“Not just yet. I don’t think he’ll take it very well.”
“I doubt he would but he also doesn’t take lightly to being kept in the dark. If you do end up pissing off Pearl, you’re going to want Van on your side. If you decide to try things out with this woman then I suggest you call a meeting at the clubhouse. You heading off now?”
“Thanks for the advice, little brother. I probably should get going. Van wasn’t home when I got back but I’m sure he’s going to ask me where I’ve been. I’ll tell him I’ve been to the party but I don’t think I’m quite ready to mention Rachel until I know things will progress with her. I seriously doubt they will after the way she spoke this morning, but one can only hope. See you later, Ace.”
“See you later, Red,” Ace held the door open for his brother.
Is there a chance she’ll come back?
Chapter 8
RACHEL
Red had been playing on her mind all weekend, but she was finally back in the office and happy to have some cases to work on. Alyssa had come over to stay for a couple of nights after the event took place which prevented her from doing anything stupid like calling him.
Even though they’re criminals, it doesn’t mean they’re bad people. I guess I did learn something from that man! That and also how incredible sex can be with the right person…
“How are you handling things, Rachel? It’s not too much for you? Pearl said she was extremely pleased with how you handled Mr. Bailey’s case last week and has entrusted you with a few minor ones to get you started. I know it may seem a bit intimidating at first, working with these people, but I promise you it gets easier with time. I trust you’ve kept this to yourself?” her uncle appeared at the door.
“Of course, uncle. I don’t think it would help either of us if anyone found out just who we are truly working for. Truth be told, it’s not my ideal situation.”
“It was never mine, but I’ve learned to trust the Romanos and they’ve helped me out whenever I have needed it. How did the party go last week? Did you manage to network? Pearl informed me that by the end of the night, many of the men were hoping you would take their case. She said it could possibly be down to what you were wearing. I hope you are presenting yourself to the Evans standard?”
“It was a party and I didn’t want to show up in a suit. Not really the right crowd for that. However, I think I presented myself in an honorable fashion. I might as well use these opportunities to gain cases, if I am to continue to be affiliated with these people, don’t you agree?” she glanced up from her paperwork, hoping to judge her uncle’s emotions but he was as expressionless as usual.
“Just make sure you don’t wind up with any of the wrong people, Rachel. Most of them are good people but not all of them. And I trust you’re keeping everything professional?”
“Entirely, uncle. I would never do anything to harm the reputation of this firm,” the lie felt like acid in her mouth, but she kept her face turned down so he didn’t see her true emotions.
“Very well. If you’re planning to stay here late then I suggest you ask Maria for the copy of the keys so you can lock up afterwards. I’m heading out now, Joe has asked for a meeting. Don’t disappoint me on these cases, child, I have stuck my neck out for you and I don’t want to find myself on the chopping board for your mistakes. Goodnight.”
Before Rachel could form a response, he had left the office and she could hear his footsteps fading away into the distance. She looked at the heap of cases on her desk before deciding she would stay late for the night. The last people she wanted to disappoint were her uncle and the Romanos. She had already potentially fucked things up and she didn’t want to give them another nail to drive into her coffin.
“Hey, Maria, can I have a spare set of the keys? I’m going to be staying late tonight, so I’ll need to lock up behind myself.”
Maria nodded and, without looking away from her computer, pulled a set of keys from one of her many drawers. Rachel took them and thanked her before quickly rushing back to her office. She had so many cases to take on with so little time to complete them. Her uncle was right, the men had certainly enjoyed her appearance at the party because many had requested her as their lawyer. There were a mixture of minor offenses lining her desk and each she had to represent. She knew that Pearl would never accept failure, so if that meant staying late then that’s what she would do.
At least the work will take my mind off Red. I can be professional after all.
Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes turned into hours, and before she knew it the clock on the wall was displaying midnight. Rachel decided that being sleep-deprived wouldn’t help her get through the mountain of cases and to call it tonight. She was just starting to pack her things away, when she heard some noises coming from the corridor.
Who the hell was coming into work at this time of night?
Rachel shoved the rest of the things in her handbag and went to go have a look. When she turned off her office light, she noticed other lights from what could only be flashlights spinning down the corridor.
If they worked here, wouldn’t they know where the light switches were? And why would they be carrying flashlights? I don’t think these people are meant to be here. Fuck.
Panicking, Rachel started rummaging through her chaotic handbag to find her phone. Just when she found it, and was attempting to unlock the screen, a hand appeared from the shadows and gripped tightly onto her wrist. She screamed out in shock and dropped her mobile, it went spinning across the carpet and under her desk.
“Why? Aren’t you a pretty thing? I didn’t expect Red’s lawyer to be so young. You are Red Bailey’s lawyer, I presume?” the voice was menacing as she tried to adjust her eyes in the darkness.
“I might be,” she stuttered, “Why? What does it matter? And why are you here? It’s not working hours, if you have something to discuss I suggest you come back during the day.”
“If it’s not working hours, then why are you here by yourself working? Don’t you know its dangerous for women to be out at this time of night?” she could feel his breath on her face and it reeked of tobacco and whiskey.
