by Ellie Jean
“What if they have?” Acid rises up my throat, thinking the worst.
“I promise we will get her back, son. I have no doubt, she will be returned to us in one piece.” Power and authority radiate from him.
“That’s not something you can promise.”
“It is.” Determination and dominance pierces me. “I will give them me in return for her if it comes to it. She won’t be hurt.” Standing tall, he continues. “My head is worth a lot more to them.”
Everyone looks at him. A phone beeps. “They’ve found her shoes,” Dex speaks up. “Outside the first exit door from the arena. Both were there.”
She was running. Caro knew the danger and didn’t tell me a single fucking thing.
“I’m leaving to see what more I can find out from my connections.” Dexter Truitt looks like the authoritative businessman.
I stand. “Thanks, man.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Dex lifts his chin and exits.
Sal, Nizo, and Tomme are huddled together working on a plan.
Where should I start?
“My cell.” I scrounge around my equipment. “Where is it?” Andre finds it first, handing it to me. I hit her number and listen to it ring.
Trying again, it rings and rings until it disconnects. “Damn.” I look at the messages to see if there’s anything. But there’s nothing but a voice recording. Dialing, it rings then clicks in.
“Hey there, handsome.” Caroline’s sweet voice hits my ears, the hairs on my arms spike. “Thank you for the very thoughtful gift. I can’t wait for you to unwrap me. I’ll be the one sparkling on the side, yelling and cheering your name. You won’t need luck, your sheer determination will see you win. See you on the other side, Champ.” The soft sound of her blowing me a kiss rips me apart. Her voice upbeat, smiley and cheeky even though she was risking her own life in a few hours. Blossom saw a future for us.
She sacrificed herself for my title.
Fuck.
I will find you, Blossom.
“I’m coming with you.” Watching the team pack all the items up, Andre holds the belt close to him. Tomme is about to leave.
“Take your mother back to the house.”
Fiorella takes my arm. “Mom, you can go with Nizo or Sal, I’m going with Tomme.” My voice is as stern.
“You’re not ready.” Mom’s voice is gentle.
“I’m ready enough to take out anyone who dares lay a hand on my woman. Father, let’s get going. We are wasting time.”
Nodding his head, neither of us have time to acknowledge I called him father. My heart already lodged in my throat, air is restricted and even though my hands are aching and my ribs are throbbing, I’m itching to pummel anyone who gets in my way between me and finding Caroline.
Fiorella feathers a kiss on my cheek and proceeds to do the same to Tomme.
Side by side, Tomme in his suit, me in my jeans and black shirt, we march down the corridor and see firsthand it’s empty.
Fuck. Rubbing the back of my neck, a heaviness settles in my stomach.
Why didn’t she tell me?
I would have dealt with them fast. Searing with heat, even during fights I’ve never had this sensation where my body is bursting to crush someone. With each breath I take, I want to cause physical pain sending them screaming in agony, punishing them, torturing them so they feel a minuscule part of what I feel. I want them to bleed and suffer.
No one threatens what’s mine. That’s their first mistake.
“I know where to find them.” Tomme halts but keeps walking and the powerful waves rolling off us is palpable.
“How?”
“It’s my business to know. When you’ve been in this world for as long as me, you ensure you know everything about everyone and anyone who is associated with them. Knowledge is power, Chuck.”
Tomme’s guard stands by the car and we both get in the back.
“We can’t just stroll in.”
“Watch me.” Tomme types a message on his cell. “One thing you’ll learn fast is the Basilio name runs everything around this part of town. Some may not like it, some quietly revolt and others plan to take us down, but at the end of the day, we rule. And we will continue to do so for a long time yet.” His fingers glide over the screen and he keeps talking. “With many loyal families, we will become more feared but also more respected when you take the helm.”
His words stab me and the expectations of running this family is squarely on my shoulders. Many lives will be affected by my words and actions. “I am keen to learn from the best.”
