Change of Harte (Harte, #2) (Harte Series)

by Harris, Brooke

  ‘Now, Anthony.’

  ‘My co-owners? Jesus, Shell. These guys aren’t businessmen. Melissa isn’t there. She’s with the cops. I stole her. These guys are pretty pissed.’

  ‘Oh, God.’ Shelly voice was a dull whimper now. ‘They won’t hurt her, will they?’

  ‘Not if I get there first.’

  Chapter 35

  Eva stood behind Nathan on the sidewalk watching with a knot in her gut as their cab drove away. Something about the near silent street felt claustrophobic. Like all the buildings might close in around them and trap them. Breathing was a conscious effort. If she didn’t think about it, she might suffocate there on the cold cement.

  She watched as Nathan closed his fist and tapped on the tightly shut door. It was still early, far too early for anyone to come and open the door. Part of Eva secretly hoped it was far too early for anything to happen other than call another cab and get the hell out of there.

  Nathan knocked again. Nothing. The logical part of Eva wanted to suggest they’d waited long enough—it was time to go. But the tiny, irrational, hopeful part of her worried that her sister was on the other side of that door and begged her to shut up and wait for Nathan to knock again. He did.

  The door creaked open to reveal a huge guy with a shaved head. Eva stepped forward to stand beside Nathan. No one spoke for a second. Finally, Eva cleared her throat.

  ‘Hi,’ she said extending her hand.

  The man in the gap of the slight open door looked at her hand like he wanted to bite it off. He didn’t shake it. She pulled her hand back shakily and stuffed it into her coat pocket.

  ‘We’re looking for Melissa Andrews,’ Nathan said, surprisingly calmly.

  ‘And you are?’ the scary tight haircut man said.

  ‘I’m her sister.’ Eva tapped her chest.

  The man smiled to reveal a couple of missing teeth and one shiny gold one in front. He opened the door wider and stepped back. Nathan stepped inside first and Eva followed so closely behind him that she was almost stepping on the backs of his shoes. The man slammed the door behind them. Eva jumped and a tiny squeak escaped her lips. The man walked down the long wide corridor. He took a walkie-talkie off his hip and mumbled something about visitors. He mentioned Eva’s first name without her introducing herself. Eva was certain that wasn’t a good sign.

  Nathan and Eva sat waiting on an oversized dark purple sofa, which Eva suspected doubled as a bed. Looking around at curtained areas, overhead mirrors, and vending machine filled with sex toys, Eva become more and more certain that this was not your average dance club. Eva’s heart hurt thinking of her sister in a place like this night after night. This wasn’t Julian’s style. This was tacky and seedy. Julian liked sex, but not like this. Not sick, degrading bullshit. The gravity of where they’d just put themselves slowly resonated with Eva. If Julian wasn’t involved in this place, they had no voice of reason. Eva looked around again. A far corner was dark and painted black, there were not curtains. Chains hung from the studded ceiling. A buffet of BDSM equipment was on display. Heavy-duty stuff and some of it didn’t even look like it had anything to do with sex, more torture like stuff.

  ‘Nathan,’ Eva whispered, drawing his attention back from also scanning the walls. ‘I think we’ve made a mistake. We need to get out of here.’

  ‘What about Melissa?’

  ‘I think we need to call the police. This is serious shit.’

  Nathan took out his phone and quickly snapped some photos.

  ‘Evidence,’ Nathan said before Eva asked any questions.

  ‘Okay, good. Now, let’s go.’

  ‘Leaving already,’ a voice filtered through the distance. ‘But you just got here.’

  ‘We...erm…’ Eva stuttered.

  ‘Something came up,’ Nathan said.

  Eva grabbed his hand, and she could feel him shaking. She wanted to run.

  ‘Now, now, I’m sure whatever it is you can reschedule.’

  ‘No, can’t, sorry. It’s very important. We’ll call back later,’ Nathan continued, backing away. His grip on Eva tightened to the point to cutting off her circulation; she didn’t dare try to loosen it.

  ‘So like your big sister, Eva.’

  Eva stopped moving. There was a long exaggerated pause. Nathan was tugging on her hand, but she was stuck to the spot.

  ‘Maybe you’re not in such a hurry after all, eh, Eva?’

  Eva could barely breathe. It was as if his words were huge, strong hands wrapping around her throat and crushing all the air out of her.

