1. Kidnapped

The door creaked opened as five men strolled in. They stayed by the door however there was a pair of footsteps that continued as they came closer to me.

"Turn on the lights"

Light flooded my vision, blinking I tried to adjust my eyes to the light.

Scanning the room, my eyes taking in every person that stood in the room, two men and a woman, the two by the door quiet, stone-faced waiting for their orders.

My focus came to the man in front of me, shiny shoes, formal slacks, a pressed shirt and tie, the underboss.

His eyes searched mine for any fear or nervousness but he saw none. Before he could even open his mouth I spoke.

"What the bloody hell is going on and why did you kidnap me?" I exclaimed glaring at him head-on pissed at the intentions of my current situation.

***Four hours earlier***

"Alright, hand in your essays everyone on your way out, please. Remember that we have a review of the last four chapters of The Great Gatsby so please write down any questions that you may have, have a nice evening," I reminded my class with a smile on the last remark.

Teaching 11th-grade Literature was an exciting challenge, trying to get them to engage with the books despite the era differences. But they show much potential.

"Excuse Ms O'Brien," I look up from the papers in front of me to see Danielle.

"Hello Danielle, how can I help you?" I questioned.

"Umm, I heard that you provide lessons for academic writing, I wanted to know what is the cost and when it would be that's if you have space for me?" She asked a bit timidly.

"No need to be frightened Danielle and yes I have space, it happens every Monday and Friday right here in this class and there's no fee, once it helps you improve that's the best payment for me," I replied smiling.

"Really?" She asked shocked by my response.

"Yes Danielle, so I'll see you tomorrow here after school?" I asked.

"Oh, here please have your parents or guardian fill out this consent form and bring it back tomorrow please," I told her whilst handing her the form.

"Yes Miss, will do, thanks so much," She beamed before leaving my classroom.

I chuckled, most students are intimidated by me due to my work ethic and rumours about the amount of work I give and how harsh I am.

Some rumours may be true but one this is for sure I want them to excel.

"Hey sweetie, are you guys at karate?" I questioned my daughter on the phone while walking to my car.

"Okay nice, Uncle Theo will pick you up later okay, I'll see you in time for dinner. Mummy has to go to class okay. Love you both. Bye."

As much I didn't like to leave them alone, I have too. Every Monday after class I ensure that my family is safe from him.

I fled him eight years ago, faking my death was the only way to ensure my children's safety.

But I'm still cautious, I live in plain sight as a twenty-six-year-old English teacher that adopted twins and is doing her best to provide for them by furthering herself in her education to get a better job.

To the outside world, I'm a single mom. And that's the way it needs to be.

"Alright everyone, let's begin with the oral reports please," my lecturer stated pulling me from my thoughts.

Breathing deeply, I closed my eyes and repeated my mantra.

"You are safe, he's doesn't know where you are, he doesn't know that you're alive, you are safe."

I keep repeating it even though I know one day he will find me but for now, I cling to this false hope.

----------

"Crim, the usual?" The bartender asked me.

"You know it, Rick," I smiled laughing silently as the usual was a strawberry smoothie disguised as an alcoholic beverage.

I don't drink. I never drink ever since that day.

"Okay, I'll bring it up for you, the boss is in his office," Rick said before turning to another customer.

It's okay, no one knows who you are. You are invisible. You don't matter to these people, to them you're just one of the singers at the club.

Okay, time to face the music.

Strutting across the dance floor I made my way to the staircase that led to the boss's office. Feeling glares on my back as I climbed each step.

Locking the door behind me I collapsed on the couch and kicked off my heels.

"Gosh, how do we as women put up with heels," I complained rubbing my forehead.

"Well, I don't know but I believe it has something to do with looking good and completing an outfit," he chuckled as he leaned forward in his chair.

"Any news from them," I questioned, my nerves frazzled as I awaited his answer.

It's like this every Monday when I come here. The moment when I wait for a rude awakening truth.

"No, he's still hasn't discovered us. He's had his hands full according to my sources," my brother says while breathing in deeply.

"He's dealing with an area breach right now, I still don't know who the person brave enough to do that is but I know there would be retaliation," he said thoughtfully.

"Alright. So we're safe for the time being?" I questioned waiting for my hope to be rekindled once more that I can survive this.

"Yes for the time," he replied softly his eyes gazing into the dimly lit room, his thoughts taking him to the past when life was simple.

"I miss them too," I whispered breaking the silence between us.

"I wish that..."

"No don't go there," I stopped him, "we would have never seen it coming. He played us all like a fool, even me," I replied muttering the last part.

Matteo played me like a fiddle. Used my emotions against me to gain what he has today. Killed my parents in the process and now is running amok.

I hope Anna is alright.

"Hey let's not visit that dark place today," I said smiling at him hoping to lift his spirits.

"Now what's is it that I hear about you getting a girlfriend?" I pondered leaning towards him greedy for information.

