15. Valeria
15
Valeria
My eyelids feel heavy, my head sluggish. The weight isn’t just on my face, it’s everywhere. Like someone dipped my body in wet concrete and let it dry.
Whatever bastard got the jump on me also jabbed me in the neck with something sharp before we were even a mile away from the estate. The gun he used as a threat was a big push toward not wanting to put up a fight.
If someone wanted me dead, I doubt they’d care whether they killed me on Bertelli land or not.
The fear of the unknown doesn’t jump out at me, not immediately. When I try to move and realize that there is stained rope wrapped around my wrists, not even that is enough to get my heart pounding. Whatever drug they used on me has left me feeling eerily calm.
I’m almost tempted to close my eyes and get a little more sleep. Anything to get rid of the exhaustion prickling in the corners of my vision.
In the distance, I hear the crackling of a fire. Blinking my eyes a few times, I stare at the artificial flames for a few seconds. Hell, maybe it’s for minutes. From the way my eyes burn from getting lost in the view, I have to snap myself out of it.
First things first, I need to figure out where I am. Then I need to get out of these bindings. Then–
“You’re finally awake.”
Elijah.
I know his voice like the back of my hand. In every nightmare, it’s his voice that whispers threats in my ear. His voice haunts me.
It takes a moment before I realize it’s not just him. There are a few others in this small room as well. All of them are hugging their weapons, keeping them close to their bodies. Some have pistols, a few have much larger weapons clutched in their hands. Assault rifles.
I can’t focus on them, not when the only man who actually wants me dead is the one standing up from the couch pressed against the wall. While his dark eyes remain on me, he kicks something near his foot as he steps toward me.
The last time we were together like this, we were in a room far cooler than this. There are no distant sounds of slot machines or muffled speech. We’re not beneath the casino.
He’s had me taken somewhere far more personal to him.
If he wanted to kill me, why would he take me to a place that looks lived in? A place I can only describe as his home.
God, I’m in this monster’s home. From the looks of my surroundings, I want to place myself in what looks like a cabin setting. Meaning, we’re out in the middle of who knows where. Just my luck.
How am I supposed to get out of here in one piece?
Is anyone looking for me? Have they noticed my disappearance yet? I don’t even know how much time has passed since I’ve been taken.
My eyes close, and the first face to come to my mind is Tommy. I have no doubt he’s noticed I’m gone. The question is, does he think I’ve run away once more? After what we’ve done, did he think I used his lowered guard to abandon him all over again?
“No use in tears, Valeria. You know I’m not a man who can be swayed by them,” Elijah muses, his hot sticky breath brushing my cheeks as he reaches me in all but a few steps.
My eyes are wet, but not for him.
I never got the chance to tell Tommy how I felt about him. I should’ve taken the opportunity while it was right there, and now I know what my biggest regret will be with what little time I have left.
Elijah will kill me. He made his intentions clear enough the last time he had me tied up.
“They’re not for you,” I hiss between my teeth, offended that this monster thinks I’d cry because of what he’s doing. I spilled enough tears last time, and they got me nowhere.
Elijah rumbles with a chuckle, like he can’t comprehend the truth.
When I open my eyes and glare at him, I notice the way he’s taking me in. While fear might not be what’s nipping at my chest, something else is. Something unsettling.
Is it because he doesn’t have a sharp blade pressed to my throat?
One of his hands reaches out and grips the back of the chair I’m tied to, while the other lifts to touch my face. Trapping me in place, he doesn’t allow me to jerk away. His thumb traces my jaw, and I can smell the alcohol radiating off of him. Like he’s been happily knocking back drink after drink the entire time I was unconscious, I can smell the liquor on his breath.
“You ran away from me, Valeria,” he murmurs as his thumb brushes my bottom lip next. “After I gave you the chance to do me right, you chose to be a coward. I didn’t think you were the type.”
When I try to sink my teeth into his thumb, his frown grows, and he pulls his hand away. Instead of straightening up, he remains only a foot away, staring deep into my eyes. Like he’s looking for something I don’t have to give.
“You don’t know anything about me.” Trying to tug at my restraints, the fog in my head hardly makes it easy. To the best of my ability, I try to use my anger to clear the haze.
If he sees me crumbling before him, or more defenseless than a baby bird, then Elijah wins. He can’t win.
