by Ellie Jean
And that’s precisely what I have done.
My first priority must be her safety.
Fuck… Ripping me apart is the knowledge that I told her to leave. The desperation and sadness in her eyes undid me, not her revelation about how Dimitri abused her. Christ… How has she survived through these ordeals? Keeping her family together and shielding herself at the same time?
Determination and strength…
I pray she stays strong enough to endure this hell. Until I rid this world of this evil and we can be one again. Where we belong.
My blood boiled through my veins listening to Isla divulge her darkest secrets. How she believes she drugged her father, causing him to crash his car that fateful night, killing himself. How she was left to pay off this bastard’s debts by becoming Sokolov’s property to use as he sees fit. For over six years this evil has been taking hold of my Sweetness’s body and soul. Isla dealing with it each and every day of her young twenty-four-year-old life. Alone. Without any where to turn. An inferno built inside me with each word spoken. I was on the verge of erupting. Understanding how men like Sokolov work, I knew I had to cease all communication and ties with Isla until I can work out how best to protect her.
Except holding her–comforting her—is all I want to do…
Telling her to leave was all I could manage before I crumpled in front of her, making her life even harder. My Sweetness must think that we are truly over so I can destroy the man behind her nightmares.
Seth reports back to me every few hours about Isla’s whereabouts and who is following her. She hasn’t left the apartment since she returned back to Australia and she hasn’t had any visitors either. He has made some of Dimitri’s men though, who have taken up residence in a van a few houses down from my Sweetness’s, changing occupants every morning and night.
Suspecting that her house and phone are wired with listening or video devices, I can’t chance contacting her until we have a solid plan.
Forty minutes after my soul left me in Caesars Palace, I stepped foot into my uncle’s Las Vegas office. From the outside it appeared I was entering a rundown office apartment. But inside the heavily secured main door, the offices were contemporary, with furniture that is all black. Security cameras everywhere blinking bright red lights capture every movement.
Striding into the office I see a light shining from above. I am reminded about how loyal this family is. I come face to face with my uncle sitting in a black leather chair. His eyes are like slits, concentrating on what one of the soldier’s is saying to him. Jared, Seth, and Liam are next to him, seated around the black marble table. One phone call is all it took to get this mighty force here. For Isla. I am proud to be a part of this family.
I sit in one of the spare chairs. The soldier talks and talks. I peer over the photos scattered over the table top. Zoning in on the figures in front of me, my patience is waning. The smug bastard’s face looking at me from every photo. I want to rip him to shreds for what he did to Isla. Tapping my foot under the table, my hands move the photos around and around. The soldier finally takes a long pause. I interrupt impatiently. “Fuck, guys, we need to finalize a plan now. We need to work out how I am going to stop Sokolov in his tracks and eradicate his existence.”
I take the opportunity to explain to everyone the brutality my Sweetness suffered for those long six years. Ten minutes later and we are all on the same page.
Sokolov will suffer.
He will be tortured.
He will ultimately die by my hands. I may not get my hands dirty often, but there’s no way in hell anyone will be ending his life but me. I want my eyes to be the last he sees before he goes to his maker.
Running through different plans, it’s approaching the seventy-two-hour mark since Isla left and it feels like we are nearly back at square one.
My hands cradle my head in between them. I am exhausted from running over scenarios that just won’t work. Most of us stayed in the office, sleeping only for a few brief hours. Exhaustion sets in and all of us need a break. I need to be near her. Not over the other side of the world.
“We have Kolton hacking into his computer system, finding every scrap of information we can about his businesses and acquaintances as we may be able to blackmail some of them for information. We have other family members putting into place connections that will be needed to bring down the Sokolov name internationally,” Liam speaks systematically, laying it out so we are all clear that things are happening, albeit at a slow pace.
It can’t be rushed… It has to be methodical, precise, and secret…
My uncle’s deep voice penetrates our tired ears. “The best thing you can do, Alex, is get yourself off Sokolov’s radar, go back to your everyday business, leave Isla alone, and let Seth be our eyes.” Directing his stare completely on me, “Nothing will happen to her. I promise you that. The men we have are the best, they know what they are doing, and they will keep Isla safe for the time being.” My uncle’s confident voice gives me hope that this mess will be sorted soon. “We all will be coming back to Sydney with you so we can act swiftly when the time comes. Believe me, Alex, it will come. Dimitri Sokolov won’t know what’s hit him.”
Commanding what I want in life, this will be no different…
The blustery wind whips through my dress and jacket.
Only ever wear a dress, Isla…
The grey clouds mimic how my soul feels as I walk from the bus stop to where I know Dimitri will be waiting for me.
I had been summoned via message on my phone late last night.
My apartment…
4.45 PM tomorrow.
D.S
I knew it was time to move forward with my life, hoping that I would have come up with a plan to rid my world of him before he called for me, but I have nothing solid yet. The plan would have to be thought out and well-executed as I will only have one shot at it.
Failure will result in my death. You can’t take on the Russian Mafia and expect to win.
Can you?
Business is conducted at his lavish apartment in Rose Bay. No offices for Sokolov, everything is extremely perfect, organized, and welcoming, unlike himself.
