She picked him up and ran to the kitchen before pouring a huge amount of his dry food into a salad bowl and plopping it down before him, then filling his water dish to the brim.
“Don’t eat it all at once Jackson, that might have to do you a few days,” she called as she hurried to her bedroom, knowing full well he’d do his best to finish it all in one sitting. She packed some clothes fast before going to the bathroom and cramming as many things as she could in her toiletry bag.
Back in the living room she opened the side window just enough for Jackson to come and go if he wished and then bolted for the door, stopping only once on the way to pick up her sturdy pair of walking boots. She’d been quick and was pleased she’d managed to pick up the essentials and would be gone again before the mafia guy with the gun had a chance to turn up.
Rushing back down again she caught a glimpse of her harried face in a mirror in the stairwell. Pale with fear, eyes wide with excitement and her hair a thatch of unkempt straw around her face. This is just crazy, she said out loud but it didn’t slow her headlong rush out of the building, her belongings clutched to her chest like a refugee.
Vladek had turned the car and the passenger door was open, waiting for her. She bundled herself in headfirst and struggled to shut the door while he already had the car moving forward.
There was a loud screeching sound in front of them then and they both looked up to see a large dark SUV pull up across the entrance gate, blocking them in. It was the same guy and he was clambering out, the dark threatening object again in his hand.
“Get your head down!” Vladek shouted, and pushed Chloe’s head down towards the dash. He stamped on the gas pedal and the Mustang shot forward towards the blockade. Chloe dared to look at Vladek and saw him crouched down low behind the wheel, his face taut and tense.
There must have been two shots because Chloe heard first the loud pinging sound of metal on metal and then a different loud crack as the windscreen was hit. Barely a second later came a huge crash that threw her forward against the dash. Vladek had smashed into the backend of the SUV and forced an escape route. Their momentum was briefly halted but then they were through and free and away.
“Holy shit!” cried Chloe, rubbernecking in the front seat to see if the thug was coming after them.
“Sit down and get your belt on. We’ve got a bit of a head start but he’ll be on our tail again soon.”
He was right and Chloe had totally forgotten her belt. The way Vladek was driving she definitely needed it and fumbled with it quickly to get it locked in. All her stuff was crammed between her legs so she started throwing them to the back seat. Only then did she sit back in the seat and try and catch her breath.
Vladek’s eyes continually flicked to the mirror and he’d already made two sharp turns. He slowed down a little but was still driving well over the speed limit. “I think we lost him, we’d have to be unlucky to run into him again.”
“Where are we going Vladek, where can we go that’s safe? Do you even have a plan?”
“I know somewhere, near Keuka Park. There’s a cottage I stayed in before with my boss Mirko and his family.”
“What do you mean boss?”
“Not like that, my employer. Although I think he might be a bit like me, had some connection in the past with the Bratva. But don’t worry, he’s a family man now. He really helped me out actually, gave me a second chance. And I might have just screwed up everything for him now as well. I might have brought attention to him too.”
He made another right turn, eyes intently on the mirror. Second by second Chloe could see the tension lessen in his frame and face. He slowed down more, just slightly above the limit now. He looked across at her and their eyes met briefly in the dim light of the dashboard.
“I’m glad you came Chloe, surprised actually, that you trusted me after everything that’s happened. But I want you to know, I just wanna make it right. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt and I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. You don’t deserve any of this.”
“I made up my own mind when I decided not to tell the cops. I don’t know why I did it really, it wasn’t too clever. I think I just liked you, but you were dumb to call my name, it would have been simpler if you didn’t. But I believed you then, that you were in over your head. Maybe I shouldn’t have but I did, I trusted you in some way.”
As Chloe watched him it was as if something internal seemed to crack, there was the very slightest loosening around his eyes and cheeks but then he was back in control.
“Not many people have ever put that kind of trust in me. I’ll fix this and everything can go back to normal again. I promise.”
She didn’t answer him but laid her head back against the warm leather seat, keeping her eyes on his profile. Maybe he would fix it somehow and she wouldn’t have to worry about being chased anymore but things would never be normal again. She thought her old life had been hard at times but she’d broken through into a much bigger world now. A world of gangsters and guns, millions worth of diamonds and a Russian bad boy who was determined to protect her.
- 14 -
Vladek
Vladek took the longer route around the second largest of the Finger Lakes to the west and by the time they passed Geneva Chloe was already asleep. He’d long since stopped worrying about pursuit. They would have had to be very unlucky for the Russian to pick the same route they did out of town.
What worried Vladek now was that the hitman had seen his car. He knew they’d have police contacts and his car was so distinctive it wouldn’t be long before they knew his name. So, he had to assume they’d soon know them both. He needed to call Mirko and let him know. He could potentially be in danger as well.
Everything was fucked, why the hell did he ever agree to get involved? Dimitri had made it sound like nothing, a small robbery, quick, and all he had to do was drive them twenty minutes to the boat, foolproof.
