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His scream was loud as I cut his finger from his left hand. I took the pinkie first, and now the ring finger.
“Where did you take the women?” I asked.
“To the boss’s house. He has a cage in the basement for them,” he explained.
My stomach churned at the thought. I’ve killed hundreds, watched men burn, but this was a whole different thing. Reaching for his middle finger, I placed the needle nose pliers against the tip of his fingernail. I pinched it between the two pieces of metal, and tugged slowly, ripping it from the nail bed.
Blood dripped onto the metal table underneath him. His screams were music to my ears as I continued to do the next nail.
“Boss?” Jacobs’, voice carried over the screams. Turning I looked at him as Kell, walked over. I slowly did the same.
“We have a location on Darian,” Jacob, said.
Kell’s, eyes darkened, and I felt my fingers tighten into fists.
“Have someone clean this shit up and stop the flow of blood. I want them alive for as long as I can keep them. I haven’t finished with them yet,” Kell, announced.
Grabbing one of the rags Jacob was holding, I walked out of the room. I needed a shower and clean clothes before we went on this hunt. Darian, would soon find himself on one of these tables.
Soon this shit would be over, and I could go to Layla. I left to protect her from Michael, now that he was gone, I can finally claim what has always been mine, Layla.
Chapter 14
Layla
After another long day of glue eating children, I was ready for a glass of wine, or a bottle, and some downtime. As I walked up the stone steps, I stopped in surprise. A dozen roses were sitting in front of my door.
Bending down I wrapped my fingers around the thornless stems of the red roses. Looking at the tops, I searched for a card. There nestled in the middle was a white card, which stood out against all the red.
I opened it and looked at the note. My heart leaped as I read the contents.
You will always be mine.
That was it, no sender information. Ivan, finally reached out to me. After all this time, he finally came back. Like a love-sick fool, I was ready to open my arms and let him back in.
Turning the key in the lock, I fought the need to scream and bounce like a teenager who just got asked on her first date. Ivan was my soulmate. I’ve always known that, but would letting him back in be easy? Yes. Yes, it would.
No one, especially Lesley, would understand. But, she didn’t know the true Ivan. She didn’t know all the secrets. His secrets were something that I will never share.
Grabbing the only vase that I owned, I filled it with water, and gently remove the foil from the roses before placing them in. Leaning forward, I inhaled the beautiful scent.
Sighing, I pulled away and reached into the cupboard, for a wine glass. Even though these beauties lifted my spirit, I still needed a few glasses of wine.
My cell phone started ringing breaking the silence. Pulling it from my purse, I laughed when I saw Lesley’s, silly face flash across the screen.
“Lesley?” My voice held a hint of a giggle.
“We need to go out and have a few drinks, and don’t you dare tell me no,” she stated.
Chapter 16
Ivan
I couldn’t stay away, no matter what I told myself. I needed to see her. Was she married? Did she have any kids? An ache formed in my chest at the thought of them being true.
She was a teacher, I knew that much. I watched her leave the school, and I slowly followed her into a townhouse. It appeared to be an apartment.
It was a brick building with a red door. On one side there were flower pots, and the other side was plain. She was opening the door that led to the more decorative side of the building.
She bent to collect something before entering the house. Normally, I was more observant, but I had been too focused on how her ass looked in the skirt to observe what she picked up.
I felt like a stalker as I stood there watching her. I closed my eyes and remembered how the wind caught her hair and scattered it across her face as she exited through the school doors.
Her beautiful sun-kissed skin had a glow to it as she walked to her car. The way her lips formed into a frown as she fought with the driver’s door lock.
Her red Honda Civic was in poor shape, and the thought had a frown marring my face. Her parents were rich, why was she driving such a piece of shit?
After an hour, her door opened again. This time my breath froze in my lungs. She was fucking beautiful. Her long dark hair was piled on top of her head with a few random curls dangling, red painted lips and smoky eyes. Her red dress was short and caressed her form perfectly.
I was going to kill someone, I just knew it. So much for the break. I laughed quietly, this is what I did. There was never going to be a break.
I was a soldier, and I killed for my country. Now, I was the underboss, and I killed for the family. But, that woman right there, she owned me. I would kill anyone, destroy anything, to keep her safe.
Her long stride had her moving fast as she walked to a car that I hadn’t noticed pulled up. The bright blue paint on the Chevy Malibu stood out against the dark backdrop of the city. I was losing my touch. Donny would be laughing his ass off if he were here.
The ache was back just thinking about Donny. Shaking those thoughts away, I looked closer at the car and the girl sitting behind the wheel.
I knew that blond hair anywhere. It was Lesley. Turning the car on, I watched as they pulled out onto the road. I knew this was going to be a fucking nightmare, and I was right. I followed behind them for thirty minutes. Slowly, taking in where we were headed.
The club two eleven came into focus, and my heart froze in my chest. Fucking motherfucker! She was walking into O’Sullivan’s territory.
The neon yellow sign was bright and stood out like a beckon for the lost. I wanted to burn this fucking brick building to the ground and piss on its ashes.
