#129 “You will not Kill Me.”
Sophia forced herself to take deep breaths, realizing that no matter what was happening, maintaining her composure was crucial for survival. She began scanning the dimly lit car for any possible means of escape or hints about their destination.
The windows were tinted, obscuring her view of the surroundings, making it challenging for Sophia to discern their route. In her mind, she mentally tracked the turns, contemplating the possibility of retracing her steps if she ever got a chance to escape and return to the safety of the hotel.
Seated in the back, she was flanked by men dressed in black, with a driver and another masked man in the front. The environment surrounding her made Sophia conclude that whoever wanted her was a person with money and power.
The high-end car, complete with advanced features, continued its journey without anyone uttering a word. Sophia found solace in the belief that if her captors intended to harm her, they would have done so already.
The vehicle eventually came to a halt, and abruptly, a blindfold was placed over Sophia’s eyes. Accepting the situation without resistance, she decided not to ask questions, sensing that information would not be freely shared. She had a feeling she’d soon find out why they’d kidnapped her.
Guided out of the car, Sophia noticed her heels sinking into the soft ground. She made a mental note that they had most likely taken her to the desert, but they weren’t far from the city. The drive was no more than twenty minutes.
The men maneuvered her through an unfamiliar path until she felt solid ground beneath her feet. This suggested an enclosed space, possibly a building. After a couple of turns, a door creaked open, and she was led into a room. Placed in a chair, the blindfold was removed, and Sophia blinked to adjust her eyes to the sudden light.
Seated across from her was a tall man in his late forties, impeccably dressed in a suit. He was smiling at her, but Sophia did not return his smile.
Observing her surroundings, the room appeared abandoned, with bare concrete walls, a solitary table, and a chair. The men who had abducted her positioned themselves behind her, maintaining a stoic silence.
Sophia decided that it was their boss across from her, as he was the only one well-dressed and casually standing.
Cutting through the tension, Sophia addressed the man defiantly, “Are you going to explain why you brought me here, or do I have to piece it together on my own?”
The man’s grin grew wider and meaner. However, this does not deter her. She knew that if she showed weakness now he would take advantage of it.
“I gotta hand it to you, Miss Johnson. Most of my hostages are usually bawling their eyes out by now,” he remarked, his words laced with a chilling undertone.
“I don’t like to cry unnecessarily,”
Sophia replied with a sly smile. “Only when I’m scared.”
The man erupted into laughter, shaking his head as if amused by her bravado.
“Honey, now is a good time to be scared, because we have a problem with you. A very serious problem,” he stated ominously.
“Speak straight. What do you want from me?” Sophia demanded, straightening her back defiantly.
“Very good. I want you to stop meddling in Daniel’s matter.”
Sophia blinked several times, fixing her gaze on the man. “To whom?” she asked, genuine confusion etched across her face.
“You seem surprised for someone who helped hire a lawyer for Lisa today.”
“What does this Daniel have to do with this?” Sophia inquired, her tone more assertive. She already had a hunch about the connection, but she wanted to hear it from him.
“Daniel had a brother, Mike. Lisa’s husband. You intervened by postponing help that we do not like. We want you to tell the lawyer not to deal with the case.
“Why would I do that?” Sophia retorted. “If the will is real, as your Daniel claims, then he has nothing to worry about.”
The man leaned back, a sinister smile playing on his lips. “Let me remind you that you are at a disadvantage, Sophia. You are only required to call the lawyer to drop this case. The rest is none of your concern.”
“I don’t think so. You can’t make me do that because I’ve already taken the case to heart. So, if you have nothing else to discuss, I’m willing to leave,” Sophia stated firmly.
The man shook his head in denial, his malevolent smirk reappearing.
“If you refuse to cooperate, I will have to resort to other measures to compensate Daniel and the time I spent on you,” the man threatened.
“You will not kill me. You obviously know who I am, and you know that if I disappear, my death will cause a lot of trouble. I am a public figure, and I doubt you want the police involved in the investigation. My friend Evelyn has likely already notified the right people about the situation.”
“I really hope so, because you’re right, I won’t kill you. However, I am sure that your friend Sandro will do anything to save you. And to make up for your horrible attitude and lack of cooperation, I’m going to ask for a $5 million reward for you,” he declared, the room hanging heavy with the weight of impending threats.
Without waiting for an answer from Sophia, the man coldly ordered her to be taken away. The men, who had been standing by patiently, immediately seized Sophia and forcefully pulled her into what seemed more like a desolate prison cell than a room.
As Sophia struggled against their grip, the man calmly observed the scene unfold. Retrieving a phone from his jacket with a sinister smile, he dialed Sandro’s number, eagerly awaiting a response.
“Sandro, we haven’t heard from each other in a long time. I think I have something you want. But as you well know I don’t want you to involve the police in this.” he said, the satisfaction evident in his tone.
