Still, though, he didn’t turn around.
Didn’t speak…
The silence roared in her ears.
A profound second marked away another moment in time. Then, his heartbreaking words were enough to shatter her. “If I have to die to protect you and Meghan, it’s a risk that I’m willing to take. I will not, and let me repeat, will not allow anyone to hurt either of you,” he spoke clearly, and so much emotion played in his voice. “I love you.”
As the door closed behind him, she wept.
***
A mixture of an upbeat R&B tune from the playing orchestra and scattered voices greeted him as the elevator doors opened on the 4th floor. Stepping off, Sebastian took in the milling crowd that spilled across the massive-sized ballroom.
Several feet away, on the other side of the room, he spied Marc’s tall, lithe form among the mass. Being the consummate spy that he was, Marc passed a quick, surreptitious glance in his direction, and easily caught his subtle nod towards the balcony.
Only an amorous couple relished the offerings of the summer night, Sebastian noted, seconds later, resting at the railing only a short distance away from them. Though they stood within the shadows, it did little to disguise their scandalous embrace. Finally, noticing him, they jumped apart, and then flustered, they scurried back inside.
A moment later, Marc stood alongside him.
“The others?” he asked tightly.
“They’re everywhere along the perimeter, ready and waiting,” Marc added, and tension exuded from him as well. “Just waiting on our signal.”
“Santini’s downfall---the beginning of an ultimate finale,” he suggested lowly, tracking the minimal stars that speckled the night sky, and wondered if a wish awaited him among their starry presence. “Time to make our move. Vanessa is with Frank, so she’s in good hands.” He released a deep sigh. “One day, she’ll understand my reasoning behind this.”
“I’m guessing that she’s not too keen on our confronting Santini.”
“No, she’s not, and I hate that I’m disappointing her, yet again,” he admitted, then shook his head. “But, we can’t focus on that right now. Getting Vanessa out of here safely is our only M.O. tonight. So, let’s do it.”
As they entered the ballroom, they separated again.
However, now, rather than hanging along the shadowy fringes of the ballroom, they boldly made their presence known. As he enmeshed within the crowd, he began noticing a few familiar faces, and they reddened upon seeing his. Apparently, there were some who were knowledgeable of the discord between him and Santini, he deduced, passing the crowd of businessmen a tight smile.
But, as the master of the ceremonies made way to the stage, his attention turned from them. Evidently, he was about to make congratulatory remarks or some other announcement.
Perfect timing, he mulled, facing the stage along with the other guests.
For he would be the hell that broke loose…
“Ladies and gentleman, once again, thank you all for being here tonight---to celebrate the future union of Victor Santini and Vanessa Frances Mitchell,” the grand master proclaimed into the mike. “And now, the man of the hour would like to share his own thanks and words of wisdom to you all. Here he is, ladies and gentleman, Victor Santini.”
The applause erupted in the room.
As his nemesis strode across the stage, he felt the bile rise to his throat.
Or rather, it was his naked hatred.
Sebastian pushed his way through the crowd, making way closer to the stage. Still, he hung back when nearing the front, finally deciding to stand along the human-made third row. A quick, subtle glance around the crowd showed that support was close by.
Tensing, he turned his attention back to the stage.
“Friends and family,” Victor said into the mike, raising the champagne glass in a toast. “I’m more than honored that you are celebrating such a joyous occasion with me. Tonight marks a new chapter, a different beginning, and it’s one that I’ve been eager to embark on for a long time.”
New chapter, my ass, Sebastian mulled sullenly, frowning against the applause in the grand ballroom.
