by Hayley Smyth
I turned the corner at the top of the stairs, and my eyes found him. Clad in a black suit with a blue collar poking out, Jax leaned against the railing, tapping his foot. Dark hair was styled and neat, and when my heeled foot touched the first step, he turned, and dark eyes almost had me tumbling down the stairs.
Jax.
Jesus H Christ. There had been just a fraction of a second before I realized the girl with the perfectly straight hair was Ella. My Ella. She came towards me, teeth chewing her bottom lip, and I couldn't take my damn fucking eyes off her. The dress hugging her body, her slender legs, her fierce blue eyes and that blue clip in her hair, the color damn near matched my suit perfectly, the Murdoch Blue we called it. She looked incredible. There wasn't a part of me that didn't want to devour her, worship her, love her the way she deserved to be. Every nerve in my body was alight and on fire for this woman.
“Ella, you look beautiful,” I said, fingers itching to reach out and touch her.
She smiled and looked at the floor. “Thank you. I hope -”
“Ahh, is everyone ready?” Vlad's voice interrupted. “Well, who knew my wife could look this nice for once?” He declared, grinning as he pushed me out the way to grab Ella's hand. He yanked her off the bottom step, and she went flying into his body. Just at that moment, Benny walked out straightening the blue tie I'd loaned him. If he was attending a Murdoch funeral, the least he could do was wear something blue.
“Ah, Benjamin. Doesn't my wife look a vision today? The dead deserve her looking so spectacular and not her husband. Who'd have thought it?” He continued to gush, holding Ella's arm in the air. Her face was crimson, matching the fury he provoked in me.
Benny looked awkward. “Er, she sure is beautiful, sir.”
“Beautiful? Oh, my dear boy. Look.” Vladimir released her hand only to grip the hem of her dress, raising it to reveal the top of her stocking. “Delicious, sweet wife, aren't you?”
The tears were evident in her eyes, and I cleared my throat, or I was going to put several rounds into his thick skull.
“Sir, we need to get going if we're to beat traffic,” I said, my teeth clenched.
Ella looked at me, just the smallest gaze, and I could see the appreciation.
Vlad stopped what he was doing; the entrance to his home now silent. Too fucking silent. His black eyes looked at me, and then he moved, coming my way.
I'd half expected some clever-fuck retort. Instead, he put his hands on my shoulders and sighed. “Send my regards to your family, my boy.”
Nodding, not daring to speak, I diverted my gaze to Ella and Benny. “You ready?”
The three of us stepped into the sun where my truck was waiting, parked up amongst other vehicles that cost more than mine and my parents' put together. Vladimir stood at the door, stomach hanging out from under his shirt.
“Back before nine, alright? Don't make me come looking for you, Ella.” He called out as I opened the passenger door for her.
She paused and wiped away a tear, before looking up to smile at Vlad.
Once Benny and Ella were seated and buckled, I ran around to my side and wasted no time in starting the engine, hitting the control for the air-con, and I sped out of that place as fast as my truck would go.
I could almost taste the freedom. The air immediately seemed different once the gates to Vlad's gone were behind us. It felt as though I'd had a noose around my neck these past few weeks, getting tighter and tighter, and it was only now just loosening, allowing me to breathe again.
As the truck thundered down the dirt road, I stole a glance at my bird. She'd positioned herself away from me, legs leaning against the door, her eyes wide with wonder as the world around us changed from shrouded woodland to open roads. I wanted to ask her how she felt, if there was anything I could do, Christ only knew how she'd be feeling about the whole thing. She'd been locked up in that place for thirteen years, me? A few weeks and everything outside seemed different. What was it like for her?
“Jax, I'm sorry we have to tag along, mate. Just know, I won't step on anyone's toes, I'll give you all the privacy you need.” Benny's voice disturbed my thoughts, and I looked at him in the rearview mirror.
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” I looked over to Ella, still as a statue. “You okay?”
