The Boss: A Dark Mafia Romance, page 26
Everything happened fast, additional gunshots fired.
“Stay here, both of you,” I commanded, taking a quick glance from Willow’s pained eyes to Eros.
“I’ll keep her safe,” he yelled. “Go. Go!”
I took off running, heading to the right as an unknown vehicle tried to speed off. With both hands on the barrel, I got off several rounds. Christos joined me, both firing indiscriminately.
Until the car sped away.
“We’re damn lucky no one was killed,” Havros stated under his breath.
“The fuckers got away, but I shot one of the bastards,” Christos chimed in. He’d been pacing the floor of my office where we’d retreated to for ten minutes. We couldn’t waste but so much time given the event was supposed to be a celebration of life.
And because of what we were prepared to embark on.
“Aren’t you worried this shit is going to backfire?” Havros pushed.
“No. The fact the Stalker took such a risk means we have him worried that we’re closing in.” I only half believed that. I was still concerned we were being duped in some way. Thankfully, the family had been well protected, our soldiers doing their jobs as they’d been taught. With only minor injuries to a couple of guests, I was led to believe the family was their main target. Or perhaps just the man known as the Boss.
Christos took a gulp of his drink. “Dimitrios is right. We’re too far along and flushing the Stalker out seems like something that can occur.”
“At least the fucker is in town. If Shane is behind this, he’s worried about his sister. That will work in our favor.”
“What if he doesn’t give a shit about her?” Christos threw in.
I took a deep breath. From the memories I had of the young man, even though I hadn’t been impressed or even liked him before, I didn’t believe he’d purposely eliminate his sister. I prayed to God my thinking wasn’t a fool’s belief. “He won’t.”
“I hope you’re right.” Havros patted me on the arm.
“Didn’t either one of you find it interesting that the Armenian left just minutes prior to when the shooting began?” I looked from one to the other.
“True. There is no such thing as a coincidence in our world.” Christos lifted his glass. “I did find something out about his father as you asked.”
“What’s that?”
“There are reports the man is dead, killed by his own son. He was involved in the artistic community one day then disappeared. Rumors started flying in the Armenian neighborhoods.”
I turned my head slowly in my brother’s direction. “So Davit could have full access to all the power, wealth, and influence.”
Havros grunted. “I think we underestimated the prick.”
“Maybe. Christos, have a few of our men shadow Davit. I want to know what the fucker is doing at all times.”
“I’m already ahead of you on that task,” he told me. “Davit went back to his estate and hasn’t left.”
“Keep watch. Don’t have him killed. I want to talk to him. After the plan goes down.”
“Are you certain Willow is still up for doing this? She was rattled by the shooting.”
Yes, she was. She’d remained quiet, only answering yes or no to questions. My concern had me leaning toward cancelling at least tonight. “She’ll be fine.”
My little dove was important and I was determined nothing would happen to her.
Nothing.
As soon as Nico rushed into the room, I sensed things had been turned upside down. “What now?”
“Willow. She’s gone. Your mother said she was anxious and suddenly, she walked out.”
CHAPTER 29
Twenty minutes earlier
Willow
“Answer the phone,” I said out loud. As if commanding my brother to answer his goddamn phone was going to work. I was pacing the garden, trying to keep my wits. The rings continued and I sensed his voicemail would come on. At least hearing his voice would provide some sense of false comfort.
I was right, yet his voice and message were different than before. Guarded. Or fearful.
“Leave a message.”
At first, I almost thought I’d dialed the wrong number but after a quick glance at the screen, I knew better. Did that mean he was still alive? Now I had to perform the best acting I’d ever done.
“Shane. It’s Willow. I need you. I must talk with you. Only you can help me. I was abducted by Dimitrios Nomikos. He’s holding me against my will. He’s going to force me to marry him. I can’t do it. I can’t spend the rest of my life with a killer. Please help me. I’ve found a way to escape his clutches. Please call me back. I have a friend here who’s going to help me. She’s coming to get me. She knows a safe place. Please. Mommy and Daddy are dead. Dead! You’re the only one I trust. Just… please.” I was sobbing at the end, my heart racing.
Exhaling, I held the phone against my chest, constantly scanning the landscape. The noise from the gathering filtered toward me adding to my anxiousness. I adored Dimitrios’ parents, but a party? There was music playing, food and liquor. It just didn’t seem right.
It was time to leave whether or not Shane returned my call. What if he was watching? What if he’d been spying on me the entire time?
What if he didn’t care what happened to me?
I was terrified, my heart aching as much as the night I’d returned to the villa. Nothing made sense any longer.
Think clearly. Breathe. You can do this. You can escape.
The lingering little voice inside my head wasn’t helping as much as I’d hoped. Everything felt out of hand. But this was required. I wanted to live my life as I determined.
After taking several scattered breaths, I shifted to the edge of the property. I’d found another way of getting past the guards. I could do this. All I had to do was to take one step in front of the other.
Guests were outside, enjoying the deck surrounding the pool. I kept close to the trees, doing my best not to make a single sound. With every step closer to the outskirts of the estate, I said a silent mantra. It managed to give a boost to my resolve.
