Chapter 8

Two days had passed since Natalie had last spoken to the police. She had expected them to be more proactive in finding Laylah, but so far, nothing seemed to be happening. Frustrated and worried, Natalie decided to pay another visit to the police station.

As she walked in, she was greeted by Detective James, who looked like he was about to fall asleep. "Can I help you, miss?" he asked, his voice dripping with boredom.

She explained that she was following up on the investigation into Laylah's disappearance. "I came here two days ago to report a case of kidnap and the unlawful holding of my friend in their possession."

"How could you not remember me or any of our conversations sir !. " Natalie yelled in frustration.

The detective nodded sympathetically, but Natalie could tell he wasn't taking her seriously.

"Look, miss, we're doing everything we can to find your friend," he said. "But we need more evidence to move forward. Can you provide us with anything that might help?"

She felt a surge of frustration and felt like pulling the detector up be his finger hair till he screamed.

She had already told them everything she knew. "What about the men who kidnapped me?" she asked. "Did you find any leads on them?"

The detective shook his head. "We've had no reports of any suspicious activity. It's like they vanished into thin air."

Natalie left the station feeling defeated. It seemed like no one was taking her seriously, and Laylah was running out of time.

As she walked down the street, she noticed a black SUV following her. At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but as it continued to tail her, she realized that something was definitely wrong.

Her instinct pricked at her and just like her foster mom would say, "A woman should always trust her instinct... It is her second eyes into the world."

Suddenly, the SUV screeched to a halt beside her, and several men jumped out. Natalie recognized them as Don Marco's goons.

"You're quite the little troublemaker, aren't you?" one of them sneered, grabbing her arm.

She tried to struggle, but they were too strong. They dragged her towards the SUV, and she knew she had to think fast if she was going to escape.

At the height of anxiousness, Natalie kicked one of the goons in the stomach who happened to be their leader and broke free as the others tried to help him.

"Let me go... You fools and go after the girl or else we'd be dead meat!." He yelled.

Natalie sprinted down the street, the goons hot on her heels. She dodged pedestrians and cars, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she couldn't keep this up for much longer.

Just when she thought she was going to collapse, she saw a narrow alleyway between two buildings. She darted into it, hoping to lose her pursuers.

The alleyway was dark and narrow, but Natalie didn't hesitate. She ran as fast as she could, her footsteps echoing down the lonely road.

As she emerged from the alleyway, she saw a crowded market ahead. She sprinted towards it, weaving through the stalls and shoppers.

She finally lost the goons in the crowd, but she knew that she couldn't stay there for long. She had to find a safe place to hide and come up with a new plan to rescue Laylah. Natalie took a deep breath and disappeared into the crowd.

After some minutes, she burst through the door of Laylah's workplace, out of breath and frantic. Collin looked up from his desk, his expression a mixture of concern and annoyance.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice cold and detached.

Natalie explained the situation, trying to get the words out quickly. "Laylah has been kidnapped, Collin. I was just chased by Don Marco's goons. I need your help to find her."

Collin's expression didn't change, but she could see a flicker of interest in his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about, how do you think I can be of help... I'm just her boss," he said, his voice still cold and sarcastic.

Natalie felt a surge of frustration. "Don't play dumb, Collin. You know exactly what's going on. Your worker is in danger, and I need your help to save her."

Collin leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Even if I knew something, which I don't, why would I help you?" he asked, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Natalie felt a pang of hurt and anger. She had expected Collin to be more supportive, given his history with Ann. "Isn't it also a boss's priority to look out for their employees?. Anny hasn't been at work for two days and you didn't bother to check in? "she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Collin's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained cold.

"I'm don't feel like getting involved in this, Natalie. I know clearly that you might have gone to the police for help and you didn't get any, so how much can I do. You need to leave."

Natalie felt a sense of desperation wash over her. She knew she couldn't give up, not now. "Fine," she said, turning to leave.

"But know this, Mr Collin. I'll do whatever it takes to find Ann and keep her safe. With or without your help. If anything happens to either of us, our death is on your head."

