by Ellie Jean
“Miss Isla Winters.”
“Yes.” My voice sounds manlier than his.
“Delivery for you. Security has signed already for them. Happy Birthday, miss.”
Gripping them so they don’t escape into the now dark night sky, I wrestle them inside. The bright rainbow colors are spectacular and so uplifting. My cheeks hurt from smiling at them. I’m such a little child… There’s an envelope attached to the weight at the bottom of the twenty plus strings. I place the balloons on the nearby table.
Freeing the card, the white typed message reads,
Meet me out the back on the patio.
My surprise…?
Going through the open door, I close it before I pause. No one’s there.
A faint whistle draws my attention.
Heading back where I wandered minutes before, the whistle gets louder.
“Alex… I’m here for my surprise.” Searching the darkness, my eyes find it difficult to adjust to the dim night light. I should have turned the lighting on so I could see.
“Alex… Where are you?” Crouching down low, I peer through the bottoms of the bushes. Two can play at this game.
A hand snatches around my waist, one goes over my mouth from behind me. A creeping sensation runs up my spine. The hold is forceful. My stomach can’t expand, his arm is digging into me that harshly. A stench hits my nose. “Don’t move a muscle. Someone wants to speak to you.” His breath is vulgar.
Are you fucking kidding me…?
I’m pissed as hell. Someone from above is playing havoc with my life.
One fucking day without drama is all I want. Why is that not possible? Motherfucker…
Kicking and screaming into his harsh skin, he lifts me like I’m a goddamn feather. Steps leading to the edge of the backyard come into my darkened sight. My flapping arms connect with his face, my heels landing on his legs, but it doesn’t deter this brute. He doesn’t stop moving me away from the house.
Fuck…
Exhaustion spreads through my body.
Fifteen hours of labor, but agonizing pain would be a better way to describe the events of today. A screaming sister. Lots of breathing techniques. Massages for her shoulders and back. Bone crushing vice grips on my hand. More screaming. The pushing… Fuck… No words to describe that one… My body is ragged from just attending to her. Any woman that gives birth is impressive in my eyes now. What an ordeal it takes on your body. The partner included… My mother and father intermittently came to relieve me of my duty with my sister. Being only able to call Isla once, my body is ready to be lying next to her suppleness soon.
The labor progressed too slowly for Sarah. Fuck. The strain on her body and the pain she endured, I wanted to take it from her. Yet, she managed and after hours of intense agony, because she refused the drugs, of course, a healthy and beautiful baby girl was born. The day after my Sweetness’s.
The nurse places the cleaned up bouncing baby girl in her mother’s arms. Tears flow from us both. Instant love for my niece catches me off guard. Tears spring to my eyes.
“You’ve done good, sis. She’s beautiful.” Sniffling, trying to compose myself, I take a tissue to dry my nose.
“Isn’t she perfect? Her blue eyes remind me of her father’s.” Her voice can be hardly heard.
My hand slips to her covered leg and I gently pat it. “It’s all going to be fine. You’re going to be the best mother. We will all spoil her. Probably too much, that you will get sick of us.”
“Never. Can you ever be too spoilt?” Connecting her eyes with mine, she adds, “Let me rephrase that, you were more spoilt than me, so I guess you can be.” Her lightened laugh makes me laugh too. We both know who the spoiled one of the family was, and it was me. Mother’s baby boy. Father’s firstborn boy. Last child in the family. I always got away with everything. But we both know our parents idolize both of us equally. I could just manipulate them easier. Although, she still has father wrapped around her little finger.
“You know the truth, sis. Let’s just leave it at that…”
Reaching toward me, Sarah offers me a hold of the sound asleep princess. Her petite body is placed in my arms. I will do everything I can to protect this bundle of joy.
Sarah’s in-laws and my parents both knock on the door.
