by Anne Marck
Without another word, I turn my back on the guy and continue on my path with the only certainty that moves me: I will get Luna back, safe and sound, even if I need to sell my soul to the devil himself.
“Dominic,” the indifferent voice stops me from turning the doorknob. “I’ll help you.”
I exhale in relief, but I still have to turn and check if I heard right. Then I take two steps back and face him. The look on his face says he’s being honest.
“What do you have in mind?” he asks.
“Break into Vincent Wine’s house,” I tell him straight up.
I promised Luna that I’d get the camera back. I wanted to do it differently, yet the scenario has changed. Now that camcorder is the only guarantee for her life.
I explain some details of the situation, and Salvatore listens carefully. His cold expression doesn’t waver at the story, but contempt for the politician is our common ground. I tell him my plan and, without hesitation, he makes a call, putting his men in the game.
I have to go home and get my gun. I don’t want to use it, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Nicholas decides to accompany me and sends his men to meet us there.
• • •
I stop the bike in front of my building, and Salvatore follows in his car. We turn to see a large black SUV park almost at the same time. My instincts immediately start sounding off.
I take out the key and remove my helmet as I watch four men get out of the car. They make their way toward me, and I get up quickly from the motorcycle and move to meet them. Soon, Nicholas is next to me, matching my steps.
The biggest of them appears to be the leader. He has his eyes fixed on me, expressionless.
“Dominic?” he asks in a foreign accent.
“Yes, that’s me.” I fold my arms in front of my chest, suspecting these guys have a connection with Wine.
“We came to help,” he says in a hard tone.
“Who are you?” Salvatore asks my next question in a cold snarl, assuming a threatening posture, which apparently doesn’t faze these guys.
“I’m Sebastian.” The foreigner doesn’t blink or look away from me. “We’re friends with Priscilla’s husband.” Something in the way he stresses the word husband indicates he means to sound intimidating. “Gabrielle and Katarina asked for our help.”
I remember what they said on the phone and some things Priscilla told me about one of the last times I saw her.
“We got it,” Salvatore says, looking over at some of his men.
Sebastian stares at him, letting him know that he doesn’t intend to give up, and gives him an ironic smile. “Then I think you’ll need help,” is all he says.
I nod, silently grateful. Any help is welcome for my baby.
Luna
Dirty doesn’t stop pacing, crushing his phone in his fist, hoping my stepfather makes direct contact, which I find hard unlikely. Vincent has already proven that he doesn’t do the dirty work himself, too smart to take risks.
I pull my legs up and wrap my arms around them, resting my chin on my knees. I’m really scared about how it’s going to end.
The girls must have warned Dominic by now. I fear for what he will do to help me.
Guilt rips through my interior. Getting involved in Dominic’s life was a big mistake. Chaos follows me everywhere, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
I close my eyes and say a silent prayer, asking with all my faith that he will be safe, that nothing befalls him. Then I open my eyes and look at Dirty’s sneakers again when he starts muttering.
“They’ll only get you after I have the money in my hands,” he mutters. “These people think they’re so smart, think they can fool me. Fucking assholes.”
I remain silent, following his footsteps.
“You’re a stupid bitch, that’s what you are.” He shakes his foot at me. “You thought you could mess with me and get away with it, you spoiled bitch. If you weren’t worth so much …” The threat lingers in the air.
Though I’m aware things can get worse, I can’t stop my mouth in time. “You keep calling me dumb, when you are for believing the word of a politician. I pity your ignorance if you think they’ll give you any money for me.” I smile, using mockery to mask my fear. Then I raise my gaze to find his angry face, seeing that my words have upset him. “Vincent Wine won’t honor his word, even if God commands it,” I whisper, as if revealing a secret. “He has no money. He is bankrupt,” I lie. “I bet his plan is to send someone here to kill us both. That’s why it’s taking so long for someone to get back to you.”
I see his eyes turn bright red. As fast as it left, anger returns to his face. With a yellow smile, he lowers to my height and approaches. “I should put you to work for me, since somebody has to pay me back.” His bad breath and soft speech mix with the perversion in his empty eyes.
“I think you’d better kill me.” I keep up my fake confident smile. “I suck at work. I was born lazy, and I’m going to die like this.” I shake my head wryly.
A muffled sound of amusement comes from between his thin lips. “For the kind of work I have in mind, all you need to do is spread your legs.” Dirty grabs my chin between his fingers. “And with this little face, I guarantee you will not lack clients.”
I swallow a bitter taste. “We will die before that, Lamar,” I say sorrowfully. “Vincent Wine will not leave witnesses.” I see his hesitant gaze, but I don’t rejoice in it. I’m starting to believe what I’m saying.
Releasing my face and moving away from me, he taps his cell phone against his palm, probably thinking about his options. I see Dirty’s confidence falter as what I said starts to make sense.
I don’t know what I want Dirty to do. Of course, changing his mind about giving me to Vincent is an option, but in the end, he will never release me unharmed. I’m lost either way.
God, I just hope that Dominic is spared from it all.
