If my guess is right, today should be the third day I was grabbed from my school gate and brought to this place where I've been locked up in total darkness.

This wouldn't have happened if I listened to my father and went out with the security he assigned to protect me.

Ugh. I hated it. It was already so bad, people avoided me because I was the daughter of Bratva Don, the most feared leader of the biggest crime syndicate in Russia. If I went to school with hefty men side by side, then I had no hope of making any friends at all.

I stiffened as I noticed my captor step into the dark room. I didn't hear his footsteps at all, he walked lightly and his feet seemed to not touch the ground as he walked. I knew he was in the room because I had gotten used to my sense of smell since I got kidnapped. He had a raw scent, like damp earth after a storm, like roots torn from the ground.

But today…

“It seems your father doesn't care about you.”

He finally spoke.

And his voice…

It blended with the darkness, deep and silky, void of any emotions whatsoever. The voice of a man who had given up on the world, who had only one purpose and nothing to lose.

I craved to see the face behind this voice that stirred me.

“He isn't looking for you,” the voice spoke again.

Probably because I always used to run away from home and come back after days. My father had gotten used to my absence.

“Is it my father you are after?” I asked. “Save yourself the stress. You wouldn't be the first person to try killing him, and like others you won't succeed.”

He chuckled, low and deep. “You don't fear for your life?”

“Fear is an illusion, only the weak feel fear.”

Silence.

Then…

“And you're not weak?”

I wanted to scream and say ‘take off my blindfold and let me see your face! Your voice unsettles me.’

“I am Irina Petrov,” I said instead. “Daughter of Roman Petrov of the Bratva Syndicate. I was taught to embrace fear and not let it overshadow me.”

“Irina…”

I felt his breath on my face, he was close…too close for comfort.

“I can hear your heartbeat, it beats fast, so fast. You're scared.”

If only he knew it was his presence that made my heart race. Not fear.

“If you want my father then you have to let me talk to him.”

“Why do you think I want your father?”

“Do you want me?”

Oops. That came out wrong and I hated myself for wishing it was the case.

“Irina,”

Don't say my name like that.

“You don't realize the danger you're in, I'll use you to send a message across to your father. He thinks he can get away with every bad deed but I'm here to hunt him and I won't stop until every one of your wretched family is below the ground.”

Great! I finally have a crush and he wants to kill me.

“So what? Are you going to dismember my body and send it to him in a nice little gift box?” I let out a deep laugh. “Go ahead then! Only, you'll be doing him a favor. He hates it that his heir has to be a girl so go ahead and kill me!”

I thought I heard his voice hesitate. Then silence, then I heard the door shut.

Shit! I worked quickly on the ropes that held my hands behind my back. I've been working on them for days now and they seemed to have loosened up a bit.

Maybe I should have paid more attention when dad taught me how to easily free myself from situations like this.

Who would dare kidnap a Petrov? I had thought.

This man with a dark voice would.

I worked vigorously while planning my escape in my head. I love him but I won't let him kill me.

Love?

Oh Irina…get a grip!

You just met the man.

You haven't even met the man! Just his voice and you think you're in love.

I should get this done before he brings me dinner and that should be in three or four hours time. It would have been easier to escape if he untied me to let me eat but the man fed me himself!

So romantic!

Calmly, carefully, I finally loosened the ropes and freed my hands. I ripped off the blindfold that covered my eyes and took note of my surroundings.

A small room. Dark, except for the little light that came in through the window opposite me.

Window!

Careful not to make any noise, I tiptoed towards the window. It was locked but I could break it and make my escape. A huge dumpster lay below so I would only sustain minor injuries if I jumped or maybe a broken leg…whatever. I looked around the room again, it was empty, nothing to aid my escape.

I stared at my hands. No. My hand will only break for my art, my paintings…

Leg it is.

As I raised my leg to break the window, I paused.

A voice screamed. Run Irina! Another asked. Aren't you curious?

My curiosity won.

If his face was the last thing I saw before I died…then I died being a normal woman.

And so I stood, waiting.

I almost gave up when the door finally creaked open, my eyes shone in expectancy. His eyes shone too…in shock.

Sadly, he wore a mask and I could only see his eyes.

Those eyes…

A girl could be content with staring at those eyes for life.

They were deep brown and dark. Like his voice, his eyes lacked emotions…but as they looked at me, I could see pure hatred shooting out of those eyes.

What exactly did my father do to him?

What happened next happened very quickly.

“I underestimated you,” he said, reaching out to grab my arms.

I moved fast, ducking under his grasp and slamming my elbow into his ribs. He grunted but didn’t stumble, he was stronger than he looked. I turned, aiming for the door, but he blocked me with one swift movement. His reflexes were sharp, too sharp.

I backed away and smirked. It would be disappointing if my captor let me off too easily.

I raised my fists like my father taught me, stood light on my feet and raised my chin, ready to fight.

His eyes darkened. He lunged, and I twisted sideways, his hand grazing my shoulder. I spun and kicked, aiming for his side, but he caught my leg midair. In one fluid move, he tried to throw me down but I slammed my palm against his masked face, pushing off and rolling away before he could pin me.

Breathless, I dashed for the window. I kicked hard and the window shattered to thin shards. Cold air rushed in. Without hesitating, I placed my hands on the ledge, pushed myself up, and turned back for one final glance.

His eyes met mine, burning with disbelief and fury.

I held his gaze and smirked, my heart pounded as I whispered, “you shouldn’t have underestimated me.”

Then I leaped.

The dumpster broke my fall with a thunderous thud. Pain shot through my leg. I gritted my teeth, pulled myself up, and ran into the night.

Behind me, I could hear him shout my name.

But I was already gone.