Chapter 4
Alisa
My bare feet connected with the cold floor over and over as I jogged silently down the hall. The room I needed wasn’t that far from Jason’s. I guess it should have bothered me that they tortured people close to where they slept.
Fear coursed through me as my fingers wrapped around the knob. What would I find? A shell of the man I knew? What if… I could stand here playing the what if game. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.
The sight that greeted me momentarily had me dropping to my knees. Blood was everywhere. The stench of old pennies wreaked havoc on my senses.
“Daddy?”
The words were whispered as if I was afraid the silence would be too much for my voice to handle. When he didn’t move, I moved. Slowly I walked into the room, the blood on the floor coating the skin of my feet, its warmth quickly turning cold.
Reaching for him, I lifted his face and fought the scream that tried to escape. He was dead. Jaxson killed my father. Gently letting his head fall back down, I let the tears spill slowly down my cheeks.
He was cooling so it hadn’t happened that long ago. If I had done this sooner, he would still be here. I did this. I said the words that marked his death. I killed my father. A hole opened in my chest, deep and cutting.
I felt like my skin flapped uselessly at the gaping hole that was ripped into me. It was over. I would never see his face again. I would never hear the words ‘I love you’ even if they were few and far between. His smile, Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, Father’s Day, were all gone.
“I’m sorry, daddy. I love you so much.”
This would haunt me until the day I would die. I was a murderer even if it hadn’t been my hand that did the deed, my words had. Backing away, I kept my eyes trained on what was left of the man I knew until I was through the door.
Survival instincts kicked in. Moving swiftly, I rushed down the hall. I knew I was leaving bloody footprints in my wake, each swift step difficult as the liquid made the smooth floor slippery.
The moment I exited the building I took my first breath of freedom. He was gone, it was all gone. I knew what this meant, and I knew what I needed to do.
Chapter 5
Jason
She was gone, the coldness beside me told me she had left a long time ago. Someone was beating on my door.
“Come the fuck in.”
Jaxson’s face told me what I was about to hear was going to piss me off to no end.
“Where the fuck is she?”
He stayed silent, almost like he was trying to figure out how to say what he needed to say.
“What the fuck happened?”
“She’s gone.”
“Where the fuck did she go?”
Anger ripped through me like a bullet leaving a fiery feeling behind.
“She found him.”
Fuck! How do I fix this? How do I save the only future I want?
“We need to find her, Jaxson.”
“Don’t you fucking think I don’t know that? She’s in more fucking danger now.”
Looking at him, I watched as he sighed as if I should already know what the fuck he’s talking about. The only thing I could think about right now was that she was gone.
“She’s his fucking heir.”
Oh, fuck! She was going to be hunted like a doe during hunting season. Everyone who wanted to be on top would be out to get her. My world so centered on her was closing in on itself. What if I don’t find her in time?
Chapter 6
Alisa
The apartment was damp and stunk to high heaven of urine. My stomach churned again. It’s been days? Weeks? I lost track of time. Dio found me. It was sad how quickly I was captured. Only days after my freedom. He wanted my title. He wanted to run my family.
I wasn’t saying yes, and he wasn’t letting me go. Another summersault had bile rising fast. Turning my head, I tried not to choke as I gagged on the acidic taste. I had nothing in there, so there was nothing to come up.
“Disgusting.”
Dios’ cold voice had my eyes opening.
“Fuck you.”
“Don’t worry, babe. I will as soon as I have a ring on that fucking finger.”
I laughed hysterically.
“Not. Ever. Going. To. Happen.”
His smile told me I was kidding myself. But he didn’t understand, I wasn’t going to allow him to touch me. He was never going to put his hands on me like that. I was never going to be his.
“Challenge accepted.”
I growled. Not happening. I let those two words comfort me. I was going to kill him, pluck those eyes from his disgusting face.
Chapter 7
Jason
My brother wanted me to sleep, to take a break. I couldn’t. She was out there being fucking hunted. I knew I had fucked up.
I let them hurt her. I let Sarah kill her father. I left him there in a pool of blood and went and fucked her. I should have cleaned up the mess.
I should never have touched her. Not until I had a wedding band on her delicate finger. She was out there alone, and I was here, lost.
We’d had sightings, but nothing had panned out. One person said he had seen her, but someone took her.
If that was true, it was worse than I had thought. She was out there suffering god knows what. Anger was quickly consuming me, but the darkness that lurked just below the surface was spreading.
“We may have her location.”
My brother's voice penetrated the darkness that was eating its way to the outside.
“Why the fuck are we just standing here? Let's fucking go.”
“Dio has her.”
That piece of fucking shit is going to die. I am going to rip his spine out through his throat. Turning on my heel, I walked to the doors.
“Are you coming? I’m fucking leaving, no matter what you say. Alisa needs me.”
“We should plan this shit out.”
“If it was Sarah, would you wait?”
I knew his answer before I uttered the question. He shook his head and fell into step beside me. There was no more waiting. It was time to go collect what was mine and bring her home.
