fucking day for the past four years, and a heavy sigh leaves me. I really wish I could take a break. I wish I didn’t have to run myself ragged every damn day. I could sell out. I could take the money and try to invest it so it would last for us. But fucking Rick got us into so much debt digging his way out of financial ruin. And then I was saddled with all the lawyer’s fees from our divorce. And then of course when he died I had to pay his lawyers that tried to take Jax away from me. That bill fucking hurt like hell to pay. I take the key from the ignition. I can’t stop now. Just one day at a time will get me through. And at least I still have my little man. I’ll be strong for him.
Grabbing my laptop bag and my purse, I swing both over my shoulder and get out of the car. I click the button for the alarm and turn toward the restaurant.
A scream tears through my throat as a large hand concealed in a black leather glove covers my mouth and a large body wraps around my frame. No! I scream and flail my arms. No! This can’t be happening. For a moment, I think it may be Dom. But this isn’t him. I know it’s not him. Tears sting my eyes as my throat burns with a shrill scream. I stumble forward as the man pushes his chest into me and crushes his heavy weight against my body, pinning me to the rough brick. My head bashes against it, and it scrapes my cheek.
The stinging cuts hardly register as he twists my arm. The pain shoots up my shoulder. The black sleeve of the man’s sweater slips up his arm and reveals a dark, detailed tattoo of a green dragon wrapped around a red shield. Another man comes out in front of me with a rag. I struggle in the man’s hold, trying like hell to get away.
But it’s no use.
The rag covers my face, and I try not to breathe.
I hold my breath for as long as I can, but I can’t keep it up much longer. I inhale the chloroform into my lungs.
The last thing that goes through my mind as the darkness takes over is Dom. I wish he were here to save me.
My head feels so heavy. I'm so groggy. My vision swirls, and my chin touches my chest. I groan and lean my head back. “Agh!” That was a mistake. My temples pulse with pain. I try to move my aching shoulders, and then I remember. I struggle against the abrasive rope digging into my arms, wrists, thighs and ankles.
A scream tears through me. My eyes open wide, but all I see is black. I’m tied down to a chair and blindfolded. My heart races, and my breathing comes up short. No. I shake my head frantically. This can’t be happening. “No!”
Smack! A hand lands hard across my face and whips my head to the side. The sound echoes through the room. I cry out in pain. My shoulders burn from the harsh movement. How long have I been here? Jax. Tears stream down my face. I bite my tongue. I don’t know if they have him, whoever they are. I don’t know if they even know he exists. I keep my mouth shut. Who the fuck took me? What do they want?
Dom. The air stills in my lungs. Did he do this? My body shudders in agony, and my chest aches with betrayal. I shake my head. He wouldn’t do this. But how the fuck would I know? I don’t know him. I should’ve never talked to him like that. My shoulders try to turn inward; I try to close myself in, but I can’t. I’m stuck like this.
“Is she finally awake?” My head lifts and turns toward a distant voice on my right. I don’t recognize the thick Italian accent.
“Yeah, boss.” A very deep voice sounds like it's right in front of me, and I instinctively try to get away. My feet scrape against the floor. Bare feet. It’s to no avail. Two large, cold hands settle on my shoulders and squeeze. It fucking hurts.
A deep, menacing chuckle is followed by the stench of foul breath and cigarette smoke. “You’re not going anywhere… doll.” My stomach drops, and my chest hollows. Dom.
“That’s right. We know all about your