Now three people were dead and he was stuck with the loot. He’d brought danger to Mirko and his family as well as Chloe. The cops suspected him and now there was a Russian hitman on his tail.
He glanced again towards Chloe, her delicate face in repose as she slept, the passing streetlights illuminating her periodically in warm orange light before sending her back into shadow. She’d been through a lot and it was all his fault.
He felt his anger build and his foot pressed down further on the gas. It didn’t have to be like this, they didn’t have to hunt them down. He was prepared to give them everything just to be done with it. But now Chloe had been threatened. They’d sent a hitman, a cleaner to clear up every loose end. Vladek knew how they operated.
There was no other way out of it, blood would have to be spilt, on one side or the other before anything could be resolved. He struggled to get himself back under control, looking across at Chloe’s calm sleeping face seemed to help. He knew he was a hot head but he couldn’t afford to be if he was to bring them both safely through.
He edged back down to the speed limit again. They’d soon pass through Penn Yan at the north end of Keuka Lake. He’d pick up some supplies there and phone ahead to see if the cottage was available. When they were finally holed up he’d give Mirko a call and bring him up to speed. If anyone could think clearly enough to figure a way out of their mess it was Mirko.
On the outskirts of Penn Yann he pulled into a gas station. Chloe stirred awake and looked sleepily around. The tension came quickly back to her face as she remembered who she was with and what was happening.
“I’m gonna just fill the tank and ring ahead. The cottages are all self-catering so I’m gonna grab some basics as well, anything you want?”
“Oh I dunno, maybe pick up some alcohol, I could do with a drink. And a pack of Band-Aids too, I forgot to bring any.
“You ok?”
“Just my finger, I have a cut.”
“Food?”
“I’m not fussy, whatever you think we might need.”
He filled
the tank and then used a payphone to call the cottage owners in Keuka Park. He apologized for the late hour and asked after any vacancies and if they had the cottage he remembered available.
They were in luck, the cottage was available and had just been cleaned and prepared that day for a family from Canada who’d cancelled just a few hours earlier. He made arrangements to pick up the keys and then went into the store to pay for the gas and pick up their supplies.
Maybe their luck was finally turning, he thought. The cottage was just on the water and he was sure Chloe would like it. It might just distract her enough so she didn’t think about the ruthless thug with the gun.
The shop was well stocked and he filled up a basket with essentials he thought they might need for a couple of days stay, some food for breakfast, the Band-Aids for Chloe, a six pack of beers and a couple of bottles of wine. As he was waiting to pay he added a couple of bags of chips. They wouldn’t starve anyway.
Back in the car Chloe seemed more awake and alert but her eyes still had a dreamy quality. “This is all so weird you know, like a film or something.”
“I know exactly what you mean but we’re gonna figure it out.”
They drove on the rest of the way in silence. The initial adrenalin and excitement of escaping the Russian with the gun was long past and tiredness was sinking into Vladek’s bones. He was looking forward to finally getting there.
Once they got to Kekua Park, Vladek drove straight to the old couple’s house to pick up the keys. They had three different properties in or nearby that they rented out to supplement their retirement. Despite her age and the late hour the old lady’s eyes were crystal clear and alert as she handed over the keys.
“I remember you now Vladek, yes. You were here for a few days last summer with your friend and his family. A little serious looking he was but a nice man I think.”
“Yes, that’s right. I really appreciate you doing this at such short notice. I was driving back with my cousin and we were both so tired and I was telling her about the cottage, so, I just thought I’d chance my arm. We’ll stay a couple of days anyway, if that’s ok?”
“Sure, sure, no problem. We’re usually quiet enough this time of year anyway and we’ve no one else booked in for a couple of weeks. Just be sure to let me know if you want it for any longer.”
She stayed in the doorway and smiled as he left, the light from the open door turning her curly white hair into a halo on her head. Vladek had to remind himself to act more casual and relaxed, like he didn’t have a care in the world. Despite her smile the old lady had been suspicious, she’d probably been in the business long enough to know when a guest’s story smelt a little fishy.
Once back in the car he turned to Chloe again, this time noticing a more thoughtful expression on her face. “Ok, I have the keys, five more minutes and we’re there.”
“Ok, good,” was all she replied.
He got the car moving again, glad that they would soon be there and could begin figuring out their next move.
- 15 -
Chloe
Since she’d woken up again in the car Chloe was in a strange kind of mood. She’d had such small dreams and ambitions only a week before but now she was involved in something huge. She looked out the window at the houses they drove past, full of people living out their normal lives.
She was different to all of them now, she was changed forever by what had happened. It made her realize how small her old life had been. Now she was in a life and death situation, she’d lied to the police to protect the impulsive hunk who was driving her to safety in his vintage Mustang. Life would never be the same again.
He’d promised to protect her, said she was his responsibility. He’d sounded so sure, certain as if that was just the way it was and she couldn’t protect herself. He was so different to her, like a total opposite but he opened up spaces and parts of her she hadn’t known were there.