  ‘I’ve had a lot of visitors recently. Your friend Mr. Harte was here recently.’

  Nathan tugged hard. Eva stepped back with him, slowly.

  ‘Just yesterday, actually. He took something that belonged to me, Eva.’

  The man was making eye contact with Eva. She wanted to look away, but she was afraid of what he might do if she did.

  ‘Do you think that’s fair?’

  Eva shook her head.

  ‘I didn’t think so, either.’

  ‘He gave her back,’ Nathan said sheepishly.

  ‘No. No, he didn’t. But it’s okay. It’s all very okay. I’m not the type to get annoyed. My cardiologist says it’s bad for my blood pressure. And my mama, God rest her beautiful soul, always told me you don’t have anything if you don’t have your health. Wouldn’t you agree, Eva?’

  Eva nodded. Either this guy was completely out of his mind or that was a subtle threat.

  ‘You’re in great shape,’ Nathan said.

  Mickey’s whole face turned sour. Maybe Nathan had said the wrong thing. It certainly felt that way.

  ‘I like to play chasing,’ Mickey said. ‘It’s good exercise. Do you play chase, Eva?’

  Eva’s eyebrows pinched. This guy’s tests were nothing compared to Julian’s. Eva could do this; Julian had taught her how to be strong even at the hardest times. She just had to show no fear.

  ‘I don’t play games,’ Eva said, hoping this asshole didn’t know as much about Julian as he was trying let on.

  ‘I’m disappointed to hear that, Eva. I really thought we could make this a little fun. You’re not leaving me with a lot of choices here. Looks like we need to get straight to business.’

  Eva looked over her shoulder. The ogre-sized skinhead was standing directly behind her, with his arms folded across his chest. A curtain was pulled across the entrance to the hallway that led back to the main door. Another four or five men, all with the same barber, appeared from various shadows around the walls.

  ‘What do you want,’ Eva asked knowing this situation was past the getting away point.

  ‘You’re the one who came to visit me, Eva. So I think I should ask you that question.’

  ‘I want my sister,’ Eva spat.

  ‘So, do I,’ Mickey replied through his teeth. ‘Like I said, Mr. Harte took something that belonged to me.’

  ‘He still has her?’ Eva looked at Nathan who pulled a wide-eyed face.

  Oh, fuck. They’d really messed up.

  ‘Okay, well it seems there’s been a mistake, then,’ Nathan said, once again taking Eva’s hand. ‘We’re sorry to have disturbed you. All of you.’ He spun around and smiled at the mob behind him.

  ‘I don’t do angry, Eva,’ Mickey said, unnervingly calmly, ‘but I am owed something, and in the spirit of fairness, that something must be repaid.’

  Nathan shook his head. ‘Money, you want money.’

  Mickey laughed. A deep throaty rasp like he had something caught in the back of his throat. ‘Take a look around, my friends…’ Mickey stretched out his arms and spun on the spot. ‘…do I look like I’m hurting for a few dollars?’

  ‘Well, what then?’ Nathan asked.

  Eva really wished he hadn’t said that. She knew the answer and now Nathan had just given this monster the perfect opportunity to demand it. Mickey glared at Eva. His pristine white teeth glowed from the confines of his exaggerated smile.

  ‘I
’m a family man myself. Three kids, I have. Family is important, is it not?’

  Eva nodded. The men from the shadows were drawing closer.

  ‘Sisters. Ah, it’s a thing of beauty, such a close relationship.’

  ‘We’re not really that close,’ Eva said. ‘I haven’t seen her in a long time.’

  ‘You’re too modest, Eva. Not really that close,’ Mickey mimicked, ‘and yet here you are, risking your life to come find her. It’s almost poetic.’

  And there it was, the one thing that Eva knew since she stood on the sidewalk outside, but was too tied up in her mission to admit. She was risking her life; she was stupid and ignorant. And she’d trusted everyone except Julian. Now, she was going to pay for it.

  ‘You’re no longer needed,’ Mickey said. His eyes briefly flicked toward Nathan but were back on Eva before she had time to draw a breath. ‘Get out.’

  ‘Eva,’ Nathan called, fear scribbled in the lines of his face.

