That’s where your siblings come into play. The only people the King’s Crew wouldn’t mess with were the Romano Mafia. The twins took me in and I got my brothers the house where we live now, to keep a distance from those fuckers. They soon gave up on chasing me once they realized I was under the twin’s protection and with Damian King’s death, my debt went with it. Now Vincent King has somehow wound his way into my life, everything is coming back to me. I know you probably think the worst of me right now, but I needed to tell someone. I needed to tell you about the crew you were marrying in to. About the man who is soon to be your husband.”
Lily had been sitting there in complete silence as Van had spilled his secret to her. He patiently waited for her reaction as she processed the story.
Have I made a mistake? Does she hate me now? Can I take back everything I said? This was the worst timing. It might have been okay if we were still together, but I just told her before she married one of the Kings. She’s already dreading marrying this man and I’ve just made it worse. She must hate me.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
Her words took him by surprise and he had to stare at her for a second to have it sink in.
“You feel sorry for me? You don’t hate me? You’re not repulsed by the sight of me?”
When she turned to look at him, he could see the twinkling of a tear caught on her lower eyelash. His heart dropped and he could tell she had been genuinely affected by his story and not in the negative way he had expected.
“How could I hate you for going through so much pain? You were forced to deal drugs at a young age just to look after your younger brothers. The King’s Crew didn’t even give you a chance to pay back the money in time and instead took your parents away from you. You’ve lived a life of crime and pain just because you loved your brothers. And you’ve been keeping this a secret the whole time?”
He nodded.
“But why? I’m sure your brothers would understand. You were just a kid.”
Van looked up at her, “How could I tell my brothers that I was the reason our parents were murdered? Their blood is on my hands. How can I tell them they had to grow up without parents because of me? That they have been haunted by the memories of our parent’s deaths because of me? That they had to fight to open up to their loved ones because of me?”
“And how can you blame yourself for something that you had no control over? You didn’t kill your parents, Van. The King’s Crew did. You were just trying to look after your family. If anyone should be to blame, it should be the King’s Crew for taking away your parents. Do the twins know about this?”
Van nodded once more.
“Then what in god’s name do they think they are doing by forming a partnership with them? Knowing what they have done to your family? And what the fuck does Pearl thinks she is doing, by forcing me to marry one of those heartless cunts?” Lily was enraged now as she stood up from the bench and stamped forward a few steps.
Van hurriedly stood up and grabbed her around the shoulders, turning her and pulling her into his chest. He could feel her sobbing once more as she buried herself into his shirt. He inhaled the scent of her as he rocked her back and forth next to the fountain. They stood like that for a couple of minutes before she pulled away, placing a hand on his chest to keep the distance.
“I will never understand Pearl’s choice but it has been made regardless. I still need to go and fulfill whatever deal they have made with the devil. I still need to be Vincent’s wife. It really is time I get going.”
Van knocked her hand out the way and pulled her in once more. His hands gripped into her hair as he pulled her head back and his lips brushed against her jawline. She moaned as his other hand traveled up her lower back before snaking around and cupping her breast. He could tell she was wearing no bra when his thumb brushed against her erect nipple. His mouth leaped upon her neck as he bit down, his tongue swirling silvery patterns down her tender skin. He nipped at her exposed collarbone before making his way back up to her face. He breathed hot air into her ear as his nipped at her lobe. The taste of her mouth was sweet upon his as they kissed deeply before finally she pushed him back.
“We can’t do this. It will only drive us mad,” she breathed deeply.
Van looked down to see his hands visibly shaking. He had just exposed his heart and soul to this woman and she was pulling away. Her phone beeped and she pulled it out her pocket, glancing at the screen briefly before her face turned sheet white.
I need you. Don’t leave me.
“Goodbye, Van.”
Van went to reach for her hand but she quickly withdrew it before turning on her heel and sprinting away. He wanted to run after her, but his feet refused to move. He couldn’t make her stay. There was a life at stake and he wasn’t willing to kill another person because of his decisions. Van watched her as her slender legs took her further away, before she disappeared altogether as she went out of sight behind some greenery. He didn’t know how long he was standing there after she left, not until he realized his legs were going numb and the stars were twinkling brightly in the inky night sky above him.
The ride home was a blur as his mind replayed the scene over and over in his head. After parking up, he tossed his helmet to the side and wandered mindlessly into his empty house. Without thinking, he went to the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of vodka, soda and a glass. He made his way out onto the porch and placed it all on the table before collapsing into a chair. The ratio of alcohol to mixer was out of balance, but he didn’t care. He needed to numb the pain. He drained his first drink within the space of two minutes before pouring another. The pattern continued until his mind was swimming and his sight was blurry.
Everything that is good in my life has been taken from me by the fucking Kings. My parents, my childhood, and now the woman of my dreams. Who am I kidding? This is all my fault. I never should have got close to someone, I never should have opened up to her. After she knew what I had done, there was no chance she was going to stay with me. She had every right to walk away from me. Just why with him? Why did Pearl make that decision, knowing what it would do to me?
