by Ellie Jean
I can’t help but laugh with her. I’ve experienced firsthand the affect my body has on Alex and I pray it continues until we are old and I have no breath left in my lungs.
She rings the bell, signaling for William. “Bring us another cup and some breakfast for Isla, please.”
Gosh, I think I need one of these bells… But only if it were Alex that came running… Naked would be good too.
Wiping my mouth, regaining some sense and not thinking about how Alex’s body controls mine so perfectly, oh… I’m thinking of his sexy ass again.
“What do I do?” Surely, there must be something I can do.
“You tell me what you think you would like to do with your inheritance. I want to guide you, Isla. Help you where I can. And I won’t get a chance to see Ben because I need to leave tomorrow, so I need you to explain everything to him as well.”
“But you’ve only just got here. He would love to meet you.” My heart sinks. We need her here longer. “Maybe we can visit you if I ever get free from Dimitri.” I’m making plans for a visit to England but I’m still hiding out from a madman who wants me as his personal prisoner and wife for life.
“Yes, that sounds lovely, you would be making an old woman’s dream come true. He will have no hold over you very soon, Isla. So, I’ll hold you to that. Now, tell me your thoughts on all this money you now have. What do you plan to do with it?”
The butler brings in my late breakfast, which is actually lunch. We got lost talking to each other again… I guess there’s no other choice at the moment but to talk to my grandmother.
“We have all the men on alert. If anyone hears about Isla, we will be there. All eyes are looking for her. Nothing will be left unexplored.” Smoke wafts around the head of Benito. His deep voice reassures us that we will find my Sweetness before Dimitri does.
The soldiers are watching Dimitri’s every move and no doubt they are watching us just as closely. We’ve been sitting in uncle’s room now for the past hour trying decide who the hell has her and why? Sokolov has that many enemies, it would be impossible to pinpoint one major threat. At this point in time, I would say we want him dead more than any other person alive.
“Kolton heard about movement within the Gambril family this morning, they are moving their soldiers in place for what could be a takeover of Sokolov’s drug empire here. He also believes that an unknown sector could be working with them to assist them in this takeover.”
Fuck, this is the opportunity we have been waiting for. “Do we get our hands dirty yet?” Liam fires at Benito. He’s as keen as I am to get this situation sorted out. Dimitri out of here, for good.
Uncle speaks, “We keep our distance as much as we can. If we can keep out of it and let them battle, then that’s what we do. You know we want to keep our hands as clean as possible. We need to be ready, but let’s not jump the gun just yet.” Liam nods and I sit back, squirming in my seat. I am ready to get on with my life… With Isla.
“I’m going to go and speak to Ben and Adeline. Has anyone spoken to them about why they are here?” My future family must be going stir crazy held up in their room.
Seth casually stretches his arms out, “I’ve spoken with them. Kameron came with me. We both sat down with them and explained about who Dimitri is and what his future plans would mean for Isla. Her mother knew the seriousness of this. But, Ben. Well, let’s say he had a lot of questions for his mother.” Stretching his neck, he continues, “Kameron didn’t know a lot about her situation either, but she assisted where she could, assuring both of them we are doing everything we can to help their family out of this mess created by Drake those many years back.”
Standing up, I need to move. “I can’t thank you enough, man.”
Uncle adds before I leave the room, “Keep alert, keep your phone on. This is happening soon, Alex.”
Jared interrupts, “We’ll wait here until we hear further instructions. But by the sound of things, this will happen tonight.”
“I won’t be far. And it’s my priority to put Dimitri where he belongs.” Heading for the doorway, I have to work out how I tell Isla’s mother she is missing without causing panic. Ben’s going to be the hardest to convince everything will be all right.
On the same floor as Uncle, it was necessary to keep them close to Benito and his most trusted men. Uncle will always be top priority. The guard outside the door raises his eyebrows and stands. I shake his hand. “I should be a while.” Knocking on the door, I wait. The lock rattles. Ben opens the door with a stern look piercing at me.
