by T N Lowe
“I need to get the hell out of here.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Pounding on the door wakes me the next morning, jumping I curse in pain. Whoever is down there better have a damn good reason for waking me up. Slowly I make my way down the stairs pulling open the front door with as much enthusiasm as I have. Squinting when the sunlight connects with my eyes I hear Martin’s voice, “Oh my Lena are you okay?”
“What do you think?” I ask stepping back to open the door more and let him in. “Your crazy son, and his girlfriend kidnapped me, beat me, then let me go. And to top all that off I learned I’m a mafia princess. To answer your question, no, I’m not okay.”
“I am so sorry, Lena,” Martin says following me to the living room.
I whirl on him, “From what I can piece together; you should be, this whole mess is your fault. If you would have let my father tell Mom everything things may have turned out very different.” I poke my finger into his chest, “You realize Mom could still be alive if she would have stayed with Samuel. She would have had the best care and top doctors. Instead, she got what the insurance would pay for, which wasn’t much.”
“I’ve thought the same thing over the past few months,” Martin says his shoulders slumped forward.
“Mike said you were in love with my mother, is that true?”
“Yes, I loved Maggie from the second I saw her. She had a presence about her; everyone who met her couldn’t help but love her. You have that same presence about you, Lena.”
“And what about your wife and kid? You were going to leave your family to be with Mom?” I shout.
Martin shakes his head, “My marriage was bad before I ever met Maggie. I was surprised when Peggy and Mike followed me to Bar Harbor. But it didn’t work out; Peggy wanted more than I could give her.”
“And you were in love with Mom.”
“Yes,” Martin answers even though it wasn’t a question.
“Did you and mom ever-“
“No, her heart only ever belonged to Samuel. I asked once, but Maggie didn’t want to ruin the friendship we had.”
“Then why did she leave Samuel?”
“For you. She was scared you wouldn’t be safe in that world. And from the looks of you, I think she was right.”
“This,” I point to my face and side, “happened because of you. Don’t you dare blame Samuel for this. You know what- I think you need to leave.”
“I’m sorry Lena, what else can I do?” Martin pleads.
“Nothing, but leave. I’m going to visit a friend in Nova Scotia; if I want to talk, I’ll call you. Bye Martin.”
“Lena?”
“No,” I shot back. “Leave.”
“No, I won’t lose you too,” Martin mutters coming towards me.
“What are you talking about?”
“I lost your mother, I won’t lose you,” he says wrapping his large hand around my throat and squeezes. I claw at his hands and try to pull away, but he squeezes it tighter cutting off my ability to breathe, when black spots cloud my vision I stop fighting. Reaching behind his back Martin pulls something from his waistband. Moving me, so I’m flush to his chest he thrusts a large knife into my belly. Blinding hot pain overwhelms my scenes senses, and I scream as loud as I can with Martin’s hand still around my throat. Pulling the knife from my gut, he thrusts one more time, “If I can’t have you no one can,” he says before releasing me and letting me fall to the floor.
I lay crumpled on the floor as Martin walks out the front door as nothing happened. Applying pressure with one hand I use the other to push off the floor, if I can make it to the kitchen, I can call for help. It takes me three tries before I can stand but I lose my footing in a small puddle of blood and fall to the floor. I try to stand again but everything seems to take more effort than before, giving up on standing I scream for help, I only pray someone will hear me.
But no one comes, with no voice left I close my eyes for a few moments and wait.
Chapter Twenty
There’s a light tapping at the door, and I can hear muffled voices outside, “If she’s not here, then where the hell is she?”
“Help,” I rasp out as loud as I can. “Please help.”
The door handle turns but doesn’t open, the deadbolt is locked, “Lena unlock the door,” Patrick yells.
“Help,” I moan.
“Hang on princess; we’re coming,” Patrick yells then something slams into the door. The wood protests but doesn’t give. Patrick continues to beat on the door, the wood moans and cracks. With one last loud crash into the door, the frame gives way and the door swings open. Patrick rushes to my side with Samuel right behind him, Elmer is waiting outside on the porch. Patrick drops to his knees next to me, “Call 9-1-1 she’s been stabbed,” he calls over his shoulder. Putting his hands over my wounds and applying pressure he tells me, “Stay with me, princess. I love you.”
“Elmer called, they’re coming. Stay with us Lena,” Samuel says dropping to my other side stroking my hair. “Lena, who did this to you?”
I moan and wince in pain as Patrick applies more pressure to stop the bleeding, “Lena, please tell us who did this to you.”
“Martin,” I whisper my voice raspy and horse.
An overwhelming feeling of tiredness descends on me, and I close my eyes. “No, no, no, open your eyes, Lena. You need to stay awake,” Samuel says patting my cheek. I try, but my eyelids feel heavy, and they won’t open. “Lena, can you hear me?” Samuel asks. I try to answer but it is all too much, and I let the darkness overtake me.
“What’s her pulse,” a female voice asks her voice full of concern.
“Forty-five,” a man answers.
“Shit how far out are we?” The woman asks.
“Three minutes,” another man shouts.