Looking from his cell, he nods and there’s a bright shine in his eyes.
“We have our men getting in place and our eyes on their establishments. If she is seen, we will know.”
My eyes look out the window as the car finally starts to move.
“Let’s go get Caroline and the Ferraro bastards. They’ve been trying for years to take us out and desperation has possibly hit when they heard about you. We will make sure they pay.”
Twenty-six minutes of silence, except for the dinging of messages every other minute, and we pull up outside a fruit shop. The only light being from the moon and two streetlights.
“Ferraro’s base up ahead on the right.” Pointing outside, he aims at a gelato shop.
“What’s the plan.” My hands tighten and I’m ready to do what I can to get my girl back.
“We will be walking in and getting her if they indeed have her.” His cell lights up again and he responds.
“Won’t they shoot us?”
“One thing you need to know. Your men will be with you whenever you leave our place. You may not see them, or recognize the majority of them, but they are loyal, fierce, and will do anything for us. We have trustworthy soldiers infiltrated throughout many families ready for war. Tonight will be no different.”
The driver swings a duffel bag over the seat and Tomme opens it.
“Here.” Handing me a 9mm pistol, I take it. The weight of it registers in my chest. A film of sweat forms on my face and my legs bounce. “Use it if you have to. We can clean up afterward if necessary.”
“Right.” This is new. A gun in my hand and the intent on killing someone with it. Placing it behind my shirt in the waistband of my jeans, I breathe some air in my lungs. My body is ready to pounce.
“I am your Capo here, son.” There’s no threat in his voice, only control and power. A menacing, vicious look overtakes his features, in front of me is the commanding, ruthless mob boss who rules New York City. Tapping his cell, I hear it ring.
“Any word?” He shakes his head and I understand there still is no news on Caroline. “We are going in.”
Opening the doors, we both stand, the wind whips across my face. The cool air rushing past my heated skin does nothing for the inferno out of control in my body.
My eyes focus on the door at the front of the shop. There’s nothing fancy or out of place. It appears to be an actual gelato shop. Scanning the surroundings, there’re slight rustles and movement around us, but Tomme strides formidably toward the door.
How many times has he done this?
My body temperature must be as hot as a supernova, perspiration flowing down my back and legs, my arms and torso are ready to combust and unleash fury. Tomme looks calm and commanding.
Untouchable.
He knocks on the door and waits. Spotting four cameras, I’m ready for anything.
Slowly the door is pulled back by an Italian-looking man with slicked back hair and a suit on. A gun is holstered across his chest.
“Tomme Basilio. Didn’t know you made house calls in person.”
“I need to see Paolo.”
“He’s unavailable.” The idiot grins.
Within a flash, Tomme has shot him with a silencer and the guy drops to the floor. Stepping over him, my blood’s thrashing and I follow behind, looking for any others. A light brightens the end of the hallway and we round the corner.
“Tomme Basili
o. I’m honored to have you in our place.” Six men surround their leader who is looking at an older man, with blood dripping from his chin and head, tied up in a chair opposite him.
“Where’s the girl?” Rigid and solid, my father holds Paolo with his look of death.
“Which girl is that?” Leaning back on his cheap chair, he acts dumb.
“Caroline. The girl who is under our protection.”
“As you can see, we only have a man here tonight. Sounds like you need to work on your intel, Basilio. You may have to try one of your establishments if you’re needy for some pussy.”
The restrained man groans from beneath the rope in his mouth. Two steps around and I pull the rope out. All the men take a hold of their weapons.
Coughing and trying to get some air, he speaks. “She’s my daughter.”
Itching to put a bullet in his body, my dad pins me with his stare.
“So you did put out a request for my son to throw the fight tonight and if he didn’t, his girlfriend would suffer the consequences?”
Paolo ignores Tomme, and Caroline’s dad tries to sink farther into the seat, retreating from the demonic look on my father’s face.
