by Linzvon C
“Leo? Are you ok?”
“No. I’m not. Gretchen has been taken.”
“Where are you?” he demanded, his voice hoarse.
“I’m sat outside The Salvatore house,” I shook my head as I heard him groan.
“Why? What the fuck have they got to do with it? You need to leave, right now. I will get someone to watch the house. Meet me at Rays in fifteen. Go, Leo.”
The phone slid from my hand as I gazed up at the house, my eyes searching every window. Had I done this to her? Had my life choices brought her here? Of course they fucking had. I reversed slightly, casting another look at the house before I left, praying for a clue of any kind.
It was not answered.
God can fuck himself.
Chapter 9- Gioco
Gretchen
My eyes flickered open and I gazed at the ornate ceiling above me, suddenly aware I was laying on a soft bed. I lifted my head up slightly, the feeling of nausea rippling through my body. I laid back down, wondering what had happened. Where was I? Did I go out? I was sure I didn’t go out, if so, where was my phone? I rolled my head to the side, glancing at the bedside table, only seeing a lamp on the unfamiliar glossy surface.
I groaned as I tried to sit up again, before hearing a voice from the corner of the dark room, soft and low as it said,
“Hello, Gretchen. Did you sleep well?”
I didn’t know who was speaking to me, and I panicked, sitting up straight, my head swimming as though liquid was sloshing around in my skull, my brain a mere ice cube.
“Where am I?” I whispered as I tried to focus.
“I wondered which question would come first. I had thought you would ask who I was, so let me answer both for you.”
A woman stepped out from the darkness, her beauty captivating me. She wore no makeup, but didn’t need to- her amber green eyes contrasted with her honey tan skin, her dark tresses pulled into a loose ponytail which swished as she moved. She wore jeans and a high neck shirt, showing off her flawless figure perfectly. She gazed at me then, her eyes searching my face as she smiled sadly.
“I see why he is so smitten.”
Cal.
Suddenly I stood up, causing her eyes to widen.
“Please, sit. You have had quite an eventful evening and I would hate for you to fall and hurt yourself.”
“An eventful evening? Please can you explain where I am, and what I am doing here?” I breathed, confusion dominating my brain, making it hard for me to think.
“Oh, of course,” she waved her hand in the air as she tapped the side of her head playfully.
“Ma certo, sono così smemorata.”
I blinked, unsure what she had just said but recognising the accent as Italian.
“You are here because I wanted you to be. This is my home,” she smiled sweetly, yet I sensed danger lurked behind her words. Why was I in a strange womans house? Why couldn’t I recall getting here? My head ached as I sank back down on the bed.
“This is just a game really,” she explained in a low voice as she sat beside me on the bed, her fingers running through my hair as she gazed at me in adoration. My instincts told me to move away, but her touch held me still.
“What game? I don’t understand. I don’t even know you,” I was aware my voice was giving away the fear I was beginning to feel, my stomach churning as I she nodded sympathetically.
“No, that is true, bella. You don’t know me. But your boyfriend does.”
My eyes met hers then and I felt bile rise in my throat. How did she know my Cal? Was he here?
“My name is Lucia. I am not sure if he has ever mentioned me to you-”
I felt my mouth drop open as I realised sitting before me was the reason Cal was so damaged. The attack on Lucia all those years ago had left him scarred mentally, put him in witness protection and to cause him to eventually kill a man before my very eyes. She was beyond stunning, and my heart ached as I remembered what had happened to her. She nodded slowly, removing her fingers from my hair, and I was thankful she didn’t rip it out of my head.
“So, he did tell you,” she mused quietly. “You must be very special indeed. Because he didn’t tell anyone else about it. He just ran,” she spoke coolly, anger in her voice. “Do you know he was my boyfriend first?” she turned to me then, and a feeling of outrageous jealousy filled my chest. “I mean, we were young, but he was my first everything, if you know what I mean. We were besotted with each other. See, one of the things that is so attractive about Leo is how fiercely he loves. You know what I mean, I can see it in your eyes.”
I stared at the floor, wishing if she was going to just kill me she would get it over with, rather than listen to her stories as Cal’s girlfriend.
“I am the daughter of a Don, Gretchen. I know how it feels to be protected. All my life I have been told where to go, where not to go, who to speak to, you get the picture. So, Leo was my world, I fell in love with him so quickly I couldn’t be without him. I knew he was a bad boy, but who doesn’t find that attractive? I was used to that lifestyle anyway, I figured it would get him a higher favour with my father if he became a successful criminal,” she shrugged then as her eyes glassed over, the memories of her attack now surfacing. I tried to remember my training, how to talk to someone with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as I remained quiet, listening patiently.