“Hold on, Lena we’re almost there,” the woman says.
I try to tell them I feel better but my body and mind are exhausted. Forgetting everything I fall back asleep.
Seconds, minutes, or hours later I hear a different male voice asks, “Lena, can you hear me?” as he shines a bright light in my eyes. I moan in response to the light hurting my eyes. “Move her to surgery now.”
♦ ♦ ♦
The first thing I notice is the burning pain coming from my abdomen, like the layers of muscle and skin are rubbing against each other. The second thing I notice is someone running their fingers through my hair and pressing light kisses to my forehead. Patrick murmurs into my hair, “I’ve already talked to Samuel; I’ll leave it all behind if that is what you want. We’ll live in Bar Harbor and run the Resort Inn, and Dylan will take over running Kindred Corp. Just come back to me Lena, and I’ll do whatever you want.”
“What about your family?” I ask my voice weak.
“Lena, thank god,” Patrick answers. “Samuel, she’s awake.”
“Water, please,” I croak.
Moving so fast he almost knocks over the cup of water, he hands it to me, “Drink slowly,” Patrick warns.
A nurse wearing Santa scrubs comes into the room, “Good you’re awake. How are you feeling?” Samuel follows her into the room; he looks like he hasn’t slept in days. His dress shirt is wrinkled, and he has dark bags under his eyes. I look at Patrick and find him in the same state, his shirt untucked, the top buttons undone and wrinkled; his eyes are swollen and bloodshot.
“Like I’ve been gutted,” I respond handing the water cup back to Patrick.
The nurse chuckles, “I’m sorry to say, but you were. The good news is the doctors were able to patch you up. Now you’re as good as new or will be in a few weeks. How is your pain on a scale of one to ten?”
“About a six.”
“Okay, you’re due for another dose of pain medication.” Giving me the medication she leaves with a “Call if you need anything.”
♦ ♦ ♦
The doctors keep me in the hospital for three days; Patrick refuses to leave my side. Saying it isn’t safe and he wasn’t leaving
my safety in the hands of the hospital rental cops. Samuel only left to shower and bring a change of clothes for Patrick. As soon as the nurse came in with my release papers, Patrick has me dressed and out the door, “When I get you home I’m going to pamper you like the princess you are.”
“We need to talk about that?” I say as Patrick and Samuel help me into the back seat of an SUV.
“We will,” Samuel says, “as soon as we get you home and settled we will talk.”
The home they were referring to is Patrick’s family home, not mine. And to be honest I’m glad we are not going to my house, I don’t want to see the mess and have to relive Martin’s actions. Patrick stops the SUV at the front door rather than under the carport, the walkway and stairs have been cleared of snow. Samuel exits the SUV first opening my door and helping out. Patrick rounds the rear of the vehicle picking me up like a new bride and carries me in the house.
Brianna, Quine, Liam, Hui, Dylan, and Rylie greet us. “Thank god you’re okay. We were all worried sick,” Brianna says hugging me gently.
“If you don’t mind I’d like to get Lena settled then we need to talk,” Samuel says.
“Of course,” Quinn answers. “You’ll be in the second master suite, down this hall third door on the left.”
Samuel and Patrick lead me down the hall to the bedroom. Patrick helps me ease into a chair and places my feet on a footstool then sets an afghan over my lap. “Patrick, can you please give us some time alone?” Samuel asks. Patrick nods places a kiss on the top of my head then leaves.
Samuel takes the seat across from me a small bistro table between us, he opens his mouth to start but closes it just a quickly. “I spoke with Willow about what she told you.”
“Willow is alive? Where is she?”
“Yes, she and Mike are both alive and in police custody. What she told you is true; you are a descendant of one of the founding members of The Family. We are a worldwide organization; comprised of many different organizations both legal and illegal. Take Kindred Corp, Patrick’s company, when greedy CEOs bankrupt their companies Patrick steps in and buys them out. If the company can be saved, he turns it profitable again keeping the staff employed. If the company is past the point of saving the staff is offered a position at one of the other Kindred Corp business then the company is stripped and sold.”
“We have been trying to do the same with the government for years, but there are more moving parts which makes it more difficult. When the first member of the Irish American gang came to Washington he saw the corruption and backroom deals; they didn’t care about the people they were hurting they only cared about lining their own pockets. Being part of one of those groups of people he couldn’t stand for it, so he did the only thing he could, the only thing he knew. But these things take time; you have to weed the good from the bad, give people the option to change their ways. After several generations, we have finally gained control of the Federal, and state governments. We want to keep it that way and to do that; someone needs to have the final say, one of us needs to become president.”
“And how does the D.C. Carver work into The Family?”
Samuel takes a deep breath and blows it out, putting his elbows on his knees and cradling his head in his hands. “That was one of my father’s creations. He created a serial killer to intimidate people; Brendan and Willow’s uncle was the first D.C. Carver. When people refused to do what was asked of them or tried to inform on The Family, the D.C. Carver would take one of their family members, typically a spouse to persuade the person to do as they were asked. If that did not work the family member was killed, and it was made to look like a serial killer. The original D.C. Carver was killed, and Brendan was next in line to take his place, but Brendan was troubled. When I took over for my father I talked to Brendan and told him the D.C. Carver was retired, I wanted him to use his job as a congressional lawyer to gather information. That wasn’t good enough for Brendan, and I was not informed of his actions until it was too late. We tried to capture him before he got out of hand but he evaded his father and us. I’m sorry for all the lives he took.”
