“Just let me say something will you before I change my mind…. I… I’m… I’m pregnant. There I’ve said it.” She just looks at me, I swear my mouth’s just hit the floor, I was not expecting that. I have so many questions I want to ask but know we don’t have that much time, so I ask the most important ones.
“How far gone are you? When did you find out? Who’s the dad? Oh.. shit they haven’t hurt you have they? You know apart from the obvious.” I’m firing all these questions at her never taking in consideration that the baby might be hurt. And then I have a sharp pain in my chest as I realize her baby’s now in danger and she may lose it because of me. I start crying my eyes out.
“I’m so sorry Karina, I had no idea.. And if you were to.. to lose this baby I’d never forgive myself.”
“First off, this isn’t your fault. Secondly, my heads too fucked up to remember every question you just shot at me. If I'm honest I don't even know if I'm going keep it. I… I don't know who the father is.” She says, her voice dripping with shame at what she has just admitted to me.
Now is not the time to be giving her the whole ‘safe sex’ speech. Although she will be getting it from me at some point. I can’t believe this. I’ve never known her be so bloody stupid. It doesn’t take a genius to work out who one of the potential fathers to the baby is, what’s going to drive me nuts is who could the other one be? I’ll let it rest for now, but this conversation isn’t over.
I go to tell her it’s all going to be ok, that’s she’s always got me when the door re-opens.
The sadistic duo returning.
Now that I’m not focusing on Karina my body registers the pain tenfold, and I swear I’m going to lose my leg this time. No one can get stabbed in the same place twice and not have some long term damage. I start to writhe around, my breathing slowly getting weaker. That’s when I know my time's nearly up.
“Oh look here Charlie… the perfect little princess is slowly giving up.” I hear Jodie gloat. Taking great pleasure in seeing me like this.
She’s still got the other knife in her hand, spinning it between her fingers as if she’s debating on where to use that one on me next.
Crouching down so she’s more or less level with me.
“I think I will just cut you from here to here.” She says. As she runs the flat part of the knife from one side of my throat to the other.
I see out the corner of my eye that Charlie’s making his way over to Karina.
“You get away from her.” I scream.
Jodie tips the sharp blade so it digs into my flesh, effectively shutting me up.
“There’s no need to worry about that little slapper, Charlie’s just going to have some fun with her. It’s not fair I get to play with you and he’s left out now is it?”
Without thinking about it, I spit all over her perfectly ironed pencil skirt, landing right in the middle.
“Your both animals.” I spit out fiercely. Like I should’ve known I would, I pay for my actions of defiance. Getting a backhander straight across my face. It doesn’t hurt as much has when she punched me, even if she has now split my lip open, but for now it takes my mind of my leg.
“I’ve had enough of you and your mouth…” She trails off and then out of nowhere we hear an almighty crash above us.
Jodie jumps up, staggering on her ludicrous heels. One things for sure, I know I won’t ever be jealous of them shoes again.
Stepping away from Karina, Charlie looks to his sister for some sort of explanation.
“I don’t know why you’re looking at me like that, I have no idea what that was. Go up and check it out will you.” She orders him. And just like the good little lap dog he is, he scurries back up the stairs.
She find two pieces of material walking back towards me you put one over my mouth, then does the same with Karina. Making sure that we can’t scream out for help.
“Don’t you dare make a noise or else you’ll both regret it.” She threatens.
There’s silence for a few moments, then there’s another loud bang, followed by several heavy thuds that sound like someone is running.
“You better tell me where the fuck she is now, or so help me god I’ll kill you with my own bare hands.”
It’s Connor.
He’s found me.
I love you more, than I’ve ever found a way to say to you.
Connor
The drive to Hackney is bloody torture, there’s traffic everywhere. I love London it’s my home, but the traffic really gets on my tits. Especially when I’m in a life or death situation like now. Dom’s driving know’s no bounds, and right now I couldn’t thank him enough for it, but when we’re bumper to bumper there’s fuck all we can do about it. Apart from a few choice words and hand signals from Dom to other drivers, not one of us speaks a word. We don’t even have a plan for when we get to the house. Liam and Max made it to Jodie’s apartment about ten minutes ago and there was no sign of them. They even asked her doorman, he told them he hasn’t seen her in nearly a week. Which only leaves the Hackney Estate. I called my building and checked with Bryan my doorman, he informed me that everything’s ok over there too. The two guys that Dom sent over there have now been and gone. Obviously without even been seen by anyone. Damn they must be good.
Dom heard off them not so long ago and there was no sign of the two girls, and no sign of Jodie ever being there either, which means this is our last hope.
They’ve got to be here.
Dom manages to weave us out of the manic traffic and down a side street.
“Short cut.” He explains.
I couldn’t really give a shit, as long as it gets me there quicker.
We eventually enter the estate, the ‘Welcome to The Castle Hill Estate’ sign, making it quite clear where we are. As if it’s something to be proud of. Trust me when I say it isn’t.
