I hear heated slightly raised voices. In this instant, I’m grateful for how quiet I had to be when I lived with Rich. I tiptoe towards the sound; my curiosity and fear of my safety leading me directly towards their argument. The door is slightly cracked, but I stay back far enough that they can’t see me.
Carlo’s voice has an angry tone to it I have never heard before, “They were shooting at me last night. I could’ve been killed. You knew?”
“Of course, I knew. I know everything that goes on in my town. Just like I know that the girl you brought here is running from that Senator. The same Senator I played golf with in North Carolina last month. The same one who asked me to keep one eye open and looking for her. It’s been unfortunate that she’s been so close with the Devil’s Crusaders. If it wasn’t for that old man having a heart attack, I might not have even seen her. I couldn’t believe it when I spotted her at the hospital. Just my luck, ‘cause now you brought her to me and that same Senator will be here any minute to collect her and I’ll have someone very important making sure my pockets stay nice and fat. Carlo you’ve got promise. You could learn so much from me, if you would just stop thinking with your heart.”
I hear evil in his voice and I know I need to get out of here. Rich is coming. I back away as fast as I can. I had noticed doors towards the back of the house when I was in the dining room earlier. I make my way back through the ballroom and feel around on the wall until I find the area that would seem to be a door, but it doesn't budge. I run back to the sitting room and I try a window. It’s locked. I’m starting to panic, but I need to get out of here and away before he finds me. Windows cover nearly the entire back wall. I try another one, locked as well. I notice a cigar put out in an ashtray by a large leather recliner in the corner of the room. I check the window behind the curtain, and sure enough, this one is unlocked. I slide the window open, praying that it’s quiet and step out. I turn to close it behind me and I hear a loud bang that I’m sure is a gunshot. It makes me jump and then a second one. I squeeze my eyes shut knowing I just lost a friend and close the window. Then I run.
I run straight back towards the woods. I run fast and hard. The snow is deep and I don’t have my coat but I’m fueled by adrenaline and my will to survive. I thought the woods behind the house were deeper. I find myself by a brick wall and notice a camera perched high on the edge aimed towards the wall but it seems like it’s purpose is more about keeping people out rather than keeping people in. It’s still near eight feet tall and I’m not sure I can scale it. I hurry along the perimeter until I come across a tree that is close enough for me to use it. The trees are barren of leaves, and I know that if someone is looking for me that my time is limited. I move up the tree, using the grooves between branches to get higher and higher. I’m above the wall and make a quick decision to jump down on top of it. I find what I think is the safest angle and jump. It’s icy and slick. My face hits the side of the wall and I stumble and roll. I’m on the other side of the wall and I fall into a massive pile of cold snow. My face feels bruised, but I know I have to move. I pause and listen to see if I hear anything else. I think I hear another gunshot, but I’m farther now and it’s not as loud.
I make it to the street, I’m on a side street, but still dangerously close to the house. I look around me and run across the street and cut through a back yard. I climb a chain link fence in the back yard and move through another yard. Again and again, I continue running through yards and passing houses, heading further away. The houses are getting smaller and are beginning to look more like the part of Little Italy that I know. I hear tires squeal and screech and I dart between two large green garbage cans on the side of a home. Several black Navigators are racing towards Carmine’s house. I don't think they see me. Once they are clear I look around at my surroundings and realize I’m just a few blocks from Angie and my SUV. The traffic is starting to pick up. I don’t think I can cut through another yard without ending up further away from her house. I move from between the garbage cans and out onto the street. I continue to run and minutes later I’m at Angie’s.
The door is locked and my keys are inside. I go to the back of the house and I look for something to break the window on the back door. There isn’t anything I can find that will do the trick. I’m grateful that at least I have on long sleeves. I use my elbow and smash through the glass. I let out a small whimper as a shard of glass cuts into my arm, but the glass is broken enough. I knock a few pieces out and move my hand through the hole and turn the lock. Once inside, I race upstairs.
