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“You, my dear,” he continues, his tone dripping with menace, “are merely a pawn in a much larger game. Nothing personal, of course.”
“What game? What are you talking about?” Confusion joins my fear now.
He smirks, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
This must be a mistake. It has to be!
“You must have mistaken me for someone else!” My voice trembles slightly, but I force myself not to waver as I meet his gaze.
“So, you’re not Sophia Williams?” The man’s words hit me like a freight train. He knows my name.
How? I never told him.
Panic rises in my chest as he continues to speak, “You’re not Sophia Williams,” he says, “and Nilo Williams isn’t your brother?” His voice is laced with amusement. He’s toying with me. He leans in closer, his eyes gleaming as he sees me shrink back. “You’re not as clever as you think you are.”
I look at him in shock, my mouth hanging open.
Nilo, what the hell have you done?
His deep, sinister chuckle sends a chill down my spine. It’s as if he’s relishing in the fear he’s causing me, enjoying the way I tremble before him. The sound echoes through the small, dimly lit room, filling the space with an ominous energy that makes my heart race even faster.
“Let me tell you a story about yourself, Sophia Williams. You’re 23 years old, and you work three jobs just to take care of your sick grandmother and support your drug-dealing brother. You work as a waitress, a sales associate at a department store, and a caregiver for a wealthy family. Did I miss anything important?”
I swallow hard, my mind reeling. How could he know all of this? And why is he telling me?
Taking a deep breath, I attempt to steady my voice. ”Well, thanks for the goddamn life story recap,” I sneer. “I mean, you’ve got the basics down, but did you have to make it sound so dramatic?” I force bravado into my reply, despite the panic bubbling in my chest. “I’m not sure if you’re auditioning for a soap opera or something. Just tell me what you want already.”
If my attitude annoys him, it doesn’t show. Instead, lets out a laugh. “Let’s just say I have a vested interest in you and your family. And I’ll do whatever it takes to get what I want.”
My head begins to spin as I try to figure out what this is all about. “I haven’t done anything wrong,” I manage to say. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I can’t let them see my weakness. It’ll be like blood in the water with a hungry shark – one drop, and I’ll be devoured.
Keep your guard up!
Suddenly, I feel his rough, calloused hands grab my chin and force my head up, exposing my neck. I gasp for air as he clamps a hand around my throat, his fingers tightening. My eyes water, and my vision blurs. I struggle, trying to loosen his grip by lowering my chin, but it just makes it worse. Panic claws at my chest, and I start to feel light-headed.
“You’re a fighter, I’ll give you that,” he says, amusement in his voice. “But you’re in way over your head.”
I glare at him, somehow finding a kernel of courage. “Let go of me,” I rasp out, my voice hoarse from lack of oxygen.
He chuckles, his grip tightening even further. “I like it when they’re feisty,” he says, and I feel a shiver run through me. Suddenly, he releases me with a hard shove. My head drops back, and I suck in sweet air.
He turns to the two men behind him. “Bring him out.”
I watch in horror as they drag my brother’s battered body into the room and drop him on the floor beside me. He groans in pain, and I feel a surge of anger and fear wash over me.
“You see, your brother stole from me,” the man says with a sneer. “So much that you and all of your jobs would take nearly a decade to repay me.”
“Fuck you!” I scream, tears streaming down my face. “Let go of my brother! Let go of him, you bastard!”
As I struggle to catch my breath, the man stares at me appraisingly, his eyes cold and calculating. He seems to be contemplating his next move, and I know that I have to be ready for anything.
“Alright, Sophia,” he begins, his voice low and menacing. “I’ll make you a deal. You help me with a little task, and I’ll let your brother go. In fact, I’ll even forget his debt.”
I stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. I clench my fists, my anger flaring at his mocking tone. But I can’t let my emotions control me. I need to think strategically if I want to save my brother.
“Wh-what do you need me to do? I’ll do anything. Please.” I know he can hear the desperation in my voice, but the sight of my brother’s unmoving form is tearing away the last of my defenses.
“You’re going to spy for me, little doll,” he says mockingly. “There’s this man, Luka Ivankov. I need your help to keep tabs on him. I have a feeling he might be coming for my throne now that he’s out of…” He trails off for a moment, a cruel smile dancing on the edge of his lips. “Detention,” he finishes.
