Apollo

by KJ Dahlen

  Sergi came down the flight stairs and shook his hand. “I am glad to see you here, my friend.”

  Viktor almost smiled. “Da, I am glad as well to see you. We received your information day before yesterday and we have already frozen most of his accounts.”

  A small army of his security team, all stood at the cars to the side of the air strip.

  Sergi gave a nod. “I see you came prepared.”

  “We were awaiting your arrival, our ghosts are already on the property next to the river. We have already started dismantling Bennett’s empire by shutting down the money part of things. Bennett did make loans using his father’s connections without telling anyone he wasn’t Bratva and that pissed his creditors off a lot.”

  “Now. All we need to do is finish this where he lives.” Sergi nodded as they all headed to the waiting cars. Sergi got into Viktor’s SUV.

  After he got settled, Viktor handed him a laptop. “I thought you would like to see this part.”

  On the screen, Sergi watched. Men were coming up the river and at least one of them had a video camera going. This gave him a close sight of the happenings. Sergi watched as they took over Bennet’s boats. It took a little while to complete. Then when everyone was offloaded and cuffed, they sunk his boats.

  Viktor nodded at him. “Last night, using the cover of darkness, our men already planted bombs in the partially constructed buildings, Vailda had erected.” He stared at Sergi. “We await your signal.

  Sergi leaned forward to look out the window. “How close are we now?”

  “About a half mile and that is as close as I will allow you to be, sir.” Viktor nodded in respect. “We must not involve your safety.

  Sergi glared at him. “This was a crime against my family, man.”

  Viktor gave him a patient nod. “Da, I am well aware of this.” He glanced at Yuri who had sat silently beside Sergi the entire journey.

  Yuri didn’t look happy to be in this position, but he nodded. “Sir, you well know—”

  Sergi growled. “I do. You all are a bit overprotective.”

  Viktor did smile now. “You are the leader of the largest Russian body in the world, sir.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Sergi sighed.

  The SUV pulled over as per Viktor’s orders.

  Sergi then finally gave the signal.

  On the laptop screen, the buildings there on the shore of the Savannah River started blowing up.

  A man raced out of the house that belonged to Kitty’s parents with a couple of other men trailing him.

  They were surrounded immediately, by a dozen men in black.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The MC was having lunch. The room buzzed with voices as many of them held different conversations.

  Kitty had just finished her second sandwich and chugged her coke down.

  “Wow, little Kitty, you packed away two sandwiches,” Apollo teased. “Where in that small body do you put all that food?”

  She beamed at him. “I always eat a lot. Well, I used to. I had no real appetite for a long time. But now...I feel hungry. I feel good. But I cannot be totally happy until we hear what happened in Georgia first.”

  He nodded. “I know and if Sergi is anything, he is prompt. So we should hear soon.”

  Just then, Jackal came over. “We got word that it all came down. Roman called and he sent Tank some videos.”

  Tank was right behind him and he set a laptop down on the table. Tapping the keys, he then turned it to face Apollo and Kitty.

  The pair watched the screen. They saw the boats on the river then they blew up over the water. The screen then switched to another scene.

  Kitty gasped as she recognized the area.

  Apollo took her hand and squeezed it.

  They both watched all the buildings go up in smoke. Then the camera caught sight of a few men racing from the house that had belonged to her parents. Men surrounded them and moved in, capturing them.

  Then the video ended.

  “So, it’s over?” Kitty asked a little breathlessly.

  Jackal nodded. “It appears so. They grabbed Bennet and the men with him.”

  She sat back and let out a huge breath.

  Apollo wrapped one arm around her shoulders. “That’s it, sweet Kitty. You are finally free.”

  She nodded. “It’s unreal. To see it all end in just minutes, like that. All these years, I ran and hid. I never stopped moving. I could never relax. I never even could sit in a park somewhere for fear of being caught by his men. I lived a nightmare every day. To not have that...I feel—I don’t know what I feel.”

  “That’s easy to understand. It will take a bit to adjust. But I am here to help with that.” Apollo grinned at her.

