Chapter 29
Matt
We had Mike pick us up where Max had stopped our busted car, and a tow truck to take care of that useless SUV.
I was already planning ahead. Even though Jax wasn't sure he could find anything, I needed to be prepared.
Parallel to the scheming, my mind raced with images of Hiro suffering and dying at my hands. This ancient feud would end today, and one of us would perish. No means were too low, bad, or despicable. Anything and everything was justified to save my Queen.
I called upon all the Dons and their loyalty to the mafiosi family, hoping that most of them were still in town. The men they had come with weren’t many, but they’d definitely come with their best.
We met at Dea Tacita, where I rallied all my men, together with all the soldati from the other families that decided to join my cause. Liam was right by my side, insisting he would go with us and help get Francesca back.
Don Amato and her brother Tommy were there, too, listening closely to every word I said, standing right beside Don Massimo and his men. Don Fiori had already left but promised to send his men back to help, while Don Bartolini, despite his words at the meeting, was the first to offer assistance. That struck me as strange, but I needed numbers right now, and I’d take all that I was given.
After explaining how we got to this point, all the information we had, and especially what we didn't and desperately needed, everyone broke apart, scattering around the club and the alley right next to it, waiting on the attack order, gathering whatever intel they could find.
Everyone left the room while Don Massimo stayed behind as Max and I discussed our next course of action in a vivid debate of our options.
“Matt,” Vincenzo called, breaking my concentrated conversation with Max, slowly walking toward us. Max took the cue and took a few steps toward the other end of the room. “We will find her,” he encouraged, reassuringly squeezing my shoulder.
“Thank you for being so prompt to help,” I replied.
“I'd be damned if someone kidnaps my future sister-in-law and I don't do anything to help find her. We will fiddle through hell if we need to.” He slapped my back before turning to leave.
“What did you just say?” Max almost shouted from the corner to where he had retreated. “I don’t think I heard you right.”
“My future sister-in-law. You heard me perfectly,” Vincenzo answered, a snicker of glee plastered on his face. “I'll let you two go at it.” He continued, turning back to me and patting me on the shoulder before he left the room.
“Thanks,” I chimed, waiting for him to leave and close the door behind him. “Okay, Max. Let's hear it. What's wrong?”
“Well, I don't know. Clearly, it's not my business and certainly above my pay grade if I don't know about it.”
“Come on,” I sighed. “I needed an ally, and he needed security. So Alison agreed to marry him.” I simply left it at that. Max wasn’t thinking with his head right now. He was all heart.
“I sure hope you're getting enough out of it. Because from where I stand, this was one of the worst moves you’ve ever made.”
“Don't you dare question me!” I roared back at him, taking a minute to reign in my rage because Max was who he was – loyal and trustworthy. He’d help navigate through this shit show and his honesty was welcomed and refreshing in a crowd of people who were mostly too scared to speak their minds.
Not Max. He didn’t care if what he was saying was going to piss me off. If it was the truth or an honest opinion, he was gonna tell me.
He paced the far end of the room, back and forth before turning suddenly and marching towards me, standing right in my face.
“You asked me to tell you whenever I thought you were making a mistake, as if I were your sottocapo . Well, now I'm telling you, to your face, no matter the consequences. That was the single worst mistake you have ever made. Miss Battaglia should never be in this mess.”
“Why? Because marrying you is a better option?” I knew exactly where to stick my finger for it to hurt the most.
“I didn’t say that.”
My truth slashed through him just as I knew it would, making Max stand down, his hands furiously running through his hair.
“No one is good enough for her, Max. No one will ever be. Not in my eyes, and I’m sure, not in yours either.”
“She shouldn’t be in this mess of a life,” He growled, the anger turning his blue eyes into sharp weapons.
“No, but she was born into it, wasn’t she?”
“Whatever happens, whatever pain she goes through, just know that it’s your fault. Her fate is on you!”
Francesca
“Where are you taking me?” I demanded again.
The Russian giant that was Nikolai sat next to me with a blank expression that gave off absolutely nothing.
“Hush, now, Princess. No one is going to hurt you. You’ll get your answer soon," Nikolai replied vaguely, before calmly picking up his phone and calling someone. “We have a hot trail. Lose them now.”
Despite his words, his tone was calm and couldn’t be mistaken for weakness. That was a command I could undoubtedly see the recipients scrambling to obey.
It was clear Nikolai was the one in charge, even though there were two other people in the car – the driver, who looked Asian, and the huge guy in the passenger seat, who just looked... angry.
I looked back through the window and saw one of Matt’s SUVs trying to keep up with us, but failing as another car chased them off our course. The gunshots rang loud even from a distance, and it was clear that they stood no chance under their attack.
The sudden rush of concern made me shiver.
I was sure Matt and Max were in that car, and I couldn't stand thinking about either one of them getting hurt as they tried to save me.
Again, Nikolai's words flooded my mind, together with all those notes and Gio's words – Unharmed. That was the only constant in all of this.
I inhaled deeply, filling myself with the courage to confront this Russian man, trying to find out something that could calm my nerves and shine a light on this mystery.
“Nikolai,” I started, making him turn his attention back to me. “Why are you doing this? What do you have to gain?”
“It’s just business, Princess. Nothing more than business, as usual.”
“And why would the Bratva be in business with the Yakuza?” He looked at me, perplexed by my choice of words and apparent knowledge on the subject.
A slick smile covered his face, flashing me those extremely white and straight teeth of his.