Hearing laughter, I eased into the shadows, the early evening sun providing enough cover.
Or so I hoped.
Everything was a blur as I continued trekking toward the front. A guard suddenly appeared only fifty feet in front of me. Shit. Shit. Hunkering down, I waited as he walked the perimeter, finally moving off in another direction. I made a run for it, racing toward freedom.
I could see the road and continued rushing without looking back. Every muscle in my body ached, my head throbbing. Yet I couldn’t stop. I had to do this. I had to escape.
Once cleared of the trees and on the road, I took a deep breath. I’d told Athena where to meet me after begging her for help. She’d been terrified, threatening to contact the Greek police. I only prayed to God she’d heeded my plea to allow me to handle this.
Keeping my head down, I yanked out the hat I’d snagged, shoving my long hair underneath. I’d changed into a sweatshirt and jeans, hoping to hide my identity. I used the same caution as I headed around the side of another massive estate, reaching another road. At that point, I took another series of deep breaths.
I remained on the outskirts, keeping close to a line of trees. There was no car, no indication she’d followed through with her promise to come get me.
When a set of headlights flashed, relief flooded through my system. After tossing a quick look over my shoulder, I raced toward the awaiting vehicle.
The moment I threw open the door, jumping inside, Athena huffed.
“Are you nuts?” she asked.
That remained to be seen.
“Just drive. Okay?”
“Are you going to tell me what’s really going on?” She hesitated before pressing her foot down on the accelerator.
Those few seconds felt like hours, my stomach in knots.
“It’s complicated.”
“You’re scaring me to death. What about your parents? I heard about them. I’m so sorry.” Athena rolled down the road while I slunk down in the seat. “Do you know who killed them?”
Yes. No. Maybe.
“I’m scared to death. I just need to talk to my brother.”
“Has he contacted you?”
“No.” I yanked my phone into my hand, staring at the blank screen. I had a terrible feeling he wasn’t going to return my call. “Where are we going?”
She threw a glance in my direction. “A friend of mine you haven’t met is out of the country for a week. I’m taking care of her plants and have access to a key. I don’t like this, Willow. You’re going to get yourself into some serious trouble. Let alone the danger I think you’re in. We should go to the police.”
I’d only told her limited information about Dimitrios. Allowing another party into the mix wasn’t a good idea. That much I’d gathered myself. “No police. I’ll be fine. I just need to do this. What’s the address?”
She spouted it off and I texted it to Shane, begging him once again to come meet me there. I kept the phone in my hand just in case he tried to call. Hundreds of thoughts were racing through my mind, none of them allowing for a positive conclusion.
Neither one of us talked as she drove, but I sensed she had as many questions as I did. Less than twenty minutes later, she pulled up in front of a group of white buildings, all poised on a rocky cliff overlooking the city.
“I really don’t want to leave you alone like this. Let me come inside with you,” Athena pleaded.
“No! No, it’s fine. I’ll be okay. Where’s the key?” God. Why was she hesitating? “Athena. Please. You’re a good friend. I know what I’m doing. Okay?”
“Okay, but call me if you need a ride or a way out of the country. My father can help.”
“I appreciate that.”
“The key is under the planter on the front stairs. Just do me a favor and be careful. Whatever you’re involved in might be extremely dangerous.”
Might be? It was.
“You’re a good friend. Thank you.” After unfastening my seatbelt, I leaned over, pulling her into a hug. “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
As I climbed out, staring up at the buildings, I had a sick sense that nothing would be okay. There were no other options. None. I raced up the stairs, hurriedly searching for and finding the key. My hands were shaking as I unlocked the door, so much so I almost dropped the key twice.
Once inside and safely behind a locked door, I leaned against it. Now it was time to wait.
If I could stand doing so.
I peeked out the front window through the blinds, unable to see anything but vehicles driving back and forth on the street. My nerves were already shot. I guess I wouldn’t make a good double agent.
A nervous laughed erupted from my throat. The ragged sound was a bitter reminder I was in over my head.
Twenty minutes passed and all I could to was pace and wring my hands. I’d turned on a single light, constantly rubbing my fingers on the necklace Dimitrios had given me.
Another ten minutes and I was close to sobbing. I’d never felt so utterly helpless in my life.
When another fifteen came and went, I had to face the possibility Shane was no longer alive.
A quick blipping noise caught my attention. A text.
I yanked the phone from my back pocket, holding my breath as I prayed my brother was alive and still cared about me.
Shane: I’m here.
Me: Come to the front door.
Excitement tore through me and I hesitated before pressing another button on my phone and placing it on the small dining room table.
Oh, fuck. Oh, holy fuck. With fumbling fingers, I opened the door. Shane rushed inside, closing and locking immediately before moving toward the front blinds. He closed the slats and backed away from the window.
I almost didn’t recognize my brother. He was at least twenty pounds heavier, his hair cut extremely short. He was cautious but not nearly as nervous as I was. There was an air of confidence about him. He studied me for a few seconds before taking long strides in my direction, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Oh, baby sister. I’m so sorry. So very sorry.”
