captured

| ARIANNA |

The sound of footsteps clicking on the floor echoed as I walked along the pedestrian pathway, passing by shop after shop until I arrived at a small café, Café De Li. It had been my favorite café ever since I moved back to Italy three years ago. The owner was already familiar with me and knew me well.

As soon as I stepped into the café, the owner waved at me with a wide smile.

"Isabelle! You're early today," she said while wiping the glass she was holding.

'Isabelle', the fake name I used for safety, just as Domenico had insisted. I still wasn't used to being called Isabelle because, back when I lived in Australia with Lilith, I had always used my real name, Arianna. Even after three years of living in Italy under the name Isabelle, I still hadn't fully adjusted to it.

The moment I arrived in Italy, Domenico had insisted that I use the name Isabelle, even going as far as threatening Lilith if she told anyone the truth. I still didn't understand why I needed to use a fake name, but I eventually agreed, seeing Domenico's dissatisfied expression after I had refused him multiple times.

A smile formed on my lips as I greeted the café owner warmly.

"Got off from work early today," I said before adding, "I'll have the usual."

The café owner nodded. I made my way toward Lilith, who was sitting with her back facing me. She was at our usual spot by the glass window, where we could clearly see the people passing by outside.

I took a seat across from Lilith. She was stirring her cappuccino and took a slow sip.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. The traffic was a nightmare. Have you been waiting long?" I said with a grin as I looked at her.

"You? Late? That's new. Usually, you're the one lecturing me about punctuality.?" Lilith smirk, placing her drink back on the table.

I laugh softly. "Well, just enjoying my moment."

"How have you been ? It's been a while." Lilith ask before sipping on her Cappuccino again.

I sigh softly. "Busy. Work has been so demanding. Wish I could tell you all about it, but you know.."

She nod understanding. "I know. Don't tell me. I don't wanna get involved in your dangerous work." 

"You should take a break sometimes. Breath. Do something fun for a change." She continue again, a reassure smile plastered on her face. I smile softly.

"Thanks." I reply as my Dark Mocha with Cinnamon arrives. I give the staff small smile.

I sip on my drinks before catch Lilith eyes look at me. I raise my eyebrows and put my drinks down. 

"What ? Something on my face ?" I touch my face softly.

"You look a bit tired. Something wrong ?" Lilith ask. 

Well, she read my face so well that sometimes even I, myself didn't know something happen to me.

"No. Nothing happen." I said avoid eye contact with her by looking out the window.

"Come on, Anna. You can't fool me. I lived with you in Australia for over ten years. I can tell from just looking at your face," Lilith said.

She was right. Aside from my brother, Lilith was the closest person to me. I sighed again.

"It's just... ugh, nothing serious. Just my brother. You know.. being himself." I rolled my eyes, feeling slightly uncomfortable with Domenico's usual behavior.

Lilith smirked. "Domenico? Being intense? How surprising."

I shot her a glance and hummed softly. "He worries too much."

Lilith shrugged. "And you let him."

"He'll do it anyway even if I don't let him." I roll my eyes earning a chuckle from her.

After a moment, I let out a small sigh. Swirling my drink with a straw as I stare out the window. The world outside moved at its usual place. People walking pat, some engaged in conversation, others lost in thought. A couple sat at a nearby bench, laughing softly, completely unaware of the weight that pressed against my chest. Of course. 

Moment like this felt rare. Peaceful, almost normal.

I took a sip of my drinks again before look towards Lilith who's looking at her phone. 

"How's your work going ?" I ask her. 

"Usual. Had so much operation schedule lately." She answered and put her phone down.

"Bet your more busy than me, huh ?" I chuckle earning a glance from her.

"Maybe you will be more busy if your brother start calling you with his demanding tone." I laugh before taking another sip of my drinks. As I was about to put my drinks down, my phone vibrate against the table. Once, Twice. A message.

I hesitated before picking it up. Domenico. "Where are you?"

I roll my eyes before type a quick reply. "Cafe. Why ?"

I barely had a time to place the phone back down before it vibrate again. This time, it's a call. 

Lilith raise an eyebrow. "Speak of the devil."

I exhale sharply, already bracing myself. I bring the phone to my ear. "What ?"

"Arianna," his voice came through, low and tense. "Get out of there. Now."

I frowned at his command but my stomach already tightened. "What ? Why ?"

"No questions. Get out."

The line went dead.

I lowered my phone slowly, my hear beat slightly picking up. Well, shit. Something really is happening now.

Lilith face watching at me with concern. "Somethings wrong ?"

I swallow, glancing toward the window again. The world outside still look the same. Ordinary, calm. But something about Domenico's tone sent shiver down my spine.

