Chapter 36: Chapter 36

ESTRELA

I'm crouching on the floor in a room of an old and, I suspect, slowly deserted motel. I'm shaking all over. Feel like a prisoner hoping to get out of here. Oh God! I see Kian's face in front of me the whole time. I've never seen him so desperate. And I've never seen such cold fear in his eyes. But the worst part was watching them knock Kian unconscious in front of me. After that they dragged me out of the room, put me in a car, put a blindfold on me and didn't take it off until I was in this room.

The guy that Kian and I met in the hotel lobby on our date is guarding me like a watchdog. Always willing to do something when I get silly ideas. I hear other voices outside the door. They talk in Spanish. I did take Spanish in high school, but a lot of it didn't stick with me. So I can't understand exactly what they're talking about out there. About Kian? About me or how best to... kill me? Oh God! I've never felt so scared in my life.

Domenico Costello – Kian's biological father. I can not believe it. But instead of the son and father being delighted to finally meet each other, neither of them was particularly thrilled. No, instead I really felt the hate Kian has for him. Domenico has delighted in his suffering and now demands that he kill Gabriel. But why?

The doorknob is turned and I watch in panic as the door opens. I want to hide, but the room has nothing more than a bed and a small bathroom. Domenico Costello appears. I'm still amazed at how much Kian resembles him. There is little doubt that he is not his father. His eyes meet mine and he smiles at me like he's enjoying the sight of me. I feel nauseous and my hands are shaking so badly that I make a fist. I have no idea what he intends to do with me or his men... I want to get out of here now. I want to see Kian, who tells me that everything will be fine. But I can not do anything. I'm helplessly at the mercy of the man whose son I love dearly and I haven't even been able to tell him... even if I never get the chance? What if I never see him again? Or never be able to look into my father's or my mother's eyes again?

"Shh..." he says and kneels in front of me because my breathing has accelerated and I feel like I'm about to collapse.

"G-get away from me!" I pant, surprising myself that I can even get anything out.

"You don't need to be afraid of me, Estrela." He wants to reach out to me, but I flinch violently, which makes him lower his hand again and he now looks at me intently.

"H-how do you know my... N-name?"

"I know everything about you, belezza. Who your father is, your mother, even your ex-boyfriend's name." Gasping for air, I look at him with wide eyes. How does he know that? Domenico looks at me so intensely that I have to look away. I can't look this man in the eye. He has exactly the same ice gray eyes as Kian. Only his are really cold. Nothing indicates feelings.

"S-they want to...t-kill me," I stutter softly, a tear rolling down my cheek.

"We're not talking about wanting here, Belezza", he says seriously. "It's Kian's decision. If he kills Gabriel, I won't hurt you... Do you think he won't?" he asks me now, very sensitive to my answer. But what should I say to that? I have no idea what Kian is going to do. "Kian loves you, doesn't he? He looked very dejected when he saw that we had you," he grins and I feel nauseous.

"Let me go!" I say in a choked voice. "I'm not as w-important to Kian as you think," I lie. Domenico looks at me intently as if he doesn't believe me.

"So that's what you think? Kian made you a confession of love in front of over a million people."

"That was definitely just for show," I continue to try to convince him.

"A show?" he laughs. He clears his throat and Domenico looks behind him, slightly annoyed, at the guy who's been guarding me the whole time. His appearance scares me. He's so tall and muscular. In addition, a large, unmistakable scar runs through his face, which makes him look scary.

"¿Qué pasa, Tiago? What's the matter?" Domenico growls at him.

"Lo siento, Boss. But she's on the phone." Domenico gets up abruptly and as soon as I know it, he leaves the room. I frown at Tiago, whose name I just found out. He doesn't say a word, just stares at me. Uncomfortable under his gaze, I stare out the window. I see nothing but the Nevada desert. I have no idea where I am at. "No one will find you out here," says this Tiago with a heavy Spanish accent. I look at him, startled.

"Why does he want Kian to do that?" I ask. But I can't say exactly what Domenico demands for my life.

