I struggled as they tied me to the chair. This time, they doubled the ropes. I sighed when they left, leaving only Ruby and I. She took the other chair and sat in front of me, very close. I ignored her and continued tugging on the ropes.
"I'll make you a deal. Give me the safe Cassidy Halton gave you and I'll let you go, hm?"
I looked at her, "How did you–"
"Know?" She leaned back, "it was the safe we were after, not you...well, I was sorta after you,"
So they were the ones chasing Cole and I. And what's exactly in that safe that they desperately needed it.
"I don't know where it is," I said, shrugging. She looked at me.
"Stop making this worse," she softly said, breaking eye contact. I glanced at her.
"Why don't you start by telling me what you're really doing here," I said. She looked confusedly at me.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't seem like a typical Mafian. So far you've treated me, gave me food, engaged me with small talks and wasn't even angry when I tried to escape. And don't give me the bull crap about being attracted to me, cause I'm not buying it," I said. She squirms under my gaze, clearly tensed.
"Someone's making you do this," I said, smiling lightly at the realisation, "but at what price?"
"Alright enough! Tell me where the safe is," she counters, both annoyed and uneasy about my discovery. I leaned in.
"Ruby," I said, "I can help you,". She looked at me.
"How'd you know my name?"
Shit.
"One of your guys blurted it out when I punched him, while trying to get your name," I lied smoothly, "but that's not the point. The point is, why exactly are you doing this?"
"You're wrong. No one isn't making me do anything. This is all me," she denies.
"But your eyes says something different," I told her, looking into those purest of ocean blue eyes.
She looked away, "Whatever, I don't have to answer to you,"
"Nor anyone else," I said. "Ruby, let me help you, we can take down whoever they are,"
She scoffed, "And what makes you think I want them down. I mean I kidnapped you, so if anything it would be in my favour,"
"Yeah but you don't look exactly thrilled about it. I can see it, you don't want this," I chuckled, "For someone with that much deception, you sure show a lot of truth in those eyes,"
"Stop trying to get into my head, you don't know anything about me," she gritted looking down. I sighed.
"You're right, I don't," I said, "but ensure whatever it is you're doing, is worth the cost,"
She looked up after a while. I could see tears forming in her eyes as she slowly stood up. "You can't help me," she whispered softly and chuckled humourlessly, "No one can,"
She turned and left the room. I looked at the door for a long while as my mind raced. Along with my heart. I don't know why but I felt a dull ache in my heart when I saw her cry.
Who are you, Ruby?
-------
Ruby's pov
I ran my hands through my hair. I can't do this. I need a drink.
"That was intense," Lorenzo said, leaning on the wall. He was the guy they sent to torture Kayla, and also a huge dick.
"Shut up," I said and went down the hallway to a room, and as the ass he was, he followed.
"Now that you've tried to 'talk some sense' into her," he quoted me. I took a beer and a glass cup, pouring myself some. "Which didn't work by the way, judging from your actions. Can I go do my thing now?"
I gulped a whole glass of beer and slammed the cup on the desk, "Just give her a minute, she'll come around,". I poured myself another round.
He scoffed and came behind me, "You know, he told me to keep an eye on you,"
Of course he did.
"But I don't want to tell him how his seductress is disobeying him," he hand trailed up to my shoulder as he breathed down my neck.
"What do you want?" I asked emotionlessly.
"You," he said as he pressed himself on me, chuckling, "just like old times,"
I elbowed him in the gut and turned as he moved back, his hand on his side. I punched him hard on the face, he fell down holding his face.
"You might wanna tell him about this too," and with that, I left.
--------
Ava's pov
"Hope you weren't being followed," I said to him.
"No one saw me leave the agency, hey what's going on? And where's Kayla?" Mark asked, looking around.
I cocked my head to the parking lot at a supermarket, and we went in there. Cole was leaning against the car we came with. "Mark, this is Cole, ex military officer. Cole this is Mark, Cassie's best friend," I introduced.