“About fucking time.” Ben’s not too happy to see me. Opening the door wider, I step through, making my way to the sitting area. They are in one of the most exclusive rooms I have in the resort. Freedom would be better, but they will have to suck it up for their own sakes at this present time. Adeline is watching a program on television and Ben has been doing much the same. Being told to hand over their phones when they were ushered up here when turmoil took place at the engagement party, Ben doesn’t seem very hospitable.
“Adeline, nice to see you again.” I bend down and give her a small kiss on the cheek before sitting on the seat opposite her.
Ben peers at me. “When can we leave?”
Twisting my head so I can look at Ben easily, my voice conveys I’m not mucking around. “You can leave when it is safe. I know Seth told you some of what is going on. But, if you want to see your sister again, I suggest you sit down and get comfortable.” Crossing my arms, I continue, “We are doing what we can to make certain Isla is safe. That includes you and your mother, Ben. You both are in danger until we can eliminate the threat from Sokolov.”
Pissed. His reaction is that of a small boy who only is thinking of what he is missing out on in his small world. “Fuck. I’ve got people to see and things to do.”
Taking a deep breath, I try and restrain myself. Leaning forward on my seat, I direct to him, “Do you want to see Isla again?”
“Of course.” With attitude he paces, looking out beyond the window.
“Well, sit the fuck down and wait until we give you the okay to leave here. The man outside is there to not only protect people from getting to you. But, also to stop you from leaving, for your own good.” Staring at Adeline and Ben, “I have enough to deal with without worrying about you as well. Isla has protected you both for as long as she can. It’s now time to do something for her.” Ben’s shoulders drop, and Adeline is deep in thought, looking straight through me. “So fucking sit tight and let us get her safely away from Sokolov.” I can’t help but raise my voice. My girl has put her life on hold, placed it in the hands of a murderer to keep him and their mother safe. I want to tell him everything but it’s not my place. Isla is the only one who can do that. My hands run through my hair. I close my eyes.
Adeline places a hand on my shoulder, “We trust you. And thank you for everything.” I’m weary but I need to keep positive. Rubbing my hands over my face, the stubble reminds me how long it has been since I saw Isla. “Can I get you a hot drink? Anything to drink?”
Considering I haven’t eaten and I have to stay near, I agree. “Sounds nice.”
Ben sits down, still not happy but amicable. “Tell me about yourself, Alex. Why have you decided to help my sister and my family?”
My elbows rest on my knees, I spear my eyes at Ben. “I love her…” It’s not complicated. It’s so very straightforward why it is my number one priority to help Isla. Smiling, I start talking about myself and Isla, Ben listens. It’s only been a relatively short time that we have known one another, but so profound and soul altering. Ben keeps steering the conversation back to Sokolov and how he is involved with their family. Adeline keeps herself busy acting as our hostess. Ben learns more bare facts from me about his father’s debt to Sokolov and how Isla has been helping to pay off his debts, even though his father is six feet under.
“Fuck, is this true, Mom?” Ben fires his question directly at Adeline and she freezes mid-sip of her cup o
f tea.
Looking shameful, she says, “Yes.”
Jumping in, I accusingly speak, “You need to know, Ben, Isla has suffered greatly under the hands of Sokolov. It’s her story to tell, and I know she won’t want to put you through hearing it, but you are here, alive today because of your sister.”
Sitting on the edge of the lounge, shoulders slumped, his eyes look saddened. “What has she been through, Mom? What is he hiding from me, what are you hiding?”
Adeline looks distraught. It’s hard to place any blame on anyone but their selfish father and Sokolov.
Crosses my ankles, trying to bring it back to a conversation we can safely talk about, I add, “Isla did everything she did because she loves you and your family, Ben. But let’s not keep talking about it. Isla can tell you in her own time.”
