Surrender (Surrender #1)

by J. G. Sumner

  “I want the five million dollars from your father. Then, you’ll be free to go. In fact, I’ll have one of the men drive you directly to the U.S. Embassy. No harm, no foul done. We can both go our separate ways.”

  “Except your walking away with my family’s money.”

  “From what I understand, your family is in no shortage of it.”

  “From what I can tell, you don’t need the money. You seem to be doing all right for yourself with your custom-made suits.”

  Ray smiled. “Yes, I do very well, but who wouldn’t want a little extra cushion? That’s where your family comes in. Don’t worry. I’m sure dear old Dad will pay up soon enough.”

  This man was untrustworthy. Could she honestly believe he was just going to let her go as soon as he received the money? Of course not. She could identify him. There was no way she was going to get out alive unless she escaped. Now she had to put on a show; he had to believe she thought she would be released. Then Katherine could escape when Ray least expected it. “How do I know you’ll keep your word and let me go?”

  “You don’t. However, if I fail to keep up my end of the bargain, I’ll have a whole other set of circumstances to worry about. I’d prefer to keep this clean and easy.”

  “You call this clean and easy? You think kidnapping, assault, and torture is clean and easy?”

  His smug laugh returned. “Now, my dear, this isn’t torture. If you want to experience torture, I can arrange that. I wouldn’t call a few minor bruises assault. Every woman could use a little reminder here and there on just how to behave. Unfortunately, you’re not a quick learner. Perhaps, in the future, you’ll think before you speak.” The green-eyed monster smiled as he lifted her chin with two fingers and looked into her eyes. “I can definitely think of some other things that pretty little face could do for me. Every woman needs to earn her keep.”

  Katherine attempted to pull her head away, but Ray grabbed her face, preventing her from moving.

  “You’ll have eye contact with me until I’m finished looking at you. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir.” She was scared stiff. Literally. There were endless possibilities of what this man could do to her. None of which sounded remotely pleasant.

  “Good. That’s what I like to hear. Now, I’m going to release your face, and I intend to have one of my men bring you a cot to sleep on tonight. If you do anything rash, I’ll tie your ass back in the chair instead. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. Just one question. Why did you open up to me about your grandmother? It almost made you seem human. I thought I saw a flicker of humanity.”

  “Clearly, it was a momentary lapse of judgment. Trust me when I say it won’t happen again. But make no mistake, I don’t give a shit about you or anyone else. The only thing that matters to me is my freedom and your money.” The green-eyed monster started to walk toward the stairs.

  “Pig!” she barked.

  Before she could scramble to protect herself, the monster was only inches from her. His fist slammed into her face, causing her to crash to the floor into an unconscious, motionless heap.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Eight

  The trunk was dark and stuffy, and it was becoming harder to breathe. Tony tried to remain calm and take slow, deep breaths, but every time the car hit a pothole, he bounced against the hard objects inside. Since his hands were bound together, he was unable to move the things from underneath him. His already badly beaten body was becoming more bruised with each bump in the road.

  Shortly after they left the factory, Leo began asking where the documents were and how they were going to retrieve them. Without thinking it through, he told the man everything he needed to know to retrieve the documents alone. Within minutes, Leo had him pull over and get out of the car as another car pulled in behind them. His heart rate surged as adrenaline raced through his veins. Something bad was going to happen, but hopefully, he would make it out alive.

  Three men got out of the other car and proceeded to beat the crap out him. The first blow to the stomach wasn’t too bad. Sure it knocked the wind out of him, but he could handle it. It was the kick to his knees that had him falling to the ground where they continued to kick him repetitively. He guarded his face and head hoping to prevent a death blow. The men screamed in Italian. They were laughing and seemed to be enjoying the brutal assault. Dirt was kicked into his face and mouth. He tried to fight back but each time he used an arm or leg to defend himself, it made that part of his body more vulnerable to the attack. The last thing he remembered was spitting blood at one of the men before he was kicked in the head.

  He had no idea how long he’d been in the trunk. He could be in Switzerland for all he knew. He shouldn’t have underestimated his cousin. He should’ve gone for the gun and shot him right then and there. The false sense of security from being wired, and the desire to find Kate left Tony vulnerable. I’m a fucking idiot.

  The car rolled to a stop. Were they at an intersection, or were they parking? He prayed that if they were parking, he wouldn’t be left in the car to suffocate and die from the heat.

  The car door opened, and footsteps approached the trunk. The best thing he could do was pretend he was still knocked out until he figured out where he was and find an option to escape.

  The trunk opened and sunlight bounced off his skin. The cool air was refreshing, but he focused on his breathing and fought against the urge to take a big gasp of air even though that was what he wanted—needed more than anything in that moment.

  The man shook him like a rag doll, attempting to wake him up. He refused to open his eyes until the ice water was poured onto his face.

  “Huh…what? What’s going on?” he mumbled.

  “Wake up, you parasite.” The man grabbed Tony’s arm and pulled him into a sitting position. “Get out of this trunk before I have someone remove you. Trust me, you don’t want that.”

