Page 11

Chapter Eleven

Elena

D ante leaves in a huff to take care of the bodies at the motel Aiden left behind. “Consider it a courtesy,” he says on his way out. I can tell Dante thinks I’m being na?ve by staying with Aiden but I don’t want to leave. My other option is to return home to my mom – who hates me – and marry a man I barely know. Viktor seems nice enough but it’s Aiden I can’t stop thinking about.

“We need to leave,” Aiden tells me. “In case any of the biker’s friends show up.” The biker. Neither of us even knew his name.

Aiden drives us to the harbor while it’s still dark out. “I didn’t want to do this with you around but I need to get rid of the bodies. Just stay down. I don’t want you to be spotted.”

“And what about you? If you get caught, then I’m screwed. I can help speed things up.”

He gives me a strange look. “You want to help me dispose of the dead bodies in the trunk of this car?”

I shudder. “Not really. But we’re in this together now, Aiden. I want to help. You killed these men to save my life. It’s the least I can do.”

“Ok,” he says, even though he sounds uncertain. I’m not even sure what has gotten into me. I’m slowly becoming a new person but I don’t feel as scared by that as I probably should be. Instead, it’s exhilarating.

I help carry the box that has the dead biker in it, with Aiden taking one side and me taking the other.

“We need to make sure this box sinks.” He nods at rocks by the side of the road. “There.”

Quickly, Aiden stuffs the box filled with rocks while I look away since he still doesn’t want me to see what he did to that biker. Once the box is filled, Aiden shoves it into the harbor with a grunt.

“Only three more bodies to go,” he says, his words almost getting lost on the night air.

Moving at a fast pace, we dump the other three bodies into the harbor. And then it’s done. Dante will handle the ones left at the motel, so we have nothing more to do for the night.

Except, find a new place to sleep.

“Where do we go now?” I ask as Aiden drives us away from the harbor.

“First, we need to switch cars. Nothing will be open this late so we need to steal something.”

A few minutes later, we’re parked in a quiet residential street where Aiden manages to steal a car without anyone’s notice.

“Once morning comes,” he says, “I’ll buy us a new car. Until then, we need a new place to sleep. I don’t trust any motel now after what happened.”

“So where do we go? We don’t want to spend the night in a car we stole.”

He sighs and grips the steering wheel tighter until his knuckles turn white. “There is one place we can go.”

“Where?”

“To Patrick Sullivan.”

“The Irish mob boss?”

“That would be the one,” he says in a clipped tone. “He practically taught me how to be a man. He would let us in.”

“But you left.”

“That was because Finn wanted to leave. Not because I wanted to. Patrick and I left on good terms. He would give us a place to sleep.”

“But what about Finn? Would he let Finn know were there?”

“I don’t think so. Not when he wasn’t the biggest fan of Finn. He always thought Finn was too reckless.”

I stare down at my lap. My pants have been ripped off me tonight by a bad man. The sight of my pants now make me shudder. If it weren’t for Aiden, I would have been… I don’t even want to think the word.

And that biker had me on his couch. The unspeakable things he was going to do to me would have become a reality if not for Aiden saving me again.

“Is this the best idea?” I ask. “Going to an Irish mob boss? I mean, I’m a Bratva daughter. Will he take kindly to that?”

“We just won’t tell him. I’ll tell him you’re my girlfriend. We’ll only stay a night or two until I can find a place to buy with cash. He won’t know if we don’t say anything.”

“But he’s a mobster. They tend to do research into people.”

“True. But not within a couple of days. Just play it cool and everything will be fine.”

I don’t like this one bit but Aiden has kept me safe so far, despite the harrowing situations we’ve been in. He’s trying his best. He’s the only one trying as hard as he is.

My mom is probably dancing around the house, happy that I’m not there.

Patrick lives in a suburb near Boston in a very large colonial house. It’s a thing of beauty but the guards patrolling the front yard tell me that this isn’t a safe place for just anyone. If you’re a threat to the Irish then they’ll kill you.

I’ve heard stories of the Irish mob. They can be just as ruthless as the Mafia and Bratva. It’s all about guns and drugs and making money with them. Those are dangerous combinations.

“Just stay quiet. Try not to speak more than you need to. Let me lead.”

I follow Aiden to the front gate of the house. He walks like he belongs here and in a way, he does.

A guard stands at the gate, eyeing Aiden over warily. “What do you want?”

“I’m Aiden Murphy. Tell Patrick I’m here. He’ll know me.”

“And this?” He nods at me.

“My girlfriend, Elena.”

“Elena what?” the guard snaps.

“Elena Brennan.”

I try not to react to the fake last name Aiden gives me. It’s an Irish name. I guess Romanov wouldn’t go over well in a place like this.