“Come in.” Considering Sarah has been in labor for so long, she’s very upbeat. “Meet your new granddaughter.” Happiness flows through the private room. Ohh’s and arrr’s and a gentle quietness encompasses us all. Amongst the joy an underlying sadness can be felt. This little precious baby will never know her father’s touch. But we all vow that she will know all about him throughout her life.
“Have you thought of a name?” My mother stands back while the other grandparents join in the pleasure of holding this precious little girl.
Fuck… How did I forget to ask Sarah this? Talk about me being a total dope. Or an uncle out of his league.
“Darcy and I had discussed names. We didn’t have one set in stone, but he was stuck on Alice.” Wiping her eyes, she continues, “So I have decided on Alice Darcie. After her father.”
Gulping a shudder back down, I reach out to my sister, who is still lying legs stretched out in her hospital bed and hug her tight. It’s so pretty and meaningful. “He would be so proud of you.” Kissing her head, I sit next to her small frame and hold her while the other members of the family ponder the name given to my niece.
“Alice Darcie… So exquisite. Like my granddaughter.” My father is the first to come over again and congratulate Sarah in this hard decision.
The clock on the table beside the bed reads two am. Crap… I need to get back to the farmhouse. I have a naked woman ready for me.
“I’m going to get going. My hard work here is done.”
Pushing my arm playfully, Sarah tries to put on her angry face. “Umm, I think I did the hard work… As usual…”
“This time, I won’t argue with you. I am in awe of what you did today. Congratulations again. I’ll be back tomorrow to visit.” Kissing her one last time, then placing a brief kiss on Alice’s cheek, “It may not be ‘til later though. I may need sleep, my body is exhausted.”
A pillow swiftly is thrown at my head. Oh, she’s fiery.
Blowing her a kiss, I exit the room. My phone is on silent. The screen indicates there’s no calls. But I did say I would call her when I left the hospital.
Dialing the house number, I don’t expect an answer. Isla should be sound asleep, hopefully naked in the bed. Getting some much-needed rest while she can. The ringing tone stops after about ten rings. No one answers.
I’ll let her sleep. For now. Exhausted as I am, I will still be devouring her delectable body in less than an hour. Showing her how crazy she makes me for her. Pounding into her pussy, claiming her all over again. Aiming for a frenzied, sizzling tryst, my body assaulting hers with fervor and passion until we are a hot, sweaty mess is my plan. Compelling her to cry out my name in ecstasy, over and over. Giving her a birthday present like no other. One she will never forget.
Jaw tight. Fists balled. My heart bangs against my rib cage.
I’m ready to combust.
Frustration, anger, and hostility surge through me.
I’m so fed up with people thinking they can manhandle me. Taking me against my wishes and deciding that they are going to map out my future.
Well, fuck that… It ends now…
A show down with Dimitri was inevitable… He just didn’t know it would come from me.
Not giving in without a tussle, I fought the big man all the way to his hidden dark blue sedan. Flinging my body parts at him, elbows and feet included, I unleashed everything I had to make him drop me. I even tried a backward head butt. The only thing it achieved is me with a growing lump on the back of my head.
Keeping alert, he wrangled me in the back of the car, while the driver took off in the darkness. Staying still for a minute or two to regain some more strength, no one speaks. These guys do
n’t look like the type of men Dimitri had around his house. They had worn suits and dressed as though they were going out for dinner. This man was rugged, smelled bad, and would blend perfectly with the majority of everyday people living here in Sydney. His casual dress providing a perfect disguise to perform an abduction. He must have recruited someone to get the job done. No doubt offering the highest amount of payment to the lucky ones who stole me back.
Motherfucker…
The Isla from one day ago is gone. Fed up with this shit, it’s now time to take charge and go for what I deserve and more than definitely want.
Hitching my leg up fast, without hesitation I slam my heel down toward the burly man’s crotch. Crap… He catches my leg, then rubs it up and down with his rough hand. A sneer overtakes his scowl. My flimsy summer dress not providing me with any protection.