  Eva shook her head. He couldn’t help her, and she suspected that he knew it, too. Micky’s eyes narrowed and flicked toward the door. The two men nearest Nathan placed a hand on each of his shoulders, crushing him by an inch or two instantly. His legs buckled as he struggled to remain upright under their heavy presence as they marched him away. He looked back at Eva, mouthing something. She couldn’t make it out. Her eyes were blurred with a dizzy panic.

  The original skinhead, who seemed to be Mickey’s favourite, whispered something into his boss’s ear. Eva tried hard to evaesdrop, but she couldn’t make out a word.

  Temper ignited in Mickey’s eyes. ‘Wait,’ he called to the men escorting Nathan. He tapped two fingers against his lips and moved his hand back as if he was about to blow a kiss.

  ‘I don’t like big mouths,’ Mickey said. ‘I so much as sniff a word about this in the press or online, and I know who to hold responsible.’

  It was such a weird out-of-context thing to say, Eva thought. But before she had time to think much more about it, one of the men nodded and the other bent his arm and rammed his elbow against the back of Nathan’s head. Nathan fell to the ground instantly and didn’t move again.

  Mickey turned his attention back to Eva; his eyes were calmer now. Like watching Nathan fall had somehow abated this angry fire.

  ‘It seems your friends like to play games, Eva. And our Mr. Harte likes to win.’

  The words ripped through Eva’s body like hundreds of knives shredding her into tiny pieces. Was that what the skinhead whispered? Of all the things Eva thought he might have whispered, she’d never even dreamed she’d hear something so familiar. So familiar and so truly terrifying in its possible meaning. Oh God, oh God. She really hoped Julian could win this one. Eva shook her head.

  ‘Eva, don’t lie to me. How are we ever going to be friends if you tell lies?’

  Eva rolled saliva around her mouth. She wanted to spit in his face.

  ‘Your boyfriend had a little surprise waiting for my men today in Central Park.’

  ‘He’s not my boyfriend.’

  Mickey punched the air. Eva was certain if she spoke again, the next one would hit her face. Mickey moved closer to her. His hot, sticky breath was falling on her face. She wanted to pull away, but she knew that he’d grab her. The fire was back in his eyes. She had to cooperate. She couldn’t think fast enough.

  ‘I don’t like surprises, Eva. I’m a little upset right now.’

  Her mind was racing, but all she could think of was Julian. How she’d been so quick to judge him because her friends told her to. She’d been fooling herself for the past six months. She was just as weak and stupid as ever. She’d failed Julian’s challenge to become stronger. The only time she was strong was when she was with him. He made her better. It had just taken her all this time to realise that. She ached for him now.

  Chapter 36

  Julian gripped his phone so tightly that his pulse throbbed in his fingertips. He stared at the photograph on his screen. His temper whipped around his skull like a figure skater slicing through his brain. His first reaction was to punch his fist through the back window. But he controlled his breathing and bided his time. His eyes only looking away from the image on his screen long enough to blink.

  Eva was wearing matching black lace underwear. The push up bra served her tits up like two ripe cherries on a plate. Her slim belly was emphasised by the high-legged knickers that dipped delectably low in the front, barely covering her shaved pussy. Black fishnets ran from her toes to midway across her calf, looped at the top by a subtly small suspender belt. Her arms were over her head, her wrists clasped together by thick, black, leather cuffs. Heavy silver chains ran from each side of the cuff, no doubt tied to something out of view of the picture. Her ankles were shackled exactly the same way. She couldn’t kick even if she wanted to. She was utterly fucking delicious. And Da Luca knew it, too. The accompanying message was three mind imploding words. “Revenge tastes good’’

  If Mickey touched her, if he laid a finger on either of her beautiful breasts, Julian would rip his cock off and personally shove it up his arse.

  Anthony swerved into the laneway where he’d picked Julian up the last time they were at Vertigo.

  ‘Back it up a little more…more…Okay, stop. Here is perfect.’ Julian said, looking into the rear-view mirror from his position lying across the floor between the front and backseat. The car was in the right spot for the security camera to see the rear and maybe the back wheels, too.

  ‘Are you sure about this, Mr. Harte?’ Anthony said, understandably anxious.

  ‘I fucking better be. Or this is going to get very messy. Very fucking fast.’

  ‘Maybe this is one situation you can’t control. Maybe you should just leave this to the cops.’

