to it. The flowers people placed on top had been a nice touch, but he had always hated flowers, he’d thought that they were a waste of time and money.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t make a scene,” a hoarse voice whispered in my ear, pulling me from my thoughts. My scream was stolen as a hand covered my mouth and pulled me backwards.
Something dark covered my eyes causing me to freak the fuck out. I squirmed and struggled to break free of their grasp but my arms were quickly restrained. When we stopped moving, the blindfold was ripped off. Men in black clothing surrounded me. I spun around desperate to find an escape, but I was enclosed from all sides.
Everything had happened so suddenly, my head spun. I’d been here once before but never did I think it would’ve happened again.
One man stepped forward drawing my attention. My narrowed eyes ran up and down the length of the man, taking him in. He was seemingly tall, dark and handsome but in the worst way possible. Movement caught my eye, causing my attention to shift - to several men crowded around us. From where I stood, I could barely see between them, back to where my aunt and the last remaining guests were huddled across the cemetery grounds.
“You scream, you die. So, don’t.” The man in the middle spoke with authority. “You don’t know me, but I know you. My boss has been eagerly awaiting an opportunity such as this.”
“I don’t understand. What’s happening? I promise, whatever you think I did, I didn’t.” I rushed out in a panic.
They had to believe me. There had to be a mistake, they couldn’t possibly have been after me.
All my life I’d never been in trouble - with school, with the law, not even with my father. I had worked hard at keeping away from trouble, away from the kinds of people that caused trouble. It had always been a struggle, just like everyone else I’d had a dark side but I’d kept it tucked down inside, harnessed by thick chains.
It had mocked me, laughed at me, tried to tempt me to let my hair down - live on the wild side for once ‘because it was fun’. But never had I not been in control.
I was the standard definition of a good girl by reference of any dictionary.
“Poor baby. No, this has nothing to do with you. At least it didn’t start out that way.” The bastard had the gall to pause and wink. I suddenly had the urge to throw up and say ‘eww’.
“My boss expects payment. Anton had debts to settle, a lot of them actually - it doesn’t surprise me that they outlived him. As his next of kin, you’ll take his place. Now, get in the car. The boss wants a word.”
Oh, that was for damn sure, and I’d be sure to give him a shit load. But not that easily.
An opening was made between the men and I see the idling limo at the curb. It was maybe twenty feet away, unfortunately, there wasn’t enough of a gap for me to try and escape. Not that I thought in the slightest that I’d be able to evade at least a dozen men - all on high alert, no less.
“And if I refuse?” I look back towards the man with my challenge. Surely, they couldn’t kill me here. We were in public for fuck’s sake. I knew the second my words registered with him because his face took on a look I can only describe as pure evil.
“You want your dear old aunt to be homeless, penniless and rotting in some scum apartment block similar to yours?” He knew he had me. But still, I took an extra second to scan the area. Surely someone should’ve seen us by now. For this to work for him it had to be a stealth mission - in and out quickly, without being seen. If only I could stall.
“Who did my father owe money to? I assure you, I’ve never heard of any of this.” It was true, to a point. I knew that my father dealt with some dodgy people, but I was never allowed to question it. So, I buried my head in a book and hid myself away.
“The wrong people.” I waited for him to elaborate, which he did not.
“How much did my father owe?” My voice quivered slightly, more than I wanted it to.
“More than he or