The leather smelled good, the car was really awesome and she couldn’t help be impressed that he’d done all the work himself. She liked a man who could make and fix things. It was cute he was so protective of her but she was glad he’d been there as well. She thought back to the gun, of being there alone in the dark on the path. Vladek had come out of nowhere, like some shining knight.
She was eager to reach their destination. She wanted to be in the light again, a bright room where she could look more closely at her knight, Double H, Hottie Hardwood. She rolled the different names around her mind and allowed her thoughts to turn a little naughty. She liked the name Vladek, Vlad, and hadn’t heard it before. Maybe she’d cry it out loud sometime, maybe with pleasure instead of fright.
It was a strange journey and she felt odd, almost new, like she was becoming a different kind of person. But it was hard to think clearly about anything. Her brain was like porridge, mushy, gloopy porridge.
She watched curiously as Vladek picked up the keys from the old lady. She must’ve thought it was strange they called so late. Maybe she thinks I’m a prostitute, she thought to herself. She could be anything now, a girl from another town travelling through the night with a criminal. No one knew where she was or where she was going.
Five minutes after picking up the keys they arrived at the cottage. Even in the dark it looked cute and neat, the wooden boarded walls painted bright yellow. They parked up in a secluded spot nearby so the car wouldn’t be seen from the road.
As they approached the cottage Chloe noticed the well-tended pots of flowers and shrubs arranged neatly by the door and under the windows. It looked tiny from the outside and she wondered vaguely if Vladek had given any thought to their sleeping arrangements but once they were inside she saw it had a second floor below that opened out to a large terrace almost directly at the water’s edge.
There were three bedrooms altogether and two with king-sized beds as well as a fully equipped kitchen. It was tastefully decorated and she had to admit that Vladek had chosen their hideaway well.
“For some reason I was half expecting you to check us into some dingy motel. Isn’t that what people do in the movies when they’re on the run from the bad guys?”
“Well the thought had crossed my mind to be honest.”
She knew he was kidding but it was nice. It was a bit awkward while they stood opposite each other and neither of them seemed to know quite how to behave. Chloe could feel her fingers starting to itch again and she remembered the Band-Aids.
“Did you get those bandages for me?”
“Yeah, here I’ll get them. How did you cut yourself?”
Chloe sighed and normally she would have avoided the topic but she was tired and they were already bound together by bigger concerns so it didn’t seem to matter if she told him or not.
“It’s myself, I don’t mean to do it, it just happens when I dig my nails in, especially when I’m stressed or something. It’s one of the reasons I started doing crochet. I’ll just wash my hands quick and bandage my fingers.”
“Ok, are you actually hungry?”
“No, not at all. I’d have that drink though.”
“I’ll bring a bottle out to the terrace, how about that? Maybe we can start trying to figure out what to do.”
“Sounds good, I’ll see you out there,” replied Chloe as she walked quickly to the bathroom with the packet of Band-Aids. Once she was there she stared at herself again in the mirror in puzzlement. Before, she never would have told someone just like that and drawn attention to her ugly fingers. Why was it different with him, why was everything different with him?
She felt a little embarrassed for admitting it, for telling him but at the same time she was glad she’d been able to, like it was just no big deal. Maybe you could just do things like that when there was a mafia hitman tracking you down.
Leaving the bathroom again she could see that he’d already brought her bags into the nicer of the two bedrooms. He’d also turned off the harsh, main light in the living room and had turned on a softer table lamp. The door
s to the terrace were open and he was already comfortably sitting with a glass of wine while another waited on the table for her. She wanted to stay suspicious of him but almost everything he did seemed to hit the right notes.
She sat down heavily in the chair opposite and looked out over the moonlit water. It really was a beautiful part of the country and as much as she regretted never leaving for a big city she knew she couldn’t live for long without the beautiful landscape of the Finger Lakes.
“Have you always done that, hurt yourself like that?” He asked after a moment.
“I’m not sure, I think it got worse after my mum died, that was five years ago. It was a really tough time then.”
“What happened?”
Chloe sighed and then took a breath. She didn’t talk about her mum too often but it did seem to get easier with every passing year, even if it still felt as if a huge part of her was just missing. A big dark space that could never be filled.
“They were just at the side of the road, they’d pulled over to buy vegetables at a stall. Somehow my mum took a few steps backwards, and the truck driver, he was too far in, just bad timing. They were both careless, my mum was just as much at fault. But it happened and just like that she was gone. It was tough after that, on my dad especially. He blamed himself of course, it’s been a long way back for him.
“What about you, the rest of your family, brothers, sisters?”
“I have an older brother, but he just couldn’t deal with it, couldn’t face it. He was already away in college when it happened and he didn’t come back much then. He got through it though, got his degree and everything but only just. He partied a lot I think, lots of drink and other stuff. That’s how he dealt with it. I still don’t think he’s ever really faced up to it, he’s been running away ever since. He’s not in much contact anymore.”
Rough Diamond (A Mafia Romance) Page 7