All of us are sitting down, contemplating how Isla’s actions have impacted on our lives. She lives to keep her family and her loved ones safe. Even at her own expense. After a while of silence, we relax enough to converse with each other, keeping my mind off the looming evil I am to face and Ben and Adeline’s thoughts away from the truth I have chosen to conceal.
Sun fades to black. Another day is gone without so much as a word from Isla.
Small talk with Ben and Adeline kept me busy for most of the day. Not letting it slip that Isla is missing ate at my insides. Thinking of Isla each minute. Wondering where the hell she is. And why the fuck no one has heard a single thing about her whereabouts.
I want to punch something. Yell from the highest building, where the fuck are you? Turn this restlessness and rage flowing through me into energy I can do something useful with. Instead, I’ve been drinking coffee and making small talk while Isla could be lying dead in who the fuck knows where. No one who works for us or alongside us has a hit on her, which doesn’t surprise me since she has no phone or wallet with her. She is completely off the radar. I should be out looking for her, anywhere. But where the fuck do I start? We decided it best if I stay with uncle in case anyone calls information in. Kolton and his men are keeping an ear out, watching cameras and any known enemies. They’ve still been trailing Sokolov and Isla is not with them from what we can see. Thank fuck there’s one piece of good news.
Holed up in uncle’s room for the remainder of the afternoon and night, the muted television plays in the background. The phone is constantly beeping with messages about the Las Vegas development. Pawning everything off to Lydia to distribute to the rest of the management team, my head doesn’t have the capacity to fit any more problems into it. Seth, Liam, and Jared go through scenarios. How this could play out-Sokolov finds Isla first and kills the fuckers that had her, keeping her with him as before. But that’s not happening. I won’t allow it this time. No more fake fiancé. We find Isla first, protecting her, fucking better than last time, until Sokolov is gone. Within an hour of finding Isla. That’s all I’m prepared to wait. I’ve waited fucking long enough. Another scenario, someone uses Isla as a pawn to get at the Russian, he will kill them and then we will kill him. I won’t settle for anything other than death. I’m not prepared to risk Isla or our family. Ultimately, I want to kill him myself, not trusting it to anyone else. We are all on the same page. Sokolov needs to be taken down.
A buzzing phone of Benito’s catches everyone’s attention. Everyone’s fork stops rattling in their dinner. Every pair of eyes is trained on him.
“Fuck… We’ll be there. Wait for us. Use the code word Motherfucker, if you need us in there.” The imposing voice of the underboss sets the adrenaline in motion. It’s something I wouldn’t wish to do every day, but right now, when Isla’s life is at risk, I can’t fucking wait to be arm’s length to blow this motherfucker away if it comes to that.
Our ears wait for him to speak. Shifting our bodies in anticipation, we all stand. Together we will win this battle.
“The Gambril family is meeting Sokolov at an office block not far from here. They are making their move to be top dog there…tonight. They’ve requested backup to get the job done.”
Anxiety prickles at my neck. It’s not exactly what I had in mind, but ridding us of Sokolov without getting our hands dirty will be easier… I guess… If we get the chance I will make sure I request he is mine to savor, later. I haven’t gotten my hands dirty for many years. On this occasion though, I actually am looking forward to taking the life out of his body.
Does it make me evil?
Perhaps in the eyes of some. Taking a life from this earth is not something we ever want to do. Hence why I chose the path of staying a soldier longer than climbing the ranks. Death isn’t something I live for. The blood and torture from killing another life is what some men thrive for, but not me. In this instance, all the codes and rules I try and live my life with goes out the window.
We are cleansing this world of a parasite. An infection that has spread through Isla’s life for long enough. His talons have a far reach and they need clipped extensively. The Gambril family isn’t as high profile as Sokolov but they have more morals than what his employees have been pushing for years. I see us doing our area a service and getting justice for all the lives Sokolov has destroyed over the years.
