Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

ROMAN’S POV

Anna’s POV

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My heart was hammering as I ran to the door. Mom’s call had been different this time. Not her usual whining. Not fake panic over some gambling loss. This time she sounded really scared.

I reached for the doorknob and paused.

The door was slightly open, and a cold rush of panic hit me.

I pushed it open.

“Mom?”

My voice came out small.

I stepped inside.

The entryway was dark, only a little light came from somewhere deeper in the house. I squinted, trying to see.

Then I looked down. Broken pieces of glass covered the floor.

“Oh no…” The words slipped out without me even thinking.

My body tensed as I moved forward, stepping carefully around the glass. More shards scattered in the hallway. A lamp had been knocked over, and a picture frame lay face–down.

“Mom?” I called again, louder this time.

I heard something, a muffled sound from the living room.

I ran down the hallway and skidded to a halt in the living room.

My hands flew to my mouth.

“Oh my God.”

My mother sat in a chair in the center of the room, her hands bound behind her back, duct tape over her mouth. Her eyes were wide, tears streaking her cheeks.

Beside her, Bianca was tied and gagged too.

Two men stood behind them. Large. Dressed in black.

Each one held a knife to their throats.

The blades pressed into their skin. Not cutting, yet. But close enough that I could see the faint mark.

“Mom…” The words barely left my lips.

I surged forward.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

A third man stepped out from behind the couch. Bigger than the others. Tattoos covered his neck and disappeared under

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Chapter 15

his collar. A scar ran from his temple to his jaw.

He wore a cruel smile

One more step and my men open their throats.”

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Fear ripped through me, my whole body shaking. I tried to make sense of what was happening, who these men were, and why they were here. This was nothing I could have expected.

“Please… My voice broke. “Please don’t hurt them. What is happening? Who are you? What do you want?”

“My name is Drago. He walked toward me. Slow steps. “And your mother, here. He pointed the knife at her….owes me a great deal of money”

He nodded to one of his men, who yanked the tape off my mother’s mouth. She gasped, sobbing.

“Anna, Oh God, Anna, save us..

“Shut up. Drago’s eyes stayed on me, “Your mother came to my casino. Borrowed money to gamble. Said she’d win it back. She didn’t. She lost. Then came back for more.”

My mother’s sobs grew louder. I stared at her, trying to make sense of his words.

How much?” My voice barely came out,

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

My mind went blank, struggling to grasp the full amount. I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“That is not possible. She cannot.”

“Do I look like the kind of man who lies?”

o make her face flush, her

Drago moved so fast I barely saw it. His hand shot out and gripped my mother’s throat, enough to bound hands straining uselessly behind her.

“Stop. Please, I believe you.”

Drago grinned, then released her. She slumped forward, gasping and coughing.

“I decided to pay your mother a little surprise visit after I got tired of her empty promises. I found out she spent a large chunk of the money shopping. Clothes, toys, all sorts of things. And now she has nothing left to pay me back.”

My eyes went straight to the evidence. The designer handbag on the side table. New. Expensive. The silk scarf around her neck, also new. Her nails freshly manicured. Her shoes.

Oh God.

Oh God.

“How do you borrow such a huge amount of money, gamble some of it, and then use the rest for a shopping spree?” My voice shook with outrage.

“Anna. I can explain,” Mom stammered. “I had a system. I thought I could win it back…”

“A system? Mom, you say that every time, but two hundred and fifty thousand dollars? That is insane. And you…” My voice trembled with disbelief and anger.

“My… Anna.. you need to understand. It was not just me in this…she trailed off, her eyes shifting nervously to Bianca.

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Chapter 15

I turned to Bianca, feeling disgusted. Though it was no surprise he had followed in Mom’s footsteps. The betrayal still

stung

The man behind Bianca yanked the tape off her mouth.

ชมย

“We have knives at our throats, Anna, Bianca’s voice cut through the room. “This is not the time for your dramatic outrage.”

“Are you kidding me? I snapped. “You and Mom brought these dangerous men into our home, and now our lives are at risk. and you have no plan to pay him back?” My words broke as I looked at them, the weight of the threat pressing down.

Drago’s cold voice cut through my fury. “No. Your sister here was very helpful.” He pointed at Bianca. “She told me everything about you. Your new job, your life working for that big GEO.”

He toyed with the knife pressed to my mother’s throat. I stared at her, at the thin red line already forming on her skin. My heart lurched with fear.

“She says you are the one who is going to pay me what your mother owes.”

