Chapter 6 Spoils of War
Alessia's POV
I heard a loud sound from very close to the vehicle and I knew that all hell was about to break loose.
“Alex!” I gasp, my heart thundering in my chest.
“Shhh. Stay calm!” he whispers.
“Bring them out of the car!” a voice barked before I could get a chance to react. Hands opened the car door roughly and we were dragged out. We faced our masked assailants. Their fingers tightened around my arm and I flinched.
“Take your hands off her Stronzo!” Alex commands in a deep voice, struggling to get loose.
They laugh at him, using the butt of their rifle to smash his head, and he fell down with a groan. Blood seeped from the wound on his temple.
I screamed. “Alex! Alex, wake up!!!” Struggling to break free, I try to go to him. I might not love the guy ,he took me against my will but I don’t want him to die because of me.
“Keep quiet. Don’t worry, you are next!” He drags me by my hair and throws me down near Alex.
“Please don’t!” I raise my hand to shield myself, but he roughly uses the butt of his rifle to hit my head. I feel a sharp explosion of pain and I cry out, “Ahhhhh, Dios…”
Before I black out, I hear their leader telling one of the goons, “Tie their hands with a rope and throw them in the back of the van!”
I lose consciousness.
I am jolted awake as I hit my head on the walls of the van.
“Ouch!” I try to move but I remember I am tied up, and I seem to have a sack over my head. I feel someone moving on my side.
“Is that you, Alex?” I whisper, my voice filled with fear.
“Yes It is me, cara mia,” he whispers.
“What about the driver ? .” My voice shaking
Alex sighs “He is Unfortunately the spoils of war ..”
“Dios!” I gasp ,shuddering and leaning on the side for support .
“Where do you think they are taking us?” I ask him.
“Probably to one of the Sirranos’ close-by warehouses.”
I swallowed hard “ What will they do to us then?”
“Nothing yet don’t make too many movements so you don't hurt yourself , whatever happens we will handle it together .”. Alex whispers calmly
The van comes to a stop abruptly. We are dragged out of the back.
“Walk .” Guns are used to poke our back as we start walking blindly, stumbling a bit on the uneven terrain. We are led into some kind of wide space, then we are pushed to the ground. My knees scrape the floor and I almost cry in pain but I swallow it, not wanting to give them the satisfaction.
“Get the extra ropes ,” one orders.
They tie us together, Alex’s back tight against my own, our wrists bound behind us. Tied very tight.
“Try and avoid any sudden movements, cara mia, or your wrists will be bruised.”
I take a deep breath and try to calm down. “Alex, I am not sure if I can …” He doesn’t allow me to finish talking before he interrupts . “You can and you will. Now take deep breaths and try to relax.”
The sack is removed from my head and it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the light in the large space. I look around quickly it’s a large warehouse just like I suspected. At least six masked men stand in front of us, armed with rifles.
One bends until he is level with me.
“You are pretty, redhead. It’s a pity you are a liar!”
“Who have I lied to?” I ask.
He slaps me hard, my face shifting to the side.
“Don’t play coy with me!” he snaps, spittle coming out of his mouth.
“Don’t hit her again !” Alex’s voice is low and full of anger. “If you do, I will make sure you regret it.”
The man stands up and starts laughing, his other men joining.
“What makes you think you are in a position to threaten anyone, Signor Ferrini?” He spits at Alex’s feet.
Another steps closer to me and asks,
“Where is La Rosa de la Vita?”
“I did not take it!” My voice cracks.
A hand gathers my hair and pulls it tight, yanking my head back roughly.
“Stupido! That is the wrong answer.”
I feel immense pain in my scalp and I whimper, silent tears falling down my face. He spits in my face and moves back to his position.
“That’s the worst thing they can do. It’s just torture; they can’t kill you because they need you…” Alex whispers, consoling me.
I shiver, his words making me feel a bit better.
“Alex, how can you be so certain?” I ask, resting my head on his back.
“I am. They need La Rosa—it’s a one-of-a-kind, unique jewel. They won’t give up that easily.” His tone softens a bit. “You must be strong.”
The men argue in front of us among themselves.
“She must be lying.”
“Perhaps she hid it.”
“No, maybe she gave Ferrini it already.”
“All of you should be quiet let me handle this “ their leader snaps
Alex chuckles. “Well, even if I have it, you will never know.”
That upsets them and the leader punches Alex hard in his ribs. He barely moves.
“Why are you doing this!” I hiss at them, struggling to loosen my ropes. Rather, the rope digs into my skin deeper.
“Cara mia, I told you to not struggle with the ropes so it doesn’t bruise your wrists,” Alex murmurs to me. “Save your strength. You are going to need it.” He squeezes my hand once.
“Alex, that is easy for you to do but not me,” I whisper back to him.
He adjusts again, brushing my hand again—just a quick touch but enough to send warmth up my arm.
“How can you be so calm?” I ask him.
He chuckles. “This is not the first time I have been caught like this and I know how this ends.”
The leader walks towards me again, leaning on his knee until his face is right in front of mine. His eyes are cold and vicious.
“I am going to give you one last chance. Where is the jewel?”
“I already told you, I don’t know where it is,” my voice trembles.
He removes his gun from his holster and puts it on my temple.
I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes.
Alex tenses, his back stiff behind me.
“Hold on. If you kill her, you will never find La Rosa, I promise you!”
The leader smirks. “Perhaps I will shoot you instead.” In a quick move he turns the gun to Alex’s head.
My pulse races.
“Please,” I beg, “don’t hurt him.”
The leader tilts his head at me.
“So you care about him , interesting!”
I feel myself blushing but I stay mute. Alex’s fingers tighten over mine. Then we hear a loud Boom! sound from outside that shakes the entire building.
I hear cars parking, screeching tires. Doors being closed loudly . Footsteps running towards the warehouse ..
Alex whispers to me squeezing my hands once “ I told you to trust me cara mia ..”