I can’t die or succumb to whatever he has planned for me. If I want to make it back to Tommy, I have to survive.
There’s no chance in hell I can die with Tommy thinking I’ve betrayed him again.
“I wanted to rescue you, Val. Get you away from those brutes keeping you trapped. If you’d gotten yourself away a little sooner, I could’ve brought you here. This place is far better,” he hums softly. “I want to be more gracious toward you.”
His words are muddled as I try to figure out what he’s talking about.
“My last offer scared you off. I didn’t realize how soft you were, but now I do. Stay here, and I’ll let you work your debt off here.” He hums in the back of his throat. “You won’t have to risk making any more bets. You can let me take care of you.”
I don’t know what else he’d have me do, but he’s happy to give me a clue to put the pieces together.
Vile rises in the back of my throat as his movement is all a blur. I don’t realize he’s leaning in until I feel his thin lips on mine.
This kiss is sloppy, and I taste the rum on his tongue. At first, I’m too shocked by the shift, but once I realize what he’s doing, my nails dig into the wooden arms deep enough to give me splinters. When I try to turn my head, and his hand keeps me in place, I do what’s second best.
I sink my teeth into his tongue until I taste blood.
Elijah makes this howling sound, reeling back as half of the men surrounding us watch. The others don’t care enough to pay attention.
He hisses between his teeth, his face contorting into one of disgust.
I spit on him, my distaste overflowing my body. Not even two seconds later, there’s a harsh pain against my cheek as the back of his hand makes contact. The rings on his fingers catch my skin and, surrounding the radiating sting from contact, I feel the wetness collecting. I taste the crimson, too, but I can’t tell if it’s my blood or his.
“You ungrateful bitch,” he growls, his face pinched into the angriest I’ve ever seen.
He looks disgusting, inside and out. If he thinks I’d ever fall for a cretin like him, he’d be crazy. Not a chance. No amount of drugs in my system would ever convince me otherwise.
“Fuck you,” I hiss back, my anger flickering even hotter than my new wound.
As his jaw sets and his fingers curl into fists, I know a slap won’t be enough to heal the rejection. Looking like he wants to do more than make my right cheek match my left, I try to prepare myself for the blow.
Before he can, there’s suddenly a loud bang. Almost like a clash of thunder during a rainstorm. Instead of rumbling for seconds, it’s an instant. Just enough time to see one of the men with an assault rifle be affected by the noise.
I jerk and gasp as blood suddenly splatters the wall as the guy’s head disappears. Like a gory piece of art against the wall, my heart shoots straight for my throat when I watch the guy fall to his knees before hitting the ground.
There’s another bang, this time resulting in blood hitting my leg.
Elijah, distracted and impaired, takes too long to react. It’s not until the men are scrambling that he’s sinking his fingers into his hair. “What the fuck ?”
They’re smart, getting away from the now broken window that’s given the shooter the view of the inside. Unfortunately for them, the cabin has many windows, and as long as they’re standing in here with me and this lunatic, they risk their safety.
Even with their protection, Elijah must’ve been confident my family wouldn’t come for me.
I didn’t think they would.
That means Tommy doesn’t believe I’ve betrayed him.
The hot, salty tears that graze my cheeks burn, but the relief that floods me nullifies the pain. If it isn’t for me gritting my teeth, I have no doubt a sob would break out.
Elijah might have many men on his payroll, but none will escape this place alive, not with my family as their foes.
Another bang is in the distance, this one sounding like wood splintering. Hearing someone yelling in another room, my heart picks up in speed as what I can only place as hope fills my chest.
Turning to look at Elijah, my heart pounds as I see something new filling his eyes.
Fear .
Even if it hints at me being weak, I cry out Tommy’s name. Anything to give them the upper hand in finding me before something happens.
Once I’ve caught my breath, I glare at Elijah.
“They’re coming to kill you,” I tell him in warning. The words come out slowly, and I feel my mouth curving. The pain in my cheek pulls as I smile. “You’re no longer the one on top.”
He’s cocky, too confident for his own good. From drinking himself senseless, to having not a single weapon on him, even I can see how low his guard is. Did he think buying out muscle would be enough?
Growing up, my father taught me all about keeping myself alive. It’s what has kept me going, even after getting involved with bad people. It’s obvious Elijah has never had to scramble for his life. He thinks money is the answer.
I’m more than happy that he’ll see that no amount of money will save him.