I notice myself in the mirror, my face has a scrape and is swollen and blood is trickling down my arm. I don't have time to take care of my wounds. I throw a sweatshirt on top of my shirt since my only jacket was left at Carmine’s then I shimmy into a pair of dry yoga pants since mine were soaked through. I grab my keys and make my way out to the car. I look around making sure I’m still safe. It feels quiet enough so I get into the SUV, start the car and head towards the hospital. I pray that Daws is okay.
Chapter 18
Daws
I open my eyes. It’s bright and painful, so I squeeze them shut again. There is a noise around me, a beeping. What’s that sound? My head hurts. My arm hurts. Where am I? I slowly open my eyes again letting them adjust to the light. Memories assault me. Fuck, I was shot. The Red Niners drugged me. I woke up hogged tied and beaten. Cheap bastards didn’t have the balls to take me awake. Just means they’ll all suffer when I get better. Anton, that fucker, is gonna die. I called him a pussy and he shot me in the shoulder. Right after that I heard gunshots and shouting. I remember hearing Mickey’s voice and knowing my brothers found me.
“Aubrey?” I call out, my voice is raspy and a little sore. I blink my eyes I can’t be seeing things right. Maura is at my bedside. She’s Mickeys daughter and was my best friend. I thought something was between us once, until she fell in love and showed us both that what I felt was nothing but infatuation.
“Maura, what are you doing here? Where’s Aubrey?”
“Oh thank god, you’re awake. You scared the shit out of me Dawson.” I haven’t seen Maura in months and so she is the last person I expect to see.
“I’m alright, baby girl.” I’m so used to saying this that it just comes out. Immediately, I feel like it’s wrong and not an endearment I should be using with her anymore.
“What are you doing here?”
“Jenny and Aubrey called me to find out what happened. No one was calling them back, so they called me. I talked to Dad and he said that you boys were on the way here. So, we high tailed it in the car. Luckily, we were visiting Corbin’s dad and Rosalina at the bed and breakfast, so it wasn’t that far”
“Where’s Aubrey?”
“I don't know. Jenny is in with Jules. I haven’t see Aubrey.”
“Ah, shit. How’s Jules?” I ask feeling like a dick ‘cause I haven’t asked about him.
“No worse off than you. He has a concussion, broken nose, a couple broken ribs. He’ll live.”
“So, Jenny’s in there with him?” I ask.
“Yeah. I don't know what’s between those two. She always says it’s nothing, but I’ve seen some looks and it’s something.”
“How bad am I?”
“You want the run down from me Dawson, or you want me to get the Doc? I should go let the boys know you’re up.”
“Give it to me.”
“Five stitches to the head, bullet hit a bone in your shoulder. They had to operate to dig it out.”
“Fuck,” I hiss.
“Fuck is right. Look, I know we haven’t really talked since I’ve been living with Corbin, but you’re still my best friend. When I thought something happened to you, I flipped. You should’ve seen how fast I got here. Even though I’m with Corbin, I hope you know how much I love you, Dawson.”
She squeezes my hand, and I see all the love and friendship she has for me shining in her eyes. “Baby girl.” Now, I don’t feel guilty saying it. She and I should’v
e had this conversation a while back. “I get it. I didn’t get it then, ‘cause I never had what you got. But now that I do, I get it.”
“Wow Dawson. I never thought I’d see the day, but you really love this girl, don't you?”
“I do. Don’t worry Maura, you still got a place,” I say and move my hand to my chest to signal towards my heart then wince at the pain. Maura laughs at me. It feels good to hear her laugh again.
“I love you, baby girl,” I say meaning it in a completely platonic way.
“You love her?” Aubrey appears in the doorway. She looks horrible. Something has happened, and now she heard me tell Maura I love her.
“It’s not what you think. C’mere. What happened to you?”