“Can you please let go of me? I’ve called the police and they’re on their way. I suggest you get out of here before they arrive. I’m a lawyer, I’ll have you put away for this.”
“You’re lying, I can tell from your voice. You haven’t called anyone and no one is going to be in this office until morning. Which means my friends and I have plenty of time to play with you.”
“What?” fear sunk into the pit of her stomach.
Suddenly the lights were turned on and she was momentarily blinded. When her eyes adjusted to the light, she started shaking with terror. In front of her stood a group of five men, all heavily tattooed. She particularly took notice of the matching tattoos each aligning their necks. This could only mean one thing.
The Martinez gang.
“I can tell by the look in your eyes, you know this isn’t going to be a friendly visit. Do you know who we are?”
Rachel stared at the man who still had a grip on her wrist. He was bald, slim and had neatly trimmed facial hair. His eyes looked black from how dark they were and he had a freshly formed scar next to his right eye.
“You must be part of the Martinez gang…” she started.
“I am the Martinez gang, little girl. My name is Valentino Martinez and that man you rescued from jail, is the one who gave me this pretty mark right here. I quite like my face, I wonder what Red will say when I’ve left some pretty marks on yours?”
Rachel screamed as she was shoved back against the table. She dropped her handbag, the contents spilling out across the floor as she tried to scramble away to safety. Her foot got caught in one of the wires of her laptop and it sent the device smashing onto the carpet. The men laughed when she tried to crawl under her desk, only for one of them to grip hold of her ankle and yank her out. Her skirt rode up her thigh, almost exposing her panties as she looked up
at the terrifying faces of the men surrounding her. Her throat closed up and she tried to scream for help, knowing it would be hopeless.
“Nice stockings, I always like a woman in stockings,” Valentino grinned as he pulled a knife from the back of his jeans.
She sat motionless in fear when he reached down and grabbed the top of her stocking. His knife slid through it like butter as he cut the garment off her, smiling the entire time. Two men yanked her to her feet from behind, while a third cleared the desk by sweeping everything onto the floor. They sat her on top of the desk. She wanted to adjust her skirt, pull it back down, but the men were still holding onto her arms and she was powerless. When one of them tried to step closer to her, she lashed out, kicking out with her legs in a futile attempt to stop him. He simply grabbed her ankle and flung it to the side so now her legs were wide open. She was sure everyone in the room could now see her panties. Her face was flushed red as panic ripped through her core. Tears started flowing freely down her cheeks, mascara running black rivers down her pale skin.
“Come now, Miss Evans, you know there’s nothing you can do. Just let us have our fun and we’ll be on our way. We need to send a message to your friends, Romanos, that we mean business this time. They think they own the city but we’re taking claim over it now. After Red made a spectacle out of us in the bar, we only feel it necessary to do the same to the woman who released him. We just didn’t expect her to be so damn fine.”
He moved in close, his breath hot and putrid against her skin. His body was now positioned between her legs and she could feel his bulge through his jeans. She thought she was going to be sick as he leaned in close and ran his tongue up the side of her neck. Rachel tried to whip her hair to the side to avoid him, but the men behind her only yanked her back into place.
“Don’t try to fight it. It’ll hurt even more,” he whispered into her ear.
Rachel recoiled when he started to unbutton her blouse. Her sobs now racking her body as she hopelessly tried to shift away from his touch.
After undoing the final button, her top fell free, exposing her lacy bra underneath. Her embarrassment was surmounted by her fear and she couldn’t help but stare into the eyes of her captor. Those black eyes, soulless and devoid of emotion.
“Please, just let me go,” she pleaded in a final attempt to persuade him, “I was just doing my job. I meant no harm to your or your crew. You’ve made your point, I’ll pass your message onto the Romanos. You don’t need to do this.”
“Oh… but I want to,” his teeth looked like daggers as he leaned in and nipped at her bottom lip.
She cried out as his hand traveled up her inner thigh and brushed against her panties. She tried to escape once more, but one of the men twisted her arm so hard she thought it was going to break. Valentino laughed at her pain before smashing his mouth into hers. She tried to withdraw her lips into her mouth but the force in which he held her prevented her from doing so. His lips were wet with saliva and slid all over hers, it made her feel queasy. It finally became too much and without thinking, she leaned her head back before smashing her forehead into his nose. Valentino screeched as the bone crunched beneath her power, blood starting to pour out viciously. He pulled back and held the edge of his vest to his nose, trying to stem the flow. The red seeped into the fabric and bloomed like an ugly flower. Rachel felt a flood of victory for a moment before his eyes latched onto hers.
“You’re going to pay for that, you little bitch!”
He pulled his hand back and let it strike her hard across the face. Pain seared through her cheek and her eyes went blurry for a moment. She could taste the tang of blood in her mouth, before she felt him grab a fistful of her hair and yank her head back, so she was staring up at him. He spat into her face before shoving her backwards.
“I’ve lost my taste for her. Maybe you boys want a go? It looks like she likes it rough. Real rough,” he sneered.
