Tessa tried to swing the wok again but he pried it from her hand. For a badly injured man, he was full of strength. She had felt the steadiness of his chest as he pressed her against him.
"You have two choices, lady. You can help me and we can both live. Or we both die."
"You have no right to threaten me."
"Fine. Here." He dug his hand into his pocket.
Tessa was afraid that he would pull out a gun so she stepped back.
"Take it." He pushed it towards her.
"What's that?"
"If you don't want to save me, you can pawn it. But if you save me, I promise I'll give you anything you want when you present me with that wristwatch."
"Anything? Even-"
Tessa's next words were swallowed by the sound of the gunshots to the roof. Something shattered in the main part of the restaurant as the men outside spoke over each other and swore.
"You owe me." She pointed to the trash bin in the corner. "Hide quickly."
The man scrambled towards the trash bin and Tessa screamed so she could mask the sound of the trash bag rustling under his body. Then she ran to the main part of the restaurant so that the men wouldn't come into the kitchen.
The main part of the restaurant had been plunged into darkness. From the crunch under Tessa's shoes, she guessed they had shot the light which was good because then she wouldn't have to explain the blood stain on her clothes.
"Stop shooting bastard." The fatter shorter man said. "Pretty lady, why are you screaming?"
"It's... a crazy man came in here a few minutes ago."
"He did. I told you, Alessio. I did." The taller man nudged the fat one.
"Where is he?" The fat one moved closer.
"As soon as he heard your car, he ran out and towards the alleyway across." Tessa pointed to the other side of the street that was shrouded in trees and some overgrown bushes.
"That's it. We'll end that bastard's life today." The taller man said.
"You've been very helpful, dear Do you think you could help us some more?" The man grabbed her waist and pulled her so close that she could smell the cigarette on his face.
She remembered the words of a stranger. Of how, the Mafia would make her a slave. From the look in the man's eyes, it didn't take her long to realize which type of slave this man would want.
A loud sound came from behind her. The men pointed their guns at the kitchen.