by S. C. Ellen
Carson
I can’t wait to get the fuck out of here. I hate dealing with bullshit businessmen with their fake pretenses and dull conversation. A fucking show they put on to keep up appearances.
I don’t care about how well the daughter of the senator of New York is doing now that she graduated Harvard. She didn’t give a fuck about a career when I had my dick inside of her mouth a few months ago.
“How about you, Carson? How are things going over in Michigan?” the senator asks, pulling me away from my thoughts.
I straighten in my chair, regarding the bald piece of shit that is sitting at the head of the oval table that holds other dirty members of Congress. “Well enough now that Councilman Galinski is high in the lead of the mayoral race.”
“Ahh, yes,” Senator Rick’s beady eyes widen. “We heard about Vincenzo’s influence on that one. We all know how convincing Mr. Pentalini can be, eh, boys?”
The men around the table laugh simultaneously, and I hold back my urge to put a bullet in each and every one of their heads.
They think we’re criminals? Shit, the government is just as corrupt, if not more, than all the mafia combined.
My jaw tics, and my fists clenches with impatience underneath the table. I’ve never been good with small talk, and I have more important shit to get to. “Enough with the shit, Rick. Do you have what we requested?”
He gives me a look of annoyance, but he knows better than to utter a word. He pulls out an envelope from his front suit pocket and slides it over to me. “Here is the warrant for the private use of land you’ve been asking for. Full rights, and just outside of the city. Far enough away from any prying eyes or government influence. I had to pull a lot of strings to get this one for you, so make sure you let Vincenzo know. Especially with re-election coming up.”
I pick up the paper and stick it inside my back pocket. I then pull out my own envelope and throw it across the table. It lands in front of him, and he stares at it before he opens it up, silently taking in the contents.
His lips curls up in a despicable smile, showing off his yellow and crooked teeth. “How did you get your hands on this?”
It’s a picture of his competitor in this year’s race dabbling in far worse things than mafia influence. My security company hacked into the system and caught the sick bastard scouting the dark web for prostitution sites using his home computer.
I shrug, “Doesn’t matter how we got it. Just make sure to send your regards when you ring in the title of Senator again.” I check my time on my watch. Damn, 12:30 already?
I need to wrap this shit up or there will be no way I can be back in time to do something with Alayna. I know she’s really counting on it, and fuck if that doesn’t make me want to say fuck all to whatever else needs to get done today so I could get back to her.
Unfortunately, that isn’t something I can easily do. Not only would it piss a lot of important people off, but it would piss off the most important person. Vinny. And what would I tell him? Sorry, I fucked off on business today because I was fucking around behind your back with your daughter?
I don’t have a goddamn death wish.
I check my time on my watch again, realizing that Alayna is probably still getting her massage. I know I don’t have to worry because I have Elliot looking out for her, and I have a female massage therapist working on her, as well. I told myself that I requested it because it was for security purposes, but we all know that’s a blatant lie. No man is going to lay a fucking finger on her. Not if I can help it anyway.
That body of hers is mine, and I’ll be damned if another man felt the touch of her mouthwatering body, or the feel of her tight pussy when it’s wrapped around—
Fuck, Carson! Keep your dick in your pants and your mind out of the fucking gutter. You’ve been with countless of women before, and Alayna is no different.
I scoff at the thought. Who am I kidding? Alayna is the only girl who has managed to put a tiny dent in my heavy armor.
I shake my head, clearing my thoughts and getting back to business. There’s no use in even thinking about her. She’ll never be mine because of who she is—no matter how bad I foolishly want it.
I get up from my chair, and all heads turn. I mentally roll my eyes. These men are pathetic, and did I really just almost roll my eyes? Shit. Looks like Alayna has rubbed off on me in more ways than one, and I can’t wait to rub off on her later…
I clear my throat, “I have another meeting to attend, so I must get going. Rick,” I acknowledge the senator with a brief nod. “I’m sure we will be hearing from each other soon.”
“Of course! Tell Vincenzo I said thank you.” He rustles with the envelope that sits on the table. “His contribution to our party is always greatly appreciated.”
We shake hands, and I’m off to my next meeting. I hop into my Bugatti Chiron and squeal out of the parking lot of the large corporate building. I resist the urge to call and check on Alayna, knowing that she will be fine, and busy myself driving to my next location.
I pull up to a port surrounded by the Hudson River. It’s a shipping port that is used for all kinds of different distributions. I know the area well enough because I often did my own personal deliveries here.
I spot Fernando, a local cartel leader, waiting for me near the edge of the lot, next to one of the large wooden containers.
I grab hold of my suitcase and get out of the car, walking over to the man, pleased that he listened to my instructions and came alone.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the devil himself,” Fernando jokes. “What do you have for me this time?”
I open the suitcase and his eyes widen in awe at the pure cocaine packed inside of the case. “Eight kilos of white Columbian fucking powder.”
Fernando lets out a low whistle. “You Italians sure know how to get your hands on some shit, don’t you?”
I shrug. “What can I say? They don’t call us wise guys for nothing. We get top-of-the-line products for top-of-the-line payout. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“So how much are you asking for this?”
