Escaping The Mafia King

"You really thought you could get away from me, Hope? Your detective is dead, I tore out his insides and kept them just for you. And as for your mafia boyfriend? Well, I'm having him drawn and quartered as we speak, so very slowly."

"No!" Hope rushed at Ethan but he waved his hand and she was stuck in the air twisting and turning in his grip. "Bastard!"

"You should be grateful, Hope. I let your uncle have a swift death, just like I gave your parents when they got in my way."

"No!" The word tore from Hope's throat and she sat up panting as sweat poured down her chest. Her entire shirt was sticky with it. She plucked at it and sniffed before wincing. Everything was just as quiet as it had been before.

The iron plate on her door's window opened up and Marco glanced in on her. "Heard you scream, what's wrong?"

"Just a nightmare," she whispered as she hugged herself hard. "Please, can you just let me out for a few minutes? I don't want to be here after a dream like that."

Marco grunted. "Sorry, no way I'm risking that." He slammed the little metal plate back and Hope threw herself back on the pillows as tears welled. Being with Varys meant she was just a prisoner to someone else, even if she loved him. This was still just a fancy golden birdcage. No matter how gilded, still a cage.

The door rattled and Hope's eyes widened. Had Marco changed his mind? Had a chance of heart, or maybe even a heart transplant would be more likely in that case.

"Hope."

second before she pulled away. "Sorry, I got too excited to miss you, but an engaged woman can't be acting like that." She got a closer look at him. What she'd mistaken for blushing red cheeks, was streaks of blood, and he

told you was going to happen," Varys replied. He'd been right behind Max,

as she could. "I was so worried for you, for all of you." She looked from one to the other. "And

around. "I'm not sure, let

so worried? His confidence had developed a crack. "Why?" she questioned.

guard her with your life. Marco, you're coming with me. We're going to go find uncle Vincent. I'm sure he just wandered off, but

once more clawed at her. Besides, he was leaving Max with her. This was the same man that insisted over and over that she was to be his no matter what.

his eyes flickered to Max. "I trust you, and I won't be gone long. If this bastard tries anything, let

nodded before turning to Max. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes half-lidded as he took shallow breaths.

open and her breath was taken away

to face up to this one. "Yes, I did. I know he seems rough, but

be the dick that takes that choice away when it's what you want, and call me crazy, but Varys isn't the same

what happened?" Hope whispered. "Did Ethan escape? Does he still have

of the life in him was crushed away. You never

nightmare that was so vivid in her brain broke into a million pieces and faded away. "Really?" she whispered. Was it over? Was she allowed