“Thank you,” Victor said with a phony smile, waiting for the applause to die out. When it did, he spoke again. “As with any great romance, it’s been a long road that brought us here. My relationship with Vanessa is…. I’d guess that you could say that it’s rather unconventional. I suppose that events like those of tonight only highlight that statement. At the moment, my bride-to-be is temporarily on the outs. It saddens me to say that Vanessa has taken ill this evening, so she’s in a room upstairs resting. Hopefully, once she’s restored, she’ll be able to return to the festivities. That’s Vanessa for you---always messing things up at the wrong time.” He gave an uncomfortable laugh. “What’s that old adage about in sickness and health? I suppose that you could say that’s we’re putting that into play already, aren’t we folks?”
As intended, the words evoked laughter from the crowd.
“Like I said before, this is a new beginning for Vanessa and me,” Victor droned on. “And never again will anything put our relationship asunder---”
“Except me, you son-of-a-bitch,” Sebastian said coldly, pushing his way through the crowd, finally revealing his presence. Now, he stood before the stage, and behind him, he could hear the surprised gasps and murmurs from the crowd. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I allow this marriage to happen.”
The whispers and words among the crowd ran wild.
“Armani?” Stunned, Victor stared down at him, and the color drained from his face. “What the fuck---”
“No, you’re fucked,” he warned coldly, pointing a finger at him. “For every bit of pain and suffering that you’ve caused Vanessa, I’m going to return it ten-fold. And the threats that you’ve been making against my little girl---for that alone, I’ll destroy you, you sick bastard.” A dangerous smile curved his lips. “And if you want to get rid of me, you better come up with something better than a few dredged up kidnapping charges.”
In a fit of rage, Victor hurled the champagne glass at him before hurrying towards the exit stairs. Now, he no longer resembled the clean-cut businessman, but the crazed monster that he was. At the bottom of the stairs, his own crew awaited him and they surrounded him instantly. With intent, they all marched towards him.
Smiling coldly, he stood his ground.
Marc and seven others emerged from the massive crowd, and moved to his side. Together, they stood silently, forming a solid united front.
A dangerous excitement brewed.
The crowd converged again, forming a huge mass, and surrounded the entire room.
And that left them center stage, he mulled darkly, watching as they approached, and it was just what he wanted.
“Well, well, well,” Victor muttered, stopping before him. A look of distaste passed over his face. “Look what the cat drug in from that little hell-hole cell in the Canyon Islands. I would say that I was happy to see you, but it’d be a lie.”
“Noted,” he replied dryly, then gave a humorless laugh. “I have to hand it to you, Junior. You know how to throw one hell of an engagement party. The food and wine are great. Too bad you and the rest of your company here suck. I guess like life, nothing’s perfect. Still, it’s one helluva party.” He arched an arrogant brow. “I hope that my little impromptu announcement didn’t put a damper on things.”
“Of course, that was your intent, you son-of-a-bitch,” Victor snapped, clenching his teeth. “Humiliation isn’t enough for you, is it, Armani? No, you have to bait and goad---”
“Nothing will ever be enough,” he raged in return. “For all the damage that you’ve caused to my family, there is no justifiable retribution until you’re bleeding red.”
His words elicited more gasps and murmurs from the burgeoning crowd.
“Is that a threat?” Victor snarled, baring his teeth.
“I don’t make threats. But, I d
o live by the promises that I make,” he said icily. “By the time all of this is over, you’ll have nothing.”
“You’re crazy---you’re mad!” Victor shouted. “Take a look around, bitch. You’re outnumbered. Right now, I could kill you dead, and no one could stop me.”
And those were the words he needed, he mulled, feeling the venom rise in him.
“Like you murdered my wife and son in cold blood?” he bit back, finally to delivering his deathly verbal blow. “And let’s not dismiss the torture that you inflicted on them before their deaths---”
Chaos ensued from the crowd.
Both words of surprise and disbelief echoed.
“All you have are words and no proof. Those facts practically denounce anything that you have to say. Everyone else get out!” Victor yelled, crazed, whirling in a full circle, and took in the gaping crowd. When they didn’t move, he released another round of violent expletives. “You heard what I said, get the fuck out!”