“I’ll cut you a deal. I’ll do a solid hundred thousand in exchange for some information.”
Fernando raises a brow, “What kind of information are we talking?”
“What do you know about Dmitri Pavlov?”
“What—”
He’s never able to answer, because it’s then that we are both blindsided by a man hiding behind one of the large containers, sending a round of shots in our direction.
“Fuck!” Fernando shouts as a bullet rips through his arm.
“Blyat!” the man shouts. I know enough Russian to know exactly who and what he is, and I know that the bullet that just hit Fernando was actually intended for me. I spring into action, pulling out my own gun and aiming it at the intruder who is now running through the lot. I let out shot after shot that he manages to dodge.
The Russian sends a few more rounds off, and I throw the briefcase onto the ground, not giving a fuck about it, as I take cover behind one of the wooden crates and aim again at the man.
He’s getting closer to where I am hiding, and I know I could easily take him out at this angle. However, what I don’t expect to happen is instead of the Russian getting a hit on me, it’s Fernando who does.
He tackles me from the side and knocks us both to the concrete floor. My gun skids across the ground before it falls over the edge and into the water below.
“What the fuck are you doing, you bastard! You’re letting him get away!” I shout, sending a fist flying Fernando’s way.
We wrestle one another trying to gain the upper hand. Even injured, the asshole puts up a good fight.
Finally trapping him under me, I look up to find the Russian grabbing hold of the suitcase with a sneer as he takes off running again. Fuck! No one but close members of the familia knew about this meeting, and the fact that a Russian found out about it proves my and Vinny’s suspicion—the rat is still among us
.
Fernando uses that single moment of distraction to make his move, because suddenly, a hot and searing pain blazes through my ribs with a ferocious burn. I look down and notice a knife sticking out of my side, and the blood that is now seeping at a rapid pace down my suit.
I grab him up by the throat with a vengeance even I’m not used to. He’s losing air fast, and he knows it, too. He takes the knife from my side and plunges it lower in my abdomen.
He doesn’t let up his assault, and I don’t let up mine. If I’m going to die today, then so be it. If this is my last fight out of this cold, cruel world, then I’ll make sure it’s one hell of a fight. Not for me, by any means, but for her. I finally found my light in this world, and I’ll be damned if I don’t put up the best to try and keep it lit—even if that means fighting until my very last breath.
Alayna
Me: Hey, is everything okay?
Me: Carson?
Me: Help. I’m being attacked by a lovesick Elliot.
Okay, maybe the last text message was a lie, but if me being in danger couldn’t get him to answer his phone, then he’s either in a really important meeting, or something is definitely wrong.
It is now close to six, and my nerves are starting to get the best of me. Elliot is trying hard to mask his worry, as well, but I can see hints of it peeking through.
“Maybe we should call my dad?” I ask, but Elliot stares at me, unsure what to do.
“Carson is fine, Alayna. We don’t need to bother your dad with nonsense. I’m sure he has enough to deal with already.”
He’s right, but that doesn’t make me want to not call my dad anyway. I busy myself with mindless things like cooking dinner until it’s now two hours past the time Carson said he would be back, and I’m officially in freak-out mode.
“Elliot, this isn’t right. Carson should have been here by now, or at least called to let us know he’d be late.”
Elliot runs a hand down his face, “Fuck, you’re right.”
His agreeing with what I said kicks my stress levels into high gear, because if his best friend is worried, I know something bad must’ve happened.
“Turn the news on just in case. I’m going to see if I can make a few calls.” Elliot steps out onto the terrace with his phone glued to his ear.
I rush over to turn on the TV. The local news is babbling on about the weather, and not about the important things that went on today. Damn you, weatherman, no one cares about the freakin’ precipitation levels!
It’s now midnight—the time our plane was supposed to take off. My eyes are red from the tears I have spilled for Carson and also for the magical night I had planned for us. I was finally going to tell him how I felt on a beautiful helicopter ride over the city, and now here I am thinking the absolute worst about a man I never thought I’d miss or care about.
Elliot walks in looking as bad as I feel. “No one’s heard from him since one today, and no one else can get a hold of him.” He lets out a deep and tired sigh. “Jase tried to track his phone, but its whereabouts said somewhere in the middle of the Hudson.” My heart drops and more tears start. “Do you think he’s—” God, I can’t even voice the word.
“Dead?” Elliot finishes for me, causing more dread to fill my system. “No. Carson is way too skilled to have himself thrown into the bottom of a river.”
If I didn’t know it before, I definitely know it now…Elliot is horrible at reassuring people, and I’m on the verge of having a panic attack if I don’t get answers soon.
The stress of the unknown doesn’t sit well with my stomach because I feel the acid make its way up my throat as I run into the bathroom to expel the contents.
Once the nauseous feeling passes, I wash my face in cold water and brush my teeth.
“Hey, are you okay?” Elliot asks as I make my way back to the living room.
“I’ll be fine. The food I made just didn’t sit well apparently.”
Elliot stares a bit too long before answering. “Right.”
