Embracing the Dark Side (Morozov Mafia #2)

21. Escape

Chapter twenty-one

Escape

Jolie snapped open her eyes. Panic was the first thing pooling into her chest, as if her heart had popped and all the blood was filling her chest cavity. She looked around the room, gripping the knife that she now slept with under her pillow and glanced around the room. It was five in the morning and still dark outside, but the fear of Santiago or anyone really, coming into her room and assaulting her had plagued her nightmares. But the room was silent and still, and she dropped back on the bed with a heavy sigh. Ming and Tae-Tae lay curled against her, and a hand dropped on their furs. It was the only form of relaxation that existed here. Jolie looked over her shoulder, and Helina was sleeping soundly, curled into a stuffed animal. Her fingers danced along Helina’s beautiful blonde curls.

Thunder rumbled and vibrated the bed. Ming and Tae-Tae popped their heads up, looking around. Without windows, Jolie couldn’t tell if it was raining outside. The room was soundproof, and noises were muffled. Something as light as the sound of rain wouldn’t penetrate the thick walls. Another rumble got the cats up and they darted under the bed.

Jolie sat up and slipped on her glasses before she went to the door and pressed her ear against it. Even then, it was soundless. Tentatively, Jolie opened it a crack, and a rush of screams bombarded her. A soldier ran down the hall, shooting as he went. The pop-pop-pop jolted her senses, and she slammed the door shut.

What was happening? Who was it? Did Adrik send someone to rescue them? Was Katia coming for her daughter?

Jolie dashed to Helina. “Honey, wake up!” She shook Helina awake, and her little eyes bounced around in panic. “I need you to set the alarm.” All her words were pointless; Helina understood nothing. So Jolie lifted her up and brought her to the control panel on the wall. She tapped it, looking at Helina in desperation. But the little girl shook her head. She had forgotten how to work it.

“Shit.” The curse word came out unconsciously. “Shoot, sorry,” Jolie corrected. “It’s okay.” She whipped her head around, trying to find somewhere to hide.

“What’s wrong?”

“Bad.” Jolie replied with the only answer she knew how to give.

Helina gripped her hand and pulled her to the closet. It was an 8-by-10 room, with hundreds of clothes and shoes. Helina knelt down and pressed a button behind a stack of purses, and the wall popped open.

Jolie was astounded by the length of protection Helina had. She got on her hands and knees and crawled in behind her. Helina pulled the metal latch, and the door shut, killing all light. Only a second later did Helina find the switch. The small square was high enough for Jolie to sit but not stand. There was a case of water and snacks, an iPad, toys and crayons, and to her surprise, a phone. Jolie snatched it and turned it on. It had a full battery. “Oh, my god.” It was everything she needed. Helina used her finger for the password. Her mother’s and father’s phone numbers, along with Alexei’s, Gil’s, and her grandparents’, were already installed. Jolie had never felt such victory. She let Helina have it so she could call her mother first, but the phone number was no longer working. Jolie didn’t let her call her father or Alexei; there was no point. So, she called Gil.

When the man picked up, Helina spoke a mile a minute, all gibberish to Jolie but painful to hear. Helina’s tears and the pleading in her voice were the only things that Jolie understood. She held the little girl as she begged.

“Let me talk to him.” Jolie slowly eased the phone out of her death grip. “Hello?”

Gil responded. “Stay where you are. I’m coming.”

Jolie wanted more than that, but he hung up, and she stared at it, dumbfounded. She needed more reassurance. Which side was Gil on? Was he coming because of Adrik? Or because of Katia?

Adrik knew Gil was in love with Katia, so he wouldn’t rely on his brother for help. He’d know that Gil was playing two sides. So then, Gil had to be coming for Katia. In which case, Jolie couldn’t let Helina go with him. She’d have to take Helina out of here. Jolie thought about calling 911 but there was no way they would get here in time and she couldn't waste a single minute.

Jolie pushed out of the secret hideout and pulled Helina with her. There were questions on Helina’s lips as she kept pointing to the hidden room, a way to explain that Gil wanted her to stay where she was. But Jolie ignored every pat that turned into a hit. She ignored every pull that turned into a yank. “Stay, JoJo.” Helina whimpered. “Stay. Uncle Gil!” Jolie faced the floor-to-ceiling windows. A week ago, Jolie located a latch on the window. She’d been too afraid to try to escape with Vincent’s warning replaying in her head, but now she didn’t have a choice.

In the darkness and the rain, she saw little bursts of light. Gunfire. A man raced across the pool deck, and a moment later, he collapsed, falling into the pool. It was dark, but a shadow of his blood thickened the water.

I can’t wait anymore.

With a deep breath, Jolie broke the small emergency cover and pulled the latch. The window burst open and dropped to the floor, crashing to the ground. She winced, hiding behind the wall, cursing. Not precisely the clandestine route she was hoping to procure. Everyone would have heard it, but with the craziness going on, it didn’t matter. The rain blew into the room, and the wind whipped her hair. It was hot and humid, but the breeze of fresh air filled her with hope. She looked down, and her confidence fled. The fall was two floors up.