She wasn’t going in there alone. Fuck the consequences. Parking my car, I walked to the entrance. The man checking ID’s knew who I was and went to stop me.
“Call this in, and I will rip your fucking throat out and feed it to your mother,” I told him coldly.
He swallowed hard and turned away. He knew I would. Walking past him, I entered the packed building. Lights flashed over the sweaty bodies as they rubbed together. Some were dancing while others were trying to make it to the bar or other places. The crowd parted like the red sea as I made my way through.
They could sense it, sense that I had no qualms about killing them if it meant getting to my destination faster. The girls found a table and Lesley stood and headed in the direction of the bar.
Layla, sat there quietly waiting for her return.
“Don’t you know it’s dangerous to sit alone at places like this?” I whispered those words into her ear as I leaned in close over her shoulder. I felt her stiffen, and everything in me wanted to fist her hair and force her to look at me. To pull her head back and press my lips to hers.
Chapter 17
Layla
The music pulsed through me, thumping through my bloodstream as I shifted in my seat. Lesley left to get us some margaritas a few moments ago.
People were grinding against each other, basically having sex right there on the dance floor. I already wanted to leave, but I couldn’t tell Lesley that. She would be so hurt that I was ready to call it a night.
I sat here thinking of how much time needed to pass before I could leave when I felt it. Hot breath caressed my neck and ear.
“Don’t you know it’s dangerous to sit alone at places like this?” He whispered.
Everything in me froze. My blood stopped pumping as my heart stuttered to a halt. I haven’t heard that voice in over five years, Ivan. Squeezing my eyes closed, I started to count. If I opened them, would he be gone? Just like so many times before?
“Ivan,” I whispered.
I whispered the words like I was whispering a prayer. Please god, let him be real.
“Layla,” he breathed the word into my ear causing a shiver to dance along my skin.
“Follow me, sweetheart,” he whispered and then started to straighten. My world shifted and then rightened. Like a tree trying to fight the wind as it blew it the wrong way to soon realize it’s mistake and change course.
“Lesley, is here,” I told him.
He leaned back and said, “she’s a little busy right now darlin’.”
Turning, I looked where I had last seen Lesley, and sure enough, she was flirting with the man next to her. The man looked greasy and dangerous, even from here.
His slicked-back hair and silky looking dark shirt screamed cheap gangster.
“We came together, Ivan,” I explained.
“And she will be leaving here with him,” he replied.
I knew he was right, but I wasn’t letting that happen.
“Just come with me, baby,” he begged.
I wanted nothing more than to get out of the chair and climb him like a monkey.
“Lesley’s my friend, Ivan,” I said to him.
“Go over there and tell her you have to go. Tell her a friend is picking you up.” His tone had me inching from my seat, but my resolve had me planting my ass right back into it.
“She may need protection,” I said quietly. The man was freaky.
“Would it make you feel any better if I called Jacob?” He asked.
I remembered Jacob, he was in school with us. He was Ivan and Kell’s cousin.
“Yes,” I told him.
Jacob, would watch her, and I knew no one would do anything to her. Lesley, was determined to lose her v card, and I honestly didn’t blame her.
“I’ll make the call, but don’t you move a fucking inch. Text Lesley and tell her to get her ass back over here,” Ivan, told me.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I quickly texted her. I immediately felt his loss, and my heart broke a little. Another chunk broke off, how much was left?
Chapter 18
Ivan
Taking a deep breath, I dialed his number and waited for him to pick up.
“Jacob?” I asked.
“Ivan,” Jacob, replied.
I paused and fought the need to rush back in. I wanted to make sure her ass was right where I left her.
“I need you at club two eleven,” I told him.
“Fuck boss that’s...” Jacob, started.
“I know its O’Sullivan’s territory,” I said.
“Do you need a clean-up?” He asked.
“No, Lesley’s here, and she needs to be watched,” I told him.
I knew how he felt about Lesley. He left her the way I left Layla.
“Is she okay?” Jacob, asked.
“Yeah, she’s here with Layla,” I told him.
“Fuck! I’m on my way.” Jacob, said.
The line disconnected. I slipped the phone back into my pocket and headed back in the direction I left the girls. I knew how Jacob felt and he understood what we had to do back then. That was then, Michael was now dead.
The table held both giggling girls and as they sipped their drinks.
“Jacob’s on his way,” I told Layla.
Lesley, froze mid-sip and turned to look at me.
“Ivan?” She asked.
She looked confused as her eyes drifted from Layla, to me. I could see the moment it all sunk in. The moment it all connected in her alcohol-fogged brain.
“No! Tell me you didn’t!” Lesley, shouted.
Her eyes were on Layla, accusingly.
“I’m sorry Lesley, but I couldn’t let you throw it away on that sleazy guy,” Layla, said.
“That wasn’t your call to make!” Lesley, shouted.
Lesley, slammed her glass on the table almost hard enough to break it.
“Don’t fucking talk to her like that,” I growled.
“And you! How could you after all these years just walk back into her life like nothing ever happened?” Lesley screamed at me.
