Chapter one.

My heart pounds against my tightening chest. I inhale, but no air comes in.

I exhale, but no air goes out.

I grip onto the counter at my side, attempting to support my trembling body.

This doesn't feel real; the objects before me look out of place, as if I'm only just noticing them now. I snap my head up from the floor when I hear distant murmuring.

My vision delayed, my eyes finally land on the scene before me once more.

I inhale, my shaky breath echoing in my ears.

I exhale, feeling my chest slowly sink.

He mutters to the two men as he stares at me.

Both men are a good 6'5, evidently built, wear crisp suits and look like they could throw me through a wall. One has brown hair and hazel eyes, while the other is blonde and blue-eyed.

He's speaking, but his voice is distant and muffled.

I can see his lips moving as he mouths my name.

I stay silent, keeping my focus on staying conscious.

"Aurora!" He shouts, his voice finally breaking through to me.

I hear him but find myself unable to answer, my entire body frozen. 

Tears sting at my eyes as I stare at him blankly, wondering where everything went wrong. He used to be my hero—the man who would protect me no matter the cost, my loving father. I never imagined there'd be a day where I was cowering at his presence, but ever since she left, simply being in the same room as him has me digging my nails into my arms, terrified of blowing his short fuse. I fought back at first, holding onto the version of my father who wouldn't dare touch a single black hair on my head. That was before I accepted the fact that my father had changed; he was no longer the soft man who would take me for ice cream at the Ashford diner every Saturday or drive me halfway across town in the middle of the night just so I could see the constellations I had told him all about. Instead of spending Saturdays at the diner, he would spend them passed out on the couch, empty bottles of cheap spirits crowding the coffee table before him. Instead of driving me to see the stars, he would drive to strange people's houses to pick up whatever substance gave him a good enough buzz. Christian Blake was no longer the man I called my father, but merely the cruel man who replaced the embrace of his wife with that of a cold beer and a few lines, abandoning his daughter and the love he had for her in the process.

He sighs in defeat, "Just take her."

His words snap me out of my trance, sending me spiralling into panic.

"What?" I scramble away, dragging myself backwards down the side of the counter.

"Aurora, don't fight it; you'll just make it harder for yourself if you fight." He advances towards me, the two men close behind him.

"No." I begin to hyperventilate, frantically yelling. "No, no no! Get the fuck away from me!"

"Aurora!" He yells. "Don't you listen to a word I say? I just told you not to fucking fight, you brat!"

"Fuck you!" I yell back, tears beginning to roll down my cheek.

His hand raises and strikes me across the face. My head snaps to the side as his palm connects with my cheek, leaving a harsh sting.

"You ungrateful little shit! Know your place, you-" His hand raises to strike me again but is caught by the brunette man while the other stands back, watching in amusement.

"Thats enough." He orders, his grip on my father's wrist firm.

"Loosen up, Anderson," the blonde chuckles. "It was starting to get interesting."

"They wouldn't appreciate her being beaten to a pulp on arrival." The brunette looks sternly at the blonde, who then sighs.

"Fine, let's go." He approaches me and effortlessly hoists me over his shoulder while I struggle. The brunette releases my father's arm and follows behind the blonde as he walks out of the house.

"No! Please!" I scream, fearful panic surging through my veins. "Fuck! Let go of me, please!" I kick my feet frantically as my body flails around. His grip on my waist tightens as I struggle and squirm, the front door slamming behind us. I'm thrown into the back of a car, with the blonde immediately squeezing in next to me. I scramble to the other side to open the door, but when it does, I'm met with the brunette, who pushes me back in and then gets in himself, leaving me trapped between the two. I bite my lip in an effort to stop my sobs, quickly wiping my eyes, and trying my best to compose myself. A cold hand grips my chin and snaps my head to the side. I'm met with the blonde scanning my face, his sinister eyes travelling from my body to my face.

"Well, you're pretty, aren't you?" He smirks to himself. "Aurora, was it?"

I reluctantly nod my head, uncertain about him. Something inside of me is telling me to run, but with my body frozen and nowhere to go, I'm trapped.

"I'm Nico, darling, Nico Cusumano." His finger traces my jawline as he studies my face, a sinister smirk on his. I feel his other hand creep onto my leg; his touch cold as his fingers drag up to my thigh. I try to push him away, but he tightens his grip with a playful look on his face.

"Nico." I hear a stern voice beside me. I turn my head to look at the source, but Nico's grip on my chin keeps me in place. He looks over my shoulder at the brunette, sighing.

"What is it now, Johnny? Ruining my fun once again?"

"Keep your hands off her."

"I think you should remember I'm your boss before you order me again." Nico's jaw clenches, sending chills down my spine. His grip on my chin becomes firmer as he looks back at me, but he plasters a smirk on his face. "Plus, she wants this. Don't you, darling? Don't worry, I won't let him ruin our fun."

"Let go of me." I hiss through gritted teeth, amusing him.

"Looks like we've got a feisty one here, Johhny." He chuckles, his eyes fixed on mine.

"Let go of the girl, Nico; she's not worth the trouble."

"Trouble?" He raises his eyebrow, his gaze still lingering on mine. "I think I'll take my chances." He begins to lean closer to me when I raise my hand and angrily slap him.

"I said get off!" I yell, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

He snaps his head back to mine with a cold look on his face.

"Give me it." He holds his hand out to Johnny expectantly.

"Nico you-"

"Give me it!" Johnny is cut off by Nico's harsh yell. 

He reluctantly places something in his hand, and Nico smirks. I feel a sharp sting and grow drowsy. I look down to see a small needle stuck in the side of my neck. Black dots start to grow in my vision, engulfing my surroundings. The last thing I see before darkness is his cruel smirk. My head falls back, and I collapse onto Johnny.