Chapter 4
Rafaela
Marco hadn’t ratted on me.
If he had, my father would have made my life miserable. After a couple of days, I dared risk trying to locate where the stranger was being kept. I’d needed to plan how best to avoid getting caught, including paying attention to what was happening in the fields.
I was no fool. Even though my father and mother had attempted to keep his business from interfering with our family life, I knew who and what my father was. Until recently, he’d been an enforcer for the mafia, a man everyone feared. Even in school, the kids had always shied away from me.
I’d finally begun asking questions, learning he was vicious in how he handled enemies of the Cosa Nostra. He was a violent man on any given day so I could only imagine the horrors he inflicted on those given to him for punishment.
Thoughts of the stranger suffering after he’d been so brave as to try to protect my fur baby had left me inconsolable.
And determined.
Fuck the rules.
There went the side of me my father couldn’t stand, rebellious and unappreciative. His words as he challenged me used to sting like the strike of his belt against my bottom when I’d been a child, but I’d endured his horrific acts of punishment, becoming stronger with every passing year.
Only I didn’t show my resolve to anyone. It was my secret to keep and my ability to have some sense of control over my life.
When dusk fell across the horizon, I knelt by Golden, rubbing her face as I coached her. She listened to me and I knew for certain she understood every word. “We’re going on an adventure, baby. Okay? You must be good and you can’t make a sound. Can you do that for Mommy?”
Golden Angel licked my face. I sensed she knew what we were doing. I’d already snatched a couple extra bottles of water and some bread and cheese. I’d gather other items after I figured out what I was dealing with.
If the man was a prisoner, the stranger had to be held somewhere on the property. There were few locations as my father had never disciplined anyone here that I knew of. Yet now that he was retired, maybe he was still moonlighting for the Cosa Nostra. The thought brought another wave of anger.
My only guess about where the stranger might be held was one of several maintenance buildings. I doubted the newer facilities would be used, but there were three older ones, small cinderblock buildings that could be considered perfect prisons.
Another wave of anger tore through me. How could anyone treat a human being so badly?
I had a small bag that was perfect for carrying the items, which also including some tools to try to pick a lock.
Another talent I’d picked up along the way, using the internet to teach myself certain skills that no one else would provide.
I double checked I had a working flashlight as well, finally glancing at myself in the mirror one more time before heading off.
I had on jeans and a shirt plus a light jacket, and tennis shoes as well so as not to make any noise when walking through the house.
I’d pulled my hair into a ponytail. “Merda,” I cursed.
I looked like a little girl and the stranger was much older, a real man.
He had to be at least thirty. Or maybe not.
Suppressing a giggle, I yanked the ponytail holder from my hair, fluffing my soft curls.
The main thing was to look natural in case I was caught. At least my excuse was plausible enough. Golden Angel’s tummy wasn’t feeling very well.
With Golden by my side, I peeked around the door, ensuring there was no one in the hallway.
One good aspect about the house being so large was that my parents had a full wing of their own, the staff another.
While there were guards positioned outside the house and all throughout the grounds, there were none inside.
Plus, given that the outdoor space was my haven, over the years I’d learned routines. Every month they were changed like clockwork, to avoid enemies being able to surprise the soldiers and gain access to the house.
I moved to the kitchen door, turning off the alarm. There was no mechanism to tell my father that it had been turned off or how long it would stay that way.
But I had to get back and reset the system before anyone discovered I was gone.
We left the house heading for the garden and an area that wouldn’t be patrolled for another fifteen minutes.
I scampered along, my pulse racing from the thought of seeing him again.
There was also a rush of adrenaline and a dash of fear.
If my adventure was discovered…
No, I’d prepared for something of this nature. My father had even put me through training for how to handle if someone attempted to kidnap me. Yes, I was prepared.
Or at least determined.
Once I was away from the house and the majority of outdoor lights, I grabbed my flashlight, keeping the beam low to the ground. Now it was a matter of figuring out which building he’d been locked in.