“Lesley…” Layla whispered.
Layla’s voice was full of pain. I could see the moment Lesley realized she hurt Layla. Her shoulders stiffened and the anger that had her fighting left.
“I’m sorry, Layla,” Lesley, said.
“I understand, Lesley. I’m also sorry,” Layla, responded.
They both stood and hugged each other across the table. Then the bartender Lesley had been speaking to appeared and set a pitcher of what looked like margaritas on the table.
I glared at the man who I know isn’t supposed to leave the bar and contemplated kicking his ass. Not only was he the enemy, but he was also eye fucking Layla.
The moment his eyes connected with mine, he fell on his ass. I watched in amusement as people stumbled away from him. Without a word, he ran from his spot on the floor.
“That wasn’t very nice.” Layla’s, sweet voice reached my ears, and I tried and failed to keep the amused smile off my face.
Chapter 19
Jacob
Everything in me froze as my eyes connected with Lesley. Fuck, she was gorgeous. Even after all this time, she made my heart stop.
Her short black dress rode up slightly as she bent over the table to whisper into Layla’s, ear. I knew she was going to be pissed.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she threatened to take my balls. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as my eyes ate up all of her.
Ivan spotted me the moment I walked into the club. Slowly without taking my eyes off her, I made my way through the crowd of people.
I didn’t pause until I was right behind her. I was so close I could feel the heat coming off her body. I knew the moment Layla caught a glimpse of me. Her gasp was just audible enough to reach my ears over the pulsing music.
Lesley stiffened and straightened in her seat. It felt good to be this close to her again. To be within touching distance of her.
Mine.
The word was a whisper as it floated through my thoughts. I fucked up when I walked away from her all those years ago.
“Jacob.”
Her voice was lyrical. Full of sadness and pain. I destroyed us both, something I wasn’t so sure I could forgive myself for.
I couldn’t help the need to look at her left hand. On graduation day I proposed to her, and one month later I walked away.
Giving her some bullshit line about how it was over, and I had moved on. She was in the dark about who I was, and what I did.
“Lesley.”
My voice was gruff and filled with dark promise. Promises of all the things I wanted to do to her. I watched as she shivered.
Then the smile that I was trying to hide spread even wider over my face. Game on baby, game on.
Chapter 20
Layla
I couldn’t believe he was here. He sat next to me and watched every small move I made. My heart lodged in my throat, and my lungs froze in my chest. Heat suffused me.
I watch as Lesley, filled her cup again and emptied it in one big gulp. I was quickly joining her in our quest to get shit-faced drunk.
It’s not every day that the men who broke you suddenly showed back up in your life as if no time has passed. I was at a loss for words, and each drink gave me an excuse to stay silent.
I was angry, hurt, and the worst of it, I was happy. I wanted to hurt him like he hurt me, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything that may do just that.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
But he already did, and that was when I believed everything he told me. Those days were over. I knew better now. Didn’t I?
“Layla, sweetheart,” he said.
“What do you want from me, Ivan?” I asked.
I held my breath as he uttered the word that I’ve dreamed about for so long.
“Everything,” He said.
Grabbing the second pitcher, I refilled my cup and quickly drained
its contents. I was three sheets to the wind and still not drunk enough to deal with this.
“I think you’ve had enough,” Ivan told me.
I pulled my cup out of reach and refilled it. I took another big gulp, then another, and soon it was empty, again.
“Y-y-you d-d-don’t tell me what to do-o-o!” I slurred and stumbled over my words.
I wasn’t a drinker, not really, so my tolerance was low, and I just drank enough for seven of me.
I felt a hand on my elbow holding me upright. Oops, I almost fell out of my chair. Lesley pointed and laughed at me as Jacob was also trying to keep her from falling from hers.
Maybe he was right. I’ve had enough.
“Will you take me home?” I asked.
Ivan’s eyes darkened when I asked him to take me home. Something tingled between my thighs. I wasn’t thinking right, but I wanted what his eyes were promising.
I looked at Lesley as Jacob, proceeded to help her stand. I watched as he ran a hand through his blond hair. She resisted him.
Women were watching him move. Jacob, had a tall, muscular frame, scruffy beard, and striking green eyes. He reminded me of a fallen angel.
His beauty was almost too much for one man to have and yet he pulled it off somehow.
“Pretty boy,” I muttered.
Ivan heard me, and I watched as his body stiffened. The colored lights that were flashing through the room slashed across his face.
“He’s a pretty boy but you, you’re a rugged chunk of hotness.” I all but shouted the words to Ivan, and my cheeks turned a bright shade of red.
I could feel the heat from the other dancers as the music changed to a slower, more sexual pace. Ivan, shifted in his seat.
His black t-shirt hugging his chest and muscular arms perfectly.
“Take me home Ivan, please,” I pleaded with him.
I wasn’t letting him leave me again. He owed me one night filled with all the sinful things he used to whisper in my ear when we were younger.
The people dancing suddenly parted as Ivan, plowed through them. My hand was in his as he dragged me behind him. Little giggles escaped me as he rushed us from the building.