He jerks like he can see it, too. Putting his anger elsewhere, he looks around like he can find a weapon. The men surrounding him are already grasping theirs, and there’s not a chance they’ll be willing to part ways to save themselves.
Finally, my brother steps into the room. Urzo doesn’t stop and look for me. He’s like a bull, charging forward toward those he deems a threat. Behind him, the sight of Tommy makes my breath catch in my throat.
Pulling at my bindings, the ropes keep me in place. I can’t run into his arms like I want to. Instead, I’m forced to watch him right along with my brother, risking their lives as they fight off everyone inside.
Another shot rings out, and I can’t tell if it’s from outside or in.
I don’t call out to either of them, not wanting to distract them.
My brother cracks his knuckles against one of the grunts’ cheeks. His swing is heavy, causing the guy to fold to the ground.
People are still being shot as they scramble, someone outside of the cabin. Is it Santino? While he may have gotten better, he was never a good shot when we were kids.
I watch as they aim their guns and shoot their bullets, causing more damage to our surroundings than the bulky men coming after them.
Is it the fear of being killed that’s protecting Urzo and Tommy?
Quickly, they fight and take out one man each, moving in a blur as adrenaline for their own survival keeps them going.
My ears ring from each shot, and I can only imagine how long it’ll last. It’s not enough to ruin my hearing. I still hear the cries of death, the curses, the pleas, all of it.
I hear a cry of pain behind me and see Elijah on the ground. Whatever has happened, I know without a doubt that he deserved it.
Tommy’s suddenly in front of me, his eyes wild. He looks at the ropes on my wrists before using his crimson-coated knife to slice at my bindings. His motions are jerky. His breathing is erratic.
“Tommy-” My voice cracks, betraying me as a mixture of emotions floods over me.
He doesn’t mind the chaos happening around us. Locked onto me, he searches for wounds. Once he’s noticed the burns on my wrists and the swelling of my cheek, he makes this sound I’ve never heard him make. A deep growl that makes my blood turn cold.
I’ve seen him when he’s angry, or so I thought.
Watching his muscles coil up, his teeth clench, and a vein pulse in his throat, the sense of relief catches like a lump in my throat as I watch him turn and take in Elijah.
He’s on the ground, cradling a patch of red soaking in the fabric of his pants. If I have to guess, one of the bullets from his men has missed one of mine and got him in the leg. Good. The prick deserves it. Deserves even more with what Tommy looks like he wants to do.
I don’t try to calm him down before he does something drastic. My eyes follow him, and just like that, the fight happening in the background blurs into white noise. All I can do is focus on the man who has come to rescue me.
I want Tommy to hurt him. That bit hasn’t changed. Even more now with everything Elijah’s done to me.
He steps on Elijah’s injury, and I see the way his eyes flash as he puts his weight on his wound. The noise that leaves Elijah fuels him, and I’m surprised he doesn’t crack a smile.
“You hurt her. Put your disgusting hands on her.” Tommy adds more weight, making it possible to scramble away as he howls out in pain.
For weeks, Elijah haunted me. Like a power play, he’s always made me look over my shoulder. To see him so weak …
Do I fuel the fire and tell him everything that’s happened to me? About the foul taste that fills my mouth that isn’t from blood?
If I piss Tommy off, he’ll kill him too quickly, leaving me unsatisfied. I want Elijah to hurt.
Tommy must be in agreement, because once he’s satisfied with the pain radiating from his legs, he moves to pull the guy up to his feet. He doesn’t give him time to find good footing, nor does he need to.
I listen to Elijah’s pained screams and watch as Tommy buries his thumbs into his eyes, spilling more red. He’s growling more threats, more promises of pain as he lifts him into the air like he weighs nothing. In comparison to their sizes, he looks weightless.
Tommy has made it clear that he enjoys torturing people, causing pain to those who deserve it. Something tells me he’s not normally this messy. Not this offended by someone before.
My chest burns as the screams mute the rest of the pleas for their lives surrounding us. The stench of death is growing by the minute.
Once he’s dragging his bloodied fingers down his face, I watch as Tommy wraps his hands around his throat. He doesn’t make Elijah’s death quick by snapping his neck. Instead, he chooses to squeeze the life from him, letting him suffocate under my watch.