News must have somehow made its way back to my father, because he’s threatening anyone who knows something. He sent his best men to find him, and I pray that they do.
It’s now close to three in the morning, and I can’t hold my eyes open for much longer. I’ve been up for almost twenty-four hours, and I swear I’m hallucinating at this point.
“Get some rest. It’s not doing you any good staying up all night like this.” I drag my eyes to Elliot, seeing two of him. I blink, trying to steady my vision, then I blink again, and soon my eyes drift off into a restless sleep thinking about how broken I would be if I never got to see Carson again.
I’m stirred by the feeling of getting picked up in the arms of someone. In my dazed state, it takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but when they do, I know I must be hallucinating again.
“Carson?” I whisper, bringing a hand to his chest, not believing that this isn’t still a dream. God, he feels so real.
“Yes, mio angelo.”
Tears spring to my eyes, and a sob escapes when I realize it really is him. “Oh, Carson!” I cry, wrapping my arms around his neck, letting my tears fall unashamedly.
“Shh, it’s okay. I’m okay.” With me still in his arms, he opens and lightly shuts a door that he walks us through, flicking on a lamp in the corner.
He’s careful to keep me in his arms, even after he takes a seat on the edge of a bed, and I’m cradled in his lap.
I peer up at the man I feared I’d never see again and take in his appearance. His hair is a mess, his eyes are bloodshot, and there are a few blood stains on his shirt.
“I was so worried, Carson.” More tears make their way down my face, as I lie in his arms. The realization hits me just then of how close to death Carson came today.
“Hey—” Carson begins, grabbing hold of my face with a concerned expression. “Don’t cry for me, angel. I don’t deserve your tears.”
I shake my head, stopping him from talking. “I love you, Carson.”
He freezes for a moment, taking in what I just confessed. “Alayna—”
“I was going to tell you later on tonight, but then you went missing and I thought… I thought I was never going to see you again, and I just… I love you, Carson, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you, and you not knowing.” The tears keep coming, and I can’t stop them. I lay it all out in front of him, not caring about the consequence because tonight made me realize that life is too short not to tell someone how you truly feel about them.
“You don’t have to say anything back, Carson. I just needed you to know.”
He lifts my head, tenderly stroking my cheek with the back of his thumb. “I am alive right now because of you, Alayna. I fought hard so I could come back to you again. Tu sei la mia luce.” You are my light.
My heart swells in my chest at his words. He looks at me with the gentlest expression I have ever seen from him, and even though he doesn’t say it back, I’m happy, nonetheless, that he is here with me and he knows my truth.
“What happened to you?”
His eyes darken at the memory and cast a sullen look before he explains. “I was set up tonight.”
Shock fills my expression, “How?”
He closes his eyes for a brief moment; looking the most tired I have ever seen him look before. “In the morning I will tell you everything you need to know about it. Right now, I need something from you, and only you.”
“What is it?” I ask hesitantly, weary of the intense expression on his face.
“You.”
He picks me up with a wince and lays me down on the bed, hovering over me. He trails tiny little kisses up and down my neck, letting out a breath.
“There was a moment tonight, Alayna, that I feared I’d never get to feel or taste you again.”
A shiver runs down my spine, and I lie silently beneath him, letting him take exactly what he needs from me.
His lips find mine with intense hunger, despite how t
ired we both feel and look.
My hands find his face and then trail down his chest, unbuttoning each and every button from his blood-stained shirt, ripping it off.
My breath hitches at the sight of the angry, bloody marks that look a lot like stab wounds surrounding his ribs.
“Carson—” I begin but am cut off by his lips capturing my own again while his hand hesitates at the hem of my shirt.
He begins to sit up but lets out a curse clutching onto his side. “Fuck!”
“Carson, please—”
“I’m fine, Alayna. I just need a moment.” He tries to grab at my shirt again, but I place a hand on his chest stopping him. He stares at me with a bit of a puzzled expression.
As I scan his timid face, I notice a dark shadow starting to form on his cheek bone. It’s then that I know exactly what I have to do. He told me he needed me, and Carson isn’t one to use that word lightly, so I know it must be dire. Whatever happened to him today left him in such a state that looking at him now causes worry to settle into my bones, and I need to take care of him in more ways than one.
I gently push off the bed and make my way into the bathroom and turn the shower on. I make my way over to the edge of the bed and take his hand into my own. “Let me take care of you, Carson.”
He stares at our joined hands. “You don’t need to do this, Alayna.”
I bite my lip timidly. “I know…but I want to.”
For an intense moment, our gazes lock onto each other until he briefly nods and allows me to lead him into the bathroom with me.
I make quick work of gently removing the remainder of his clothes, mindful of his wounds. I peer up at him and nearly get lost in the soft expression that greets me.
“What’s that look for?” I shyly ask as a blush starts to grow on my cheeks.
“You were really worried about me tonight, weren’t you?”
My fingers halt over the button on his jeans. I let out a deep breath, recalling my worry over never seeing him again. How I thought I almost lost him for good. “Yes,” is all I say before continuing to strip him of his clothing.