Reefing my leg from his catch, he laughs and stares straight ahead.
“Aren’t you going to tell me where you’re taking me?” I’m cranky and my voice sounds harsher than it ever has.
The idiot sits there looking forward without saying a word. He doesn’t even look in my direction.
“Really? You’re gonna give me nothing?” Slapping my palms on the leather interior, I exhale loudly. “Don’t I have the right to know?” My voice is sounding more venomous by the second. “You spineless coward, tell me!” I yell. Hearing myself, it sounds like I’m having a hissy fit. Why aren’t they speaking to me?
Not a muscle flinches at my words, only a smug look forms on this bastard’s face. My breathing is ragged from my exertions. Folding my arms around me, I concentrate on my breathing, giving me time to contemplate what my move should be when I’m faced with Dimitri. I know one thing, I won’t be pretending anymore. He’ll notice straight away the ring he placed on my finger is gone, just like I will be.
Resting my head back on the head rest, I close my eyes. These two aren’t going to give me anything. It’s time for me to think…
Am I really contemplating going after Dimitri?
Yes… I fucking am…
How am I going to make him listen to me and let me go?
I won’t and he won’t…
Can I outrun him and his men?
Nope… Tried that and failed.
Will I be able to get a weapon and render him useless?
Probably not with my lack of skills and lack of muscles.
Will I let him use my friends and family against me?
Not anymore… I’m done with the psychological blackmailing… Of course, though, he has the means to kill us all and no one would even know we were dead.
Don’t care…
I have to try a different approach.
I have to be as ruthless as him. But what is so important to him, that he would leave me alone?
That’s what I have to figure out…
Money…
Drug connections, prostitution rooms, business clients…
Family? I don’t think he has anyone.
Friends he would die to protect?
Don’t know of any…
Questions, questions, and more questions. But I will figure it out.
No more scared, timid Isla.
The ‘yes’ girl is gone.
Fingers prod the side of my leg. Opening my eyes, I see blazing bright lights, the Harbour Bridge and the dizzying heights of The Park Hyatt. What have I honestly done to deserve to be back in the city, away from Alex?
The car takes a turn down, and we are in the basement of the most decadent and expensive hotel in Sydney. My fiancé must have relocated for the night. To kill me with kindness before he actually does the deed. Choking on the air going into my lungs, I splutter at the thought.
The driver stops near the elevator. No one is around and it’s not an elevator the public would use by the look of it. I’m too anxious and weary to care. I just have to find out what’s in store for me and work it from there, I guess.
Mr. Mute unlatches his door and advances to my side, opening the door for me.
I scowl, “I didn’t picture you as the gentlemanly type.”
“You’d be surprised what I am, miss.” An accent penetrates my ears.
“Finally, you speak.”
Taking my hand, he helps me out of the car, then places his other hand on my lower back and ushers me forward to the elevator. A key comes out from his pocket, of which he sticks in the appropriate lock, opening the elevator doors.
My hands flop to my sides. It’s late… The anger has zapped me… I still haven’t got a weapon or know how to blackmail the best blackmailer in the business…
I’m barely breathing. Only enough to keep me standing. The calloused hand is still resting on my back. We fly up, sending my stomach to my toes. It has to be one of the worse feelings in the world. I hate it… But, sighing aloud again, I guess I do have bigger problems at the moment.
There’s no flashy numbers in this elevator. We are going up and up and then up some more.
The Penthouse will be where Dimitri is waiting to take me back. Or kill me. Or make me watch him kill my loved ones… Scrunching up my face, the elevator door pings.
My legs are stuck… Deja vu hits me. Reminding me of a month back when I couldn’t get out of the elevator in Las Vegas. When he had found me.
Dimitri may have found me again, but a day has changed me.
I’m ready to walk into the lion’s den and face him head on this time.
