A ONE-NIGHT STAND WITH THE MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER 3

Jean's POV

When I regained consciousness again, I was lying on the ground and my eyes gradually adjusted to the dim lights of the large warehouse I was in. I gasped in another round of fear and tried to get up on my feet and run but I couldn't. My hands and feet were tied and I could barely move them. I panicked again and my chest heaved heavily as I feared that I had been kidnapped by a group of human eaters. Or maybe some weird group who wanted to perform some human sacrifices. The thought of being eaten or used for a sacrifice terrified me greatly and I struggled to free my hands and feet from the ropes but it was a futile attempt.

I wondered if this was going to be the end of me? Would this be my death place? What would Riley do when she hears the terrible news about my death?

As I imagined all the scenarios that would occur after my death, I heard some sounds coming from the entrance of the warehouse and a group of men walked in. I caught a sharp breath in my throat and my stomach churned. Was this going to be the end of me?

"I instructed you not to use too much sedatives. For how long has she passed out?" The voice sounded oddly familiar and I wondered where it could be that I had heard that voice before. Could it be that this was some inside work and I was being kidnapped by someone close to me? Someone I probably knew?

As the voices and footsteps advanced closer, I carefully rested my head back to the dusty ground and shut my eyes, pretending that I had still passed out. I had to come up with a plan. I should probably play dead and when they finally loosened me up and looked away, I would pick myself up and run away to safety.

Good plan, Jean. If only it were that easy.

"It seems she's still passed out, boss." Another man said and I waited for what could possibly happen next with my heart in my mouth.

I heard the sound of a single man's footsteps walking towards me, stopping directly in front of my body. I could sense him kneeling down, his eyes pricking down my body. Why did that cologne smell so familiar too?

"If you are going to play dead, then do it well. You have such heavy breathing." The man's familiar exposed me and I cautiously opened my eyes halfway, at least to get a quick look at his face and confirm his identity.

Familiar green emerald eyes stared down at me and the sharp, handsome features of his face blinded my eyes. Instantly, both of my eyes flew open in pure disbelief.

"Dante Perez?!"

"Hello there, Miss. Faxon. Welcome back to the real world. Are you finally awake now?"

With all the strength left in me, I struggled and managed to sit up. My lips parted in shock and stared at him closely, to be sure that I was seeing things right.

"Wh…what are you doing here?" I asked him and he laughed a little. The kind of laugh a villain would laugh before going ahead to carry on with their evil deeds.

"This is my warehouse, Miss. Faxon. Where else should I be?"

I gasped and I stared at him even harder.

"Hold on. If this is your warehouse, then you are the person who kidnapped and brought me here!"

He clicked his tongue and shook his head a little. "Nah, darling. I don't do my dirty business myself. I had my men bring you over."

What an asshole!

"What difference does that make? You practically kidnapped me! It was on your orders!"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, if you say so."

"Are you kidding me?! Untie me now!" I struggled again to loosen myself but the ropes wouldn't budge. Dante himself wasn't making any effort to free me.

"And why should I? You are my hostage now."

Was he a maniac who derived joy in seeing others suffer or had he gone nuts? Why was he doing this?

"What the f**k?"

"My daughter's homeroom teacher curses. Interesting. I'll take note of that when I have to file a complaint against you next time."

"Why are you doing this? Why did you have me kidnapped?" I asked, not taking my curious eyes off him for a second. His expressionless green ones stared back at me and I was left wondering how someone could look so breathtaking, yet dangerous at the same time.

"Why are you pretending not to be aware of the reason behind this, Miss. Faxon? I already told you everything the other day." He reached for his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Picking one cigarette, he returned the rest and lit his cigar. He took a drag of the smoke and puffed it into the air.

"Are you doing this because I refused to accept your bribe?"

"I told you. I get whatever I want, however and whenever I want it. No one turns me down."

"You know, I could report you for kidnapping and have you arrested and locked up in jail for this, don't you?"

He smirked at me and took another puff of his cigarette before rising up again. "Well, goodluck with that, Miss. Faxon. You can do that only if you ever get out of this place alive. Enjoy your stay." He said and as he turned to leave, I panicked again. There was no way I would let him lock me up here forever. I had a life to return back to. I would not be a hostage for my entire life. I wouldn't even last a day.

"Wait, wait, wait. Don't leave me here."

But he pretended not to listen to me and started to walk away.

"I'll do it!" I yelled after him now. "I'll do it! I'll help Mia."

This time, he stopped on his feet and hesitated a couple of seconds before turning around to face me again.

"I'll help Mia." I repeated my words. "Just let me go. Please."

His stares deepened and it seemed he wasn't believing my words.

"Mia is your daughter, Mr. Perez. And if there's one thing I am sure of, it is that every parent loves their child and wouldn't want to jeopardize their future for them." I spoke and he listened to me with rapt attention. I continued. "If I agree to do as you want and I pass Mia, believe me when I tell you and I wouldn't be doing her any good. If you really want to help Mia, then let her do her things herself. I understand that you love your daughter, but you have to trust her enough to do her things herself sometimes."

He dipped his hands into his pockets and didn't take his eyes off me. "Go on. Keep talking."

"I'll help tutor her. I'll be her private tutor and help her become better in school. I don't want anything in return. All I ask for is that you free me."

For a moment, he did not answer me. Instead, he stared at me hard and long as if delegating if he should believe me or not. After what seemed like a minute, he sighed and finally broke his silence.

"You start tomorrow. At my place. Thrice a week. I'll send you the address to my house. Do you understand?"

I nodded, eager to get out of this dusty and stale place. "Yes."

"Good." Then, signalling one of his men over, he ordered. "Untie her and drive her home."

"Okay, boss." The man replied and without any delays, he walked over to me and started untying me. As they did, my eyes landed on a bracelet on Dante's wrist and a sense of nostalgia overcame me. Ten years ago, I owned the same kind of bracelet but had lost it on the night of my mistake with the stranger. It was a necklace that Riley had handmade for me during my birthday and I wondered how it was that Dante had the exact replica.

"It is not in my habit to trust people but I will give you the benefit of doubt just this once, Miss. Faxon. If you try to play me, I promise, I'll f**k you up. Do you understand me?" Dante's warning pulled me back into reality and pushed the bracelet behind me, believing it is only a mere coincidence that we owned the same bracelet, I nodded at him.

"Understood."