Chapter 15
India
I woke up to find a note on Davide’s pillow saying he was in the living room with the men.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand, and it read five forty-eight.
We had a little over two hours to get to the warehouse for the meeting.
I rolled out of bed and went to use the bathroom, then handle my hygiene.
When I was done, I stood in the mirror, trying to figure out what I was going to do with the mass of curls sitting on the top of my head.
After Davide washed my hair when we took a shower together, I let the curls fall to air dry; only my thick hair was not completely dry at the roots.
I didn’t have time to blow dry it, so I decided to grab my brush and gel.
I added the gel around my edges and began to brush my hair into a high ponytail until my natural wave pattern started to appear.
Once every strand of hair was in place, I secured it in a ponytail holder, letting the curls hang.
I then added some more gel to my baby hairs, took the brush and fashioned them around the edges of my hairline.
Next, I tied my scarf around my forehead to make sure they stayed in place.
Knowing this style would put my angel wings on full display, I smiled to myself.
My daddy would shit a brick if he saw them, and I didn’t give a shit.
This was my body to do whatever I wanted to it.
There was no more hiding the badge I was proud to have.
With my hair done, I pulled the garment bag from the closet and laid it on the bed.
I wasn’t sure what to pack for the meeting, so I had a choice between a dark gray mid-thigh dress or a pair of black jeans with a black vee neck t-shirt.
Unable to choose which to put on, I went to the door, opening it, and called for Davide.
“What is it, angel?” He asks, coming into the room, closing the door behind him.
“I know this might sound stupid, but I don’t know what to wear. Do I wear the dress or the jeans?”
Davide looks at both outfits on the bed. “You should wear the jeans and t-shirt. I would love to see you in that dress, but we don’t know how things are going to go. I don’t want you trying to run with heels on. So, the best bet is to wear the jeans and gym shoes.”
“That makes sense,” I say, putting the dress back into the bag. “I just want to make sure I’m representing you right.”
“Angel, you could represent me in anything you put on...except for that damn bikini!”
I snort. “Shut up, Davide! There was nothing wrong with that bikini!”
“Whatever, I bet you nor my sister will be wearing it again!”
“I’m so over Bikini Gate.” I giggle.
He walks over to me, kissing my cheek. “You can be over Bikini Gate, but I bet I’ll be picking out your swimsuits from now on.”
I push him back. “You’re such a brute! Go on back in there with the others while I get changed. I don’t have time to deal with you.”
“I can stay and help you.” He offers, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Nope, no sir. I’m a big girl, I don’t need your kind of help.” I tell him as I start to push him towards the door.
“It could be fun.”
“I’m sure it could be, but we don’t have time for that.” I counter opening the door. He pouts, causing me to giggle again. “Go, Davide!” I point to the hallway.
“I don’t know how that shit works for Brat and not me.” He murmurs as he walks out the door. I shake my head at him.
Forty-five minutes later, I was dressed in my chosen attire, my hair was laid, and my face was flawless when I left the bedroom.
Davide and the men we sitting in the living room, going over the layout of the warehouse when I entered.
Piero, with his crazy ass, saw me first and let out a low whistle, causing the others to whip their heads in my direction.
“Piero, if you whistle at my woman like that again, I will cut your tongue out, and the only thing that will be coming out of your mouth will be the sound of you breathing serving as a reminder that I let you live.” Davide threatens as he stands.
Piero slaps his hand over his mouth. The other men snicker but quiet down when Davide glares back at them.
“Quit being a brute, Davide. If it were anyone else, I would be offended, but its Piero.” I say, walking over to him. He lets out a ‘humph’ as I swat his chest. “So, are you guys ready?” I ask, changing the subject.
“We’re ready. I want to head out soon. Snaps, my head guy here, and some of his men are going to meet up with us.
I want everyone in place before your father and Nelson arrives.
Angelo gave a final count of twelve guards at the warehouse.
Three in the front, two on the right and left of the building.
Then five on the inside that switches off with others every few hours. ” Davide answers.
Somehow, I had a feeling this wasn’t going to end peacefully. Daddy did the unthinkable when he thought he could double-cross Davide. Momma always told him one day his shady ways would come back to haunt him one day, and I’m afraid today will be that day.