Ungluing my feet, swallowing a deep breath, I march with Mr. Mute to the furthest point the polished marbled corridor will take us. His hand knocks decisively on the enormous cream colored wooden door. He takes the room key from his pocket, placing it in the slot until the small dot goes green. Pulling the door handle down, he swings the door back, using some of his strength. He holds the heavy door open for me.
Reaching for my body, he latches his other arm around my waist and pushes me in the door frame. “Goodbye, Miss Winters.”
Letting the door go, it bangs shut, making me jump forward.
He’s on the outside and I’m left standing on the inside…
Dear Lord, you are going to have help me tonight… Cause Alex can’t.
I’d come to a decision…
I would let Isla live. Even if she ran from me I would spare her life.
I’m a cruel, heartless bastard. An evil, callous, dangerous motherfucker who fucks over anyone that gets in my way. But, unbeknown to me, I want Isla and I will have her.
Her delectable young body. But not just that lured me to her. No…there was more. Her strength and courage. The fierceness she displays to protect the people she loves. The integrity she has even though I have used her for my business, she still holds her head high, like nothing bad could ever touch her or penetrate her happiness.
I’ve been unfair to her… Of course, it’s in my nature. Blackmailing and hurting people is what I do best and how I get the best from others. Money talks, but the threat of personal death or more potently, a loved one, always seals the deal.
It’s how I lived my life from the beginning. Strict Russian family. Members of the Bratva long before I was born. My life has always been about getting what they want.
Young, silly, and with my first true love. Fuck, Isla reminds me so much of her. A challenge. Not letting me get away with anything. I had a heart for her, only her. She was the only one that could push my buttons, tempting me, making me forget my position and place of authority. It didn’t work on her. She had the power and she fucking knew how to use it against me.
Fuck. Isla penetrates my black, dark soul. Just like her…
Until it was brought to my father’s attention, by a soldier that she was the daughter of one of the biggest rivals in our area. My father instructed me to get information from her, but I couldn’t. We never spoke about our connections or business. It was always about us and our future. How we would travel together and leave this heartless place behind us. We had to make our rendezvous secret, which worked f
or a while but when I came back with no information each week, my father became suspicious and had me followed.
They killed her. In cold blood. In my arms she lain limp because I wouldn’t ask for information.
A lesson was learned that day. To survive this world, I had to do the hurting first.
Now, twenty-four hours on from Isla’s disappearance, no one knows where she is, still… Petya has kept me updated. Other families have joined the search. Our men are tailing everyone they have flagged associated with Isla. We’ve brought in teams of bounty hunters to find her. There’s updates every half an hour, but nothing I want to hear. Her mother and brother haven’t been seen since the night either, which gives me sinister thoughts. Has she been playing me for a fool?
The one piece of information that I have received is that of the fucker Raven. Maksim has found him at a hospital in Sydney. The only thing he can tell me is that his sister’s in labor and he has approached the waiting room and there is no sign of Isla anywhere.
I still don’t trust him…
My bets are on him having my fiancée somewhere…
A deep ache has settled in my chest. Sitting at my desk for hours, casting my thoughts back to my younger years, and to Isla has taken my full attention. It’s so bizarre. The water beyond the full wall glass window churns about, much like my thoughts have today. The phone vibrates on the desk.
“Yes…” I’m rude and aggressive and out of fucking patience.
It’s Maksim. The one man I trusted to stay guard on Isla…”Raven was in the cafeteria on the phone. I overheard part of the conversation. It could have been Isla he was talking to.”
Straightening up in my chair, “Fuck, was it?”
“I’m not one hundred percent certain, but he seemed genuinely happy to be talking to the other person.”
“Bastard. I knew it. Stay on him. Do you hear me, don’t lose him too.” Hanging up the phone abruptly, I call to Petya to come to my office.
“Get me everything on Raven. His houses, his family’s houses, businesses. I want everything, now.” My face is drenched in sweat and I’m yelling like he’s at the other side of the building. “Don’t miss any little detail.”