She jumped a little, and then composed herself, flashing me a nervous smile. “I'm fine. Thank you.” I knew she wasn't. Her eyes were sad, scared, and I wanted to reach over and comfort her somehow. Impossible with Benny in the background. Things at home were just getting underway, I couldn't fuck this up now.
And so, I switched on the radio, and we drove the hour's drive to my Pops' home where, soon enough, we'd be lowering my friend and her baby into the ground.
I wondered if Carter knew the truth yet. Of Amy and Vladimir. Hell, we still didn't know the entire story ourselves. I'd searched my brain for any logical explanation as to why Amy would want Vlad. And there was the ever-burning question of: how the hell did they even know each other? Women of Purgatory, especially those from either side, never met. My mother had never attended a function at Vlad's in all the years my father had worked for him. So many fucking questions.
And Amy would never be able to answer them.
For her voice had been silenced forever.
And yet, somehow, I knew we were only starting to peel back the layers of a much more complicated story.
Chapter Twenty Four
Ella.
There was an overwhelming tension in the truck the entire drive to Archibald Murdoch's house, and the shame Vlad made sure I left with still hung around my shoulders when we arrived. The man who'd destroyed my life had thrown me into the deep end, but not before tying weights to my ankles, and when I saw the crowds of people waiting outside the enormous detached house, I wanted the passenger seat to swallow me whole.
At the front door stood a beautiful woman, alongside Jax's father, even before the truck had pulled to a stop I recognized him from the auction. A young woman stood close by, too, and she had that jet black hair. She wore a black dress with a square neckline and deep blue shoes. As I looked around, it seemed most mourners were wearing something blue. I touched the clip in my hair and wondered if Marnie had known or it was just something she'd found.
Benny had been uncharacteristically quiet the entire drive, keeping his word to Jax, and the farther we had driven from The Mansion, the more I longed to be back there.
Jax was just pulling into a parking spot when a blond-haired man stepped from the house, in the breast pocket of his suit was a beautiful blue flower, and when he heard the gravel underneath the cars' tires, he looked up and straight towards Jax.
Jax switched the engine off and addressed Benny and me. “I don't know how this is gonna play out; I'll do my best to keep things cool, though.”
“Does your family know we're even here?” I asked panicked.
Jax nodded. “Yeah, they're fine. It's Carter I'm worried about.” Jax moved his gaze back out towards his friend and sighed. “Let's just get this over with, come on, bird.”
My eyes went wide, as did Benny's, and Jax's hand froze on the door handle as he realized his error in calling me bird. He mumbled under his breath before exiting the truck, and, feeling vulnerable without him, I hopped out quickly, and my ankle gave way, causing me to fall to the floor.
There were gasps from onlookers, and I wanted to die. Well done. Ella, I chastised myself.
“Shit, Mrs C, you okay?” Benny reached me first, his kind hands helped me up, and I brushed myself down.
“I'm fine,” I whispered.
“Come on; let's go introduce ourselves. Don't wanna be rude. Here,” he offered me his arm, which I gratefully took, and we followed Jaxon in the direction of his family.
Jax leaned in close when we reached him, “You okay?”
I simply nodded; I could already feel my wavering voice—so many unfamiliar faces around us.
“Mom, Dad, Kendra, this is Ella Chrobak and Be
nny...” Jax looked over at the man still holding on to me. “Shit, man, I don't even know your surname.”
Benny held his enormous hand out to shake Archibald's. “Benny Pratt.”
Jax laughed almost. “You're kidding?”
“Nope.”
Archibald looked at me and held out his hand. “Mrs Chrobak, it's a pleasure to meet you. This is my wife, Nancy, our daughter Kendra.” He looked over his shoulder and waved an arm. “And this is Carter Paulson.”
I took the older man's hand and smiled my hellos, wholly aware that Carter was throwing daggers at me. “I'm very sorry for your loss,” I said, voice quavering.
Carter scoffed, pulling a small flask from out of his suit jacket, bringing it to his lips. “I'm sure you are, darling,” he said with a roll of his eyes.
Jax stepped forward. “Carter, don't. She didn't ask to be here.”