The crowd went wild as they dispersed in all directions, some of them even falling as they made speedy departures. Just when the band members had left, it was anyone’s guess, especially since only the instruments obliterated the stage.
Although the grand ballroom wasn’t vacant of all the guests, Victor’s goons drew their weapons, and so did his own backup. A scream rent out as the few remaining guests fled.
But, he was ready as well, he mulled darkly, aiming the pistol straight at Victor’s chest.
Their violent confrontation was long overdue.
“Alright, Armani, don’t do anything rash,” Victor warned, staring at the barrel of the gun. “You don’t want to do this.”
“Shut the fuck up,” he snapped. “There’s only one thing that I want from you. Where’s the bogus evidence that you’ve been using to blackmail Vanessa? I want it.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Victor scoffed, and his eyes widened in disbelief. “Do you actually believe that I’m just going to hand it over to you? Your ego is even more inflated than I originally believed.”
“You’re right. I do have a massive-sized ego, and that means that I always get what I want. Which proves that weak and spineless fools like you are really never a true match for me,” he said coldly, ignoring the weapons drawn on him, and kept his steadily of Victor. “Know what’s strange? A big night like this and your father is suddenly incognito. It just makes me wonder if something’s going on. Where is he?”
“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you a damn thing.”
“Is that so, Junior?” he taunted, giving a lazy smile. “Seems to me that there are a lot of things that you’re not telling or rather they’re just convenient omissions. Like the fact that you’re embezzling millions of dollars, right under your father’s nose. I wonder how he’d feel about that little bit of news---that his prodigal son is a cheat and a liar, even to him.”
Victor’s face reddened. “Your accusations are getting more ludicrous by the second---”
“I think not,” he challenged. “As a matter of fact, what if I were to say that I’ve found a paper trail that leads straight to you?”
“You’re lying,” Victor accused softly, though his face was still flushed. “Scare tactics…you’re using them to get what you want---”
“Offshore account in Dubai, $25,000,000 to be exact,” he murmured, frowning as if bored. “I’d say that’s quite a hefty amount of money---”
“I fucking hate your guts,” Victor hissed. “Everything that you touch, you ruin it!”
“As much as I’d like to take credit for you being a complete fuck-up, I can’t,” he smiled coldly. “No, Junior, you’ve done the honors all on your own.”
“What do you want?” Victor snapped. “What will it take to make you stay quiet?”
“Vanessa’s freedom.”
“Vanessa? Is this what all this about? That stupid cunt upstairs? No,” Victor sneered. “She stays with me.”
“Insult her that way again, and you’ll find your guts splattered all over the floor,” Sebastian said deadpan. “What’s up with you, Santini? It’s not as if you love her. Hell, I doubt that you even like her. No man can care about a woman, but then degrade her with such nasty words.” The bitterness seeped through him as he looked at his nemesis. “Vanessa’s not a possession for you to put on the shelf. She’s a human being with feelings and emotions. She deserves the best, and that certainly isn’t you.”
“And you are?” Victor asked, raising a brow. “What makes you believe that you’re a better man than me? I hardly think that you’re in the position to judge me and my actions. No, you’re just as corrupt and vile as I am. As least I haven’t lied to her for months---”
“I know what I’ve done, and it doesn’t bear repeating,” he cut in sharply. “Not that I owe you an explanation, but the fact remains that I love Vanessa and I always have.” His stare was fierce and cold. “Let her go.”
Victor shook his head firmly. “No, Vanessa is a non-negotiable entity. She stays.”
“What you mean is that you’re going to hold her here against her will and continue with your threats. You’re going to physically and mentally abuse her until you break her will.”
“Wow, you do know me quite well, Armani. I’m impressed that you’ve figured things out already,” Victor sneered again. “Because that’s exactly what I plan on doing to that cunt. She deserves to be miserable.”
“You really don’t value your life that much, do you? Didn’t I tell you not to insult her again? Truth be told, Junior, I’m not finding satisfaction in anything that you’re saying. And I especially don’t like your eagerness to cause harm to the woman that I love,” Sebastian taunted, cocking the hammer back. “Say your goodbyes, Santini.”
