by Erin Trejo
“Who sent you?” I ask, tilting my head to the side to study the man in front of me. “What the hell are you doin’ with me?” I ask once more. I need to get the focus off the club, off me. A fist slams into my cheek and I laugh. If that’s all they got, then I’ll be fine.
“You laugh?” the heavily accented voice asks. I nod my head and raise my eyebrows when he turns and motions for someone else. It takes seconds for the giant ass man to step into the room. Well fuck. This is going to be worse than I thought it would. The man is a fucking beast. His thick arms bulge as he moves toward me. Just as he’s about to swing, I think… this… This is it what I’ll go through for her. This is what I’ll do for her to keep her safe and happy. I will withstand everything they throw my way. His fist lands in my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs. I double over and gasp for air as he moves in. I fight back. Fuck, I try to fight back, but this big motherfucker is untouchable. The last thing I hear before shit goes dark is someone saying they need to talk to Cancio.
22
Gaia
I stalk around the room pissed off. It’s been a week. He’s been gone a week and the fact that Switch choked me out pisses me off further. I should have shot his ass when I had the chance. I should have kicked his ass out of the truck and ran but I had nowhere to go.
“If you don’t sit the fuck down, I swear to God,” Switch growls from his spot on the couch where he cleans his gun.
“What? What the hell are you going to do?” He raises his eyebrows at the same time he raises the gun, pointing it at me. I flip him off and keep pacing the floor.
“He’s fine.”
“Do you know that for sure?” He blows out a breath and leans back, sticking a joint between his lips and lighting it up.
“I don’t know shit for sure since he decided to go all rogue for your ass.”
“What is your problem? Huh? Why the hell do you not like me?” Having enough of his shit, I have to ask. I can’t sit here for much longer and not know what the hell his problem is. Switch shoves off the couch and moves toward me slowly. When he’s close enough, he holds the joint out between his fingers. Reluctantly, I take it and bring it to my lips.
“It’s not that I don’t like you. I don’t like where his head was at when he left. Goin’ on a solo mission is basically a death sentence. You lived that shit; you should know that already.” Then it all hits me. He’s right. Preacher going in alone will get him killed. I need to talk to Lorenzo and see if he can help with this. Passing the joint back to Switch, I move toward the window. Staring out at the neighbor’s house, I wonder how hard it would be to get away from Switch.
“Don’t think you can get away from me, princess. I’ll choke your ass out again.” I didn’t say that out loud, but he knew what I was thinking. How could he not? I need out of here. I need to do something to help Preacher. Rolling my eyes, I turn around and head into the kitchen grabbing a water before sitting at the table. Pulling the small bible out of my pocket where I’ve been keeping it, I run my fingers over the worn leather.
“I can’t believe he left that behind.” I look up at Switch and shrug, unsure of what to say to him. “I didn’t know him when he was a kid, but I heard all the stories. His dad was a semi-good man. Believed there was more out there in the afterlife.”
“Is that why he kept this so close?” Switch nods.
“He wanted to know more. He wanted all the knowledge that he could find. Preacher, he’s a different breed than most of us. He has a good head on his shoulders and even though he loses his shit at times, that thing in your hand always seemed to drag his ass back,” he says, nodding toward the bible.
“You don’t believe in God?” I ask.
“How can you believe in God when you know you’re the devil?” His words seep into me as he turns and walks out of the room. He can’t be right. He can’t be that bad. Or maybe he is.
Flipping the bible open, I find writing inside the cover.
Preacher,
You’ve made one hell of a place in this world already. You’re only three days old and you already have more power than most grown men. Find your peace, son. Find your place and your happiness. That’s all one truly needs.
Dad
I flip the pages looking for something more but there are only highlighted passages. The one that pulls me in reads “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
“You’re not leaving me yet, Preacher,” I mumble under my breath. Closing the book, I shove out of my chair and head into the living room as I stuff the bible into my pocket. Standing in front of Switch, I hold my head high when I start to speak. I don’t get that far. He stops me.
