by York, Adora
“Why do you think? I had to secure my empire. Five years ago the Families were all feuding with each other. We were unorganized and we lacked leadership. We needed a common enemy, someone who would draw us together.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry that you had to be just another casualty for the cause.”
“You…” I grimaced and tried to force my words out. “You betrayed us…”
“No, I didn’t betray anyone. I united the Five Families. Your father understood that. He took a bullet to help unite the Five Families. Unfortunately he had a change of heart, and well…” He shook his head. “I did what I had to do.”
So much blood, so many bodies, and so many years of war—all so Don Abrami could become our Godfather. I reached for my gun, hoping to do one last good deed before I felt my own life slip away, but his foot stepped on my hand and kicked my gun away. Mary was dead because of him, as was my father, and Angela would be next. Each time my heart beat, more blood was lost. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to hold on much longer. Everything I had believed and fought for had been a lie. Don Abrami had been using the Eight-Ballers as his pawns to keep his empire together. Having them kill District Attorney Madison would have taken the focus away from the Mafia and put it on them. It was a betrayal of our code. I felt his foot lift off of my hand and I reached out, but I didn’t find anything within my grasp. The walls were closing in and the darkness was going to swallow me.
“Burn this place down.” Don Abrami said.
“What about the girl?” I heard a voice ask. I didn’t recognize it, but I assumed it had to be an Eight-Baller.
“I’ll take her. She’s still got some value and she’s kind of pretty.” His footsteps moved towards her.
“No!” I could hear her trying to put up a fight, but after a few screams, I heard a thud and then silence.
“Angela…” I said with my last breath. “I’m sorry…”
I slipped in and out of consciousness. Something was being poured around the room and through the house. Flashes of purple and green, the color of the Eight-Ballers, dotted my vision. A few minutes later, I heard a rushing sound and then I felt the heat. I prayed for the bullet wounds to take me before the flames did. I focused my thoughts on Angela, hoping that by some miracle, she was able to escape. I knew the chances of that were slim. I wondered if I could have prevented everything that happened by simply putting a bullet through her father’s head. I had gotten swallowed up in my vengeance and it had been my ultimate undoing. The ripple effect would be felt across countless lives and bodies would be piled up in order for Don Abrami to erase everything that happened. His empire would continue to grow, fueled by the city’s anger for the Eight-Ballers. For me, the war was over. I had failed.
Chapter 15: Angela
Everything happened so fast. One second there were was a car outside and the next, Don Abrami was putting bullets in Braden. Braden would die a hero in my eyes, even if he was the one who brought death to my doorstep. I didn’t understand their world, but I understood that what Don Abrami did was the ultimate betrayal. He was the man responsible for Braden losing his father and the attack on mine—he was also the one responsible for Ronald’s death. He was an actual monster and he was the face of absolute evil. I had no idea if he was ever a good man, but if he was, greed had twisted him into something else. The last image I saw before I lost consciousness from a punch to the side of my head was Braden dying on the floor as Don Abrami ordered the Eight-Ballers to burn the house to the ground. I don’t know how much time passed before I woke up, but I woke up in the backseat of his car with my hands bound behind my back.
“Where are you taking me?” I tried to sit up, but my head was pounding and my restraints made it impossible.
“The end of the road…” He said in an ominous tone.
The car came to a stop and I could see some sort of warehouse over the top of the seats. He opened the back door and pulled me out by my feet. I tried to kick at him, but with my feet tied together, all I could do was flail around. Instead of landing on them, it caused me to land with a thud on my side. He reached down and hauled me to my feet. I writhed around to try and escape, but he easily picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. He walked to the warehouse and pulled open the door. It was dark inside, but he flipped a switch and illuminated it. There were boxes everywhere and crates piled to the ceiling. He walked through the maze to a room in the back which had a mattress and a chair. My eyes were drawn to a thick chain that was buried in the wall with an iron collar on the end. He dropped me on the mattress with a thud and then clamped the collar around my neck. A padlock was slid into the side of it and then I heard it click.
“There.” He pulled the chair away from my reach and sat down, lighting a cigar as he stared at me. “I can see why Braden liked you so much. You are very pretty. I would have struggled with killing you as well.”
“You’re a son of a bitch!” I spat at him, but he easily dodged it.
“Don’t hate me. I’m just doing what is necessary. This is all on Braden.” He puffed his cigar and stared at me.
“What are you going to do with me?” I demanded. “If you’re going to kill me, just do it.”
“Oh you’re too valuable alive now. The Eight-Ballers didn’t kill your father. He’s all over the news, doing a press conference from his hospital bed. He’s got every resource the city could muster searching for his daughter and her best friend’s killer. Luckily, all of his attention is focused on the Eight-Ballers.” Don Abrami smiled.
“Just like you planned…” I shook my head.
“Well not exactly like I planned, but sometimes you have to improvise.” He exhaled smoke and stared at me.
“So you’re just going to keep me chained to the fucking wall for the rest of my life?” I tugged on the chain, but it was embedded in the concrete and there was no way I would ever budge it.