"I.. don't know." I admitted as I stand up. "But I think we need to leave now."

Lilith didn't question it. Just simple nod and slipping her bag over her shoulder. And just as we stepped outside, I felt it. The strange, sinking sensation of being watched.

"Okay. Let's separated here." I look back at Lilith. Her face look worried. Either worried about me or her safety right now.

"I'm sorry. Hope to see you again, Lilith. Take care." She smiled at me and nod. Without any words, she walk away.

-------------------

The streets was eerily quiet as I drove away to our safehouse not far from the city outskirt. My fingers gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. Domenico's call still echoed in my mind, his urgency unsettling. I had checked my rearview mirror more times than I cared to count, and each time, I spotted the same three black SUVs trailing behind me at a careful distance.

I exhaled sharply. I should've listened to Domenico sooner.

The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows over the road. With fewer cars around, the growing tension in my chest turned suffocating.

Then, it happened.

The first SUV suddenly accelerated, cutting me off from the front. I slammed on the brakes, my heart lurching as my car tires screeched against the pavement. Before I could react, the second car rammed into my back, jarring me forward against the steering wheel.

"Shit."

My breath hitched as the third vehicle swerved to block my left, trapping me completely. A cold realization settled in. I wasn't getting out of this easily.

A group of masked men stepped out from the SUVs, their movements swift and calculated. My pulse pounded in my ears as they approached.

Think, Arianna. Think.

I reached for the glove compartment where Domenico had hidden a small knife for emergencies, but before my fingers could grasp it, a loud bang echoed. The driver's side window shattered, glass spraying across my lap.

"Step out of the car, Arianna Belladona."

I froze.

They know who I am ?

Swallowing hard, I turned to the man closest to my window. His face was obscured by a ski mask, but his dark eyes gleamed with something sinister.

"Not happening," I spat, my voice firm.

A scoff come out from the man. "We figured you'd be difficult."

The door was yanked open, but I moved fast. Before the masked man could grab me, I lunged, slashing the small blade I had managed to grab across his arm. He cursed, staggering back.

I shoved the door into him, using the distraction to slip out of the car. My legs burned as I ran, but I barely made it three steps before another man grabbed my wrist. I twisted, ramming my knee into his stomach. He groaned but didn't let go.

A fist slammed into my ribs.

Pain exploded through my side, but I refused to go down. I clawed at my attacker's face, nails digging into skin. Another hard metal slammed on my temple making my vision blurred, my balance wavering.

More hands grabbed me, yanking my arms behind my back. I thrashed, refusing to go down without a fight.

"You fight like your brother," one of them sneered. "But unlike him, you're going to die tonight."

I bared my teeth. "If you wanted me dead, you would've killed me already."

"We want Domenico to suffer first," the man holding me whispered against my ear. "He built his empire protecting you. Let's see what happens when you're gone."

Rage flooded through me. I threw my head back, smashing it into his face. He grunted, but it wasn't enough.

Something hard slammed into the side of my head again. The world tilted. My legs gave out.

I barely registered the sensation of being lifted before darkness swallowed me whole.

-------------------------

The distant sound of dripping water pulled me from unconsciousness. My head throbbed, a dull ache spreading through my skull. I tried to move, but my limbs felt heavy and sluggish. Moreover, my wrist and feet are getting tied with a rope.

Where ?

The cold ground beneath me sent a shiver through my body. The scent of damp concrete and rust filled my nose. As my vision adjusted, I took in my surroundings. Only then I notice it was an abandoned warehouse, dimly lit by a single flickering lightbulb.

Footsteps echoed bring me back from my though.

"Ahh, you're awake."

That voice. The same man from before.

I forced myself upright, wincing as pain pulsed through my head. Probably wounded by the slammed I got from earlier. I can feel the blood is sticky and warm on skin.

"You should've gone down easier, Belladona," the man continued, crouching in front of me. "Would've saved you some pain."

I glared at him. "You think this will break my brother, huh ?" My voice came out hoarse. "You clearly don't know him."

The man chuckled. "Oh, we know him well. That's why you're here. He's untouchable, unless we hit him where it hurts."

I gritted my teeth. "You're underestimating him."

"Maybe," he mused. "But when he sees your corpse? When he realizes he couldn't protect his precious little sister?" The man tilted his head. "That's when everything crumbles." He chuckle in a mocked tone.

I clenched my fists as I wriggle my hands on my back. I have to get out of here.

He sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, we can't stick around to see it happen." He nodded toward another masked figure. "Make sure she doesn't wake up again."

The last thing I saw was a boot swinging toward my head.

Then, everything went black again.