  Tony struggled to shimmy himself out of the cramped space. It shouldn’t have been too difficult but with his hands and feet bound together, it was a challenge. When Tony finally got to the edge of the trunk, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, landing on his already badly bruised side.

  “Ha! Not such a tough guy, now are you?”

  Tony grimaced. “Fuck you.”

  Another blow landed on his stomach. He gasped for air as he searched for the breath that escaped him. The bones in his chest moved every time he took a breath. Tony was almost certain some of his ribs were broken. The acidic taste of blood took hold of his mouth and his spit only confirmed his suspicions.

  “Come on, tough guy. Get up.” The thug bent over and removed the ties before helping Tony to stand.

  As Tony stood, the blood rushed from his head leaving him dizzy and unsteady on his feet. As the unknown assailant dragged Tony by the arms, he willed his feet to move underneath as he clumsily took each step.

  “Move it.”

  “Maybe I could go faster if you and your goons hadn’t beaten the shit out of me.”

  “If you didn’t wire yourself up and try to get Matteo arrested, you wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

  He slouched and grimaced from the pain of the broken ribs. “If I hadn’t done that, I’d be dead now. Either way, I’m screwed.”

  “Maybe you’re not such a fool after all.”

  They approached the door to the familiar house. It had been forever since he was here last. The blue door opened and instantly he was face to face with the man who could’ve been his brother.

  If the color could’ve washed from his face, he was sure it would. He was sure it was already a nice array of blue and purple. Instead, he swallowed and waited for the assault that was inevitable.

  “The pretty boy isn’t so good-looking anymore, is he?”

  He refused to buy into Matteo’s remarks. It was useless to indulge. It would only cause him more harm in the long run.

  “Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out you were wired? What kind of stupid
fuck do you take me for?”

  Tony stood motionless, just hoping he could find a place to lay down and nurse his wounds. The pain was overwhelming as he struggled to stay alert and not pass out. Fortunately, the goon behind him was holding him up, or Tony would be a jumbled mess on the floor.

  “What do you want, Matteo? I’ve given you everything you’ve asked for.”

  “Ha! I hardly think that’s true. You’ve sent my men on a wild goose chase to obtain the packages you should’ve had in your possession when we met. I’m sure the papers you left at the Waldorf didn’t even touch what your father left for you. Until I get everything I want, you’re going to have to spend a little more time with me. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Good old cousin bonding.”

  Tony coughed and spit more blood onto the floor. “Some—” The blow to his face was jarring, and his jaw felt as though it almost dislocated from the force of the impact.

  “How dare you disrespect our grandmother’s house by spitting on the floor. Show some manners, you bastard.”

  “I’m sure she’s looking down right now, frowning on the fact I spit blood out on her floor. I think her dismay comes from your cowardice.”

  “You have a lot of nerve to call me the coward. You’re the one trying to run away instead of fighting for the woman you love. Did you really think the Guardia was going to come save her? Don’t you know they all work for me?”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “I don’t really give a shit what you believe. All you need to believe is your short time on this Earth has come to an end. You need to beg for any second of life I allow you to have.”

  Matteo nodded and motioned to the guy supporting Tony. An arm slipped around his neck and applied pressure, trapping the air in his lungs. Tony struggled to free himself but to no avail; his body was too weak to fight, and gasping for air was futile. He was powerless. The broken ribs and difficulty breathing left his reserves minimal. Within seconds, his world went black.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Nine

  The kink and tightness in her neck caused a spasm, waking Katherine up. She slowly rolled her neck from side to side, but her restrained hands made it impossible to massage the ball of muscles causing discomfort.

  Her eyes were heavy and the desire to sleep plagued her entire body. God, if only she could get out of this chair and lie down. This was unbearable; her joints ached from being in the same position for long periods of time, her bottom throbbed from the inability to shift her weight, and her muscles were stiff and began to rebel.

  She willed herself to open her eyes, realizing that there was no blindfold. Light peered through the windows, leaving shadows on the floors. Katherine surveyed the room, searching for her captors. No sound of them anywhere. She looked to the stairs and caught her breath at the sight before her.

  “Oh my God! Tony!” Her muscles instantly became alert and were ready to follow her command. All of a sudden, she seemed to possess superhero strength. She fought against the ropes to stand, but they were too tight. She used her feet to pull the chair an inch at a time across the floor toward Tony’s lifeless body, also bound to a chair. His head was dropped to his chest, and there was no movement except for the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing.

  “What happened to you?” The chair couldn’t cross the floor fast enough. He seemed to be a mile away, and she was like a snail trying to cross a road. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be hit by a car occupied by the green-eyed monster.

  She had a renewed sense of energy; she needed to get to Tony. She needed to help him. How? She hadn’t yet figured that out. Katherine’s hands and feet were bound, so in reality, what could she do? It didn’t matter. She’d figure it out once she got to him.