The guard speaks into a walkie-talkie, telling someone that we’re here. After a moment, he nods. “You can come in.” The front gate groans as it slides open.

My legs tremble as we walk up the long driveway, like I’m heading towards something bad; something that could lead to my death.

My dad instilled in me a distrust of the Irish mob and the Mafia. Only the Bratva I could trust but even then, he still told me to be wary of any man, no matter if he was Russian or not.

The front door opens and a guard motions us into a beautiful cream-colored home with columns in the front entranceway that separate the foyer from the living room.

Seated in a large chair in the middle of the living room is an older man – probably sixties – with grey hair and a stern frown on his face. Two guards stand on either side of him. With guns, I notice.

“Aiden,” the man says, not kindly but not mean either.

“Patrick.”

“You’ve returned to your rightful home it seems.” His cool eyes slide onto me. “And you brought a girl home.”

“Yes. Elena.” Aiden slings his arm around my shoulders. “We’ve been together for a few months now.”

“Early.”

“It is.”

He shifts in his seat. The guards tense next to him like they’re waiting for him to strike. “What brings you home? And with a girl on top of it all.”

“We needed a place to stay for a couple of days.”

Patrick frowns. “Are you in trouble?”

“Just trying to stay away from Finn.”

“Huh. I always disliked that boy. Too much trouble for what he was worth. What’s going on now?”

“Finn wants to hurt Elena.”

Patrick looks at me with a lot more interest now. I try not to shy away. “Why?”

“Because he doesn’t like that I have a girlfriend. He thinks my attention is taken away from the job. He wants her gone and I’m trying to keep her safe. You can understand.”

“I do. Your brother has always been a possessive asshole. No offense,” he adds after a pause.

Aiden smiles tightly. “None taken.” Except, I can tell that Aiden doesn’t like Patrick talking about Finn.

“So, you want to stay here for a few nights. Make sure your girl is ok.”

“Exactly. If that’s all right with you.”

Patrick leans forward in his seat which only serves to make him look more intimidating. “You’re like family, Aiden. It’s all right with me. Hell, you can stay longer than a couple of days if you wanted.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

“All right then. Well, before I let you two go get settled, I’d like to catch up, if that’s all right? I want to get to know the girl who stole Aiden Murphey’s heart.”

I can’t keep the blush from my face. Patrick notices.

“Shy?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Well, Aiden did always have a soft spot for the quiet ones. Come. Sit down. I want to hear how you two met.”

Aiden has to gently nudge me towards the couch since my legs refuse to move on their own. There’s just something so intimidatingly scary about Patrick even though he hasn’t done anything wrong.

“We met at a bar,” Aiden lies.

“A bar? This little thing doesn’t even look old enough to drink. Having fun with the young ones, are you?”

“Elena is young. She’s nineteen. But she wasn’t drinking. She was there with some friends. They were drinking non-alcoholic drinks.”

“How unfortunate,” Patrick says. “What’s life without being able to drink?” He looks at his guards and they all nod their agreement. “So anyway. You met at a bar.”

“I thought she was cute. I came over to talk to her and she was shy about it. It was endearing. So I asked her out and she said yes. We’ve been together ever since.”

“Nice, nice. So, Elena, what made you say yes to Aiden? I know my boy. He rarely puts on the charm but when he does, it’s a powerful force.”

I sit up straighter and clear my throat as my heart begins to pound fast. Lie. I can do that.

“I thought he was handsome.” So… not a lie then. I can’t look at Aiden as I speak. It’s too embarrassing. “He was… sweet. So I said yes.”

Patrick’s face twists into disappointment like he had been expecting more from me. “Well, that’s the way it usually goes. I am curious though. Do you know what he does for work?”

Do I tell the truth or lie here? I’m not sure which answer Patrick is looking for.

“She knows I work in construction,” Aiden lies smoothly. There’s a gleam in Patrick’s eyes. He knows that Aiden ‘lied’ to me about his job but he doesn’t know that I know the truth.

“And does she know what I do for a living?”

“She knows you helped raise me. And that you’re a big wig at the firm you work at. That explains all the guards.”

“So an innocent then. Understood.”

I duck my chin into my chest. Maybe I can make myself invisible though with Patrick looking at me like a lion does a gazelle, I’m not sure I could ever be invisible again.

“Well, all of those are good things to know. One of my men will show you to your room for the night. Well, it’s practically morning by now. Get some sleep. I’ll see you for breakfast. We hold it at seven. I would love for both of you to join. I want to get to know Elena better.”

“Of course.” Aiden slips his fingers through mine and helps me stand up. I’m safe, I tell myself. Aiden is here. Aiden will take care of me.

We follow one of the guards down a long hallway to a guest room so nice, it’s like something out of a magazine. When the guard shuts the door behind us, I hear the lock on the outside turn.

