Chapter 18 Amberly
AMBERLY
I kept my head on a swivel, looking out for that car I knew I’d never forget.
A crimson red SUV with fully tinted windows, chrome accents, and a sunroof that was always open and blaring classical music.
With each passing minute, my hands trembled a little more.
I kept wiping at the sweat on my brow, hoping I didn’t look too unappealing for his tastes.
For all I knew, Vlad would want to “exchange goods” instead of simply letting me see my son.
Which meant if I had to “perform” for him, I’d have to look a very specific way.
“Come on, where are you?” I whispered.
As time passed, I grew more anxious. More nervous.
More fearful that he wouldn't show up with my son. That he wouldn't hold up his end of the bargain. Three years. I’d dreamt of his face for three years but hadn’t seen it in person.
Only on camera a handful of times. I brushed at the fearful tears rushing down my face.
My stomach turned over, threatening to throw up the rest of whatever breakfast I’d had that morning.
I paced faster, which caused me to sweat more.
Which caused me to wipe at my brow more.
Which caused a raw, red spot to form against my skin.
“Shit,” I hissed.
That definitely wouldn’t be attractive to Vlad.
Then, I heard it. The swelling sounds of a flute solo before an orchestra kicked in.
I practically had that damn song memorized.
It was Vlad’s favorite. It brought back so many disgusting memories that made my stomach lurched into my throat.
But when I saw that gaudy, crimson red SUV come into view, my heart stopped in my chest.
He was here.
Vlad had arrived.
I watched as the vehicle pulled up next to me.
Those chrome accents shone in the sun like they always did, and the smell of food wafting from the restaurant behind me made me sick to my stomach.
No matter how hard I looked through those windows, though, I couldn't see anything. Not Vlad. Not Mason. Not… anyone.
Until I heard a door open.
“Vlad? Is that you?” I asked.
The sound of lumbering footsteps came around the SUV, and there he stood.
Tall, lean, in a clean-cut black suit with a black undershirt and tie to match.
He had his hands clasped behind his back.
His long, black hair was slicked back, falling just behind his ears.
His steel gray eyes shivered me to my core, and I watched him look me up and down.
I watched him case me with his eyes as he licked his lips.
“Please, let me see him,” I begged.
He snickered. “I’ll never get tired of hearing you be so polite.”
“Where’s my son? Please tell me you have him.”
“I do. I’m a man of my word.”
“Can I see him now?”
“Only if you agree to some new… terms.”
I wanted to melt into the pavement as his eyes lingered on my chest.
“What are these terms?” I asked.
“Well, you’re in a very precarious position right now. The boss is actually thrilled you’re with the Dead Souls. He’s been looking for a way in for quite some time now. And now, he’s got someone on the inside. Someone they want to keep around, or at the very least don’t want to kill just yet.”
I nodded slowly. “I’ll get you whatever kind of information you need. In fact, I already overheard a conversation taking place.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. They have a legal team. Or, a woman they consult for legal services. Her name’s Monroe.
I think she belongs to a man in the group named Knox, since the guys were asking him if he could talk to her about it.
But they know she can’t do anything unless evidence is legally obtained.
Knox said he’d talk with her, but he didn’t sound hopeful. ”
“Anything else?”
I paused, trying to recollect what I’d heard.
But there wasn’t anything else. Fuck, I hadn’t stuck around long enough to figure out what that “question” was.
My face sunk as I shook my head. Vlad smiled at me, then reached his hand out to pet my head.
I winced as he dropped his hand against my head, smoothing his fingertips through my hair.
But when his fingers fell against one of the bald, patchy spots on the side of my head, he grimaced. Yanked his hand away. Rolled his eyes before he cleared his throat.
He was disgusted with me, and I grew fearful again. I knew how quickly this man could change on a dime. And it looked like he was about to change.
“Please, that was just what I caught trying to get to you. Imagine what I could figure out if I stayed? Really listened? I’m small, so I can sneak into areas and listen to their group meetings.
I can hunker down very easily and call you with anything I figure out.
Please, Vlad. Just let me see my son,” I said.
He waved his hand in the air. “You sound pathetic now. You can stop.”
