Debase

by Rachel Van Dyken

  The guys released me.

  I stood there in shock.

  I wasn’t given a say.

  I knew I didn’t have a choice.

  I didn’t know it would be like this.

  Louis pulled out a card, the patron saint of Edward the Confessor, only people in a line of Kings were given that saint.

  I opened my mouth to tell him to stop the ridiculous ceremony, to tell him I didn’t want anything to do with my father, my mother, with anyone but the woman who owned me.

  I locked eyes with Louis as he pressed the card to my forehead and then very slowly lit the edge on fire with a lighter, only to blow it out immediately.

  “As burns this saint, so burns my soul.”

  Chase elbowed me in the side while someone else kneed me in the back.

  With clenched teeth, I sealed my fate and whispered. “As burns his saint, so burns my soul.”

  “It is finished.” Louis beamed. “All is as it should be.” He raised his hands into the air and let out a long exhale that sounded like it had been trapped inside his body since my mother’s disappearance.

  The guys let me go.

  Chase’s shirt had speckles of blood.

  Seemed I was hiding more than one De Lange.

  It was over.

  In more ways than one.

  Louis took off his ring, it was identical to the tattoo, and with great force, he shoved it onto my left hand like a fucking wedding ring.

  “Now,” Louis clasped his hands. “Before business, we drink.”

  Finally, something I agreed with.

  But I couldn’t move.

  I was rooted to the ground as the guys all walked around me and started talking about the weather, their kids, the new Maybach that was just announced.

  I stood there.

  Completely fucking empty.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  Alice

  I’VE ALWAYS HEARD that every person, at one point in their lives, experiences a crossroads.

  I was at that point.

  Ax had brought me to a private airport.

  The jet was pitch black and looked expensive.

  I had my bag in my right hand as I stepped out of the SUV and stared up at it.

  A man I didn’t recognize, a beautiful man started walking down the stairs to greet me.

  He was tall, muscular, extremely familiar despite the fact that I’d never met him before.

  “Nikolai.” Ax held out his hand.

  Nikolai shook his hand firmly and looked to me. “Any issues?”

  “Issues?” I repeated.

  “With getting out of the club before it was infested with more Italians?” His lips quirked like he said something funny.

  “No,” Ax answered for me. “I just got a text. Everything seemed to go as planned… Unfortunately.”

  Unfortunately? What did that even mean?

  Both men gave me a pointed look.

  I wanted to back away, I wanted to steal the SUV and drive it back to the club.

  “Is Andrei—” I licked my dry lips. “Is Andrei okay?”

  “He’s alive,” Ax said quietly. “Then again are you ever really living when you don’t have those you care about by your side?”

  “Deep for a made man,” Nikolai teased. “All right then, so I guess this is the choice you’re going to make?”

  “Choice?” I almost shrieked. “I wasn’t given a choice.”

  “She’s new,” Ax pointed out like I was an idiot.

  I almost smacked him. “What do you mean I’m new? I wasn’t given a choice. Andrei shoved me into the SUV, basically making me think I was never going to see him again and looked like he was marching off to his death!”

  “In a way he was.” Nikolai shrugged. “The death of part of his past, the rebirth of a new future. The question is, where do you fit in Alice De Lange?”

  I sucked in a sharp breath and started backing away from both of them. “H-how do you know?”

  “Then again,” Nikolai ignored me. “He did lie and tell everyone you were married so you were safe.”

  “He’s an idiot,” Ax pointed out. “Should have just done it and apologized after the fact.”

  “I’m lost,” I whispered. Did I need to grab the knife I’d tucked away in my bag, or not?

  “You can get on the plane with me. Fly to New York, disappear, new name, new identity, I’ll even let you work for me.”

  “Huh?”

