by Beth Maria
“Nico wants me to get rid of you. A little message to your boss that he fucked up. He really should know not to mess with Nico, don’t you think?” Joe doesn’t answer. No, I correct, he can’t answer. He’s gagged. “I’m pretty sure you’re boss won’t miss you though. You’re just a pawn in his game, and unfortunately for you, he lost.”
Phoenix turns toward what appears to be a table next to him. He picks something up before turning back around. He turns whatever is in his hand around and around, over and over again.
That’s when I see that silver glint, the one I remember all too well.
History really is repeating itself, and I’m choosing to stand by and watch, again.
I’m all shades of fucked up.
I watch in slow motion as Phoenix lifts his hand directly in front of Joe’s head, placing the barrel of the gun right between his eyes. I can feel pressure between my eyes, as if the handgun was placed on my head instead. It’s a frightening thought that your life is in the hands of the person pointing the handgun, not knowing when the trigger is going to be pulled, wondering if they are going to make it quick or prolong it and make you wait.
I squeeze my eyes shut on instinct and wait.
I wait for that sound that haunts my dreams far too often.
The sound that will signal the end of another life at the hands of the person who holds my heart.
“Checkmate.”
I hear the crack of the gunshot. It bounces off of the walls, straight through to my eardrums. The sound is intensified through the quiet of the house. I make sure not to scream this time. After witnessing a death twice, I’m nearly a professional. I know what to do and what not to do. It’s a sad thought, but no matter what, it still hurts that it’s my boyfriend who just killed an innocent person.
Unscrunching my eyes, the scene before me is something that you’d see in a horror movie.
Blood everywhere. What was once Joe’s face is barely recognizable anymore.
Bile threatens to make its way up my throat.
Oh yeah, now I remember that I’m not very good with blood and guts. Gory stuff is a big no-no for me.
I chance a look at Phoenix and instantly wish I hadn’t. His face is passive. It’s emotionless. It shows no remorse for the life he just took, and it makes me sick. I couldn’t imagine killing anybody, not even my worst enemy, but Phoenix? He can do it with the push of the trigger. It’s disturbing.
I knew who I was getting involved with when I decided to take a chance on him; however, that little part of me wanted to believe that he’d changed, that maybe he doesn’t do the dirty stuff anymore.
How wrong was I?
This is the guy who told me that he was hypnotized by the color of my eyes. The guy who told me that I was his Adrian. The guy who made love to me so slowly and gently. And the guy who told me that he has always loved me.
But he’s also a killer.
And no matter how much I try to forget it, or Phoenix moves on with his life, the blood will always be on his hands. I don’t know how he can live with himself…
I need to leave before I’m seen.
I go to turn around. I don’t get very far. A hand clamps down on my mouth, stopping any noise from escaping me. Another strong arm goes around my stomach, holding me flush against whoever has a hold of me. They smell musky, like they’re in need of a good wash. It’s disgusting.
I don’t fight. There’s no point. I won’t be able to get this big buffoon off of me. I’ve lost, and I’m pretty sure I know who is behind this charade. I won’t have long to find out.
“Don’t fight me, and you won’t get hurt. I would hate to mess up that pretty face of yours.” My smelly captor says quietly, breathing in my ear. Jeez, his breath is as bad as his body odor. Where does my father find these people, in the streets?
I’m pretty calm, considering I’ve just been caught and am being sent to the person who I’ve been hiding from for the past half a year. I guess nothing is going to be as scary as watching somebody die in front of you. No, let me rephrase that, having their brains splattered against the wall.
What a charming way to die.
A leg goes into the back of mine, making me walk. I’m steered back up the stairs and down the hall, heading in the direction of the back of the house. Bypassing a few closed doors, I’m shoved into the open one at the end – my old room. It’s bare except for a few possessions that I left behind.
I’m assaulted with a ton of memories that I’d suppressed – both good and bad.
My mother reading me a bedtime story while playing with my hair.
Phoenix and I watching a film and falling asleep cuddled up halfway through.
Hiding in here from my father after paying the consequences.
Crying myself to sleep after I’d witnessed Phoenix killing that innocent man.
Good and bad and a mind fuck to leave me here.
I’m pushed in, stumbling over my own two feet. The door slams closed behind me, the sound of a lock being turned before I have a chance to turn around check who put me in here and try to escape. That calm persona has gone. It’s this room, I’m sure of it. It’s sucking all my positive energy right out of me, reminding me how defenseless I really am against the man who was supposed to love me and call me his daughter. Fear prickles through my body all the way to my toes.
I turn in a circle. There must be another escape route. The windows? Nope, they’re boarded up with something a little more than cardboard. My cell? Shit, I don’t have any pockets. I left my cell in the car. I truly am stuck. I guess I’m just going to have to sit and wait it out.
Sliding down the wall, I rest my head on my tucked up knees and close my eyes.
I should have listened to my gut when it told me it had a bad feeling. I’m never usually wrong. I just refused to listen for once, and now I’m locked up in my room with no way out.