Dominic
Time doesn’t seem to work in my favor as my living room turns into a war post. Sebastian’s Russian friends spread among Salvatore’s men, perhaps trying to secure the area, while I struggle to stay in control, trying to muster the strength to crush the politician with my own hands, but not before my date with Dirty.
“The footage from that camera is a trump card to prevent Vincent from hurting her.” Bile storms in my digestive system at the idea. “At this time, Dirty has already made his move, so it’s only a matter of time for Wine to act.”
Nicholas nods in agreement, his gaze reflecting everyone else’s. “How many men do you think he keeps at the house?”
“Beyond his brother? I can’t say exactly. Maybe another five or ten.” I never got a chance to check; I’m only basing my answer on the two cars I saw arriving that night.
“We have to work on two fronts,” Sebastian says.
Nicholas Salvatore agrees, coldly checking his gun’s chamber. “Do you have any idea where that piece of shit could be holding the girl?”
“Dirty hasn’t been home for at least two days. Simon is watching the places he visits,” I answer.
“Does she have a phone?” Sebastian asks in his dangerous accent.
“Luna does not have a cell phone.”
“What about Dirty?” His steely expression doesn’t tell me what’s on his mind.
I take out my wallet and pull out a torn piece of paper on which Raid unwillingly wrote down the bastard’s number. I hand it over to the stranger, who apparently has an idea of what to do with it.
“Can you get into the politician’s mansion?” The accented question is directed at Salvatore in challenge, leaving out the “without my help.”
“Before you even finish wiping your ass.” Nicholas snaps the clip into his gun, displaying his power and annoyance with the teasing.
Sebastian lets a mocking smile lift the corners of his lips, one that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Great. You get the footage. We get the girl.”
I analyze their determination, aware
that I’m solving this with the help of criminals. I only care about bringing Luna home safe.
“Dominic?” Nicholas Salvatore growls, asking who I will follow.
“I’ll tell you what to look for, Salvatore, but I’m going with them to get my girl.” I put the pistol in the back of my jeans, hiding the gun under my shirt.
Sebastian walks away to make a call in his language, the paper with Dirty’s number in hand. I don’t want to know how, but I’m sure the guy has means of tracking a phone.
Finally, for the first time since I left Luna in the café, I can take a deep breath.
• • •
Opting for my car instead of the bike, I follow Sebastian’s vehicle in the opposite direction of where Salvatore and his men are heading.
Adrenaline flows through my body in the same rhythm of the beats in the chest. I’m not going to settle down until Luna’s in my arms again.
Luna
The ringing of Dirty’s cell phone sends an icy chill through my body, like a harbinger. With a sharp look, he pushes a button then holds the device to his ear.
“Speak.” He listens without focusing on me. “You’re trying to fuck me, motherfuckers! I already told you that I only deal directly with him!” He furrows his ugly brows as more silence takes over. “Listen here, you fuck. I’ll give her to you, but you have half an hour to bring my money.”
He then holds the phone up and presses a button. “Talk to him, bitch,” he orders, holding the cell phone between us.
I’m too petrified to speak.
Impatient, he grips my hair tightly, tilting my head up. “This is no time to play. Tell him you’re here with me, bitch!”
“Luna?” Frank’s satisfied voice comes from the phone.
Heavens! So far, I’ve been waiting for something to tell me this is all a dream, but hearing his voice makes it real. There is no way out.
A slap across the face compels me to react. The sound of a strangled gasp leaves my mouth against my will, and it’s enough to make Frank laugh.
“Keep her there. You’ll have your money.” His good mood upsets me even more, if that’s possible.
Dirty continues to talk to the guy in private, the amount of money and our location a common theme.
I wonder at what moment of their existence these people lost their humanity and became emotionless. To them, my life is worthless.
I stop thinking about that and take a few deep breaths, holding back the tears. To think that I will never see Dominic again hurts so much that I can almost touch the feeling. I don’t remember anything comparable. Losing my mother was unexpected, so I didn’t suffer this waiting. It still hurt a lot, yet knowing I’ll again never see the man who transformed my life kills me.
Scenes from when I woke up on his couch to now pass through my mind, and I find myself laughing. Love has that power. I might have died in the accident; instead, the universe gave me a few more days. Our paths were meant to cross, and I had never been so happy.
After disconnecting, Dirty approaches, facing me with perverse contentment. “I wish I had more time with you, bitch. I’d really like that.” He brushes back the hair falling around my face, pushing it back in place with false longing. “Jas was mine. I had plans for her, but you got between us.”
“She’s not yours. She’s nobody’s.” I hold my last strand of pride.
“She’s mine, and I’m going to take back what’s mine, have no doubt about that.” His victorious smile gives a glimpse of the absence of a few side teeth. “Your meddling came in handy. I needed the money and time away from business.”
“You’re not getting out of here alive,” I whisper, wanting to look strong.
“Not only will I get out of here, but my next appointment will be with your boyfriend. That bastard has been bothering me for too long, and it’s time to end that.”
I fix my eyes on his. “Stay away from him! “ Without thinking, I throw myself at him in blind anger, stabbing my nails into his face.
