Chapter 4 – Valeria Hartmann
I opened my eyes slowly.
Yep. Definitely in a car.
A masked man sat beside me, staring so hard out the window that he didn't even notice I was awake. Another one was driving, eyes glued to the road like nothing in the world could distract him.
I smirked. Excitement bubbled in my chest. My mouth wasn't covered… my hands were tied.
Okay, Val. Remember your training.
By "training," I meant… I had watched way too many dark romance videos about kidnappings and hand bindings. And yes, I had practiced removing tight hand knots multiple times.
…Am I crazy? Definitely.
A few exaggerated wiggles later… freedom!
I leaned forward and hopped into the front passenger seat, adjusting myself and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
Their reaction? Priceless. Both of them froze like I had just performed magic.
The driver slammed the brakes so hard the car jerked to a halt.
"Did my makeup run off?" I wondered aloud. "Or is my hair… wrong?"
I blinked at him. He looked like someone had shoved a lightsaber up his nose.
I couldn't resist. "What's wrong, sexy men? And… where are you taking me?"
Then I added, with all the drama I could muster:
"Sir… is this the mafia? Italian? Russian? Japanese…?"
The man behind me finally said, "It's Russian."
I grinned like a kid on Christmas.
"No way! And… please tell me your boss is hot? Because priorities."
---
Vlad POV
Did she just… ask if the boss was hot and completely forget she's supposed to be terrified?
Why is she… happy?
Why isn't she screaming or panicking?
I slammed my hands on the wheel. "Stop the car!"
Alex kept calm as ever. "We're already there. That big mansion in front of you."
"Alex! She's not supposed to know that!" I hissed.
"Uh… you stopped the car in front of it," he said lazily. "And she's awake."
Cue she squeal of joy.
"It's bigger than the Hartmann mansion! Okay, bring me there NOW, mister kidnapper!"
My eyes nearly popped out.
She actually called him mister kidnapper… and then pointed at Alex.
"Yes," she said, wagging a finger. "Your mister sweet sleep kidnapper!"
Alex smirked. "Because I was the one who… pressed the chloroform rag to your mouth."
I facepalmed silently.
She nodded seriously. "Exactly. That is you. Well done."
Then she tilted her head with puppy eyes.
"So… can we enter the mansion now to see your boss, please?"
I looked at her like she had just suggested riding a unicorn off a cliff.
…Is she crazy???
Author's Note:
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