Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
FRANCESCA
All the lessons Dad and Uncle Tony gave me about escaping from a kidnapper prove to be pointless.
Even though I tried to fight back, I failed to remember anything that served to be useful.
All I could do was plead with Jax and wonder what the fuck was going on.
How could I be so clueless about everything?
How could I not see that Jax wasn’t who he said he was?
How could I not see this coming?
I was so set on moving on from Rhett that I didn’t even ask Jax about his classes. I didn’t meet him in the hallway after his classes. We always just met at my apartment.
“I can’t fucking believe I ever trusted him. Fucking dick.” I mumble to myself as I stare out the window.
The man in the backseat grunts in response before picking up a bundle of rope and grabbing my hands, pulling them behind my back.
My shoulder throbs, and I hiss out in pain as he pulls my arm further back.
He makes quick work of the rope, wrapping it around my wrists in a figure eight before tying it several times.
When he releases my hands, I try to fight the binds, but the rope doesn’t give. He knows what he’s doing, and I’ve even bet that I’m not the first person who he’s tied up before.
Letting out a long sigh, I say, “You didn’t have to tie me up. I’m not going to fight you.”
I should probably feel scared and want to try to escape, but I don’t. Surprisingly, I feel calm.
Even if I was free, I wouldn’t try to fight them.
Besides their much larger sizes, I don’t have much energy between fighting off Jax and my other attacker and Jax dropping the news that Mom is still alive.
I turn in my seat to face the man to my left and ask bluntly, “What do you want from me?”
The driver clears his throat and answers me as he turns a corner, heading toward the island. “Nothing in particular. But your father has all the answers we need. You are just going to be held for ransom, so to speak.”
What have Dad and Joey gotten into? What answers does he have for the Rossi’s? Did he even know they were living down here in Savannah?
What else have I missed over the past two years? What else are Dad and Joey keeping from me?
When will all the lies end?
“So I’m just a bargaining chip? What questions do you need answers to?”
“Leave it to the men. We will discuss business as we always do.” He barks out as he presses the gas pedal to speed around a slow car in front of us.
“Ugh.” I mumble.
I’m so tired of sexist men who think women are helpless. I’ll show them. I’ll show all of them. Including Rhett.
I don’t need their help. I can get the answers I need and they need without my family’s help.
If only I knew what the questions were, then I would know where to start looking for the answers.
The man to my left laughs loudly. It would be a belly jiggling laugh, if he had a belly. “Boss, I don’t think she liked that answer.”
I roll my eyes and scoff before speaking louder for the driver to hear. “Of course, I didn’t like that dismissive answer. I don’t think women should be talked down to just because we don’t have a dick.”
My gaze meets the driver’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Well, when you’re in our line of work, women rarely get involved in business matters. That is the men’s job.”
“I had no choice when my family had to move and start over. It was just the three of us.”
“But you have a choice now, and right now, I’d advise you to not ask questions or piss anyone off with your attitude.”
I break his gaze and stare out the front window as we drive across the all too familiar bridge to get to Tybee Island.
This is the area where the team lived when I first met them two years ago. Where I met Rhett. Where I would spend my nights and weekends after I snuck out of my house just to be with him.
This is where the rich and the famous live in their mansions and elegant, multi-story beach houses.
The driver slows down and stops in front of a gated house. He rolls down his window and punches in a code on the number pad.
With it being so late, I can barely see the last name Rossi in script on the side of the mailbox, but there’s no denying it, I’m being taken to the Rossi house.
When the gate starts to open, he rolls his window up and drives up the very long brick driveway. We finally come to a stop in front of a mansion, and I know we are no longer in our neck of the woods.
It’s huge and gaudy, just like the Rossi family home back in New York. The entryway is framed by two huge pillars and the flowerbeds are perfectly manicured with fresh red wood mulch.
Small pathway lights line the long driveway and flowerbeds, illuminating the dark yard.
“Let’s get her inside. The boss will be wanting answers soon. And you know the Marinos will figure out who took her as soon as Jax squeals like the little rat he is.” The driver grunts out as he turns the car off.
The guy sitting to my left smacks the back of the driver’s seat. “That’s the boss’s son you’re talking about. The boss won’t take too kindly to you talking shit about his kin.”
The driver chuckles. “It’s the truth, and you know it. He’s only part of us for the money and the benefits. He won’t put in the hours to make his presence known. And he sure as hell won’t take a bullet for the family.”
“He just did, you ass.”
I try to suppress my chuckle, but I fail. Both sets of eyes turn my way.
The driver narrows his eyes at me. “What’s so funny?”
“You two are acting like Jax is a lazy coward, but I’ve seen the dark, mysterious, and dangerous side of him. That’s what drew me into him in the first place. I think he will surprise everyone and make a name for himself. Just wait and see.”
I partly believe this, but knowing my father, brother, and Rhett, Jax won’t live to see the weekend.
The guys get out of the car before helping me out of the backseat. Considering how rough they were when they kidnapped me, they are being quite gentle with me now.
The man who was in the backseat with me half pulls me and half drags me up the front steps and through the large double front doors.
I try to take in as many details as I can, but they are quick to pull me into a tiny room off of the foyer. Large hands push down on my shoulders, forcing me to sit in a chair in what appears to be an office.
