Chapter 46
Chapter
Forty-Six
Alexei
Being with him feels like finding home.
The world I know comes crashing out from under me. My feet feel both anchored to the spot and so weak that I might fall over at any second. My heart, which I bury deep in my chest still unsure if I even have one, bursts free and explodes. I feel it beat like I'm coming to life for the first time.
If I was dead, I am alive. If I was blind, I can now see.
Everything and nothing is now so differently the same.
There is no discernible change in my expression, but the world as I know it is irrevocably changed. There are thousands of ways to interpret what she just said, but with pure clarity I understand exactly what she meant.
I want Sage to turn around, I want her to look at me so I can see in her eyes what I know is in her gut.
It is foolish of me to dwell on this. Because I know what's coming.
I know what Angie set in motion by being so meddlesome and stupid.
First, Dimitri would come for me, Sage would follow.
Next, we'll both realize we're alone in neutral territory without any backup.
Then we'll all figure out that Chet knows this too.
The man who never comes out of hiding unless he knows he's sure to have the upper hand. And Angie just gave it to him, by telling him exactly where we are, all the people he wants to see hurt, without the force of our empires behind us in protection.
This is, in fact, the perfect trap to bring him out into the open because it's the only time we're all unprepared to see him. We need to get Sage out of here.
But my stupid, careless heart takes control, and all I can hear is her voice as she said she was mine. That I am hers.
I never hated being right until now.
At that moment, we become surrounded faster than I can take stock of. All I can see are the swarms of men that pile into the bar from every possible access point, blocking every chance of escape.
They're behind us, in front, on either side and about to be above us, too. I look up to see giant spider webbing cracks appearing across the ceiling and I know they're about to burst through the roof right where we're standing and crush us.
Dimitri tries to run towards Sage, but Anton grabs him around the shoulders and pulls him back away from the collapse. I get to her just in time, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her back to get us as far away as possible. We land with a thud on the ground as my body shields hers.
The ground shakes as the roof caves open and several of Chet's men jump through the hole to pile in front of us, too.
I take Sage's hand in mine, dragging her up with me and keeping her close. I'm not letting go of her hand for anything until we're walking out of here together.
From the other side of the collapse I can just see the others through the dust. They all appear unhurt but getting up in varying states of confusion.
"Well, well, well," the voice, like the hiss of a snake, reaches me from across the room.
Behind the bar the smoke clears and I make sense of where the voice is coming from. He stands with his hands resting on the bar top and watching us all like we're a delicious meal, but Sage and I in particular.
"Chet."
It's been a long time since I've seen my uncle in person. So long even that I'd think I'd forgotten what he looks like until I see his face now and all the memories of him come rushing back to me.
I try to push Sage behind me, but she struggles to get in front of me with a determined little frown on her face.
"Why yes, my nephew," Chet says. "How long has it been?"
"Not long enough," I say, glancing towards the others.
Dimitri and Anton are grouped together while Freddie stands a few feet away with a different set of men watching over him.
Isla is slightly behind me, her hands in surrender as she too is surrounded.
Isla and Freddie look tense like they're readying to grab their weapons and launch an assault they're likely to lose.
It's only Dimitri who stands calm like he's more annoyed by this invasion than afraid of it.
"You had something for me. A deal was it," Chet says, smiling wickedly at me. Dimitri's eyes narrow at me at the same time that Chet's flick down to where Sage clutches onto my arm. "Perhaps I was mistaken?"
"Or fooled," Sage says, even though her voice shakes on the words.
"Fooled it is," I reply. "Now you know you're not getting what you want, isn't it time to pack it and run? Seems like a usual thing you'd do."
Chet smiles, and it sets an uneasy feeling in my stomach. The last thing we needed was for him to confront us when we're unawares. He has a very obvious upper hand.
"But the trap is perfect, nephew," Chet says. "I'll get her. I'll get you," he smiles and licks his lips as he sizes up the others, "and I'll probably get you this time too, Dim."
Angie comes out of nowhere, stalking towards Chet with a click of her heels and her hand on her hip. "This is neutral territory, you know that. You can't do this here."
Chet spares her a look like she's an annoying little fly. But the truth is she's na?ve for thinking he would respect her territory or her rules.
"I'll give you one chance to run away from this, Angie, since you're technically the one that made this possible."
Chet doesn't take his eye off Sage and I, even as Angie's eyes dart around while she finally pieces together exactly what is happening. She really is behind right now for someone who claims to know everything. Her face drops and she takes two steps back.
"No," she says. "You don't have the upper hand here."
Chet's upper lip curls at her.
"Have it your way then," Chet says, flicking his wrist. But Angie isn't without backup like we are. Her people come in driving forces from the back rooms and the inevitable bloodbath between us is started.
Angie's people might be few, but she's the only back up we have right now and I'll take it, because neither Rushkoffs nor DeMarcos are going to get here quick enough to give us the power to turn this fight.
Chet laughs as he hoists himself onto the top of the bar, waiting casually for this all to be over. "Bring her to me. Alive!"
I grab Sage's hand.
This is the only chance I have to get her out.