This place is dark and dingy. There’s litter everywhere, the high raised flats are all burnt out and what few houses there are dotted about, the windows in them are all boarded up. I knew there was ruff area’s in London but I had no idea they were this bad. In my heart of hearts I need them to be here otherwise we have no idea where they are, but then my heads telling me that if they are here things could be really bad for them both.
“How the hell are we supposed to find them here? I ask, aiming my question at both of them. Johnny has so much faith in Dom, he should be able to answer my question as well. Yet all I’m met with is silence.
I swear I’m going to lose my mind soon.
Finally I get an answer.
“For as evil as Charlie is Blackwood, that twat isn’t that bright when it comes to covering up his tracks.” He explains, yet it doesn’t help me one tiny little bit.
“Look.” Johnny says whilst pointing over my shoulder.
Well I’ll be damned.
Dom was right, the thick shit doesn’t cover his tracks very well.
Sitting there clear as fucking day, is Charlie’s car. He’s just left it randomly parked, in a haphazard way in the middle of the broken up road. The idiot didn’t even have the common sense to hide it, did he really think I wouldn’t come looking for her? And a car that nice in an area like this... that it wouldn’t go unnoticed? It sticks out like a sore bloody thumb. And to think I believed every word he and his sister ever told me, I guess the laugh really was on me.
Apart from the guys and Clint, Jodie was the only other person I trusted. I still can’t get my head around why she would betray me like this. I guess in reality I’m praying she isn’t involved, and that it’s just her crazy ass brother who’s doing of all this.
Looking out of the wing mirror on my side, I notice Liam, Max and Carlos have caught up with us and now trailing behind us in Carlos’s car. And the two guys Dom sent over to mine or already here. About bloody time, I have a feeling this isn’t going to go down very well. They’re going have to stop me from ending up on a murder charge, especially the way I’m feeling right now. If they’ve hurt o
ne hair on her pretty blonde head, I know I’m going to go off like a nuclear bomb.
We finally pull up two houses down from where Charlie’s car is parked, Dom’s idea. He reckons if they see us before we see them, then they’ll either kill the girls or us first. If I had my way I’d go in all guns blazing but apparently that isn’t how things get done around here, whatever that means. I’ll go with the flow… for now. Yet one false move on their part and I won’t be accountable for my actions.
We all climb from the three cars, Dom holding a finger to his lips over the car roof, warning us all to be quiet.
Making our way along the cracked pavement, we all start to split up as if circling the house. I’m a mixture of emotions. Nerves, fear and anger are all taking over my body.
Dom motions with his hands for half of us to take the front of the house, and the other half take the back. Liam. Max and the other guys take the back. Dom, myself, Johnny and Carlos take the front.
I see Carlos hand Johnny something, at first I couldn’t make out what it was but when he makes his way back towards me I get a full view of it.
My eyes go wide.
What the fuck does he need a gun for? Better yet how the fuck does he know how to use one?
“What the fuck dude?” I whisper at him when he reaches me. He gives me a dumb look before answering me.
“You want to ask that now, like right now, because I don’t have all night. I came here to do a job and I need a gun to complete that job. Is that ok with you?” He’s getting angry but still being sarcastic that much I can tell. How is he so calm? We’re about to go into a house that we have no idea about. We especially have no bloody clue what we’re walking into, for all we know this place could be crawling with traps and shit. But mostly it’s where Allie and Karina might be. I’m starting to lose my bloody shit.
“This conversation isn’t over Owens.” I warn him but drop it for now. e have bigger fish to fry.
“Fine, now let me do my job…” I go to cut him off as he’s just caught me well off guard with that one.
I thought playing lead guitar was his job?
He looks back around at me and must see the look of confusion on my face, so he continues. “Ok my old job, like I said before…. It’s a long story and no time for me to tell you. So whatever goes down in there you stay behind me and do as either I say or Dom. Do you hear me Connor?” I’m speechless, like mouth hanging open speechless. I just nod my head slowly at him for an answer before he notices movement up ahead of us. As much as I want to argue with that I don’t.
“Come on let’s go, Dom and Carlos are making their move.” With that he’s gone like a ghost hiding in the shadows. I know if I don’t move now, I’ll lose him.
I pull myself together and put my game face on, catching up with Johnny. We make it just outside the front door which has seen better days without been noticed.
I don’t see Liam, Max or the other guys so my guess is there already on there way through to the back, which leaves me, Johnny, Carlos and Dom at the front.
Shit, it’s time.
Either I’ll find Allie or I won’t.
And what my heart is telling me my head doesn’t want to agree.
I see the three of them doing all those silent hand gesture things they do in films, and I haven’t got a clue what the plan is. My plan would just be get the fuck in there find them and get the fuck out of there. But something tells me Dom and Johnny have other plans. I might look dumb to them right now but I don’t care I need to know their plan so I ask.
I don’t do shit like this. I play and sing music, I’m way out of my depth.
“What’s the plan as I haven’t a bloody clue what that just was?” Johnny turns around to face me before he whispers that quiet I only just hear it.