  Kitty looked around. “Can we leave the compound now?”

  He looked confused as his smile faded away. “What do you mean?” He wondered if now that it was over that she would leave.

  She placed her fingers up to his crinkled brow to smooth out the little lines that had appeared there. “I mean maybe for a ride? To like a scenic area with trees and grass? I need to breathe fresh air. I want to taste freedom.”

  Apollo’s stiff body relaxed at this explanation. He peered up at Jackal.

  Jackal shrugged. “It should be safe now. I mean the man’s empire has fallen and he is in chains.”

  Apollo looked back over at her. “Have you ever ridden on a bike?”

  She tilted her head at him. “No.”

  He smiled. “Do you wanna?”

  She bit at her lip as she considered the idea.

  “It’s the best way to feel free,” he stated. “You will love it. We’ll take the back road to a place I know.”

  She nodded and stood. “Ok, I’ll trust you on that.”

  A little while later, that was where they were. Out on a back county road, trees lined the way on either side, spilling shadows through the sunlight along the pavement.

  At first, Kitty was a little fearful as she hung onto Apollo’s waist. The roar of the bike was loud and it took a while to get used to it.

  Then after a while, she relaxed as he didn’t go too fast and she tipped her head back to watch the sky. So blue...had it always been so blue? The wispy clouds floated along and she took a deep breath. It felt like heaven, being with a man who loved her. Being free to roam when and where she wanted.

  Finally, Apollo pulled off on a side road.

  It felt a bit bumpy as she hung onto him.

  He rode for a bit, then pulled over.

  In front of them was a grass field. Filled with wildflowers.

  Turning the engine off, Apollo sat quietly.

  Gasping, Kitty stared all around. “This is beautiful, Apollo.”

  “I know. I’ve been up here a few times. It was what popped into my head when you described where you wanted to be.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

  He chuckled. “You are welcome, little Kitty.”

  Sighing, Kitty took in his scent. She loved the way he smelled.

  Finally, he spoke again, “Are you gonna get off my bike?”

  She sat back. “Oh!” Laughing, she swung her leg off and stepped down.

  He kicked the stand down then dismounted smoothly.

  Kitty stared at his fluid movement. “Wow, how do you move like that, being so big?”

  He grinned at her. “I am magnificent, remember?”

  She burst out laughing. “Well, don’t be shy there Apollo. Tell me more about this magnificence!”

  Chuckling, he grabbed her up and hefted her over one shoulder.

  Squealing, she gasped. “What the heck are you doing?”

  He reached up and pulled her shoe off, then her sock. Then he divested her of her other shoe and sock. He carried her onto the grass. “You haven’t ever been free until you feel grass blades between your toes.”

  She laughed as he slowly slid her down until her bare feet hit the green grass. She actually cooed at the fe
eling. “It is almost as soft as your skin, big man.”

  Apollo tucked his large head back. “Now Boo. You shouldn’t be saying that too loud. A man cannot be known to have soft skin. It just ain’t manly!”

  Kitty giggled at his exasperated expression then stepped along the grass. Raising her hands up, she danced around under the sun, along the grass. She twirled around as Apollo watched her with a big grin on his face.

  Then she stopped and bent down to pick a flower. She intended to place it in her hair.

  A loud boom sounded.

  Raising up in fear, she turned around.

  Apollo was gone.

  “What...” She dropped her gaze to see him sprawled out on the ground. Confusion rushed through her. Then she heard it.

  Laughter.

  Blinking as fear grew in her, she rushed over to where Apollo lay on the ground. She could see blood running down the side of his face.

  “So, this is where I finally find you!”

  Looking up as she felt dizzy and sick to her stomach, she saw a man.

  He walked closer and peered down at Apollo. “What the hell are you doing with him?”

  She fell to her knees and grabbed Apollo’s back and pushed at him. “NO!” Her mouth had gone dry as her heart pounded in fear. “NO!”

  “Yes.” The stranger grabbed her arm and hefted her up.

  She was sobbing. She didn’t look at him, as she couldn’t take her eyes from Apollo’s still form.