“We’re goin’.”
“What?”
“I know you were gonna come in here demandin’ shit. I said we’re goin’. You got intel and we need it. I get Preacher wanted you safe, but shit has changed.”
“What the hell does that even mean?”
“It means shut the fuck up, get your bag and get in the truck before I change my mind,” he growls. I smile before rushing him, throwing my arms around his neck. He doesn’t hug me back, and I didn’t expect him to, but I needed him to understand how thankful I am for this. Pulling away quickly, I rush into the bedroom and toss my things into the bag before running back out to the truck. Switch comes out with his own bag, tossing it in the back before climbing in.
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
“Your brother can’t know yet. Obviously, his plan to kill your dad hasn’t worked the way he wanted it to, considering he isn’t dead. You have a bodyguard you’re close with, yeah?” At the mention of James my stomach sinks. How much does Switch know about me and James? Does he know everything? Embarrassment causes my cheeks to heat as I think about it.
“Yeah. James.”
“Call him,” he demands, handing me a phone. I swallow hard and stare at it in my hand wondering if this is a smart move. “What the fuck part of call him don’t you get?” My eyes jerk to his angry ones.
“It’s complicated.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Call him. We need to know what moves your brother is makin’ and when. Grave has word that some of your little boyfriend’s men are actin’ out of character.”
“He isn’t my boyfriend,” I say, gritting my teeth. Switch just smirks like the asshole he is.
“Fiancé, boyfriend, it’s all the fuckin’ same to me, sweetheart.” Flying across the seat, I slam my fist into the side of his face. Switch just smirks my way and nods his stupid head. “About time you did that. Now call.” Putting the truck in drive, he pulls away from the curb and out onto the main road. My hands tremble, my stomach rolling as I dial and listen to it ring.
“Hello?”
“James?”
“Gaia? Fuck. Are you okay? They treating you right?” Tears fill my eyes knowing how much he cares about me.
“I’m fine. There’s a problem. I need to ask you a few things.”
“What problems?” he hisses into the line.
“I need you to calm down and listen. What’s happening with Lorenzo and my dad?” I hear him moving around, cursing under his breath before he starts to talk again.
“Your dad is resisting everything Enzo has done. He has more people backing him than Enzo believed. It’s not as simple anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“He can’t touch your dad. Not until Leonardo is out of the way. There’s… I shouldn’t tell you this.”
“James, tell me. If you ever cared about me, loved me, you will tell me!” I roar into the line. I catch Switch’s gaze at the word loved but he wouldn’t understand this kind of love. I’m not sure he would understand any kind for that matter.
“Shit. I do love you, Gaia. Listen, someone has ordered your brother to be killed. We’re working to figure out who that is now.”
“What? No!”
/> “I can’t tell yo—” he cuts out with a scream that tears my heart in half and has bile racing up my throat.
“James?” I ask softly, knowing what I just heard. “James?” I say a little louder. I can hear someone breathing on the other end. Switch grabs the phone, putting it on speaker so he can hear as tears fall down my cheeks.
“Ah, Gaia. My sweet wife to be. You are making this harder than it needs to be.”
“You son of a bitch! What did you do to James?” I scream hysterically.
“Come home now, Gaia. The games are over. I have one of the men that was helping you hide from me. I can assume there are more with you.” He has Preacher. No! He can’t.
“You assume correctly. If you so much as look in my boy’s direction, I will have your little wife’s head on a pedestal for you.” Leonardo laughs into the line, but Switch isn’t joking. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill me; I know that much.
“You will return her safely to me if you want this to end. I can assure you that the torture he is enduring will not end until I have her back,” Leonardo informs us. My stomach tumbles. I lean over and rest my head on my knees, trying to catch my breath.
“When and where?” Switch asks. I don’t bother to look up. I don’t need to. This is what we need to do. I need to go back to him in order to keep Preacher safe.