Or maybe this is an interrogation room.
The foyer doesn’t seem like the smartest place to interrogate someone, but maybe they are waiting for Mr. Rossi to give them further orders.
The door opens and an older man walks inside before closing it back. He limps ever so slightly to where an ordinary person wouldn’t pay it any attention, but it’s enough for me to know that he favors his left leg.
Glancing at the new stranger, my gaze wanders over the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes before settling on his dark orbs.
He looks haunted, like he’s seen and done some shit in his life. His harsh gaze bores into mine like he’s trying to decide what he wants to do with me.
For a moment, I see the deep, dark desire and lust swirl in his gaze before he takes his fill of my body.
I’ve never really felt unsafe or unprotected. I’ve never had to worry about someone drugging my drink or trying to take advantage of me because I’ve always had Joey or Rhett by my side.
But now? Now, I’m not too sure I’ll make it out of here unscathed.
Shaking my head, I break my gaze away from his and stare at the floor. I don’t want to think about all the horrible things that can happen. All the things that this man is capable of.
My heart races in my chest as my mind imagines just what he is capable of.
Would I even try to fight him off?
Or would I hope and pray that it passes quickly?
No! I can’t think like this. I’m Francesca Louise Marino. I am a fighter, and I’ll die before giving up and letting them lay a finger on me.
The man who was sitting next to me in the car digs out his ringing cell phone. “I’ve got to leave to take this call. Don’t do anything stupid.”
His warning sets my nerves on edge. The hair on the back of my neck stands up as he closes the door behind him, leaving me alone in the office with the older man.
The other man slowly walks around my chair in a circle, like a predator circling its prey.
“What do you know about your dad’s businesses?” His voice comes out rough and brittle, like a tired old man’s voice would sound.
“I don’t know anything. I literally just got back into town and took on the role of Director of Public Relations for the Savannah Sharks.”
He stops in front of my chair and crosses his arms. “Bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit. I just got back into town. I promise.”
The man uncrosses his arms and raises his hand before slapping me. “Tell me the truth!”
My face stings from the impact and my eyes water from the pain, but I refuse to cry. “That is the truth, whether you want to believe it or not!”
He clenches his jaw and huffs. “You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie? I’m tied up, alone, and confused.” I yell back to him.
He turns around and paces the length of the room. “I don’t believe you. You are a Marino, after all.”
My gaze follows his every movement. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Contrary to your belief, not all Marinos are liars, but apparently, my mother is one.”
The door to the office opens and the other man walks back inside before closing the door behind him.
He glances at me for a few moments before glaring at the older man. “I told you not to do anything stupid!”
“I didn’t do anything that wasn’t deserved.”
If my hands were free, I’d try to slap him just for that remark, but I have to play my cards right and get the nicer man to trust me.
I glance at the nicer man, but he’s still glaring at the old man. “You know what the boss allows and what he doesn’t tolerate. Get the hell out of here before I call him to come in here.”
The old man’s eyes widen, but he nods and leaves the office.
When we are alone, the nicer man touches my reddened cheek with the back of his fingers. The coolness of his skin helps ease some of the heat, but does nothing for the pain.
“I’m sorry about the way he treated you. Here at the Rossi’s manor, we don’t abuse women and children. He’s got an anger problem that he needs to sort out.”
I roll my eyes. “No shit.”
The man grins, making him look more sheepish and boyish than he really is.
“I like you. You’re fiery and spunky, so let’s talk.”
An idea pops in my head. “Fine. I’ll talk, but first, can I have some water? ”
He’s hesitant, and I don’t blame him. After all, I’m hoping to use this situation to my advantage.
Once again, I resort to begging, hoping it works better than it did when I begged Jax. “Please, I’m really thirsty and I promise to comply and answer your questions.”
I need to find a way out of here, or else I may not be leaving alive. I can’t die and not see Rhett one last time.
He lets out a sigh and nods his head before walking the short distance to the door. “Vinny, grab a bottle of water and get your ass back in here.”
It only takes a few moments until the door is being opened and the old man, Vinny, walks back inside.
Both men are standing in front of me with the bottle of water in Vinny’s hand.
Shit.
It’s going to be harder to get away from both men, but I have to at least try.
I try to put on the most innocent looking expression I can.
“Can you untie my hands? At least one of them? I’ve already promised to comply with any and all questions. Hell, I’ll even follow you wherever you tell me to go. I haven’t done anything to make you not trust me.”
That is the truth. I’ve done nothing but comply since I was thrown in the backseat of the car.
The two men stare at one another, trying to decide if I am trustworthy or not.
I’m not, but I can pretend to be.
“Look, I could have stood up and tried to run to the door by now, but I haven’t. I haven’t even thought of trying to run away. I’m not stupid. I know there’s no way I can get outside, let alone to the street before I’m caught, and then I’m back here in a worse position than I am right now.”
The nicer man pinches the bridge of his nose. “Fine, but one wrong move and you will be tied to the chair, wishing you could take it all back.”
His threat doesn’t scare me, but I still nod and say, “Understood.”
I won’t do anything right now, but when the opportunity arises, I’ll escape, and then there will be hell to pay.