“What is going on? Our parents are dead. You were at the villa. I know you were. They think you’re the Stalker, some crazy assassin. Did you kill our parents? Did you kill Leandro Nomikos? Did you?”
“Whoa. Calm down. Take a deep breath. Things aren’t what you’ve heard.”
“Are you the goddamn Stalker?” I pushed myself away, finding a need to search his eyes. My brother could never lie to me. He sucked at it just like…
Dimitrios.
Thinking the handsome Greek’s name only brought another wave of sadness, despair so intense I was faltering with finding the right words.
“No, Willow. I’m not the Stalker. Why would you think that?”
“Your name was mentioned. People are talking.”
“What people?” Shane demanded.
I refused to answer. He didn’t deserve any information from me. It was the other way around.
“Dimitrios Nomikos. Your fiancé.” He huffed. “What the fuck did you do?”
“What did I do? Are you kidding me right now? You disappeared and the single time you took my call, you told me to run. From what? Bad men. Which bad men? There are a hell of a lot of them. Including you.”
“We need to get you out of the country.”
I took a step away. “I’m not going anywhere until I learn the truth. Why were our parents murdered in cold blood?” The sadness in my voice had switched to pure rage.
My brother dared to take two steps in my direction and my instincts kicked in. Reaching behind my back, I yanked the weapon Dimitrios had provided into my hand. The moment I pointed the barrel at my brother, a sob escaped.
“Willow. What are you doing?” He threw out his hands, his face clearly showing the shock he felt.
“Tell me the truth or so help me God, Shane. What are you in the middle of?”
“You’re not going to shoot me.” He was foolish enough to take another step closer.
“Don’t push me. You have no idea what I’ve been through. I’m not the same little girl who thought you were a fucking hero. You’re not. I won’t take any crap from anyone any longer. I will shoot you if necessary.”
The front door was kicked in and Shane jerked around, immediately pulling out a weapon of his own. His eyes opened wide as he watched several men piling into the room.
My uncle included.
“Don’t do it, Shane,” I told him as I moved to his side, keeping the weapon in both hands and directly in front of me.
“Let me have the weapon, little dove,” Dimitrios told me.
“I won’t allow him to shoot you.” I shifted from foot to foot.
Shane shook his head. “You lured me here.”
“You bet I did.”
“What are you doing with him?”
I laughed. “You have no right to demand any answers from me. Dimitrios is the single person who helped me. He protected me. What the fuck were you doing?”
Dimitrios moved to my side, slowly lifting his arm and placing it on my hands. “Don’t do this, Willow. It’s not what you want. It’s what I want. We’re going to talk. All of us.”
At least my brother was nervous, maybe even fearful of what I’d do. After a few seconds, I slowly started to lower my arms, allowing Dimitrios to take and pocket the weapon.
“Jesus Christ, Shane,” Uncle Gregory said under his breath. “What the fuck happened to you?”
“Uncle Greg,” Shane said. I noticed he didn’t lower his weapon, shifting his angry gaze from our uncle to Dimitrios.
Dimitrios winked as he walked closer, Havros closing the door behind him. I wanted to remind the man I adored he’d need to replace the door or Athena would kick my ass.
I’d do that later.
“You’re going to tell us everything,” I barked, barely recognizing my voice any longer.
“I’d listen to your sister, Shane. She’s one tough lady. You did good, little dove.”
It finally fully settled into my brother’s mind that I’d lured him into a web. His baby sister, the one who’d never done anything wrong in her life. As he turned his head, I sensed both rage and sadness.
“Why?” he asked me. “You didn’t trust me.”
“How could I? I brought you here because someone is trying to frame you.” I made the choice to share that with him. If I got into trouble with Dimitrios, so be it. “That is, unless you’re guilty and actually the Stalker.”
Dimitrios had a weapon in both hands, but his arms were lowered in front of him. “Nico, take our guest’s weapon from him.”
“Frame me. That figures,” Shane said, his laugh indicating it wasn’t a huge surprise.
“You got it, boss.” Nico did as he was asked, Shane smartly not attempting to keep it.
Dimitrios walked slowly toward the dining room table, pulling out a chair. He glanced at my phone, hitting the screen and smiling. “My little dove recorded the session. You’ve learned a lot from me about sleuthing.”
“You learned more from me,” I countered.
He laughed and sat back in the chair. “We need to have a long talk, Shane.” I moved beside the man, folding my arms and studying my brother as if he’d been encased in a glass Petri dish. I felt as if I didn’t know him any longer. He was wearing a dark suit, a classic example of Armani. Nicely tailored and costing more than his meager paycheck should allow.
Another indication that my brother had jumped to the dark side. Not just morally gray but pitch black. I hated him for it, but I needed him at the same time.
Shane had never been the kind of person to show his emotions. He had the best bland expression of anyone I’d ever known.
“You’re going to confess, Shane. My brother is dead. Your father and mother. Your sister’s life was placed in jeopardy. Don’t you give a damn?” Greg threw out.
Shane sighed and looked away.
“You fucking ungrateful kid. My brother knew you were into something illegal. Didn’t he?”
