Heartless

by Vi Carter

  “He robbed you from me.”

  I swallow as Holic faces me, turning his back on Finn.

  “I’m still here.” I answer. “We can go now.” I force a smile.

  Finn shifts and I lose Holic’s focus.

  “First, I must kill him.” Holic speaks in English.

  I take a step towards him. “You’re wasting time. We should leave now.”

  Finn hasn’t moved, his hands still outstretched as Holic advances on him, with a knife in each hand.

  “If you touch him, I’ll never forgive you,” I shout. It’s Liam who would never forgive me and that I couldn’t live with.

  Holic pauses. “You have forgiven me for far worse things.” His smile has my heart skyrocketing and I move quickly, standing in front of Finn. “Just trust me,” I whisper quickly before turning to Holic.

  “You’ll have to hurt me first.” I hold my head high.

  Holic grins, and to my amazement he puts the knives away. “With pleasure.” His words spoken again in Czech, take a moment to register with me. He has a grip on my forearms and I’m sailing. The impact with the counter is painful, my shoulder takes the brunt of it and I scream out.

  LIAM

  “I recognize you.” Holic spins around, knives drawn. Finn’s pale face grows slack as he stares up at me. I don’t look at Svetlana, who’s on the ground cradling her arm.

  “I recognize you too.”

  Holic moves away from Finn so he can keep an eye on all of us. Darragh steps out from behind me.

  “It’s three against one,” I say, stepping into the room while loosening my tie.

  “I’ve had worse odds.”

  I grin. “I’m sure you have. But I’m a fair man, so let’s make this fair. Me and you.” I open the top button of my shirt.

  Holic laughs. “When I kill you, then I kill them.” He points his knives at my brothers before looking at Svetlana.

  “Don’t look at her,” I warn him. Something stirs inside me.

  Holic looks at Svetlana again, who now stares up at me. His brows furrow. “You.” The word is released along with a knife that sails through the air. I move, anticipating the action since I stepped into the room, but not fast enough. The knife nicks my cheek, drawing blood. No one moves as I reach up and touch my cheek.

  “Holic stop this.” Svetlana is standing now and she is getting too close to Holic for my comfort.

  “You want me to die?” He asks her while keeping his eye on the rest of us. He speaks in Czech but I understand what he’s saying. Darragh moves and Holic turns to him. “Stay where you are.”

  “Darragh,” I warn.

  “You are a man of your word?” Holic asks moving closer to me and further away from Svetlana.

  “Of course.” He’s still holding the second knife, it’s tucked under his hand. He bends his head slightly while scanning the room. I didn’t expect a man of his size to be so swift on his feet, but three large steps, and he’s swinging the knife in a wide arch. I bend back as far as my body will allow, the knife cuts through air where my neck once was.

  I dance back and he has to scan the room again to make sure no one else is going to attack him, it’s the only opportunity I need. Curling my fist, I put all my strength behind the punch that strikes his side. The impact has him jerking back and I strike out again into his ribs. I meet his swinging hand that holds the knife, the force behind it has wavered as his body hunches from where I’ve hit him. My fingers tighten around his wrist trying to make him drop the knife, his hand bends, the knife nicks my fingers. I keep my hold even against the pain. My other hand goes to his throat and his mirrors mine. Using his hand, I force it closer to his face, forcing the knife closer to his eye. There is movement that catches my eye. Holic roars out and his knife falls to the ground. I don’t let him go as Svetlana pulls a knife from his back. He’s trying to turn around and see who’s stabbed him, but I hold him tightly by the neck. My eyes meet Svetlana’s, hers filled with a darkness I’ve never seen before. She plunges the knife into his back again. His roar isn’t as loud, his strength dwindling, and this time I let him glance over his shoulder, so he can see who did it.

  “I love you.” My hand tightens on his throat, cutting off any further words.

  “You tortured me.” Svetlana pulls out the knife.

  “Jesus Christ, that’s enough.” Finn is standing directly behind Svetlana, the horror shining in his eyes.

