The National Crimes Intelligence Bureau was a covert government-backed security agency dedicated to exposing transnational criminal networks. I worked for them as an undercover agent with only one goal: solving the mystery behind the missing persons reports the police had shoved under the carpet.
How ironic that I got sucked into the very world I wanted to burn to the ground! I’d gone looking for missing women and ended up missing myself.
That wasn’t good at all.
I rubbed my eyes, recalling his harsh words from last night:“Let’s get something straight. You’re not going anywhere. The sooner you get that into your skull, the better.”
My heart was pounding like a drum as I lay in bed, deep in thought. My whole body ached—scraped knees, wounded feet, bruised skin, and a searing pain surging through my ribs.
The traffickers had roughed me up, kicking and punching in a bid to teach me a lesson. They said I was too stubborn—a pain in their asses—and perhaps beating the crap out of me would keep me in line. It didn’t. If anything, it only made me rebel even more.
However, despite my rebellion against this man and his men, nobody had lifted a finger to hit me. Not one. Last night, I fought so hard, refusing to get into his car, and instead of his guards beating me up, they just struggled to force me into the backseat.
They dodged my punches and kicks but didn’t fight back. I saw the anger in their eyes and the pain etched on their faces whenever I struck them. Yet, these guys didn’t physically hurt me. They found a way to restrain me without being animalistic.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about the way they handled the situation. They could’ve easily beaten the living daylights out of me, but they didn’t. I had a feeling that their behavior toward me was based on their boss’s instructions. That was the only logical explanation, considering how pissed they were by my wildness.
However, that didn’t change anything, and even though I was fed and given a room that exuded luxury and style, I was still a prisoner. Sure, I was in a better place than I was days ago, but I wasn’t free.
I tossed the thick, comfy white sheets to the side and rose from the bed. The polished marble floor was cool beneath my feet, the chills seeping into my wounds. I padded across the room, heading toward the window, and there, I parted the velvet curtains.
All I saw was a vast expanse of land—a breathtaking landscape with a manicured garden. Across the horizon, the sun was rising, its golden glow draping over the compound.
When I looked down, I saw them—armed guards roaming about like robots, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. My brows drew together, jaw locked as I observed them for a moment.
I stepped away from the window and returned my attention to the room. Since I was a prisoner, it was only logical that I was placed under twenty-four-hour surveillance.
The man had spent a million dollars just to buy me. God! I hated the sound of that in my head. But anyone who spent that much money would definitely want to keep an eye on the expensive item they bought.
I planned on getting the hell out of here anytime soon. But to do that, I had to study the mansion first. I would have to know the number of cameras in the whole building, where each one was hidden, and also understand the movements of the guards.
However, all of that would take a while because this place was enormous. And it was a fucking fortress too.
Then it hit me.
Maybe this was exactly what I needed to crack the case. Thinking about it now, I realized my present situation might just be a blessing in disguise. The mission was to find enough evidence to put these guys away for good.
This entire time, I never got close—I was fighting from a distance. But now, I’d gotten closer to the real deal than I everthought. So maybe instead of focusing on escaping, I should channel that energy into completing the mission.
This house was a web of secrets, and I was right inside it. What an opportunity of a lifetime!
To gather the evidence I needed, I’d have to wear another mask—play a different role and make them believe I’d accepted my fate. I needed my captor’s trust—it would take some time and a lot of hard work—but I was determined to get the job done.
To do that, I must first step back, observe, and take mental notes of everything I can. The estate’s layout, the men who’d come and go, the conversations I’d overhear, et cetera—I must study them all.
It was paramount that I made him and everyone else believe that I was nothing more than a frightened little girl trying to adjust to her new reality. Her captivity.
That being said, I had to abandon my aggressive attitude and stop drawing attention to myself. I needed to become someone else to reach my goals; I had to wear another mask.
I scanned the luxurious white space until I spotted the camera hidden in a corner of the room. My lips curled into a faint smirk, and I closed my eyes for a fleeting moment, steadying my heartbeat. And despite the fear knotting in my chest, a stubborn fire still burned.
As long as I was here, I’d make good use of this opportunity. And although he had eyes everywhere, he wouldn’t see me coming. He wouldn’t know what hit him until it was too late.
Chapter 6 – Nik
She’s far too sharp to be the helpless little thing she pretends to be.
Where was all that fire she came with? All that violence and chaos she often left in her wake, where’d it all go?
