Captured by the Mafia King Book 4

For three years, Talia lived it up with Mia. They attended concerts, festivals, clubs—anything you could think of, they were there.

It was a blast, even though nightmares occasionally haunted her sleep. But as much as she played, she worked just as hard on her revenge. Sometimes, she questioned herself, feeling like she was no different from Axel.

But she knew this was a reaction to his actions. None of this would be happening if he hadn’t kidnapped her. At times, her temper flared when her plans didn’t pan out or when she deemed them too soft.

Talia had taken shooting classes. She needed to ensure that when she shot Axel, he wouldn’t die. The day she shot him didn’t go as planned—she had been too nervous.

But she knew Axel. There was no way he would die. She knew him too well. Yet, a part of her was scared he wouldn’t make it. Now, she had to wait for him to come back to her, or maybe he wouldn’t chase her since she shot him and he knew she hated him.

He might not come back, and that would be her revenge. But she didn’t feel like it was enough for what she had gone through. Talia knew that Axel had returned. He thought she didn’t know, but she knew he was back to stalking her.

Part of her was nervous. What if he kidnapped her again? She knew how to fight, but she couldn’t win against Axel. The next stage of her plan had to commence, and the timing was perfect. At the beach, she had drunk enough to put herself in a coma if Axel wasn’t there to save her from drowning.

Guilt crept in when she thought about Winston and how she had just left him. And Mia, who had been nervous about her plan but supported her regardless. Now in the water, she was struggling to stay afloat. She was sinking. Was Axel not here? What was she thinking?

She should have come with Mia. But there, in the distance, Axel was running toward her. She hoped she would survive. Then she let herself go, accepting that whatever was meant to be would always be true.

***

Talia and Mia were back at work. Everything was going smoothly, and she was now more attentive since her revenge was behind her. After a long day of grueling work, she went home. The days were repeating themselves, but today was different—there was a charity gala she had to attend.

These galas were usually long, but she would have to endure them. After dressing in a gown, curling her hair, and applying makeup and perfume, she was out the door.

When she arrived, there were so many people to greet. It was exhausting. When would this whole thing start?

Talia was done with the fake smiling and acting intrigued. Finally, they took their seats, and the bidding began. She bid on a beautiful painting with butterflies. It spoke to her, reminding her of freedom.

Dinner time came, and it was a five-course meal, which she hadn’t anticipated. This meant the event would drag on forever. When the main course came, she ate while everyone at their table watched her.

“What?” she asked.

“You have a huge appetite.”

“I do. How can I not? I love it.”

They all laughed a bit.

Finally, the last dessert came. That meant she was going home soon. The emcee went on stage to announce the end of the event but encouraged everyone to stay and mingle. That meant they didn’t have a choice—leaving first would imply they came for the wrong reasons and didn’t care.

Now, she was standing in a circle, listening and pitching in once in a while so her presence would be known. Yet everyone fell silent when someone joined their circle. Talia couldn’t believe her eyes. Across from her stood Axel.

Everyone greeted him enthusiastically, and he returned the greetings. She couldn’t deny that his authority was palpable. He was now commanding their circle—or better yet, the whole room—and she refused to look at him.

Talia stood there, numb, trying to make sense of what was happening. She felt as if her life was about to be turned upside down. What was he playing at? Was this a coincidence, or was he back to stalking her?

“Thank you, sir, for accepting our invitation.”

“You called me plenty of times, and besides, I want to help out.”

“Yes, sir.”

Talia couldn’t believe how he was now being worshipped by everyone in the circle. It seemed as if they all wanted to impress him as they asked so many questions.

Talia couldn’t take it any longer. She didn’t bother saying goodbye to anyone as she began to leave, and she knew that Axel was following her. She got outside and motioned for the valet to bring her car.

“Talia,” Axel’s voice sounded behind her.

Talia took a deep breath and turned around. She noticed that he had a beard growing. The dark tux he was wearing hugged his body and made his eyes pop out. Talia blushed. “Axel.”

“Are you leaving because of me?”

Talia sighed. “No.” That was a definite lie, but she felt cornered by him.

“Then why leave? So you hate me?”

“I don’t, Axel.” It was the truth. “You and I are even.”

Axel’s face softened, catching her off guard. “Is that it?” Axel scratched the back of his head. “I…”

“Your car is ready.”

Talia turned to the driver. “My cue to leave.”

She turned and began making her way to the car.

“I want you.”

Talia froze. But what could she say in this situation? Her emotions were all over the place. She continued walking.

She got into her car, and they drove away.

***

Now Talia lay awake, and Axel’s words kept playing in her head relentlessly. “I want you.” Those simple words were making her head spin.

The following days, she had a hard time focusing, but she pushed herself.

“Sleeping beauty needs rest.”

Talia turned to Mia. “Is it that bad?”

“You look like a zombie.”

“I know.”

“What’s eating you up?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Is it Axel?”

She gave Mia a death stare.

“Fine, I won’t probe for now.”

***

Talia now sat at another event, and it was dragging on forever. What was it even about?

“May I have this dance?”

Talia looked up at Axel. Her heart hammered. She took his hand, and he pulled her onto the dance floor. Axel pulled her so close that she could feel his breath on the top of her head.

“I missed you.”

“Don’t start.”

“It’s true, Talia. I would do anything for you.”

Talia shook her head. “This isn’t that simple.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t…” Her breath caught when his hands shifted and were now on the edges of her breasts.

“You don’t?”

His lips were on her ear, and his hot breath made her tingle even more. She wanted him to touch her the way he always had.