Chapter 16
16
DALLAS
Getting into the car is nearly impossible. Being separated from her right now is like losing an appendage—one I can’t possibly live without. Lorenzo’s men have explained numerous times how this will play out. I’m to wait in the car while they get into position. Once the scene is secure, I’ll be summoned. I hate every second of this nightmare. I’m a fucking billionaire for what? I can’t even buy her freedom from the asshole holding Juniper.
The worst part is the money I want to use is likely from dirty hands—knowing my father was wrapped up in a similar lifestyle. Fear washes over me at the thought of losing her and Juniper, or worse, her losing me. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I dial my brother, Griffyn.
“Is it over?” His gruff voice fills the line.
“We haven’t even made it there yet.” I sigh, anxious to get there and get this shit over. “They’re making me sit in the car, Griff.”
“As they should. I hate you even went.” He grumbles, reminding me of his disdain for even getting in the car this morning.
I sigh. “You know why I did.”
“Yeah, I do. I just wish for once we could go about finding a woman in a normal way.”
I chuckle. “Nah… where would be the fun in that? Look,” I shift in my seat. “The reason I called is I need you to do something for me.”
“Not sure I like the sound of your voice.”
He’s going to hate everything and probably resist as soon as I stop talking, but I need to do this. I need to ensure if shit goes sideways, Willow and Juniper are taken care of.
“You’re probably going to hate this, but I need you to promise me you’ll take care of it.”
“Promise what exactly? Jesus fuck, Dallas. You act like you are driving to your death.”
“And I might be.” I swallow, “I need you to make sure the woman I love is taken care of if something happens to me.”
“Fuck off, Dallas. You’re sitting in the car. You’ll be fine.”
“Griffyn… promise me. She gets everything of mine. The money, the house… all of it. I want her and Juniper set up for life if I don’t come home.”
He’s silent for a moment before I hear his deep breath.
“Fine. But how about you just sit your pretty ass in that car and not try to be the hero? Let the goons you’re with handle the muscle if needed.”
“Sure… yeah.” I brush him off, knowing if I have to, I’ll be right there in the hell with them. “I gotta go, Griff.”
I disconnect the call as we pull to a stop somewhere on a dirt road. The trees are thick, and I imagine the meeting point is somewhere close by.
“This where we’re stopping?” I lean forward to the two men in the front seat.
“Yep.” The one behind the steering wheel, Maximum, mutters as his counterpart, Louie, climbs from the passenger side. “We’ll wait here until the others call us.”
“I thought we were all parking in the same spot.” I blink, confused by the sudden change.
He shrugs, as if it’s not unusual for something like this to happen. “Dunno. Just doing what I was told.” I watch as the other man round the front of the car and stops at his door. “What the hell are you doing?”
In what takes less than a second, Louie raises his gun and fires a single shot into Maximum’s head. Frozen to the spot, unable to believe what’s happening, I’m completely unprepared when Louis yanks me out of the backseat.
“What are you doing?” I stumble beside him, his gun trained on my head. “Why’d you do that?” The reality hits me like a ton of bricks. “You’re working for them, aren’t you?”
“Ding, ding, ding,” he scoffs. “They offered a lot of money, and I hate working for that bitch.”
Words fail me as he drags me through the woods a short distance and into a vacant warehouse.
“Wait here.” He waves the gun toward the empty space. “The boss will be here soon.”
This is unreal. How did my life get so fucked up?
“What about Willow? Where is she?”
“She’s being taken care of… that cunt Bianchi, too.” He spits on the ground.
I want to charge him, but the gun pointed in my direction reminds me he has the upperhand.
“You said they paid you; I can double it. Whatever they offered you, I can beat it. Just let me walk out of here and get my girls back.”
“That won’t be happening, Mr. Nash.” I stop pacing and turn to face the man who steps through the door.
"Who are you?" I demand, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at my insides.
The man smiles, a cold, calculated expression. " Mr. Agapov and I have some business to discuss that will likely determine the life of the woman who is currently being reunited with her niece."
Dallas narrowed his eyes. "Business? What kind of business? I assume if you’ve seen Willow, you have the reason we came out here."
“That was true until I learned who you were. Dallas Nash… or should I call you Dallas Winston, the illegitimate son of Calvin Winston?”
“Fuck you. That man might have sired me, but he was no father.”
The fucker clicks his tongue, his Russian accent heavy when he speaks again. “Regardless, you can help me. Much like he did.”
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I shrug, not giving a shit what he wants. “I don’t do business with criminals.”
