boots on the gravel echoing behind her. She didn't dare lo

Branches reached out like grasping hands, trying to slow her down, but she fought agains

nd her lungs screaming for air. Fear and adrenaline pu

pounding behind her. They were gaining on her, a

eeper into the forest. She took the path without hesitation, hoping it would

n pain hitting her he

she heard an unfamiliar v

mbled to my feet, ignoring th

e, standing between the trees with a smirk on his face was a man she had never seen before. H

sked his voice laced

m how scared she was. "I'm just passing throug

t a place people just 'pass through'," he said stepping closer. "Espe

g away? Was he one of Enzo's people? A wave of pani

talking about," she lied

ed. "Come on, we both know why you're

ha

t have time to ponder his words. Her mind race

ack to that estate but there was something in his tone th

e didn't betray the fear and confusion swirling inside her. "I really must be g

s serious now. The amusement had left his eyes, replaced by a

yelled and slapped h

d Gabriella saw a flash of something—anger, shock, perhaps a hint of respect—in hi

. He didn't try to grab her again, but he didn't move out of her way either. "But you're in ov

ough Gabriella. What could be worse t

at he brought out made Gabriella stagg

eir shadow and you will do as I say

o bring herself to explain that she didn

e tip on Enzo Saviano's next delivery," He paused,

confused as to what to do ne

her voice. The fear of the gun pointed at her made her heart race, but there was also a despe

r. "Don't play games with me. You're in Saviano's inner circle, aren't you? The

ying to get away. I don't know anything about what you're talking about!" her voice broke

ll for you," he warned this time cocking the gun, making a clicking soun

. She had never been more scared in her life, but at the same time, a part of

die like

e slowly reached into her jacket, pretending to

threw nothing into the air, his eyes left hers to see what she had thrown

ned to react. Gabriella could hear him cursing loudly behind her, and t

man's cold determination not to let her escape terrified

looked up to meet

going our pretty bait?" He asked

a

oser, a menacing smile playing on his lips. "D

d knock on the back of her head. She fell to the ground instantly we

ver her vision, Enzo walked over staring down at her, "Le

hard ground beneath her, Enzo Saviano's voice fading into the distance, and