Before she could respond, the men were on her. Stretching her flat out across the desk and grabbing at her clothes. Her blouse was ripped from her torso and the remainder of her stockings were shredded. In between the removal of her clothes, the men bit at her and manhandled her aggressively. She kicked out, hitting one square in the face, his grunt verifying her shot before a hand clamped down on her rogue leg and held it in place. As punishment a punch landed swiftly in her side, winding her and making her scream out loud. Another punch hit just below her eye socket and her face felt like it was lit on fire. At this point she didn’t know if they were going to rape her, kill her, or both. Terror flooded her system.
“Boss! I hear something,” one of the youngest members was looking out by the door.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, still holding her in place just in case the boy had been wrong. Their eyes simultaneously swiveled to the darkness of the corridor. Valentino quietly joined the lookout by the door, determining where the noise originated from.
“Shit. He’s right. I just heard a car door slam. We have company.”
“What do you want to do, boss? We can take them out if needed,” a burly man questioned, tightly gripping Rachel’s ankle.
Valentino strolled over to Rachel and looked down at her battered, half-naked body. His sneer made her feel sick. She wanted to reach out and throttle the fucker, but fear kept her stock still. He analyzed their work across her body before leaning down and whispering into her ear.
“I trust you’ll deliver the message to your Romanos? Oh, and don’t think this is over. I’ve changed my mind, I’ve decided I do want to have fun with you after all. I’ll be back for you.”
His words sent goosebumps running up the length of her body. He laughed at her reaction before signaling for the members to follow him. He leaned down and bit her lip one last time before making his exit, his men trailing behind. When the last retaining hand left her body, she slowly rolled from the desk, falling heavily onto the floor where she curled up into a ball. Her body was aching, bleeding in places and bruises were starting to pattern her pale skin.
What the fuck just happened? What do I do? Who do I tell? I’m so ashamed, how could I let this happen? Why didn’t I stop them? This is all my fault.
The thoughts spun around her head, adding to her nausea before finally her body wretched and the sickness, she had been feeling throughout the nightmare, flooded across the carpet. She didn’t attempt to move away, exhaustion weighing her down. It wasn’t until she heard a gasp at the door that she remembered why the Martinez gang had fled in the first place.
“Rachel! Oh my god! What’s happened?”
The sound of Alyssa’s voice sent relief rocking through her body. Without moving, she tilted her head ever so slightly, so she could confirm, her friend was standing in front of her. She registered the mixture of shock and horror etched into her friend’s face before the tears broke through. Rachel’s sobbing was hysterical, her whole body shaking with emotion. Alyssa quickly bent down and wrapped herself around Rachel, trying her best to console her without knowing what had occurred.
“I’ll call the police now. Tell me what happened.”
“Do not call the police!” Rachel almost screamed, “They cannot know what happened. You have to call my uncle. Please Alyssa, call my uncle.”
“But we have to call the police, something bad has happened. Where’s your phone, I’ll call your uncle but then I’m calling the police.”
Rachel’s hand lashed out and gripped tightly onto Alyssa, her eyes staring deeply into hers in hope she would grasp the severity of what she was saying.
“If you call the police, I will go to prison. This was a warning. Call my uncle. My phone fell underneath the desk before…” she couldn’t bring herself to say anymore as fresh tears swarmed down her cheeks.
Alyssa stared at her friend in horror before searching for the lost mobile. After a minute, she located the device and had the phone to her ear. Rachel couldn’t make out what her uncle was saying, but she did her best.
“Mr.
Evans, something has happened. Rachel has been hurt.
Pause.
“No, we are at the office. I went to look for her when she didn’t come home. She won’t let me call the police.”
Pause.
“You want me to call who? Alright, give me a second, let me grab a pen and paper.”
She shifted through the pile which had been tipped off the desk and lay strewn across the floor. She managed to find a pen and grabbed a folder to write on, leaning the card against her leg.
“Okay, okay, okay,” she uttered after each number, “And what’s their name? Pearl? Okay, fine. Are you on your way? Please be quick.”
Alyssa hung up the phone and without talking to Rachel, dialed the second number straight away. She held the mobile to her ear once more.
“Hello? Yes, Mr. Evans gave me this number.”
Pause.
“Yes I do realize what time of fucking night it is. My friend, Rachel Evans, has been attacked at the office. I’m sitting right next to her and Mr. Evans has told me, I have to call you instead of the police for some fucking reason.”
Pause.
“Okay, I’ll see you in a moment.”
Alyssa hung up the phone and tossed it to the side before leaning back towards her friend, her hand warm across her back. Rachel wanted to curl up into her and forget about everything that had just happened, but her body was still frozen in terror. She felt as hopeless as she did when it was happening.
“Can you tell me what happened?” her voice was soothing.
Rachel shook her head like a toddler in a tantrum, her red waves bouncing alongside.
I don’t even want to tell myself what happened. If I tell you what happened then it’s true. I don’t want it to be true. I want this all to be a bad dream.
“Okay, baby steps. Let’s take this one bit at a time. Don’t tell me what happened but let’s get you dressed in something. Your uncle and Pearl are on their way over and they don’t need to see you like this. Where are you clothes?”
The Bailey Brothers Box Set- the Complete Trilogy Page 27