“As you can see, we don’t have her and your son won, so I’d say there’re no problems.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Tomme walks around the table, his sight firmly fixed on Paolo. “You threatened one of us.”
A body falls, banging to the ground. Paolo sits there as do the other five men, unfazed by the dead guy but clutching their hidden weapons.
“No one threatens the Basilios and expects to live. You know this.”
“We didn’t know the association with you. We didn’t know you had a son.” There’s a glint of uncertainty in Ferraro’s eyes.
“Interesting, that’s not what we hear.”
Like an eagle, my eyes roam the men for any slight movements.
“But, as a gesture, I’ll give you one more chance, where’s Caroline?”
Paolo’s body twitches and his eyes look down quickly then back up. Tomme is behind another guy who drops to the ground.
“We took her father instead.” Paolo stands and my entire body buzzes with energy, ready for anything.
“You have no knowledge where she is?”
“Men are looking for her, but we chose the easier option.” Nodding at William, the billion dollar self-made man, I see a traitor, a speck of dirt not worthy to walk on the sole of a shoe.
Tomme walks toward me and lifts his chin. He keeps moving out of the room and I follow. My hands on my pistol, swinging my head side to side in case anyone comes from behind. Tomme as though he is bulletproof strides straight ahead without a second glance.
“I want to kill them all, especially her father.” Yelling, unadulterated rage possesses me.
“Do you think Caroline can forgive you for that?” Walking to the car, Tomme presses his phone to his ear while I contemplate his question.
She didn’t want me to give up my dream. Blossom didn’t want me to make a choice. She was thinking about us while contemplating how her father sold her out, understanding she’d be killed if she didn’t come through with the request. I think she could forgive me.
“Take them out. Spare the older man.”
Opening the door, I sit down.
“She may forgive you, Chuck, but both you and her will have to live with the fact you killed her only father. The man who raised her, told her stories, bought her presents and kissed her goodnight. I don’t want you two to have to deal with that. She will punish him in her own way.”
Nodding, I listen and agree. I will sacrifice our revenge so our relationship can continue forward without regrets. If she wishes to have him killed, we can arrange it at a later date.
The car slowly pulls out, and I watch men enter the shop. My eyes close. Where the fuck is she?
There’s vibration in my pocket.
My throat clogs, my heart squeezes.
“Caroline?”
Caroline
My lashes stick together, but I must open my eyes. Blinking repeatedly, I focus on the strong beam of light above me. Dazzling diamonds twinkle against the black canvas. Millions sweep across the sky, decorated already with the brilliance of the full moon. It’s breathtaking and I’m soothed by their tranquility.
“Ohhh. Ouch.” Moving my legs, I groan.
Tranquility gone.
Trying to stand, I look at my body and it’s like I’ve been showered with glass shards. There are rips and tears on my gold dress. Scraped knees throb, blood drips from the cut on my leg and my feet covered in dirt look like I’ve been homeless for weeks. The moon reveals why each muscle in my body is strung tight and hurting like I’ve dived in a pool without water. Everything hurts.
Casting my eyes around, there’s no one around and going by the height of the moon, it’s late. I passed out.
Fuck…
I should be miles away.
Chuck will know I’m missing by now and I haven’t had a chance to tell him why I ran. Moving out onto the street slowly, there are a few couples around, no strange looking men or men who appear to be in suits linked to any mafia group. Who the hell am I kidding? They could still be anywhere, but I have to take a chance. Peering out from behind a tree, my car’s still in the same spot I parked it and this time there’s no one near it. Limping, I make my way to the car while I dig into my bra and retrieve the key. The one thing on me. Brushing my fingers against the soft lace, I smile and a shiver ripples through me.
Soon.
“Christ, my car?” Running the last few feet, the strength I awoke with fast depleting.
The windshield is intact, but the rest of the windows are cracked or smashed completely. The hood of the car has a large dent in the middle of it.
