Chapter Thirty-Three
Mob life has always come first. In my father’s eyes, without the mob, we would have nothing, be nothing. But Lincoln chose to hide me for as long as he could. Even with the possibility of losing everything he’s worked for. Hell, he could have lost his life if Ryker and Manzo found out. The fact that Lincoln knew who I was and kept it quiet from someone who is like a brother to him, means more to me than anything. My heart swells knowing how these men view this life and the huge sacrifice it was for him to choose me.
Lincoln and I might have had some romantic feelings for each other in the past, but that's all it was, a fond memory of two young kids surrounded by violence finding comfort in each other. He’s had ten years to heal, and I’ve been so distracted with surviving, the idea that Lincoln and I could have been something, never occurred to me. In the long run, it doesn’t matter what we could have been because now I have something I never believed was possible. I have someone who cares enough for my safety that they are willing to start a war for me. I have an entire family willing to bring me in without a second thought.
Since I’ve always been on my own and making sure everyone else has been safe and happy, I neglected myself. I’ve never been one to wonder if a knight was going to save me, because that was always a fairytale. Who knows, maybe Ryker will turn out like the rest, but for right now, I’m living with what I have.
Right now, my trust in Ryker is minimal, about as far as I can throw him with my hands tied behind my back. However, he’s slowly gaining more with time. His father, on the other hand, has no chance in hell of earning my trust.
Now that I’m fucking Ryker, the memories his father gave me are engraved in my mind. I didn’t tell Ryker the whole truth. It wasn’t just one night; for weeks after my eighteenth birthday, all the main mob bosses spent their time trying to find new ways to get me to break, even my own father. The terror that would take over when all the men would get together is something I can’t explain. My body was paralyzed while my mind was screaming at me to do something, anything to keep my mind off what was happening.
My torment went from daily beatings to daily rape, something I try to forget. The idea of coming face to face with that monster is sending chills through my body. I press my fingers to my thumb repeatedly as we make our way down the steps to Vivian’s car.
Thankfully, Vivian came over a few hours after the guys left to go to the training docks, bringing me a few outfits to choose from. They were all too preppy for me, since I like to stick to dark colors, but Vivian’s closet is full of different shades of pink and florals.
The closest thing I could find to my style was a burnt orange sweater and a pair of jeans, which I was only barely able to buckle. Deciding between a pair of black heels or booties, I chose the black booties.
Vivian slides into the backseat of the car when Ryker calls after me. For a split second, my heart stops at the sight of a gun in his hand, my mind instantly going to the worst-case scenario.
“Here,” he hands it to me, and I stare down at it, confused. At first, I think he’s testing me, but the weight alone lets me know the magazine is full. I double check, finding it fully loaded. Blinking up at Ryker, I raise an eyebrow. “Just in case you run into trouble,” he whispers, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
My confusion grows at his sudden act of kindness. We fucked, yes, but he doesn’t seem like the concerned loving type.
I nod once, taking the thigh belt from his other hand, buckling it around my thigh and slipping the gun into its place. The feeling of the gun's weight pressed against my thigh brings me more comfort than it should.
On our way to lunch, Vivian stops at a store and runs inside with the driver. I don’t feel like being in public, so I stay in the car with my gun ready. She practically skips out of the store and throws the bag on my lap.
“What's this?” I ask, placing my gun back into its holster. “Just open it!” She squeals, turning to face me.
I pull out a phone and I raise an eyebrow. “What’s this for? Does Ryker know?”
I hate that I have to ask for permission to have something as simple as a phone. I can’t stand the wimp I’m slowly turning into.
“It’s for helping me out today with my father, and Ryker doesn’t have to know about it if you don’t want him to.” She shrugs, and taps on the seat in front of her, letting the driver know he can go.
“I can’t take this, it’s too much.”
She rolls her eyes, “It’s fine. It’s just a phone.” She holds out her hand, and I give it to her.
By the time we pull up to a Mexican restaurant, she has put in everyone's contact. Rykers, Lincolns, Nolans, Jeremy's, Hawkins, and even Aces .
“I saved the best for last.” She plugs in her number and slides me the phone. “I went ahead and texted myself, so I have your number.”