“I’m not going to give you the details, but apparently I should feel lucky to be alive. I don’t,” she snapped bitterly, turning to gaze at me. My heart beat so fast all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears.
“I wish I were dead.”
I gulped then, not sure what to say. She stood up abruptly as I heard footsteps coming down the hall, her name being called. Her eyes darted around the room as the door swung open, revealing a devilishly handsome man, his dark hair slicked back as he caught sight of me on the bed, a frown forming on his face.
“Lucia...” he muttered, his eyes meeting hers as she let out a giggle.
“I know, it’s naughty. But I had to, Michael.”
Michael. I hadn’t heard of his name before, and I felt my cheeks flush as he moved forward, inspecting me closely. His cologne was strong and delicious, as I moved further back on the bed, not wanting to be in close proximity to this man.
“Sssh, it’s ok. My sister and I are just going to leave the room to talk for a moment, ok?”
His voice was soft and quiet as he gazed at me, his dark eyes piercing into mine. I felt myself nodding as they left, hearing the rapid exchange of words outside of the door. I stood quickly, searching the room quickly for a weapon of any kind. I knew I was in a mafia house and didn’t know when I would need to fight for my life. There was nothing, absolutely nothing to use. I ripped open the heavy drapes that blocked the sunlight, gasping when I saw my view. The window could open outwards to a balcony, complete with a small iron table and chairs, overlooking the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. Was I still in New York? I couldn’t be, I hadn’t seen space like this in any real estate there. The door opened behind me and I heard someone walk in, the door clicking shut softly behind them.
“You will have to forgive my sister, Miss Red. She is not entirely well,” my skin prickled at his voice as I turned to see him leaning against the bed frame, his face etched in annoyance as he glanced around the room.
“Your boyfriend was here earlier, looking for you. Had I known you were here, I would have reunited you immediately. Alas, I did not. So here we are.”
I watched him, my arms crossed over my chest, aware I was wearing my stupid pyjamas and that I hadn’t even brushed my teeth that morning. The inconveniences of being kidnapped.
He seemed to register my discomfort as he stood, walking over to me slowly.
“I am so sorry. I understand if you wish to press charges,” he stared at the floor as he rubbed his neck with one hand and I felt myself shaking my head.
“I won’t. I just want to go home.”
His eyes met mine
as I felt his fingers capture my hand, raising it to his full lips, before kissing it softly.
“Then you are owed a debt, from me personally.”
Our eyes met and I felt fear as he dropped my hand slowly, his smile dangerous yet seductive.
“If you need anything, ever, you just call me. Do you understand? Just call me,” his words sunk in and I found myself nodding as he turned his gaze to the view behind me.
“Care for a walk around the gardens before you leave? It would be a shame to waste an opportunity to explore something so beautiful,” he didn’t blink as he gazed at me, a deep blush developing on my cheeks.
“I really would rather go home.”
“To Leo?” he stated coolly.
“Yes,” I murmured, terrified to meet his eyes.
“Then I shall get your things, and I will call him for you. I assume he will arrive very quickly, but please, take a shower and put on some fresh clothes. I will have a maid bring you something in. We have clothes in all sizes, do not look so alarmed. I can guess yours.” His eyes raked down my body slowly as he nodded.
“Please,” he indicated the bathroom and turned to leave the room, his cologne lingering behind.
You couldn’t make this shit up.
Chapter 10- Get The Fuck Out.
Cal
I gripped the phone tightly as his words washed over me.
“Lucia brought her here. Come and get her.”
I felt dizzy with relief as I stared into my brothers eyes.
“That was Michael. He said she is there.”
Drake nodded slowly.
“Well thank fuck for that. I’m coming with you.”
I didn’t have the strength to argue as he followed me to my truck, the two of us attracting attention as we walked. Considering we were brothers, I didn’t think it was overly obvious. I suppose we shared the same stocky build, but whereas I had the dark blonde hair, his was a deep chocolate brown, which showed no sign of fading as he got older. He wore it long, tying it up in a band if it was summer. Summers in New York were deadly anyway, the heat bouncing from building to building like a pinball lost in a machine, I don’t know how he coped with long hair and a beard, I wanted to shave mine off in the heat.
We got in my car and began the journey to the Salvatore house, my heart on my throat the whole way. Every obstacle that could have appeared, did. The traffic dragged at a snail’s pace as I growled with frustration, causing Drake to regard me carefully.
“You aren’t going to lose your shit, are you?”
I frowned as I glanced at him.
“That depends.”
“On?” he sighed, almost afraid of my answer.
“How she is. She better be exactly as she was the last time I saw her.”
He smirked at me then, “irrevocably in love with you?”
