The men were large, and despite their statures, their attitudes were different than I had imagined. They had been calm and reserved, as if dealing with fragile parcel. I hadn’t spoken, not when I wanted or even needed to so badly. Instead, I held my tongue, watched, soaked it in, and learned from their behavior. What could it benefit me? To survive, of course. I’d felt scared having these men hovering, or rather, towering over me, and while I’d always felt surrounded and smothered growing up as Anthony Sagatori’s daughter, it wasn’t until that moment I realized just how free I’d truly been.
I was a pawn in a twisted mess I had no idea existed. I had to leave. I wasn’t an idiot, there was going to be a war, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. Not over me. What could I do? I knew Ivan Mikhailov was getting close, the man that Jax deemed Satan. He demanded Jax turn me over or he’d kill everyone. I, more than anyone, felt as the current pulled us into the stream of hell, that hell wanted to rip my family apart.
I could deal with what happened to me; I’d protect my baby with my last breath. I was betting on the fact this man claimed me as his daughter; if he believed that, maybe he wouldn’t hurt me. I counted on that. I was all in, my cards were on the table. As far as he knew. But Jax—that wasn’t something I could deal with. In the end, the idea of losing him was the deal breaker. At home, I would be hidden and well protected. I had no doubt that every man under Jax’s rule would guard me with their lives. I’d lost a guard, one who died with honor as he sheltered my own body with his. I’d always remember him, and he’d always have a place in my heart. But I also knew, my strong man would fight and he would die in the streets protecting what belonged to him… ME! And that I wouldn’t allow. I couldn’t.
While I sat in the smooth, warm, leather confines of the sedan, I knew I’d made a mistake, but it didn’t matter. I had to make it work. I wanted to prove to everyone—mostly Jax—that I was strong and could be trusted to protect our family.
I felt myself getting lost in the electrical current of dismay. I needed to figure out how I was going to swim to shore and put this entire situation to bed. I’d sat in silence for the last hour or so thinking of what was likely to happen when I met this man.
I tilted my head to the side of the seat, contemplating every wild thought that ravished my already insane mind.
Only one man looked at his phone the entire time we’d been on this journey. He was taking the orders from whomever gave them. I guessed it was the man who claimed me as his daughter. The others did as he said, but not as if he were their boss, but more a messenger whose only task was to deliver the information.
I’d been treated with respect. They hadn’t looked at me with a crooked eye, which felt odd since they’d kidnapped me. And as crazy as it sounded, it was as if they feared me in some way. I was of no concern to them, surely, but something was off.
The car rounded the corner and pulled through a narrowed road; if another had tried to pass, it would’ve been impossible.
This city was night without the day—cold and gray. I tilted my body, risking to peek out of the dark windows of the sedan but was unable to make out where we were, so I snuggled back into the heat of the seat.
I begged silently in prayer to God that we’d arrived. I was tired of waiting for this to go down. I continued with my silence. I wouldn’t give in to these pigs or need anything from them, and if my family was okay I’d keep my cool. Albeit, I didn’t know if they were okay; that was what kept my mind the busiest. I spent my time nonchalantly rubbing my fingers along the smooth curves of the crucifix Jax had given me. I couldn’t risk them seeing it. They’d taken all my jewelry from me, but I needed God and I needed this. I prayed and wished that he could read my mind, but he couldn’t. God also hadn’t offered a guarantee of their safety.
It wasn’t until the man to my right leaned forward just enough that I could see we were headed straight for a castle. A beyond sickeningly large house that put anything I’d ever seen to shame. I gulped, dragging in a long, desperate breath hiding it in my cheeks. As much as I wanted to pretend that I was discreet, these men weren’t lost to my shock, each catching the shudder that ricocheted from my bones, and the gasp of air as it left my dehydrated lips.
We’d arrived at our destination, and I’d finally be united with the man who freely took me from the only family I’d ever known.
There was no use crying or begging.