“Come on, girl. Let’s see what we can find.”
Her single snort was the only sound she made.
The first location was a bust, the old building not only dark and terrifying but unlocked and mostly empty. The second showed more promise, a light on inside, but when I was able to open the door easily, my hopes were dashed once again. Someone had obviously left the light on.
When Golden’s backside wiggled like crazy the closer we came to option number three, excitement built.
“Is this it, baby girl?” Leaning over and whispering, my question was rewarded with her tongue sliding down my entire face. She always knew when I needed a little levity. “Good girl. Let’s hope you’re right.”
The third and what I considered to be the worst option was the oldest maintenance building on the property.
Many years before as a little girl, I’d accidentally gotten myself stuck inside, the door closing behind me.
I’d remained there for hours in the sweltering heat while every inch of the property had been searched.
By the time my father had found me, I’d been dehydrated and close to a heat stroke. I’d been in the hospital for several days. My God. I also remembered several people had been disciplined for the incident. As if my running away had been their fault.
As I approached the building, I suddenly remembered my father had placed a padlock on the door.
I swung the flashlight up and down, remembering how terrified I’d been.
I’d never even been close to the location since.
A lock was in position, but there was no way it was the same one.
Not after all these years and the fact there was no overhang to keep the rain from pelting against it.
From what I remembered, there was one tiny window, not large enough for even a child to slip through, barely enough to bring any air into the building.
Thankfully, with it being toward the end of April, the days were warm, but the nights were still chilly.
But there was no way to tell if anyone was inside.
To ensure my antics weren’t discovered, I’d need to pick the lock. I was glad to see it was a typical padlock found at any hardware store.
With the flashlight aimed at the lock, I pulled out the special picks I’d ordered online. After a few attempts, I shoved the flashlight into my mouth so I could have both hands available. Beads of perspiration trickled down my cheek and my breathing was increasingly more labored.
I worked on the lock for several minutes, almost giving up. Then I heard a slight click.
Golden also sensed success, whining while nudging my leg.
“I know, sweetie. Just give Mommy a minute.” I was shaking as I put my tools away, my hands clammy from apprehension. This was crazy. What if this man was a horrible criminal and he hurt me?
While my father had never cared about taking me to school or being in the audience for my recitals, he’d taught me several basic skills to try to remain alive. Including following my instincts. If the situation felt off or wrong, get out.
Yes, my stomach was in knots, but the little voice in my head was whispering the prisoner wasn’t here to hurt me. Whether or not he was a bad man was something else entirely.
Once the lock was free on the latch, I placed it so when the door was closed, no one would be able to tell it had been unlocked.
Unless they pulled on it.
I held my breath as I opened the door, my entire body shaking.
The interior was cavernous, the darkness threatening to derail the adventure with a panic attack.
As I struggled to catch my breath from raging nerves, I heard a noise.
Just as I swung the flashlight in the direction of the sound, Goldie decided to ignore her training as she’d done before, rushing inside.
Just as a blur lunged in my direction, a solid block wall slamming into me and knocking me onto my back, the flashlight pitching from my hand. While I’d been attacked, Golden didn’t seem overly bothered that I was in danger.
I realized I’d cinched my eyes shut just like I did when watching scary movies, hopeful by doing so the monster wouldn’t see me.
A whimper escaped my lips as the person who’d attacked me shifted his weight, not to crush me, but to give me more air. His heavy sigh was followed by a series of curse words. Russian curse words. A hard hand clamped hard over my lips, his hot breath skipping across my face.
He smelled of sweat and dirt, yet the brutal work he’d performed only added to the tingling sense of desire.
Golden moved closer, shifting the flashlight on the ground until his face was illuminated, shimmering in the dancing beam. That’s when I found the courage to look my attacker directly in the face.
As I’d experienced before, I was caught in a moment of shock, unprepared for the venom in his eyes or the sense of danger that had become overwhelming.
“Posmotri na menya, printsessa,” he directed then slowly removed his hand.