Conquered: A Dark Mafia Romance, page 29
If I really believed that, why did the thought of him being with anyone else bother me so much? I turned a corner, heading out of the area where quaint shops and restaurants ruled the few blocks. I was pretty certain I’d gone around the block three times in my horrible fog. The first thing I’d done was turn off my phone. I had a feeling Josie would try to contact me, certainly Easton, when he realized I’d disobeyed him.
I wanted to laugh. Maybe it was time to go back home, even though I wasn’t certain what I had to return to. I wasn’t a sheep farmer. I was a writer. An author. A horrible sounding moan left my throat and I almost ran off the road. After jerking the wheel, I checked the rearview mirror to ensure I wasn’t being followed by the police, or worse, had almost killed someone.
No, but there was a vehicle following closely behind. Had it been there before?
I gripped the steering wheel with both hands, hating the fact I was close to being lost. Maybe I was just on edge given the horrible conversation with Josie. Noticing a turn up just ahead, I waited until the last minute, saying a silent prayer I didn’t blow out a tire before jerking to the right. When I didn’t see the vehicle, I took a deep breath.
Then the car made the turn and my hackles were raised. What the hell was I supposed to do? I wasn’t certain where I was or where I was going. What I did know was I couldn’t allow my pride to get in the way.
Or my sadness.
I turned on my phone, gasping for air as I noticed the car speeding up behind me. I scanned the road, praying that I’d recognize something. Anything.
When I heard a beep indicating a voicemail after my phone had fully turned on, I jerked it into my hand. It was from Easton. My hand shaking, I struggled with trying to keep the car straight while listening to the message.
“Little fawn. You’re in danger. Call me. Things aren’t always as they seem. Please trust me.”
Things aren’t always as they seem.
Trust. Could I dare trust him or even myself at this point?
I took another turn.
The car followed.
Then another.
The sedan was right there directly behind me, alternately speeding up then slowing down, trying to terrorize me. I scanned the area, trying to catch my breath and find my courage. I was in an obviously rougher part of town, the broken-door cars and boarded-up buildings a dead giveaway. Why did I have the feeling that whoever was following me was trying to disorient me?
When I heard what sounded like an engine revving, I looked into the rearview mirror once again. The driver was getting closer. I strained to try to make out who was in the driver’s seat but after the last turn, the sun was now blinding. Easton. Jesus. I had little choice but to trust the man I was falling in love with. Even if it killed me.
Yet before I was able to hit redial, my phone rang. Without looking, I answered it, ready to crawl into the safety of his arms.
“Easton.”
“No. It’s Josie. I tried to call you. I wanted to warn you.”
“You’ve already done enough, you bitch. Just stay out of my life.”
“No!” she yelled. “No, you need to listen to me. You’re in danger. I have something horrible to tell you.”
Danger…
Easton
I had no clue where I was headed except that I was determined to find Sara. No matter what it took or who I had to kill in order to find out. Fuck the Feds. Fuck the senator. I protected what was mine.
And she was mine.
If she thought for a minute I was going to let her go, she had another thing coming. I laughed bitterly as I scanned from right to left continuously. It had been what, two minutes since I’d tried her phone. That was long enough. At least being in the car, I was hands free, hitting a button that had her phone number already programmed.
I was so enraged I was seeing spots in front of my eyes but as the phone connected, I was rewarded by a ring. Then a second. I was so fucking elated I smacked my hand on the steering wheel. At least that meant she was alive. Another two rings. Fuck. I’d need to leave another message.
“What the hell are you doing, honey?” I asked the question out loud as if doing so would matter.
When I was certain her voicemail would come on, hearing the frightened yet angry voice instead raised more than my hackles.
“Easton.”
“I’m right here, little fawn. Where are you?”
“I know… who it is. I know.”
“Yeah, so do I.”
“He’s following me.”
“You’re certain?” I was trying to remain calm, but I had a feeling Marcus would kill her.
“Yeah. A dark green Chevy Cruise. But it can’t be who I think it is. He drives a red truck.”
I twisted my hand around the steering wheel. That was the very car he drove on a normal basis. “He has two vehicles, honey. Where are you?”
“I don’t know but he’s toying with me.”
Yeah, the fucker would do that. It would seem that’s all he was good at. “Describe where you are. Landmarks. Gas stations. Street signs. Give me anything.”
She started rambling and all I could do was try to piece together what she was telling me given she was terrified. By the time I realized she was headed toward the worst part of town, the rush of adrenaline flowing through me was making it difficult to drive. I quickly calculated where I was, where I could lead her to safety and how best to protect her. “You need to listen to me very carefully. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Some things were said about you. Horrible things. The police are after you and your family.”
“I know, honey. You need to focus on my voice and nothing else.”
“Oh, God. He’s speeding up.”
“Listen, baby. Just listen. Here’s what I need you to do. Whatever happens, do not stop. Do you hear me? Not until you’ve passed me on the road. Got it?”