She looks between Maura and me. Maura is still holding my hand and drops it when she sees Aubrey’s eyes drift there. Aubrey looks torn on what to do. She’s cut and bruised. I don't have time to deal with this crap, I need to get to her. I start to stand up. Wires from the monitors pull across my chest. It hurts, but I’m not going to have my girl just stand there. I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I’m light headed and woozy, and start to fall. Aubrey rushes to one side of me and tries to catch me from falling. I see blood trickling down her hand. Maura rushes to my other side, and they help me back to my bed.
“Not smart Dawson,” she scolds and continues, “This dummy was just telling me that he finally understands what I have with Corbin because he has it with you,” she smiles and diffuses the situation.
“Maura, is everything okay?” Maura’s boyfriend, Corbin, appears in the doorway. I never cared for the dude, but I’m glad he makes her happy.
“Yeah. He’s up. Dawson, I’ll go let the guys know you’re awake.” she says and walks out of the room.
“Alright Aub, what the heck happened to you?”
“Me? What happened to you?”
“I’m alright. Sorry, I scared you. Just a little misunderstanding, that’s all.” I try to downplay my injuries, not wanting to upset her more than she already is.
“It wasn’t a misunderstanding. It’s my fault,” she looks down, her hands start to flex on the white sheet that’s draped over me.
“It’s not your fault. How could it be your fault?” I ask and a whimper leaves her lips.
“Daws, he... I don't know...he…found...” She is a blubbering mess and not forming any coherent sentences.
“Who found you?” I sit up straighter on my bed ready to throw on my boots and find whomever has Aubrey upset.
“Rich,” she finally stutters out and then continues, “I know I should take Ari and run but I had to see you.”
My blood runs cold. “What do you mean he found you? Why are you bleeding? What the hell happened?”
“Ari and I got breakfast at the diner in Little Italy this morning and one of the waitresses told me that a man was showing my picture around asking if anyone knew me. I went to the clubhouse to find you and they wouldn’t let me back, something about lock-down. I had no idea you were hurt. I went to Angie’s to grab some things.”
I can’t take it. I cut her off, “You were leaving?” I’m hurt that she would even consider it.
She doesn’t answer, only takes a deep breath and continues, “I didn’t want to leave you, and Ari was having a hard time saying goodbye to Gino. Gino called Carlo and told him something was up. Carlo thought I was all upset because you were... kidnapped or hurt. I didn’t know what to do, so I told Angie and Carlo everything. It felt like such a weight was lifted. Then, Jenny showed up. I told her too. Carlo thought it was best we went to see his boss. We decided Angie would take Gino and Ari somewhere safe.”
“Carlo took you to Carmine’s?” I’m all kinds of angry and fuming, but I need to stay calm and find out what happened to her. “Sorry, what happened next.”
“Carmine is strange. I didn’t feel comfortable from the second we got there. We sat down and ate. Then, Carlo and Carmine went to talk. I had to use the restroom and went in search of one, and that’s when I overheard Carmine and Carlo in a heated argument. Carmine plays golf with Rich. Can you believe that? Said he saw me with you at the hospital. Carmine set that up with you, last night. Rich was on his way there.”
“So, what did you do?”
“I got out of there as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to go out the front door because of the guards, so I found an open window, snuck out of it and ran, but not before I heard the gunshots. Oh my God. I have to tell Jenny that Carlo’s dead and that’s my fault too,” she sobs the last part out.
“Aub, look at me. This is not your fault. None of it. Still, how did you get hurt?”
“I ran through these woods and had to climb a tree to get over this wall, but it was slick and I fell. Then, I ran and hid ‘till I made it to Angie’s. I didn’t have a way to get in, so I used my elbow to break the glass. I’m fine, but you’re not, and Carlo’s not. I have to get out of here. He’s coming.” She starts to sob again and I pull her into my chest with my good arm.
“Okay, let’s go over a few things,” I say calmly but at the same time being direct.
