Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
C armella
Ancient stones.
Echoing footsteps.
Chilly temperatures.
As I was guided briskly through an upper floor section of the church, my mind continued to spin with possibilities of what the hell was going on. We were headed to the older part of the church that I knew was in the process of being renovated. There were brilliant tapestries, incredible works of art being stored on old wooden tables. The amazing and priceless pieces were covered in thick plastic, but anyone could break into the church and steal them.
I had no idea why I was concentrating on thoughts regarding the church instead of my own personal safety and that of my family.
When we made a turn, I almost stopped moving. There were five other soldiers flanking a doorway, two more at the end of the hallway near a large window.
“What the fuck is going on?” I repeated the question. My pulse had increased, my rapidly beating heart thrumming in my ears.
“We’re running out of time. We need to change into our old clothes.” Alejandro was adamant, gently but firmly pushing me into a room.
I was surprised to see the clothes I’d arrived in hanging on a makeshift rack. There were also male clothes as well.
“What is this?” I was now whispering.
“My soldiers need to take our wedding attire.”
While I was ready to pepper him with questions, I didn’t need to in order to realize why I had to change. “You’re using look-alike people, luring the enemy away from us. Right?”
He laughed. “Nothing gets by you. Exactly. Now change as quickly as you can.”
That’s why we were in the older part of the church. No one would suspect we’d be leaving from this side. There was just enough distance, roads criss-crossing behind the groups of building comprising the church grounds to provide a perfect escape route.
I didn’t fight him. I wasn’t stupid. Now wasn’t the time to act like an impetuous child. Yet he would answer my questions. Still, I was shaking as I tried to undress and only partially from the cold.
Fear.
I felt another horrific cramping wash of fear.
The men weren’t in the room, but my new husband was. When I had issues trying to unbutton the back, he was suddenly there.
“Relax, Firesong. Let me help you.” He moved behind me and I reluctantly lowered my hands.
“Firesong? Why the nickname?”
“Because you’re bold and beautiful, sparking a fire no matter where you go.”
His voice was soft and comforting, evoking the same raw desires I’d felt only an hour before. I reminded myself I didn’t know this man or his intentions. For all I knew, he could be my enemy. Yet after he unbuttoned the two dozen satin pieces, the way he brushed the tips of his fingers down the length of my back brought shudders instead of trickles of apprehension.
I heard his deep, long sigh and had no idea how or if to respond.
He backed away almost immediately and I kept my back to him as I struggled to remove the dress. I was completely worried about my family’s safety, but at this point, I’d need to trust the man I didn’t know.
I’d arrived in jeans, a sweater, and my signature red tennis shoes. I guessed the attire would need to do for the reception. If we were even attending one. When I was finally dressed, Alejandro didn’t waste any time taking my hand into his. He appeared entirely different out of a suit. Wearing dark jeans and a shirt, the obsidian color accentuating his olive skin, he was even more attractive. He offered a nod and a smile, but I wasn’t reassured in the least.
With only my purse in my possession, I’d never felt so trapped or vulnerable.
We were barely out of the room when a man and woman took our place. I was stunned to see the likeness, the woman’s hair even swept into a messy bun as mine appeared to be.
“What about the necklace?” I asked, even placing my hand on the jeweled piece. It certainly wasn’t something I’d consider precious as of yet, but I was fond of it.
“She has a fake duplicate,” Alejandro told me. “Come.”
The fucker had thought of everything. Did my father know?
“You planned this all along.” My statement certainly sounded accusatory.
“In any situation of this nature, it’s best to have an alternative plan. Your father should know that. We must get you to safety.”
My father hadn’t seemed the same since being shot.
“You know what to do,” Alejandro addressed the male counterpart. My God, if you looked from a distance, you’d swear you were looking at the new Underboss.
“Yes, sir,” the imposter told him. The two wasted no time in shucking their clothes, obviously experiencing not a single hint of embarrassment.
Alejandro pushed me from the room after being given the all clear.
Gio and the other soldiers surrounded us as we were led through a series of hallways to a set of stairs. They were old and rickety, the ancient wood creaking under our feet. They winded down to the first floor and toward a door.
“There are three SUVs just pulling up to the front of the church,” Gio told him. I’d learned the names of as many men as possible, dead-set on remaining in the loop. My father had anticipated and planned on his first child being a boy. While disappointed, he’d offered some of the kind of training he would have given his firstborn son instead of forcing me into the role of mafia princess.
I was a fighter and my father had no idea just how much I’d gleaned from his dangerous world.
Why things had suddenly changed so much later in my life was something I’d yet to discuss with him.
“As soon as they pull away, we’ll wait a few minutes then escort you to waiting unmarked vans.” Gio immediately moved to the window flanking the massive wooden door, instantly pulling a weapon into his hand.
I certainly wasn’t immune to having weapons as a part of various celebrations, but it had been a long time since my family’s heritage had been shoved into my face. I loathed the continued terror as we waited.
Gio received a text only moments later, lifting his head and nodding to Alejandro.
“My men will check out the surrounding perimeter. We’re almost there,” he told me.
Who was he kidding? I’d finally started to forget who and what I was for once in my life, no longer looking over my shoulder. Now I was faced with the same nightmare that had plagued me my entire life. It was something I didn’t want my son to face for the remainder of his.
The old wave of anger spilled back into every blood cell, but I didn’t have time to react before two of the soldiers opened the door, carefully moving outside.
I huddled with my arms crossed, trying to warm up. That would take a miracle.
Gio moved to the door, both hands now on his weapon. As soon as he offered a nod, Alejandro yanked his weapon from behind his back hidden under his dark-colored Henley shirt. I had a weapon at my house, something my father had insisted on, as he had required one of his men to teach me how to shoot.
