Chapter Seven: The Escape

"Done?" Diego asked warily. From the look on Juan's face, he knew he was in a lot of trouble. His hands began to tremble and the only thing he could do was hope Juan had not found out he sold Arya. He wanted to at least pay off his debt and flee the country before Juan knew he got the money from selling his stepdaughter.

  Juan's anger was still brewing but it was ready to erupt soon. He dropped the phone on the counter in front of Diego. "Tell me you did not have a hand in this," he seethed.

  "Man, I had to get the money somehow," Diego shrugged, laughing a bit just to ease the tension. "You wouldn't buy her and cancel my debt so I gave her to someone who will. I wanted to give you your money as soon as I could and—"

  Juan was laughing and shaking his head, then all of a sudden, he lifted Diego by the scruff of his neck and punched him in the nose. "You bastard!" he roared, drawing the attention of everyone in the bar. "Do you understand the gravity of what you have just done?"

  "Boss, people are watching—" Hernandez began to interfere. He left his post and tried to pry Diego's hand from him.

  "I don't give a bloody f*ck! Let them watch for all I care." Juan shouted. "Do you know who you sold her to? Dominic is a cruel monster! She's your daughter for fucks sake!"

  "It's bad for business boss," Hernandez said calmly, trying to pacify Juan. "I'll take him outside to deal with him."

  Finally, Juan let go still heaving. "I'll deal with you later," he hissed and Diego then he picked up his phone. "Get someone to manage the bar," he said to Hernandez. "We have business to attend to."

  As Juan stood in the night's cold, he decided to reply to the text. He would try to get her back by calm means before resorting to violence.

  How much did you get her for Dominic? I'll pay double.

  His phone rang.

  "Four million. Your little slut was so cheap," came Dominic's s voice from the other end of the line.

"Don't call her that," Juan hissed angrily. "I shall pay eight million, I want the girl."

"Things don't work that way," Dominic grinned. "We both know it's not about the money. It's never about the money."

"Give her to me," Juan said.

"No can do," Dominic grinned. "Your little whore will make me a lot of money."

"If you were not ready to negotiate, why did you send me a text?" Juan was frustrated. "To rile me up?"

"Of course?"

"Fuck you!" Juan spat and hung up. He turned to Hernandez. "Arya has been kidnapped."

"What why?" Hernandez was confused. There was no way in hell someone would want to kidnap Arya because they weren't going to be able to get a substantial ransom.

"More like her father sold her to Dominic because he thought I wanted her."

"Thought you wanted her?" Hernandez raised his eyebrows. "You want her don't you."

"I tried negotiating with him but he doesn't want money so that means we have to go low," Juan smirked. "We must kidnap her. Tonight."

"We can kidnap her, but definitely not within one night. We have to plan it really well. Outsmart the guards and all that. It won't be easy with the level of security Dominic has."

"I want her tonight!" Juan said with finality. "She will be harmed and I don't want that."

"I promise you she won't be," Hernandez said. "Hey, why don't you try to bribe one of Dominic's men?"

"Those people are too loyal."

"One of them will surely have a greasy palm."

"We can't count on it," Juan harrumphed.

"We'll try it first, then resort to other means. Leave it to me, boss."

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

"Get up," a man said to Arya. She had not eaten for a day now so her body was so weak.

"Be fucken fast about it," he hissed, dragging her up.

"Let me go—" Arya was immediately silenced by the man stuffing a cloth in her mouth. He flung her over the shoulder and began to run so silently. When he got to an open place, he looked about him and then ran as fast as he could and into a car with a driver waiting.

They drove through a large field till we finally got to the gate where it seemed like they were discussing with security personnel.

"We were asked by the boss to follow the shipment."

The conversation went on for a while before the car began to move again. Finally, the man who had stuffed her mouth removed the gag and looked away.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked, but there no was response from him. She tapped the driver, hoping he would at least respond but she did not get one from him either.

"Are you taking me home?" She asked with a sigh. She did not wish to go back to her stepfather, but at the moment, the thought of going back to him was the most appealing.

There was still no response from them.

It

She was terrified of what they would do to her considering what she had faced previously, but a little part of her was a bit calm since she was not tied up anymore.

Finally, they reached the gates of a huge mansion and it was opened for them in an instant. After parking the car, they led her out; her hands held tightly.

The pathway was decorated with ornamental flowers on either side and as we walked further down, a large mansion that overlooked a pool was revealed. She was in awe of everything, but she could not overlook the nervousness within her.

Why on earth was she brought here?

Suddenly, she remembered her stepfather's words; "How would you like to live in a mansion?"

When the magnificent building came into view, Arya was shocked to see Juan pacing about the porch in a frustrated manner.

What on earth was going on?