Bloody Ties

by Claire Marta

  I don’t have time for this. Turning Garron strides back through the front door with his guards in tow.

  “Don’t think walking away is going to keep me quiet, Uncle.” I shout after him. “This won’t be over until you let me fucking go.”

  Hand resting on my ever growing bump, I growl under my breath. I won’t let him have his own way. France is somewhere I am not going to remain permanently. Even if his intentions are pure.

  “Ava.”

  Geneva draws my attention.

  “Grey got in contact with Pierre. He has been talking to your husband’s family.”

  Feeling the sensation of butterflies in my stomach I caress the spot the little one inside me is kicking. It’s only been a few weeks since it started. More and more I am feeling her move.

  “He has?”

  “They have been searching for you. They know you are in France, but not the location.”

  Instead of feeling happy at the news nervousness grips me.

  “Does...does Damien know about the baby?” I can’t keep the anxiety from my voice.

  His reaction is something I can’t predict and on some level that terrifies me. I’ve seen how much he cares about his family. This baby though is unwanted. He’d told me on our wedding night he never wanted children.

  “He does.” Geneva confirms. “There is also a message. He needs you to come home.”

  All my fears that it’s not his come crashing over me like a tidal wave. Shaking, I sink down onto the sofa. What will he do if it’s not his? If it’s Ivan’s? Tightening my hold on my belly I try to breath away my anxiousness.

  I can’t go back until I know what’s going on inside his head. If I am going to walk back into something that will endanger us both I won’t go back. I might be in love with Damien but I won’t give up my baby for him. She’s all I have right now. My light in all this darkness. An innocent who had no control over who her father is.

  “Can Pierre get a message back to Grey to give to Damien?” I ask, not sure what the fuck I am going to say.

  Geneva nods, her gaze searching mine with concern. “Whatever you wish to tell me I can have it passed on. Pierre has promised me he will not tell Garron. We have seen how protective he is of you, but I can see how much this is hurting you as the weeks go by. You should be with your mate for the birth of your child, not with strangers.”

  I want to smile at her but I can’t. She has no idea that there is a chance my child might belong to another man and I can’t share that fact with her. Talking to Oscar about Ivan’s rape was one thing, but I refuse to open up to anyone else. I might be stronger now, but I still haven’t forgotten what the Russian bastard did.

  “Can you tell him...ask him how he feels about the baby? If...if she’s welcome if I come home?”

  Geneva frowns. “You don’t think he would want her?”

  “Damien doesn’t want children.” I explain. “She was an accident.”

  “If he does not want her then you will definitely be remaining here.” Reaching out she gently strokes my bulge. “You would not face this alone. You have my word on that. The message will be passed on I promise.”

  Rising, she walks to where her husband is waiting and into his arms.

  Pushing a hand through my hair I awkwardly rise from my seat. Sitting here over, thinking what Damien might say in response won’t do me any good. I don’t even know how long it will take to reach him.

  Moving to the stairs I head for my room. Routine is what has kept me going and I need to stick with it.

  When his reply comes I will think about my next move.

  Damien

  “Why are we having this conversation if we don’t have her location?”

  “Because if our resources here are scarce then they’re nonexistent over there.” Oscar reminds me.

  “This is bullshit.” I shove the piece of paper with Ava’s message on it away.

  “It’s not unexpected. She’s has a life growing inside of her. Most mothers are protective of their children.”

  “Don’t tell me shit I already know. I understand her concerns. We weren’t exactly welcoming when we first acquired her. Of course then she was our prisoner. Then our ally, now our family.

  So no, I’m sure she doesn’t believe that she’s safe here.”

  Grabbing a sheet of paper from the desk I claimed as my own I mull over what I want to say. “You’re to recite this word for word. And if I don’t get her response in a timely manner I will cut something off of you.”

  “Still pissed I kept this from you? What would you have done if I told you sooner, brother? She wasn’t ready.”

  “Neither was I to be honest. And I’m still not. However, she should know better now.”

  “I wish I knew what the right thing was, brother.”

  “The past few months have been difficult on us all. I’m sure she’s afraid that I won’t want her or the child. And probably afraid because of what that savage did to her. Fuck!” I slam my hand on the desk. “Too much is happening at once.”

  “Think about what is best for her, Damien. She’s safe there. We’re not safe here. You’re going back to the city tomorrow. Things are unstable here, maybe Garron has a point.”

  “Fuck. I can’t go there because while I would very much like to skin Garron alive I don’t hurt innocents. And no doubt he has her tucked away with some naïve party who doesn’t deserve my wrath.

  My family is too fragile.

  This coven is too weak.

  What the fuck am I supposed to do?”

  Grabbing a pen I scribble a note onto the paper.

  Family is family. Period. Stay in France if you want. But I would prefer my family to be where I can take care of them. Please come home.

  “Word for word, brother.” I reply, sliding it over.

  “I didn’t know you were so...romantic.” He says after reading the note.

  Leaning back in the chair I reply, “don’t get used to it.”

  “You’re an asshole.”

  “Much better.”

