Mafia's Wildflower

Okay, so let’s summarize: I got kidnapped. By actual mafia guys. In a black car. At night. Like some cliché crime movie. But here’s the thing... I should be scared, right? Normal people would be terrified. But nope. I’m just... excited. Is this weird? Yeah, probably. But come on, how many people get to experience something this crazy?

The car smelled like leather and expensive cologne, and the engine hummed softly as we sped through the city. My hands were tied, and there was ablindfold over my eyes, but instead of panicking, I sighed dramatically.

“Okay, so what’s the plan here, guys? Are we doing the classic ransom thing, or are you just really bad at picking up girls?”

Silence.

I couldfeelthe confusion radiating from these men. One of them shifted uncomfortably.

“Shut up.”His voice was deep, rough—probably the big muscly type.

“Wow, creative. Really, I was expecting something more intense. Like,‘You’re never seeing daylight again’or‘We own you now.’But ‘shut up’? Weak, dude.”

A different guy growled.“Do you not understand what’s happening right now?”

“Oh, I totally do. You guys kidnapped me. Obviously. But like... why? Is this about money? ’Cause, uh, you’re outta luck there. My bank account is mostly just bad decisions and regret.”

The guy next to me muttered something under his breath. The car slowed down, and before I could make another smart remark, someone grabbed my arm anddraggedme out. My feet hit the pavement hard.

Okaaay, maybe this is getting a little too real now.

The moment they yanked the blindfold off, I blinked against the dim light. The room wasmassive—dark wood, high ceilings, the whole “intimidating mafia aesthetic” thing.

And then, there washim.

Sitting behind a sleek black desk, wearing athree-piece suit that probably cost more than my entire life, wasAdrian Devereaux.

Themafia bosshimself.

His eyes—dark, sharp, and filled with pure danger—scanned me like a predator sizing up its prey. His jaw tightened. I could tell he expected me to cry, beg, or at least look terrified.

Instead, I crossed my arms and sighed. “Alright, let’s get this over with. Do I get a ‘Welcome to the Mafia’ gift basket, or what?”

A long, tense silence.

One of the men shifted uncomfortably. “...Boss?”

Adrian’s fingers curled into a fist, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might break his own teeth. Finally, he exhaled sharply.

“...Who the hell is this?”

The room froze.

Wait. What?

I blinked.Uh. I was hoping you knew?

Adrian’s cold stare locked onto one of his men, who suddenly looked like he really regretted all his life choices.

“Boss, we—we got her just like you said.”

Adrian’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “This is *not* Lorenzo De Luca’s daughter.”

Oh.

Ohhhhhh.

_Well, that explains a lot._

_Perfect. A useless civilian who now knows my face, my men, and my location. The logical choice? Kill her. No loose ends._

_But._

_She’s not scared. That’s... strange. No crying, no screaming. She’s standing there, completely unbothered. What kind of person gets kidnapped by the mafia and acts like they’re ordering coffee?_

I studied her. Annoyance? Yes. Fear? No.

She had no idea how close she was to dying.

Who the hell reacts like this? She’s either insane or... actually, no. She’s just insane.

Meanwhile, I was still processing.

“Sooo... does this mean I’m free to go? ’Cause, y’know, honest mistake and all?”

Adrian’s cold, unreadable eyes locked onto mine.

“...Why should I let you live?” His voice was like ice.

Oh.

_Shit. Okay, Zoe, think. THINK. You love life, right? Keep it that way.*_

“Because killing me would be stupid.”

The room went dead silent.

_Great start. Now make it make sense before you die._

I kept going." if you let me live, well... I don’t actuallyknowanything. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know your last name. I don’t even know what your weird little mafia beef is about. I can forget all of this, and you don’t have to deal with a murder investigation.”

She’s trying to negotiate for her life. Smart. But here’s the problem—she’s wrong. I could kill her right now, dump her body where no one would find it, and move on. No cops, no mess.

And yet....

I studied her again.The confidence. The fire in her eyes.

Most people begged for their lives. This girl wastrying to out-logic a mafia boss.

Annoying. But interesting.

A slow smirk curled on my lips.“You really think you can talk your way out of this?”

“...Is it working?”

Adrian exhaled, then turned to his men.“Kill her.”

The words hit me like a gunshot.

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

Two guys stepped forward, grabbing my arms. Panic clawed up my throat.“Wait! No—”

Then, it happened.

As one of them yanked me back, my sleeve slipped just enough for my shoulder to be exposed. A small, faded mark—barely noticeable—caught Adrian’s eye.

He froze.

A shadow flickered across his face. His eyes narrowed. Not in anger, but in recognition.

For the first time, Adrian looked truly unsettled.

No. That’s impossible.

His voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.“Wait.”

The guards hesitated.

Adrian stepped forward, his gaze locked onto the mark on my skin like it held a secret only he knew.

Silence stretched between us. Then, slowly, he murmured:“Put her in the holding room. I’ll deal with her later.”

I exhaled sharply, my knees threatening to give out.Okay. Not dead yet. Progress.

Two guys grabbed my arms and started pulling me toward the hallway.

“So... does this mean I’m part of the mafia now?”I called over my shoulder.

Adrian shot me a glare so cold it could have frozen hell.

Yeah, okay. Not the time.