by A J Wolf
"I don't care." He pulls me in for a hug, our naked bodies flush and his chin resting on my head as I hug him back. "I'll eat anything you want if it means we can do that a few more times tonight."
Smiling into his shoulder I give him a little squeeze with my arms and legs, "Anchovies and pineapple it is."
His laugh shakes my body as he lifts me up, carrying me to the bed. I giggle as he tosses me onto it, "You're a brat."
Dylan hops off as I scoot away from Remy, keeping my limbs just out of reach. "A deal is a deal Remy Oliver Luciano."
Finally getting a hold of my ankle he yanks me to him as I laugh and scoops me into his lap. "Fine, you can eat that garbage, but I know what I'm having…Beverly Hunter Luciano."
I smile up at his beautiful dimpled face as my heart flutters happily in my chest. We WILL be okay.
Chapter Eleven
Rain is pelting the windows outside as I look out, my hands wrapped around my coffee mug, cooling as it sits undrunk. The weather is fitting for the day’s events I suppose. Remy informed me this morning on his way out the door that he had plans to deal with the Daly Brothers today. I know it was intentional on his part, to tell me at the last moment. That way I have less time to try and talk him out of going. Although he promised he wouldn’t be directly involved, the dark corners of my mind like to dream up all the awful ways this could go south. I also know that my husband is a liar, he is emotionally invested in their death; he can’t resist the call to wreak havoc on a good day, let alone dole out revenge. As far as I’m aware, he has yet to get a clue on who my stalker is; Granted it’s only been four days. But I know that is also grinding on his nerves and adding fuel to his fire. Despite my doubts I hope he’s true to his word.
Walking back towards the sink I dump my chilled coffee down the drain and place my cup in the dishwasher. I’m basically on lock down so there isn’t much to do, especially with the current state of the weather. The hall clock says it’s just after twelve and I still haven’t received any updates from Remy or anyone else. I try not to let it bother me, everything is most likely fine and I’m just letting my anxiety get the best of me. Rico is on Beverly watch today and I yell to him in the living room as I go up the stairs, “I’m taking a bath Rico, let me know if you hear anything.” I don’t hear a response but I’m already to the second landing so I might not be able to hear from up here. Dylan followed me up and he pushes past me in the doorway to get to the bed, such a rude dude today. He always gets grumpy when I won’t let him outside. Plugging my phone in on Remy’s nightstand, I turn the volume up before heading into the bathroom.
I stare out the windows as I braid my hair; The sky is dark, making it feel later in the day then it actually is, raindrops panging against the glass extra loud in the quiet room. Slipping out of my shorts, I toss them towards the hamper, startling as Dylan barks. Rotating towards the open door to see what has him worked up the wind is knocked from my lungs as I’m shoved forward, ribs smacking painfully into the lip of the porcelain tub. Before I even have a chance to react my head is being shoved into the rising water, hair gripped tight in a fist. Panic is clawing at my brain, my lungs burning and ribs pinching from the blow.
Trying and failing to use my arms to push myself up from the tub, I start kicking back and upwards while using my nails to scratch the hands holding my head. My foot is able to make contact with an ankle and it knocks my attacker off balance, giving me a brief second to throw myself backwards and into the body behind me. Landing on top of them, back to front, I start elbowing as hard as I can while sucking in air between hacking coughs. The detachable shower head got knocked loose from the frame during our scuffle and I reach out and grab it, twisting to ram it into my attacker’s face. After the second hit he lets me go enough that I’m able to jerk away and I crawl across the floor quickly to try and put enough distance between us that I’ll be able to stand.
He’s groaning on the floor, holding his face, but blocking my entrance to the door. Using the counter to pull myself up as quickly as my body allows, I scan for anything I can use as a weapon. He starts to stand far too quickly and my heart bangs against my ribs, I don’t have anything but my bare hands to fend him off. “You feckin bitch! Broke my damn nose.” He runs the back of his hand across his face, spreading blood from his leaking nose along his cheek. His green eyes trail over my naked legs as he raises his brows suggestively, “Finny said ye were a looker. Might have some fun with ye before I break that little neck of yers.”
