by Ginger Ring
“What’s going on with you?” Madison pushed down with her palms so she could sit up a little higher.
“Here, let me help you.” She rushed to her sister’s side.
“I’m fine. Just tired of lying down.”
“Here, let me comb your hair.” Spying a brush nearby, Layla sat on the bed and began to brush Maddy’s long hair. How she missed having the chance to do this as kids. The missed opportunities of getting each other ready for prom, first dates, and other major events in young girls’ lives made her heart ache. It just reinforced her resolve that she needed to make some major changes in her life.
“That feels nice. I must look a mess but Roman, bless his heart, tells me every day that I’ve never looked more beautiful.” She bit back a sob. “My hormones have me crazy. I cry over anything. Those Hallmark commercials are a bitch to get through.”
“I’ve never been pregnant but I’m pretty sure that is normal as well. I’m afraid I can’t get through one of them myself without bawling.”
Maddy took Layla’s hands in hers. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you here. Please tell me you’ll stay permanently. I know Arlo and you are getting close. Do you think he’s the one? I so want it to be true.”
“I want it to be true also but it’s complicated. We have some serious concerns to work through.”
“I have full confidence that no matter what it is, you two will end up together,” her sister insisted. “I know it in my heart.”
Layla sat back in her chair and crossed one knee over the other. “First, I have to figure out a few things in my life. What is most important to me and what things are keeping me back from reaching that goal.” And what to do with the damn club she’d invested so much of her father’s money in.
“So, what’s stopping you?”
“Well, nothing, I guess.” It was true. She could sell it. The place looked great and was ready to go.
“Then don’t waste any time sitting here with me. Get your life in order and go get your man.” Madison was adamant.
“Yes.” Nodding her head, a thrill went through Layla’s spine. “I need to stop waiting for things to fall into place and do it myself.” This was important to her. Maddy was important to her. Arlo was important to her. Every day, Lake Genoa felt more and more like home. It was easy to picture herself living and raising a family here.
“Then what are you doing here? Make it happen.” Madison insisted.
“Yes. I will.” Layla tightened her jaw and stiffened her spine.
“Good. Now go get your shit together so you can be here to help me figure out all this baby and kid raising stuff. I can’t imagine not having you involved in our son’s life.”
Layla’s head popped up. A boy? “You’re having a son? Roman’s got to be pleased beyond belief.” Visions of toy trucks and blue blankets popped into her mind.
“Yes, I have a feeling he’ll be handing out a few cigars at the meeting today.”
“I’m so happy for you both.” Layla couldn’t resist hugging the soon-to-be mom. “You need to feel better soon so we can get some shopping done. Now that you know the sex, we can decorate, pick out clothes. Squee! I can’t wait to hold my new nephew.”
“I can’t either but first things first. You need to make arrangements to move here. Permanently. I know Dad wants you to rule the family but it’s going to be twice as hard for you as a woman. Their ways are the old ways and they will test you more severely than they would a man. Even Roman said that.”
“I know.” Her gaze fell to the floor. “I know.”
“And I know he doesn’t want Arlo to leave. They’re like brothers and we are sisters.” Her eyes started to water again. “Call me selfish but I want you here.”
“I want that also.” But telling her father was going to be a nightmare.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Maddy slapped her hand on the bed and Layla jumped. “Go out and make it happen.”
“Today?” She couldn’t help but laugh at her sister’s enthusiasm.
“Not just today. Now.”
“Ah, okay.” Layla slowly rose to her feet.
“I mean it. Do whatever you need to do to make Arlo yours and keep your ass here. I need you. I really do.” Maddy reached for the tissue box.
“You know you can count on me for anything.”
“I know, but I also know some things take time and Father isn’t going to be easy. He’ll have to get used to the idea that his daughter isn’t going to be a don and he’ll need time to find someone to take your place.”
“I will give him a call next week. I promise.”
“Not next week. Now.” The expectant mother’s eyes were wide and staring her down.
“I know. You’re right. Don’t put off until next week what can be done this week,” she humored. Her nerves were getting the best of her. Never did she want to disappoint her father but spending her life doing something she had no interest in would be like living in prison. What if she regretted it? Once she told him her thoughts and that she wanted no part of the family business, as far as being its leader, that is, what would their relationship be then? Could he forgive her and accept Arlo as her husband? Decisions, decisions. Her head hurt just thinking about it.
“Yes, I’m older, so I’m right.” The woman in the bed finally smiled. “You can do this.” She reached for her hand.
“I can.” Layla placed her hand on top of the one holding hers.
“And you’re going to start today.”
Layla rolled her eyes. “And I’m going to start today.”
“You know I’m only doing this for you. Well, and my own selfish reasons.”
“You’re right, Maddy. I’d never be happy going back to Chicago. It would be the end of Arlo and me. I could never ask him to give up his family for me and half of my family is already here. Father will just have to get used to the idea. Right after I do.” She knew in her heart it was true but there was one thing she had to do first.
“Change is never easy but it’s usually for the best.” Her sister took a drink of water. Already her color was starting to return to her face.
