My boyfriend was kidnapped during a group-building trip abroad. He then asked me to take two million dollars to redeem him. But as soon as I arrived at the place, I was pushed into the car. Then I was sent to the kidnappers' nest. My boyfriend took the ransom fawningly. Next, he handed it over to his superiors.
I couldn’t believe my boyfriend, who pointed at me and said, “Mr. Thaddeus, I give you the money and also this woman. Can I leave now?”
I then realized that my boyfriend tricked me into exchanging my life for his own life. A group of men surrounded me. I could hear their words that they would take turns giving me gifts. I saw the tattoos on the back of their necks. I suddenly felt very familiar. ‘Wasn't that my design?’ I asked in my heart.
***
“Alexandra Amberlyn, what are you glaring at me for? If you stare at me again, I'll let my big brother gouge your eyes out!”
After Eugene Pritchard yelled at me, he turned his head. He nodded to the man with a scar on his face.
“Mr. Thaddeus, this woman is a bitch. She really deserves to be dealt with. You just need to make more effort to train and temper her.”
I looked at my boyfriend, Eugene incredulously. It was hard to believe that such words would come out of his mouth. Eugene and I have been in a relationship since college. We had also discussed our wedding this year. Everyone around us envies us. They said that we were a model couple who went from school uniform to wedding dress. So a few days ago when I received the kidnapper's message, I did not hesitate to borrow two million in cash. I took the money and boarded the plane out of Denmark. I came here just to try to redeem Eugene. But I didn't expect that when I arrived at the designated location, I was stuffed into the van with this money.
After getting out of the car, I found myself in a room in the hideout. My boyfriend just stood in front of me unharmed. Eugene not only took my money to compliment Thaddeus who stood up next to him.
He even pointed at me and said, “Mr. Thaddeus, this money is for you. I will also give this woman to you. So, can I go?”
At this moment, I finally understood the true colour of my boyfriend. He just took advantage of me just for himself.
I tore my heart and yelled, “Eugene, are you still a man? To get this two million dollars, I borrowed from all the people around me. I also borrowed half a million dollars on the online lending platform and you treat me like this. Are you still considered a man?”
After hearing this, Thaddeus laughed coldly and said to Eugene, “This woman of yours is a bit noisy, Eugene.”
Eugene immediately understood. He then walked to me, gritted his teeth and said, “Shut up! Don't disturb Mr. Thaddeus, Alexandra.”
“Eugene, I just…”
Before I finished my words, Eugene raised his hand and slapped me in the face. This slap of his was extremely heavy. It made my face instantly swelled up and there was a strong taste of blood in my mouth.
Eugene said, “If you come here now, the people in Denmark won't be able to find you at all, Alexandra. You don't have to pay back the money you owe. I'm helping you, do you understand?”
Eugene had a look of doing me a favour. His expression made me want to vomit in disgust.
“You should serve Mr. Thaddeus well here from now until the end, Alexandra. It's also counted as me finding you a good way out, right?”
“Hold on, Eugene. Who said she's going to follow me?”
Thaddeus walked over and cupped my chin. He forced me to look straight at him. He had a lecherous smile at the corner of his mouth. He then looked me up and down with a sneer.
“She looks good and pretty. Her body is such good goods. Of course, you have to take it out and sell it to make it worthwhile.”
The thugs next to him said dissatisfied, “Mr. Thaddeus, we have not tasted fresh for a long time. You should let us taste her first, right?”
Thaddeus waved his hand indifferently. “We are all family members, of course, you guys should taste it first.”
Hearing this, my face turned pale. Then I only saw a group of brawny men surrounding me. My hands and feet were bound by thick ropes. It made me couldn't move at all.
“Don't come over! Please, don't come over!” I shouted helplessly. My tears flowed downward like a flood with a broken gate. “How much money do you guys want? I can give you guys money. For me, as much as you want is absolutely fine. Please, believe me.”
Chapter 2The man closest to me slammed his fist into my stomach. The sharp pain spread throughout my body like an electric shock. Then I was instantly voiceless.
“You bitch! You look down on people like me, right? Do you think we are short of money? Are you sure?”
Seeing that I didn't say anything, he held my head again. At this time, he slammed my jaw with his knee. With a thud, I only felt dizzy and the world in front of me was a little blurry.
I lowered my head again. A stream of blood gushed out down my nose and mouth. It was dripping to the ground. On the other hand, Eugene looked at me being beaten like this. His heart couldn't bear it.