I was Anthony Sagatori’s daughter, and I’d once again find a way back to my family.
***
Once fully out of the car I suddenly missed the warmth and protection it offered. Droplets of rain pelting onto my warm cheeks as I lifted to the palace in front of me.
What if I couldn’t escape it? Honestly, how could I? There were guards everywhere, none of which wore the same clothing as the four who’d taken me. No, they all wore something different. The only thing that was similar was the large weapons they carried.
A hand grabbed gently at my elbow as I took it all in. Surprised, I jolted away, prompting his grip to become snug as he pulled me along a pebbled path. I looked forward to seeing the front doors a hundred feet away before I turned my head to the right toward a large green and black fence that surrounded the property. Tall walkways level with the fence led from the house to look-out stations on point with each corner. I watched as the men paced back and forth. I knew after seeing the little I had it was a good time to keep my mouth shut. I had never been good at keeping my opinions to myself and sure as hell didn’t know how to take an order.
Fear, real and vigilant, washed over me in waves. I’d never felt this kind of fear before, not even when Sam had taken me. This fear was much different. I must’ve known on some level that my family would be alright in the end, but here I had no guarantees and no way to get home. I decided to follow along until I could change it up, but for the time being, I’d be a good girl.
I shivered from the cold air and was quickly sheltered by one of the men. I flinched, as a jacket cover my bare shoulders. I turned to my left seeing his firm expression. I didn’t think these men knew how to smile, or perhaps they really were evil bastards. I blinked the cold droplets of rain from my eyelashes and turned into the direction he continued leading me.
Three men stood in our path smoking cigarettes with large billowing clouds of smoke surrounding them. One of the men flicked his away and nodded to the four men I was with before opening two large doors. They were painted white, but it had faded away quite a bit revealing the gray steel metal beneath. I expected to walk into the building and was surprised when it was an opening to yet another yard. This one was filled with more men and weapons. We didn’t slow our walking pace as we continued along another path that brought us through a smaller door.
I stepped inside the room was cold, and the colors that surrounded us like a wet blanket were pale blue and dingy gray. It was godawful at best. I slipped my hands through the arm of the jacket and tucked myself inside, feeling colder than I had before.
The men bellowed loudly as they spoke to each other in Russian. I stirred in the jacket, slipping my hands inside of the pockets feeling a few items that lay heavy inside. My fingers traced over the cardboard of a pack of cigarettes and the round plastic edges of what was likely a lighter. Did everyone smoke? This wasn’t good for my baby. I wouldn’t allow them to smoke around me; I’d demand that they didn’t.
I stood next to a gray wooden cabinet. The wood was old and chipped away, desperate for repair. Termites maybe? Did termites live in Russia? I contemplated as I mindlessly searched through the pockets. My thoughts became mundane the longer I stood listening to the men speak to each other in a language I didn’t understand.
The bald man whose jacket I wore moved his large, bulbous tongue, sweeping saliva over his mouth and stubbled face. It was more than a little obvious he hadn’t shaved for a while. I lifted my brows ready to move on and continue when a woman peeked from around the corner catching my attention. I shifted on my feet assuming she would
enter, but she didn’t; she was apprehensive. Her eyes zigzagged through the four men until stopping at me. Her face lifted with surprise when the man who had given me his jacket waved her in. This was the only man who had spoken to me.
“Albina,” he spoke. “Nadia, this is your maid.” His bold, rolling accent made it difficult to understand what he’d said.
I watched the woman as she stepped from behind the wall bowing her head, clutching her tiny hands in front of her apron. She wore a classic black and white maid uniform. I wondered how young she was. Milky white covered her flesh with pink dancing on her cheeks. She was still except for lifting her hand to the thin blonde hair that fell against her forehead to sweep it away.
Had Ivan bought her or did she work for him willingly?
“Nadia, you like?”
Who the hell was he talking to? I searched the room thinking someone else must’ve entered. I shifted my weight as I peered around the men not seeing anyone new.
