(Reader discretion advised. 18+ mature content)
Ashley narrowed her eyes at him, confused.
She was abducted, tied up, and they could kill her any minute. The men had no cause to lie.
“Then who the fuck are you? And why did you scoundrels take me?” Ashley thundered, her nostrils flaring.
Pavlov’s backhand rattled her head. This time a gash appeared on her cheek.
“I was just going to explain before you rudely interrupted,” Nicolai continued. “Men like us are purveyors of beauty. It hurts me to see a ravishing woman like you get thrashed. I would advise not to fly off the handle again.”
Ashley blinked to convey that she would behave.
“Okay,” Nikolai began. “Where were we? Ah, yes. The reason you were taken was your boyfriend, your to-be-fiance, the richest drkadzija (motherfucker) of Norwich, Jake Grayson. You see, Miss, we are from the Zetelica.”
Zetelica.
Ashley remembered the infamous name from an article she read in Newsweek magazine. The Zetelica was a branch of the Serb mafia based in Norwich. They allegedly ran organized crime syndicates across the city and had friends in high places. Their activities ranged from shark loaning to drugs to contract killing.
“Ah, from the look on your face, I can tell you have heard of us,” Nicolai went on. “The long and short of the matter is- your boyfriend and our leader Leo Zetelica bid for the same piece of land in Sweeney county. Grayson outbid us and purchased the land, disregarding several warnings from us. The brat has already started a new industrial project there, bringing further humiliation to us. So, you see, we must hurt him where it hurts.”
Ashley listened intently and let out a heavy sigh. She had been kidnapped for ransom.
‘Well, it could have been worse.’
“Are you going to set me free if Jake signs the land over to you?” she posed.
“Of course. You have my word on that.”
Ashley licked her dry lips.
“Have you given him the message? Does he know I have been taken? Jake will definitely fulfill your demand if he knows my life is at stake.”
“Let us hope for both our sakes that he does. Our associates are communicating with him as we speak. Zetelica gets the land, and Grayson gets his favorite picka (twat) back. It will be a win-win situation for both parties.“
Ashley went into brooding. She was drained, and her face hurt like hell.
‘Are they telling me the truth, or will they torture and kill me, regardless?’
She bit her lip and looked down at her clothes. Her shirt buttons were ripped, and her bra felt out of place. The trouser button and zipper were open as well.
Nicolai made a penitent face.
“Apologies for the state of your clothes. Pav took some liberty with you while you were unconscious. Perhaps he rooted around your privates as well. I assure you, his intentions were completely innocent.”
Pavlov responded with a hyena laugh.
“He wanted to feel with his hands the shape of the woman the richest billionaire of Norwich sleeps with. I am ashamed of his behavior.”
“Pav indulged himself while I was away, and I have reprimanded him for it. You have my word it won’t happen again. He is young and a bit out of control, you see. I hope you will forgive his behavior.”
Pavlov laughed raucously again. “Zrela je poput manga! (She is ripe like a mango!)
Ashley felt herself nearing a panic attack. She gritted her teeth to rein it in.
‘Wait this out, Ashley. It will be over soon.’
‘But why?’ she thought bitterly. ‘Why does something like this have to happen to me? Why?’ Her body felt utterly violated.
The hostage felt like screaming again but did not want to risk another hit from the erratic Pavlov. Her face ached from the last two blows. Perhaps a couple of teeth were loose, and she might need a stitch in her face.
Ashley closed her eyes and prayed.
‘God, please let this pass soon.’
Nicolai’s phone rang. “Ah, the fateful call has arrived,” he said ominously.
Ashley breathed a sigh of relief.
The wait was finally over. She did not want to stay there even a moment longer.
Jake would hand over the land readily. He would prioritize her safety over everything else in the world—his own words.
Besides, how much could the land be worth? 5 million? 10 million? That will not place a dent in Jake’s wealth.
Nicolai spoke into the phone, this time with a native Serbian accent. Ashley could not make out a single word.
“Da! Da!” Nicolai said with finality, disconnecting the call.
Ashley looked at him expectantly and gestured at the duct tape binding her. He should start by snipping them off.
“I am afraid I have some bad news, Miss.” Nicolai’s words were grave and humorless.
Ashley’s heart sank.
“Jake Grayson has refused to pay the ransom.”