"Cole Halton?" Mark said, furrowing his brows. Cole smiled.
"Sup Mark," he said, pushing himself off the car.
"Wait, you know each other?" I asked looking at both of them.
"Yeah, he's Cole Halton. Cassidy's brother," Mark said as he gave him a manly hug. Wasn't she Kayla's partner?
"Hasn't it been...like four years?" Cole asked as he pulled away.
"Yeah it certainly has. Last I heard, you were dead," Mark said.
"Long story. And last I heard, you were in love with my sister," Cole said amusedly, Mark smiled nervously. I raised an eyebrow.
"Alright I think we're done with the whole catching up phase, so can we move now?" I said.
"Right," they both said. We entered the car and Cole drove off. I was sitting on the passenger seat while Mark was at the back.
"Um, where's Kayla?" Mark asked.
"Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about...,"
"Guys I think we're being followed," Cole interrupted, looking at the rear mirror. I looked back and sure enough was a black car trailing after us.
"I thought you said no one followed you?"
"No one did...at least I didn't see anyone,"
"They must've bugged your car. I'll try and lose them" Cole said as he increased his speed a little, swerving to the left.
"Wait, I've never seen that car in the Agency before," Mark said turning back.
"It's because that's not the FBI," I said.
"I-I don't understand, if the FBI isn't unto us then...," he looked at me, "who is?"
"They took Kayla," I said, "The Mafians,"
For a moment I thought he didn't hear me, as he was silent.
"Stop the car," he said in a low tone.
"Are you crazy?" Cole asked as he drove down an alley.
"I said, stop the car!" he repeated as he tried to unlock his door. Cole jerked the car to a halt. The other car also stopped behind us. Mark stepped out, heading towards the car.
"Shit,"
"Fuck,"
We said in unison as we took out our guns and came out of the car. No one stepped out of the other car.
"Hey stop!" I yelled, "what are you doing?!"
He continued walking towards the other car. I looked around. We were in a dark alley, not a single person was here. Mark stopped in front of the car. The car doors opened. Cole and I immediately raised our guns at it. Four men dressed in black stepped out, pointing their guns at us.
This is bad. Real bad.
"Mark, I think you might want to think about this bro," Cole said nervously.
"About what?" Mark asked. Cole and I glanced at each other in apprehension.
"Drop your guns," one of them said.
"Why?" Mark said, then shot his head. We both released fire immediately, hitting two of them before they could shoot. Mark shot the gun out of the last one's hand.
I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding. I should really kill him myself. He grabbed the guy by the collar and threw him at the car. Mark picked him up roughly in anger and landed few punches and blows, before banging his head on the car.
He's really angry.
"We should stop him," I told Cole. We went towards them. Cole dragged Mark back while I checked the half-conscious guy. His breathing was shallow and he was on the verge of passing out.
"I said I'm fine!" Mark pushed himself away from Cole. He grabbed the almost unconscious guy by the jacket. I stepped back.
"Who sent you after us? Oliver? James? Brian? Just give me a name goddammit!" Mark shouted at him.
"Mark buddy, let go," Cole placed his hand on his shoulder and tapped. He scrunches, "if you really want to help Kayla, let him go,"
That seems to convince him because he loosened his grip on him. "But they took Kayla," he said.
"And we're gonna get her back," I said, placing my hand on the other shoulder and scrunched down, "which is why we need your help,"
He sighed and left him. "I'll be in the car," he said and stood up, leaving.
"Okay the next time you share something like that, make sure we're not in a moving car," Cole said.
"How was I supposed to know he'd go off," I countered. He sighed and looked at the man.
"What are we going to do with him?" He asked. I shrugged.
"Get information? And probably leave him as a message to whoever sent him," I said.
"C-co...," he tried to talk.
"What?" I asked, bringing my face closer.
"Co...C-Costa," he finally said. I moved back, looking at him. "He wants the s-safe, and h...he's coming for you," and with that he passed out.
"Great. Just great," I stood up and went to the car. This whole thing is really pissing me off.