My feet had begun to swell, and exhaustion was becoming heavy. I slipped my hand deeper into the left pocket. I hadn’t immediately realized what my fingers were tracing the outline of, but it was heavy and oblong.
“Isabella!”
“Huh?” I lifted my attention.
The tiny maid-girl gasped, “She doesn’t know who she is?” Then lowered her chin.
“Excuse me?” I narrowed my stare as her tiny frame became rigid.
“Nadia Mikhailov… Your name, miss.” She hesitated and curtsied.
“No.” As soon as the words left my mouth I realized what was in the pocket. I hesitated for a few seconds feeling the pounding of my heart, annoyed as it banged relentlessly in my ears. I drew in a deep breath attempting to slow its racing pace and returned my attention toward her. “My name is Isabella Marie Sagatori-Moretti.” I straightened my torso, feeling proud to finally have a chance to defend who I was.
Everyone in the room laughed at my admission; the young girl narrowed her eyes before continuing, “Come, let us get you freshened up.” She waved me forward, peering at the men. She was probably asking permission to take me away. When they nodded, I knew I’d been right.
“My coat.”
Shit! How would I get my new object from the pocket with these people hovering? Think, Bella!
Without another moment to spare, I fell forward bringing all my weight to a crouched position on the floor feigning a fall. I clutched and pulled the object from the pocket and slipped it into the top of my dress, shoving it under my armpit. The maid girl and men all swooped down and lifted me to my feet.
Russian words were thrown easily as they examined me.
“Are you hurt?” maid girl asked.
I shook my head and slipped from the jacket, hoping I’d hidden the cell phone well enough that no one would see it.
Her eyes floated across my body before she nodded, staring at me with a loose hair falling over her milky face again.
The man lifted the jacket from my extended hand and waved us away.
Most people, considering my situation, probably assumed I’d found myself in a bad one, but in fact, it was perfect. Papa had said many times to keep a watchful eye on your enemies. “I keep my enemies close so I’m not surprised when they strike.” I’d now found myself close enough to spit on my enemy.
And now, I also had a cell phone.
“We must hurry, miss. Mr. Mikhailov is waiting to see you with his own eyes.
I was only moments away from a visit with the devil and one phone call away from my god. One way or another, I’d make sure Ivan never knew what hit him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
—Jax—
I watched their dim, fearful faces fall as they stood in my line of fire.
“You’re kidding me, right? This is a fucking joke?” My revolver rested against my thigh.
“Boss…” he deadpanned before dropping his head.
“I’m trying to figure how a hundred men on my fucking payroll allowed my wife to get away with contacting Ivan Mikhailov, and also allowed fourteen of my men to die.” I swatted at the sweat that ran down to my nose. Shifting my gun, I tapped it side-to-side, contemplating who I’d kill first.
“Jax, Bella did what she did because she wants to protect you. It’s not their fault.” Alessandra was defending grown ass men… grown fucking men!
I lifted my head resting my eyes on first Sal, then Alessandra.
“Where the fuck do your loyalties lay? These degenerates or me?” I lifted my brows and shifted my eyes around the room. “Cause she’s gone.” I jumped from the chair I’d set in the middle of the room. I had demanded they all stand around me as I played Russian roulette with their lives. I assumed they wanted a taste of what it was they did over there, allowing my wife to be taken. I’d give them all what they deserved, including myself.
“Jax, dear, you haven’t slept for days. You need to rest.” She softened her plea.
“Sleep? My tiny, beautiful, pregnant wife has been taken by the most dangerous man in the MOTHER. FUCKING. UNIVERSE, and you think I give two shits about sleep?”
She made it obvious she didn’t like my tone, but I didn’t give a fuck. She was in the room with Bella, and she was just as responsible for this as everyone else. I doubted Bella callin’ Ivan made a difference in them comin’ for her. They were comin’ anyway.