“You will wish your life was that luxurious. There are men that pay good money for nice blonde American girls. I don’t know where you’ll spend your good years—that will be up to the highest bidder.” He lifted his cigar to his lips and smiled.
“You’re crazy! My father will not rest until he finds me!” I glared angrily at him.
“I know that. You’ll be a nice distraction for him; the eternal search for his daughter. I’ll send him a photograph every now and then, showing you in a pretty dress with a copy of the latest New York Times in your hands. That will just be a mirage. The truth is you won’t be his daughter anymore. I know a rather cruel man in Indonesia who loves to torture little rich girls. Frankly, the things he does make me sick, but he pays well. You’ve got a fire in you he would enjoy snuffing out. As much trouble as you’ve caused me, I think I might just stay to watch him break you.” Don Abrami puffed his cigar and leaned closer to me. “I might just have a taste of you myself.”
“Stay away from me, you sick fucker.” I gritted my teeth and backed away.
“You’ll soon learn, Ms. Madison.” He stood up and walked to the door. “There are people in this world a lot sicker than me.”
The door slammed and the room went dark. The only emotion I had was grief. My felt the tears welling up in my eyes and then they poured out as sobs lifted out of my throat. I would have given anything just to have my father burst through the door and save me; I would have gladly sat in the living room and listened to him scold me for not going to college or doing something with my life. I imagined what he must be going through at that point, and what my family was dealing with. They had no idea if I was alive or dead. My sister was likely pulled away from her studies—oh Danielle—I sobbed even more when I thought of her. I would never see her achieve her dreams. I would never see the joyous look in her eyes when she graduated college and followed in my father’s footsteps. I wondered if losing the man she had a crush on and her sister would change her. She would have been such a good match for Ronald. If he could have gotten over his feelings for me, she would have made him so happy. She would never have that chance.
“I’m sorry Ronald…” I said as I tried to blink away tears. “I couldn’t even honor your memory by staying away from the man who got you killed.”
I tried to make sense of the things that had happened as I lay there in my misery. Don Abrami had manipulated everyone from the very beginning. He had set the events in motion that drew Braden into the Mafia and then used Braden as a weapon against my family. Braden certainly wasn’t innocent, but at least he found the right source for his hatred before he drew his last breath. If what Don Abrami said was true, my last breath was far from being drawn. I would suffer until God had mercy on me and let me die. I would never be the beautiful bride my mother hoped I would be. She would have to settle for whatever suitor managed to peel away Danielle’s barrier and finally take her down the aisle to get the perfect family wedding. I hoped he would be a good man with Ronald’s heart and my father’s strength—and maybe a little bit of Braden mixed in so she wouldn’t be completely bored. My body finally gave way to exhaustion and the darkness pulled me into some semblance of sleep, but it felt more like being swallowed.
***
“She’s in here.” A voice said as I heard the door being opened.
I did the best I could to sit up as light penetrated the darkness. For a brief moment, I thought it was going to be a rescue. I imagined police officers swarming the room, releasing me, and my father waiting on the other side of the door. Instead, I saw Don Abrami’s menacing stare as the light came on. An older man was with him, one I didn’t recognize at all. He walked in and his eyes drifted from my face to my feet. I knew he had to be the man that Don Abrami said he planned to sell me to. His eyes were hollow and looked like some sort of devil rested behind them. Part of me wanted to lash out and try to fight with the limited mobility I had, but I was sure that would only excite him. He nodded approvingly and it turned my stomach. His tongue moved across his lips and he pulled out a cigarette. He lit it up and sat down in the chair, looking over at Don Abrami.
“You know exactly what I like, Diego. How much is this one going to set me back?” He took a long drag from his cigarette and looked back at me.
“Well of course there are other interested parties, but I’ll keep you updated.” He smiled and nodded. “Her father is the District Attorney of New York City.”
“Wow…” The man whistled through his teeth. “That is rather intriguing.”
“She is a fighter too. One of my own men fell head over heels for her.” Don Abrami clasped the older man on the shoulder. “She must have a magic pussy.”
“Usually I don’t pay good money when they aren’t virgins, but I could probably make an exception for her. Let me know when you’re tired of listening to the poor people bid on that magic pussy and I’ll send you a bag of money.” He stood up and looked me over again before blowing me a kiss. “Soon, my dear…”
The light went out and the door slammed shut again. I broke down. I just couldn’t contain it any longer. Nobody was coming for me except for the one with the most money to burn. I would be raped, tortured, and eventually killed once Don Abrami was tired of torturing my father with images of my survival. The door opened a lot throughout the day, but I didn’t even look at the men who came in and examined me. They were all there for the same reason the Indonesian was there—to figure out how much money they were willing to pay for me. I craved death. It would have been so much better than what waited on the other side of my life. When I had no more tears to cry, the door opened again and the lights went on. Don Abrami was the only one who entered the room. He took a seat and stared at me.
“You fetched a pretty good price, Ms. Madison. I’ll be able to pay the Eight-Ballers for their services thanks to you. That is a little poetic isn’t it?” He laughed as he nodded.
“Fuck you…” I looked up at him. “I don’t know how, but I will watch you die you son of a bitch.”