“What about Hui? Willow said her father is the head of the Triad.”
“Yes, he is the head of the Triad and an influential member of the Chinese government. Governments are influenced by many outside forces including other countries governing powers. If we want to stay at the top, we have to have our own influences on those other countries. One of the easiest and oldest practices is to invite them into our organization through marriage.”
“So you do arrange marriages?”
“Yes and no. It’s not like during the medieval times where two people were placed together no matter their opinions. We want the marriage to be successful and happy. The two people we think will be good together meet and date just like every other couple, if they want to get married they do, if not we try to find them someone else they have chemistry with.”
I sit there and stare at Samuel, thinking I must be crazy because everything he has said makes perfect sense to me. “Does this mean I’ll take over for you when you become president?” I ask dumbfound that from everything he just told me that is my question.
“No, we are traditional in that sense. Your husband will take over for me.”
“And if I don’t marry?”
“Then the next decedent will take over, and our reign will end. Kind of like the royal families.”
“Is that why Patrick wants to be with me so that he can have the power?”
“No,” Samuel answers his voice stern. “Patrick is not that kind of man. After you left, he asked for permission to leave The Family knowing he would lose everything he has worked for, his company, his homes, and his own family. He is willing to give everything up for you, Lena. Now I have to ask, do you want to stay or leave? If you stay, you will need to play your part, join me on the campaign trail and doing interviews. If you leave, I will do everything in my power to keep you out of the public eye, but everyone knows you’re my daughter and I can’t ensure your safety.”
“Can I talk to Patrick and think it over?” I ask my head spinning with everything I learned mixed with the pain medication. Can I live with being a mafia princess? The people around me doing whatever it takes to meet the end goal. That is a lot to take in.
“Talk to Patrick, then give me your answer. But first get some rest you must be tired.” Standing Samuel helps me to my feet then leads me to the bed. Placing a soft kiss on my forehead, he whispers, “Rest. I love you.” Then he leaves me.
♦ ♦ ♦
I wake to Patrick lying next to me; he’s propped up on his side watching me sleep. “Hey,” I say with a smile.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” He asks with an answering smile.
“I’ve been better, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too. I brought dinner,” Patrick says helping me sit up.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me too much, it’s only soup. The doctor said you shouldn’t eat anything heavy yet.”
“Still, it is very sweet of you to bring me dinner; especially after the way I acted at Samuel’s.”
“Princess, you just had a bombshell dropped in your lap. Any sane person would have acted the same way. Just tell me that one day you will be able to forgive me.”
“Can we talk after dinner?” I ask trying to exit the bed without causing myself more pain.
“Of course, let me help you,” Patrick says coming to my side of the bed and helping me to my feet then to the bistro table where Samuel and I talked. Patrick studies me, and I’m not sure if it’s because he is watching for signs of distress or he’s worried about what I want to talk about. When we’re done eating Patrick breaks the silence, “So, Samuel said he talked to you about everything.”
“Yeah, he did.”
“What do think about it?” Patrick asks rubbing the back of his neck, and I know he’s worried about what I’m
going to say.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Patrick?” He knows I’m not referring to Samuel.
“What was I supposed to say, hey do you remember me, I’ve been in love with you since you were five.”
“Well, that would have been a little creepy, but you could have told me it was you I was remembering rather than making me think I was crazy.”
“I was scared. If I would have told you that would have led to more questions, questions I couldn’t answer without putting the rest of my family in danger. I couldn’t risk it,” Patrick pleads with his eyes for me to understand.
I don’t know how to reply; I would do anything for my mom if she were still here. So I understand why he did it, but that doesn’t mean I agree with him and it hurts that he didn’t trust me to not say anything. Blinking back the tears that are begging to fall I say, “Samuel said you asked to leave.”
“If that is what you want. I will give everything up, walk away from everyone to be with you. We can stay in Bar Harbor and run the Resort Inn. Dylan already said he would take over running Kindred Corp.”
“You would do that, walk away from your family to be with me?”
Dropping to his knees in front of me Patrick says, “Princess, you don’t get it. I’ve loved you since I crashed your fifth birthday party. You were so pretty in your pink dress and pig tales playing in the park with your friends. You may not have seen me, but I was there for everything, your birthdays when your mother was going through chemo treatments, your graduation, your mother’s funeral, college graduation. I was there for it all, in the background celebrating, cheering you on, and mourning with you. It killed me to stay away.”
“I think I’ve loved you since I was five too. I always looked for you in the background, waiting for you to show up. But then Mom got sick, and she became my world, and I forgot you were there. But then I saw you in the lobby, I knew I’d seen you before, and you were someone special to me. But you said we had never met, and I thought it would come off crazy if I told you your eyes haunted my dreams.”