“FUCK!” I was slipping into the deep end of a bad situation, and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. I didn’t want to, not until she was home with me.
I spun the revolver again, watching as my men stood around the room. They were ready to piss their pants. These motherfuckers were gonna suffer. And someone was gonna die. “Who’s next?” I gripped my hand to the top of the chair, flipped it backward before pressing my chest against the metal.
“Jax Moretti! That’s enough! Get upstairs this minute!” she yelled. “You need to sleep!”
I shook my head and laughed. “I don’t take my orders from you.” I paused and drew my brows together. “Don’t speak to me like that.” I spit. “This is what they signed up for. They knew…” I waved the gun, first pointing it on Adam then Wyatt. “All of them knew! If it was Anthony who stood here now, you’d all be dead, slaughtered!” I caught the nod of a few. “Then you all agree, I’m a generous man.” I lifted the gun, rubbing my hand across my wet forehead. “Generousssssss—” The word slithered from my tongue. “That’s me,” I tsked, drew a deep breath, stood, and walked twenty-five feet to the booze. It was the only thing getting me through this shit.
A thump from the top of the glass decanter, a splash of caramel-colored liquid into the crystal glass, and the burning as it slid down my throat were the only things that brought me comfort… distance.
“Boss, your phone,” Wyatt insisted.
It was on the table near the chair I’d been sitting on. We had a few leads where Ivan may have taken her. I’d thought there was hope, but that was three days ago; it turned out to be dry. So did the hope. They say a man can’t survive without purpose…hope. They were right.
There was one thing that could’ve saved her, and remembering back as they removed her jewelry—first her wedding rings—I didn’t know what happened after that, it was a blur. Her eyes as they disappeared in the darkness of my hell was all I remembered. Her eyes, full of both fear and strength that day, flashed and invaded every one of my thoughts. I couldn’t escape them. “Answer it.” I waved dismissively. I already knew they’d never find anything. It had been three days, and I was lying to myself if I didn’t admit I was giving up hope.
The only hope I did have was that when I turned the gun on myself, no one would stop me.
“Boss… Hello?” he paused. “Boss, you’re gonna wanna take this!”
“Why?” The glass clanked against my teeth as I gulped my freshly poured brandy. I pivoted and punched Wyatt’s shoulder after he shoved the phone into my ear.
“Yeah?” I asked, annoyed, waiting through the silence that filled the phone. “Who the f
uck—?”
“Jax, it’s me,” she breathed through a hushed whisper.
My fingers unfolded from the glass I’d been drinking from and fell to the floor with a sharp, shattering thud. I went limp, losing my footing the moment I heard her voice; my Bella was just through the phone. Fuck, I wanted so fucking bad to reach in and pull her out, save her. Save us all.
My crew: Wyatt, Sal, Tony, Dominic, Caesar, Chase, Ricky, and Jason moved forward to listen. Relief washed over everyone’s faces that day. Bella comin’ home was the only hope they had of surviving. We were following her to the grave, if she didn’t make it back to me. I promised myself the second her fingers left mine I wouldn’t live without her. I wouldn’t break that promise.
I didn’t know what to say, and instead of using all the words I had intended to, I stumbled on them. I needed to know where she was. Was she okay, the baby—was he okay? Had they touched one hair on her beautiful head? I panicked, being pulled in so many directions, wanting to kill everyone and feel the heat of their iron-rich blood cover my hands. But mostly, I just felt weak and helpless. “Baby, I love you so much!” I sounded like a pussy, but in the end, Bella and my son were all that mattered. There was a flash of lightning and eruption of thunder that vibrated the windows from the storm outside, mimicking the pain and anger in my gut. I dropped to my knees gripping the only lifeline I had to my right ear.
Her hushed voice was angelic and the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I tightened my left hand into a fist and rested it on my suit-clad thigh waiting for her response.
One.
Two.
Bella: The Ending: A Sagatori Family Saga Page 8