Grabbing my jacket by the lapels to cover my bare neckline and keep the unwanted wind and anything else out, I walk up the path toward the contemporary styled apartment block. Nestled in dark green foliage, the tall square dark grey concrete constructed building looms. The garden is overly established and possibly from the original owners, but the building is new, strong and no doubt solely owned by Dimitri. Stretching my neck up, tilting my head back, there looks like there is at least three stories. Of course, he has to have the best.
A steel door greets me. My heart is striking my rib cage. My limbs are heavy and reluctant to move. My mind is numb. I can’t allow myself to think anymore. This is going to happen. I have to be strong and survive. I brace myself for the physical torture to be unleashed on me in a matter of minutes. Running away from Dimitri will result in punishment. He loves to exhibit to me who is in charge and where I fit in the grand scheme of his life. Showing me on numerous occasions, how fierce he can be if I don’t comply. Cameras are watching me psyching myself up to move my finger toward the button which will end my freedom.
Pressing the buzzer, I take a few deep breaths and a calmness washes over me. This is the start of my new beginning. I have to be confident and resolute or my future will never exist.
The huge grey metal door opens effortlessly. It looks as though it should weigh a ton but it glides back, and a serene Dimitri is on the threshold, smiling at me.
What the fuck? When does he ever open the door or smile at me for that matter?
Dimitri’s demeanor catches me off guard straight away. I don’t move, just stand there staring at him. He’s dressed down for the occasion, only wearing charcoal suit pants and a white dress shirt unbuttoned at the top. My eyes quickly rake over his broad chest down to his glossy black shoes. Politely he greets me, reaching for m
y hand. “Isla, how gorgeous you’re looking this afternoon, please do come in.”
As if I have a choice…
Putting my hand directly in his, he brings it to his mouth, kissing it.
“I’m so glad you came.”
“Good evening, Dimitri,” is all I can manage to say. My brain is taken aback and I still don’t quite understand what is going on here. Dominant, mighty Dimitri is tranquil and looking…happy?
This can’t be good!
“Come this way. I have an early dinner planned for us.”
“Oh,” escapes my mouth as he leads me through his grey-and black-toned apartment to an alfresco area overlooking the water. There is no hint of a woman’s touch in this elaborate apartment. Very sharp, square, and clean, full of modern furniture and the latest tech-savvy gadgets adorn the walls and flat surfaces.
The view from his veranda is spectacular, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from a crime lord. The sky is showcasing its anger with snippets of the sun going down, trying to be seen before it goes for the night. Pulling out a dark grey wooden chair for me, he requests for me to take a seat across from him before pouring me a glass of red wine.
His preferred drink…
His odd behavior rattles me, and my calmness is slowly slipping away. My hand starts to shake slightly as I take a small sip of the wine. Placing it back before I drop the whole glass, I notice Dimitri’s eyes firmly set on mine.
“Well, Isla. You have been busy while I have been away on business. I leave you for one week and you find yourself jet-setting across the ocean to Las Vegas, of all places.” His voice remains passive and level. “Did you enjoy yourself?” A sneer crosses his calm face.
How the fuck do I answer that? Do I tell him about being in another country, away from his clutches, with the man I have dreamed about since I was a young girl? That Alex gave me the freedom to do whatever and whenever I wanted, giving me gifts, showing me the time of my life, in and out of the bedroom? Do I divulge that I was enjoying myself until my psycho captor found me?
Taking another mouthful of my wine, trying to compose myself unsuccessfully, I try to sound confident. “I enjoyed the sights of the Las Vegas Boulevard. I have never seen anything quite like it.” My hands start to fidget on my lap.
“It certainly is a unique place, my love.”
Fuck, my love? What stratosphere have I just landed in?
“And the man you were with, Isla, Alex Raven. How do you know him?”
And there it is…The storm is rolling in.
Just as his name is mentioned, his loyal servant brings out our food. There’s no way I can eat a single bite, my nerves make me feel ill and my head is starting to swirl with Dimitri’s uncanny behavior.
Taking his knife and fork, cutting into his rare steak, he chews slowly. Prolonging and heightening my uneasiness, I move the beans around the plate, keeping my head and eyes peering solely down, hoping he has forgotten he asked me a question.
His cutlery bangs harshly onto the porcelain plate, startling me, fortifying I am now fully focused on his face.
“My love, how do you know Alex Raven?” he says with force.
The thunder and lightning will be upon me in mere seconds…
Deciding to go for the professional route, sounding nonchalant, I inform him we were hired to do his sister’s baby shower and he was impressed with Jules and my work and he offered to take us to his new resort to assist his choice of antiques and interior design for the new casino.
I know he’s not buying it.
Silence stretches.
“Yet, I don’t believe Jules went on this trip,” he states as he finishes a mouthful of his meat.
Trying hard to look at him straight in the eyes, I try for a serene voice. “Jules had to stay back and look after some clients. Both of us couldn’t go and, since I have knowledge in antiques, we decided it was best if I went.”
I feel like I’m going to be sick… He knows who Alex is… Of course.
He leans back from his plate and places his cutlery down again, slowly.