“Ah, the fire still burns. I was worried that you had already lost it. The Indonesian will be pleased.” He laughed again as he stood up. “I can’t wait to hear you scream.” The lights went out and the door slammed again.
Chapter 16: Braden
The next day
I died and went to hell. That was what I thought when I felt the heat. It made sense after all, but I had hoped to see Mary’s face one more time before I was plunged into the devil’s furnace. My body was still riddled with pain as I slowly opened my eyes and tried to focus. The fire raged around me, building into an inferno and closing in. I couldn’t hear anything but the crackling of the flames engulfing everything in the immediate area. It was nothing but heat and smoke. My lungs were already full and my body had nothing left to give. I prepared for the death I thought I had already embraced. I wasn’t dead yet, but it was right around the corner. There just wasn’t enough strength left in my body to fight any longer. I blinked a couple of times and then I saw something emerge from the flames.
“Mary?” I asked as I tried to focus.
“Hello Braden, I’ve missed you.” She replied in a voice that echoed. She was bathed in an unnatural light, almost like a golden glow.
“Am I dead now? Have you come to take me to the other side?” I asked. I don’t think words actually came out of my mouth, but it felt like I was saying it.
“No, my darling; your fight isn’t over. You don’t get to die here.” She reached her hand out towards me.
“Mary, there is nothing left in this world for me.” I coughed. “I can’t even move.”
“There is something left for you—or rather someone. Angela needs you.” She knelt down beside me and placed her hands on my arm.
“I’m so sorry I betrayed you by falling in love again.” I said as I stared up at her beautiful face.
“Silly Braden.” She laughed and shook her head. “You didn’t betray me. I’m gone now and you have to move on, but first you have to get up.”
“Mary… I…” I closed my eyes again.
“GET UP!” I heard her say loudly and it was enough to pull me out of my daze.
My eyes opened and I looked around. The fire was everywhere and there was no sign of Mary. I rolled over onto my elbow and tried to stand. I knew that I wouldn’t even be able to stand, but by some miracle, I found the strength to crawl. I dragged a blanket from the couch and threw it over me as I moved as fast as I could towards the kitchen. I used the blanket as a shield to get through the worst of it and thankfully, the fire had not blocked the door. I twisted the knob in my fingers and then I felt cool air as I fell outside the house. I could hear sirens in the distance and I knew they would be there soon. I crawled as far as I could until I made it to the high grass surrounding my father’s house. I dug my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed the number of the person I thought I could trust—Stefano. I knew he was bound to the same code I was, and he was closer to me than the Family.
“Stefano…” I said through clenched teeth. “I need you…”
“Braden? What is going on? Where are you?” His voice was hurried.
“I’m at my father’s house. Don’t tell anyone, just come get me.” I slumped down against the ground and started to drag myself out of sight as I saw the fire engines arrive.
***
Stefano was a paramedic before Mary died and his grief pulled him into the Family. I knew he could help me, and I could trust him. He found me in the tall grass and managed to carry me far enough away from the fire that he could pick me up in his car without anyone realizing I was there. I slumped down in his passenger seat with blood pouring from my wounds. My hands were numb from the lack of circulation and the lack of oxygen. I had no idea how I was going to explain everything to him, but thankfully he did not ask me any questions as he drove. I had no idea where we were going and I was in and out of consciousness the whole way. By the time he got me out of the car and hauled me into his safe house, I was barely hanging on. I woke up a few hours later and felt some semblance of my strength return. I tried to sit up slowly.
“Not yet, br
other.” He sat down and put his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t move.”
“I’m alive…” I said, partially in shock that I wasn’t waking up in hell.
“You shouldn’t be. I thought I was going to lose you when I started pulling those slugs out. I’m not a surgeon, so you’re going to have some scars.” He shrugged. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay…” I tilted my head to the side so I could look at him. “You didn’t tell anyone did you?”
“No, but I hope you can tell me why I’m keeping this a secret from the Family. Do you even know what happened today? Angela’s father got shot and there is a citywide manhunt for her.” He pulled his chair closer.
“Don Abrami betrayed us…” I said with a ragged breath. “He is working with the Eight-Ballers.”
“What?” Stefano’s face flushed with confusion. “He’s working with the Harlem trash?”
“He is responsible for everything.” I blinked a couple of times. “He ordered the hit on the restaurant the day Mary died…”
“That son of a bitch.” Stefano stood up and I could see the rage igniting. “Are you sure?”
“My father was involved as well. Don Abrami had my father killed because he had a change of heart.” I braced myself on the couch and tried to sit up.
“He had the Eight-Ballers shoot up the courthouse?” Stefano tapped his head as he tried to process the information.
“Yeah…” I nodded weakly. “He also has Angela.”
“God damn it, Braden. We put Don Abrami in power. He united the Five Families after the Eight-Ballers attacked us five years ago. We helped him become our Godfather…” Stefano started to pace.
“Not for long.” I forced myself to a sitting position. “I’m going to kill that mother fucker.”
“Right now, you’re not doing a damn thing. Let me make some calls.” Stefano pulled out his phone and walked out of the room.