  “You scarred me.” The knife plunges into him again as tears trickle down Svetlana’s face. This time she doesn’t take the knife out but lets it go. I release Holic and he topples to the ground, where he takes his final breath.

  Svetlana walks from the room, closing the bedroom door behind. My eyes meet Finn’s and his are wide, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.

  Darragh’s sniggers come from behind me. “She’s definitely your girlfriend.”

  “Don’t leave this room, either of you,” I say, stepping over the body on the floor.

  She’s sitting in the corner of the room, her knees drawn to her face. She hasn’t looked up and I take slow steps towards her. Kneeling down in front of her, I wait for her to look up at me. Her hands have blood on them. I never wanted that for her, but I think it was something she needed to do.

  I don’t ask her if she’s okay. She isn’t.

  “I hate that I enjoyed that.” She sniffles into her arms, still not allowing me to see her face. “I hate that he made me do that.” Her body shakes with sobs and I move closer and touch her arms. She springs, nearly knocking me back, but I hold my balance and tighten my hold on her as she cries. Each time her body shakes, I want to go out there and plunge the knife into Holic’s still form. His death was too clean for what he deserved, but I wasn’t taking it away from Svetlana.

  “I know this is hard but I need you to do something for me.”

  Svetlana looks at me for the first time, tears continue to stream down her face. I take her face in my hands. I can’t protect her here, and that reality has me afraid.

  She’s nodding now, waiting to hear what I want from her.

  “I’m going to send you to stay with my brother for a while.”

  “No.” She’s shaking her head. “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Svetlana, I can’t protect you here.”

  Her lips tremble as tears make a pathway down her face and into her mouth. “I’m safe with you.”

  I wanted to remove my tie again. A tightness was making the air in the room limited. “No. You’re going.” I release her and stand up.

  “You can’t make me.” She’s standing too.

  I smile at her boldness and take the two steps back to her. Taking her face in my hands, fear flickers across her face. When my lips touch hers, she kisses me back with a ferocity that shows her turmoil. Salty tears mingle with our kiss that I break. “I’ll make the call.” I release her quickly before I change my mind. I go back into the living room.

  Darragh is lying on the couch, while Finn is standing over Holic staring at his body.

  “Finn, tell Mary there is a dead body in the house and she needs to call the Gardai.”

  Both Darragh and Finn start to protest, and I raise a hand to silence them.

  “Finn. Do as I say and then leave the house.” Finn’s jaw tightens, but he leaves the room.

  “Want to tell me what fuckery you are up to?” Darragh is off the couch. I don’t answer him as I take my phone out and ring Shane.

  “I need Svetlana to stay with you and Una for a while. Darragh’s taking her over now.”

  “We are here. I’m assuming you will explain later.”

  I glance at Darragh, who’s waiting for answers too.

  “Of course.”

  Placing the phone in my pocket, I turn as Svetlana steps out of the bedroom. Her earlier upset is gone.

  “I need you to take Svetlana to Shane’s.” I turn to Darragh. “I’ll explain everything later.”

  Darragh nods at me.

  “A
re you ready to go for a ride?” Darragh’s boyish grin accompanies his words. For the first time, I’m grateful for his upbeat banter. I don’t turn as they leave the room. Reaching down, I pull the knife from Holic’s back and keep it held in my hand.

  With my other hand, I pick up Holic’s knife and take a deep breath before plunging it into my side. The pain that tears through me brings me to my knees. I bite down hard as not to shout out, but still a growl forces its way out. I take three more deep breaths and pull the knife from my side. Blood flows freely from the wound. The room tilts, but I need to stay alert. I push the knife that I just stabbed myself with into Holic’s hand. The other knife I hold tightly and don’t let it go as I wait for the Gardai to arrive.

  CHAPTER NINE

  LIAM

  The bleep of a machine rouses me, I don’t open my eyes straight away. I allow myself to adjust. My side aches, the tight stitches have me carefully exhaling. Taking shorter breaths I listen beyond the door to the hustle of the hospital before opening my eyes.

