“Who?” she asks.
“Some gangster,” I told her. I knew who it was, I just couldn’t say the name. Not out loud, not after this.
“Yeah, I guess, we’re both the same, and yet so different. I want my gangster to find me, and you want yours to let you go.” She said with a hint of humor.
I laughed with her, a little. It was hard not to.
“I just wanted to work at the school, take care of my class, and live my life. I never meant to draw his attention,” I told her quietly.
“It doesn’t change that you did,” she said.
“I know,” I replied.
“Tell me about yourself,” she asked.
“I’m nobody really. Just a girl who wanted to get by,” I told her quietly.
“We’re trapped in a fucking hole. There’s no getting by, so the least we can do is enlighten each other,” she said sounding exhausted.
A hole. We were in a hole in close quarters. Even though I felt the wall at my back, the feeling of the other three getting closer had a lump lodged in my throat.
“Just in case one doesn’t make it?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Okay, I’ll start. I’ve been living in a little shell for years. My family’s written me off. All because I won’t marry this man.” As I tell her, my throat clogged with tears and my heart clenched in pain.
Pausing, I took a deep breath.
“I was one of the wealthy. I had dinners with the famous and rubbed elbows with important people. My parents wanted a higher social standing, and they were never happy with what they had,” I continued.
Another deep breath. A flash of Ivan appeared behind my closed lids. My tears of hurt mixed with the tears of fear.
“I fell in love with a gangster when I was in high school. We were high school sweethearts until he left me. He joined the army and literally ran away from his life here,” another tear-filled blink and deep heart-wrenching breath I finished, “Like a fool, I let him back in.” I had hoped talking would help, but it only hurt more.
Chapter 27
Ivan
It’s been weeks since I’ve seen Layla. I fucked up, and I knew it. Kell, had a location on Texas, and her buddy Sam, was here to help.
I stared at the building, begging all that was fucking holy in this world that she was in there. I wanted, no I needed to make shit right with Layla. I couldn’t, and fucking wouldn’t, walk away from her again.
“Sam, take the left side and go to the back. Ivan, take the right side, and I’ll take the front,” Kell, told us both.
Nodding, I walked away. No point in talking, I knew what the fuck I was doing. The night swallowed me, greeting me like an old friend.
The air was cool tonight, but not cold enough to show our breath. Quickly, I walked to the right and pressed closely to the building before peeking into the window.
The room was empty, and the window was partially open. The fucking morons gave me an open invitation. Placing my hand on the bottom of the window, I wrapped my fingers around it and slowly lifted.
Pulling myself through the open window, I silently climbed to my feet. My long stride ate up the space between myself and the door.
My back pressed hard into the wall beside the door frame. The room was bare with drywall cracking and, in some places, completely missing.
The house had a stench to it, one I knew all too well. It was vomit and urine with a hint of death and gunpowder. Gripping my pistol, I wrapped my right hand around the grip making sure my left hand was around my right wrist. My fingers were a few centimeters from the trigger. I kept it pressed against the slide.
Peeking out I saw nothing, but I could smell him the moment he lit that cigarette. He immediately gave me his location.
Stepping into the left side of the hallway, I walked towards the newest stench. He came right towards me, walking out of the room beside the one I just came out of.
I placed the gun in the waist of my pants and reached out with my right hand on his chin and my left on the other side of his head. With a quick twist, his neck snapped, and he became dead weight. I looked into the empty room he just vacated. I dragged him inside and dropped him gently to the floor.
Chapter 28
Layla
“Hey? Are you okay?” I asked.
She’s been quiet for so long, I feared she may not be with me anymore. I hated to think she could be dead. The walls were closing in, and I needed to hear her voice. I needed her to keep my fear at bay.
“Let me tell you more about me, okay?” I said quietly, hoping she was still alive.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she said.
“Oh good. I….” I started.
“I kill people,” she said.
Huh, another one? I was like a magnet for the killers of this world. I wanted to laugh, and at the same time, I wanted to pinch myself. Was I in shock? Maybe I was trapped in some nightmare.
Her voice surrounded me, pulling me from the wishful thoughts.
“I was unworthy of love. My parents threw me away, literally. I was tossed into a dumpster, like uneaten food. They left me to rot,” she said quietly, and I knew she was crying. I could hear it.
“They found me and took me in. Then, one day I was told about all the money they wasted on me. They kept a detailed list. Each piece of candy, every scrap of food, even the toothpaste I used,” she told me.
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I sat here quietly soaking it all in.
“When you leave here Layla, I need you to find someone and tell him the truth. Tell him that I loved him,” she begged.
I heard her sobs, and I reached out hoping to give her comfort. My hand never found hers in the empty space.
“I won’t let them kill you. He will keep you safe,” she told me fiercely.
“Stay with me Texas, we can get out of here together,” I said.
“My hands are stained with so much blood. I’ve killed a lot of people. I can feel them waiting for me, I know where I’m going,” she responded.
“Find Kell,” she said.
“We can find him together,” I said to her.