“Mr. Thaddeus, for the sake of her taking two million dollars over, why don't you spare her?”
Thaddeus glanced at him. “Is there a place for you to talk here, Eugene? Come one, get him next door now.”
Eugene instantly widened his eyes and jumped anxiously. “Mr. Thaddeus, didn't you say that when this person arrives and brings this money, you will let me go? Now what does this mean?”
Thaddeus looked at Eugene as if he was a fool. “Who said I would let you go? No one who comes to this place can get away, Eugene.”
Eugene was pushed out with his mouth covered. In a few minutes, he left me and a large group of fierce men in the room. My heart sank to the bottom. I just felt I was ready to die for sure. But when I looked up, I suddenly realized that everyone present had an obvious tattoo on the back of their necks. The pattern of that tattoo was made by my hand. I was a tattoo artist. It made me tattoo countless patterns over the years. But the flying dragon peacock figure on the back of the neck of this group of people impressed me deeply.
Three years ago, I was travelling in Lithuania. While travelling at the scenic spot, I suddenly saw a middle-aged man with a head full of white hair faint on the ground. There were a lot of people around, but no one dared to approach to save him. Because I had learned first aid in college and had a first aid certificate, I rushed forward without hesitation and gave him CPR. At that time, not long after I gave him CPR, there was a gang of big men surrounding me.
I was eager to save someone at that time and then I shouted, “Do not come over! The closer the people gathered the more he did not live! Please give me space.”
Those people were subdued by my words. After a few minutes, the white-haired man opened his eyes. His face flushed red. His men then put him in the car. They also pushed me into that car. I was feeling bad and tried to get out of the car, but there was no way out. The gang didn't go to the hospital either but to a nearby clinic. After doing a checkup, the white-haired man expressed his deep gratitude to me.
“The doctor just told me that if you hadn't given me CPR in time, I would have lost my life. How much money do you want? I can give it to you.”
I looked at them like they weren't to be messed with. I also didn't dare ask for money.
He could see that I was hesitant and asked me, “What do you do here? Do you have a job?”
I just answered that I was a tattoo artist. He then asked me to design a drawing for him.
Before parting, he said to me, “Little girl, I owe you a life. If I have the chance to see you again, I will absolutely pay you back. In the future, all the people under my hand will have your pattern tattooed on them. When you see this pattern, you'll know it's me.”
I didn't think too much at that time. I just thought that this person had brain problems. Then I hurriedly drew a picture and left.
When I thought of this, some hope sprang up in my heart. That white-haired man had so many people under his hand, so maybe he was also a small leader here.
So I hurriedly shouted, “Wait a minute! I know your leader! He has a full head of white hair, but his appearance is young!”
My words managed to make the gang stop in their tracks. One of the men frowned and muttered, “White hair and young? It sounds a bit like Uncle Graziano, right?”
Chapter 3My survival instinct made me forget to think. I hurriedly nodded my head and loudly agreed, “Yes, that’s true. It's Uncle Graziano! You guys can call and ask him. Three years ago, at the city park in Lithuania, did he suddenly faint and then was saved by a passerby? I was that passerby. He said at the time that he owed me his life. So ask him if you guys don't believe me!”
Perhaps it was because my expression was too serious or perhaps it was because Uncle Graziano was quite prestigious in the organization, the men around me didn't come any closer to me. They then looked at each other.
“Mr. Thaddeus, why don't you make a phone call and ask? In case this little bitch really has some relationship with Uncle Graziano, it's not good for us to touch her.”
Thaddeus's eyes moved. He actually lazily pulled out his cell phone. On the other hand, my heart was tense to the extreme. I only stared intently at Thaddeus's mouth as it opened and closed. I wanted to know what he was saying. But he was speaking in the local dialect. It made me couldn't understand a word. Soon the phone hung up and Thaddeus frowned. My heart tightened and I subconsciously felt bad.
“Damn! Ferdinand said that Uncle Graziano had never even been to Lithuania in the past few years. You're lying to us!”
Thaddeus threw his cell phone over. He then directly hit my face. The blood from the corner of my forehead flowed down my face, but I couldn't care less. I was shocked and rushed to take another look at the tattoos on their necks. It was indeed my original. I really remembered every single stroke in it.
“No way! The tattoos on your bodies are really made…”
Before I had time to say more, the group of angry beasts had already surrounded me. They punched and kicked me.