A message was delivered.
At least they took their anger out on the car and not me. Well, not yet anyway.
Beeping the lock, I swing the door open and pieces of shattered glass fall out. One slices my foot on its way down. Pain radiates up my ankle.
“Goddamn it, give me a break.” A warmth spreads over my foot and I shake my head in disbelief. Can anything else happen? Actually, don’t answer because yes, yes it could. I’m totally crazy talking to myself.
Hopping around to the back of the car, I pop the trunk and sift around my bag. One positive, they didn’t take my bag or phone. My fingers latch on to the plastic and I pull it out.
Stumbling back, I land on the gutter and crack my tailbone. Doubling over in agony, I hold my scream in, looking at the blood trickling from my foot. Drawing in air, I let out the breath slowly. Focus, Caroline. You’re strong, you’re capable, you’re smart. I’ve got this.
My body can be fixed.
Rubbing my free hand through my hair pushing it back, I find Chuck’s number. Pins and needles creep up my toes and foot. I need to stop the blood. But first I have to call Chuck.
Pushing the number, it rings. Calm surrounds me in that instance.
“Caroline?” Desperation is clear.
Wetness springs in my eyes and my shoulders sag. My mouth’s dry and my lips stick to my teeth. “Chuck.” Moving my tongue, I try to moisten my lips so I can talk properly. My hand trembles next to my ear but I manage to whisper, “I need help.”
“Blossom, where are you?” His voice isn’t strong. “Tell me so I can get you.” My other hand wraps around my foot trying to limit the blood coming out of it and my eyes blur. My taut body is on the verge of breaking down.
“I’m near the arena.” I’m sniffling.
“Head back to the stadium,” Chuck shouts at someone.
I wince trying to get myself out of the gutter, but I give up, it hurts too much.
“I’m at my car. I parked it on a side street somewhere.” My pulse rapidly races and shallow breaths escape.
“Tomme, Caroline’s at her car, one of the men saw it earlier.” Urgency fills my ear. “We’re coming.”
“I nee
d you.” Gulping back ugly tears and hiccups, I continue, “You have to be fast, they’re after me.”
“Blossom, you’re safe. We will be there in a few more minutes. We’ve already dealt with the threat.” His voice soothes me and it breaks me. Like a pin on a balloon, I burst apart.
Tears flow, I sob and my body shakes. Wrapping my hand now around my body, my foot is numb and I try to hold what I can together. My fingers tingle, and my shoulders move up and down with the quaking overtaking my body.
“Shhhh. It’s all going to be all right.”
Trying hard to suppress the uncontrollable crying, whimpers escape. “Thank you.” It’s like a reverent prayer leaving my mouth. Exhaustion sets in now I know I don’t have to be on high alert. My eyes close, but my body still shudders with each restrained sob.
“Blossom…” There’s a deep sigh.
In the distance, tires squeal and a black SUV is headed my way. “You’re here?”
My neck turns and the phone drops from my hand. Focused on the car, it pulls to a halt and the man I want to lay eyes on for the foreseeable future leaps out and runs toward me. My brain tells me to get up, but I physically can’t. Between crying, my sore feet, legs and tailbone I am staying wrapped up in my ball.
“Caro.” Bending down in front of me, he lifts my chin so I’m looking square in his eyes. “Thank you.” Leaning forward, he kisses my lips gently. Tears continue to fall freely down my cheeks and my shoulders lift with each sob.
“Anything for you, Champ.”
Wiping his thumb across my cheek, he devours me with his eyes. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Tomme appears in the background with another man, and they search the car and take my phone and bag. Chuck hasn’t taken his eyes from me, reaching underneath my legs and straightening with me in his arms, he cradles me against his powerful chest. My head aligned with his pumping heart, his large hand holding me close. My tears stop rolling.
“You were amazing tonight.” Relaxed, I let my eyelids drop.