  “He’s kind of a big deal.” Ax nodded. “In case you’re wondering why he looks familiar; he won a Nobel Peace Prize for his research with AIDS and other STDs.” He shrugged. “Then again of course he was able to study it closely since he’s known as The Doctor or Dr. Death. He’s Russian in case you haven’t noticed the tattoo on his left hand, and he works for Andrei on the side.”

  “It’s good that you work at the club.” Nikolai shook his head. “What if she tells?”

  “She won’t.” Ax winked at me. “She’s in this now.”

  I was in something all right.

  My heart was breaking.

  They were talking in riddles.

  And I just wanted to know he was okay.

  “What’s my other choice?” I asked quietly staring down at the asphalt. “You said I have two choices.”

  “Your second choice is a bit more… adventurous.”

  “Adventurous?”

  “You stay and let him fight for you,” Ax said confidently.

  “I’m a De Lange.” I gulped. “Chase will kill me, and if he won’t, one of the other ones will.”

  “Chase’s wife is half De Lange.” Ax shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “She sacrificed herself for him. Blood must always be spilled.”

  My head shot up. “What was that?”

  Nikolai’s lips twitched. “Blood must always be spilled. Especially after Mil’s betrayal. Like I said, staying is more adventurous, dangerous, and you may not live. But something tells me that if you get on that plane, you’re already dead.”

  “Figuratively.” Ax cleared his throat. “He means figuratively.”

  Tears welled in my eyes.

  Could I do it?

  Could I get back in that car and face not just the monster I loved, but the ones who would kill me without a second thought?

  He’d killed for me.

  Spilled my own brother’s blood for me.

  He had given himself to me.

  I nodded at Nikolai. “I think I’d rather die than get in that plane with you.”

  “Good answer.” His dark eyes flashed.

  “You were hoping I’d say no?”

  “I was already in the city for business when Ax called. You may need me later anyways. It seems I’m staying.”

  “Why would I need you later?”

  “Doctor.” His face fell.

  Great.

  I refused to lose my nerve now.

  “Are you going to come with us then?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He grinned and then shoved Ax. “I’m driving, you’re a lunatic.”

  “You’re not wrong.” Ax winked and opened the SUV door for me. “After you, Alice.”

  The door shut with finality behind me.

  I had promised him I would leave.

  I had promised him I would be safe.

  I had promised him I would ask him to kill me.

  And it seemed I might have to follow through with it if things went wrong.

  “Blood must always be spilled.” I repeated out loud. “Nikolai, how much blood does the human body have?”

  “Around seven percent of your body weight is blood, why?”

  The car turned as he drove us back in the direction we came.

  “How much blood would appease Chase?”

  “All of it,” Ax said without thinking. “You’ll need a different plan, stabbing yourself isn’t going to work.”

  “I wasn’t going to stab myself.” I wrung my hands together.

  We were back at t
he club too soon.

  A dozen expensive black cars were parked out front. “What’s going on?”

  “Oh.” Ax turned around as he loaded his gun. “The Sinacores are here to wipe out the remaining De Lange blood line and take their place, and the love of your life is their new boss.”

  I froze. “What?”

  Nikolai’s face softened in the rear-view mirror. “He’s half Italian, he’s the heir to one of the oldest mafia dynasties in the world. And his first task is a mass cleansing.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “And if he defies his first task?”

  Nikolai locked eyes with me. “To defy your own blood, or direct orders from the Capo, means death.”

  “I’m walking into my own funeral.” My voice shook.

  “Oh ye of little faith.” Nikolai winked.

  I’d been at a crossroads.

  I had chosen the road less traveled.

  The one with signs that said beware.

  The one with the broken bridge and enchanted castle.

  The enchanted castle filled with bloodthirsty monsters, and no princes riding in on white horses.

  “I need a minute.” I grabbed my bag and took a few soothing breaths then very slowly got out of the SUV with Nikolai and Ax flanking me.

  The club was loud when we walked in.

  Men were laughing.

  Drinking.

  And my heart was breaking.

  He’d known, hadn’t he?