The attack catches Dirty by surprise, and he falls back.
With all my might, I dig my claws in even more until we sink to the ground. The room is filled with the sounds of my screams and the thudding punches I receive. I don’t feel the pain, though. All that motivates me is the need to pluck his life out.
I don’t even realize he takes his gun out until he points it at me.
“All I have to do is squeeze the trigger, you bitch.” His breathless, angry voice comes out through the rawness of his face. “I’d be doing them a favor.”
Getting up quickly, he kicks me in the ribs then walks away, wiping off the damage on his face with his own T-shirt.
I drop to my knees, praying for Dominic’s safety. That’s all I can do now.
I love him so, God Almighty.
The sound of a car is what brings my mind back into focus. They’ve arrived, and there is nothing I can do.
Pulling away the heavy blanket that curtains the window, Dirty looks out, holding his gun more firmly. His phone pings, and whatever he reads on it causes a sinister smile to appear.
As he opens the door, my heart pounds in anticipation.
Frank’s voice and his nauseating scent invade the house before him. He enters, adjusting his tie, impeccably dressed.
I don’t want to give him the pleasure of seeing me frightened, so I wear a mask of false calmness and keep my eyes on a fixed point on the wall in front of me.
“Luna, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
I look up at him and plant a smile on my face. “I can’t say the same, Frank. Just the mention of your name makes me sick.”
“We have some unfinished business,” he warns.
Dirty puts himself in his sight. “I hate to interrupt the family moment, but I want to know where my money is.”
Frank tilts his head, analyzing him. “Straight to the point. I like that.”
At Frank’s signal, another guy brings in a suitcase.
Dirty watches anxiously, his eyes shining. “Half a million?”
“What you deserve,” Frank replies with a smile.
Dirty picks up the briefcase and lifts his left leg to prop it up on his thigh. With trembling fingers, he begins to disarm the latches.
I don’t have the energy to watch any longer, so I start to turn away, when suddenly, Dirty’s body falls to the floor in a limp heap of mess. The sound of his skull hitting the ground is a painfully hollow noise.
His head is angled toward me with open eyes. A little above the eyebrows, at the center of his forehead, is a small hole, perfectly outlined in a red and gray mixture.
I wilt, air leaving my body.
Dead.
Dirty is dead.
Shocked, I stare at the monster, who watches my reaction with evil amusement.
“Get out,” he orders the two men. “I want to have my time with her.”
Dominic
The small shack is on the outskirts of town, away from other houses. Sebastian’s contact brought us to the exact point. The confirmation is the sight of the old white van parked outside. In the distance, I also notice an imported black sedan. The expensive vehicle stands out among the area’s poverty.
Sebastian stops thirty feet away from the house behind a high bush. I step out of the car, and the four foreigners follow.
“She’s here. Let’s break in,” Sebastian orders.
Using stealth, each one of them heads in different directions. I head right for the door with Sebastian right behind me.
Two guys are guarding the door. Hell, I don’t even want to think about what they’re covering up.
With a sharp look and a signal from Sebastian, Ed and Elliot fire simultaneously. I don’t hear the shots, but the two lookouts fall to the ground.
“Silencers,” he says proudly, smiling.
Great, somebody has to have fun with this shit.
Sebastian makes a circular signal with his finger in the air, and then the fatter one moves to the back of the shac
k. Elliot and Ed flank the door.
“Ready for the party?”
His good mood is annoying. Where did this guy come from?
I breathe in deeply then say, “Yes.” I’ve never been so ready.
Sebastian soundlessly orders them to open the door and, with a fierce kick, Elliot kicks it down.
We invade, and … Oh hell!
Frank, whose suit jacket and tie are thrown on a chair in the dimly lit room, has Luna up against a corner. The fear on my girl’s delicate face is like a sharp knife ripping through my chest.
“Get away from her!” I roar, flinging his body against a wall.
As Frank crashes into it, all that registers is the scared girl looking at me with huge blue eyes in a mixture of surprise and fear. The center of my world, my Luna, my baby.
“Dominic.” She blinks several times, thick tears rolling down her freckled cheeks. “You’re here.”
I don’t know what that damned feeling is tearing me apart at hearing her numbed whisper.
“Always, baby. I will always be here.” I pull her to me, overwhelmed by an inexplicable emotion, and wrap her icy body in my arms. “I love you,” I tell her, pressing my lips into fiery, tangled hair.
Sebastian touches my shoulder. “Get your girl out of here, Dominic. We’ll take care of the mess.”
The muscles in my face are sore from being so tense. I don’t even know how to thank him.
“Sebastian …” I start, letting him know with my eyes that I owe him my life.
“Dominic.” He shakes his head, understanding the message.
I don’t take a second to look at Frank to know what his end is. I just lift Luna in my arms and take her away.
Her face is burrowed in my neck as she hugs me tightly, like she’s afraid this isn’t real.
“I love you so much, Dominic.”
I put her in the passenger seat, fasten her seatbelt, and then walk around the car to get in the driver’s side. Before entering, though, I check Salvatore’s message.