"Ummm," he stuttered rubbing behind his neck, "she's a college professor that teaches history, I met her at a book signing and we clicked," he replied smiling to himself.

"Ahhhhh! Chris is in love!!!" I squealed while jumping up and doing my happy dance.

"Does she know about this side of you?" I asked stopping for a second.

He gulped before answering, "Well, it's only been six months and I want to tell her but I'm...."

Sighing I sat back down, "Chris, you have to tell her, it's better she knows what she's getting into before something bad happens and you know there's danger lurking around every corner," I told him sadly that he might lose another chance at happiness.

"I know, I'm going to tell tonight at dinner," he stated grimly.

"Hey," I bounced his shoulder, "maybe her family works on the wrong side of the tracks like ours," I replied jokingly.

"Anyways, let me go make my rounds before going home to my kids while you have the night of your life," I stated while getting off the couch.

"Family dinner tomorrow and invite your girl too," I said before leaving the room.

Walking back to the bar, I intercepted the waiter that had my smoothie. I walked over to the VIP section as I saw Ally sitting with some of the other singers and workers.

"Hey girls, how was today?" I asked while sitting down.

"Hi Crim, it was good, some people left tips and secrets," Ally replied with a sly smile causing me to chuckle.

"Sara, are you okay?" I asked a bit concerned at her state.

"I'm fine love, just a bit tipsy but no worries I'll be fine after a trip to the bathroom," she stated while getting up.

I stared at her while she left, this is weird Sara doesn't get drunk fast, she can hold her alcohol.

Wait did I see someone follow her down the hall?

"She only had one drink and stated that she didn't eat," Ally stated as she noticed my face.

"I'm going to check on her," I said.

Calmly walking to the bathroom, I glanced around to see if anyone else was looking, for waiting for her.

I inspected the room before locking the door. I heard Sara vomiting in the toilet.

"Sweetie, who gave you that drink?" I asked knowing that Rick won't give us anything that would make us sick or drunk. They would normally wait until closing time before drinking.

"I don't know some guy by the bar offered me a drink for my singing," she stated before vomiting once again.

I leaned against the sink, going over what she said and what I saw. Someone is trying to kidnap or harm Sara but why?

"Sara, love are you alright?" I asked going closer to the stall she's in.

I didn't hear anything, so I opened the door. She was sitting on the floor, her head resting against the wall of the stall, passed out.

Someone intended to drug you and kidnap you. But who? Sara who could want to kidnap you?

I wonder if it's that person outside? Only one way to find out.

"Hey Ally, can you come to the bathroom, please? Yeah, she's out like a light," I spoke into my phone before taking off my wig.

Luckily, Sara took off hers before hurling her guts. Smoothing it out I placed it on my head when I heard a knock.

"Crim, you there?" Ally questioned.

I unlocked the door to let her in then locked it once more.

"She's in the last one, someone did this to her for some reason, I saw someone follow her but I have to be sure so I'm going to..."

"No!" She interrupted me.

"I'm doing this Ally, I need to know what is going on and you and I both know Sara is the easiest out of us to pick out, she's new and not fully trained to handle certain circumstances if this is the case," I stated while wiping Sara face with a wet paper.

"Fine but I'm telling Chris, and you're going to wear a tracker," she stated as we picked Sara up.

"Already wearing one and I was going to let Chris know as well, if I'm not back in ten minutes then you know that I've been taken," I stated walking to the door.

"Be safe," Ally told me.

"I will," I said before closing the door.

Time to put my acting to the test. I hope they don't notice the difference in our dresses.

Unlocking the door, I exited the bathroom, walked a little way down before stumbling a bit.

Holding my head I proceeded to the car park away from my brother's men knowing that they would intervene.

"Miss? Are you alright?" A slightly accented voice asked.

Turning my head slightly, I see a guy standing on the side pavement. His height looked similar to the guy that went into the hall.

I giggled, "Oh thanks but I'm okay had a little too much to drink but I love me some free drinks from fans," I said shaking my glass.

I turned to walk away when I dropped my glass and held my head with both my hands.

"Oh gosh, that last one got to me," I turned to face him, "can one of you call me an Uber for me, I don't think that I should drive home," I said sadly.

"Of course Miss no problem," the guy said pulling out his phone to call while walking towards me.

"Come, let me help you," he said placing his hand around my shoulder.

Interesting move, make me feel safe while trapping me.

"Thank you so much," I slurred smiling happily at him.

"No problem," he replied.

As we walked closer to the side of the club, he started to increased his pace a bit as a car pulled up.

"Oh wow they came quickly. Such an efficient service," I exclaimed as he placed me in the car.

"Hi, please take me to..." but before I could give an address I felt a pinch on my shoulder.

I'm impressed, using a pressure point to knock me out. Impressive indeed as I felt my limbs loosen, eyes drooping and my consciousness fading.