“Where you go I go. You’re never leaving me. I’m right here with you and you’re not alone. I’m okay and it’s not your fault. None of it is.” I grab her chin and make her look me in the eyes. “I love you and we’re in this together. Got it?” She nods her head yes.
“So, you didn’t actually see Carlo get shot, right?”
“No, I didn’t, but I heard the gun.”
“We’re not going to assume he got shot until we know for sure, and right now you’re speculating. Alright?”
“Alright.”
“We’re not going to tell Jenny that he’s dead, because we don't really know that, do we?”
“No, I guess we don’t.”
“You said that Carmine told Rich about you in the hospital. Did he say why he’s just now coming for you?”
“He said something about me always being with you guys and that he needed to get to me alone. That’s why they picked you up last night. Pretty sure if Carlo hadn’t brought me over there, then they would’ve gotten to me somehow anyways.”
“I need the club to protect you.”
“Okay,” she says not understanding where I am about to go with this.
“The only way that is going to happen is if you’re my old lady. For us, it means you’re mine and that no one else can ever be that. Just you. You’re going to wear my club’s vest telling everyone that you're mine. And make no mistake, I plan to make you my wife one day too, but you being my old lady is more than that. I come with the protection of my brothers and the support of every one of those men. It will make you family to them. Are you ready for that, now? I know you’re worried about Ari, but this is the best way to keep her safe.”
Aubrey places a finger over my lips silencing me. “You don’t need to convince me. I’m already yours Daws. I think I’ve been yours way longer than I’ve wanted to admit.”
I pull her even closer to me, wincing with the pain. God, I don’t know what I did to deserve this woman, but I swear I won’t let anyone hurt her ever again.
I lift her chin to meet my lips. Her lips are soft, supple, opening to me as soon as my tongue darts out. I kiss her sweetly, pulling her bottom lip into my mouth with my teeth. I can tell from the eager way she is reacting that she wants more, but now is not the time. I pull away from the kiss, much to my dicks dismay.
“Aubrey, I need you to trust me and trust us with everything that is about to happen.”
“With my whole heart Daws,”she says and again I’m not sure how I ever got so lucky to have her.
“Go tell my brothers in the hall that I need them to come in here.” She gets up and walks outside. I smile. I know I shouldn’t be happy with that fucker after my girl-my old lady, but she is my OLD LADY! If I wasn’t all jacked up, I would’ve taken her right then.
My brothers file into the room. I’m shocked at how many are here. I’m messed u
p, but not that bad. My dad stands next to me and then, Mickey, Jarrod, Skaggs, Pete, and a few others are packed in here.
“What’s this about, son?” my dad asks.
Aubrey is standing in the doorway and I motion for her. “C’mere sweet girl,” I say to her and then turn my attention on the guys. “Skaggs, sorry, fully patched brothers only. Need you to close the door and don’t let anyone near it.”
“Got it, Daws,” he says looking a little hurt. I make a mental note that we need to make him a full brother soon.
“Listen up. Aubrey is my old lady. I’m putting a vest on her as soon as I’m out of here. I plan on putting a ring on her finger too. I claim her. She’s mine.” I look over at my dad and he is smiling like he already knew this is what was going to happen.
“There’s a lot of shit hitting the fan and I trust you all to protect Aubrey. Ari too.”
“Ye have my word brother,” Mickey says first walking over to Aubrey and kissing her on her cheek. He whispers in her ear, but I can’t pick up what he says. My dad kisses her next, then every brother walks over kissing her on her cheek. She squeezes my hand. I can tell she is touched.
“Aub, you don't have to tell them every bad detail but they can handle everything you tell them. Are you up for that?” She’s frightened. Her squeeze on my hand tightens. She takes a deep breath and looks only at me.
“I can handle it. It actually felt like some of the weight lifted off of me when I told Carlo and Angie.”
And so my brave girl tells her story. She tells them about being raped and tortured, but leaves out some of the more gruesome details. Then, she tells them about Ari and running from the Senator. Finally, she tells them about everything that just happened at Carmine’s.
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