“I have to get going, Maddy. Will you be all right by yourself?”
“Of course.” She nodded toward the phone on her bedside table. “All I have to do is call and Roman will have anything and everything I need here in a matter of seconds.”
“You’re a very lucky woman.” To think that years ago Layla was supposed to marry Roman. Thank god that never came to fruition. They would have been terrible together while her sister and he were a perfect match.
“I know, and you are too. Arlo loves you so.” Maddy had spent more time with the man in the last few years than she had. They were close. Like brother and sister, similar to the way Layla felt about Roman. It was as it should be and was meant to be.
“Have you told him yet how you feel?”
“I’ve not said the three little words but I do know something I can do that shows how much I care.”
“And what’s that?” Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Maddy wiggled her eyebrows.
“Not that. Well, at least not yet today.” Shaking her head, she smiled at her sister. “I have something else in mind.” Taking a step back, the smile on her face grew. She knew exactly what she needed to do to make him happy, but first she had to make sure it was what she really wanted. “I have to go. We’ll talk later. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Shuffling down the stairs, her feet barely touched the steps. Bypassing the office, she went straight for the door and ran right into Oscar.
“Oops, sorry, Miss.” Oscar had manners but it sometimes made her feel ancient.
“That’s all right.” She paused with her hand on the door handle. “Aren’t you supposed to be in the meeting?”
“I was but I needed to check something on one of the cars.”
“Are they expecting you to return?”
“No.”
“Ca
n you drive me somewhere?” Arlo would be livid if she left on her own.
“Of course. Where to?”
“I have to go somewhere.” The handle of her purse had fallen off her shoulder and she put it back in place. “I just need someone to drive me. We can take my car.”
“I can do that. Sure.” He halted before adding, “Did you get the package that was here for you?”
“Oh no. Thanks for reminding me. It’s something from my father.”
“I know right where it is. Meet me in the car and I’ll be right there.” Somehow the stress of the last few months seemed to lift from her shoulders. Staying here and giving up the leadership of her father’s crime family was the right thing to do. Taking a final stroll through the club she no longer wanted to own was a step in the right direction also. Layla had just been going through the motions. Doing what she thought would be a good business venture, and it would have been. It just wouldn’t be best for her and Arlo.
Oscar opened the backseat door and placed the priority box on the seat. The vehicle shifted when he settled into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “I’m afraid I don’t know where you want to go to.”
“Just drive and I’ll let you know.”
“Do we need to alert Arlo to where we’re going?”
“No, I want it to be a surprise.” She felt almost drunk with happiness about the future.
“I’m sure he will be.” Oscar put it in gear and drove out of the yard.
“It never hurts to keep a man on his toes.” Layla wiggled hers, feeling like a kid out for a joy ride.
It was only a short drive to the club but with each mile they drove, a sense of unease grew. It was a mistake not letting him know where she was. All their phones had trackers but Arlo had had hers removed, stating that he couldn’t risk others knowing where she was. He was with her at all times anyway so maybe that was why something didn’t feel right.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Ma’am, I don’t feel comfortable about this.” Oscar had a death grip on the wheel. The man was intense there was no doubt about it. Being the new guy on the job made that a given and she’d basically made him go against orders. His boss would be mad as hell but he’d just have to deal with it. There was no way she could handle being stuck in the house any longer. Like Maddy said, it was time for action.
It was a beautiful day and being inside any longer would have caused her to go bat shit stir crazy. More importantly, it was time to take the bull by the horns and take control of her life once and for all. Everyone had been on alert for months and nothing had happened, so why would it make a difference if she took a quick trip to her club? Let’s make that former club. There, she’d said it. Layla didn’t want it anymore. Still they weren’t supposed to be taking any extra chances and that was what was probably really bothering the man next to her.
“It’ll be fine.” Her head throbbed and the bright sun didn’t help it either. “I’ll take full responsibility, when and if anything happens, which I seriously doubt it will.”
He flexed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Whatever you say, ma’am.”
That irked her even more, maybe it had been a bad idea not to wait for Arlo. At least she’d taken someone with her. She was being careful. Smart. “Please don’t call me ma’am. It makes me feel old.”
“Sorry ma—ah, Miss.” Now he was even more flustered. Great, that was her fault for sure. With her luck, they’d probably have an accident. Something odd like a turkey flying out of nowhere and crashing into their windshield. At least it was still summer and they didn’t have to be watchful for deer. “It’s just that we’re still at war. I should have left word.”
Layla sent a quick text to her realtor to meet her there. She was taking a chance the woman wouldn’t be busy but for what she would make on a possible new sale would get her notice. Vicki responded within ten seconds.
“Don’t say that.” Her fist clenched and a knot formed in the back of her neck. The men in her family didn’t always let her know everything that was going on. Yes, there was always trouble brewing somewhere but they’d been able to keep ahead of it. Until they blew everything up at the wedding.
“It’s true.” Oscar wasn’t giving up.