  ____________

  Sitting in the sitting room of the Benson household is not the most comfortable thing in the world.

  Hank Benson is a formidable man. Leader of my most fierce soldiers, with five assassin children, anyone who isn’t afraid of his very name is already a dead man.

  Sheila is surrounded by her siblings, all of them with the same fiery red hair and glacial blue eyes. It took me a long time to tell them apart. Of course the same could be said for my brothers as well.

  “I’m not going to lie to you Damien. It will be difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.”

  “Oh I expect it to be difficult, but I know my mother. She won’t be able to handle being hidden away.

  We haven’t tried to go after them. Hell I had the tail removed before shit went sideways. I didn’t want to know if they were coming after us.

  If you think I’m arrogant then you haven’t spent a lot of time in my father’s company.

  The question is, do you have the manpower?”

  “Serg and Shaun will be leading, they’ll do the actual snatch, Samson will run communications. A small three man team is all I can afford if you want to prevent an all out war against you.

  Seeing as you’ve made your presence known, you haven’t killed anyone, and your men are fighting back as peacefully as possible, the threat has been reduced.” Hank informs.

  “Good. So I shall expect to have my mother in my possession in three days time?”

  “We’ll get it done.”

  “Excellent. Now, if you excuse me, I have to meet with a realtor.”

  Ava

  The scribbled words on the piece of paper swim before my eyes as I try hard not to cry. My emotions are so volatile with my condition it’s driving me nuts. It had taken a week for Damien’s message to reach me.

  Now more than ever I need to go home. We’re a family. He will accept us both and that was all I needed to hear to be sure.
>
  “I will talk to my Pierre and see what I can do about getting you back to America.” “It’s not your husband that’s keeping me here.” I tell Geneva in response.

  “Garron is doing what he thinks is best.” Her gaze meets mine with worry and compassion.

  “I know that. I’m not blind, but I refuse to have someone else rule my life. My father did that and I won’t have my uncle do it even if it’s for the right reasons.”

  She nods in agreement. “Then you should talk to him.”

  “Easier said than done when he is never here.” Realising I’ve crumpled the note in my hand I quickly smooth it out again.

  “Then you go to him.” Clapping her hands she gains a servant’s attention. “Have the car prepared, my cousin wishes to go to the coven in Paris.”

  As the woman scurries off to relay the message I glance towards the door where I know my bodyguards are lurking.

  “The goon squad won’t like that.” I point out with a nudge of my chin in their direction. “I’m not allowed to leave remember.”

  “I am the mate of the head of this coven, they will obey me or feel Pierre’s wrath.” Head raised in haughtiness Geneva’s expression is cold. This is the side of her I have rarely had glimpses of. Strong willed and formidable.

  ____________

  Four and half hours later and I am being shown into the chic modern office building, the coven runs its businesses from in the heart of Paris.

  Geneva had been as good as her word. With subtle threats and persuasion she soon had my keepers scrambling to prepare for my trip.

  Footsteps echoing on the marble floor as my entourage hurry me past reception and into a sleek lift.

  None of them speak. I can tell though from their expressions they are nervous about this little twist. Garron won’t be happy with Geneva but it’s more than likely these men are the ones who will feel his displeasure.

  A few times I catch them looking at my bump. They’ve learnt to keep out of my way, especially with my mood swings. A raging pregnant woman threatening to make you into an eunuch while branding a kitchen knife because her back hurts is enough to make any male run in the opposite direction.

  As the doors swish open I waddle out into a spacious room.

  What are you doing here, Ava? Garron is across the room and in front of me before I can take more than a few steps. This is dangerous. What was Geneva thinking?!

  “I’ve come to tell you I’m going home and you can’t stop me.” I tell him with a raise of my chin. “I am done taking your orders.”

  I have not given my permission...

  “I’m an adult not a child. I don’t need your permission or anyone else’s.”

  Taking my arm he marches me away from the men who are watching us keenly.

  I lost my older brother and my little sister because I was not there to prevent their deaths. I will not let the same thing happen to you. France is the best place for you both.

  Rubbing my bump I stare up into his tortured face. The past has scarred him deeply and more than just taken his true voice. I can see the guilt swimming in his eyes. All the things he’s kept locked inside and the failure he carries at their loss even though none of it was his fault.

  “Garron you were here in France. You had no way to know what was happening to them. It wasn’t your fault and you have to let go of the past.” I say softly, feeling my anger ebb.

  You look so much like your mother.

  “But I’m not her and I have to be able to live my life the way I want to. I have a family of my own and it’s incomplete with me not at Damien’s side.”

  Sighing he rubs the bridge of his nose. For once I can see clearly the strain he’s under.

  You really want to go back? No doubts? No hesitations that it’s not the right thing?

  “Yes. I need to do this.” I confirm with resolve. “Please stop fighting me and just let me go.”

  Smiling sadly he places a gentle hand on my swollen stomach as the baby begins to kick.

