seized in her throat. That was it.

Alessandro's hand reached for her, his tight grip around hers. "Whatever happens, don't leave my side.

Before Emily could answer, the men took off in their direction with guns pointed at the car. For a second, time almost stood still as they closed in, each step nearer to the inevitable than the last.

Nevertheless, a third car blasted into view, its headlights dazzling as it screeched to a stop between them and the approaching guys, just as Emily braced herself for the hit.

The passengers of the new car opened fire on their attackers, unleashing a barrage of bullets. Alessandro reached for Emily's arm, yanking her down beneath the dash as bullets whizzed overhead.

The gunfight was over in seconds only, the sharp c***k of gunfire replaced with an eerie silence.

The pounding of her heart, Emily raised her head and peered over the dashboard. The attackers were strewn across the ground, unmoving.

And then, the door of the third car opened and someone stepped out.

Tall, imposing, and clad in black, he marched towards them with determination. Alessandro tensed at her side, his face darkening.

"Stay in the car," he growled, the tautness of his voice betraying anxiety. "I'll take care of this.

But before he could step out, the figure stopped just short of the car and pulled back his hood, revealing a face in good view.

Emily gasped.

It was a woman. Her inky black hair cascaded in soft waves down her shoulders, her piercing blue eyes locking onto Emily's with a dangerous intensity. There was something cold, calculated about her, yet… something weirdly familiar.

"Hello, Alessandro," the woman said, her voice as smooth as silk. "It's been a while."

The whole demeanour of Alessandro changed in that moment; his expression hardened, and his glare settled on the woman. "What the hell are you doing here, Valeria?"

Valeria's eyes darted to Emily, her lips spreading into a slow, predator-like smile. "I see you've made a new friend. How cute."

Emily's stomach twisted into unease. Whoever this woman was, she wasn't an enemy; she was far worse than that. Valeria's smile spread slowly as she turned to Alessandro. "I think it is time we had a little talk concerning Emily… and what you're really after.