Page 13 of Mafia Kingdom

His face softens, but only slightly. “Sasha, you don’t understand the kind of man Marco is. He doesn’t just let people go.”

“I don’t care,” I shout, my voice echoing through the small sitting room. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Lily safe. Even if it means going to some stupid event with him.”

Dad’s shoulders slump, and for a moment, he looks older, worn out by the weight of our problems. “I just want to keep you safe, Sasha.”

I want to tell him he should have thought of that before he brought drug dealers into our home. But the fight has drainedout of me. “I know,” I whisper. “But right now, the best way to do that is to go along with this. Just for one night.”

A sharp knock at the door jolts both of us, freezing us in place. The sound echoes through the quiet house; each knock is a drumbeat of dread. My heart races as I glance at Dad, his face pale and tense. The knocking continues, insistent and demanding.

“I’ll get it,” I say, taking a hesitant step toward the door.

Dad shakes his head vigorously. “No, Sasha. Don’t.”

The knocking grows more persistent, almost angry, and then I hear it – a voice that chills my blood coming from the half-open letter box. “Open the door now, Sasha.”

It’s the drug dealer from earlier. My pulse quickens, fear mingling with a sickening dread. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and open the door a crack. He knows we are in here, and I’m sure he wouldn’t hesitate to break down the door, something I don’t think we could afford to have replaced.

Dave stands there, his eyes dark with anger. He pushes the door open wider, stepping into the house without waiting for an invitation. “I heard you shipped off Lily,” he growls. “That was very fucking stupid.”

My mind races, searching for a way out of this. “Dave, I—”

He cuts me off, grabbing my face with one hand, his grip painful and unyielding. “I don’t like to be double-crossed, Sasha. Do you think you can play games with me?”

I struggle against his hold, my voice trembling. “I’m not playing games. She’s gone to stay with a friend.”

His eyes narrow, and his grip tightens, making it hard to breathe. “I don’t give a damn about your reasons. You get Lily back here right now, or I swear to God, I’ll make you regret it.”

As if on cue, two more men step through the door behind Dave. I recognize them from earlier; their presence sends a freshwave of terror through me. They’re big, burly, and look like they mean business.

Dave grabs me roughly, spinning me so my back is plastered to his chest, where he holds me in place as the two men advance on my father. “No, please!” I scream, but my voice is drowned out by the sickening thud of fists meeting flesh.

“Stop it! Leave him alone!” I struggle against Dave’s grip, but he’s too strong. I can only watch, helpless, as they pummel my father. Each punch and kick feels like a blow to my own heart.

Dad crumples to the ground, barely conscious, blood pouring from his nose and mouth. I beg them to stop, tears streaming down my face. “Please, he needs a hospital. He’s hurt; he could die. Please let me take him to a hospital.”

They laugh, a cruel, mocking sound that echoes in the small room. “Shut up, or we’ll hurt you, too,” one of them sneers, his face twisted with malice.

Dave’s grip tightens on my arm, and he leans in close, his breath hot and rancid against my ear. “You go get Lily back here right now, or your father’s going to look far worse than this.”

I break down, sobbing uncontrollably, feeling utterly hopeless. I can’t think straight, can’t see a way out of this nightmare. “I... I can’t,” I stammer, my voice choked with tears. “I can’t just bring her back. Please, there has to be another way. I’m here. I won’t leave.”

Dave shakes his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “No more excuses, Sasha. Get her now, or your old man pays the price.”

He shoves me away from him and opens the front door. Leaving my father has me hunching my shoulders as I walk out the door.

With trembling hands, I leave the house, the sounds of my father’s labored breathing echoing in my ears. My mind races,knowing I can’t go get Lily. I need help, and there’s only one person I can think of to call. I fumble with my phone, which was in the back pocket of my jeans, and hit speed dial for Baz’s number, praying he’ll pick up.

“Hello?” The voice on the other end isn’t Baz’s. It’s deeper, colder.

“Marco?” I ask, my voice breaking. “Where’s Baz?” My words come out in a rush, my tears making it hard to speak. “They…they hurt my dad. They said I have to get Lily back, or they’ll kill him. I don’t know what to do. Please, help me.”

“Where are you?” Marco’s voice is calm, but there’s a dangerous edge to it.

“I’m in my driveway,” I manage to say between sobs.

“Stay there,” he orders, and the line goes dead.

I clutch my phone, feeling a glimmer of hope mixed with fear. Marco’s coming, but I don’t know what that means for me or my father. I pace the driveway, trying to calm my racing heart. I’m terrifiedthat Dave could come out of the house and see me. I stand along the bank, hoping I’m out of sight.

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