He hadn’t even handled the act himself, just like almost every other training session I’d had in my life. Right now, I was grateful for being able to handle a weapon. I had a feeling the knowledge would come in handy.
I didn’t need to be told to keep my head down or to take quick and long strides toward the awaiting vehicles. I knew the drill. That had also been practiced several times. I had a brief few seconds to capture that the typical work vans were adorned with vinyl prints indicating a cleaning service.
Alejandro was taking no chances. I was pushed inside, Alejandro right behind me. When the door was slammed shut, the limited light in the back was instantly suffocating. There were no windows on the sides of the van, the two on the set of back doors smokier than was allowed by law. There were two sets of bench seats, and some equipment covered with tarps near the back door. This certainly wasn’t how I’d thought I’d be leaving for my reception.
My God. I wanted to laugh. Who cared about the marriage in the first place?
I was positioned in the seat just behind the driver, Alejandro waiting to sit down until one of the men I didn’t know was positioned in the driver’s seat. Gio was behind me. When I glanced over my shoulder, I sensed the man was ready for an attack.
Suddenly, everything felt surreal, as if I was watching a movie instead of experiencing my wedding day.
I barely paid any attention as Alejandro offered additional instructions. As soon as the vehicle started moving, he sat down beside me. With only the slight rumble of the engine as well as other road sounds, I was lost in a sea of thoughts that could bring a panic attack to anyone.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said gently.
“You’re used to this, Alejandro. I’m not. At least not any longer. My son has never been forced to practice safety drills. He’s never been required to hide in a closet or in a basement surrounded by soldiers while monsters invaded our home. I left my family’s world because I wanted normalcy. But I guess I was fooling myself.”
“I may be used to the obligation of protecting those I work for as well as the possibility of violence, but I also can appreciate you longing for a normal life. I’m just not sure if that’s feasible.”
“Sadly, I think you’re right. But I will keep fighting for what I want and what I believe in. Where are we going? To a safehouse where we’ll be locked away until the end of time?”
He laughed, but the sound certainly wasn’t full of the same light and spark as moments before our wedding. “I wouldn’t deny my bride or her family a reception. I simply made more creative alternative plans.”
I lifted my head, studying his eyes more than anything. His actions hadn’t been about a power-hungry moment as I’d suspected. He was genuinely still on edge, remaining ready for the enemy’s appearance.
There was nothing I could do but wait as the driver weaved through the streets, finally taking an exit onto the interstate. I had no clue where we were going, barely able to see any road signs from where I was seated.
As I waited, I pulled my phone from my purse, almost shocked it remained in my possession. I wasn’t certain why. I wasn’t considered a prisoner except from the toxicity that enshrouded my life. Yet as I pulled up pictures of Gabriel, tears formed in my eyes. I missed him so much.
When I felt Alejandro’s gaze, I was almost angry with him for invading my privacy.
“He’s very much like you,” he said quietly, his voice so hushed I doubted any of the men could hear him.
“I hate to say I’m glad he’s not like his father.”
“Your ex?”
“I’m sure you know all the gory details about me. I think I was too young and na?ve, looking for that perfect method of independence. I was blindsided by his good looks and that suave motive that managed to drag me into his bed after only two weeks. Everything was perfect until it wasn’t.”
“I’m sorry. He won’t be able to spend much time with Gabriel, at least not right now. Please don’t fight me on that.”
I found myself laughing. How ridiculous. “Don’t worry. I won’t need to fight. Derek couldn’t care less about his own flesh and blood. He made that perfectly clear when he demanded I get an abortion. I almost cut his dick off instead. Now, I wish I had.”
He chuckled. “I can see you doing that.”
“You have no idea what I’m capable of. Since then, he’s not once tried to see Gabe. Not once. He hasn’t sent a Christmas or birthday card and certainly isn’t interested in paying child support. Why do you think my son has my last name?”
“Did you take him to court?”
“Do you honestly believe my father would have allowed that to happen? Up until a few days ago, I was fairly certain my father had paid the man off to stay away from me and Gabriel.”
“What happened a few days ago?”
“You weren’t told?” I found that tough to believe.
“I don’t understand.”
My laughter sounded maniacal. “Dear ole Daddy explained in no uncertain detail that if I refused to marry first Dion then you, then not only would my sister at seventeen be forced to take my place, but that my son would be turned over to Derek. His worthless piece of shit father.”
Alejandro’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching. He’d even fisted one hand, but the most impressive change if not terrifying was the growl he emitted from deep within him. Low and slow as if a predator in the wild.
When he looked away, a distinct chill coursed down my spine. “The way of the world of mafia from the daughter’s perspective. Tried and true methods of control. Perhaps now you understand why I want my son to have nothing to do with what had already been touted as his legacy. But I suppose you’ll attempt to steer me in another direction, demanding my son become a little foot soldier by the age of eight.”
There was no real reason to take out my venom on the man other than I needed some sense of release. He was as good a subject as any.
The brooding, quiet man I’d experienced in the beginning returned. He kept his face pointed toward the windshield, his eyes darting back and forth in a perfect rhythm.
After watching him for a minute or two, I resumed shifting through my beloved photographs. I had over a hundred of them and almost every one was of my sweet little boy. In costumes and by the Christmas tree. Playing outside on his swing and the day I’d allowed him to stop by the dog park. I’d never heard him laugh as much as he had that day.
I’d been proud of him and of us, enjoying a warm summer afternoon before finishing up the outing with ice cream cones.
Memories.
I was already praying I’d be allowed to make new ones. When I lifted my head again, I was surprised to find Alejandro staring at me just like before.
Only there was a slight difference, subtle yet easy for me to detect.
His entire chiseled face, every tense muscle and the white-knuckled hold on his weapon indicated one thing.
Total possessiveness.