Chapter 52
What's Tracking?
Did anyone hear about the shootout down by one of the marinas yesterday? I've heard Jake and Dani were there. As soon as I know, you'll know!
Jeffery comes down to get me and he smiles when he sees my dress.
I smile back reluctantly. Sometimes you have to remind yourself of where you come from and who you are.
I come from a single-parent home. I’m independent and I'm enough.
Not to mention, I am Betsy Jean's granddaughter.
Hopefully, I'm just like her. She could charm the birds out of the trees and the stars out of the sky.
Benji meets us in the hallway. He gives me an appreciative gaze which makes me feel sick but also glad he’s not angry. Benji is wearing a dark blue Columbia shirt and khaki slacks. I smirk as I hear Jake's voice in my head. "Preppy Asshat!" I miss him something terrible.
Jeffery blindfolds me and they each hold one of my hands and lead me outside and into a vehicle.
I'm assuming an SUV or truck by how high I had to climb up.
It took all the strength left in me not to shrink away from Benji's touch.
I will never want his touch. Benji and Jeffery try to make conversation, but I'm too nervous to talk to anyone.
They give up and start talking about music.
What they like and what they don't. I have no idea what they said beyond that.
Benji leads me out of the car once we reach our destination and I can hear the faint sound of rustling water and there is a mild breeze blowing.
We must be somewhere by one of the marinas in downtown Austin.
Why are we by the water? My heart won't stop thumping in my chest. If we leave Austin, I may never see the people I love again. He pulls my blindfold off and I was right. We’re at a marina.
Rustic tin surrounds us on three sides. The only open part is where the water is.
Benji walks away when he gets a phone call but comes back and whispers something to Jeffery, making him talk to a man near the docks.
Benji swipes some stray hairs out of my face making me unintentionally cringe.
I unwillingly make myself apologize. "I'm sorry. "
He shrugs. "It's okay. He's still in your mind and heart, but he won't be forever, Dani. I'm going to make you see me."
For the first time, I feel sorry for him. I think his infatuation with me started because I rejected him for Jake. Maybe he's not used to hearing the word no. I don't know. From a distance, I can see a speedboat barreling towards us. "Is that your dad?"
"Yes. Listen, don't be nervous. My dad is going to love you. Just be courteous. He won't tolerate anything other than the respect he deserves."
I want to roll my eyes, but I'm trying to be more like honey and not vinegar.
He doesn't deserve anything other than a lengthy prison sentence.
The boat makes it to the dock and three well-muscled men get out.
One starts walking our way and the other two hold back and wait for someone else.
I hold my breath as Mr. Bianchi gets off the boat.
He's in his mid-fifties. His appearance is perfect.
From his hair to his shoes, nothing is out of place.
His eyebrows are even perfect. He holds out his hand to me, which I take with a soft smile and he kisses my knuckles.
"Hello, Dani. It's finally nice to meet you. "
"The pleasure is all mine." I’m truly trying to kill them with kindness.
"Dani, I must be honest with you. I wasn't sure if you would be right for my son, but he wouldn't give up on you. My Benji always gets what he wants. Welcome to the family."
I smile in return because there are no words. What in the hell have I involuntarily become a part of? I want to scream.
"Dani, follow me." I reluctantly do as Benji’s dad tells me to. The closer we walk up to the boat, the heavier my feet become. I hope he doesn't expect me to come aboard without a fight. I can't leave Austin. I won't.
A bigger boat is headed our way but is still some distance away. "Mr. Bianchi, do you know who that is?"
He gives me a wink. "I do. Dani, you may not be surprised to know that we have a drug business.
You're now a part of that business. I told my son that if you were the one, you'd need to be on board with all things.
I made that mistake with his mother. When she found out, she hid him from me.
I don't want him to ever feel like that. Family is everything."
I nod my head. "They are coming here to buy drugs?"
"They are. Have no fear. You'll be perfectly safe. Benji and Jeffery will protect you at all cost."
My throat clenches tight, but I force another nod.
How can he be so calm about this? It's almost downright eerie how easily he talks about his business.
He may be as insane as his son. The boat approaches and two Hispanic females get off with guns in hand.
Behind them is a beautiful Latina woman.
Her hair is dark brown and her eyes are the color of mocha. "Hello, Benny."
"Ah. Mrs. Sanchez, I hope your journey was pleasant."
"It was, indeed." A muscled man comes up from behind her and carries a duffel bag. I'm assuming it's filled to the brim with money. Mr. Bianchi signals his goons to get four big crates off his boat. They had to move a compartment from the floorboard to retrieve them.
Mrs. Sanchez samples the cocaine from all four crates. "Benny, this is perfecto! We're going to make a fortune." He smiles and takes the duffel bag, inspecting the money before he gives it to Jeffery.
Out of nowhere, shouts come from behind us, back at the shed.
Smoke bombs have exploded, and I can't see two feet in front of my face. I do the only thing that comes to mind, I move to my left and fall into the water. From behind me, I hear gunshots going off all around. I swim like there is no tomorrow hopeful that by some miracle I’ve found my opportunity for escape.