He pulled the phone from his pocket. After a couple of attempts he managed to unlock it and type a message to Pearl.
THE KINGS? THAT’S WHO YOU’RE LYING IN BED WITH NOW?
Tossing the phone onto the table, he went to pour another drink when his phone bleeped. He clumsily grabbed it and winced at the light as he read the reply.
So I guess the news is out? Who told you?
His fingers smashed into the touch screen as he typed back to her. He wasn’t surprised she was up this late with business negotiations on the table. Even if the negotiation was selling out her own sister.
DOES IT MATTER WHO TOLD ME? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? WITH THEM?
The reply came back instantly.
Your preferences do not play a part in my decision. We saved you from them, you owe us. Stay in your place.
Van winced as he read the message before placing the phone back onto the table. He knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to get into an argument with his employer. The world was starting to spin around him so he thought better than pouring another drink. As he went to stand, he knocked the glass from the table, smashing it onto the floor. When he went to pick it up, he cut his hand on some splinter and winced. It brought flashbacks of the stainless glass window outside the church when he had gone to help Ace save Jennifer. He remember the feel of the bullet in his side and he instinctively reached down to the scar. Stumbling into the house, he tripped and rolled onto the floor. Another flashback of seeing Rachel laid out at the bottom of the stairs when he assisted Red in rescuing her from Valentino Martinez’s house.
All of them have their stories of how they won the love of their lives. And yet here I am, by myself. The woman I liked, left me for another man. Where do I go from here? I truly am destined to die alone for the pain I have caused to others.
He picked himself off
the floor and stumbled to his room where he instantly went to the bathroom. He bent over the toilet, ready to throw up, but his body wouldn’t give in that easily. Even though he felt sick, he raised from the tiles and turned on the shower. Undressing was a task in itself, but eventually he managed to get into the shower. The water was ice cold and his body went into shock for a moment before adjusting to the temperature. The shock did the trick to release him slightly from his drunkard state. It was enough for him to have the pain come plunging back into his thoughts, sending him spiraling into depression. He picked up the razor blade from the side.
What if I end my life? What if I just get rid of all the damn pain? My brothers no longer need me and Lily has moved on. What is there to live for any more? Wouldn’t it be easier just to get rid of it all?
His hand twitched as he brought the blade to his arm. He knew the quickest way would be a vertical line running down the length of his arms. It was then he saw the tattoo. The first tattoo he had ever gotten after his parents death. It was a small dove symbolizing hope. Eventually it had been molded into his sleeve, but it stuck out to him at this desperate time of need. He had always wanted to hope he could recover from the past, that his brothers would turn out okay and that eventually he would find his own way in life. Trembling, he put the razor down and breathed heavily.
Hope may be all that I have right now, but at least that’s a start.
He turned the shower off and clambered out. Not bothering to dry himself, he tumbled into his bed, the sheets soaking up the water. His drunken mind started to shut down as he let himself fall into a dreamless slumber.
Hope is all I have left.
Chapter 9
LILY
“Sneaking around won’t keep Jin alive. Or did you forget our deal already?”
Lily turned around from closing the door to look into the scowling face of her older sister. Pearl stood there, arms cross over her voluptuous bosoms contained within a tight-fitting blazer. Lily stared down at the ground, shuffling her feet like a naughty schoolkid.
“No, I haven’t forgot. I just needed to get some fresh air,” she mumbled at the floor.
“It’s so convenient you decided to get some fresh air, just as I went to my meeting. Do you really think I’m stupid enough, not to leave guards on the lookout? You’re not getting away again, especially at such a vital time in our business development.”
It’s always about what you want. What the business needs. But what about me?
“Sorry. It won’t happen again. I’ve got my head cleared now.”
Pearl gripped her tightly around her upper arm, her manicure digging into her skin, “I should hope that’s true. For both yours and Jin’s sake. We have a good thing going right now and I don’t need Vincent hearing about your unknown adventures. I most certainly am not the only one who has lookouts over you. As the wedding draws closer, he will want to know every last thing his soon-to-be-wife is up to and just what it might cost to his reputation.”
Lily gulped at the thought of the King’s Crew tracking her. After everything that Van had told her about the Crew, they were the last people she wanted to upset.
Van. I’m so sorry.
“Stop daydreaming,” Pearl snapped, releasing her grip on Lily, “You need to get upstairs and get ready right now. I hired some of the beauticians to help you out.”
“What?”
“Don’t just stand there with an open mouth! Vincent has asked you to dinner tonight and I accepted in your absence. It’s time you got to know your future husband. Now get going!”
Pearl pushed Lily towards the stairs, clearly frustrated at her younger sister’s lack of enthusiasm. Lily looked over her shoulder to catch Pearl glaring at her as she ascended the stairs. Her feet felt heavy as lead as she made her way to the bedroom. Just as expected, as soon as she opened the door, she was greeted by two of the beauticians, that had worked on her at the shop before the party. Lily barely had a moment to say hello before they shoved her into the bathroom and instructed her to wash, before closing the door. Lily complied by stripping down and jumping into the shower. She lathered her body with soap before letting the water cascade down over her skin. The warmth made her muscles relax slightly, but she was still haunted by the look of Van’s face when she left him at the park.
