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Chapter 3

Annika...

I woke up with a pounding headache, struggling to open my eyes. I looked around the dimly lit room, and I realized I was kidnapped and in a basement. Panic set in as I noticed the table and two chairs, one of which I was tied to. It looked like a torture chamber, but before I could even think about anything else the door opened and the same rude man from earlier stepped in, “Look who is finally awake! The boss can’t wait to talk to you,” he said with a grin sending shivers down my spine.

I ignore his stupid grin, “Where is Enzo?” I asked not caring what he will do to me.

The man walked over to me, and before I knew what was happening he struck me in the face, causing my head to snap back, “Did I say you can talk?” he snarled.

My vision blurred from the impact and I heard him walk away. I close my eyes trying to calm myself down. I never thought that I would meet my maker in the hands of someone like this, but I didn’t care right now I was worried about Enzo. I was worried sick about him wondering if they did something to him.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the room and Iheard people approaching. One of them was the man who had just hit me, but the other man was someone I didn’t know. He walked towards me and I couldn’t help but stare. He was wearing a black suit, and my God he was looking handsome. He had grey eyes that seemed to look right through my soul, and he had the aura of power and confidence. He looked at me with a curious expression, and I felt myself melting under his gaze. “Marco, leave us!” he ordered the mean man, and he quickly left the room like a lost puppy.

Ha! Not so strong now are we! I thought as he closed the door.

The good-looking man sat down in front of me and leaned towards me with his eyes still fixed on me. “Tell me who you are,” his voice demanding.

“My name is Annika,” I replied with confidence.

He continued to stare at me with his intense eyes, “Tell me Annika. How did you find Enzo?” he asked.

I took a big breath and explained how I found Enzo in the park behind a bush, “He looked scared when I went to investigate. I asked him where his parents were, and he said he didn’t know, so I took him to eat something and then continued looking for his father. Where is Enzo? Is he alright?” I finished desperately wanting to know about the little boy’s condition.

The man ignored my questions about Enzo and lean back into his chair, watching me carefully as if he were trying to see if I was telling the truth. “My men said you didn’t flinch when they aimed a gun at your head and that you were willing to die for that little boy. Is it true? Were you really willing to die for a child you had just met in the park, Annika?” he asked, saying my name for the first time.

“What do you think?” I shot back. Is this man stupid or something?

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and said, “Answer my question!”

“Yes, I was willing to die for Enzo if that meant keeping him safe!” I replied, glaring at the man in front of me.

He looked at me surprised, like he wasn’t expecting this answer, making me wonder why. “So what you are telling me is that you are willing to die for someone you don’t know? Aren’t you afraid of dying?” he asked, looking at me intently.

“No, no, I am not scared to die protecting an innocent child against anyone!” I spit out, getting irritated by his stupid questions.

He pulled out a gun and placed it against my head. I didn’t show any fear as I continued to glare at him. “Tell me, are you afraid now, Gattina?” He asked with a hint of amusement in his voice as he stared into my eyes.

“My name is Annika, not kitten, and to answer your question, no, I am not afraid!” I said, glaring at him for calling me a kitten and trying to scare me.

I thought he was going to pull the trigger, but instead he lean forward and the next thing I knew he cut the ropes loose, setting me free, then he stands up and looks at me again, “Annika, my name is Raffaele Cattaneo, and I am Enzo’s father,” he said shocked me.

“That means Enzo is alright?” I was shocked.

“Yes, Enzo is alright,” he replied, his voice still as cold as the first time he opened his mouth. “I am going to give you two choices, and I want you to think carefully about what your answer will be. I don’t know why you did what you did today, but what surprises me more is the fact that Enzo talked to you. He doesn't talk to any strangers, and the only people he lets in are his siblings and me most of the time. I have three children, and Enzo is the youngest. I want you to work as a nanny or die. The choice is yours," he said, still in his cold voice, as if he were trying to scare me.

I looked at him with a frown after hearing what he had just said. Did he really just give me an ultimatum? How dare this man think he can do this to me? Who the hell does he think he is? I was about to tell him to go to hell when he held the gun up. It looks like he wasn’t kidding! I tried to read his expression, but he was unreadable. “So I take it you are going to take the offer of being my nanny?” he asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

I took a big breath to calm myself down before I said something that would get me killed. "Sure, why not since you don’t give me another choice?" I replied sarcastically.

“Good,” he said, standing up and walking over to me. ”Follow me.”

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