Chapter 8
Alisa
“I need to pee.”
His face scrunched up in disgust.
He released my hands from the bed and I grabbed his face, sinking my fingers in deep. He screamed as I tried to tear the flesh from his face.
My legs swung around as I tried to sit up. I had to release him. I had no choice. Pulling one hand back, I punched him in the balls. He screamed like a girl as he hit the ground.
I didn’t wait, I stood up, kicking him in the face. Blood sprayed onto my leg as his nose broke.
“Fuck you, Dio!”
I screamed the words as I rushed from the house. I was so tired. Forcing my feet to move faster, I ran down the deserted street.
I heard cars pulling up their tires screeching as I rounded the corner. Don’t look back. The words screamed through my head. But I did, and my tongue hit the roof of my mouth as Jason exited the car.
My feet slowed unconsciously. I couldn’t stay here. I knew that, but it didn’t stop my heart from wanting to. Picking up speed, I continued down the alley and out of sight.
It hurt to breathe. Each tug of air in my lungs had them cramping. I lacked the energy and stamina to keep going at this pace.
I once again had to move and start over. Will I ever really be free?
Chapter 9
Jason
I stared at the man lying on the floor. She was here. I could smell her. He was crying in pain and fear when he noticed me looming over him.
“Where the fuck is Alisa?”
He shook his head, trying to seem smaller as he curled more in on himself.
“I fucking asked you a question.”
Pressing my foot into his shoulder, I turned him on his back. He looked like a bug in need of squashing.
“She’s gone.�
��
“Did you touch her?”
His eyes became big as he fought to answer.
“Nnnnnooo.”
His voice was full of tremors, making him stutter the word.
“Did she do this to you?”
I waved the gun I was holding in the direction of his face. He nodded. I looked at the bed that held restraints. She had been forced to stay here.
Red coated my vision. He wasn’t leaving this room alive. My brother stood beside me staring at Dio. He knew I was going to kill him.
“Finish this and let’s go.”
I ignored him.
“Where did she go?”
“I don’t know!”
His voice had taken on a high pitch, sounding almost feminine.
“Where the fuck did you find her?”
He looked at me, and I could see the calculated look in his eyes.
“Will you let me live?”
I looked at Jaxson. He stared back at me, reading my silent message.
“I won’t kill you.”
“She was at this drug store three blocks from here. Paramount was its name.”
Making good on my promise, I turned away. My brother pulled his gun, pointing it at Dio.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t kill me.”
“I said I wouldn’t kill you, not that my brother wouldn’t. You took something that belonged to me. Goodbye, Dio.”
The sound of the gun going off had my shoulders relaxing slightly. One less person out to take her from me.
Jesse came running into the room. Lark’s sister’s soon to be husband. A member of The Sons of The Apocalypse MC.
“We found some torn cloth and bloody footprints that led to the end of the ally. Looks like she realized she was leaving a trail and covered her feet.”
She was out there hurting, scared and alone and I was helpless to save her from herself. Doesn’t she know I need her?
Chapter 10
Alisa
My feet burned as I pushed them into the boots. I needed the ankle support and the traction that the leather biker like boots would give me.
The woman standing a few feet away watched me like I was going to hold up the place.
“How much?”
“Fifty-six dollars and fifty cents.”
Reaching into the bag I had grabbed from my last hideout, the one that was better than the last, I pull out sixty dollars and thrust it in her direction.
“How much to keep you quiet?”
“Um…”
“Listen, lady, know that if you rat me out, I will come back here, and it won’t be a pleasant visit.”
Placing another twenty in her hand, I walked to the door. I felt better already, but I needed a shower. I had changed my dirty clothes and packed what I could carry.
I didn’t have time to hang around. I didn’t know if Dio or Jason was going to catch up to me. I knew one thing for sure, if Jason found Dio, then Dio was already dead.
The car I had bought for five hundred dollars sat like a rusted-up heap in front of a store a few buildings down. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take it.
I needed out of this city fast. Running to it like it was my golden ticket to the Willy Wonka factory, I climbed into the driver’s seat just as the meter maid came strolling across the street.
Placing the key in the ignition, I winced slightly as it stuttered. He already had his ticket pad out, and he was eyeing me, daring me to try and escape.
I laughed as it roared to life. Putting it in gear, I pressed down on the gas pedal and laughed harder as he jumped out of the way.
“Crazy bitch.”
He screamed, making me laugh harder. Turning the corner, I let my mind drift as the road before me turned deserted and straight.
The city was behind me in no time. Where am I going? When will I be safe again? Never. That cold voice whispered again.
It was rearing its ugly head and I was slowly, allowing it to consume me. Soon I would be someone else, just a girl that no one would recognize, not even myself.
I would be Alisa on the outside and darkness on the inside.
Chapter 11
Jason
It was a fucking cold day. The wind chill alone was maybe ten degrees. I hated not knowing if she was in a warm place.
