"Where are we going?"

Hazel

I look at the five men as I move my hands, but when the plastic digs into my skin, I stop. I look out the windows as we cross a bridge and wonder where they are taking me.

I swallow saliva to relieve the dryness of my throat and ask, "Where are we going?"

The man next to me hisses, "I only want..."

They hit me on the head, the force dazing my mind, but it doesn't prevent me from stomping on the idiot's boot with my five-inch heel.

"Give him something to relax," the principal murmurs as he pours ash to the ground.

My eyes widen and I shake my head. "I will shut up. My talking too much always gets me into trouble. Why didn't I listen to my father and stay quiet?"

One of the bastards pulls a shot out of his pocket, and when he removes the cap, I get up from the seat and stagger into the small space in an attempt to get away from him.

They push me and when I fall to the ground, they knock me face down. The needle piercing my skin makes me scream.

I've seen how drugs have destroyed lives.

When a strange sensation begins to dull my mind, I gasp against the floor.

With every second that passes, my body feels slower and slower, and my reality warps.

It's like I'm trapped in a world where things spin very fast and very slowly at the same time.

I stay on the ground throughout the journey, the lights and shadows blurring before my eyes.

Zayn martino

I jog up the stairs, and then all the way down the hallway to my suite.

I don't like the fact that I'm still living with my family at twenty nine years old, but it makes it more convenient to work together.

Despite my mom loving it, I have my own house. Still, whenever I talk about moving, she stops me. She says, "First, bring someone into your life who can take care of you. Only then will I let you live alone."

And as for my love life, I haven't met a girl like that yet. I believe in love and I want someone to love me the way my mom loves my dad. But I don't think there's anyone like that these days; everyone just wants money and power.

And I believe that love is not meant for me. In the future, maybe with the help of science, I can have my own descendants, but right now I have no intention of settling down as my mom wants, especially not giving my life into the hands of an unknown person. There are many spies in the mafia, and I'm on alert 24/7. I don't want to stay on alert even in my own bed anymore.

At least my room is on the opposite end of the house from the master suite. And it's large and comfortable—we knocked down a wall when I came back from college, giving me my own suite and adjoining office. It's

almost like an apartment, separated from everybody else's rooms by the massive library in between.

I can hear guests already starting to arrive down below. I change into my newest Zenya suit, then I head back downstairs to mingle.

Everything goes smoothly, as it always does when my mother is in charge. I can see her sleek blonde bob across the lawn, and hear her light, cultured laugh as she makes a point of circulating through all the most

boring and important guests.

After about an hour, the fireworks start. They've been timed to coincide with sunset, so the brilliant explosions stand out against the newly-darkened sky. It's a calm night, the lake as smooth as glass. The fireworks reflect in double on the water below.

Most of the guests turn to watch the show, their faces illuminated, and their mouths open in surprise. I don't bother to watch, taking the opportunity to scan the crowd for anybody I was supposed to talk to that I might have missed. But the next minute I'm distracted by Luca coming up to talk To me again,

Boss, I need to tell you something.

Luca, how many times have I told you to call me Zayn ? You are not just my bodyguard.

Sorry, boss (I glared at him). I can't call you by your name. You will soon become the Godfather.

Luca was the son of my first driver. We grew up together, played and ate together, and were always with each other. Luca was very cheerful and naughty in childhood. But when Luca was 12 years old, his father died during a deal. After that, Luca changed. We did take revenge for his father's death, but Luca became quiet since then.

My mom was afraid that he might break mentally, so she appointed him as my bodyguard. It was just an excuse to keep him from being alone, but Luca took this very seriously. He would do anything for me and could even sacrifice his own life. After my parents, Luca is the only one I can blindly trust. Sometimes I feel that if I said Luca should die for me, he would do it without questioning. But I miss the old, naughty Luca.

Why don't you listen to me? After becoming godfather, my first order will you to be to call me by my name. Understand

What did you come to say?

For the girls we couldn't save, they sell them too Rico.

"Son of a bitch! Any other information?"

Yes! Rico is going to hold a big auction. There will be a huge gathering with the Polish mafia, Russian underbosses, politicians, and many big names attending.

I think you should talk to the Russian pakhan he can help you. We have good terms with him

No, we can't. Rico is in touch with the Polish underboss, and he's angry with us from the last deal. He'll deny having the girls. I have to go myself to save them.

I don't think you should get involved. Our partnership with the Russian pakhan is going well. If we attack there's underboss, it won't be good for us.

We have two weeks until you become the godfather, and we can't make any mistakes that could raise questions of rebellion.

Luca, I'm going to save those girls. If I have to become the godfather today and take control of everything for that, i will , I'm ready. Do you understand?

Yes boss ! I'll go and collect all the information about Rico.