CHAPTER ONE

I blink my eyes open, blearily taking in my surroundings. My arms are bound, and I’m all too aware of what has put me in this position. My mind flickers back to the image of bullets being sprayed through the foyer of the family home. I cringe against the thought of viscera spewing out the back of my father’s head as a bullet caves his face in, turning my mind to the situation at hand. I give an experimental wiggle within my restraints, but they hold tight. It’s just as well, even if I were to free myself, I would have no means of escaping. I’ve been trapped in my father’s office for what feels an eternity now, awaiting my fate at the hands of a rival Don. My name is Jodie Walsh. I’m the sole remaining survivor of the Walsh family, at least, those of us who bear our mafia ties with pride. My father taught me everything I know about being part of such a highly known crime family, but I never expected what it has come to. I feel the familiar track of tears rolling down my cheeks, and I glance in the direction where I know he will be standing. The one figure who has kept me company in this bleak room, the guard who is making sure I remain… obedient. He rarely glances in my direction, I’m not sure what I would do if he spoke to me. There is an emptiness in his eyes that sends a spear of pain through my soul. Even worse is the continuing sound of the rival gang making their way through our once glorious estate. I can hear their laughter as they ransack what remains of our worldly possessions. I slump slightly into the ropes I’m bound within, drawing my eyes away from the guard and breathing a weary sigh.

My stomach growls unhappily, and though I may have been embarrassed by the sound in the past, I simply sigh once more. I glance back to the guard, and his eyes are fixed on the wall opposite him. I imagine one of my father’s men busting through the door, bashing his skull in before setting me free. I know that won’t happen, however. Anyone who held a tie to our family name has been exterminated… friends… allies. I swallow the thick lump that remains lodged in my throat, clearing it experimentally.

“Can I have something to eat…?” I inquire uncertainly, though it is not for the first time I’ve asked. He’s yet to reply to my requests. He remains ever vigilant but ever silent, the sinister air that radiates from him permeating the room. He is my only companion for now, however, and I can only hope they will feed me before my body succumbs to the hunger. As I might have expected, he continues to ignore me. I begin to wriggle slightly in my restraints and he glances towards me rather scathingly. I fall limp once more, eyeing the gun holstered at his hip. I know it’s probably beyond his control, he likely has orders to keep me alive. “Are you at least going to tell me what’s going to happen to me?” I demand, feeling rather bold. He remains silent, the corners of his lips twisting upwards. He has a knowing expression, and revulsion settles in my stomach. I know what happens to most women in my position, and a sense of unease creeps up my spine at the thought. My father would want me to remain strong, if he were still alive. He always taught me to brave, that someday I would have to take a more active place among the family. I know I have a badge of honor to uphold, I am the only one left to hold strong the Walsh family name. As much as I wish the thought would fuel my intensity, my hatred, my passion for survival, it simply draws tears to my eyes once more as the image of my father falling limp echoes in the cavern of my mind. He would want me to stay strong, but he’s gone, and truly it’s all the same. I can’t help the fear that sends my heart pounding as my mind wanders to the explicit acts the rival family will likely have me perform. Even the guard standing guard will likely have his way with me, though I try to bury the thought. He seems to have the same thought, from his posture and the subtle quirk of his lips. More than ever, I wish death upon him. Certainly they couldn’t have killed everyone. Someone had to have escaped, I can only hope… but there is no hope. I watched the entire family die before my eyes. Anyone who may have allied themselves with me would quiver before the power shown by the family that holds me captive. I just wish...

I perk up as I hear someone nearing the door, watching the doorknob turn with trepidation. In my mind’s eye, a handsome young man bursts through the door, firing several rounds into the skull of my captor. He would then sweep me up, take me far away from this place, to live and rebuild the Walsh family. We would exact our revenge together and…

My hopes are dashed as another man I don’t recognize steps through the door, looking me over with a quirk of his lips. If I expected him to speak to me, I’m left sorely disappointed when he draws his gaze away from me and grins toothily at the other guard.

“The boss is ready to see her, now.” He announces grandly. The other guard smiles ominously, and the newcomer marches towards me, reaching out and grabbing me up from the floor. He obviously expects a struggle, but I know it will only make things worse on me. I fall limp in his arms, and he looks at me with a sly smile. He glances to his buddy, rumbling a laugh. “Oh, this is gonna be a good one.” He smiles. I can only wonder in fear what he means by that, though I do have a vague idea. He drags me through the door unceremoniously, and I simply allow myself to be pulled. He moves too quickly for me to properly keep up, and I stumble though I try to fall into step with him. As we walk, my heart sinks as I take in the appearance of my home. Prized possessions are missing, or lie broken on the floor. An urn that held my grandfather’s ashes lay smashed against the wall above the fireplace, and portraits have been ripped from their places on the walls. Glass litters the floors, where windows have been smashed, among other things. Tears sting my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall, inhaling shakily as I’m continuously dragged. We reach the doorway to the family room, and the leather sofas have been ripped. I recognize none of the faces in the room, save the man with a cocky grin, sitting in my father’s favorite chair.

“Well, well, well.” Don Avery smiles toothily. “Looks like the fun is just about to begin.” He says ominously. I’m tossed to the ground, and I can do little but stare helplessly at the man who orchestrated the death of my family. I have no idea what he has in store for me, but anything is better than death. At least… I hope so.