His words feel like slime over my skin and I visibly shudder. I’m silently thanking whatever power convinced me to keep my oversized tee on today because it covers most of my butt without my shorts on. I watch him as he creeps closer, trying to map out the best way for me to get past him without physical contact. My ribs are screaming at me and my lungs still burn from the tub, I’m not sure I would last very long if we had to go fist for fist. Just as he edges the tub I sprint forward, if I can get to the other side before him then I can get out of the room to get a gun or call for a guard.
Slipping on a puddle I’m forced to grab the tub for support which gives him the pause he needed to reach out for me. I use my falling momentum to grab his arm and yank him off balance, sending him back onto the ground, face down on his stomach. Launching on his back I quickly wrap his neck in a choke hold, taking advantage of his moment of weakness; it might be the only chance I get. Straddling his shoulder blades, I use my weight to keep him down and off balance, gritting my teeth as his fists meet my legs and arms, pounding painfully while he tries to fight me off and stay conscious. I keep my hold on his neck even after he goes limp, counting out the seconds in my head just as Julian taught me, waiting exactly five minutes as tears slip down my cheeks.
Letting his face slap lifelessly to the ground I stand and take several deep breaths to calm my racing pulse. I haven’t heard Dylan since his bark and Rico’s nonresponse earlier is now alarming. Pushing loose hair from my face I hurry towards the bedroom. In my haste I fail to notice another man barreling towards me until I’m knocked onto the floor, smacking my head against the door frame as I fall.
It takes me a second to see past the blurry edges of my vision, stumbling to my feet. A gunshot makes my ears ring and I crouch to cover my head as I try to get my bearings. Gavino is suddenly in front of me, reaching out to grab my head in his hands. I can see his lips moving and I strain to hear past the ringing and blood rushing in my ears. “….rly, it’s okay. I got him.”
I nod as I hear the last of his sentence, trying to stand and swaying with the movement. He grabs my arm to help steady me and I notice he has my green beanie clutched in his hand, the same one I got from my stalker. Frowning in confusion I look up at him, “Why do you have that hat Gavino?” My words come out loud in my pounding head and I wince.
Before he can answer I see Dylan lying motionless on his side behind Gavino’s shoulder and I try to push past him, ignoring the rush of nausea that comes with the quick movement, dread shooting up my spine. Tightening his grip on my arm he pulls my back flush with his chest and presses a piece of fabric to my face as I struggle in his arms. “Ssssshhh it’s okay… your dog is just sleeping.” My struggles are starting to weaken and I can’t seem to get any noises from my throat. I feel my body slowly start to sag, Gavino’s hot breath in my ear. “Don’t worry my sad angel. I’ll keep you safe.” I know I’m being lifted, my arms hanging loosely, my head lolling. I can feel myself losing consciousness and my heart is banging so hard in my chest it feels like it might break a rib. The last thing I see is Gavino’s smiling face as he carefully buckles me into an SUV and kisses my forehead.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
My body feels heavy, my brain foggy as I try to piece together what is happening. I vaguely remember Gavino putting me in an SUV, flashes of a gravel road and brick walls. I sit up abruptly and immediately regret it, my head pounding against my temples. Rubbing shaky hands over my face I try to scan my surroundings. The bed I’m on is the onl
y piece of furniture in the small room; The curtains currently hiding a window on the wall at my feet the only decor.
Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed I’m hit with a wave of nausea that makes me dry heave. My skin feels clammy and my tongue thick. Looking down I feel a rush of relief that I’m still clothed, even if it is just my oversized tee and panties. I softly touch my ribs as I stand and wince at the contact. I don’t think they’re broken but they’re definitely bruised. On shaky limbs I shimmy my way to the window and fling the curtains back. There’s nothing outside but trees. I’m ground level but there are three metal bars crossing the window that would make it impossible to get out of.