“You are a fucking bitch! Are you playing us for fools, huh? What kind of person is Uncle Graziano that you can recognize?”
“How dare you call yourself Uncle Graziano's saviour? Today I'm going to take your life!”
Their fists fell on me like raindrops. I screamed at first from the pain and then whimpered. I tried to beg for mercy.
“Let me go, please. I really drew your tattoos.”
“You're a piece of shit! You are just a stupid person. Today we will let you know what happens when you lie to us!”
I felt that my internal organs were all shifted by their beating. The bones seemed to be sticking into the flesh. In the end, I didn't even have the strength to speak. I could only let out a few slurred syllables from my throat. I didn't know how long it took for the ordeal to finally end.
I collapsed on the ground. My eyes were swollen into slits. I couldn’t even see the world in front of me too clearly. Meanwhile, Thaddeus gave me a disgusted look.
“Your hands are too light and heavy, guys. Her face is broken. How can you deal cards?”
The little brothers quickly said, “This woman originally looks very ordinary, Mr. Thaddeus. She is not qualified enough to deal cards. You can directly send her to us.”
Thaddeus replied, "Whatever you want. Please, drag her away, so as not to be an eyesore."
I was dragged outside like a corpse by two men. They opened the door. The light outside was blinding my eyes, but the sky was as blue as ever. I couldn't help but think that a few hours or even a day ago, it was the same blue sky. But that time I was free and safe. At this time, I was dying.
After being dragged out of the room, I heard screams coming from the next room. Listening to the voice, it sounded a bit like my boyfriend, Eugene Pritchard. It seems that he didn't escape from this devil's den either. Now my heart was even more desperate as if it was drowning at the bottom of the sea. At this moment, I suddenly saw a group of people walking past. The leader of the bearded man looked very familiar to me. In a flash of lightning, I suddenly remembered that I had also seen him in Lithuania!
Chapter 4He was that white-haired middle-aged man's personal bodyguard at that time. Now, I was even more certain that the man I saved was here. So with the last of my strength, I fought to break free from the confinement of the two people beside me. I dragged my almost crippled legs. I ran to the bearded man and fell to my knees with a thud. Without thinking twice, I hugged the bearded man's thigh. I only looked up at him. The taste of blood in my throat kept surging upwards. But I could only pop out a few words.
“Three years ago in Lithuania, I saved people. I drew a tattoo for Uncle Graziano.”
The bearded man frowned, seemingly thinking about the content of my words. Then, he suddenly smiled. Seeing him smile, my taut heart had a moment of relaxation. ‘Did he recognize me?’ I asked in my heart. But the next moment he kicked me away.
The bearded man roared in dissatisfaction, “Where did this wild dog come from? The blood is all over me. It's in vain that I only changed my clothes today. You two losers! You can't even take care of a woman. What's the use of keeping you!”
As he fumed, the two men who were originally escorting me quickly ran over. “Mr. Ferdinand, I'm sorry. It's all our fault for not being careful!”
While nodding and apologizing to him, one of them kicked me in the stomach. “Hei, bitch. What are you running for? Do you think you can run away?”
After kicking me over, they stomped on my head with their feet again. I endured the sharp pain. I then grabbed their ankles and bit them. When they loosened their feet, I once again hugged the bearded man's pants leg in a death grip. A moment ago, he showed some surprise. I hoped he would recognize me.
“Save me. Please, save me!”
But my pleas were not exchanged for his sympathy. The bearded man pulled out the electric baton he carried with him. He pressed it mercilessly on my back. After a painful electric shock, I was lying on the ground like a dead dog. I really couldn't move.
“You are a motherfucker! Today I met a tough guy.”
I no longer had any strength to struggle. I just could not allow these two men to drag me on the ground and pull me to a farther place.
“Why did it take so long to send a woman?”
“It makes me angry when I talk about this. This woman is crazy. She had to say she was Uncle Graziano's saviour. She also keeps talking about tattoos, as if she was sick in the head.”
“That is to say, she insists that she met Uncle Graziano and Mr. Ferdinand on the road. She rushed over without caring about her life. But it's true, there were so many people in the square at that time, why did she jump on Mr. Ferdinand alone? Did she really know Uncle Graziano?”
Hearing these words in my half-consciousness, my heart once again sparked a hope for survival. I really struggled to open my eyes. A few seconds later I raised my head.
“The tattoos on your bodies, I drew them. Uncle Graziano said that the peacock is your totem. The dragon represents that he belongs to the dragon,” I said in a hoarse voice.