I don’t know how long I sit here and just think about everything that has gone on these past few months, with Phoenix and now about what is going to happen to me. I can only hope and pray that I get out of here alive. In the end, it’s too much, and my body gives out. It’s exhausted. Sleep is my best friend.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Phoenix
Fuck, I’m not as strong willed as I used to be.
I haven’t had to kill somebody in so long that I’ve forgotten how not to feel guilt. It doesn’t help that I’m not that heartless bastard that I was a few months ago. That’s down to Emilia. She’s broken down my walls, allowed me to feel again.
I’m not going to be able to forgive myself for killing Joe. I had to do it though, to protect Emilia. If I rejected Nico’s orders, there would have been questions. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Nico isn’t stupid; he’d know with a single glance.
“Rick, get this cleaned up and find a way to send a memorabilia to his boss. Attach a note, saying ‘checkmate’. He should understand,” I tell him sternly.
He raises his eyebrows in reply.
“It’s what Nico told me to do.” Understanding dawns in his eyes. He doesn’t ask any more questions.
I leave the room and head back upstairs. I don’t wait around to see if Nico will turn up. I feel sick to my stomach, and right now is not the time to be dealing with the devil. No, I need to get back home, where Emilia is waiting for me. God, I need her. I need to make sweet love to her, to feel her heat wrapped sweetly around my cock. She’s so perfect for me in every way. My little spitfire. I’m so lucky to have her in my life after everything that I’ve done in the past. She can never know about this. This is the reason why she left me all those years ago – she couldn’t handle my lifestyle. She definitely wouldn’t be able to now, not when I’ve told her that I’m going to try to find a way out.
And I am. I just need a little more time.
I pull up to my apartment building not even ten minutes later. Shit, I’m covered in blood. A quick check tells me that nobody is about. I change into my spare clothes that I al
ways keep in the back of my Escalade for situations like this. Hopefully, this will be one of the last times.
That’s better. I’m presentable now.
Like usual, the young woman behind the reception desk smiles at me. I hardly notice it. I never do anymore. There is only one woman who I have eyes for, and she is upstairs waiting for me.
Turning the key in the lock, I push open my front door.
“Emilia? I’m back,” I shout when I don’t see her on the sofa. The television isn’t even on…
There’s no reply.
“Emilia?” I question as I walk into my bedroom.
There’s no sign of her.
Where is she?
I pull my cell phone out of my pocket and dial her number. It rings and rings and rings, then goes to voicemail. I hang up and put my cell back in my pocket. Maybe she’s somewhere else in my apartment. I have only checked two rooms. There are at least another four rooms in this place.
All rooms prove to be empty upon inspection. That leaves my office. Maybe she’s in there snooping. I wouldn’t blame her. I haven’t exactly divulged much information to her. Maybe she’s decided to take matters into her own hands and find out for herself. There isn’t too much information in there. I don’t keep it at home. I’m not stupid. Emilia would be sorely disappointed.
I crack open the door a slither, giving her a chance to stop what she’s doing before I walk in. I needn’t have bothered. The room is empty, exactly as I left it last time I was in here. Not a single item has been touched.
My senses have heightened. Something is wrong. I can feel it in my bones.
My cell starts vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out. It’s a message from Nico.
My blood runs cold. It’s a picture message of Emilia, huddled up in the corner of a room.
Where is she?
How did they find her? Did they come here while I was gone? No, they couldn’t have. There isn’t a sign of a break in, and I’m pretty darn sure Emilia wouldn’t welcome them into my apartment. Something doesn’t quite add up here.
I zoom in on the photo. Maybe if I spot something, what I don’t know, I might be able to tell where she is.
I spot that something straight away. I don’t know how it’s possible, but my blood turns icy.
How did they get her into that house without me knowing? I was just there ten minutes ago. Emilia must have been there holed up in that room the whole time I was there.
I have to go to her.
I rush down the stairs, bypassing the elevator, straight to the parking lot. As soon as I’m in my Escalade, I press on the accelerator, speeding off in the direction I just came from.
If they harm a hair on her head, I won’t think twice about ending their lives.
It also looks like my plan to end Nico has gone out of the window. It’s going to have to be impulsive now. No time to plan every little detail. My main priority is Emilia and making sure that she’s safe. I won’t allow the person who she calls her father to hurt her anymore. Just the thought of everything that he’s done to her in the past makes my blood boil.
I’ve never done anything to stop it though…
I’ve tortured myself enough. I lost four years of my life with that amazing woman, four years that I will never be able to get back. I’m making up for them now, though, and Nico is not going to put a stop to this again. Over my dead body!
Emilia’s old house comes into view. I spot Rick near his van. Is he in on this?
I nearly knock my driver’s side door off of its hinges when I push it, I’m so mad. No, I’m not mad- I’m furious!
I march toward Rick and pin him against his van by his throat. My muscles are straining against my t-shirt, the veins in my neck bulging with my anger. Adrenaline is pumping through my veins. I’m a man on a mission, and I won’t relax until I have my woman in my arms, safe and sound.
“Where is she?!” I growl.
“Where is who?” Rick replies cluelessly. He looks scared. Good, he should be. I could snap his neck without a second thought, and he knows that.