Turning to look at the rest of the room my eyes catch my reflection in a small square mirror, locking onto the green beanie that has been stuck on my head. Ripping it off, I throw it, clenching my fists at my sides. I didn’t even notice I was wearing it; the thought is disturbing and I shudder with the chill that runs along my skin. It doesn’t make sense for Gavino to be my stalker; we’ve barely spoken to each other my entire marriage and he was working with the same men that were blackmailing my brother. Not to mention my husband is his brother. He has never shown any interest in me before so why now?
The need to get out of here is crawling up my limbs, the urgency giving me a burst of adrenaline fueled energy. I need to find a way to contact Remy. Unless Gavino left some kind of clue that he took me, I don’t see how Remy will know where to look. And I highly doubt I’m that lucky. Eyeing the door, I pinch my shirt in my hands trying to get the courage to test it. I don’t know what to expect and my gut twists with nervousness. What kind of person kidnaps someone else? Well besides my husband. Releasing a breath, I walk to the door and twist the handle before I can second guess myself. The door opens easily and I stand in the doorway for a moment, I honestly expected it to be locked.
Directly across from me is a bathroom with the door open, I pause after taking a step out of my own room, listening for anyone. Hearing nothing, I step farther into the small hallway, there’s another door next to the bathroom to the left, and I can see there’s some kind of living space at the end of the hall on the right. Taking tentative steps into the living area I quickly scan the room, looking for anything to give me an idea of where I am. There’s a small love seat and coffee table but nothing else. It looks like there is a kitchen through an archway to my right and the front door across the room. I bolt for the front door, heart pounding as it flings open. Without pause I sprint off the small porch and down the gravel road. I have no idea where I am but I’d rather fend for myself in the woods than be stuck with Gavino or whoever else.
I keep running as my lungs burn and legs get shaky. My bare feet are bleeding from running on the rough ground but I force myself to keep moving. I know it’s cold out because I can see my breath fogging in front of my face, feel the sting of the breeze on my bare arms and legs, but my skin feels hot as I push myself to keep going. The sun is just starting to disappear behind the treetops and a sense of urgency is creeping along my skin. I can’t spend the night in these woods half naked.
I hear the crunch of gravel before I see headlights coming my way and I swerve to hide in the bushes, praying they didn’t see me. There was nothing down this road but the house I came from, I doubt this is someone I want help from. Lying flat on the ground my pulse starts to pound in my ears as the car starts to slow and eventually stops ten feet from where I was originally on the road. My chest is heaving both from running and fear, so I cover my mouth with my hand to try and stay quiet.
A man steps out of the car and I watch as he starts scanning the woods, his eyes passing over my location without pause while he knocks his knuckles on the roof of his car. A second man gets out of the passenger seat and rounds the front, this one I unfortunately recognize. Gavino starts scanning the bushes also, murmuring something to the driver I can’t hear, while walking closer to my side of the road. Fear is drawing quick breaths from my lungs, pulling tears from my eyes; I can’t let him find me. He’s seconds from seeing me so I do the only logical thing I can think of, stand and sprint farther into the woods.
I hear him yell at my back, but I ignore it, heart banging in my throat, panicked tears running down my cheeks as I attempt to stay out of reach. I hear his steps behind mine seconds before I’m knocked to the ground; I land painfully on my ribs and it causes me to yell out, involuntarily curling under his weight. He’s kneeled above me, twisting me onto my back to straddle my hips. “Il mio angelo triste what are you doing out here?” He leans down to touch my cheek and I take the opportunity to swing my fist and punch him in the face. He grunts and grabs my arm before I can do it again, his lip split from my hit. I find the small amount of blood wildly satisfying. “Now that’s just rude Beverly.”
Keeping my hands secured in his, he stands, yanking me up with him. I try to fight out of his hold but between his grip and the exhaustion hitting my body I can’t break free. “Why the fuck am I here Gavino? What do you want from me?!” I’m still crying I realize, as the wind hits the tears on my cheeks, turning them to ice. Now that I’m not running, I notice how cold it actually is, my fingers and toes are numb and my body is covered in goosebumps. There’s no way I could survive out here if I somehow got away.