I wish I could have stayed. I wish I never had to leave you. I thought we would have been amazing together. But wishes and thoughts aren’t going to save Jin or my family.
After she watched the last bubbles swirl down the drain, she clambered out and wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe as they had instructed. As soon as she called out to them, they came barging into the room as though they had been listening outside the entire time. One got to work with a hairbrush, untangling her waves while the other got the shower head back up and running. Once ready, they leaned her over the side of the bathtub and began pampering her hair. By the time they were done, her scalp was sore and she wanted nothing more than to take herself to bed.
No such luck, I’m afraid.
They rubbed her hair with a towel before dragging her back into the bedroom where they sat her down on the chair in front of her dressing table. One started to blow-dry her hair while the other got down on her knees and started slathering lotion onto Lily’s legs. She moisturized every exposed part of Lily’s body before bending back down to give her a pedicure. The woman painted her toes a dark red before moving onto her finger nails. All the while the woman was working away at Lily’s hair, drying it completely before spraying it with heat-resistance and going in with a curling iron. Lily tried to relax but between the yanking on her fingers and her hair, she was getting tenser by the minute. After they both finished, she thought that was the end of it all, until one of the ladies dug out a makeup kit. Sighing, Lily leaned back into the chair and let the woman work her magic on her face. All the while she was thinking about Vincent and Van.
I witnessed the most horrific scenes in war. I remember watching mothers hold their dead babies in their arms as they waited for help, that was never coming. But none of that was personal for me. I couldn’t let it be or I would lose my mind. Those thoughts haunt me to my core, but everything that is happening right now feels that every bit more real. I had to give up the man I care for, to marry a man that I have no feelings for and could possibly be one of the most dangerous men alive. I helped to fight in other countries so women could have rights, but when I come back here I’m sold off, just like those I was trying to protect. Maybe our worlds aren’t so different after all. Cruelty can be found in every corner of the globe.
“Ms. Romano has left an outfit ready for you in the wardrobe, Miss Romano. You have fifteen minutes before you are expected to leave.”
Before Lily even had a chance to open her eyes, she heard the door shut as the women made themselves scarce. Standing up, she undid the robe and let it tumble to the floor as she made her way, naked to the walk-in wardrobe. She flung open the doors and stared at the outfit, her sister had decided was appropriate to wear. Of course, Pearl had used her own fashion sense to style her sister as she stared down the dress hanging in front of her. It featured burgundy satin fabric, a flattering cowl neckline and a figure-hugging fit. Her sister had styled it with gold strappy heels and added the perfect finishing touch with a gorgeous diamante choker featuring a delicate beaded chain drop. Paired with the low cut dress, she knew she would look irresistible. Just for the wrong man.
Sighing, she grabbed the choker, putting it on first before slipping into the dress. After strapping the heels to her ankle she went to look in the mirror. She could barely recognize herself after the transformation from the beauticians and the outfit. They had contoured her face to flawlessness and applied a shimmery gold eye shadow to her eyelids, blending the outer corners with a neutral-colored shadow. An extra layer or shimmer had been added to her bottom lash line before finishing the eye-brightening look with a winged cat-eye and false eyelashes. Somehow they had managed to find a lipstick the ex
act shade of her dress. Her hair fell in loose curls over her shoulders and altogether Lily looked like a movie star.
It’s a shame the movie I’m starring in is a horror.
“Lily the car is here! You’d better be ready!” she heard her sister’s voice yell up the stairs.
And here comes the villain.
Lily quickly grabbed her phone from the side before rushing downstairs, not wanting to upset her sister by being late. Pearl grinned falsely at her as she held the front door open. Joe patted Lily on the back, causing her to flinch. Joe saw the disgusted look in Lily’s eyes and he must have known, she wasn’t ready to forgive him just yet. He nodded and headed back into the house. Just before Lily walked outside, Pearl grabbed hold of her and spun her around.
“You’d better play your part here. If I find out anything has gone wrong during this dinner, that’s the end of the line for your buddy Jin. Not to mention what will happen to you. Don’t fuck this up, Lily.”
Lily stared into her sister’s cold eyes before she was released. She looked down to see the marks of her sister’s fingers on her arm and she rubbed it as she walked towards the waiting limousine. Seeing that she was approaching, the driver quickly got out and opened the door for her. Lily breathed in deeply before sliding into the backseat.
What? Where is he? Where’s Vincent?
Lily looked around her confused as the limo pulled away and started up the drive. She quickly leaned forward and called the driver.
“Where is Vincent? Shouldn’t he be here?”
The driver glanced back at her anxiously in the mirror. He gnawed at his lower lip before replying.
The Bailey Brothers Box Set- the Complete Trilogy Page 45