“Whatever, man. I'm going to wait over there. I can't be dealing with all these pleasantries.” Carter stormed off, and the guests kept out of his way.
Jax's mom, Nancy, was dabbing at her eyes with a crisp white handkerchief when she stepped towards me. Her blue eyes, eyes very unlike Jax's, searched my face for what, I don't know. “My, you are a vision.” Her small hand pressed against my cheek, and she smiled, tears locking at the corners of her kindly eyes.
“Nancy, leave the poor girl alone.” Archie scolded softly. “Forgive my wife, emotions, you know?”
And then we all heard it. The unmistakable noise of a hearse drawing closer, the gravel popped and crunched. We all turned, lowering our heads, Jax pulled me from Benny and slipped his hand in mine.
I looked at our connected fingers and then at him.
“I need you, bird. Don't let go.”
My heart broke. I'd never seen or heard him look so vulnerable before. His eyes flickered upwards towards the car carrying Amy, and a wretched sob from Carter pierced the silence. I looked up and Carter was clinging to the screen of the hearse.
Archie and Nancy took hold of him, holding him tightly between their bodies as we all waited in silence for the flowers to be laid. Benny stood on the other side of Jax, in my peripheral vision I saw him make a cross with his fingers. My heart was pounding the entire time. My palms were hot and clammy, and I found myself praying once more for the strength to see this through.
After a few moments, the hearse was ready, and the undertakers began to help the family into the leading car. Jax tugged at my hand, beckoning me to follow, and I looked at him in horror.
“Oh, Jax, I couldn't possibly. Can Benny and I not follow behind?” Benny heard his name and turned to see what was happening.
“Everything okay?” He asked.
Jax nodded. “It's fine, Ella.”
And so with a heavy guilt-ridden heart, I allowed him to help me into the car where I sat between Jax and his mother, feeling like the biggest fraud in the world. And before long, the car was moving, and we drove in a sad silence to the chapel.
Jax.
Amy and her baby were buried. The service had been beautiful, and Carter had managed to get through it. Ella had been my rock, even if she didn't know it. Just having her there, I don't know, comforted me, and on a day that would have been hard for her as well.
Me, Ella, Benny, and my father had wandered down to the lake inside the cemetery; the rippling water went on as far as the eye can see. Ella sat beneath a great oak, watching a family of swans ducking and diving their heads beneath the water, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the grass. There was a soft breeze, blowing the coolness of the water across us, giving us some respite from the blistering heat. It was peaceful—a much welcomed quiet moment after the heartache of the morning.
My father passed me a cigarette and jerked his head towards Ella. “How she holding up?”
I inhaled the smoke, almost groaning at how good it felt to have some nicotine in my system again. “She's tougher than she looks.”
“This is the first time she's been allowed outside?”
I nodded. “She hasn't seen it since she was thirteen years old. Can't imagine what's going through her mind.” I handed the smoke back to my old man and sighed.
“Go on, go and talk to her. I'll keep Benny busy.”
I didn't argue.
“Hey, bird. You okay?” I asked, sinking to the ground beside her. Here, we were shielded from the sun's rays.
She looked at me and smiled. “I'm okay - just taking all this in.” She gestured towards the water, the open space behind it, the rocky mountains in the distance. “It's breathtaking. I've never seen anything like it.”
“Nah, that's nothing compared to you,” I said, grinning.
Her lips tried to fight a smile and she placed a hand on mine. The first contact she had initiated and, fuck if I was going to remember it forever. “How are you doing, though? And Carter? I am sorry, Jax.”
“Don't be. We'll be okay, all of us. That's including you.”
She sighed. “I do hope so. I just...” She chewed on her lip, unsure if she could go on.
“Bird, you can talk to me about anything. Anything in the whole fucking world.”
“Something just feels... off. Amy and Vlad, Vlad sending me along today. I just feel as though we're all part of a game, and yet we're the only ones who don't know what one.” She paused for a beat. “I'm scared, Jax.”
Fuck, I wanted to hold her. I threw a look over my shoulder and saw my father and Benny sat on a bench, deep in conversation.