“That’s debatable. Nothing’s happened since we went after Fedor.” Thankfully. “It’s just a pissing contest between a bunch of men trying to see who has the bigger dicks. It’s stupid, really. He’s up to his eyeballs in trouble with the law. The guy’s probably fueling his private jet to leave the country right now.” If only that were true.
He grumbled but remained silent. Oscar was young. Probably just out of college if he’d gone at all. She didn’t really know him that well and that had made it easy to get him to do her bidding. Everyone else would have put their foot down about her being an easy target and staying out of sight. It was just her luck to run into him in the hallway.
Her gaze fell to her hands. A manicure was way overdue but when had she had the time lately? Maybe that’s what she would do later. She glanced out the window again and smiled at a field full of sunflowers. It’d been such a happy summer season so far. Weddings, new mothers-to-be, and engagements. It was time for her to experience all those happy moments as well. Now, if only she could just convince the man she wanted to undergo them with her.
The men in the family were hardly ever home lately. Too busy keeping an eye on their territories and interests both here and in Chicago. Chewing on her fingernail, it dawned on her that maybe things hadn’t been as calm as they’d led her to believe.
“Where did you want to go anyway?” He slowed as they neared an intersection.
They’d made a brief stop at the Java Shop for coffee and a pastry to go. “My club. Or should I say soon-to-be former club.” She punched the address into the GPS on the dash.
“I heard something about that.” He constantly monitored the side and rear-view mirror, a common trait of those that were always on the lookout for danger. “What do you mean by former?”
“I decided I wanted to do something else.” Like have a life.
“Better to decide that now before you get any more invested into it.”
“That’s what I thought. It will be an easy sale, I hope. Everything’s basically all set up. I even have the menu set, bar licenses, employees hired.”
“Hmm. Maybe Roman should buy it.” Oscar seemed to ponder it over. “Heck, maybe I should.”
“Really? You’d be interested?”
“I’d have to talk it over with Roman. He’s looking for more legit businesses to invest in.”
“You should, and if you ever need any help, I’d be just a phone call away. Think it over.” The leaves on the trees along the road were just starting to turn. At least the sumac was and the maples would soon be next.
Oscar tapped his fingers on the wheel. “I’ll mull it over but I still think it’s a bad idea to leave the compound without letting someone—”
A vehicle came out of nowhere, blocking their way. Layla braced herself with a hand on the dashboard. The tires squealed as the vehicle skidded to a stop. They’d barely come to a halt before four men surrounded the SUV and tore their doors open. The barrel of a gun was held firmly to her skull. Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. So close to having everything she dreamed of only to have it end today.
“Careful. Ever so careful, unbuckle your belts.” Layla didn’t need to see his face to know it was Fedor. The accent and deadly vibe said it all. Oscar’s arm flexed next to hers. The last thing she wanted was for him to do something to save her.
“Do as they say.” Her shaking fingers fumbled with the seat belt release. “Please.”
Oscar let out a deep breath, or was it a groan? As soon as they were unbuckled, both were dragged from the truck and thrown on the hard blacktop. The flat surface of his boot was on her face. Tiny rocks and sand dug into her hair and skin. “Not so high and mighty now, huh, bitch?”
“It takes a big man to bully a wo
man.” Layla talked tough but she’d never been so scared. After taking his foot off her face, Fedor pulled her to standing none too gently. Her bare leg was scraped and most likely bleeding. Acting on instinct, Layla hit the bottom of her palm to his chin. The jolt knocked him back a step but didn’t lessen the hold he had on her.
“Shoot him in the leg.” The Russian gangster ordered and the sound of gunfire deafened her ears as she screamed. She couldn’t look. Couldn’t bear to see one of Arlo’s friends dead on the road. He groaned and her eyes flew open. Oscar rolled around on the hot surface clutching his leg with both hands. Blood seeped between his fingers.
“No.” She didn’t recognize the moan that escaped her lips but knew it was her own.
“Yes, you do as I say or your friend here dies.” The hot air of his breath hovered by her ear. It took three men to hold Oscar down. “Understand?”
Vigorously she nodded her head, and said yes. “Please don’t hurt him.” This was all her fault, and if Oscar died because of her she’d never forgive herself.
“I never said that.” Fedor motioned and they shot the other leg. Oscar’s scream would haunt her for days to come. If she had days, that is. It was hard to move. Hard to breathe. Hard to think. She wanted to run to him but worried what would happen if she did. “Take his phone and toss the keys.” His henchman did as he was told while her captor rushed her to their truck. One of her heels lodged in a crack on the road and it remained there. Pain shot through the sole of her foot as she stumbled and fell to the ground. “Grab your fucking shoe.”
Looking up from where she’d fallen, her jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed. “They will kill you for this.”
“They can try but they won’t.”
Two men, one on each side of her, lifted her to standing and ushered her to the extended cab of the truck. Layla turned to see where Oscar was. He remained on the ground, now on his side, his face a tortured portrait of pain. At least he was still moving. As if reading her thought, Fedor turned her around to face him. “I left him alive to tell Roman we have you.”