  Andrei had known.

  And he’d chosen blood.

  Over love.

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  Andrei

  FOR ONCE IN my life, the vodka didn’t do anything except remind me of Alice. I had sent a text to Ax to make sure she made it safely to wherever he was taking her.

  He had yet to respond.

  I trusted him with my life, but he was still Italian.

  Then again, so was I.

  Shit.

  “No offense, but you look like hell.” Chase sat down next to me while more laughter erupted from the corner where Louis and Tex were talking. Nixon and Phoenix had joined, and Sergio was currently on his laptop trying to locate every last De Lange in the Chicago area.

  Most of the families had fled.

  As long as they didn’t come back they wouldn’t be killed.

  But we didn’t want to leave any stone unturned.

  And I had no choice in the matter.

  If the Sinacore Family was to take its rightful place, there had to be no question that another family would challenge.

  And the De Langes were stupid enough to do just that.

  Sergio cursed and jerked his head at us. “Vic said a group of De Lange men just left one of the known locations downtown, heavily armed and headed this way.”

  “Good.” I could taste blood on my tongue. “I need to kill something.”

  Next to me, Chase chuckled. “Knew that you wanted in, it’s probably why you look like shit, unless something’s happening with that wife of yours?”

  Wife.

  My stomach sank like a rock as I kept my face indifferent. “She left.”

  Chase’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not how marriage works typically. You get that, right? Why the hell did she leave?”

  “This isn’t the life for her.” I looked away.

  “I’m calling bullshit.” Chase grabbed a bottle of water from behind the bar and sat back on the stool. “When you find someone you don’t just let them go to protect them. Been there done that, the T-shirt fucking sucks, and it’s depressing as hell.”

  It was strange that I was having this conversation with Chase of all people, with De Langes pissed off and headed our direction.

  With the taste of another De Lange still on my tongue.

  The universe was clearly out to kill me today.

  I was about to say exactly that when the room fell silent.

  I knew it was her before I craned my neck toward the door, I could smell her, feel her. Rage took complete control of my body as I slowly stood. She walked into the club like she wasn’t going to get killed.

  She couldn’t be that stupid.

  Ax was on one side of her, Nikolai the other.

  What the hell kind of game were they playing?

  “Nik.” I narrowed my eyes as he casually crossed his arms like sunshine was sprouting out my ass. His smile wasn’t welcome. Not now. “What’s going on?”

  “Missed you.” He snorted. “Found this one hanging out by my jet and asking for a ride.”

  “Your jet.” I clenched my teeth so hard that I could have sworn I heard a molar shift. “Ax just happened to be at your jet? With Alice?”

  Ax leveled me with a cool stare. “I figured it was wise to give her a choice.”

  “You disobeyed direct orders.” I pulled out my gun and pointed it at his head. “I told you exactly what to do.”

  “That’s just the thing.” Ax didn’t even flinch. “You told me what to do, you told her what to do, you were doing so much telling that I figured you needed time to pull your head out of your ass and think about it. You’re not gonna shoot me, because you know, deep down, in the darkest loneliest crevice of your body is a tiny little heart that’s beating a bit too cheerfully right now.”

  “I will cheerfully end your life,” I roared. “How’s that?”

  Ax opened his mouth.

  But Nixon silenced him. “I can’t save you from this one, Ax. He’s the new Sinacore boss, tread carefully.”

  Alice jerked her head in Nixon’s direction then glanced back at me, tears in her eyes.

  I’d chosen her.

  But she was looking at me like I had betrayed her.

  Like I’d pulled the trigger.

  Like I was the reason for her pain when I was the reason she wouldn’t have to experience any.

  “Well.” Ax sighed. “Didn’t see that coming.”

  “No shit,” Dante said from his spot near the bar.

  Chase moved to stand next to me. “Ax go stand guard, we have De Lange associates on their way. I’m sure Andrei will deal with you when he stops breathing fire.”

