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“Then you go hungry,” he says, shutting and locking the door.
Frustrated, I sit by the window. I don’t know how much time passes, but I hear the door unlock again, and I stand hurriedly. Thank fuck they decided to bring me food at last.
Miguel walks in with another guard, Jarred, and a large man holding a video camera.
“Bring the chair to the center and sit her down,” he pulls something out of his pocket. It’s duct tape.
I try to move away, but Jarred and the other guard catch me and force me into the chair. My arms are taped to the chair, and then Miguel smirks at me as he tapes my mouth closed.
“Roll it.”
The camera is lifted, and I see the red blinking light indicating it’s on.
“Don Sorvino, I believe you visited some of my premises today and destroyed some of my property. Let me make this clear. This is not a game I am playing. Every time you attack what’s mine, I will hurt what’s yours. Here she is. She’s alive and well. If you leave my property alone until we have a chance to negotiate my demands, then I won’t hurt her. She is perfectly safe here so long as I say so. Make your choice.”
The man lowers the camera and instantly leaves. Miguel looks down at me as Jarred cuts through the tape. He looks so evil as he says, “Join me for dinner or starve, Kira. It’s your choice.”
He leaves before the tape is off my mouth so I can respond.
The two guards leave, and the door locks behind them. I move to the bed and curl up—a sob building in my chest.
Thirteen Years Earlier
I won’t lie. Miguel has charmed me quite a bit. He is persistent, but it’s actually not in a creepy way. It’s very endearing. I’ve had my fair share of boys chasing after me, but they just want what they can’t have. I wonder if Miguel learns my last name and how I’m tied to one of the most prominent mob families in New York, he will stay.
I try to focus on what my professor is saying, but I keep picturing Miguel sitting beside me, our hands almost touching. He is very handsome—tall, with dark hair and green eyes, which I love.
The bell sounds, and I jolt slightly, frightened. I hadn’t been paying attention. I’ll have to carefully review the work in the textbook, or Padre will have my head.
I pack my book bag and wait for my turn to join the throng of students leaving the lecture hall.
Once outside, I walk to the left and toward the courtyard. It’s so lovely to sit there, it’s my favorite spot, but I have a test I need to study for.
Someone pokes their fingers in my side. “Boo!”
I jump and clutch my chest, turning to see Miguel chuckling. “You ass,” I say, swatting at his arm.
“I’m sorry, I saw you were not paying attention and had to do it,” he grins and runs a hand through his perfect hair.
“Where are you headed?” he asks.
I shrug. “I was going to the courtyard, but then I thought I might study in the main library, where it’s quieter. I have a test coming up.”
“So do I,” he says excitedly. “For our second date, why don’t we make it a study date? I’m free now if you are?”
I feel a bit flustered, but after a moment, I nod. “Okay. But we have to study.”
“I take my studies very seriously, Kira,” he assures me.
We walk together down the hallway, and he doesn’t say much. From the corner of my eye, I see his goofy smile and how he glances at me every now and then, making me want to blush slightly.
Once we’re in the library, we find a table to sit at and take out our textbooks. He grins. “Even though we won’t be chatting much, this is still our second date.”
“Agreed.” I smile and turn to my textbooks.
We sit there for about forty-five minutes, making study notes. I write mine neatly on study cards while he highlights everything.
As I’m working through a particularly difficult section, I realize I’m going to need a book from the shelves. I get up without saying anything and disappear among the stacks.