I held back my whimpers and tried my best not to show weakness. Not to drop to my knees and cry in front of him.
“The boss wants you to figure out some specifics. None of this trite uselessness you’ve brought me. He wants to know how they found out about the motels and what their plan is next. And he wants that information within the next forty-eight hours,” he said.
“Yes. Of course. I’ll make sure I get it,” I said.
But when I paused, he must have sensed it.
“What?” he asked.
“It’s just—I had to sneak out to get here. I had to run after being told not to. If I go back and they don’t accept me back, what happens then? Is there any other way I can do this?”
A wild smile came across his face and it caused me to take a step back.
He reached his hand out, cupping my cheek as his thumb slid across my skin.
It threw me back to a time when I used to enjoy that move.
When I used to enjoy the feel of his skin against mine.
Thinking about it now made me want to vomit all over his patent leather shoes.
But I kept it together enough for him to be satisfied with my reaction.
“You’re a pretty enough girl, Amberly. Use it to your advantage. I figured we’ve taught you well enough.”
I shook in my shoes. “I want to see my son now.”
“Not until you agree to the terms.”
“I agree to all of them. Any of them, from this point on. Just let me see my son.”
I knew I’d regret my words later. As a bright smile crossed his face, I knew I’d regret the whole of my life from here on out.
But I’d agree to anything if it meant I got to hold my son in my arms again.
Vlad stepped away from me, his hand falling from my skin.
He turned around and opened the door, and the whoosh of cold air blasted me in the face.
Then, I heard his voice.
“Mommy!”
“Oh, my god,” I sputtered.
I dipped down as the soft patter of his feet hit the asphalt. He barreled into me, but I couldn't see him. Tears clouded my vision as I wrapped my arms around him, feeling him cling to me tightly. And as tears poured down my face, I cried into his shoulder.
“Mason. I love you. Oh, my sweet boy, I’m right here,” I said breathlessly.
“Can we go home now? Please? I wanna be with you now, Mommy.”
“Soon. Mommy’s got one more thing to do, then we can go home. I promise,” I said.
“I wouldn’t make promises you can’t keep, little girl,” Vlad said menacingly.
I shot a look up at him as fire churned in my gut.
But I knew I couldn't do anything about his words. About his statement. About where my life went after this job. So, I turned my attention back to my son. Back to the beautiful baby boy I had in my arms again after three solid years of nothing. I peppered kisses along his neck. His cheek. I buried my nose into his dirty blonde hair and breathed in his scent. A mixture of sweaty socks and baby powder, which made me giggle. I didn’t know whether to rejoice, cry, or curse.
All I knew was that I didn't want to let go of him.
“Are they taking good care of you? Are you eating?” I asked.
He nodded against my skin before I pulled away.
I cupped his cheeks, gazing into his gorgeous eyes as a smile drifted across my face.
I’d always loved his eyes. They never quite turned away from their freezing blue color.
Speckles of my brown eyes had crept in, mixing in with the crystal clear blue of his orbs when he was first born.
But they’d never fully changed. Two eye colors, and one beautiful little boy.
With a smattering of freckles across his nose that mimicked my own.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I whispered.
“Mommy, don’t leave again. Okay?” Mason asked.
I choked back a sob. “I have to work. I have to provide for us. But I promise you, it won’t be this long before we hold each other again. Okay?”
You look so much like your father, sweet boy.
“All right. We have to wrap this up,” Vlad said.
“Just five more minutes, please,” I whispered.
“You’ve got two,” he growled.
“Mommy, no. Please. Please, don’t leave me. Take me to work with you. I promise, I’ll be good. I won’t get in the way, I swear,” Mason said.
And as he threw his arms around me, I held him tightly.
I relished the time we had together and tried to block out the sound of his crying.
The feel of him shaking. I picked him up and felt him wrap his legs around me, trembling as his fingernails dug into my back.
And as I covered him in kisses, I saw Vlad in the background.
Leaning against his car. Grinning at me wildly.
Enjoying the fact that he could manipulate me with my own fucking flesh and blood.
I’ll slaughter you where you sleep, mark my words, you piece of shit.
Then, his voice filled the air. Causing me to cry out as Mason started sobbing.
“Time’s up.”