“We’ll make our way in first check it’s all clear and shout you in when it is, Dom and Carlos will have our Six, I’ll watch our twelve oclock. Just incase they have guns, we don’t want you getting shot. Do we? Once we find the girls... if possible we’ll get Liam and Max to get them out of there as fast as they can, and we’ll deal with whatever or whoever we find in there afterwards.” He talks like he really knows what he’s doing, and if I’m honest it doesn’t sound like a bad plan. So I agree to it. The next thing I know Johnny shoots up and kicks the fucking door through, which flies off the hinges.
Seriously? Who is this guy? And what’s he done with my best mate?
With his gun razed up high and ready to pull the trigger if needed, Dom and Carlos now make their way in. We hear another loud bang which sounded like it was coming from the back door, which means Liam and Max are now inside as well.
Dom then signals me in, the coast must be clear for now. I make my way past him and Carlos so I’m in the middle of them all.
We’re currently standing in the most disgusting place I’ve ever set foot in, even my own childhood home was better than this. And believe me that was no palace. My feet are sticking to the carpet and I’m pretty damn sure that I could write my name on the walls, there that thick with god know’s what. And the smell. What the fuck is that? It smells like something has died in here.
Oh god please no…..
Taking no notice of the plan, I start banging around this hell hole, opening doors on either side of me. Yet having no luck.
“Connor, what you doing?” Johnny whisper shouts at me. I haven’t got an answer for him, as the only thing I’m thinking about is finding Allie.
I hear a noise coming from the hallway, which was my next place to check. Johnny, Dom and Carlos must hear it to as they have their guns pointed that way.
At me.
Charlie then appears out of nowhere, wherever he’s just come from Allie and Karina must be there. Before I know what I’m doing, I charge towards him and grab him by the collar. I get up in his face and start screaming at him.
“You better tell me where the fuck she is now, or so help me god I’ll kill you with my own bare hands.” I start seeing red. It’s like I’m having an outer body experience. Everything I’ve been feeling over the last couple of months comes rushing back to me. And this man in front of me played a big part in that.
He just looks from me to the other three guys with a slimy bastard look on his face before he very slowly looks back to me, looking me straight in the eyes he tells me.
“You’re too late Connor, by the time you get to them Allie would’ve bled out.” He then peers around me and looks at Johnny aiming his next statement at him. “And Karina… she gave up a long time ago.”
I throw my arm back, my fist tight and I aim right at his jaw. Putting everything I have behind it, I launch for him. There’s an almighty crack and he hits the floor. I shake my hand out. Shit, that hurt like a mother fucker.
I turn around to the guys as they’re just standing there like statues.
All except Dom. He looks rather impressed. With a smirk on his face he nods his head at me which is followed by him saying.
“Not bad Blackwood, you’re not such a big girls blouse are you after all… I’m rather impressed.”
All of a sudden Johnny has his gun up and aimed in my direction again, before I can ask him what he’s doing I’m grabbed around my throat and a gun is aimed at my head. Charlie’s come back around again.
Fuck me… that was quick!
“I’ll blown his fucking brains out, lose the guns or else….”
BANG…….
I slow my eyes.
A shot has been fired.
I’ve been shot.
Why don’t I feel any pain? I thought when you get shot the pain was meant to be excruciating. Yet I feel nothing at all.
I re-open my eyes and look down at myself before I start running my hands all over my body frantically to check if I’m ok. Once I know it’s not me, I look up and see Johnny dropping his gun down to his side, I look behind me and see Charlie is lying there with a gunshot to the head and a pool of blood around him. I give Johnny daggers as I say.
<
br /> “What the fuck dude….. You could have took my ear off. Shit, you could have killed me.”
“He’s made that shot a thousand times before, he never misses his target.” Dom says from behind him.
“Shut your whining, your still alive aren’t you? Even if he isn’t. Plus if I didn’t shoot him first then the fucker was going shoot you. And as much as you drive me up the fucking wall, I’d rather you be alive than him.” Johnny tells me. I’ve never seen him look so emotionless before.
Looking at Charlie on the floor goosebumps trace all over my body, when the realization of what I’m seeing hits me. I jump back from Charlie’s limp body. Seeing him dead on the floor is quite surreal yet terrifying. This doesn’t bother Johnny at all, which is surprising, yeah it’s understandable with Dom and Carlos as it’s what they do, I think. But Johnny….. I still can’t wrap my head around it all, I don’t think I ever will.
“We haven’t much time, Charlie’s just confirmed that for us. Stay alert and keep your eyes and ears open at all times. If Charlie was here that means Jodie’s around here somewhere, Johnny head towards the door Charlie came from and take Blackwood with you. We’ve got your back.” Dom says as Johnny nods his head then heads out towards the door stepping over Charlie’s body. I follow behind him, just as we reach the open door Max, Liam and two other dudes come barreling around the corner from the back entrance.
“Please tell us your all ok?” Liam says all breathless as if he’s run a marathon. “We heard a gunshot.”
Johnny beats me to it and answers him, “Yeah we’re all fine, although Charlie might not be.” He’s so cool and casual about how he tells him.
“Shitting hell fire… nice shot.” Max whistles between his teeth.
Syren's Heaven & Hell (The Syren Series Book 2) Page 20
