Bound by love

Chapter 3

Maya

Several hours have passed since those men put us into this room. Xander is asleep on the bed. I am pacing back and forth trying to figure a way out of here. But to tell the truth, I don't think we can get out of here. This place is like a fortress and it is heavily guarded. I thought of screaming and banging on the door but what if I piss them off and they try to hurt us? No, no, no, I won't take that chance. I don't understand. Nothing makes sense to me. I don't know who those men work for or what they want with me and my son.

I am a humble and simple girl and I am sure I have not crossed anyone for them to want to kidnap me. I opened the window and looked around for a way to get down but it was impossible. It was too high and we would not go unnoticed. It is too risky. The only option I have is to stay here until someone comes for me. Who will come for me? The last time I checked, the only person I could rely on was MIA. And there is no one else I can think of who cares. I don't even know if the were any eyewitnesses who would have seen us being kidnapped and reported it to the police.

I started biting my nails. Nervousness, worry, and fear were eating away at me. Forget about me, my poor son is who I am worried about the most. I don't want anything happening to him. With that thought, I won't to him and I embrace him.

I don't know why this person is creating so much suspense. I am so scared because I don't know what I am going to encounter. Tears brimmed in my eyes as the fear seeped in and I held Xander tighter inhaling his scent for comfort. I can't believe that my son and I are in this situation. I never imagined myself ever being kidnapped. This is such a nightmare and I can't even think of what is going to happen next.

I did not realize it but I ended up drifting off to sleep. Lord help me.

...............................................................................

Alexander

I mastered the courage to finally go see my family. It might not be official and I might be on good terms with Maya as of yet but I still consider us a family. I don't even know how she is going to react when she sees me but I know it's not going to be good. She'll probably throw a shoe at me. My nerves were unsettled and I felt like chickening out of this and returning her home. I can't believe this, it sounds ridiculous. Me, the bad wolf, is scared shitless to face his love. If the guys saw me like this they would have a nice crack at my expense.

" Come on Alex! You can do this. It's Maya. Your sweet Maya. What is the worst thing she can do?" The worst she can do is reject me. Even the sweetest person has their breaking point and I know that I hurt Maya. Especially by not saying goodbye to her properly. I knew if I went to see her that day, I would not have been able to leave her. I could not watch her go through that pain. One thing is for sure, Maya loved me more than I could ever love her. I say loved because I am not sure if she still feels the same way about it. Regardless of everything, I can't just keep her in there, I have to go see her.

I was about to go out but the door opened and I saw a little figure running towards me. All my worry went out the window at the sight of her. My sunshine, Mirabella.

" Daddy! Daddy! I am back!" she yelled out with her pigtails bouncing all over the place. I chuckled and I went on my knee so I could catch her. She wrapped her arms around me and I twirled her around the room causing her to giggle. " Sweetheart, I missed you," I said giving her kisses on her face. I looked at her radiant face and I felt lighter inside. She is the only person who kept my sanity intact or the streets of New York would have been stained with blood.

I sat on the chair with her on my lap. " How is my little girl?"

" I am fine Daddy and I missed you too," she said with a smile. That's all I wanted to see. I never wanted her to suffer or feel her mother's absence. After all, children are innocent and are not responsible for their parent's actions.

She started telling me about her day in school and I attentively listened to her and commented here and there. I could not be a father to my son, the least I could do was be a good father to her, who doesn't have a father. I never regretted the choice I made. Samuel wanted to take her away but I refused to give her to him. He would have corrupted and abused her the same way he did to Vanessa. She doesn't deserve that.

" Alright then my dear, go to Nana Rose and tell her to make you whatever you want. Daddy will see you later. He has something to do now," I said kissing her on the forehead before placing her feet and she ran off. I sighed and ran my hand on my face. I wonder if Xander will accept me. It worries me so much. I don't want my son to resent me for being absent in his life.

I need more of that whisky now. I poured a little of it and drank it. Okay, now I am ready. It is now or never. No going back. I went out of my office and bumped into Antonio.

