Dominic drove at high speed to the point on the GPS, racing to the location where the dot on the GPS stopped. He arrived at the location, seeing the car had collided with a tree, he shoved his door open and ran towards to crashed car. He looked inside and car and only saw Ray unconscious in the driver's seat, steam hissed from the crumpled bonnet of the car as smoke came out from the engine.
"Ray!" he called, peering through the shattered driver's window.
Inside, Ray slumped against the steering wheel, motionless at first. The acrid smell of smoke from the overheated engine filled the air.
Dominic yanked at the door handle, finally forcing it open with a grunt. "Ray!"
Ray groaned faintly, his head lifting slightly. "Boss?" His voice was hoarse but weak.
"Where is Alessia?" Dominic demanded, his voice remained stern but a bit panicked. He didn't even glance at Ray blood stained body. "What happened?"
Ray winced as he straightened up and stumbled out of the driver's seat, one hand pressed tightly against his stomach. "After we left the church, we were chased and being attacked, boss. I drove as fast as I could but…" His voice cracked as his gaze dropped to the ground. "I wasn't able to protect the miss and she was taken away."
Dominic's jaw clenched, his breath coming fast. Rage and fear wrestled for control, his usually composed expression had slowly shifted to that of worry and panic.
Two black SUVs rolled up behind him, engines rumbling. Vivienne stepped out of the first one, her heels clicking sharply against the asphalt as she approached Dominic. Her gaze swept over the wreck and Ray's battered form before settling on Dominic.
"Seems like the real target was your little birdie after all and not you," she remarked coolly.
"Erlo," she called to her bodyguard without taking her eyes off Dominic, "get Ray to medical attention, he's an eyesore in his current state ."
The tall man in a black suit bowed slightly, then moved to support Ray toward another vehicle. Within moments, the car sped away with him.
Dominic's voice was low but deadly. "I'll kill whoever's behind this." His eyes burned with fury.
Vivienne gave a faint smirk. "First, you'll have to find whoever ruined such a beautiful day." She tilted her head, almost teasing. "Luckily for you, I already have it all planned out."
In a room engulfed by the sunlight, Alessia who was lying on a bed with grey sheets slowly opened her eyes, taking in the sun as she sat up, my hand on her head. "What happened?" She asks in a low voice, getting no reply. She looked around and noticed she was in an odd room that looked like it hadn't been used in a long time, Its decor and furniture were grey and not as clean or grand as the one in her room back at Dominic's place.
She looked at her dress, realizing she still had her wedding dress on but it was covered in dirt. She stood up and walked to where a brown wooden door stood, she turned the knob of the door. The handle rattled but didn't budge.
"What the hell?" she muttered under her breath.
Raising her voice, she pounded on the door. "Dominic! If this is one of your tricks, I won't spare you! Let me out!" Her fist struck the wood repeatedly, the sound echoing through the silent hall beyond. She continued yelling for her release but there was no response.
She went back to the bed and sat on it when the sounds of the key jiggling and the lock of the door being opened were heard. She stood up as the door swung open and A middle-aged man with streaks of white in his brown hair stepped inside. He moved with authority and carried a heavy aura around him. His black trousers and grey shirt were perfectly pressed, and a long black coat rested across his shoulders like a mantle. In his right hand, he leaned lightly on an intricately carved cane, the silver head engraved with a bold letter M.
Alessia instinctively stepped back. "Who are you? What do you want from me? Why am I here?" Her words tumbled out quickly as her throat tightened.
"You ask a lot of questions for someone who's shivering," the man replied in a low, bold, cold voice. "It's no surprise you have no clue who I am."
He walked past her and sat on a wooden chair across from the bed, his cane resting against his knee.
"What do you want from me?" she repeated, her voice shaking but firm.
"I'll be the one asking the questions," he said sharply.
Alessia remained standing, keeping her distance from him as he reeked of danger.
"What's your relationship with Dominic?" he asked.
Her chin lifted. "What does that matter to you?"
He hardened his gaze at her. "I said, I'll be the one asking the questions."
"I won't answer until you tell me why I'm here," she shot back.
He studied her for a long moment. "I admire your courage. Not many are like you. What is your name?"
"You don't even know my name? Then what do you want from me, and why am I here?" She responded
"I really do admire your courage," he said slowly, "but I dislike your stubbornness." He snapped his fingers.
Two large men entered immediately. They seized Alessia's arms, holding her in place despite her struggling.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" she demanded as she was twisting in their grip.
"Sit her down," the man ordered.
They forced her to the bed, keeping a firm hold on her shoulders.
"I tried to consider your weakness as a young lady and do this the easy way," he said, his voice like ice. "But you chose the hard way. I will ask you some questions, and for every question you don't answer…" He paused, leaning slightly forward, "…one of your fingers will be broken."
Alessia's eyes widened. "What?" Her voice cracked, fear slicing through her defiance.