"Because Callahan is an enemy. The boss doesn't want to take any chances. Having Kian kill him is just a small request on his part, and it saves us work too. If Kian does things right, Gabriel will never know he's killing him want," he explains. I drop my head in despair and ponder his words. What if Gabriel finds out that if he does, Kian wants to kill him. I already know Gabriel well enough to know how many facets he has. What if Gabriel doesn't shy away from killing Kian either? I sobbed. This thought is so terrifying and the fear for Kian increases. Suddenly I don't care what happens to me. I have to go to Kian. I just have to go to him and I really need some fresh air. I get up and go to the window wants to rip it open, but it won't open. Tiago's laugh echoes through the small room to me. "Forget it, Chica!" I look at him in desperation.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I say. Tiago smiles and points to the bathroom. I walk past him into the bathroom and lock it from the inside.

"Hurry up!", his voice sounds from outside. I quickly take a look around the bathroom. Crap! No window. Nothing! Not even anything like an air vent. Then I look for something else, something I could use as a weapon in an emergency. But all the drawers under the sink are empty. The shower doesn't offer anything either. I run my hand through my hair in panic. I'm thinking about what to do. But I'm just a scared woman and there's a man out there with a gun in his hand and he wouldn't hesitate to kill me. "Hey! Get out there now!" Tiago whispers in a sharp voice, because I've probably been here far too long. I look at the door. What shall I do? "I'll give you 10 more seconds, else I'll break down the door, Chica. And don't think, there will be no consequences!" His serious and menacing voice sends a chill down my spine. But I remain silent. "Okay. Up to you! Mujer obstinada Stubborn woman. "I press myself against the wall behind me in panic and stare at the door. A loud creaking and then a loud crash suddenly leaves Tiago standing in front of me in the tiny bathroom. "You wanted it that way," he growls angrily and grabs me on my wrist. Angrily he drags me out of the room and the next moment throws me on the bed so that I land on my back on it and it creaks loudly from my fall. Tears of panic and fear are now rolling down my cheeks. Tiago leans over me and looks me icy in the eyes. there will be no consequences!" His serious and menacing voice sends a chill down my spine. But I remain silent. "G-get off...me," I sobbed, wanting to push him into my chest. But he's faster and he's pressing my hands into the mattress above me.

"You didn't want to hear!"

***

KIAN

"I don't care what it costs. I want my daughter back, Kian!" Harrison's angry voice comes through the phone. It's been two goddamn days and I can hardly move because of this fucking injury. Still, I wanted to get out of the hospital earlier than I should have. Because there's even less I can do to get her back. For two fucking days I've been thinking about what to do.

"I'll get her! But you mustn't speak to Gabriel. He mustn't know that he has Estrela!" I won't tell him the truth that Domenico is threatening me that if I don't kill Gabriel he will kill Estrela. Harrison is her father and he's not thinking straight right now and that puts her in more danger than he seems to realize. Only it is very difficult to teach him to keep his feet still.

"Why? Gabriel is the only one who can do the most right now. He's got guns. He's got plenty of men who can bring them back!"

"No! Domenico is my shitty father and a drug lord at that. You have no idea how dangerous he is. If we get Gabriel on board, she'll be in even greater danger!" Even though I'm just as scared for her and it's driving me crazy not knowing where she is and what they're doing to her, I have to be the one keeping a cool head now.

"God, damn Kian! You don't know what that's asking of me. She's my daughter and now this Domenico has her! Why Kian? Why does he have her? What does he want to do with it? Does he want you to join him? Say it me!"

"Yes, he wants something from me and I will do it to save Estrela. But that only works if you don't do anything rash or run to fucking Gabriel."

"Bring my daughter back, Kian. I don't care how or who you have to kill for it. Just bring her back!" He has no idea that I would give my life just to bring her back and keep her safe.

"It's my turn. I'll get her back for us!", are my last words before I hang up and slam the phone on the table in front of me. My gaze falls on the newspaper next to it.

PROFESSIONAL BOXING FIGHT WINNER KIAN WARREN CONFESSES LOVE TO HIS GIRLFRIEND BEFORE THE FIGHT.

Shapes the headline on the front page of the weekly newspaper. Below that was a picture of Estrela and me kissing her after the fight. I will save her no matter what the cost!

GABRIEL

"Where's that damn motherfucker gone?" I yell at my men. All looking at me with tails between their legs and a guilty expression on their faces. I tear my hair out at the empty cell in front of me where the moron Matthew McKenzie was supposed to be sitting. How can he have run away? It is impossible. No one has ever managed to get out of here!

"Boss. Someone was here and took him away."

"Who?" I growl. "And why wasn't anyone here?" I'm so close to losing control. Nothing worse than someone walking in here and inexplicably taking one of my prisoners.