  Your husband will not be pleased to see me but I will take you back myself. Lucius and Ivan are still at large and I will not send you back to America without remaining close. I have never wanted you to resent me, Ava. Everything I have done is out of love for you as my niece. For your mother who I was not there to save. For the years you lived in fear under Jonathan Carr’s roof. My only wish is to see you happy.

  “I know.” Covering his larger hand with my own I squeeze his fingers in understanding. “Maybe Damien will see that eventually too.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Damien

  THE DOOR OPENS AND THE FIGURE hanging from the ceiling is almost unfamiliar to me. I suppose four days of being beaten and denied blood will do that to you.

  “Hello, Mother.”

  Abigail glares at me through red-rimmed eyes. “He’s not going to forgive you for this.”

  “Good. I’m not searching for his forgiveness.”

  “You’re an ungrateful asshole.”

  “Hmmm, wonder why?”

  Pulling a stool in front of her I grab the laptop Samson hands me.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You’ll see.”

  I pull up the video feed and speak into the phone. “You’re up Shaun.”

  The Rochester manor goes up in flames, as Abigail watches the feed on the laptop her face is one of true horror.

  “They got the Carr place too,” Samson confirms.

  “Excellent. Good work, Shaun.” I say, before hanging up the phone and handing it to Samson.

  “Hope nothing valuable was still in that place. Actually scratch that, I really hope there was.”

  “You’re a bastard.”

  “Yes, well tell me something I don’t know. Now, what to do with you, hmm?” I circle her.

  Samson removes the laptop and then retreats to the corner of the room. “I could just kill you, but what’s the fun in that? But how to torture you, that is the question. How do I get you to feel even an ounce of the shit you put me through over the years?”

  Standing in front of her once again I reach out and tear her soiled dress from her body.

  “You’re not going to need this.” I say as I toss it in the corner of the room.

  “Do your worst.” She hisses.

  “With pleasure.”

  Samson holds out my whip but I shake my head. I don’t have the patience to play with her.

  “You know, I’ve always wanted to kill you. I just never knew how. Now I have you in front of me, and I still don’t know how.

  All the years you abandoned your child for your lover. You did me a favor, you know. You taught me that there’s no such thing as unconditional love.

  And for that I’m grateful. Because it means I have no problem with this.”

  Taking hold of her long hair I pull her hair back. “My brother lost an arm. He’ll never be the same.”

  I motion Samson forward. “And neither will you.”

  I don’t turn away as Samson lifts one of my mother’s generous breasts away from her body. With one clean sweep he cuts it off with the handsaw in his hand.

  Her screams are music to my ears.

  The blood runs in rivulets down her body. Two bloody masses lay on the floor at her feet.

  The tears staining her cheeks don’t do anything for me. “You’re pathetic.” I tell her. “So pathetic you don’t even deserve me to spend a lot of time on you.”

  “I wish he had killed you when you were born.”

  I don’t react.

  I look straight in her eyes when I sink the knife in her lower stomach. I don’t stop there, I need to watch her life drain from her eyes. And I may just want to get this over with, but I still don’t want to make this a clean death.

  With a twist and a flick of my wrist I cut her lower abdomen open. Another sweep of the knife and her intestines fall to the floor gracelessly on top on her discarded tits.

  “Pack it all up and ship it to Lucius.” I tell Sam
son.

  Wiping my hands on a towel I take one last look at what used to be my mother before leaving the room.

  Ava

  Carefully waddling down the steps of the private jet I glance nervously around as Garron helps me down. The airfield is quiet. Only the cars that have arrived to collect us are the vehicles I can see.

  Without pause the drivers open the doors to let the occupants of the four SUVs out. The whole family is here in full force.

  Phillip and Sheila get out first. Then comes Michael and Oscar from another car. My attention though is riveted on Damien as he uncoils from the interior of his own transport.

  After being away for so long I drink in the sight of him. He looks just as handsome and ruthless as when I left. A little leaner in the face, his blond curls longer but still unruly.

  Cold silver eyes wander insolently over me. They linger on my undeniable bump before settling on my face. Then they flick to Garron standing by my side.

  Damien’s angry. I can see it from the white lines fanning out around his mouth.

  Was I wrong about how he feels? Was it a ploy just to get me back? Unease slides through me. Hand resting protectively on my swollen belly I take a step back towards the plane.

  “Don’t take another step unless it’s to me, princess. I would hate to think you’re afraid now that you’re here.” His voice is low, no emotions show through.

  “And how exactly should I feel?” I ask trying to hide my nervousness.

  “If I had all the answers we wouldn’t be here right now, would we?” Damien takes a few steps forward. “I suggest you step away from my wife, Garron. I would hate to have to kill you.”

  Garron’s gaze shifts to mine. Are you sure about this? You still have time to come to Florida with me.

  I’m sure. I reply giving him a reassuring smile I don’t fully feel.

  “Even if she weren’t,” Oscar says, “We wouldn’t allow her to leave with you. And yes, I am eavesdropping in my sister’s head. Because unfortunately we cannot trust you.”

  “The way I see it, princess, you have two choices. Come with us like you’ve claimed you wanted to for months. Or leave. But know this, if you leave, we will find you and it won’t end pretty for you.