  The weight of the metal on my wrist, has me pulling my arm causing the handcuff to rattle against the bar. No one was in the room but I could make a shadow who stood outside my door. The Gardai, no doubt. With my free hand, I push down the quilts and raise my top. The neat stitching on my side is commendable. A steady hand and a sharp eye. Whoever did this didn’t rush, they really took care in stitching me. I drop my top as the door opens.

  “Gardai Weldon.” I yank on my restraints. “Is this necessary?”

  He removes the set of keys from his pocket, as he makes wide strides over to my bed. I don’t look away from him as he uncuffs me. His hands shake slightly, he’s nervous.

  “Why was I handcuffed?” I question while rubbing my wrists. Gardai Weldon still hasn’t looked at me, and I’m starting to wonder what I am missing.

  His eyes snap up to mine. “There was a dead body found in your home.”

  I nod. “Don’t you want to take my statement about what happened?”

  He swallows and looks away. “Gardai Brady wants to take it.”

  My spine straightens at that interfering man’s name. He was a job I needed to move up to the top of my list.

  “You will take my statement, Gardai Weldon,” I say it carefully.

  He fumbles, taking out a notepad and pen.

  “That man broke into my home, stabbed me, so I retaliated.”

  He hasn’t written anything down. His eyes dart around the room. “Retaliated? He was stabbed four times in the back.”

  “Maybe he fell on something. I acted in self-defense.”

  Gardai Weldon pockets his little notepad.

  “So that means we are done here, Gardai Weldon. It’s a case of self-defense.”

  He nods and exhales before he leaves the room. I sink back into the pillow as my exhaustion can’t stay hidden anymore. Sweat makes a path down my back, my mouth feels dry. There is no water on my bedside table. I reach for my phone. The names blur slightly and I squeeze my eyes tightly before opening them. The contact names become clear. The door opens and a nurse steps in.

  “Mr O’Reagan, you need to rest.” She tilts her head as she approaches me. “You need to lie back down.” She checks the monitors as she speaks.

  I do lie back into the pillows, but I don’t take my eyes off her as she jots down my stats. “I need water.”

  She flicks me a glance. “I’ll get some now, you just have to rest. Is that a deal?”

  I wasn’t sure how to react to her words. They sounded almost playful. I wanted to tell her to just leave and get my water, but my silence seems sufficient for her as she gives me a soft smile and leaves.

  Bringing the phone back up to my face, I have to squeeze my eyes again to focus.

  “Did she get to you, safely?”

  “Yeah, she is fine, Liam. Darragh said you killed one of the Czech people and rang it in. I’m starting to wonder if I’m missing something here.”

  “Was she upset?”

  Shane exhales and he’s moving around. No doubt pacing with impatience. “Yes. Una is with her. She’s safe.”

  His words give my body permission to relax. I had no idea I was so wound up.

  The door opens again and I’m glad the nurse has finally come back with my water. Glancing at the door, my whole body wakes up.

  “I will ring you later,” I say before hanging up.

  “Mr. Novak.” This I hadn’t expected. I sit up, the burn in my side blurs my vision, but I continue to sit up fully and try not to react to the pain.

  “Flowers? For me?”

  He steps into the room and places the flowers on the table at the end of my bed.

  “You are a very lucky man Mr. O’Reagan.” He’s wagging his finger at me, a sadistic smile on his face.

  “I don’t feel very lucky, Mr. Novak.”

  We stare at each other, he still stands at the end of my bed, and I can’t wait to kill him.

  “Where is she?”

  “She’s safe. He tried to kill her.” I flinch as my body tightens and jerks towards him.

  “Holic would never hurt her.”

  I clench my jaw and stare at him. He was delusional. “He tried to kill her. Are you calling me a liar?”

  I dare you.

  “Of course not, Mr. O’Reagan. But getting the Gardai involved wasn’t a very smart move.”

  I nod in agreement. “It wasn’t me, I had collapsed and our maid had found us, she rang it in.”