“Don’t lie to me, Rick. I’ll end you,” I warn, my voice dangerously cold even to my own ears.
“I’m being serious. I don’t know who you’re talking about, Phoenix.” I stare into his eyes. I’m good at reading people. His eyes never waver from mine, even under my intense scrutiny.
I release him. He’s telling the truth. He really hasn’t got a fucking clue where she is.
I sigh, running my hands through my hair. It’s a nervous habit when I’m stressed.
“Are you going to tell me who you’re talking about?” Rick asks a few seconds later.
“Emilia. Nico sent me a picture of her locked up in a room. I’m pretty sure it’s her old room. He’s watching us right now, I can feel it.”
The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up to attention. My senses are heightened, tasting danger. I love danger, thrive on it in fact.
I scout the building. I know where every security camera is placed. I know where the hiding places are. I know everything about this building. It’s been our base for the past four years since they moved. Not once did I think I’d ever be rescuing Emilia from there.
I’m just going to have to go in.
I check my waistline. Yup, I made sure to put my handgun back in place. I’m definitely going to need it. The odds are going to be against me. I just hope I make it out okay.
“You going in there on your own?” Rick questions, coming up behind me.
“Yes, I’m all she has left.” I leave him standing outside as I enter the house.
It’s eerily silent, considering Nico is holding his daughter hostage here. I’d at least expect there to be a few people walking around, guarding the place better. There’s none of that. Nico was right; they are all a bunch of incompetent fools. I’m glad I worked by myself most of the time.
“I’m coming with you. I’m not allowing you to do this by yourself,” Rick whispers. I turn my head in his direction. Fuck me, he was stealth like.
“You don’t have to. I know you have kids back home. I don’t want to risk you getting injured.”
His face is like stone, deadly serious. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look this serious.
“Phoenix, I have daughters, and I wouldn’t dream of locking one of them up. I knew Nico was ruthless, but to lock his own daughter up? No, it’s inexcusable. Plus, knowing Nico, he’s got quite a few of his buffoons hanging around in here. The odds are against you, my friend.”
I nod. He’s right. I thought exactly the same thing not two minutes ago.
“Very well. Stay behind me,” I order.
My body is flat against the wall, my gun pointed out in front of me, ready to fire if need be. The stairs that lead to the basement come into view. I stop and stare. I know she can’t be down there. It’s where we were not too long ago, and there’s only one room down there.
“Rick, what did you do with Joe?” I ask quietly.
“Erm, he’s still down there. I haven’t had time to get rid of him yet.”
“Don’t. Leave him. I have an idea,” I tell him vaguely.
“Are you going to tell me what that idea is?”
“Later. C’mon, we need to get to her.”
I can’t risk anybody hearing my plan, not when it’s finally happening – I’m going to finally end Nico.
We go down the hallway. All the doors are closed.
“You check the left side. I’ll take the right. We’ll get it done quicker,” I whisper.
“Got it.”
I open the first door. Empty.
Same for the second, third, and forth.
“All empty,” Rick says, closing the last door on his side.
“We’ll try this one, then we’ll head upstairs.”
I wrap my hand around the handle, pull it down, and open it slowly.
Please let her be in here. Please.
As if God answered my prayers, there she is in
the corner of the room. I exhale loudly. Jesus, I didn’t realize how tightly strung I was until just now. I can feel a little weight lift off of my shoulders just from seeing her. However, I need to remember that we’re not safe yet.
I turn toward Rick. Time to put my plan into action.
“I want you to go outside and be careful not to be caught. I want you to ring the police and leave an anonymous tip. Let them know that you know Nico killed Joe. I’ll find a way to make it so that his finger prints are on my gun,” I instruct. Rick nods his head. He doesn’t ask any questions as he leaves.
I hope this plan goes smoothly and he doesn’t stab me in the back. I’m trusting him with my life right now. I never usually trust anybody, but he’s all that I have at the moment.
Rolling my shoulders, I turn back to face my sweet Emilia. She looks asleep, so peaceful and calm. It’s the only time that her worries leave her face, and even now, when she knows what trouble she’s in, she’s calm. She’s truly remarkable.
Snap out of it and get her out of here. You can stare at her later, after you’ve freed her.
Putting my feet into action, I run over to her, purposely dropping my gun on the floor in the process.
I slip my arms under her, cradling her to my chest. She’s as light as a feather but molds perfectly to my body. Her heat transfers to me, keeping me warm. It’s freezing in this place. I’m surprised she’s as warm as she is, especially as she’s been asleep.
Brushing a few strands of hair out of her face finally allows me to see her beauty. I quietly gasp. No matter how many times I look at her, she can still knock the wind out of me. She’s a sight to behold, a precious gem. Her beauty knows no bounds, and she’s all mine.
Emilia’s eyelids start to flicker before I’m welcomed to her beautiful brown orbs, which render me speechless ninety-nine percent of the time.
“Phoenix?” Her voice is groggy.
A smile forms on my face, a dreamy smile. I rub my thumb over her dry lips.
