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 was favoring his shoulder.

Varys replied. He'd been

hugging him as tight as she could. "I was so worried for you, for

sure, let me find out. Hope, stay

he look so worried? His confidence had

stay here with Hope, guard her with your life. Marco, you're coming with me. We're going to go find uncle Vincent. I'm

panic 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. The

Hope," his eyes flickered to Max. "I trust you, and I won't be gone long.

turning to Max. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes half-lidded

eyes cracked open and her breath was taken away by his beautiful eyes. "You've made

going to face up to this one. "Yes, I did. I know he seems rough, but I've known Varys a long time, when we were

be the dick that takes that choice away when it's what you want, and

Hope whispered. "Did Ethan escape? Does he still

stepped on him until all of the life in him was crushed away. You never have to worry about him again,

a million pieces and faded away. "Really?" she whispered. Was it over? Was she allowed to breathe