As she walked out of the office, Natalie couldn't shake the feeling that Collin was mysterious and the strangest man she had come across.

Natalie cautiously exits the building, still shaken from her encounter with Don Marco's goons. Just as she's about to call for help, a familiar figure in a Bentley pulled over- Lucy, the woman who saved her earlier.

Lucy's timely intervention saves Natalie from further harm, and she offers a safe Condo for a few days until things cool down.

"Come with me," Lucy says firmly, leading Natalie to a secure location. "You can't go back to your place now. They're likely watching it."

Natalie hesitates, unsure if she can trust this stranger, but Lucy's kindness and bravery have already proven themselves but she was still curious. Good things don't come that easily.

Before she could ask Lucy any further questions, she hand's over the key of the Condominium building to her, smiling broadly.

"I know you have so many questions but let's start by answering the most important... I am your Foster mom's dearest friend, we go a long way back and this would be a way of repaying her for all the good she did for me."

As she settles into Lucy's home, Natalie begins to feel a sense of relief wash over her. For the first time since Laylah's disappearance, she feels safe. Lucy provides reassurance, sharing her own experiences and offering words of comfort.

Over the next few hours, Natalie opens up about her past, her fears, and her determination to find Laylah. Lucy listens attentively, providing guidance and support. Together, they start brainstorming ways to locate Laylah and take down Don Marco's operation.

Natalie's gratitude towards Lucy grows, but she knows she can't stay hidden forever. With Lucy's help, she begins to formulate a plan to rescue Laylah but one thing was sure she couldn't do that alone.

_____

Collin's eyes narrowed as he watched Natalie storm out of the office. He couldn't believe she had just barged and out on him like that, also leaving a threat. But as his anger began to simmer down, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

He started to make some discreet inquiries about Ann's situation and Don Marco's plan. His contacts were hesitant to share information at first, but Collin's persistence paid off.

What he learned made his blood boil. Ann was being held captive in a heavily guarded location, and Don Marco was using her as leverage to gain control over a significant business deal. Her engagement to another man pissed him further.

Collin's anger turned to worry as he realized the gravity of the situation.

He knew he had to act quickly to rescue Ann and started making plans, considering his options carefully. He knew that he would need to be strategic and resourceful if he was going to succeed in taking down Don Marco's operation.

Collin's mind was racing with possibilities. He knew that he couldn't do this alone, but he wasn't sure who he could trust. He would have to be careful, or he could end up putting Ann in even more danger.

As he sat at his desk, he pulled the drawers , Collin's eyes locked onto a photo of Ann. He felt a need to be very protective of her.

He had lost her before, not again.

As he caressed the photo of young Ann in a cute school uniform, a memory of their time together flashed through his mind. The photo showed Ann smiling, her eyes sparkling with laughter. His determination to save her grew as he gazed at the photo.

Collin made a call to one of his contacts, a Mafia agent who might have information about Ann's situation. The agent, a gruff but reliable man named Vinnie, answered on the first ring.

"Vinnie, it's Collin. I need some more information," Collin said, his voice low and urgent.

"What's going on, Collin?" Vinnie asked, his tone cautious.

"Ann's been kidnapped. I think Don Marco's involved. What do you know?" Collin asked, his patience wearing thin.

Vinnie sighed, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I've heard rumors, Collin. Don Marco's been making moves to expand his operation. He's using Ann as leverage to get what he wants, she's his pawn on the chess board."

Collin's anger simmered just below the surface. "What does he want?"

Vinnie hesitated before answering. "He's after a major business deal. He's willing to do whatever it takes to get it, that includes an arranged marriage to the leader of the Volkolves ."

Collin's jaw clenched in determination. "Thank you, Vinnie. You can count on a handsome reward after this information you have given me."

Vinnie's voice was laced with warning. "Be careful, Collin. Don Marco's not a man to be underestimated."

Collin's response was resolute. "I won't underestimate him, Vinnie. I'll take him down."