  His sharp blue eyes flicker across my face, searching for the lie.

  “You killed one of my men Mr. Novak.” I throw in my curveball and he blinks.

  “That is a very serious accusation.”

  “I received his hands.”

  Mr. Novak shrugs. “Only his hands?”

  “Yes.”

  “So he may be still alive.” His eyes smile at me and I want to cut them out.

  “Without his hands?” I bite out the words and the smile leaves his eyes.

  “I’m not a doctor. Maybe Holic killed him.”

  “Maybe he did. I would like his body back.” I wanted to bury Gregor. He deserved more than rotting away in some ditch.

  “I will most certainly keep an eye out for a handless man.”

  The door opens again and the nurse steps in with a jug of water. She pauses as she takes in my visitor.

  “I’m sorry, no flowers are allowed in the hospital.” She gives Mr.Novak an apologetic smile.

  “I will place them on my mother’s grave.” He smiles at her sweetly and she gobbles it up, before filling me a glass of water.

  “I pray for your swift recovery, Mr. O’Reagan.”

  “Thank you.”

  He gives me one final look before leaving. The minute the door closes, I sink into the pillow and allow my body to scream.

  “You’re burning up.” Water touches my lips and I accept it. The nurse fidgets with her machine and takes my blood pressure, but my body refuses to stay alert, and no matter how hard I fight I fall back into a deep black hole.

  The bleep of the machine is the sound I wake up to. I keep my eyes closed as I listen. I’m not alone. Someone is sitting to my left. I stir and they stand.

  “Liam?”

  “Connor, how nice of you to visit me.” I open my eyes. Connor is standing over me, his stance hostile, but it normally is towards me.

  “You played your cards well.”

  I want to sit up. My side throbs, but I refuse to appear weak. I pull myself up.

  “Let me help you.” Connor steps closer and I’m tempted to accept, but I wave him off.

  “I’m fine.” Once I'm sitting up, I try to control the trembling that enters my body.

  “What did your father say?” There was no point beating around the bush. I prayed my decision paid off.

  “You won them over. Any doubt about your intentions is gone.”

  I feel triumphant. “You need to warn Tom that he has a rat in his high ranks.”

  Connor c
lenches his jaw. “Why is that Liam?”

  “It was retaliation for me telling Tom about who hurt Margret. Someone told the Czech about it and they put a hit on me. I’m not safe now because of the foolishness of Tom’s men. So they need to act fast.”

  Connor grins and sits down. “You should really stop while you’re ahead.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Tom is giving you his full backing. So I would leave it at that. You’re smart Liam, but just not as smart as you think. Like why was Mr. Novak visiting you?”

  “Was he? I didn’t have any visitors.”

  He laughs. Its sharp and ends in a growl. “Finn said you weren’t stabbed, he seemed rather confused when he was asked about it.”

  My whole body stalls and I try to keep my face impassive. “Finn is fragile.” I pause and he clenches his jaw. “You know this. I think for our brother’s sake he shouldn’t have to answer questions. He has a tendency to get confused.”

  The chair scrapes as Connor stands abruptly. “You should be proud of yourself. You have won this battle.”

  I knew I had, but I needed to win the war.

  “Did you speak to Darragh?”

  Connor’s ready to leave but pauses at the end of my bed. “About what?”

  “About what happened.”

  He sneers. “His version was pretty impressive. He seems to have amnesia about the details. You really did a number on our brother.”

  I can’t stay still this time, my body temperature jumps. “Everything I do, I do for my family. For my brothers.”

  He shakes his head. “You’re a poison to them Liam. If you thought anything of your brothers you would leave them alone.”

  “You have no idea what you’re saying.” I bark at Connor and his eyes widen slightly at my unusual outburst.

  “You might not hurt them directly, Liam, but you hurt them. You know what’s the worst type of poison? A slow one.”

  “What about you Connor?”

  His shoulders slump. “I don’t blame you for anything that happens to me. It’s on me.”

  “But do you not hold some responsibility to the downfall of your brothers?”