My eyes linger on Lincoln’s name. Vivian’s driver pulls into a stop and rounds the car, letting her out first. When we make it inside, we get settled at a booth while we wait for her father to arrive.
“He’s paying, so get whatever you want.” She smiles down at the menu.
What I would really like is to force-feed him a few of the bullets sitting unused in my gun.
“Peanut,” the low masculine voice sends chills up my spine as he approaches the table. I keep my gaze down, acting like I'm engrossed in the menu.
“Dad,” Vivian smiles and stands, embracing her father.
After he is settled in the booth across from me, I finally look up. The moment I meet his gaze, anger courses through me. Anger at the fact I have to pretend that the man sitting across from me is nothing but a saint, anger that he gets to live his life of luxury and freedom while I have to spend my life terrified of the day my past finally catches up to me.
“Bianca,” Allister Domincio says the moment I meet his black eyes.
“Mr. Domincio, what has it been? Six years?”
“I believe so. Last I heard you were about to get engaged.”
I chuckle, closing my menu and interlocking my fingers on top of it. “Not if I can help it. I don’t think wife life would suit me very well. Don’t you agree? ”
He clenches his jaw but quickly schools his features, “You wouldn’t know until you give it a chance.”
I cock my head, taking him in. He has always been more fit than the other bosses, Manzo aside. Between Marcello and Leo Hawkins, Allister always cared more about his appearance. His black hair is slicked back, not a strand out of place. His fake tan was nearly perfect with no sign of an orange tint. A man his age starts to show signs of aging, but with the help of Botox, he has managed to stop aging at age forty.
“How long are you in town for?” Vivian asks, changing the subject.
“A few days.” He shifts his attention back to his daughter. “I’ll be back a few days after Christmas.”
Vivian perks up. “Do you think you could come by before? I have performances the week before Christmas.” “I’m sorry peanut, I can’t. I wish I could, but you know business comes first.”
Vivian slumps in her seat, turning the page in her menu.
We stay silent, the awkwardness multiplying by the second. After the waiter takes our order and brings us our water, Allister stands, excusing himself to go to the restroom.
Vivian lets out a sigh, resting her head against the booth, “I should have known.”
“Known what?”
She slowly turns her head to look at me, “He didn’t come here to see me. He’s been “missing” for a few years, forcing Ryker to take over and the only time he comes back into town, his focus is on business.” She lets out a heavy sigh, slowly sitting up. “I thought when he retired, I would have my father back. ”
She runs her hands through her hair, flipping it from side to side. “He’s just a busy man.” I try to comfort her, but in reality, I want her to know what kind of man her father is. I know that if she knew what he has put hundreds of girls through, she wouldn’t be mourning the lack of a father.
The dinner is uneventful. We hear a little more about Vivian’s upcoming performance, Allister briefly talks about his travels but keeps trying to rope the conversation around to me and Manzo. If Vivian hasn’t caught onto the tension, then she is more oblivious to what goes on in this life than I thought.
We get about halfway through eating when a woman stops at our table. It takes me a second to recognize her in uniform.
“Mr. Domincio, it’s a pleasure to see you.” Peyton says, cocking her hip.
Peyton is one brave woman. If she has been gathering information on all the families to try and take them down, then she knows exactly what kind of man Alliser is. I never knew she was a cop when we worked at stardust together. Between finding me in the hospital, helping me escape Ryker in the hotel, and now this, she is walking a very thin line. If she isn’t careful, this world will eat her alive before sending her soul to hell.
I keep my head down, letting my hair fall in my face so she can’t recognize me.
Allister smiles wickedly at Peyton, “How is your sister?” he asks, his tone menacing.
I take a glance up at Peyton whose face has turned pale. “Don’t you fucking dare!” She hisses.
I’ve known Peyton for a couple of months, and I’ve never heard her cuss, let alone raise her voice at anyone. She’s always been kindhearted; I didn’t think there was a mean bone in her body.
Allister chuckles, wiping his mouth with his napkin and lightly places it on the table. “What can I help you with?” he asks, clasping his hands together in his lap.
“It seems as if we are starting to have a bit of a problem in the city. More and more dead bodies are popping up around town, and you just so happen to be in town.”
