Zain and Ray led Grace downstairs to the basement. A chill crept up her arms as they entered, and she shivered.

"You're not going to freeze him to death, right?" Grace asked, rubbing the goosebumps on her arms. 

"No, of course not." Ray glanced at Zain. "We're not used to keeping hostages, let alone keeping them comfortable. I suppose we could turn up the temperature down here, so long as things go well tomorrow."

Should've seen that coming. 

Ray stopped in front of one of the doors with a slit in it to send food trays through. "He's in here. You have five minutes." Ray nudged his head towards the door, and Zain unlocked it for her. "But I'm keeping the door open."

"Why? It's not like Roger would hurt me." She glanced at Zain and headed in.

"Grace?" Roger practically lunged at her for a hug and then pulled away to check her for injuries. "Are you okay?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"I'm a little cold, but otherwise, I'm fine. They feed me, and there's a bathroom." He pointed at the other door in the room with his thumb.

"I'm surprised they'd give you all that."

"We're not monsters," Ray said. "We use people, but we only want to destroy our enemies. Roger isn't on that list." And they didn't want to have to clean up any messes later.

"Cops aren't your enemy?" Grace glanced back at him.

"Only the ones that are after us are our enemies. You'd be surprised how many we're on good terms with. We tolerate each other's existence and even work together sometimes."

I've been a cop for years; how have I never noticed that? She shook off her thoughts and turned back to Roger. "I'm sorry about all of this."

"I'm just glad you're okay." Roger sighed. 

"I don't think you have to worry too much about how they're going to treat me. I'm the boss's granddaughter; if someone gets out of line, I wouldn't be surprised if he deals with them."

"Noted."

She gave him another hug. "I don't know how long it'll take, but I'll get you out of here," Grace whispered.

"Don't do anything reckless, like you tend to. Dammit, I'm going to be worrying even more now since I can't be beside you." 

"Who normally takes care of whom on the field?" Grace crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

"Uh... I can't help it! I'm a worrywart. Am I going to be able to see you regularly? I want to know you're okay after today as well."

"I don't know." If I agree to more of their terms, maybe. "Worry about yourself." She gave him a light shove. "You're the one being held hostage in a basement."

Roger paled. "What about work? I don't think I can vanish for too long without being fired. Kinda sad I'd probably get fired before someone would come looking for me." He pouted.

"That's only because I'm the one that would've gone looking for you, and I'm here, too."

"Shouldn't you have said 'no, that's not true', and consoled me?"

"Since when do I do that?"

"I have to ask..." Ray interrupted them. "You two aren't a couple, are you? I checked beforehand, and I know you're not married, but..."

"No, we're not a couple." Grace sighed. "We're friends; partners, which you know already."

"It's just you two seem closer than that."

"If I said we were, would it make a difference to trying to marry me off?''

Ray cringed and looked at Roger, wondering if he'd work as the next boss. "No, I don't think so. He wouldn't do well as part of the mafia."

"And I will?"

"You're my blood; of course, you'll be fine."

"Ha..."

"I think that's been long enough. As you can see, we didn't hurt him, and so long as both of you continue to behave well, no harm will come to him in the future either." Ray waved her over. "Come along now, Gracy."

Gracy? I'll probably have to let him get away with that. 

"When can I see him again?" She stood tall and firm.

He smirked and nodded. "You already look like a mafia princess. Keep standing tall and confident, but remember, I'm the boss. I give you leeway because you're my granddaughter, whom I've missed dearly, but I expect you to respect me."

Grace swallowed hard. "You didn't answer my question."

"We'll see. Now come, or Zain will have to pull you out of there."

Roger gave her another quick hug. "Stay strong, Grace."

"You, too." She sighed and headed out of his room. At least it's a real bedroom, not a cell. Although, it wouldn't surprise me if they had real cells lower down or something. 

They locked the door behind her and ushered her back upstairs.

"See, we kept him safe," Ray said. "We're not as horrible as you seem to think. People hear the word 'mafia' and automatically think 'bad guys', but that's not always the case. We're a tight-knit family who thrives together. Anyway, I'm tired. Goodnight, Gracy." Ray opened his arms and waited. 

Knowing she didn't have a real choice, she relented and gave him a hug.

He squeezed her tight and sighed. "You have no idea how glad I am to finally have you in my life," he whispered and backed away. 

"Goodnight." Grace went into her bedroom and closed the door. A foot stopped her door. "What are you doing?"

"I'm staying here, like I said before. Nothing has changed from earlier. I don't trust you not to run away." Zain pushed his way in.

"Whatever. I'm tired, and you're not sleeping on the bed with me." She glared at him.

He pointed at the couch. "I wouldn't mind the bed, but that'll be enough for me."

Isn't he kinda tall for that? 

Zain laid down on the lush couch, his feet hanging over the armrest. "Such a busy, tiring day." He sighed and closed his eyes. "Goodnight, mafia princess."

"Goodnight." Grace turned off the light and crawled into bed. She expected to be awake for hours, but the bed was so comfortable that she passed out in a couple of minutes.

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