When Elijah stops clawing and kicking, I realize I’m holding my breath. Finally letting it out, my body sinks deeper into the chair.
Relief. That’s the only thing filling my body. I’ve never wanted someone dead before, not like this.
When Tommy releases the lifeless body and drops him to the ground, he doesn’t look away from Elijah for what feels like an eternity. Like he’s searching for any signs of life, his muscles only loosen slightly when there are none.
Blinking, I realize it’s pure silence now. Looking around, I can see why. So many bodies. So much blood.
My stomach tightens, and the back of my throat twitches like I want to throw up. Swallowing down the gag, I don’t let myself cave in to what I’m feeling.
When Tommy turns toward me, it’s impossible to look at the mess at my feet.
His eyes are black, darkened from the kill. He’s got some flecks of red on his cheek I’m just now noticing. Reminds me of a shark after a meal. A predator lurking in the shadows.
I’m surprised my legs don’t give out when I stand. Instead of fear filling my chest, I’m feeling light as a feather.
“You came for me.” My words shake as I whisper them.
Stepping forward when I sway, he catches me in his arms. His jaw works like he’s trying to say something, but the words don’t come fast enough. Or maybe he’s struggling. Finally, he nods.
Tommy is pulling me closer into his arms. Not just to save me from the drug’s effects, but to hug me. His body is so hard, like a force to be reckoned with. At the same time, he’s so warm.
“I’m sorry.” Rasping the words out, he buries his face into the crook of my neck. “He put his filthy hands on you.”
I’ve never imagined Tommy to be a hugger, but once he’s got his arms wrapped around me, I know there’s no leaving his grip until he’s ready.
I don’t want to let him go. When I’m pressed against him like this, I don’t have to see the horror show around us.
Breathing in, the smell of his faded body wash helps block out the scent of blood. Breathing in deeply, my chest swells, and I can feel the heavy thumps against my body. It’s not just my heart going crazy, but his as well.
He’s afraid. Now that the anger has seeped from his body, only the truth resides. I’ve never seen this man fearful in my life, but the way he clings to me is nothing shy of it.
“I’m okay,” I promise against his throat. “Are you okay?”
His chest vibrates with a grunt, and I know it’s the best I’m going to get out of him at the moment. His body is still taut from adrenaline, and when he crashes, I’ll be there for him.
Urzo sighs at the gash on his arm, muttering that Eliza is going to kill him. His cheek is red too, swollen from a punch by the looks of it. As far as I can tell, he hasn’t been shot.
The Bertelli men aren’t impressive in name alone. Staying alive against a room of men, anyone who sees this scene will spread the word that my family is still one not to be fucked with, even during peaceful times.
Regret claws at my chest, making me feel like I don’t deserve this. However, the way Tommy keeps me close, it’s hard to believe he would’ve let me face my fate alone. Even if he was heading straight into his grave, he wouldn’t have walked. He would’ve run.
Approaching steps against broken glass cause Urzo to jerk before the muscles in his body relax.
“I’m a little rusty, but not bad, right? Got two on their way out.” Hugging his sniper to his chest, my brother grimaces at the scene inside. The one sibling I’ve yet to see. “You two are a mess. You know how hard it was to make sure no one shot you?”
“Lazaro?” Blinking my eyes to make sure they’re not playing tricks on me, I’m sure of it. It is my brother standing there. The man who made it out, saying goodbye to all of this for a woman, apparently.
He came back to help with my rescue.
Lazaro looks my way before cursing under his breath. “They weren’t kidding. You really are alive. Fuck, you look rough.”
He steps over the mess at his feet and scowls at Tommy when he doesn’t release me. I have to pat his chest and pull away free so he can pull me into a hug.
“Finally came back and look at how much trouble you’ve brought to the front door. To think I was the troublemaker in the family. God, look at you. All grown up.” He squeezes me tight enough to make breathing impossible. When he sees Tommy itching to pull me back, his brows narrow.”Go wash your hands, they’re disgusting. You’re getting blood all over her.”
He doesn’t move, and I blow out a sigh of relief. “I’ll go with him. I do feel disgusting.”
Lazaro releases me and nods. “We’ll catch up.”
I’d hope so. While I’m curious about him, I want to calm down a little myself. I’m still reeling from everything that’s happened in the last ten minutes.
Taking Tommy’s hand, I pull him in the direction of hopefully a bathroom so we can clean up.