Chapter 99

Lucky

The sun does feel good on my face. The mountains look stupendous and remind of days when I was younger and was allowed to go hiking. Of course, nothing was easy then either since my father is the head of the Gianluca organization.

Even back then I had to have guards with me and friends were pretty much non-existent. I would go hiking with cousins and the two guards who accompanied me all the time. One of course being Nikolei and oh, boy did I have a crush on him.

My childhood was always guarded and my father rarely allowed any photos of me to go public. It was of course for my own safety, not that I minded. But when I was given my first mobile phone at the age of fifteen, I set up my own Instagram and Facebook accounts. Soon I became quite popular with the photos and reels I posted and my following grew and grew. Naturally, I was not stupid enough to create the profile with my real name.

“That is enough,” Yelena’s harsh Russian accent breaks through my fond memories. Those memories of when all I had to do was be a good child for my parents and make sure I got excellent grades. My father insisted that education was the key to freedom. I have to laugh at that. What freedom did I have growing up? None! And then he arranged for me to be married to Nico anyway.

Not that I regret the decision those two made, far from it. Our feelings began to grow for one another and it is unbelievable to think how much I hated him to start with.

The thought of going back into my prison cell makes me feel sick. The stink in the there is unbearable and I don’t want this to be the last time I feel the sun on my face. Or see the mountains with the sun above them. All those peaks calling my name to walk them.

If only Yelena didn’t have her guards with her, I could try to fight her and maybe I would be able to run. In what direction I have no idea since this seems to be a desert with only a few industrial looking buildings. Will Nico actually be ever to find it?

“Are you sending my fiancé another video?” I ask because I am stalling for time. Her guards begin to move closer to me. Perhaps they are sensing I am considering making a run.

That would be stupid. It would take seconds before a round is fired into my back. But dammit, I am not a coward. I am not a woman who backs down. I am known for my defiance. Not, however, for my stupidity.

“No point, Princess. He has had enough warning. He has made no attempt to contact me. Your fate as they say is in his hands. And I guess he has chosen his empire and status over you. After all, you are merely a human. He likes to rule the underbelly of New York City.”

“And what will you do then, Yelena? Once you have killed me? You don’t have any other ammunition to use against him, do you?”

She snorts and places a hand to her heart. “You are a smart cookie, Lucky Gianluca. But not that smart. We will go for his heart! How do you like the sound of that? A man like Nico Santangelo has other enemies than just me. I only want what is rightfully mine, Princess.”

Her guards flank her, the other two remain guarding the door. Stupid really considering I would hardly make a run back inside the building. Or would I? I mean it is a huge building; there will be plenty of doors to lock myself away from them until Nico and his team come for me. There are stairs. I could perhaps get to the top and maybe bolt the fire door at the top.

All sorts of visions are running through my mind right now. There are options but I have to get through the assholes in front of me. The heat soaks into my skin, beads of sweat form on my head. My heart is hammering hard against my chest at the thought of making a break for it inside the actual building.

Tilting my head to the side I say, “and why do you think you have the right to his fortune and kingdom, Yelena? What makes you say such a thing?”

“That is for me to know, Princess and none of your damn business. I told you once already to keep your smart mouth shut or I will put the gun in it.”

“Fine, shoot me, Yelena. Go on do it,” I say brazenly as I take steps towards her. She remains standing with her feet firmly planted hip width apart. We are both around the same height and I am not a small woman standing over five seven.

“You want to try and take me out, Princess? Be careful, my guards are watching you very closely. One nod from me and that is it. Bang, bang, bang.” She lets out a coarse laugh. Funny, she doesn’t scare me now.

If she wants Nico she has to use me as the pawn. For all her words, there is no other way. He is heavily protected and has enough arms to start a war. He has resources and power. And at a guess, I believe more so than Yelena. Although she is from Russian decent.

“Tell me, Yelena,” I begin as I stand so close to her, I can smell coffee on her breath. “Who is behind this? Is it all you or do you have your own organization and group that want Nico out of New York City?”

“Enough,” she bellows out at the same time as one of her heavy weights grabs my arms and brings them behind my back, tying them together with what I think are zip ties.

They push me away from Yelena and march me back to the other two guards, handing me off like cattle. I turn and see a magnanimous look on Yelena’s face. The sort of look that tells me she thinks she is holding all the cards.

Let her think that. She doesn’t know just how mean and nasty Nico Santangelo can be!