“The woman tied to a chair in the other building says differently. Or do you not know what kind of people the Bianchis are?” I narrow my eyes at him. “I see I’ve struck a nerve. No matter. You see, Mr. Nash, I have a proposition for you. Your club, Vibe, is quite the establishment. High profile, respected, and most importantly, a perfect cover for my operations.” He sighs, “I need something that will hide what I do—women, drugs, weapons. I want to run them through your business.”
"You're out of your mind if you think I'd ever agree to that." The very idea of turning my club into a hub for his vile trade makes my stomach churn.
Agapov's smile fades, replaced by a hard, dangerous edge. "Think carefully, Mr. Nash. Refuse, and the consequences will be dire."
"I don't care about your threats," I snap, my anger boiling over. "The answer is no. I'll never be a part of your sick game."
For a moment, silence hangs heavy in the air. Then, Agapov sighs, as if disappointed.
"I was hoping you'd be more reasonable, but if you insist on being difficult, I suppose I have no choice." He steps closer, his face now fully illuminated by the dim light. "You see, your refusal doesn't just affect you. It affects those you care about."
My heart skips a beat as I realize where this is headed—he still has Willow and Juniper.
"What are you talking about?"
“Bring him.” Agapov motions to the man beside me. His grip is unforgiving as he holds my arm, the cool steel barrel of his gun burrowing into my head as he pushes me outside.
Willow's eyes fill with fear when I step into the light. She has Juniper wrapped in her hold, and beside them, another man with a gun trained on the woman I love.
“Let them go,” I practically beg.
He turns his uncaring eyes toward me. “Mr. Nash… I believe I’ve told you what I want, and you refused.”
“I’m sorry… I won’t play a part in your depraved world.” I hate that it’s come down to this.
“Please, don’t do this.” Willow is practically begging. “I’ll do whatever you want. This has nothing to do with him.”
“Unfortunately, the moment he showed up to this meeting,”—Agapov spits on the ground—“he made it about him.” He shoves me to my knees and presses the gun to my head. “And now, you will have to make a choice.”
“Dawwas.” Juniper whimpers my name, the sound gutting me.
“I don’t understand,” Willow whispers, her voice cracking as she tightens her hold on Juniper. “A choice?”
He tips his chin to the man standing beside her, who promptly pulls Juniper from Willow’s arms and drags her away. He’s down on his knees, holding Juniper away from Willow.
“Wiwwow… wiwwo!” Juniper begins to scream.
“Stop, you’re hurting her.” Willow turns to face Agapov. “I don’t even know who you are… why are you doing this?”
“My name seems unimportant right now. What is important is what you decide to do.” He waves his hand in the air. “Only one may live.” He flicks his hand toward Juniper, then back to me. “It’s the only way I can guarantee your silence. His life… or hers.”
“Why are you doing this?” Willow's voice cracks with anguish, her body trembling so violently, I fear she might collapse at any moment.
“Willow, baby,” I call out, my voice a desperate plea. “Look at me, Princess.” Her eyes snap to mine, and the raw fear burning within them slices through me like a blade. “It’s okay, baby.”
“How can you say that?” She closes her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Please don’t do this.” Her gaze darts toward Agapov, a silent plea.
"Time's running out," Agapov interjects, his impatience seeping into every word. "Make your choice."
“Willow,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Everything is going to be alright. It’s okay, sweetheart. I know I promised you, but I have to break it. Juniper needs you, and you’re going to need her. Take her home, live for me, okay? Let that little girl have the life she deserves.”
“No… I can’t do this. What about me? I deserve a life. Please don’t make me choose. I’ve lost so much already. When is it enough?” she begs, her voice trembling with desperation.
Tears streak down my face as I lock eyes with her, willing her to understand.
“I know, baby. It’s not fair. We didn’t get enough time, but it has to be enough. I’ll be okay… you’ll be ok. My brothers will take care of you. Let them, okay? Don’t fight them. I love you, Willow. It happened fast, and I tried to fight it, but damn, do I love you. Never forget that, okay? Tell my brothers I’m sorry.”
“Dallas, I love you. Please…” She turns to Agapov once more. “Please, don’t do this.”
"Last chance," Agapov's voice now carries a deadly seriousness as he shoves me slightly. "Agree to my terms, or this ends here."
I look at Willow and Juniper, their lives teetering on the edge. Every instinct screams at me to protect them, but I can't let Agapov win. I can’t let him destroy the lives of my family… her life. If I give in, she’ll never be free of him.
“Close your eyes, baby.”
Willow sobs, tears running rampant down her face. She mouths, ‘I love you’ again, then turns her head and closes her eyes as her hands clench at her sides.
Agapov presses the metal into my scalp. I lean into the barrel, stiffening my spine.
“I love you, Willow. Always will.” I take one last breath. “Go to hell, Agapov,” I say, my voice steady with resolve.