He picks me up bridal style while my teeth chatter, still pinching my wrists together and starts to bring me back to the car. “Isn’t it obvious? You’re mine now. My beautiful angelo triste.” The way he’s smiling down at me makes bile rise in my throat and more tears drip down my cheeks. I’d rather die than be his.
He sits in the back of the car with me in his lap as the other man shuts the door and hops in front to bring us back to the house I came from. Everything in me is telling me to fight but my limbs are shaking violently with shivers and my body is sore and exhausted. I will fight, but only when I have the strength to win. Using his free hand, he pulls my head to rest on his chest and I squeeze my eyes shut while my nails bite into my palms with barely restrained anger and disgust. “Remy will find me.” It’s whispered into his chest and I get a jolt of satisfaction as I feel his body stiffen with annoyance.
Running his hand along my messy braid and down my back he presses his lips to my head, “You put too much faith in my brother. He let you get attacked in his own home…if I hadn’t shown up, you’d be dead.” I try to wiggle from him but he tightens his hold, still stroking my back. “You should be thanking me.”
I huff through my chattering teeth, “You stalked and kidnapped me. Let me go and I’ll thank you.”
He hums, playing with the end of my braid now. “Remy kidnapped you.”
“He’s my husband. Not some freak stalker.”
“Sounds like a healthy relationship.” I try harder to get out of his grip this time, shouldering into his chest, and he lets me go, dropping me onto the car floor. He grips my face between his legs, thumbs running over my cheeks. “You can thank me from down there if you’d like.” I slap his hands away and scurry away from him, onto the farthest side of the seat as he laughs. “I’m joking angelo triste, calm down.”
We’re pulling to a stop and I don’t bother to test the door handle. Where would I go anyway. Gavino gets out, grabbing something from the trunk before coming to my door and opening it. He holds his hand out for me to grab and I knock it aside, pushing past him as he frowns at me. I ignore him and march towards the house, side eyeing the driver as I walk by. If Gavino wasn’t here I would try and take him down and steal the car keys, but I’m barely able to walk right now, let alone take on two men. My body is screaming at me for a break, a stabbing pain from my ribs with each breath.
I don’t stop walking until I’m standing back in the room I woke up in. I feel Gavino at my back but I don’t turn around, choosing to stare at the wall behind the bed instead. He runs a hand down my arm, fingers brushing the inside of my wrist and palm as I grit my teeth. Grabbing my waist, he jerks my back to his chest, resting his hand on my stomach while tossing
a bag onto the bed with his other hand. I’m barely able to fight the urge to yank out of his touch, to punch him in the throat for daring to lay his hands on me. But I need to choose my battles wisely, pick the ones I know I can win. “I got you more clothes… Not that I don’t like this look.”
The idea of staying here long enough that I’ll need spare clothes makes my lip tremble, my situation starting to seem more real with the passing seconds. “Let me go home Gavino.”
His breath skims my ear, “You are home.”
Chapter Twelve
“How many men do you think are inside?” Andrea asks as he tucks a handgun into his chest holster.
Shaking my head with a slight frown I push the mag into my own gun and holster it, “Maybe thirty, give or take some.” Sliding my brass knuckles onto my fingers I glance over at Donatello as he cracks his neck. “Our men won’t have a problem with them. Most of them will surrender once they see how outnumbered they are.”
“What about the Daly Brothers?” Andrea asks and I shrug.
“I gave orders to have them restrained.” We’re in a hotel room a few blocks from the Westie warehouse, waiting for my men to call once everything is secured. I wasn’t lying to Bev when I told her I’d be out of the line of fire; I can’t take such risks for petty reasons. Even if I would have liked to. Pulling my phone from my pocket I set it on the table and sit in the chair next to it. I’m confident everything will go smoothly, but I can’t seem to shake an ominous feeling of anxiousness creeping along my skin. If Donatello and Andrea’s twitching is anything to go by, they feel the same. Pinching my lip, I look out the balcony windows, the rain is so thick you can barely make out the surrounding buildings, the streetlights hidden from sight. Taking these bastardi out is the best revenge I could enact for Julian.
