KINSLEY

Plummeting to my deathfeels like the wind is being sucked from my lungs as I claw at the air like a rock-climbing wall will magically appear.

My body slams into a soft surface, too dark for me to see what it is. It bounces a few times before finally dropping me onto solid ground.

A hand curls around my arm, yanking me to my feet.

"Listen carefully," an eerie voice says calmly. "Follow my instructions and I won"t have to fill you with bullets."

A shiver creeps up my spine.

"Got it?" he asks.

I have no plans of pissing anyone off.

"I understand," I reply.

He shoves me forward. "Get on the dirt bike."

The man shines the flashlight at another guy seated on a bike.

I hike up my wedding gown and place a shaky hand on his shoulder to steady myself as I climb onto the bike. My heart races and my breath quickens as panic threatens to overtake me. But I push it down, determined not to give in now.

Of course, my kidnappers are wearing masks. Masks are a trigger for my anxiety.

Above us, screams echo through the night.

The man speeds off. I hold on tightly. His headlight illuminates the tunnel.

We come to an abrupt halt at a ladder leading out of the sewer. I'm hurried off the bike.

One of the armed men prods my ass cheek with the tip of his rifle, urging me to climb the ladder quickly in my silver stilettos.

Another masked gun man awaits next to the open trunk of the SUV as I reach the surface.

"Get in the fucking trunk," the man orders.

Another of the assholes' zip ties my wrists and ankles, then slams the trunk closed.

I hope Nick knows I was just playing around when I said I once loved him. Even though he's a dangerous mafia boss, I still love him.

Carmen and I had got off to a good start with the research for my mother's cure. I had asked Carmen to continue with the research if something happens to me. I have confidence she'll see my research through.

Taking a deep breath, I do what I did the last time I was in a bad situation; I lower my lids and think about Nick and me. Even if he can't physically save me, he can help me get through a situation mentally.

After a quick flight, I"m transported to another location. I had slept mostly because when I'm awake my heart pounds in my chest.

I'm escorted out of the trunk of another SUV. I notice a row of luxurious vehicles parked in what appears to be a six-car garage. As I'm shoved toward the door, I steal a glance behind me at the sand and the tranquil blue water.

"Keep your eyes focused ahead," commands the man behind me.

I feel the butt of his rifle smack the back of my head.

"Ouch," I cry out.

Shit!

Can you imagine if I had said one word during this trip what would've happened to me? Something deep down told me to be cool.

No looking around, Kinsley. You're waiting for your husband. He will find you.

One of the assholes tosses me into a wooden chair in the center of a lavish living room.

An older man claps his hands as he enters the room. "Look what we have here. The bitch that has caused my family so much trouble."

I tilt my head to the side. "How's that possible?" I ask coyly. "I don't know you."

"But you knew my daughter Norah Aiello." He flashes an evil smile.

Keep your smart comments to yourself, Kinsley.

He and his daughter wanted you dead.

"Oh yeah, I know exactly who you're talking about. I met her once. It was when she sliced me open and left me to die," I say, venom dripping from my words.

His gray eyes darken, and he strides toward me and clenches my jaw roughly. "How are you still alive? You're supposed to be dead."

He's an attractive older man. But it's obvious there's something off about him. I sensed the same thing with his daughter.

"The coast guards found me," I bite out.

Torrance walks away from me. He casually falls onto the sofa, his Hawaiian shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing a hint of chest hair. He"s dressed in designer linen pants and expensive loafers.

"Nick knows I have you." He flashes an evil smirk.

"I played him the tape of the six men fucking your brains out."

Sick fucking bastard.

Fury burns underneath my skin. I feel it coming. But then it happens. Switch flipped.

"Oh, he saw the weak men fucking me." I snarl.

I lurch forward in the chair. "Only pussies steal pussy." I drop my head back, ugly laughter pouring from my throat.

He chuckles, too. "There you are," he says it like he's been expecting me.

Torrance saunters toward me. "I watch the video annually. So I know you have multiple personalities," he snickers.

I laugh again. "Oh, no, I'm Kinsley. We're just divided into two halves. She's good Kinsley. And I'm the very, very bad girl." I stick my tongue out at him.

Fascination lights up his face.

"What do you want to do to me?" he pushes.

I smile. "Everything."

He thinks I'll say something to get us killed. Stupid motherfucker. Not a chance.

"Would you like to know what happened to Josh?" I grin.

"Yes," he responds.

"I cut off his limbs and his...dick." My evil laughter fills the room.

"He doesn't need that in hell. I'm sure he's being fucked in the ass this very minute," I whisper sweetly.

"I told Nick you're my sex slave," he taunts.

"Bet you jacked off while watching the butt bangers fuck me, huh?"

He chuckles. "I did."

Helicopters sound in the distance.

"I'm going to fuck you right now," he breathes.

"You want to take my new asshole for a ride?" I tease.

His brows raise.

I blink my long lashes seductively at him. "Natalia, my guardian angel, paid for my reconstructive surgery."

A sinister smile curls my lips.

He inches backwards. "What?"

"Oh, wait, you didn't know. She called the coast guards. She saved...my...life." I cluck my tongue.

"I know those damn Pituccos, right?" I flash another grin.

He paces back and forth. "If she saved you. That means she had something to do with my daughter's death."

"Bingo!" I yell. "Give this man a prize." I chuckle.

"No," he roars at the top of his lungs.

"Sir, we have company," one of his gun men says.

"Fucking handle it," he roars at the top of his lungs. His perfectly moussed brown hair shakes loose.

This motherfucker definitely has a screw loose.

He picks me up out of the chair and slams my body against the hard wood floor, knocking the wind out of me.

"I will fuck you until sweet Kinsley returns," he says, unbuckling his pants as he kneels at my feet.

I ease the switchblade out of the sleeve of my dress.

"Good Kinsley's not here for at least an hour," I say breathlessly.

He pushes my wedding gown up my legs.

I slide the switch blade along the thick plastic zip tie and my outer wrist. The sick smile remains on my face as I slice my own flesh.

Just as he reaches for my panties, I quickly stab the blade into his arm. Before his bodyguard can reach me, I yank the Glock from Torrance's waist holster.

The bodyguard takes a shot at me, but I dodge to the side and quickly flip off the safety. Lying on my back, I take aim and squeeze the trigger. The bullet hits the bodyguard square in the forehead, causing him to drop like a sack of potatoes.

Torrance charges at me in anger. I fire another shot, this time aiming for his thigh. "You bitch," he bites out.

"I brought a present for you." I smile.

"Natalia," I call out.

A series of pip noises are heard in the distance. And my sister-in-law appears from the kitchen dressed in all black.

"Kinsley, you got started without me," she pouts.

Torrance"s eyes narrow at her. "You killed my daughter," he bellows. "My men will kill you."

Suddenly, a bullet strikes Natalia from somewhere in the room. She collapses to the ground.

"No!" I scream at the top of my lungs.