I let my eyes study him. He was an attractive man. One of those that would make heads turn as he walked past.
He had a lighter complexion than Matt and even Liam for that matter, but the same dark hair, only much shorter, especially on the sides. His piercing blue eyes contrasted with the expertly trimmed, beard that shadowed his face.
“That is for me to know and for you to find out, Miss Amato.” A victorious grin spread his lips, one that spoke of a dangerous power that only men in high places could wield. He was so sure of himself.
“So the Bratva is working for the Yakuza. Interesting.” I faked ignorance as if his reply had given me information I didn’t already have.
“The Bratva doesn’t work for anyone.” His elongated pronunciation gave off his irritation at my remark.
“Now I know where Hiro gets his drugs from.” I dug my finger deeper into his open wound, “You’re a big shot in the Bratva. That much is clear. And it doesn’t seem like you’ve climbed that ladder. You were born on top. But you’re not the Pakhan. That’s your father. Am I right, Volkv ?”
It was my turn to smirk as Nikolai glared at me, surprised that I knew so much when in reality, that was practically all I had.
“Stop talking,” He ordered, his eyes averting to the front seats and then back to me, signaling that some things were way above these men’s pay grade.
He turned his face, looking away and out the window, avoiding my questioning gaze so as not to dignify my statement with a reply.
What I didn’t understand was why he would be doing Hiro's dirty work.
“Why does Hiro Naoki want me unharmed? Why does he even want me at all?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” he coldly replied, trying to stop my mind from prying into his business.
Without another word, he handed me a small glass bottle and a handkerchief, earning a very confused look from me.
“It’s chloroform. You do understand our need for privacy, right? You’re a businesswoman, after all.”
“I-I can't,” I said, subconsciously placing my hand on my stomach, only to rip it right off. But this wolf was as smart as a fox, and I could see that he noticed my small slip.
“Shit!” he hissed, shutting his eyes tightly while his fist gripped the edge of the seat before he opened them up again.
Was it remorse I saw in those scary, almost-white eyes?
“I had no idea,” he confessed in a whisper, making sure no one else heard us.
“There was no way you could. I just found out yesterday,” I confided, God knows why, suddenly trusting him more than reason told me I should.
“Does Don Battaglia know?”
“I don’t see why that is any of your business.”
“Does he?” He pushed again between gritted teeth.
“No, not yet. You interrupted that,” I replied in annoyance.
He had interrupted so much more than that. He had interrupted the last chance I had to make things right with Matt. I heard him heavily exhale at my reply before he spoke again.
“Just fake it and close your eyes. I’ll tell you when to open them again. Don’t peek, or you know what I’ll have to do,” He whispered again before checking that the other two guys weren’t paying any attention to us.
“Another debt you'll come to collect?”
“No. This one is on the house.”
“Thank you. If I make it out alive, I won’t forget this.”
“What? When your husband comes for me?” I wasn’t sure if he was expecting that or mocking me.
I shrugged in response, covered my mouth with the cloth, and pretended to pass out, only to feel Nikolai taking it away from me. A strong smell filled the air, and I knew he was spilling the chloroform onto the rag to make it seem like I’d used it.
I didn’t understand why he was showing me this mercy. It’s not like he had just kidnapped me or anything.
This small gesture spoke volumes about Nikolai’s character, showing me he wasn’t as ruthless as he tried to seem. Or maybe it was just for show.
I left an eye slightly open but couldn’t see the road in front of us. I tried as hard as possible to keep alert.
I could tell we were going upstate and that the drive took well over an hour. There was no use in knowing where we were going. I couldn’t warn anyone since Nikolai had taken my bag with my phone in it, and I wasn’t exactly well-versed in smoke signals.
Soon enough, the car came to a stop after driving shortly on an unpaved road. I could sense the two front doors open and then slam shut before I heard Nikolai whispering again.
“I’m going to carry you inside. I hope you have some acting skills because you need to carry on pretending you’re asleep.” I gave him a slight nod and loosened my body as much as I could, faking unconsciousness.
Gently, Nikolai picked me up and took me out of the car, carrying me inside what seemed to be a damn palace.
We walked through a foyer before he started climbing stairs.
“Stay like this for a few more minutes before you wake up. Even if you don’t feel anybody there, I can’t guarantee there won’t be. I’m going to place you on a bed. Just do as I say.” He instructed, again in a low, hushed tone but still exuding that same vibe of command and authority.
Nikolai laid me down on a soft mattress, the smell of freshly washed linen invading my nose as I inhaled the lavender scent.
I did exactly as he told me, not wanting to expose his cover since sparing me and my baby from inhaling that toxic chemical was a kindness I couldn’t overlook. I didn’t see much mercy in this line of business, and he showed that and much more to a complete stranger. It seemed to me that Nikolai wasn’t as bad as he wanted to be perceived.
I allowed a couple of minutes to pass before I started rustling in bed, slowly shifting and rising from my apparent slumber. I opened one eye first and then the other. I didn’t actually fall asleep, but they still felt heavy as if I had.
I lifted myself up from the pillow, sitting upright on the bed, taking in my surroundings before I saw him. My heart hammered frantically in my chest, and I swear I could feel all my blood drain from my face.
I shook my head, closed and opened my eyes as if I was seeing a mirage. I stared right into his eyes before I opened my mouth to speak, but not a single sound came out.
Before I knew it, I was slowly walking towards him and then running until I was in his arms. My chest hurt as I fought back the tears. After a loud whimper, my voice broke with that single questioning word, “Dad?”