Benito breaks my train of thought. “You all know the plan, get in your positions and wait. We will leave the security on Isla’s family here.”
“Did he say if they have information on Isla’s whereabouts?” Picking up the firearm Benito placed in front of us, I hide it under my shirt in the back of my pants. Watching my family get ready for battle isn’t something I will ever get used too. Tonight, though, we have no choice. It could be our only opportunity to strike.
Benito does the same. “I have no knowledge that they know about Isla.” He places two firearms in his waistband. “Let’s get the Russian out of the way then deal with finding her.” Nodding, I comprehend his actions. If Sokolov’s out of the picture, Isla may not be worth anything to her captors. She may be returned unharmed… Unlikely in this cruel, black market world, but a slim possibility.
Benito makes calls to other allies, preparing them to join us in sixty minutes in strategically placed areas. Seth, Liam, Jared, and myself will be ready to take the lead if the need presents itself.
“I’ll be riding with you.” Benito nods to myself and my cousins. We all take a moment to contemplate what tonight will bring. Uncle watches us with a stone face. Letting your family go to battle is not easy. I know how much he wants to come with us, but we can’t chance the head of the family being killed. Plus, in his seventies, he should be retiring from the front. Stefano’s a cold, calculating murderer. A better assassin than anyone I know. My father and himself taught us everything. But not refining our skills as often as we should over the years, he probably would still kick our asses even at his age. Staying on the side of caution, he’s better left here where it’s safe and we don’t have to keep an eye on him too. Not that I’d say that to his face. A bullet may come my way faster than I can blink, knowing uncle.
Liam’s itching to get this underway. “Let’s do this.” Fist pumping each other, we leave uncle with a security detail in the room and head to the private elevator to the basement. Filing into the rented grey SUV, we leave The Raven in the dark night. Hopefully for all of us to return in one piece.
And with some news of Isla.
Our plan is straightforward.
If needed by the Gambril family we will intercede, but only if they request it. We don’t want to get our hands dirty if there isn’t a need. But we know Sokolov and his men will not back down without a fight unless they can be convinced it’s in his best interest. Sokolov has the power hold over much of the underworld society, he is the law on the street, and he won’t take this takeover lying down. There will be bloodshed. It’s not realistic to think there won’t be. Our training will hold us in good stead however, limiting our own. Eliminating Sokolov tonight is our primary objective.
Kolton’s been scanning the movements of anyone who has been tailing us up
on arrival back from Las Vegas. A few of Sokolov’s men have been seen over the past month, but tonight it seems we are in the clear. We are on no one’s radar, including Sokolov. Seeing the house empty with his own eyes may have momentarily suspended his suspicions about me.
Liam slows down near the curb and parks the car a block or so from the building the meeting is going to take place in. Heavy rain drops on the roof of the car sound like small rocks hitting the metal. The windows are difficult to see through due to the rain crashing against it. Arriving earlier than needed, the rain brings with it added complications.
“Put these in.” Benito hands us an ear piece so we can here each other if the night’s events see us separating for any purpose.
“What time were they meeting?” Jared asks Benito, who is typing a message on his phone to the head of the Gambrils, letting them know we have arrived.
“Later tonight is all I know. We wait until we get the signal.”
Settling in for what could be a while, there’s an energy in the car of anticipation. Waiting has got to be the hardest thing. Many men make the fatal mistake of moving when patience is required. We are trained masters in this game. We don’t make mistakes.
I take my phone out of my pocket, placing it on silent. Scanning the messages, I hope there’s something from Isla. A note from Sarah makes me smile at this tense moment. Describing her beautiful daughter and how mother and father haven’t left her side since the birth. Asking for help from her little brother. Unfortunately, she will have to deal with our overbearing parents a bit longer while I sort this out. Knowing mother though, I’d be very certain they would be at home sleeping now, gearing up for another day of excitement at the hospital spoiling her granddaughter.