Shuffling closer, my mouth was like a beacon to her, I placed the smallest kiss on her temple, leaving my lips there as I spoke. “Baby, trust me. We'll come out on top. My father said the site’s almost ready for him to send a few guys down there. That's good news, huh?”
She nuzzled her face into mine. “It is, I just can't believe this is all happening.”
We were quiet then, listening to the sounds of the water lapping against the grass as the ducks caused waves.
“Bird?”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something? Something personal? You don't have to answer.”
I felt her head nod against my chest.
“How did you end up here? What happened to your parents?”
“Drugs, mainly.” She sighed. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave a soft squeeze. Fuck, Benny. My dad was a great distraction when he needed to be, and I trusted he wouldn't let Benny see something he didn't need to.
“Daddy used to be gone for a day or two. When he came home, he and my mom would shoot up first, feed Ella later. Or not at all, depending on how long they'd been without it for.”
“Jesus,” I said.
“Daddy went out on the Monday, he didn't return until four days later...” she swallowed hard. “With Vladimir in tow. I didn't know until years later, but my father promised Vlad he could have me in exchange for a promise of drugs every week as payment.”
“Fuck, bird. I'm so sorry.” I kissed her red hair. “Do you know how they met?”
She shook her head. “No, Vladimir never told me.”
I held on to her tight just as the skies above us turned black. It was an almost immediate change. The wind had picked up, and I felt goosebumps appear on Ella's arms. “Listen to me, Ella. You are so, so fucking strong, do you know that? The fact that you've kept fighting for this long. You believe me when I say I'll keep my promise to you, don't you?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “I know. Thank you.”
“Never thank me, baby. I'm fucking crazy for you, Ella. Have been since the moment I saw you. I swear right here and right now that, if you let me, I'll make you the happiest woman on this earth. For as long as I've got breathe in my lungs. You hear me?”
A soft sob left her pretty lips, and she nodded. “I hear you, Jax.” Her small hand slid up my chest, and her fingers gripped my shirt, and then it happened. The skies above us opened up, and within seconds we were soaked through to the bone.
“Ahh!” She squealed, getting to h
er feet.
I followed rank, taking my suit jacket off to wrap around her shoulders.
“Pops!” I yelled over the thunderous rain. “I'm gonna head back, okay?”
My father nodded while shaking Benny's hand.
“Tell Carter I'll call him tomorrow."
With Ella under my arm, we hurried back to the truck just as the first strike of lightning lit up the grounds behind us.
Chapter Twenty Five
Ella.
Jax looked concerned. The rain hadn't given up whatsoever, fat drops blasted the windscreen, and other drivers were taking their time, wasting time we didn't have.
He followed the SatNav for as long as possible, but with the winds and rains only getting worse, he couldn't risk wasting any more precious seconds. It was nearing eight p.m now, and we hadn't made any progress.
I gazed out the window; it was a blur of grays and blacks and movement of people running to get indoors. Jax had taken a left turn, bringing us into a little town. I say town, but as the neon signs for the motel flashed on and off providing light, I noticed that there wasn't much left here at all. An old bus shelter with smashed windows rattled in the winds, loud clanging noises that could be heard above the fierce howl of the wind. There were abandoned cars and children's bicycles lining the roads and sidewalks.
And then, Benny's phone rang.
“Sir?... One moment.” Benny reached forward and tapped me on the arm with his cell. “It's the boss man, Mrs C.”
I looked in horror at Jax. I'd never even touched a phone let along used one. And I didn't need Vladimir hollering at me down it. Swallowing, I tried to find the bravery I had earlier. “Hello?”
“Where the hell are you?” he spat, I could tell he'd been drinking.
“We're on our way. There's a huge storm, Vladimir-”
“Don't give me that bullshit, Ella. I want you home within the goddamn fucking hour. I swear to god I will slice that little bitch's throat if you're not.”
“The roads are so dangerous; we're doing what we can.”
He ignored me. “Put Jax on.”
I passed Jax the phone and turned away from both of them, tears streaming from my eyes.