23
Preacher
I can vaguely hear my dad’s voice in my head telling me to not give up. Not that I ever would. I won’t. That’s just something that I don’t have in me. Giving up would mean I’d lose and that these fuckers would win. That’s a risk I’m not willing to take with Gaia’s life. So, as the monster continues to beat the hell out of me, I keep her face in my mind. I make sure that she is at the forefront of all of this because I will not let these motherfuckers have her. My mouth is pried open, pain shooting through my body. One guy holds my head back while the other goes in with pliers. Fuck, this is going to hurt. I can taste the metal on my tongue but when the bastard starts tugging at my tooth, I lose it. The pain shoots through my jaw as I roar through the pain.
“Just tell us what we want to know, and this will end.” I hate that motherfucker. He will be the first one to die when I get out of here. Leonardo Cancio, that piece of shit bastard. I wanted to be up close and personal with him but not like this. I wanted him on the receiving end of my wrath. Seems the tables have turned and now as my tooth is being forcefully ripped from my mouth, he smiles down at me. I choke on my own blood, coughing it into the air. Blood sprays my face as I gag.
“Fuck off,” I growl when my head is released. My head drops forward and I spit the blood that fills my mouth onto the floor. I wait for what they will do next when one of the other guys comes into the room and whispers something in the bastard’s ear. His lips curl into a smile as he eyes me.
“Looks like things are working out in my favor.” He slowly walks toward me, taunting me. He knows I’d snap his neck in a heartbeat if I wasn’t strapped to this chair.
“How so? I’m not givin’ you shit!” The closer he gets, the more the blood fills my mouth once more. As soon as he’s close enough, I spit it all over his crisp white suit. He steps back quickly; a rag being thrust in his direction. It’s almost amusing to see how these assholes of his are like whipped little lap dogs.
“I don’t need you to give me shit. It looks like my little Gaia has fallen right back into my lap. She will be joining me shortly.” I study his face, his expression, the way he holds himself to see if he’s lying. He’s not. What the hell? That means either she left the safe house, or they found her. They couldn’t have found her. No fucking way. The guys wouldn’t let them near her.
“You lie,” I hiss.
“No. I just received word that she is on her way.” The smug look on his face pisses me off. He’s not lying. Anger rushes my system, giving me a newfound strength. I roar, I growl and tug at the binds that hold me in place and even though I know I’m not going anywhere, I’m still fighting. Leonardo laughs before turning and leaving the room. He motions for his men to follow and they do, leaving me alone in a puddle of my own blood and broken bones. I suck air through my nose trying to ease the ache in my chest but that burn runs deep. The need for blood, for his blood.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been in here when the door creaks open. Raising my head from where it was hanging, I see someone walking in. Blinking rapidly, I try to focus but I’m pretty out of it right now.
“Preacher.” I hear the whisper, but I don’t know the voice.
“Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m James. I’m going to cut these chains. I need you to be quiet,” he says, moving around behind me. Fuck him. I’m about to make a move but he stops moving behind me. “I mean it.” Fuck! With a nod, I calm myself as I hear the cutters breaking through the chains. When my hands are free, I shove out of the chair quickly, stumbling as I slam into the wall. I turn to face him. His hands are in the air, his eyes on me. Blood drips from his lips and his eye is swollen. Someone beat his ass too.
“Who are you?”
“I’m James. I was Gaia’s bodyguard.” This is the guy she told me about? I size him up now. He ain’t shit. If he puts a hand anywhere near my woman, I’ll fucking snap his neck. “You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m gay.”
“You’re what?” Shocked doesn’t explain what I feel right now.
“Let’s get out of here. Gaia called me.”