  A few men chuckled.

  The Sinacore men watched with rapt fascination like we were some sort of sick crime drama.

  “Alice…” Chase stepped forward. “I have a… quandary…”

  Fuck.

  I moved but Phoenix was suddenly at my side, pulling me back while I helplessly watched Chase circle her like he was going to devour her whole and then use her as target practice.

  Nikolai stepped away.

  She was alone.

  Completely alone.

  I locked eyes with her. I tried to tell her to run.

  But she just fucking stood there and looked at me like the hero I wasn’t. Didn’t she get it? Didn’t she see? Monsters didn’t save the day.

  No, monsters started the war.

  Monsters finished it.

  She’d officially tied my hands behind my back.

  “Oh?” Her voice was strong. “What would you like to know?”

  “Your name was wiped from all of Andrei’s records, and since we all know that you were supposedly one of the girls sold to him, then later apparently married to him, I just found it… interesting.”

  She exhaled and lifted her chin. “Ask.”

  “Ask what?” His smile was cruel.

  The bitter part of Chase was making an appearance.

  “Ask me what my name is.”

  I jerked away from Phoenix and grabbed Alice by the arm. “Stop. Speaking.”

  “Protecting her.” Chase inclined his head. “Interesting.”

  “I protect what’s mine,” I said through clenched teeth.

  “Sergio,” Chase barked. “How you doing on that marriage certificate search? Anything?”

  “No.” Sergio’s voice was heavy like he was sad he couldn’t find anything. “No record of any marriage between Andrei Petrov and Alice…” He shrugged. “Though it would be extremely helpful if we had a rea
l last name.”

  “Mmm.” Chase nodded. “Try De Lange.”

  “Son of a bitch,” I muttered under my breath, then pulled Alice against my chest, whispering in her ear. “Why? Why would you do this? Why?”

  I was panicking.

  My throat all but closed up as I clung to her, my right arm wrapped around her body, my gun trained on her back.

  I squeezed the trigger.

  I couldn’t pull it.

  I waited for her answer.

  And then she whispered softly, “Kill me.”

  It was Chase’s turn to curse, like he was surprised that she would ask me that when it was the deal all along, wasn’t it?

  She didn’t run.

  She didn’t listen.

  I tortured myself with the feel of her skin for a few more minutes and then pulled away just as gun shots rang outside.

  Ax ran in the club and dove behind a couch shouting. “Twelve! I got two, they have—”

  More gunshots rang out.

  And then silence.

  “We know you have her!” A man yelled. “Just give us Alice and we’ll leave.”

  My heart stuttered to a stop in my chest as I stared down at the woman I’d shoved to the floor to protect. Not a chance in hell.

  “She’s my cousin,” a deep voice echoed from outside. “Let us take her and we’ll leave.”

  “You’re like cockroaches,” Tex yelled. “You’ll just multiply.”

  “So? We are no longer a threat. Give us our cousin.”

  Alice started shaking beneath me, like the idea of going back to her own family was so terrifying that she’d rather die in gunfire.

  “Let’s talk,” I yelled back holding both hands up, gun still in my right, my finger off the trigger.

  Six men walked through the doors in similar fashion. Each of them looked like they’d drunk way too much over the past week and were in need of a shower.

  The De Langes had never impressed me.

  Even less so now.

  I pulled Alice to her feet. “Is this what you want?”

  The men’s eyes roamed over her body, my body, the body I’d kissed, loved, touched.

  “Alice…” One of them licked his lips. “You’re looking good.”

  She glared. “Go to hell.”

  “Aw.” He put a hand on his heart. “They’ve turned you against us.”

  She let out a humorless laugh. “No, my brother turned me against my own family every time he touched me, my father every time he let my brother into my room, my family name when I was forced to hide for a full year wondering if the monsters were going to come. Sorry, but I’m taking my chance with them, I’d rather die than go with you.”