My body goes cold. “Did… did they just lock us in?”

Aiden wriggles the doorknob. “Shit.”

“What?”

“Patrick likes to get his way. There’s a good chance he doesn’t want us leaving for anything.”

“You said I’d be safe here.”

Aiden places his hands on my arms. “I know. Patrick won’t hurt us. If he doesn’t have a reason, he won’t do it. Let’s just go to sleep and have breakfast and we’ll go out looking for a place to stay that isn’t with the Irish mob. We’ll be ok.”

Except, I’m not sure I believe Aiden and I’m not sure if he believes himself either.

I manage to sleep for hours so when I wake up, the sun is already high in the sky. Aiden isn’t with me and the door is open. At least we’re not locked in.

I’m hesitant to leave but I force my legs to move forward and I find Aiden and Patrick sitting at a kitchen table.

“You’re up,” Patrick says. “Finally. It’s already lunch time.”

“I was tired,” I admit. “It’s been a long night.”

“Aiden tells me he’s searching for a place to buy with cash.”

“So Finn won’t find it,” Aiden adds, taking a bite out of a sandwich. My stomach rumbles.

“Have some food,” Patrick offers.

I take a seat next to Aiden and grab one of the sandwiches on a plate in the middle of the table. It’s a large spread of food for just two people. Patrick is rich and wants everyone to know it.

I eat my sandwich within minutes.

“Hungry girl,” Patrick observes. “I’ve always liked a girl that could eat. I’m so glad that Aiden has finally returned home. No longer listening to his brother. I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

“I don’t understand,” I say through a yawn. Even though I just slept around seven hours, I suddenly feel extra sleepy.

“Aiden has never brought a girl home before and for him to bring a Russian into my house? What a surprise.”

I tense. Aiden looks at Patrick sharply.

“What are you talking about?” he asks. “Elena is Irish.”

Patrick’s eyes are pitying. “We both know she isn’t. I’ve been keeping tabs on you and your brother over the years since you left my operation. Saw that you got involved with the Mafia. Your choice even though I think they’re egotistical assholes. When I heard that you had kidnapped a Bratva girl, I was intrigued. It’s circulating throughout our world, Aiden. When you showed up, I was happy to see you but was surprised the girl was with you. The one you kidnapped. And yet, you claimed that she was your girlfriend. How does that work? You would never actually be interested in a Russian, would you? It almost seems like you’re trying to protect the girl.”

“I’m just trying to keep Elena safe.”

“Why? You hate the Bratva. They’re nothing but disgusting pigs who want to run this world and control what I can and cannot do. I don’t appreciate that. And for you to bring one of them into my home? It’s bullshit, Aiden.”

I find myself running towards the door on instinct but as soon as I make it a few feet, a sluggishness takes over me and I slump to the ground.

“Elena!” Aiden rushes to my side before he stumbles and falls to the ground next to me. “What the hell?”

Patrick’s footsteps are loud as he comes to stand over us. “I fucking hate the Bratva. Did you honestly think bringing this girl into my home was a good idea? Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out? You know me better than that, Aiden. You’re getting messy. Distracted. You’re not the Aiden I used to know. I have to say – I’m disappointed.”

Aiden and I lock eyes across the kitchen floor. Neither of us can move.

“I drugged you,” Patrick says like he’s commenting on how nice the weather is. “I can’t have you getting in my way, Aiden. It’s clear you like the girl. But I can’t stand for a filthy Russian in my house.”

“Don’t hurt her,” Aiden growls but his words come out slurred.

“Then you shouldn’t have brought her here.”

Two other men come into the kitchen, casting an ominous shadow over everything. I don’t take my eyes off Aiden as they carry me away.

“Don’t touch her!”

I’m brought into a basement that is more like a medieval torture chamber than anything else. They toss me onto the floor as if I’m a bag of flour.

I can’t feel anything in my body. I’m numb. This is what I wanted to feel after my dad’s death but now that I’m actually numb, it’s a feeling I never want to experience again.

Patrick comes down the stairs. “Aiden was na?ve to bring you here.”

“You’re like a father to him,” I manage to say.

“It’s true. I helped raise him after his deadbeat dad left. Aiden was going to take over after me once I died but he just had to follow his brother into chaos. When will Aiden ever learn? Maybe this will finally teach him a lesson.”

He nods at his men and they hold me onto the floor. It’s pointless – I’m not going anywhere.

Patrick places a rag over my face. Then I feel the water. It’s strikingly cold and then I can’t breathe as the water gushes into my mouth through the rag. I suck in a breath but that only causes more water to swarm into my mouth and nose. I can’t breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

I try to struggle against Patrick’s men but I can’t even feel my body. I have no idea if I’m moving or not.

Patrick finally stops waterboarding me and pulls the wet rag away from my face.

