“Run!” I screamed at Sophia, stepping into their path. She looked up at me in startled confusion, never having heard me raise my voice to her before. I gave her a little shove. “Get to Daddy’s friends. Now!”
Her wide eyes filled with tears, but she nodded and went running past us. One minute, I was watching Sophia’s little legs moving as fast as they could as she ran to the guards who were running towards us, and the next, I saw nothing but black as something was dropped over my head. Strong arms wrapped around the middle of my body and lifted me off the ground. It felt like I was hefted over somebody’s shoulder and then I was flying through the air, landing hard on my side on a firm, carpeted surface. I heard the roaring of an engine, the squealing of tires, and then I went flying until somebody reached out and pushed me back down. They weren’t the least bit gentle, and I didn’t think for a moment that they’d done it to protect me from harm.
I opened my mouth to scream, but it came out as a startled yelp when I heard a rough voice in my ear. “I told ‘em ta go after the girl. It seemed only fair since DeLuca cost me a daughter, don’ ya think?”
Oh, crap. This was really bad.
“Everyone knows DeLuca is a sucker for his young one, but ya just wouldn’t let me boys get to her, would ya?”
I felt crushing pain in my wrist as my hand was lifted, followed by a sharp tug on the ring on my finger.
“Judging by the size o’ this rock, I’m thinking I still managed to catch meself a mighty fine prize.”
Then I felt the sharp prick of a needle in my arm, and I stopped seeing the black of the hood they’d shoved over my head. I was too busy passing out from whatever they’d shot me up with, the sound of harsh laughter ringing in my ears.