Davide and I rode in the backseat of his black SUV.
Piero was driving while Angelo sat in the passenger seat.
Nicco, Giuseppe, and Victor rode in the second SUV behind us.
I got a little nervous fifteen minutes into the ride when two dark-colored SUVs fell in behind us.
I calmed down when Davide informed me it was his other men joining us.
It was so dark out I could barely see what was on either side of the highway. Only the brightness of the moon and the headlights illuminated our path. It was like we were heading into the unknown.
Suddenly, Piero turns off the headlights. The vehicles behind us do the same. The GPS screen on the dashboard was the only visible light.
“We’re close. Piero killed the lights, so they won’t see us approaching. The GPS will guide us the rest of the way.” Davide explains.
I don’t know how Piero could see through the darkness, but soon he was parking behind an old building structure. Nicco’s SUV parked on the side of us as the other two kept going.
“Where are they going?” I wonder.
“They’re going to park behind some of the buildings that are closer.
They have copies of the layout and will get into their positions.
After your father and Nelson arrive, they’ll give us a count of how many men are with them.
” Davide replies, leaning forward, putting his hand behind his back, pulling out a pistol.
“I want you to take this. If shit gets out of hand, use it on any mother fucker that gets too close to you. The safety is right here.” He points to the button on the side of the gun.
“Push this to the side and start shooting.”
I nod, taking the gun from him, securing it in the back of my pants, then pull my shirt over it. Angelo touches his ear, bobbing his head up and down.
“Snaps said he and the men have set up around the full perimeter of the warehouse. They have eyes on the guards.”
“Good, now we wait for the guests of honor to arrive.” Davide proclaims, clutching my hand.
As if on cue, two sedans race past the building. The darkness and tinted windows prevented me from seeing who was inside. I was on pins and needles, wondering if it was daddy. Davide releases my hand and places it over my shaking knee.
“You can wait here until we get back, angel,” Davide whispers, as he dips his head locking me in with his eyes.
“No, I okay. I promise.” I state, trying to put on a brave face.
Angelo taps his ear again. “That was Okoye. He has his son, that big fucker Oba and two guards with him.”
“Okoye probably wanted to get here first so he could make sure the guns were ready,” Piero adds.
I wonder if daddy has told Nelson I was taken. Knowing him, he probably still thinks he could get me back before Nelson started asking questions.
“And there goes the rest of the party,” Piero whispers, as an SUV zooms past.
“Let’s get ready. Snaps should be on the line soon, letting us know how many men Nelson has with him.” Davide says, opening his door then gets out.
Piero and Angelo followed suit and got out too.
I stepped out when Angelo opened my door.
We walked to the back of the SUV. Nicco and the others had the backdoor of their SUV up, taking out guns.
Piero let ours up, then he, Davide, and Angelo began arming themselves too.
Davide and the men placed the same type of earpieces in their ears that Angelo had.
Davide taps his. “Talk to me, Snaps. What do we have in the second vehicle?” His face is stern, as he listens to whatever the Snaps guy is saying.
“Alright, when he and his men go inside, wait ten minutes, then take out the guards. We should be there by the time you’re done.
” Davide turns to us. “Nelson only has three men with him. Let’s move. ”
I stayed close to Davide as we crept through the alley like thieves in the night.
The glow of lights began to emerge from the other side of the dilapidated building we were hiding behind.
Davide signaled to the left then right. Victor and Giuseppe break off to the left, as Nicco and Angelo go to the right.
Davide then taps Piero and points ahead of us.
With me in between them, Piero leads us to two garbage dumpsters.
From here, we could see the vehicles parked in front of the warehouse.
Three guards stood around, talking. Without warning, their bodies begin to drop to the ground.
I didn’t hear any gunfire, so there must have been silencers used.
I whip my head back, gaping at Davide. He mouth’s ‘Snaps’.
I nod and turn back around. Piero gives a thumbs-up, letting us know it was clear to move in.
We stayed low and out of sight as we crept up to the cars.
Davide stood, reaching for my hand. “It’s showtime, angel.” I slide my hand into his as I stand. I don’t know what awaits us on the other side of that door, but I pray we make it out alive, so Davide can hold me in his arms again.