SOLD TO THE MAFIA QUEEN

“Dammit,” he muttered, feeling angry at himself for not being able to help Ashley. “What’s wrong with you, Ashley?” he said, more to himself than to her. “Why did you have to get mixed up in all this?”

He leaned back against the seat, staring out the window at the passing scenery. They were driving past a dense forest, the trees casting long shadows across the road. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to Ashley, his voice barely audible. “I’m sorry, I promise to take you to the hospital even if it’s the last thing I do.”

As the car hurtled down the road, Xander realized he had no idea where they were headed. He had put his trust in the driver, a man he barely knew, and now he regretted it. He needed to come up with a plan, and fast.

“Hey,” he said, turning to the driver. “Where are we going, exactly?”

The man glanced back at him, his eyes dark and inscrutable. “You don’t need to know that,” he said, his voice cold and distant.

Xander gritted his teeth, feeling angry. “I damn well do need to know,” he said, his voice rising. “My friend here is unconscious, and I have no idea what’s going on. So you’re going to tell me where we’re headed, or so help me God, I’ll-”

He was cut off by a sudden jolt as the car slammed into a pothole. Ashley’s body lurched forward, her head hitting the dashboard with a sickening thud. Xander felt a cold wave of fear wash over him as he realized she wasn’t breathing.

“No,” he whispered, reaching out to her. “Please, Ashley, don’t leave me.”

He pressed his lips to hers, trying to breathe life back into her. As he did, he felt a strange sensation wash over him, a tingling warmth that seemed to spread throughout his body. For a moment, he forgot about the danger they were in, the uncertain future that lay ahead. All he could think about was Ashley and how much he loved her.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, tears streaming down his face. “I’m so sorry.”

The car hurtled down the road, the trees blurring past in a green and brown blur. And Xander was left with nothing but his own guilt and regret and the hope that somehow, someway, they would make it out alive.

Xander looked around, taking in his surroundings. The car was speeding down a bright and deserted road now. The sound of Ashley’s labored breathing filled the car, and he knew he had to act fast.

“Chris,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Wake up.”

Chris stirred in his seat, rubbing his eyes. “What’s going on?” he asked groggily.

“Ashley’s unconscious,” Xander replied. “I need you to look after her. I have to drive.”

Chris nodded and moved to Ashley’s side, cradling her head in his lap. Xander could see the concern etched on Chris’s face, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it.

He looked down at Ashley, her body limp in the seat beside him. He felt a surge of anger rise within him. How had he let himself become her slave? How had he forgotten who he was? He touched her tattoo on his neck, a painful reminder of his captivity. But something was different now. For the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of purpose. He was going to save Ashley, no matter the cost.

The driver, a burly man with a fishy smell, turned to face him. Xander could see the gun in the man’s hand, and he knew he had to act fast.

“Give me the gun,” he said, his voice steady.

The driver hesitated, but Xander was too quick. He grabbed the gun and shoved the driver out of the car, taking the wheel himself. He glanced at the map on the car’s screen, his mind racing. He was breaking the law, stealing someone else’s car, but he didn’t care. He had to get Ashley to the hospital.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

As he drove, he could feel the weight of the gun in his pocket, a reminder of the danger he was in. But he didn’t falter. He was determined to save Ashley, to break free from her hold over him.

“Are you okay?” Chris asked from the backseat.

Xander nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “I’m fine,” he said.

In that moment, Xander knew he was no longer Ashley’s slave. He was a cop, a hero, and he was going to do whatever it took to save her life.

***

Melody lay still on the bed, her bare skin exposed to the cold air of the room. She felt used and violated, her body aching and sore. The duvet offered little comfort, and she pulled it tighter around her, trying to hide from the world.

Shane entered the room, a smug smile on his face. He showed her the money on his phone, and she felt a pang of anger and sadness. Was this all she was worth to him? A prostitute, selling her body for cash? She tried to push the thoughts aside, but they lingered like a dark cloud over her head.

“You did well, Mel,” Shane said, his voice dripping with false praise. “I didn’t know you could make so much money in Canada.”

She snorted, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Neither did I.”

Shane reached out to touch her, but she recoiled, pulling away from him. “Don’t,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He looked hurt, but she didn’t care. “I still love you, Mel,” he said. “Even if I treated you like a whore.”

She felt a surge of anger, her fists clenching in the sheets. “Don’t call me that,” she said. “I’m not a whore.”

The sound of the doorbell interrupted them, and Shane leaned in to kiss her sweaty back before leaving. Melody lay there, alone and afraid, wondering what her life had become.