I didn’t answer as we pulled into the street my girl was being held captive. The one place in the world I wouldn’t have ever wanted her to go to, the place that held my most horrific memories. Maybe I should burn this fucking house down.
I cut the engine as we got out quickly, as I practically ran up the steps, the door unguarded this time. Drake caught up with me as the door swung open to reveal Michael Salvatore, his dark eyes taking in my brother and I.
“Come in.”
I intended to. My eyes searched the room, frowning when I didn’t see her.
“Where is she?” I hissed, unable to contain my anger. Michael narrowed his eyes as he folded his arms, his voice low and deadly.
“I think you mean, thank you. She’s a pretty little thing, I almost wanted to keep her here a little while longer.”
White hot fury ran through me as I walked towards him, my face close to his.
“She is mine. Don’t even think about her in that way.”
The eyes of the soon to be ruler of the underworld widened with delight at my words.
“I see. If she was mine, no one could take her from me. Yet, she spent the night here last night,” he leaned back on a chair, goading me to knock his teeth out of his handsome face.
“Because you fucking forced her, you bastard. “
Suddenly Drake was between us, his eyes on mine as he spoke.
“Leo. No. This isn’t what she needs right now. She needs to go home. Think of her. “
I turned away as I heard Michael laughing softly.
“I can assure you, Leonardo. I didn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. “
What the fuck was that supposed to mean? I moved towards him when I heard her voice, like an angel calling to me.
“Cal?”
I turned to see her racing down the stairs, her eyes filling with tears as I caught her in my arms, burying my face in her hair.
“Are you ok? I’m so fucking sorry,” I mumbled, aware my eyes were filling too. She meant so much to me and having her in my arms now made me realise how special she actually was.
“Leonardo.”
The voice cut through our reunion like a knife, as I tensed, turning to see Michael grinning at me.
“I suggest you take better care of this one. You are lucky to have such a woman.”
I noticed him staring beyond me, his eyes clearly meeting hers. I glanced around, noting her drop her eyes from his gaze, her cheeks turning a deep red. He had that effect on women, being who he was, but also being blessed with those Italian good looks heeled him along. Suave bastard.
“Drake take Gretchen to the car,” I ordered, as I watched Gretchen make her way into Drakes open arms. They had met before, and had formed a friendship that made me wild with jealousy until I realised they saw each other as siblings would. They left, and I turned to Michael.
“I appreciate you letting me know she was here. It does not mean I owe you a damn thing, though. I know you hate me; the feeling is mutual. I’m sorry about Lucia, but I’m not the one that hurt her. She cannot do this again, Michael. See to it that she doesn’t.”
The fury in his eyes made me almost step back, but it was then that I noticed a cigar being lit in the far corner of the room.
“You’ve got some balls kid. Speaking to him that way, others have died for much less. Purely because Lucia was in the wrong here is the reason you are going to walk out of here rather than be found in a variety of places in the city. Now get the fuck out.”
I nodded, my eyes staring at Michael before I left. Verno had spoken, and I deeply respected him. But Michael- he was a different kettle of fish.
I didn’t trust him at all.
Chapter 11- Do You Remember?
Gretchen.
I bit my lip nervously as Cal slammed the door shut behind me, his eyes on mine. I knew he would be beating himself up, and I wished there was something I could do. He frowned as he took in the deep red vest I wore over tight jeans, his jaw tensing.
“Where did you get the clothes?” he asked quietly.
“Michael said he had some clean ones as all I had were my pyjamas.”
His eyes narrowed as he nodded slowly, walking towards me.
“I don’t like you wearing anything from him.”
I reached down, pulling the top over my head and peeling the jeans from my legs, tossing them on the floor.
“Better?” I snapped, annoyed that was all he cared about right now. “I get it. You don’t like him. But he was perfectly decent to me, and all I want right now is for you to change the fucking locks.”
His eyes widened as he took in my words.
“Lucia did this. I’m so sorry.”
“Cal. She’s really messed up... she went through so much it’s insane,” my voice trailed off, aware he was shaking his head at me.
“I know what she went through Gretchen. But that doesn’t give her the right to abduct my fucking girlfriend,” he spoke through his teeth and I froze, aware this was probably the angriest I’d ever seen him, but what chilled me to the bone was how eerily calm he was.
“Cal, it could’ve been so much worse. I�
�m fine, no one hurt me. Ok?”
“No Gretchen. It’s anything but.”
I wanted him to hold me in his arms and kiss me, fuck me, anything but look at me like he was now, his green eyes filled with sadness.
“Cal-”
He held his hand up, silencing me.
“I can’t protect you against a woman. What good am I to you? She could’ve killed you. Yet the only reason she knew you even existed was because of me. She wanted to hurt you- because of me. I need to consider that.”