"We don't know, boss." Jaw twitching, I look at Viktor, who is actually my best man. "You're kidding me?" I exhale violently.

"We have a suspicion that it was one of Costello's men," explains Viktor after my outburst of anger, which is far from reaching its peak. Crap!

"What about the surveillance cameras?" I ask.

"They were hacked and the recordings where it happened were deleted." Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

***

"Gabriel!" Harrison storms into my office and towards me. He leans against my desk, breathing heavily in and out like he's just run a marathon.

"What the hell are you doing here now?" I down the rest of my scotch down my throat and look at him with raised eyebrows. I really don't need any more problems today. My men have been trying to track down Domenico and where this Matthew might be.

"Estrela. He's got her. He's got my daughter!" he bursts out frantically.

"Him?" I growl, getting up. I have the feeling that everything is about to fly in my face.

"This Domenico Costello. He has them." I squint at him, then pull out my revolvers and quickly point them at him. Harrison raises his hands. "Hey, hey! I'm unarmed, Gabriel. I don't want to hurt you!" When he realizes why I hold her against him, he quickly explains himself: "Costello is Kian's father. He demands something from him and took her with him as a kind of incentive." That's impossible! Ironically, Domenico Costello, an enemy of my family and has been for generations, is Kian's father. I almost laughed out loud.

"What the hell is he asking of him?" My voice is low and icy. I have thousands of guesses what Domenico wants. My death is certain.

"He doesn't want to tell me, Gabriel! That's why I'm here. Kian can't take matters into his own hands. Damn! You have to do something. He has my daughter and I have no idea what this Costello is doing to her."

"That's why he has the Mattwurst," I say to myself. Now the whole thing is slowly making sense. I have no idea what he wants with him though. Maybe it's a means to drive Kian crazy by having her abusive ex with her so Kian actually does what he wants him to do. And I know that Kian is already so in love with Estrela that he would do anything to save her.

"What sausage?" he asks confused.

"Matthew McKenzie." Harrison's eyes widen.

"No! Damn shit!" He runs a hand through his hair in desperation, then looks at me determinedly. "You have to do something, Gabe! Please! Please, save her!"

"Do you have any idea how dangerous Costello is? He got Matthew. He was locked in here and he still managed to get him out unnoticed. I'd be a dead man, Harrison!"

"You promised me you would protect her with all your might," he growls now.

"I did and I will. But this is something big. It's not just about your daughter. There's a lot more at stake here. I'm sure he wants me dead! And he's doing everything for it. I think , so Costello threatens Kian. He wants him to kill me in exchange for Estrela's life. Otherwise I can't explain why he has Estrela." That's the only logical explanation. "Kian wants to kill me. That's why he didn't tell you what he wanted." Harrison's facial expression changes from helplessness to pure horror.

"What makes you so sure?" he asks, but I don't answer his question.

"Tell me, would you kill me right now if you could - for your daughter's life?" I ask him coldly. His eyes widen.

"You... I've known you since you were born..." he stutters.

"But I'm not your biological son. Not your flesh and blood. When it came down to it, you'd only save your flesh and blood. Whatever the cost, wouldn't it, Harrison?" He knows I'm right. But he would never say it out loud.

"If I gave you a gun right now, would you pull the trigger to save your daughter's life. Hey?" He's already dead pale. "Take him away!" I growl to my men. "I have to be able to trust my people, Harrison."

"You promised to protect her!" I clench my jaw as I watch him being dragged out by force by my men. I have to take these measures now, otherwise what I intend to do won't work. And a father who desperately wants his daughter back just gets in the way.

"If Kian Warren plans to come into the club, don't let him in. Only if I say so and then you'll control him from top to bottom," I growl dangerously.

"Your command, boss!" Viktor nods to me and leaves me alone again in my study. I slam the empty glass against the wall with full force. It shatters into thousands of pieces.

"Fuck!" Viktor storms back in, apparently because of the glass I threw against the wall.

"Boss, are you alright?" I'll give him a look that speaks volumes.

"The poop's overflowing, Viktor. Costello wants me dead." I'm looking at a specific tattoo on my arm. "I will contact Julien Torres."

"Boss, with all due respect, are you sure you're dragging the cop in there?" Viktor looks at me seriously.

"I can trust Torres and if I remember correctly he has a soft spot for me. He would do it." I grin as I think back to Julien's many attempts to flirt with me. Yes, I admit it, I take advantage of his little crush on me a lot. "If we want to defeat Domenico and still want to save the little one, we need his help."