He raises an eyebrow with a smirk on his face, “Have you been stalking me?”
“That would require us to know where you’ve been for the past three years. You seemed to have popped up out of nowhere.”
“Don’t worry, I plan on staying a little longer than I expected. Seems I need to clean up a few things before I can head back to relaxing on the beach.” He slowly turns to look at me, showing the devil incarnate.
When I look up to Peyton, her eyes widen, the whites of her eyes gleaming under the dim lighting. “Bianca?” she asks, adjusting to her full height.
“You two know each other? How interesting.” Allister says smirking, hiding it behind a sip of his water.
“We’ve met.” I say, ignoring her.
I know that if I were to show her anything close to affection, I would wind up getting her killed. She’s obviously already on his radar, adding my bullshit to the pot wouldn’t help her.
“Peyton!” The man I briefly talked to at the convention strides up to our table, a scowl set in place. “What the hell do you think you are doing? ”
“I-I...” Peyton studders, her face growing a few shades paler.
I close my eyes, huffing out a breath. “She was just stopping to say hi.” I turn to face him, matching his scowl.
He stops beside her; his eyes widen like Peytons when she first saw me. “Bianca Marcello... I heard you were alive.” He shakes his head, crossing his arms.
I chuckle, “It’s not so easy to get rid of me.”
Nobody other than Allister laughs, it sounding too much like Ryker’s. I scrunch my nose, keeping my face turned away from him so he can’t see.
“Well, we have been trying to get in touch with you. You need to come down to the station for a statement.”
“A statement? For what?”
“You were dead for ten years. We are going to need some answers.”
I laugh, this time keeping it cold and heartless. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. I’m alive and well.”
“What about Jessica?” Peyton asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Jessica?”
“She was last seen with you at the airport.”
I shrug, “Once she got on the plane, she wasn’t my responsibility anymore. Or yours. As far as I know, she’s in Chicago.”
“What's so special about Chicago? It seems that when people disappear that's where they flee to. ”
I roll my eyes, “Beats me. The people that run that city are known to be a little...”
“Aggressive.” Vivian says as I search for a word.
“Aggressive.” I parrot.
“Bianca,” Peyton says, concern lacing her words.
I shovel in another bite of my burrito before I stand and grab the crook of her arm, dragging her out of the building.
“You need to stop!” I whisper shout, “Those men are dangerous. You walked up to him to do nothing but provoke him. You have no idea what you are getting yourself into.”
She crosses her arms, “I’m trying to get answers.” “Trust me Peyton, you don’t want them.”
Her entire demeanor changes when she catches sight of the bruise Manzo left the night before. I didn’t think about covering it. I know that around the handprint Manzo had left, Rykers love marks are starting to form, but those, those I wish I could brand into my skin as a permanent reminder that with him, I’m safe.
A figure practically running towards us draws my attention away from the conversation.
Ryker stops beside me, concern written on his face. “What happened? Are you okay?” He grabs me by the shoulders and rakes his eyes up and down my body.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, the feeling like someone is watching us becomes overwhelming. I glance over my shoulder, finding Allister watching a little outside the entrance of the restaurant, smoking a cigarette.
Ryker follows my gaze, his fingers tightening on my shoulders. “We need to go. Now. ”
When I look back up at him, his eyes are filled with hatred and disgust, but beneath it I see it for what it truly is. Protectiveness. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look at someone like that before, let alone someone like me.
I slowly nod, letting him drag me away. “What about Vivian?” “Lincoln has her.” Ryker opens the door to the backseat,
allowing me to climb in first.
“What is going on?” I ask as he climbs in behind me. “Drive.” He demands.
In record time we are back at his house, screeching to a stop. He flings the door open and practically drags me up the stairs.
“Ryker!” I yell, trying to get his attention. “Tell me...”
I stop dead in my tracks, my eyes widening with tears brimming my lashes. The second Ryker drops my hand, I sprint for her.
“Maggie!” I cry out as I embrace her. The second we collide; we crumble to the floor sobbing.
“Shhhh...” I stroke her hair as she grips onto me tighter and her sobs grow louder. “You’re safe. I’m here.” My voice cracks as I look up, finding Ryker watching us. Tears stream down my face as I mouth the words, “Thank you.”