“What the fuck!” I roar. James is on me in seconds, his hand covering my mouth. I’m about to lose my shit but he pulls his hand away quickly rethinking what he’s done. “Don’t you ever put your hand on my face again,” I warn him. He nods his head and starts out the door when the shot rings out. James’ body falls to the floor as I back against the wall. Shifting toward the door, I know I’m going to have to fight. As soon as the gun comes into view, I move. Knocking the gun from his hand, I grab it in mine. I don’t have time to spin it around to shoot, so instead, I slam it into the side of the guy’s head. Once he falls, I shoot. Kneeling down next to James, I feel for a pulse. I knew I wouldn’t find one.
“Damn it. You motherfucker. This is gonna hurt her,” I hiss under my breath. I’m so pissed right now. Telling Gaia her best friend is dead is going to rip her heart out.
With the gun in my hand now, I move through the basement until I find the stairs. No one is there which I’m thankful for. Climbing the stairs while my aching body protests is a feat in itself. My head is spinning to the point I feel like passing out, but I have to keep moving. I’m about to reach for the door when I hear Lorenzo’s voice. The door flies open and my gun lands right on him. His eyes don’t widen, no surprise there. He’s used to this shit, just the way I am.
“You aren’t dead,” he says, looking me over.
“Was I supposed to be?”
“From what I’ve found out, yes. Where is James?”
“Well I’m sorry to ruin your fuckin’ day,” I tell him, never lowering the gun. “James is dead.” He nods his head with anger in his eyes.
“Actually, that isn’t why I’m here. Grave called and informed me that there was a situation. Scratch that, a few situations. One that we can’t discuss at the moment.” Fuck, does he know about me and Gaia? Does he know that we’re married? Doesn’t matter right now anyway, I need to get the fuck out of here.
“Leonardo said that Gaia was on her way back to him. What the hell did he mean?”
“He won’t get near her,” Enzo informs me, his voice turning cold.
“Agreed.” He gives me a nod before motioning to his men to lead the way. I stay close, but not too close. I don’t want this asshole thinking we just became best friends. As much as I respect Lorenzo, I don’t care to be caught up in his world any more than I already am. We move through the building and just as we’re about to step outside, I hear her voice.
“Where the hell is he?” She screams so loudly that a few of the guys chuckle. I assume she’s talking about Lo
renzo, but as soon as we all step out of the building and our eyes lock, she runs. She runs right past her brother and slams her small body into mine. Her arms wrap around my neck, her face buried in my shirt. I can feel the warmth of her tears as they hit my torn flesh.
“That mean you’re happy to see me?” I ask softly. Everyone is staring at us, but I don’t give a shit. She’s here in my arms. Exactly where she is supposed to be.
“I’m so sorry,” she sobs.
“We need to move.” Lorenzo breaks our moment. I try to lower Gaia to her feet, but she doesn’t let go. With a soft chuckle, I keep my arms looped around her, holding her in place. She never lifts her head as I follow Enzo to the car that’s waiting. I see Switch off to the side giving me a nod. I take that as my cue to keep moving, climbing into the car behind Enzo. Settling into the seat, Gaia doesn’t move.
“This… whatever this is, is over,” Enzo’s voice thunders throughout the car. Now Gaia moves. She pulls away, reaching to grab my face in her hands.
“You’re okay?”
“Few broken bones and a missin’ tooth. Never been better.” I smirk.
“I’m serious. You need a doctor?”
“Are either of you listening to me?” Enzo’s voice is so loud how could we not hear him, but he isn’t taking this away from me. He isn’t taking her away from me.
“First of all, I appreciate the help in there but that’s as far as shit goes. Don’t say a goddamn word about us,” I growl.
“Us? There’s an ‘us’, is there?” he asks condescendingly. My nostrils flare as I try to keep myself together. I need to talk to Grave. I need to get Cancio.
“Don’t do this right now, Enzo,” Gaia adds. She never stops looking at me. I want to kiss her, hold her, tell her I’m sorry I’m such a fuckup, but I can’t do that right now.
“Fine. This isn’t over.”
24