"You're the boss," replies Viktor. I nod. Of course I am.

"And bring my sister from Nevada. Today! We have a big fight ahead of us!"

***

ESTRELA

"Now you can't lock yourself up anywhere anymore, Belezza!" Tiago says and shakes the handcuffs he has attached to the bed. My heartbeat has calmed down a bit. When Tiago was over me I thought he was trying to rape me. But now he's standing again and looking at me tied up on the bed. He straightens his clothes and step away.

"Are they really necessary?" I ask him.

"Sí, they are." He grins at me while I feel like crying again. The door is thrown open, not a second later, Domenico is back in the room. He looks at me in surprise at my situation.

"Oh!" he says and looks at Tiago. "Was she naughty?" A smile graces his lips. I guess he really enjoys seeing other people helpless.

"Sí, she wanted to lock herself in the bathroom," he replies. Of course he has to tell him about it.

"Well, Belezza..." Grinning, he looks me up and down. "Well, but that's another way to face your surprise. Who knows, maybe he'll like it too." And if I thought it couldn't get any worse, I was fundamentally wrong. I thought I'd never have to see his face again. I finally thought I could break up with him. But no, now he's standing in front of me again. matthew

"No..." I breathe. Tears flow silently down my cheeks. "That can not be!" Matt is with Gabriel, locked in a cell. So how can this be possible?

"What are you talking about, Belezza? Of course your ex-boyfriend is here. I thought I'd make your stay a little more fun. I'm sure you have a lot to talk about." I can barely meet his eyes, Matt's gaze is piercing me so much. He is angry. furious. And on me. After all, I'm to blame for his kidnapping.

"Hello, Estrela," Matt blurts out in anger. "You almost destroyed my life if they hadn't freed me. Your friend almost beat me to death and the other one put a gun to my head and locked me in a cell for days!"

"Please take off the shackles!" My voice is shaking. I'm afraid Matthew will hurt me because I'm tied to a bed after all and I can't resist. I look in panic from Domenico to Tiago. But they only smile about the scenario.

"No, not yet, Estrela. First we need a photo of the couple. After all, we want to show Kian that you're fine and even have visitors," laughs Costello while Tiago pulls out a camera. Matthew looks helplessly between us.

"Hey? I thought I might get revenge on her?" Matt says angrily. Domenico looks at him annoyed.

"You Chico, you don't control anything here! And now stand by the camera so that you can see your front." Oh no! If Kian sees this picture, he will freak out.

"Don't do that!"

"Now everybody do Cheese! - as you Americans say!" laughs Costello. But I don't feel like grinning at all. I just want to start crying. After the photo is taken, Tiago disappears from the room. "Now for the next fun part!" Costello announces and he comes over to me and uncuffs me. Matt, looking more than confused, looks at me.

"Matthew, why don't you talk a little bit about raping a drugged girl," he says suddenly, completely nonchalant, like he's talking about the weather. Matt's expression changes instantly. He pales and he stares at Costello, petrified. While I can't believe what I just heard. Oh God!

"Wh-y?...w-where from? I...no!" Matt stutters.

"How do we know that? We know everything." Matt looks at me, I see remorse and regret in his eyes. I look back at him in shock, but I can't get anything out of my mouth. Then he suddenly runs to the door and rips it open. Domenico starts laughing out loud. Not a second later, Matt is being led backwards into the room again by Tiago, who is now holding his gun against Matt's chest. Domenico has now also pointed a gun at Matt.

"What do you want from me?" Matt yells, then looks back at me. "I swear I was on drugs too. I didn't know what I was doing," he admits.

"Estrela, you can put an end to the whole thing now," Domenico suddenly said to me and as soon as I knew it, he put his gun in my hand and guided it with his on mine until it was aimed at Matt. "Do you pull the trigger or do you still want to be responsible for him doing this to someone else again?" He lets go of my hand. I aim out of shock, continue on mate. I'm angry about what he did and I don't know why I don't put down my gun.

"Ela, don't do that! You know me. I wasn't myself. I regret what I did. Really!" Matt says to me.

"Don't they all say that before they do it again," says Costello, looking at me expectantly. I stare into his eyes. My hand is shaking so much holding the gun. Until I make up my mind and point the gun at Costello himself instead of at Matt.