" I'm glad you are here. Tell me, have you checked on them?" I asked him.

" Yes. I checked on them through the cameras. I was about to tell Rosa to take food for them. Do you want to take it to them?" I thought about it for a second but I turned him down.

" No... no just let Rosa take food to them. I am worried that if I take it, Maya will throw a fit and end up not eating. I guess I'll go after that." I went back inside my office.

" Okay. I will be back. I'm going to inform Rosa. We have to discuss something."

I decided to immerse myself in paperwork for the next arms deal shipment for the Italian mafia. Mistakes can't be made in this business or it will cause trivial wars just on mere misunderstandings. I can't trust anyone more than my commanders because they are capable of doing the job right. Antonio and Raphael have been my friends forever and I trust them with my life. They are more like brothers. And Luca is a reliable friend to whom I owe my life.

He saved me that day or I would be maggot food. I appreciate him. After finalizing the procession of the shipment, I sat back and relaxed. Antonio came back and took a sit.

" So what's the plan?" I looked at him in confusion. " What do you mean? What plan?"

He sighed. " You know that bringing them here won't end the matter. And this place is also vulnerable to our enemies, especially Aguilar due to his daughter."

" What do you suggest I do then? They were more in danger out there than they are in here. At least here they will be close and I'll triple security." He looked at me.

" Would you just spit it out!"

" I think you should be honest with her and tell her what she is in for,

" Yes. You are very right. I should have been honest with her back then no matter what the consequence. Maybe this would have all been prevented," I chuckled.

" I don't think so, man. Yeah, I mean you would have told her the truth but it would not change a thing. You would have still had to marry Vanessa." Yeah, there goes the downside. I would still be in this predicament.

" We will think of a plan later. Tell me, where are Raphael and Luca? I haven't seen them," I said curiously.

" Raphael is after my sister who is on a mission and Luca, I don't know about him. He disappeared somewhere."

" Rapha? What has he got to do with Melissa?" I asked.

" Oh, you don't know a thing. That big jerk is like a lovesick puppy behind my sister. It is so disgusting I can't stand it," he shivered and I laughed at him. " You won't think it is disgusting when you are in love."

" Nah, man. Love ain't for me, you know that" he shook his head and I smiled. If only he knew. That is what we all think until that one person comes along and changes everything for us. " Alright if you say so," I said to him with a knowing smirk. When he finds love he won't know what hit him. I never knew when it did because I did not know what love was. My mother died when I was young and my father never married again. The love I knew was the love he expressed to me. I never once thought I would put anyone before myself and even lay my life for it.

" Do you think love can make you lose yourself... I mean change or something?" He had an inquisitive look in his eyes. I was taken aback by his sudden interest in love since he proudly declared not so long ago that love was not for him.

" Is that what you are afraid of?" I smirked examining his expression. I guess I caught on to his fear and it is not love in particular but what love does to a person.

" No, I am not afraid of anything I was just asking and you know what never mind and forget I ever asked," he rushed out and tried to run away but I caught his arm.

" Wait a minute there is no need to be shy now." I pulled him back to his chair. I stared at him but he averted my gaze finding everything else interesting than my face. I chuckled at his expense

" Look Tonio. Love is something else and certainly not what you think. It won't strip you of your masculinity as horrifying as it sounds. I don't know much about it so don't expect a sermon but I can one thing for sure. You can't feel love for everyone but that one person who will make you question everything you have believed in. Who will make you want to discover and wonder whether you are good enough for them." Well, I don't know if what I'm saying is right but I'm trying my best to make him understand.

" And the change you spoke of is insecurities one experiences when they are skeptical of themselves," I added, and to my astonishment, he was actually listening to me. " That's when you try to change yourself for better or for worse for the one you love. And it is a choice of course. So the point is love does not change you, Toni, you change for love," I explained pointing towards him.

" I hear you and all but I guess I'll never find out. And without a doubt, I will never change for anyone," he chuckles.

" You don't know that but don't hesitate to come to me for a love 101 when you have surrendered yourself to Cupid."