The more I said, the expression of a few bodyguards in front of me was more and more gloomy. A few of them came together in a group and muttered in a low voice, “What she says is right. Could it be that Uncle Graziano really knows her?”
“It's hard to believe, guys.”
“But just now Mr. Ferdinand kicked her away. If it's really like what she said, Mr Ferdinand must know her!”
Just when the three of them were arguing, I didn't know who shouted outside. Someone shouted, “Pack up quickly. Uncle Graziano is coming over soon. Don't let those unkempt ones be seen by Uncle Graziano.”
My heart was beating wildly. It was my last hope. I couldn’t believe my last chance was coming soon. But the three people in front of me looked at each other. They then brought ropes to bind my hands and feet to death.
Chapter 5They also took off a stinky sock from their feet and stuffed it into my mouth. I was so irritated that I wanted to vomit but couldn't. My eyes rolled straight up.
“If this woman is really related to Uncle Graziano, it's all the more reason for us not to let him see her. Right now, she doesn't even like human beings. But when Uncle Graziano gets angry, we'll be the ones to suffer!”
“Yes, that’s right. We didn't capture the person. Why should we take the risk? We definitely can't let Uncle Graziano find out about this!”
After hearing what they said, my hope was instantly extinguished. I just thought maybe Mr. Ferdinand was unwilling to save me for the same reason. And just then, the door was pushed open. I then saw a middle-aged man with a head full of white hair walk in. That head of white hair and a young face were clearly different from the ordinary people. What I thought was true, it was him. That man was I saved in Lithuania.
Even though I knew that he was also a member of this organization, perhaps even the leader, I still couldn't help but burst into tears. My hands and feet were tied together. My mouth also was stuffed with smelly socks. I still struggled. ‘Please, look at me! Quickly look at me!’ I said in my heart.
“Wooooooooo!”
“Hei, shut up. Be quiet!”
The little brother beside me saw me struggling. He grabbed my hair and slammed it against the wall next to me a few times. There were a few muffled thuds and soon there were more clumps of blood on the already dirty gray wall. My eyes went black at this time. I was dizzy. It was true now that I didn't even have the strength to struggle. I was thrown to the ground like a dead fish. It was so hard to even catch my breath.
Uncle Graziano's gaze skimmed lightly over my face. He frowned slightly.
“Why did you make her so ugly? Didn't I tell you all, people can't sell if they're half dead,” Uncle Graziano said with a tone of disgust.
“Yes, Uncle Graziano. You are right.”
The bodyguards nodded their heads. Mr. Ferdinand beside Uncle Graziano spat on the ground and clenched his fists.
“Now you're taking Uncle Graziano's words improperly, aren't you?”
When he spoke, the bodyguards panicked even more.
“No, it’s not true, Mr. Ferdinand. We will clean up now!”
“Uncle Graziano and Mr. Ferdinand, you guys don't know, this woman has mental problems. So we must deal with it. She has to be fixed properly.”
One of the bodyguards tugged on my feet. He then dragged me inside. Uncle Graziano took a brief look and raised his steps to leave. I knew deep down that if he walked out of this room, then there was really no more possibility for me to survive. So I fought and kicked the man who was dragging me with all my strength. He then let go of me in pain. Just when everyone thought I was going to run away, I turned my head and slammed it against the white wall next to me a couple of times. The three thuds managed to make Uncle Graziano, who had already turned around. He turned his head back. He gave me a rather curious look, seeming to genuinely think that I was sick in the head. I met his gaze and lowered my head. I then exposed the skin on the back of my neck.
Too bad for a few seconds it turned out Uncle Graziano hadn't reacted much yet. Then a bodyguard came to me. But I kicked him with gritted teeth. He then copied the iron rod next to him and gritted his teeth.
“Bitch, how dare you kick me? Go to hell!”
The iron rod was about to fall on my head. At that moment, Uncle Graziano suddenly said loudly, “Stop! Hold on.”
The iron was suspended and hung in mid-air. All eyes were focused on Uncle Graziano. He came towards me in big strides. He then squatted down and cupped my chin to look at my face. Unfortunately, my face had already swollen like a pig's head. My eyes were almost a slit. He frowned somewhat in disgust. I quickly lowered my head to show him the tattoo on the back of my neck.
Uncle Graziano then revealed a look of surprise and exclaimed, “Oh my God, it's you!”