  Julian’s forehead wrinkled as his eyes looked up from under his lowered head. ‘The cops told me it was over.’

  ‘They didn’t know this would happen. They made a mistake. They couldn’t have known Eva would come here.’

  Red…orange…grey…black. No mistakes. Not again. Failing wasn’t an option.

  ‘Julian, I’m scared,’ Shelly said from her position sitting with her legs crossed in the backseat.

  ‘Don’t look down. I’m not here. Remember? I’m sorry for dragging you into this, but I need you.

  ‘Sorry. I’m just nervous. Does this look okay?’ Shelly asked adjusting a blond wig.

  Julian nodded. ‘You’re a bombshell. You look the part, too, Anthony.’

  Julian’s suit was a good fit on his chauffeur. A little long, maybe, but no one would see Anthony’s ankles.

  Anthony climbed into the backseat and Julian set the timer on his watch. ‘Give it a half an hour. If I’m not out, that’s it, you two get yourselves the hell out of here, okay?’

  ‘We’re not going to just leave you, Julian,’ Anthony said. He wasn’t acting the loyal professional now; he was being a friend. But there was no room for that shit now. This had to be professional to the T or they were all in trouble.

  ‘Thirty minutes and then gone. I’m not asking.’

  ‘We’ll fake fuck like our lives depend on it,’ Shelly said with a nervous shake.

  ‘They do. Make it good. I’ve a reputation to live up to.’ Julian smirked. ‘The view is pretty blurred with the neon lighting from the pizza place causing a glare on the back window. They definitely won’t know you’re not Melissa and me, but they will know if you’re not moving.’

  ‘Can think of it like a cardio workout. Sorry, Anthony.’ Shelly tried to laugh, but it came out with a nervous slurp. ‘Will they really believe it, though?’

  ‘I paid ten million for that pussy. I’m just letting them know I’m a satisfied customer.’

  ‘You’d only do something like that if you wanted to rub it in their faces. It’s dangerous. It’s stupid, cocky, and arrogant,’ Shelly said.

  Julian tossed an eyebrow. ‘That’s exactly why they’ll believe it.’

  ‘If things go tits up,
there’s an envelope in the glove box.’ Julian pointed.

  ‘A will,’ Shelly gulped not even trying to hide her disgust.

  ‘A letter. Everything is for Evangeline, Anthony. Everything.’

  ‘Julian, you’re scaring me,’ Shelly said.

  ‘Don’t be scared. Libertia Supra Omnis.’

  ‘Freedom above all,’ Shelly translated Julian’s mantra, almost gagging on her own breath. ‘Game on, yeah?’

  Julian didn’t reply. He slid into the front seat, let the handbrake off and the car rolled back a couple of meters before he jerked the handbrake up again. The backseat was in view of the security cameras now. ‘Game on.’

  Chapter 37

  Eva’s arms hurt, and she was cold. She’d been only been shackled to the wall for about twenty minutes, but it was long enough for the cuffs to feel like they were trying to chew her wrists off. She’d thrashed wildly when two of the bald henchmen had restrained her and buckled black leather cuffs around her feet and wrists, tying them much too tightly. She’d only calmed down when Mickey Da Luca warned her to stay still and smile for the camera or he’d slit her throat. She doubted Mickey was the type of man to make a threat that he wasn’t prepared to follow through on. She’d stayed so still she was barely breathing.

  Now, an hour later, maybe a little less, she couldn’t move even if she wanted to. She was bound and gagged, sitting upright in a kitchen table style chair in an empty room with no window and a flickering overhead bulb. Her clothes were thrown in a pile beside her, too far away to touch but near enough to make out even in the dim light. The flimsy lingerie they’d forced her to wear did little to keep her warm, and she couldn’t feel her fingers or toes anymore. Her shivering body rubbed against the rough rope tied around her, scratching her skin like gritty sandpaper. Part of her wished that she was still tied to the wall in the main function room. At least then she would still be with Nathan. When she was first separated from Nathan, raised voices and shouting carried through the walls. But it had been silent now for a long time, and she was terrified to think what that might mean.

  The door burst open and the same two men who tied her to the wall stood in front of her now. One of them rubbed the crotch of his jeans in her face. He stank of sweat and piss. The other one hit her across the back of the head when the look of disgust on her face clearly wasn’t the reaction he wanted to see.