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I’d just returned home, feeling drained over everything that unfolded at the warehouse when there was a bang on the front door. Upon opening it, I found three men, their faces hidden behind masks.

“Who the fuck are you?” I snapped, showing no weakness.

But that wasn’t enough. No matter how strong I was or how calculated the movements were, the second I reached for my knife was the second everything went black.

The creak of the door jolted me back to the present, as a shaft of light from the hallway cut through the room. The same trio of men entered, their presence as unsettling as before. Their faces were obscured by masks that left only their eyes visible, eyes that shone with a disturbing delight at seeing me awake. Each of them was tall and lean, their frames exuding a wiry strength, and their movements were slow and deliberate, like those of predators closing in on unsuspecting prey. My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic drumbeat that clashed with my outwardly defiant expression. Their voices, deep and gravelly, whispered amongst themselves, carrying a familiarity that gnawed at the edges of my memory.

“If it isn’t Tweedledee, Tweedledum, and the third wheel,” I taunted, my voice steady despite the small amount of fear thatate away at my insides. I knew better than to show weakness, especially to lowlives like these. I knew how to withstand torture, no matter who it was at the hands of.

The man in the middle stepped closer, his leather-gloved hand curling into a fist at his side. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you?” he snarled.

“I mean, do you want an honest answer, dickhead?” I smirked.

His eyes narrowed behind his mask as his fist collided with my jaw, sending my head snapping to the side.

Son of a bitch!

It was at that moment that I knew this wasn’t one of Lorenzo’s games. I couldn’t imagine he’d allow someone to hurt me like that, but then again, I didn’t know him at all.

Pain exploded through my skull, but I refused to let them see me wince. Instead, I laughed. A defiant, mocking sound that filled the room. “Is that it?” I teased. “That’s your best shot?”

The other men exchanged a glance, their eyes darkened with anger as I glared at the bastard in front of me. I didn’t know if they had orders to hurt me or if they had to refrain from it, but I loved adding fuel to the fire.

The man on the left stepped forward, his fist crashing into my stomach. I gasped as my body convulsed, the air knocked from my lungs. I doubled over for a second, trying to compose my breathing, but no matter the pain I felt, I refused to cry out.

“Stop it,” the third man hissed, warning the others. “We were given strict instructions not to hurt her.”

But there was no point. The two who stood before me didn’t listen, and it was clear they didn’t care about the orders they were given. The man who punched me in the jaw fisted my hair, yanking my head back so my eyes were forced to meet his beady ones. “You think you’re better than us, don’t you?” He sneered, his breath hot on my face as it travelled through the fabric of hismask. “You think you can run that pretty mouth and get away with it?”

“You’re nothing. You’re just one of the lapdogs. You’re nothing special.” I said, already knowing what would come next. “You’re pathetic.”

His fist slammed into my face again, but that wasn’t enough. He landed another blow, splitting my lip. Blood trickled down my chin. My vision blurred, but I refused to close my eyes. I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“That’s enough! Fuck!” the third shouted yet again, trying to regain control of the situation.

The other man finally stopped, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. My body slumped in the chair as my head lolled to the side. Blood stained my skin as bruises bloomed across my skin. I might have been a mess, but my spirit was unbroken.

“You took it too far. He’s going to be pissed,” the third muttered, but the damage was done.

“I hope he puts a bullet in your head.” I coughed. “And if he doesn’t, I fucking will.” I laughed sarcastically to piss them off, which earned me a backhand across my cheek.

“Get out. Now,” the third demanded as he shoved one and two out the door.

I listened to their footsteps as they echoed down the hallway. And then, I finally gave into the pain I was feeling.

My body ached with every breath, but I was far from defeated. I would survive this just as I did everything else. I let my mind wander, thinking of ways to escape. This was just another challenge to overcome. I had made it through worse.

Being married to Lorenzo was one.

I succumbed to exhaustion, my eyes closing and blocking everything out except the soundtrack of my voice and the many questions that raced through my mind.

Who was the bastard who wanted me here?

Would Lorenzo even look for me or was I just a loose end he no longer needed?

I had so many questions and for the first time, I had no answers.

A sudden,shocking splash of ice cold water jolted me awake. I gasped as my eyes flew open to meet one of the three masked faces. This time, he was alone, and I knew exactly which one it was.