We found the run-down apartment she had been staying in when Dio found her. My brother took one look and couldn’t meet my eyes.
It was all of our faults. I let them do those things to her. My heart stilled as I realized I may never have her again. I should have protected her.
Our story wouldn’t have been like this. She would be cherished and loved. Instead, she was running and scared.
Staring at the ceiling, I fought the need to sleep. My dreams haunted me. There were so many scenarios. So many truths. Sometimes I dreamt that we were back in that room when my sister beat information from her.
Other times it was when she was with Dio or some other thug, forcing her to marry them. Then, it was the nightmares of them touching her, taking what was mine.
Alcohol lost its effects, and now I was facing this stone-cold sober, I hated this.
“Another location.”
My brother's voice echoed through the solid door. Climbing to my feet, I dragged myself to the door. What am I doing?
Forcing her further into hiding? She had to know I was looking for her. Yet she kept running, living in filth instead of her home.
Opening the door, my brother stepped back again, not meeting my eyes. Once again leads dwindled to nothing.
“Tony.”
The fucking slime ball Tony? That greasy motherfucker? The one who hung out on street corners, who thought he was some big-time thug? Shit! Rushing past him, I didn’t look back as the marble floors had me fighting to keep steady.
The large wooden door slammed against the granite wall outside as I plowed through it. A car was already waiting. Tony was a dead man.
Chapter 12
Alisa
What? Do I have a fucking bullseye on my back? A red arrow hanging over my head? I had been free for weeks, and then this nasty fucker found me.
I had finally found a comfortable rhythm. The place I was staying in had a heater and a clean bathroom. The kitchenette was perfect compared to what I was becoming used too.
Sadly, my standards had hit a dive. But the floors were clean, and it had come with furniture. A hand clamped over my mouth, and something hard hit the back of my head.
Darkness came for me and then the transformation was complete. That coldness, that darkness that I’d been avoiding, swallowed me as the light left and the emptiness came.
When I was finally able to open my eyes, I was strung up like a fresh kill. My hands over my head in some sort of crack house.
“About fucking time.”
I looked at the nasty, greasy man in front of me.
“We need to move this shit along. You’re going to marry me.”
I snarled and laughed at the same time my feet touched the floor. Standing, I took the weight from my hands.
Tingles and needles moved under my skin, and my wrists throbbed painfully.
“What’s so fucking funny?”
“You are.”
His eyes turned to little slits.
“You’re going to be my wife, and you will learn your fucking place!”
His hand connected with my cheek and blood coated my tongue.
“I will never marry you.”
His eyes got smaller, and his anger had spit foaming around his mouth. He reminded me of an angry, rabid dog.
His laughter was something I wasn’t expecting.
“No one’s going to save you.”
He was right, and I knew that. I was alone out here, and no one was coming to my rescue. But I didn’t need a savior.
“I really need to pee.”
I tried to sound sweet, and from the look on his face, I succeeded. I wasn’t staying here. That same line I used on Dio worked on Tony or, s
o I thought.
“Piss in your panties.”
I smiled at him.
“You really want to deal with that when it’s time to, you know.”
I raised my eyebrows, and his eyes darkened as thoughts of him, and I on a bed flashed through his brain. I watched in disgust as his cock hardened through his clean, blue jeans.
He may be a disgusting sleaze ball, but he did dress in clean, nice clothes. I’d give him that. His fingers tugged on the rope, removing it from the hook. Who the fuck has a hook hanging from the ceiling in their house?
My hands were still tied together. Lowering them to my abdomen, I bit my lip as the blood flow started to return causing more pins and needles.
Tears of frustration and discomfort filled my eyes.
“Make it quick, bitch. We have someplace to be.”
I smiled as my feet carried me in the direction he pointed. The flimsy dirty once white door closed behind me. I looked around the room and smiled when I saw the other door.
It was one of those weird bathrooms that had two entrances. Reaching for the faucet, I turned it on. Just enough to make It sound like I was peeing.
Tiptoeing to the door, I slowly opened it. The room it led to was empty. The window was open, and the other door closed.
I couldn’t believe my luck. As I swung one leg out the window, I heard a door crash and the unmistakable sound of gunfire.
That was my cue to get the fuck out. My other leg was out the window. I looked at the three-foot drop. You have to love old houses, especially ones that have no basement.
I gritted my teeth at the impact, and growled out in frustration as I was once again barefoot.
“Where the fuck is she?”
Jason’s voice was cold and unyielding. Shivers of both fear and desire had my body shaking, slightly.
“She’s in the bathroom.”
I heard the door open. Running around the car in front of me, I ducked down and started counting. One, two, three, four, five… six, seven, eight… nine, ten…
“She’s not in here.”
That was what I was waiting for. Standing, I ran away from the road and started cutting through yards. After ten houses I could see a tree line and knew that’s where I needed to be.
Jason (Carter Mafia Family Book 3) Page 2