“Got it.” At least her voice had gotten slightly stronger.
She was tough. I’d give her that, but she didn’t understand the power of vengeance. As I offered instructions, I flew around every corner, accelerating to well over eighty miles per hour. Just let a cop try to stop me.
“Stay on the line with me. But just drive,” I instructed, praying to God she’d do exactly as I said. Even if she did, it was a real crapshoot whether I could keep her alive. One thing was clear in my mind. I would die trying.
Another turn and I was within a mile of her.
When she squealed, I pressed the gas pedal down again. “What’s happening?”
“He’s gaining on me. What do I do? What do I do?”
I scanned the area outside the windshield, calculating the time it would take to get to her. “There’s a right turn coming up. You need to take it. From there, floor it. Do not hesitate. You’ll see my car. Do not stop.”
“Okay.”
I wanted to cut the asshole limb from limb just for terrifying her. I yanked the weapon into my hand, jerking out a full ammunition clip and replacing it. “Are you sure about the turn?”
“Yes. I see it. He’s so close. So close.”
“Just do as I told you. I’m almost there.” I made a turn onto the same street, calculating the time I needed.
“Turn made. He’s there. Right there.”
“Floor it. Now!”
I sensed she’d followed my command and slowed down, searching frantically in front of me. When I noticed her car, I was fucking grateful the bastard had pushed her into an area with little traffic. The last thing I wanted was for innocent bystanders to be hurt. But that would happen if necessary in order to keep her safe.
As her car sped up, I was hopeful she recognized the car. I climbed out, not bothering to close the door. With the weapon in both hands, I moved to the front of my car, learning how to pray all over again. She’d floored it to the point it had caught the jerk off guard, gaining at least a couple hundred yards.
“That’s it, baby. That’s it.” Come on. Come on. I was ready, allowing the anger to move to a place of peace.
I was certain she was going to slow seeing me, but when she flew by, all I could think was ‘what a good girl.’
Then I took aim.
It took the son of a bitch only a couple of seconds to realize he wasn’t going to accomplish his task. When he jerked to a stop, I aimed the weapon at his windshield, concentrating to ensure Sara had followed my instructions to the letter.
She had.
I took long strides into the middle of the street, not caring if anyone saw a man with a weapon in the middle of fucking broad daylight. The son of a bitch wasn’t going to get away from me.
When he backed up, I took off running forward.
But Marcus, my old buddy and the single man I’d trusted over the last few years made the wrong decision to press down on the accelerator, gunning for me. I took position dead in the middle of the street, not holding back at all.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
A sudden sharp scream roared from behind me and I took another two shots, prepared to empty the magazine if necessary.
When he veered off, I stood exactly where I was. As he headed straight for a line of trees lining the road, I took a deep breath.
“No. No. No. No!”
I backed away, waiting for the horrible crash and when Sara flew into my arms, I was forced to turn halfway around, refusing to allow her to be hurt any more than she’d already been. I kept my weapon pointed at the man, catching a slight glimpse of his face as if in slow motion.
And the horrific smirk he was wearing as if he’d won.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s okay,” I told her but that was the only thing I could say just before…
Boom!
CHAPTER 28
Sara
There were no words to describe the way I was feeling other than being grateful I was alive. He’d saved me. On top of being a brilliant author, a powerful and debonair man, he’d now shifted into the category of hero.
I think I liked the latter title the best. Although sexy worked.
Hunky.
Rugged.
Suave baby.
I giggled but when I did, I was reminded only five days before I’d been in a horrific blast. Only two days before had the ringing stopped in my ears. What had shocked me almost as much as being chased by a man everyone believed they could trust or that a woman I’d considered one of my best friends had betrayed me, was the horrific explosion we’d endured. We’d been tossed back by several feet, landing only inches away from Easton’s car.
The fire had all but consumed the vehicle within seconds, leaving nothing but a charred wreck. Even Marcus’ body had been incinerated. Of course, Easton hadn’t allowed me to look, protecting me as his brothers had rolled in like additional knights on big steel steeds.
It seemed impossible now, including the fact that while Easton had tended to the minor cuts I’d received, what he called a cleanup crew had removed all traces of the car and the fire within what seemed like minutes.
Although I knew it had been much longer. Everything had simply moved in slow motion. Even now, days and nights seemed to mold together as I continued to process what I’d seen.
And what I’d heard.
I’d heard how Marcus had lost his father, Easton holding nothing back other than what he called the gory details. However, there were no secrets left between us, our long discussions something I would cherish.
Even if most people would call me sick for accepting just how horrible his life had been and the bad deeds he’d taken upon himself to do.
All the details were still somewhat surreal, but I trusted Easton far more than I ever had with Josie.
I sat with the glass of wine in my hand, listening to the continued Skype meeting he was having with his brothers. He hadn’t tried to shut me out of anything, including conversations with his family. I still found it hard to believe I’d bought the doctored photograph of him in the first place.
However, modern technology was extremely impressive.