“Why?” I sputter.

“Because I hate what you stand for. The Bratva murdered my wife years ago. It was meant to be a power play but the joke was on them. I never lost power of Boston. They can have New York for all I care but no one will take my home city away from me.”

“Who? Who killed your wife?”

“Some man named Sergei Belov. I heard he’s dead now.”

Sergei was Nadia and Anya’s father – the one Matteo, Dante’s second in command, killed.

“I’m not Sergei’s daughter. You don’t have to hurt me for his crimes.”

“That doesn’t matter. I believe your father worked with Sergei. Anyone who associates with wife killers deserve to be hurt. Now that you walked right into my lap, this is the perfect opportunity to make all those fucking Bratva men suffer.”

“Finn killed my father.”

Patrick goes still before he laughs. It’s more like a witches cackle. “I heard something to that effect. Good riddance. We don’t need any more Bratva men running around.”

“How can you say that? Your own wife was killed and so was my father. I know your pain.”

He grabs my face and hisses at me, “You don’t know my pain.” His breath reeks of cigarettes.

“Are you going to kill me?” I whisper.

“Not yet. First, we’re going to torture you, then kill you.” He slaps the rag back onto my face. “Again.”

The water fills my nostrils and mouth. It only lasts a couple of seconds before they stop and I can catch my breath but then Patrick orders his men to resume.

I can’t breathe. Pain sears through my lungs. I am going to die.

Despite that, I don’t blame Aiden for taking me here. He was just trying to find a way to keep me safe. But it seems that no matter where we go, I’m not safe anywhere.

Maybe death would be better.

Aiden

I can’t feel my body. Patrick, that fucker. He was like a father to me when I was in my early twenties. After having a dad who locked me up in a basement for fun, it was great to have a father figure who understood me. Who encouraged me to achieve things I thought I could never achieve. Who made me laugh and made me feel safe and like I could finally have a home.

That was until Finn got tired of being here and wanted to leave. Him and Patrick would constantly bicker. Their fights would get explosive.

I left Patrick and the home he provided to support Finn.

But now Finn is against me and Patrick betrayed me.

I should have known he’d figure out Elena was a Bratva woman. I’ve been off my game ever since she entered my life. Nothing makes sense anymore. I’m distracted and confused.

And now it’s put Elena into another dangerous position.

I need to stop Patrick. I need to save Elena.

But how can I do that when I can’t feel my body?

Gritting my teeth, I strain with everything inside of me to move. It’s impossible. Whatever Patrick put in that food, there was an immobilizing agent to it.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up.

I keep trying and trying and trying…

Until finally, I can move my arm. Then my other arm. And finally, both my legs. I manage to stand up but my body slams into the counter. I’m still unsteady. The drug is in my system but it’s already starting to wear off.

Patrick didn’t leave any guards to keep an eye on me but that doesn’t mean they’re not waiting for me to strike. Patrick trained me himself. He knows how good of a fighter I am.

I just have to get my hands on a gun.

Stumbling out of the kitchen, I stop when I see a guard standing in the living room by himself. One-on-one is better than two-on-one.

I shuffle towards him.

“You’re up,” the guard says, surprise evident in his voice. “You’re not supposed to be up yet.”

“Where did Patrick take her?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“She is mine. It is my business.” I lunge at him and he jerks back, bringing his gun up. I stop.

“Does Patrick want you to kill me? Were those his orders?”

When he hesitates, I have my answer. Patrick always wanted me to take over after he died. Guess he still does.

Using the guard’s hesitation against him, I land a hit to his throat and send him stumbling back. It’s easy to catch his gun before it falls to the floor.

There’s a silencer attached to it.

I shoot the guard in the head.

Still stumbling, I make my way around the house, searching for Elena. I have a feeling I know where Patrick would have brought her. The basement.

It’s where he forced me to stay locked up for days to make me get over what my father did to me. It was fucked up but it made me appreciate Patrick. He helped me in a way no one had before.

It’s going to hurt to have to kill him but for Elena, I’m willing to do it.

I manage to find the basement door but it’s guarded by two men. Without even thinking about it, I shoot them both in the head. They didn’t stand a chance.

I hurry down the basement stairs to find Elena on the ground as Patrick waterboards her. It’s one of the worst kinds of torture. Drowning is a painful way to go.

“Stop it,” I growl, lifting my gun. Before his guards can react, I shoot them both in the head. Elena jerks around, searching for me, but the rag on her face makes it impossible for her to see me. But she knows I’m here and that’s all that matters.

“What are you going to do with that?” Patrick asks. “Shoot me? You would bring the whole Irish mob down onto your head and do you really want that?”

“If it means protecting Elena? Then yes.”

Patrick’s eyes widen right before I shoot him in the head.

He never thought I would be capable of it.

He never saw it coming.