  The man began to pull her away.

  Kitty finally woke out of her shock. “Let me go!”

  The man snorted as he dragged her along the hard ground, “Forget him. He’s gone.”

  She struggled hard. “No!”

  “The sooner you—”

  She yanked her arm from his grasp. “You fucking monster!”

  He turned and pointed his gun at her. “So, we finally meet. I have been after you for fucking years.”

  She shook her head. “Y-you are Vailda...”

  “Da...” He stepped closer. “And because of you, I lost everything today! You took everything!”

  Shock went through her again. “H-how...”

  “How what? How did I know? I had tech surveillance on my men and on that compound. I heard most of it. Sergi Constantine himself! Coming after me!”

  Kitty tuned him out. She no longer cared about him anymore. Life as she thought to know. Had gone. She turned and stepped over to Apollo. She could care less about this bastard.

  “Get over here!” Vailda shouted as he reached down again, and grabbed her hair, pulling her from the ground.

  Weeping, Kitty didn’t even feel the pull on her head. “Kill me then! Get it over with!”

  He paused and stared at her tear stained face. Then he laughed. “Kill you? No, I am going trade you in for literally millions of dollars. You are family to one of the richest men in the whole fucking world. I will get my empire back by cashing your sweet little ass in!”

  Kitty was almost hyperventilating as rage rose up in her. She would die before she let this man win. She wanted to die. Apollo... She sucked a deep and painful breath in. Suddenly, she felt rage like never before. Without warning, she screamed at the top of her lungs and rushed at Bennet. Her head hit him right in the belly as he went down. “You have taken everyone from me!” she screeched as she scratched his face with her nails.

  He reached up and hit her with a punch to the cheek.

  Her head went sideways and she swayed a bit. Then she screamed again, and grabbed at him. She scratched, clawed, and kicked, using every bit of her strength to fight him.

  Vailda shouted at her, “God damnit suka!” He then hit her again on the side of the head.

  Her head bounced to the side but then she shook it and came back at him. Crazed with grief and rage, she felt nothing. Nothing but hate. Nothing but the need to kill this man. “Go ahead! Shoot me you fucker. SHOOT!” Kitty then rolled them both over and the gun went off between them.

  Stilling, they both stared at each other. With her on top and him on his back.

  Time seemed suspended as a roaring filled her ears. She felt a wetness between them and it was soaking her shirt. She rose up and looked down at her belly which was covered in crimson. Had he done it? She didn’t feel any pain. But she hoped to die. It would be easier this way. She couldn’t have any life after this.

  Beneath her, Vailda laughed as he coughed. “You stupid bitch. You just could not go along.” Blood spilled from his lips. “Bylad...you bitch.” He huffed out a blood spurting breath and died.

  Kitty fell over as she realized he hadn’t killed her after all. She couldn’t even care that he was dead. Why should she? Nothing mattered anymore. Her tears started to fall again, as she crawled along the ground to where her man had fallen.

  After struggling to even move, Kitty finally reached him and curled up next to him, as her mind faded away.

  Conclusion

  Groaning, he opened his eyes. What the fuck happened? He was lying on his face in the dirt. He tried to remember.

  Kitty had been dancing in the grass... then—pain. He grunted and raised his head. Blood dripped into his eye. And he tried to swipe it away. He raised a hand up and felt the painful scrape at the side of his head. It was large and raw. “What the fuck?” He turned his head and looked to the side.

  Kitty was covered in blood and not moving beside him. Sucking in a huge breath of fear, he sat up. “Oh, fuccck.” His heart pounded in terror. He looked around and saw a man covered in blood, lying a few feet away. His brain just couldn’t catch up. He reached for Kitty. “Baby?” He grabbed her up. Blood was splattered all over the front of her and she didn’t move.

  Apollo checked her over as he gasped for air. Panic seized him as his body went cold. “No, no...” he repeated. He then raised her shirt to see where all the blood was coming from. He didn’t see a wound. He couldn’t figure it out. Her face had pink bruises on it and he felt around to find a huge bump on her head.