“Wait, damn it!” Victor shouted, holding a hand out, and a strange wildness played in his eyes. “I’m certain that we can come to some type of agreement.” He looked at his goons. “Put your weapons down.”
With reluctance, his minions lowered their weapons.
Sebastian gave Marc and the others a subtle nod, and they acquiesced by lowering theirs as well.
“Good to know that you’re coming around to my way of thinking, Santini,” he said tightly, stepping closer to him. “We’re playing by my rules now. First of all, you’re going to leave Vanessa the hell alone. Any connection that you shared with her, it’s over. Do you understand me?”
“As much as I’d like to give you a hearty ‘fuck you’, I can’t,” Victor said coldly. “I want Vanessa, but not enough to face the wrath of my father.” He nodded. “Alright, agreed. I’ll sever all ties to her.”
“One more thing. I don’t care what you do or how you do it. Find that bogus evidence that your old man has cooked up against Vanessa and get it to me,” he said with another icy smile. “Your reward? You might stand to live another day.”
Chapter 6
A summer storm was rolling in, she thought, watching the raindrops as they trailed down the window pane in fine, thin streams. The wind was also howling, and surprisingly it was cool. Through the cracks, it seeped into the old, abandoned shack.
Dangling from the ceiling, attached to a cord, the light bulb swayed ever so often and illuminated a dim glow into the small room. But, considering the age of the old shack, it was fortunate that there was any visibility at all.
Yet, the place was somewhat livable.
Surprisingly, the shack held two additional rooms, one a small quaint bedroom and the other a tiny kitchenette. It was also worth noting that not a cobweb or other form of debris occupied it as would be expected. As a matter of fact, it was well-kept and quite clean, showing signs of human activity.
And the living area, where she and Frank were now, it was spotless as well. But, it contained only an old purple velour couch, an oblong-shaped table that rested at the far corner of the room, and a fireplace.
It was obvious that someone was keeping the place up. But, who, she pondered, not that it really matter.
&nb
sp; What was important was that it was a safe haven for the moment.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned to face Frank who sat on the couch at the center of the room. “How long has it been?” she asked. “It seems like it’s been forever since we left the hotel.”
“It’s been 45 minutes exactly,” Frank said, and empathy shone in his dark chocolate eyes. “It’d be good if you’d just relax.”
“Relax?” she sighed. “That’s impossible. I’m scared, worried, terrified…every horrible emotion that’s possible. I’m feeling it right now.”
“That’s understandable.”
She looked at him closely. “How can you be so calm and composed?”
“A lifetime on the streets just makes you immune to most things.” Frank shrugged. “I learned a long time ago that a higher power controls any and all circumstances. What’s meant to be will be, and those things that aren’t won’t. Every man’s destiny has already been carefully planned and laid out. We’re just playing the script.”
“That’s an interesting way to look at things,” she said, voicing her thoughts out loud. “I suppose that I choose to look at things optimistically. Maybe I shouldn’t.”
“Considering your circumstances, it’s great that you possess such a high level of optimism and belief,” Frank acknowledged, standing. “From what little Sebastian has told me, it sounds like you’ve been through quite a lot. I know that it hasn’t been easy, not having your memory.”
“I’ve learned to cope with what’s happened. More than that, I appreciate the things that I do have in my life. I’m not about to take it for granted.”
“I hear you on that,” Frank nodded. “For what it’s worth, waiting is always the hardest. But, don’t worry. Sebastian will be here.”
Once more, she fought back her fear. “I pray that you’re right.”
Sighing, turning away, she faced the window again.
Dense, heavy, the woods surrounded the whole area and seemed to stretch for miles. The road that they’d taken earlier, apparently, was the only entrance into the woody abyss.
The Darkest Days (Torn Apart Book 2) Page 7
