Chapter 44
Not the Plan
Mason
“You did good, bro,” Lorcan croons.
I don’t reply. This wasn’t the plan. Not the plan I was a part of.
I didn’t know Lorcan had followed me to the marketplace where Oni was shopping. I had gone to talk to her. I hadn’t decided whether or not I would warn her about Lorcan’s plans for Rico.
I wanted to know if she’s happy. It seems like she is. If she told me to my face that she is truly happy, I would have warned her about my brother and his plans.
However, Lorcan followed me and knocked Oni unconscious before snatching her. The asshole didn’t even give me time to think. He rushed right to the airport, where Romano’s plane was waiting to bring us back to New York.
“This was a mistake. We need to drop her back where she belongs and get the fuck out of here,” I hiss.
“Shut the fuck up, you pussy. Romano is paying us top dollar for her to be out of the picture.”
“What?”
This can’t be his fucking plan. My head is about to explode. I should have known not to trust him.
“Do you see this place? We’re in the big leagues now. All we have to do is hold her here until they tell us what they want done with her.”
“Lorcan, this is crazy. You just kidnapped her from another country. How long do you think we’ll be able to hide out here before he comes for her? Why hasn’t she woken up yet? Fuck, how did I get involved in this?”
“Why the fuck do you care whether she’s awake or not? Are you forgetting what this is all about?”
“I’ve never understood what any of this is about. For ten years, you’ve been ranting about getting back at everyone. How the fuck does this help you do that?”
“Boys, boys, boys.”
I freeze and look to the doorway. I think I’m going to be sick. This crazy bitch is as off as Lorcan is.
I figured that out from the first time I met her. She has it out for Oni as much as Lorcan does. If you ask me, Lorcan is pissed because he can’t have Oni, and this crazy bitch is out of her mind because she can’t have Rico Gallo.
“You should look happier to see me. After all, I talked my father into bankrolling all of this for you. Did you get her?”
I look to Lorcan in confusion. Rico was supposed to be our target. What’s she talking about?
“We have her. She’s upstairs.”
“I want to see her.”
Lorcan frowns. I get the feeling he wasn’t planning on handing over Oni this soon. I need to figure something out fast.
My brother storms from the room with Alyissa Romano following behind him. I rush to catch up before the two do something I can’t fix.
When we enter the room, Oni is wide awake. Lorcan restrained her arms and legs. I think that’s a good thing. The look in her eyes says she would try to kill us all with her bare hands.
Alyissa grabs Oni by the hair and tugs her head back. This is a mistake. They are only fueling the fire.
“I’ve found you, bitch. This time, nothing will save you. You have nowhere else to run. With you out of the way, I will finally get what I deserve.”
“You’re delusional. Where have I been running? You weren’t looking too hard to find me. I’m never hard to find.
“Don’t you mean you’ve been running from me? Daddy sent you away as soon as your big mouth got my attention. I’m still going to kill you, just like I promised these two assholes’ father I would take care of them. You’re all going to die.”
“Ugh, knock her out. Fucking nuisance. What does he see in her?” Alyissa huffs. “When you’re done, come downstairs. I want to talk about what’s next.”
I groan. This is ridiculous. Alyissa had a husband of her own; she’s just pissed he went bankrupt and they divorced.
Rico, meanwhile, has only gotten wealthier and is still married to Oni. It’s all she talked about when I first met her.
Her father holds a grudge because he couldn’t use the Gallos the way he wanted, so he entertains his spoiled daughter’s hatred and desire for revenge.
“I’ll be there in a bit,” Lorcan says.
Alyissa walks out. I don’t take my eyes off Lorcan. He’s looking at Oni with his eyes full of lust.
“Shouldn’t we know what’s next? We can come back and check on her after,” I say nervously.
He looks to me as if just remembering I’m standing here. Running a hand through his hair and readjusting himself, he nods. I don’t think I start breathing again until he starts to walk out of the room.
I sigh and pull my phone to text Emory. I need her here. Someone needs to watch over Oni.
Me: It’s going south. Get here now.
White-hot pain shoots through my skull. I’ve been having these headaches for two years now. The last thing I need is to deal with my brother’s shit.
Fuck.
Oni
My knees are hurting from sitting on this floor like this and my back has a dull ache. I don’t feel good. Whatever they did has my head thumping and my stomach cramping.
My baby.
“Please hold on,” I whimper.
I didn’t get to confirm the pregnancy or tell Rico. After realizing I might have missed more than one cycle, I just know. I want to break down and sob, but I have to be strong to get out of here.
I’ve never trusted Lorcan. It’s the way he always looked at me. Mason would never leave me alone with him.
However, Mason distracted me so they could take me. He’s the reason I’m here and the reason why my baby is in danger. When I get out of here, I’m killing them all. That bitch Alyissa is a fucking nut.
This isn’t the first run-in I’ve had with her, but it will be the last. I should have killed her father when she first crossed me. Just to leave an example.
Her disrespect was unacceptable. Her father hiding her away after showed even more disrespect if you ask me. He knew she owed in blood after the stunt she pulled.
Pain rockets across my back. “Oh God, please no.”
I double over and press my forehead to the cool floor. I need to get out of here and get to a doctor. This can’t be happening.
I try not to panic. Picturing Rico’s face and feeling his arms around me helps me to calm down some. I just need to hold on.
Please, baby, hang in there. Daddy’s coming for us. He’ll be here.