What was the plan for escape? Tying bedsheets together?

Jolie clenched her eyes. She wasn’t made for this insanity, and tears burned the back of her eyes as doubt and fear kicked in.

No, I will not give in.

Jolie swallowed it down, fortifying her decision. She was dating a man in the Mafia. If she was going to survive, she would have to learn how to fight against terrible odds.

Jolie released Helina, and she ran away, but Jolie turned her attention to the first step in her plan. She thanked every push-up and jumping jack as she pulled the hundred-pound mattress across the room and shoved it out the window. It dropped right below to catch their fall. Then she used the thick comforter to lie on the edge and stomped down any bit of glass remaining.

Jolie went back for Helina. She fought her out of the secret hole and wrapped her in a blanket so only her little legs could kick. She screamed for her mama and papa repeatedly, but Jolie kept moving, apologizing, even though it didn’t stop her.

Jolie laid on the floor and eased Helina over the edge. Her wide blue eyes begged as Jolie hung half her body out of the room. Rain drenched them in seconds, and Jolie’s glasses slipped off her nose. She kept a firm grip on the window ledge and clenched her teeth. Glass pinched her stomach, and her muscles burned. She swung Helina lightly. Jolie could no longer see the mattress below; everything was dark and foggy, and the rain reduced visibility, but she came too far to turn around. Jolie let go.

Helina landed unharmed on her back on the mattress, and Jolie breathed a sigh of relief before she swung her legs over. She waited for the shape of Helina to get out of her way before she lowered herself. She swung her legs and closed her eyes. Jolie hit the bed harder than she had hoped, and her breath escaped her lungs from the jolt. She coughed and struggled to move even as rain pounded on her face. Helina wiggled out of the blankets and cried above her, shaking her. “JoJo, are you okay?” Helina nabbed her glasses off the floor and pressed them to Jolie’s face.

Jolie gripped her hand, catching her breath. “I’m okay.” Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a quick movement and got to her knees, snagging Helina and swinging the little girl behind her. A soldier was coming to them, his gun high, and Jolie backed them up against the wall.

He studied them briefly before lowering his gun. “Are you Jolie?”

She held a hand above her eyes, trying to get the rain out of her face, but her glasses were foggy and wet. The man had a Haitian accent. She couldn’t tell who he was with the mask over his face. Without a choice, Jolie nodded.

“I’ve been hired by Mr. Morozov to get you and Helina out of here. Follow me.”

Relief enveloped her, protecting her from the coldness of the rain. Adrik hadn’t forgotten about her. She hadn’t realized that had been a fear of hers. Jolie nearly cried in relief. It was over. All her suffering was at an end.

A gun fired, and the man in front of her fell. She screamed, encircling her arms over Helina’s face. Santiago panted, water running down his face as he pointed the gun at her. Jolie met his gaze from over Helina’s head, almost daring him. Death was becoming more and more appealing. He flicked his gun, ordering her into the house. Dripping wet and shaking, Helina and Jolie stood in the living room. Failure sunk into her.

Seconds later, Vincent came rushing through, drenched, and pumped up on adrenaline. He waved a gun and ordered the soldiers following him to “Secure the front and ready the cars.” Vincent stopped feet from her, shaking his head, full of disappointment. Jolie refused to be ashamed of her actions but feared what he would do now. If he kicked her out, how could she protect Helina? Could she lie and say she was coming for him? Could Jolie pretend she wasn’t trying to escape ?

Over her shoulder, Vincent’s gaze drifted, and he smiled. “Thanks for the heads up.”

Jolie twisted her head to see Gil walking down the stairs. He was dressed in a green suit. Buttoning up the front, with a proud smile, he met Jolie’s gaze. Helina lurched for him, relieved to see him, but Jolie gripped her arm, unwilling to explain that her uncle was betraying her.

Gil addressed Vincent. “Miss Stephanov wants to heal our relationship. We hope that communication between us will get better from here.”

Vincent nodded. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

Gil shook Vincent’s hand before he glanced at Jolie once more. She hoped he could feel every bit of disgust she had for him. If she could spit in his face, she would. Gil was betraying Adrik, a man who had been his best friend for the last twenty years. He was sickening to look at.

Gil gestured toward her. “I hope there is no communication between her and Adrik. I can’t have my position be given away.”

Vincent redirected his gaze toward her. “No,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about her.”

Jolie bowed her head.

Gil squatted in front of Helina. He attempted to reach out, but Jolie pulled her back. He clenched his teeth before he whispered a few Russian words to her, which only made her cry. Helina buried her face into Jolie’s stomach as he left the house.

Vincent stepped up to Jolie. “Now you’re fucked, mami. And not in a good way.” He waved to a soldier. “Take them to the car. ”

Jolie flexed away from the soldier’s hand. “Where are we going?”

“The police will be here any minute,” Vincent explained, tucking his gun in the hem of his pants. “We can’t stay here anymore, so I’m taking you to my father’s house.” He turned to go before throwing over his shoulder, “And I’m not bringing your goddamn cats, so don’t ask.”