No. That must be a mistake. I shook my head and turned to Bianca. “You told them I could pay this? How could you…”

“Because I have been covering for this family for years.” Bianca’s face was flushed, her makeup streaked with tears, but her eyes blazed. “While you played writer at your college. I was here. Paying Mom’s bills. Handling her mess. Keeping us afloat. You have never pulled your weight.”

“I was in college. I was doing my part,” I snapped, but it sounded hollow even to me.

You were hiding, she shot back. “And now, the one time we need you to contribute, you are already making excuses.”

Her words stung, not because they were true, but because they were lies.

Bianca never paid for college. Dad’s life insurance paid for hers.

Mom spent the rest.

I am the one who took out student loans. I am the one still paying them.

My mother cried harder. “Anna, baby, please…”

Baby.

The word felt strange coming from her lips. She had not called me that in years.

Not since the knife was at her throat.

“Do not.” My voice shook. “You kicked me out three months ago. You said I was a burden.“

“I made a mistake.” She tried to reach for me with her bound hands. “I am your mother, Anna. I carried you. I raised you. And this is how you repay me? By letting me die?”

“I just started that job. I do not have that kind of money.”

“Then ask for it.” Bianca screamed. “Borrow it. Do something instead of standing there useless like always.”

“My entire salary goes to rent and student loans. Forty thousand dollars in loans.”

“Oh, here we go again,” Bianca scoffed. “Poor Anna. Always the victim. Always whining about a degree you chose.”

I quit. I quit yesterday. I walked out on him and I cannot go back

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I swallowed the truth. I did not trust what Drago would do if he heard it.

Then my mother’s tone changed.

Just like a switch flipping.

The tears stopped,

Her voice softened. Sweet Almost gentle.

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Anna, sweetheart, you are doing so well now. We are proud of you.” She forced a trembling smile. “You have always been so smart, so capable. And now look at you, working for such an important man.”

The shift was dizzying.

From useless to precious in seconds.

All we ask is for you to help your family Just this once. You are the only one who can save us. Do you not see?” Her eyes glistened. “This is your chance to finally be there for us. Do not be like your father.”

“Do not. The word came out before I could stop it. “Do not bring Dad into this.”

“He abandoned us. Left us with nothing,” Mom’s voice rose, wild and desperate. “And you are doing the same thing. Making excuses. When will you stop being selfish?”

I stared at her, disbelief twisting through me at how she could bend the truth to fit her narrative.

“Mom… you are unbelievable.” My voice shook. “Dad did not abandon us. He died. And while he was alive, he did everything he could for this family. I will not let you rewrite that because you are scared.”

Her face twisted. “Your father was a miserable wretch who died poor. Do not make him into a martyr.”

Her words were vile and cruel, and there was not a shred of remorse in her. Not even for Dad, who sacrificed everything for them.

Before I could speak. Drago stepped forward.

“Enough.” His voice boomed through the room. “I did not come here to hear your family drama. I came to collect my money.”

He pointed at me.

“You are going to get me my money. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Cash. Friday. Six PM.”

“I cannot…”

The knife at my mother’s throat pressed deeper. Another thin line of red appeared.

“I do not care how you get it,” Drago said, circling us slowly. “Borrow it. Steal it. Sell a kidney. Not my problem.”

He leaned in close enough that I could smell the cigarette smoke on his breath.

“What is my problem is getting my money back. You show up without it, and your mother dies. Then your sister. Then I come for you. Understand?”

I could not speak.

Could not breathe.

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I just nodded.

He flicked his hand. The men cut the ropes but kept their knives raised.

Branca thrashed as one of Drago’s men hoisted her over his shoulder. “After everything we have done for you,‘ she spat. “All those years we supported you. This is the least you can do

Next Drago hauled my mother over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. She kicked and begged, reaching for me even as he held her down.

“Anna, please. Do not let them take me”

I moved without thinking, but one look at the men stopped me cold. I was no match for any of them. I could not fight them. I could not save her.

“Please. I whispered. “Do not take them…”

But they did not hear me. Or they did not care.

I stood there, useless, watching as they carried both of them out into the hallway,

The door slammed and my phone buzzed.

I reached into my pocket with shaking hands and pulled it out.

Unknown number: Friday. Six PM. 1247 Industrial Drive. Warehouse District. 250k. Cash. Do not be late.

Another message followed, or your mother and sister die screaming. And we make you watch.

The message hit me in the chest, and my legs gave out. I dropped to the floor, a sob breaking loose, pain rushing through me too fast to swallow.

I had no choice. I had to go back to Roman.

I had to beg him to take me back.