“I’m not leaving here, Layla,” she stated. Her voice was filled with the honesty she truly believed, and something else, acceptance.
“I’ve done so many horrible things but meeting him wasn’t one of them,” she continued.
I scooted closer and laid my head on her shoulder.
“Tell me about him,” I asked.
“Kell? He’s perfect. My other half,” She said quietly.
My heart froze as she uttered his name, it was one I knew well. Oh god, Ivan. They were going to be looking for her. Ivan was coming. That thought stuck with me and pulled me in. It dragged me into the depths that was always filled with him.
The door opened, and I fought back the scream. The light was blinding, and my hand came up to shield my eyes. How long have I been in here?
I felt the air move, and I knew they were in the room. I could hear chains rattling slightly.
“Leave her alone!” I screamed.
The only response I received was the sound of her being dragged away and the door slamming closed behind them.
Chapter 29
Layla
I wasn’t sure how long the door stayed closed, but it finally opened again. I squinted and watched in horror as Texas was dropped on the cold floor.
I crawled and reached for her as the door slammed hard behind those animals.
“Texas?” I whispered her name.
Silence greeted me. I leaned forward and swept my long dark hair over my right shoulder and pressed my ear to her chest.
Her heartbeat was steady and strong. Then, I heard gunshots, and I had to fight from screaming. What if there were others here and they just killed them?
The door swung open again, and I tried to shield her the best way I could. I watched as a man’s shadow filled the space. I could feel the danger pulsing off him. I couldn’t make out his fac
e, but I knew he was bad news.
Before he could see me, I pulled back and reached around looking for anything I could use to keep him at bay.
“Stay with me Texas, don’t leave me,” He begged.
“Go away you monsters,” I screamed as he leaned down over her.
“Who the fuck are you, and what happened to Texas?” He asked in a demanding cold tone.
“Kell?” I asked.
“Who the fuck are you?” he demanded again.
“Layla. Texas is hurt, she won’t wake up,” I quietly cried.
“Ivan?” he shouted.
“Boss?” Ivan, replied.
“Light!” Kell, shouted.
A flashlight appeared and scanned the room. It burned my eyes.
“Little Dove?” Kell, whispered.
I watched as he dropped to his knees at Texas’s, side.
“Wake up darlin’,” he begged.
I cried harder. The sound of heartbreak coming from him tore my already ripped to shreds heart into tinier pieces. It was something I didn’t think was possible.
“Ivan, deal with her,” Kell, told him.
All the sadness was replaced by shock as an angry Ivan came into the room. I watched as his arms came down and Ivan effortlessly placed me over his shoulder.
“Put me down you brute!” I screamed.
“Fuck woman, that’s my ear!” Ivan, growled.
Slamming my hand on his ass, I screamed, “Woman?”
Ivan, stiffened. I smacked him again, but this time on his back. I felt his large hand rub my ass. Anger had me screaming again as anger and pain fought a war inside me.
I opened my mouth to tell him how angry I was, then closed it immediately as his hand connected firmly with my ass. He hit it hard enough to cause an echo throughout the room that we just entered.
The floor was covered in dirt and was that a roach? Oh god, it was. I gagged and fought the need to vomit all over the asshole carrying me fireman style out of the house.
My dark hair dangled down almost brushing the nasty floor. I took one of my hands and grabbed the strands. I pulled them into one fist as if I was going to put it into a ponytail.
The door slammed closed behind us as we made our way out of the disgusting prison I was just trapped in.
“Is he dead?” I asked Ivan, quietly.
I was a horrible person for wanting the answer to be yes. I couldn’t face the idea he was still out there waiting for me.
“Who?” Ivan, demanded.
Swallowing I fought with my now closing throat to get the words out.
“Jacob O’Sullivan.” The words were a whisper, but Ivan, heard me.
“No,” he said darkly.
Tears filled my eyes. I wasn’t ever going to escape the man.
“Layla,” Ivan, said my name gently as if I might break, and he may be right, I might do just that.
“I can’t do it, Ivan, I can’t face that man again.” As the words left my mouth, I was gently set down in the passenger seat of Ivan’s car. His car’s soft upholstery felt like a soft embrace.
He cupped my face gently between his two hands. Those beautiful blue eyes looked at me with such concern, new tears filled my eyes and spilled over.
“I’m so fucking sorry, sweetheart,” he said gently.
“You left me alone again Ivan, you left me to face this alone. I needed you, and you weren’t there,” I told him and the hurt and anger sounded in my voice.
It wasn’t fair of me to lay Jacob O’Sullivan, and all he did at Ivan’s feet. Taking a deep breath, I fought the need to run. The walls felt like they were closing in on me and trying to crush me under a dark weight.
Taking another deep breath, I fought the panic that was rising deep within me. Darkness edged my vision as I started to hyperventilate.
“Shit, babe look at me,” Ivan, demanded.
Swinging my eyes to his, I looked deep within them. I could see the regret and anger, but past that, I could see the love he had for me.