  Her determination grew by the moment. She wanted to holler at him—force him to wake up. But if she did, the green-eyed monster would hear and would come rushing down the stairs. She had to be quiet. Her muscles protested and even rioted with each movement she took. But it didn’t matter—she was in control now. Her mind was stronger than it had ever been. Nothing was going to stop her forward progression. Nothing.

  When she finally reached Tony, she pulled on the ropes, hoping to free at least one arm so she could touch him. Katherine thrusted her body forward and nearly ripped her arm out of the socket with no success. These ropes weren’t budging no matter how much her mind wanted them to.

  She talked softly, calling his name. No response. She tried a little louder, but there was still no movement—no sign of life. She used the only thing she could—her head. She leaned her body forward and placed her head at the nape of his neck. She nudged him gently at first. With each passing moment, without so much as a twitch of his muscles, she grew wearier. She pushed harder until his head swung to the opposite side only to return to center.

  She hit her forehead against his jaw as hard as she could without knocking herself out. His jaw moved in a way it shouldn’t have. It seemed loose against the force of her head. When Tony let out a soft moan, she sighed in relief.

  “Good, Tony. Stay with me. I need you to wake up.”

  Katherine waited, looking for some sign of him arousing. Nothing. No movement, no sound, no nothing.

  “Come on, baby. Fight! I need you to fight!” She headbutted him once more.

  Slowly, he pulled his head back into a neutral position.

  She gasped and closed her eyes in an attempt to block out the sight in front of her. Once she was able to get her bearings, she focused on his face. He didn’t look like the same man she remembered. His face was swollen, nose crooked, and was black and blue everywhere. Dried blood caked both nostrils and the corners of his mouth. The beatings she had endured weren’t half of what he had gone through. She took a deep breath and braced herself for the both of them. “That’s right. Now open your eyes for me.”

  He turned his head to the side and grimaced in pain before slowly opening his swollen and blackened eyes.

  “Good. Now, look at me.”

  Tony’s eyes fluttered closed but slowly reopened. The light had burned out of the emeralds; now they were a cloudy jade with very little life left in them. His eyes closed again.

  “No, no, no! Don’t close your eyes. Stay awake for me.”

  He moaned and attempted to clear his throat before a cough forced its way to the surface. He doubled over as the force from the cough took over his body. Blood sputtered from his mouth landing on his shirt and pants.

  She willed herself not to gag. She’d never seen anyone beaten this badly. The frank red blood exuding from his mouth indicated possible internal bleeding. He would die if he didn’t get help soon. Every instinct in her wanted to clean the wounds and nurse him back to health. Who could do this to another human being?

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the two lovebirds reconnecting. You made pretty quick work at coming to Romeo’s rescue. Too bad it’s not going to do any good.”

  She glared at the green-eyed monster. “What have you done? He’s going to die! You need to help him!”

  “This man does need help, but I can assure you it’s not going to be from me or anyone else.”

  “But he’ll die,” she pleaded.

  “I suppose that’s the point. Isn’t it?” The green-eyed monster smiled as he looked down on Tony.

  “Why would you do this? He gave you what you wanted.”

  “All the more reason. I have no need for him anymore. He’s just a minor bump in the road. Unfortunately, he’s adding extra work for me. I’m going to have to find some place to dispose of his body until I can get out of the country.”

  “Have you no remorse?” Katherine was horrified by the green-eyed monster’s callousness.

  “No. None at all. He was dead to me long before he ever met you. Now he’s just a thorn in my side. Something I need to rid myself of.”

  “You…you’re heartless. How can you be so cruel?”

  “You don’t know the half of it. You don’t know what they’ve done to me. H
e deserves this destiny. His family took my life, and now I’m going to take his.”

  Katherine shook her head in disbelief. “They have a place for people like you!”

  The green-eyed monster raised his foot and kicked her chair backward, slamming her head against the cement. Specks of white appeared behind her eyelids, and darkness threatened to take over. She had to fight it; had to find the resolve to stay awake and figure a way out of this mess. She had to save Tony before it was too late.

  “I don’t believe in places like you’re describing. Even if they did exist, I’d be the godfather in there too.” The green-eyed monster grabbed her hair and pulled her across the floor. Her hands scraped the entire way, taking the skin off as she went. She screamed out in pain, but there was no stopping the evil man. He was determined to torture her, but she willed her mind to a different time and place to ease the pain.

  “How about we leave you lying on your back like this? I’m sure your hands will feel mighty comfortable withstanding the weight of you and the chair. Oh, and good luck getting back to loverboy.”

  The green-eyed monster gave a sadistic laugh before crossing the room and heading back up the stairs.

  The pain was unfathomable, and tears fell from her eyes. Her legs were supported in the air by the legs of the chair. The wooden spindles lodged against her already raw and bloody hands were excruciating. The only relief was the pressure relieved from her bottom and placed on her back and legs. Just when she thought things couldn’t get worse. This gave a whole new meaning to hell.

  Chapter Thirty

  “Bertalucci never made it to Rome; he wasn’t in the car.” Mancetti slammed his cell phone onto the dashboard of the car.

  “What do you mean? We saw him get into the car and his tracker traced him to Rome. How could he just disappear?”