  He reached down and felt for a pulse at her neck. Slow but there. He raised her up on his lap. “Kitty?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Kitty!” he yelled at her.

  Her eyes were open but she looked—he paused... like she did once before, when she’d zoned out. He spoke softly into her ear, “Boo... come back to me. Come on now,” he crooned.

  Nothing.

  “I’m here sweet Kitty. I gotcha. I’m here,” he kept talking to her.

  She hiccupped and a lone tear rolled down her dirty cheek.

  “Baby girl. Come on...” His eyes filled with tears. “You can’t quit on me now. You can’t. We got things to do. Please hear me?” Panic rose in him. He’d heard of people in institutions that remained in a cationic state. “Naw, you ain’t going out like that!” He took a deep breath and slapped her cheek.

  She didn’t flinch.

  “Oh, god dammit, girl! You can’t check out on me!” He slapped her again in desperation. “Please baby? I can’t live without you. Please? Kitty!” he shouted. “Don’t leave me!” Tears rolled down his dark cheeks.

  Kitty gasped and hiccupped again.

  He held her close. “The courage remember? You have it in spades little girl. Use it. Fight this! Fight it! I am here with you.”

  “A-Apollo?” she whispered.

  He pulled back and stared at her face. “Yes, sweet girl.”

  “A-are we in...” She sucked a deep breath in. “H-heaven?”

  He stared at her. “No, Boo. We are still here by the grass. Remember the grass?” he asked hopefully.

  “Yes, so soft, like my Apollo. But he’s gone now...He died...” She started to weep.

  Apollo finally figured it out. She’d thought he died when... “The hell I did!” He shook her. “Look at me!”

  She swallowed heavily and closed her eyes. “Just kill me. Kill me. Kill me.”

  He was stunned. He stood with her in his arms and raised her up high above him “Kitty! See me? Kit
ty!”

  She opened her eyes and looked down at him. Then her eyes rounded. “Apollo?” Her face went pale. “H-how?”

  He let out a huge breath. “Oh, thank fuck!” He finally lowered her down.”

  Kitty grabbed his face. “But he shot you in the head! I saw it!”

  Apollo chuckled. “Now, baby girl. What have I told you about my head?”

  She gulped as her whole body shook. “T-that i-it’s hard?”

  He laughed as he lowered her and crushed her to his chest. “Yes, baby. Yes. I’m not easy to hurt nor easy to kill. When are you gonna believe that?”

  Shivering, she tried to pull away. “S-so... you are...”

  “Come on Kitty! Look at me. I am here with you.”

  Her trembling stopped as she grasped his cheeks with both hands and slammed her mouth onto his, desperately kissing him. She had never kissed him like this before, she plowed her tongue in and tried to devour him.

  They kissed and clung to each other breathlessly. Both had tears, dirt and blood all over their faces.

  Finally, they heard a sound. The sound of a Harley. It broke the moment and they came up for air.

  Wolf rode up to just a couple of feet from them. He shut off his bike. With wide eyes, he stared at the two of them, then down at the ground to a bloody body. “What the fuck?” He gazed up at the couple. “Sergi called to tell us that Bennet wasn’t among other men they captured. I’ve been searching all your haunts, Apollo.”

  Apollo looked from him down to Kitty. He wanted to ask her what happened, but at the same time... he knew she’d had a severe trauma. When she was ready, she could tell him. In her own time.

  “So you took him out?” Wolf asked the question.

  Neither of them gave him an answer.

  “Apollo, what the hell happened here?” Wolf asked.

  Sniffling a bit, Kitty grabbed Apollo’s large hand in hers as she turned to face Wolf. “Just tell Sergi, I gave him no mercy.” Was all she would say then she tugged at Apollo. “Come on big man, we need a shower and a pizza, maybe two pizzas cause I am really hungry.”

  Wolf stared at them as she led Apollo to his bike.

  Apollo looked back at his confused buddy. “Hey, what can I tell you? I’m just her toy.” He then laughed and set her on the bike. Then he climbed on.