Page 8 of Kidnapped By the Mafia

He takes my hand in his, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. It’s such a simple gesture, but it feels like more. It feels like a promise, a connection that goes beyond the physical.

I look up at him, my heart pounding in my chest, and for the first time in a long time, I feel something other than fear or sadness. I feel… hope. It’s small, fragile, but it’s there, and it’s terrifying in its intensity

“What if I made you feel good, just for one night?” Lucas’s voice is soft, almost coaxing, but there’s a seriousness in his eyes that tells me he means every word. “Just one night, and then we go our separate ways. No expectations, no strings attached. Forget the shitty day you’re having. Would you like that?”

The offer takes me by surprise, and I feel a rush of emotions—fear, excitement, longing—all swirling together in a dizzying mix. I should say no. I should walk away now, before I get pulled into something I’m not sure I’m ready for.

But as I look into his eyes, I see a vulnerability that mirrors my own, a desire to escape the world we both seem trapped in.

I know I have a choice to make. I could go back to my old life, to the struggles and the uncertainty, or I could take a chance, step into the unknown with this man who has shown me a side of himself that I don’t think many people get to see.

I hesitate, the weight of the decision pressing down on me, but then I think of everything I’ve lost, everything I’ve fought for, and something inside me snaps. “What the hell,” I say, a small, determined smile tugging at my lips.

The smile that spreads across Lucas’s face in response is one of pure satisfaction, and I know I’ve made my choice. Whatever happens next, I’m ready for it. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m in control of my own destiny, and it’s exhilarating.

The moment stretches between us, charged with anticipation. I’m acutely aware of his hand still holding mine, of the way his thumb brushes lightly over my skin, sending shivers up my spine.

The rest of the world seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us standing in this darkened corner, the sounds of the party a distant hum in the background.

“Where do we go from here?” I ask. I’m not sure if I’m asking about tonight or something more, something I’m not ready to put into words yet.

He steps closer, closing the small distance between us, and I feel his breath warm against my cheek. “That’s up to you,” he says softly, his eyes locked on mine. “We can leave now, or we can stay. But whatever you choose, I’ll respect it.”

It’s a strange thing, to feel like I have a choice in a world that’s always seemed so out of my control. But with Lucas, I feel like I can take back some of that control, even if just for a night. I feel like I can be someone else, someone stronger, someone who isn’t afraid to take what she wants.

I think about everything that’s happened tonight—the loss of my job, the stolen necklace, the way Lucas has seen through all the layers I usually hide behind—and I realize that I’m tired of running, tired of feeling like a victim in my own life.

“I don’t want to stay,” I finally say, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest. “Let’s go.”

His smile widens, and I can see the approval in his eyes, the respect for the decision I’ve made. He nods, squeezing my hand gently before releasing it. “Let’s go,” he echoes, his voice laced with a promise of something more, something just out of reach.

5

EMILY

The elevator doors slide open with a soft chime, and I step out into a world that feels like it’s a million miles away from my cramped, struggling existence. Lucas’s penthouse is everything I imagined it would be—opulent, sophisticated, and almost otherworldly.

The walls are made of glass, offering a breathtaking view of Central Park, its trees silhouetted against the night sky. The room is bathed in the warm, golden light of strategically placed lamps, casting a soft glow over the luxurious furniture and artwork that looks like it belongs in a museum.

I feel like I’m in a dream, one of those where you’re afraid to move, afraid that if you do, you’ll wake up and find that none of it was real. But Lucas is here, and his presence is the only thing that makes this feel real.

He’s standing just behind me, close enough that I can feel the heat of his body, the electricity that crackles in the air between us.

I turn to face him, my heart pounding in my chest, and the look in his eyes makes my breath catch. There’s something primal in the way he’s looking at me, something that makes me feel both excited and nervous.

I’ve never been the type to be submissive, not in my life, not in my work, but with Lucas, it’s different. With him, I want to give in, to let go, to see where this night will take us.

“Emily,” he says, his voice a low, velvety murmur that sends shivers down my spine. He steps closer, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair away from my face. His touch is gentle, but there’s an underlying intensity to it, a promise of what’s to come. “Are you sure?”

His question hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I know what he’s asking—not just about tonight, but about everything that comes with it. The risks, the consequences, the fact that this might be the only night we have. Can he feel that chemistry too?

I nod. “Yes.”

That single word is all it takes to break the tension. He closes the distance between us in one swift movement, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that steals my breath away. It’s not soft or tentative; it’s demanding, possessive, the kind of kiss that leaves no room for doubt about what he wants.

And I want it too—I want him. I want to forget everything else, to lose myself in the sensation of his lips on mine, the feel of his hands as they begin to roam over my body.

His kiss deepens, his tongue slipping past my lips to explore my mouth with a hunger that matches my own. I moan softly against his mouth, my hands instinctively reaching up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer.

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