I sat back, listening in on the conversation.
“For now, I’ve handled things with the police department, but I won’t put it past the good senator to rear his ugly head once again,” Creed said.
“Including trying to get a warrant to search the sanctuary of your house, Creed. That could include excavation,” Styx said quietly.
All three were worried and I couldn’t blame them. I almost started laughing again. Bodies buried in the grounds.
I must have made a sound since Easton turned his head in my direction, a smile crossing his face at the same time lust filled his eyes. He’d purposely left me alone to heal, as he’d said, although he’d spent every night in my room watching over me.
Like a hawk.
“We need to connect him to Marcus,” Creed stated.
I lifted my eyebrows. I knew what his brother wanted. For me to use Josie the way she’d used me. I had no proof she’d been sleeping with Marcus and all I wanted to do was to put the ugly incident behind me. Behind us.
After shaking my head that I wouldn’t allow Josie to be put on a chopping block, Easton lifted his glass in what appeared to be respect.
“Not going to happen, boys,” he said. “Sara doesn’t want her friend’s life destroyed.”
“Even after what the bitch did?” Creed snarled.
“You and I both know that girl was manipulated,” Easton said more for me than for their benefit.
Styx chuckled. “He’s right, Creed. In this case, the woman is a true victim in this horrendous scenario. I plan on issuing a warning to the good senator myself since he needs campaign funds. That should keep him on a short leash until we can ensure there’s nothing incriminating left. However, have you noticed our brother has been wrapped around a girl’s finger finally?”
Easton moved out of the view of his laptop screen, placing his finger across his lips. I pretended like I was zipping them before taking a satisfying sip of my merlot. How could I not enjoy eavesdropping?
“True. I think our boy has finally met his match with that little woman. Speaking of a leash. Soon, she’s going to be dragging you around by one,” Creed teased.
Easton planted his hands on his desk, leaning over with the mischievous grin forming on his face I so adored. “Gentlemen. Let me remind you that both Emily and Bella captured more than just your hearts, something you begged me to consider allowing to happen. I am curious. How tight are the collars you’re wearing?” He laughed and winked at me seconds later.
“You’re a bad man,” Creed said. “Don’t forget the christening is in four days. You will not miss it or Bella will have my balls.”
While all three men laughed, I realized how lucky I felt on so many levels.
I had a career that I adored already.
A man I loved, even if I’d promised myself that I had to wait to confirm saying that for at least a respectable month.
And a growing family. I couldn’t wait to meet everyone. It was strange and maybe too twisted for anyone else to understand, but I felt as if I was finally home.
Even my parents had shocked me by encouraging me to follow my dreams when I’d talked to them the night before. Maybe I really could have everything I wanted.
I only prayed the nightmares would end eventually and I could get back to writing.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Styx said. “We’ll come bearing wine and presents.”
Easton had even told me during one of our heartfelt talks that there would be no more Angel of Death, that the crusader had been put to rest. I’d taken that to mean he’d realized how much he could have lost.
And how much he had to gain in the future.
“Say hello to Sara for us,” Styx said.
I couldn’t help myself, jumping up and racing toward Easton’s desk. When I stuck my face into the middle of the screen, I could tell both men were shocked I’d been listening the whole time. “Hello, boys. I’ll be eager to meet you as well. And don’t worry. I won’t make Easton’s collar too tight.”
“God, she’s perfect,” Creed said.
“Goodbye, brothers of mine.” Without any hesitation, Easton ended the Skype call, immediately turning to face me. When he wagged his finger, all I could do was shrug, giving him a slight puppy dog look.
“What?”
“You are one bad girl. You weren’t supposed to let them know you were listening.”
“I couldn’t help myself. Remove my privileges.” I planted one hand on his chest. I wasn’t making light of his past, or that of his brothers. I knew some terrible things had occurred, but in my mind the three boys had been through hell and back, finally learning to let the horrors go.
Would I wonder about other details? Maybe.
Would I ever be worried Easton would become his father? Never.
I knew better. I wasn’t wearing rose-colored glasses. I was being allowed to see the little boy who’d adored his mother, grieving the loss while blaming himself, building his life after so much pain and torture into being a pillar of society. Now I was able to watch him experience so many things in joy for the first time.
Movies.
Ice cream.
Pizza.
Grilling.
Simple things that so many of us took for granted. For us, it was perfect. And I did so love him for allowing the light to erode the darkness.
“I think I’m going to do better than that,” he mused.
“Oh, you are, huh?” I ran my finger down from his neck to his chest, enjoying the way he growled.
“Yes, and I know exactly what to do to try and keep you in line.” He wasn’t hesitant about reminding me he was still in charge, tossing me over the edge of the desk, immediately yanking my dress to my waist, my thong to my knees.
All before I had a chance to react.
“What are you doing?” I huffed, struggling to push myself up from his desk. I threw a look over my shoulder, trying to keep from being horrified even though I was already excited, far too wet.