“I love you, Layla. I’ve always loved you darlin’,” he whispered to me before his lips pressed gently against my forehead.
The back door swung open causing a cool breeze to caress my neck. I turned and saw Kell as he was loading Texas into the back of the Cadillac.
Ivan gently placed my legs into the car and closed the door before running around the front of the car and climbing into the driver’s seat.
I didn’t tell him that I loved him back. I wanted to grab his face and kiss his lips. I wanted to whisper the words against our joined lips before I deepened it, but I couldn’t. Ivan crushed me twice. That famous saying came to mind.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, but fool me three times, and I’m a fucking dumbass. My heart screamed for him, but my mind screamed no dumbass just no!
Trying to focus on anything but Ivan, the words just poured from me.
“She loved you. She wanted me to tell you that,” I told him quietly.
“She’s not dead,” he says darkly.
“I know I just...” I started.
“What? You thought it would make it better?” he demanded in anger.
“Yes,” I say honestly.
My voice sounded hollow.
“Thank you,” Kell, says quietly.
I smiled a fake smile before turning around and watching the road as the car speed down it. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the man behind the wheel. Not now and maybe not ever.
Chapter 30
Ivan
Anger was riding me hard. I watched as Layla slept in my bed with her freshly showered hair fanned all over my pillow. Fuck, she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I told her I loved her, and she said nothing. I deserved it. Strapping the retractable blades on both of my wrists, I pulled my suit jacket on.
It was time to go on a hunt. Tonight, more people were going to die, and I was going to enjoy ridding the world of one-man, Jacob O’Sullivan.
Looking at Layla one more time I committed it to my memory. She looked peaceful sleeping in the one place I’ve always dreamed of her being.
Her dark lashes cast shadows over her cheeks, and her sweet plump lips were parted slightly as she took deep, even breaths.
Her little fists were pressed under her right cheek. Her tiny frame was curled in on its self. My black t-shirt fell just above her knees when she was standing, but now it covered her knees and half of her lower legs. She kept her legs tucked close to her chest. The blanket had been kicked aside leaving her small feet exposed to the cool air in the room.
I smiled, and I ran my finger over one strand of her silky hair. Slowly bending down, I inhaled her natural apple scent. After straightening back up, I walked to the door and then out.
The car was waiting and running out front. Jacob Valisk, my cousin, sat in the passenger seat also dressed in a black suit.
“Ready?” I asked him.
“Fuck, man. I’m not a little bitch, of course, I’m ready.” He said sounding put off.
Laughing, I closed the car door. Tonight, the O’Sullivans, will be considered an endangered species. They will be fucking lucky that I don’t wipe every motherfucker with that last name off the face of the earth.
Chapter 31
Layla
He was gone again, my heart screamed. That was before I even opened my eyes. After a long hot shower, I climbed into his bed knowing he was sitting in the chair across the room watching me.
The feel of security and safety that he provided suddenly vanished. A coldness settled over me, and my lungs stilled in my chest. It hurt to know he couldn’t be far enough away.
Curling further in on myself I cried hard. Big fat hot tears streaked down my cheeks, and my heart clenched and stalled in-between each beat.
I hated that I was so vulnerable and that I let him continue hurting me. I wanted to go home, and yet I didn’t want to leave. I wanted, no I needed, answers and Ivan was going to give them to me whet
her he wanted to or not.
The time for running was over. I was going to get what I wanted five years later, the truth.
Chapter 32
Ivan
Climbing the stone wall, I swung my legs over the edge and dropped on the soft grass below. Jacob, was quick to follow behind me.
Raising my hand, I pointed at him and then to the back of the house. Then I pointed to myself and to the front of the house.
He nodded and swiftly disappeared into the night. I noticed the lights outside were motion censored. I watched as the light on the side of the house lit up, and then a cat ran across the yard.
Armed men came running from the shadows ready to take out the intruder. Smiling I headed towards the front of the house.
Conveniently, the cat drew all of the guard’s attention. Slipping through the now empty doorway, I walked into the house. It reminded me of the over-embellished Valisk house.
Black and white marble tile floors, marble columns held the busts of who the fuck knows, and flowers adorned tables. I felt like I walked onto a movie set.
I pushed the first door on my right open and peeked inside to find a library of sorts. Comfortable looking chairs and a small coffee table were the only items in the room.
Pulling back, I walked further down the stone hallway. The house was warm and the further I went, the warmer it became.
The next door was on my left, and I pressed it open to find a couch, tv, table and mini fridge and about five of O’Sullivan’s, men.
Pointing my silencer adorned gun at the first. I smiled as I placed a bullet between his eyes and watched him crumble uselessly to the floor. I moved on to the next and put a bullet in his knee and then his forehead.
It took no time to end the lives of all five men. Not one had the chance to retrieve their own guns. No one heard a thing, thank fuck for silencers.
Closing the door behind me, I walked further into the hallway. The door to my right opened easily and revealed a nasty Jacob O’Sullivan. Just the man I was looking for.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded.
“Looking for you,” I told him honestly.
Ivan Page 5