Anyone looking at this man can see he is powerful, he is a force and ruthless. If you happened to walk past him on the street, you would definitely look twice at his athletic, strong build, his unshaven face, and his finger-raked brown hair. With dark, dark brown eyes showcasing a dangerous edge to his persona.
Even though he must be close to forty-three-years-old.
His rugged handsomeness draws you in, taking hold, and sucks every inch of life out of you. His easy-going attitude tonight highlights a new aura around him. I can’t comprehend what his angle is, but at least I have managed to be in his presence for nearly half an hour and I am still sitting on a chair, conversing with him. Not being punished for my betrayal.
My body is rigid and stiff, trying to remain calm but I can’t eat or drink now. I search his face for answers to his next move but he’s unreadable.
His authoritative voice and fixed eyes command me.
“Isla, my love, from this day forward, I swear to you no one will touch you. No one will look at you without my permission. You are to become mine in every sense of the word.”
My heart thumps so loudly I can hear it in my head. Pounding.
Reaching now for my hand, which is unwilling to move a millimeter, he clasps his hand, which is twice the size of mine, securing me to him.
“It’s always been my plan to have only you, Isla. The time is right to announce it. No more hiding you, no more men, no more work. You will be with me most of your time. I’m not getting any younger and I need an heir.”
Fuck…my brain must be in shutdown mode because I think he just said something about me giving him an heir? I’ve definitely gone crazy…
His touch is making my skin crawl, yet I can’t remove his claws from my hand.
“You will move in with me, at my home. I expect you to attend all functions with me and I have organized that we will be wed in three months.”
My throat constricts, closing off the scream I want to hurl through the air. My gut twists like a knife piercing me from the inside. I must turn a shade of white or green as I feel bile churning in my stomach and throat.
“I need the bathroom now,” I whisper as I stand up, wobbling on my feet. He still grips my hand hard.
Standing brusquely, he ushers me inside, down the corridor, to the door on the left, where I am faced with the toilet bowl.
I came here tonight expecting to be tortured, abused, and left for dead for my betrayal of engaging with and leaving the country with a man who wasn’t on his prescribed list of clients, hoping that he would have had enough of me and my family, paying fully for my father’s ways and not worth his effort and time anymore.
How wrong can one person be?
I just became his most prized possession, never to be out of his or his men’s sight. His wife in three months.
The entire contents of my stomach rapidly come up.
The hurricane just fell upon me with a subtle yet devastatingly fierce and violent force…
The feeling of emptiness won’t subside.
No contact with my Sweetness has left me edgy, moody, and clear within my thoughts.
I need Isla. She needs me to be stronger, now more than ever… Dimitri must go.
Upon returning to Australia, I go to work, meetings, lunch, where I eat minimal, more meetings and phone calls keep me occupied. Sleep evades me each night. I am doing the same routine day in, day out, like a hamster on a wheel. Nothing different, just waiting and existing. I can’t even muster enthusiasm for my Las Vegas project.
My uncle has decided it’s too dangerous for me to be seen around The Family. Sokolov’s hounds have been spotted watching me. Setting up my uncle on the top floor of The Raven late one night allows him to stay with his guards unnoticed. He has space for his office, a room for his home away from home, and rooms for his men. Having my uncle, the Boss, here makes me realize why he is the Boss. I still am not ready to take the rei
ns yet. With only small aspects of mafia life ever touching us here in Sydney, I know I need someone with experience who can deal with Sokolov completely. I may want to end his life with my hands, but uncle knows how to achieve this ruthlessly and silently. I am honored to learn this from him.
Seth, Jared, and Liam keep me updated during daily meetings within The Raven, recapping where the security team is at, what Kolton and the tech guys are finding, and, most importantly, where Isla is.
It should be me standing by her side, protecting her, alleviating all her fears. But knowing the danger that would put her in is keeping me directly away.
Liam calls me at my office with news from the security detail on Isla, informing me that my Sweetness is inside a property in Rose Bay, one of Sokolov’s residences.
Motherfucking bastard! He had better not lay a hand on her.
“What the fuck, man, why didn’t someone stop her? Do I have to remind you what he does to traitors?” I yell through the phone while I all but run out of the office to the elevator. From the corner of my eye, I see Lydia’s head whip up. Concern written on her face. I have to get to her before he does.
A controlled voice enters my ears, “Isla will be all right. Our security guy was able to slip a tiny listening device in her handbag while she sat on the bus. He is listening to everything that goes on in that apartment and if it starts to get heated, our men are close enough to intervene, without anyone suspecting a thing.” Liam draws a long breath. “We have to be smart, Alex. We can’t be seen near her or things will get ugly, fast. This way we can get our plan finalized, keep her safe, and bring him down. It’s the only solution at the moment or we risk blowing our covers and the family’s secrets.”
“I don’t care!” I yell, then resign myself to what he is telling me is true.
Hesitantly I add, “I need her safe, Liam. I just need her to be safe and me not being with her is a potential for her to be hurt. She will be my undoing. Revenge will be first on my list if anyone harms her, in any way.”
Stepping out to my limo, where Thomas, my driver, is waiting for me, I climb in signaling him to stay put for a minute.
