36. Mia
When they first brought me here, I had been shaking, fear for myself and the life growing inside me had kept me silent. They’d sat me at a rickety old table, my wrists tied to the wooden arms tightly. Sweat dripped down the back of my neck, a trail of panic making its way down to the waistband of my jeans.
The trailer was parked up in an old scrapyard, unhitched and held up by concrete. The inside had been gutted, the sofas ripped out leaving behind tattered walls and cracked vinyl. The only thing inside the small space was the table, bolted to the floor with four chairs surrounding it. The little windows had been blacked out, no natural light could peek through leaving the confined space in a mix of gloom and artificial light. A bare bulb dangled from the ceiling, shining harshly in the shitty space.
When they had stuffed me in their car, their guns ushering me into the back seat, I’d regretted dashing off so suddenly, hating the fact that Rex had called out to me about the danger and I had ignored him.
I just hated that he was right, and now, I was stuck here with Tweedledee and Tweedledum, who were talking loudly and not worrying whether I could hear them.
The absolute morons talked in Ukrainian, a language that was as familiar and comfortable to me as English. They clearly hadn’t done their homework.
My grandfather had spent countless hours teaching me his first language, even refusing to speak English whilst at home. When staying with him, I had to converse in Ukrainian, or he would completely ignore me. The insufferable, loveable old man had cupped his ear on countless occasions when I’d slipped into English, pretending he couldn’t hear me.
They thought I couldn’t understand them. Oh, how wrong they were.
Knowing what they were saying had hope sparking within… they wanted Rex. Which meant the Street Kings would be close, maybe even looking for me already. I’d taken their truck, surely when they found it they would worry?
Of course, that hope fizzled out and died a death when they dragged an unconscious Rex inside. Throwing him in the seat opposite me, his restraints were tighter around his arms and legs, the cable ties zipped around his limbs, his skin turning red around the plastic where it cut into him.
My heart stuttered in my chest… he was too still. A bloody gash on the side of his head had turned his hair a matted crimson, the blood coating the side of his face. His head slumped on his chest, but I could see the pulse flutter in his neck and I breathed a sigh of relief that he was still alive. Though for how long, I wasn’t sure. Judging by their pinched expressions, it didn’t look like we were going anywhere soon.
God, please don’t hurt him anymore.
The men circled him, poking him and laughing when his body rocked.
“Hey, leave him alone!” I screeched at the bastards touching him, mocking him.
He’d come for me. He chased after me, even after I’d run from him, told him I’d never forgive him.
The anger gave way to worry, anxiety raking my insides as I stared at his chest to see its rise and fall, counting seconds between each breath.
Fuck!
“Excuse me.” Our kidnappers watched me with disinterest as I tried to grab their attention. “Hey, excuse me… I’m a nurse, maybe you could, you know, let me out so I can see to him… he’s hurt.”
One snorted, before firing a host of insults at his friend, words that showed completely how little he cared whether he lived or died.
If I could just get free, an arm loose, I could reach Rex, I could help him. The skinny guy who had been driving the first car who blocked me in, placed his gun and his phone on the table in front of me, smiling wickedly when I eyed them with interest.
“Podyvit?sya na neyi, vona dumaye, shcho u neyi ye shans.”
Look at her, she thinks she has a chance
It was so hard not reacting to him, it was ingrained in me to fire back in my grandfather’s tongue. I stared at the gun, specks of blood on the butt were a dead giveaway, it was him who had hurt Rex. I wanted to remember his face, so that in my dreams I could kill him a thousand different ways.
Rex stirred beside me and groaned, trying to lift his head. “Nice of you to wake up, sleeping beauty.” Hearing my voice, his head shot up, his pupils blown and unfocussed. “Don’t move so quickly,” I whispered, seeing him wince at the glare from the bulb dangling right above his head. “Take deep breaths, that’s it…” He faced me with his eyes squeezed shut, nostrils flaring as he tried to gain some control over his body. He had a concussion, confusion lined his face along with his worry for me. He wiggled his fingers, trying to break free, but all it achieved was plastic biting into his skin, tearing the soft skin of his wrists, a bead of blood welled along the edge as he thrashed against the restraints. “Stop, Rex. You’re hurting yourself.”
“Mia…”
“I’m ok, they haven’t hurt me.” Blue eyes cracked open, his bleary gaze tracking over me to check I was telling the truth. Relief shining in them when he came up empty of injuries.
“Did they say anything to you?” he muttered, before jerking forward, the skinny man poking him in the back. The hard stab of his fist in Rex’s nape had him gritting his teeth, but his eyes flared as they stayed focused on me, refusing to close them again, keeping me in his line of sight.
Our eyes met across the wooden table, our concern for each other a bandage against the open wound our relationship had become. Determination lit a fire behind his eyes that said I’ll protect you, but we both knew that was a lie.
“Don’t worry, princess.”
“I think you should worry,” a heavy accented voice spoke from behind me, the light footsteps a contrast to the deep baritone of the speaker. “A Street King and princess, how funny…” The men around him chuckled at the newcomer who took a seat in between us. Leaning back, he crossed his arms, smiling at first Rex then me and back again, his head swinging back and forth with a stupid grin on his face.
“You seem to have us at a disadvantage,” Rex started, glaring at the suited man. “You know who we are, but I don’t know who the fuck you are.”
“Ah yes, I must apologize, how rude of me.” Heavy gold sat on each finger. He slapped his hand against his chest, that manic smirk pulling his cheeks taut. “I am Fedir. And you…” he pointed a finger at Rex, “are Gavin Ragan, also known as sergeant at arms for the Street Kings… Ohio chapter.” Fedir slammed his hand against the table, startling me, if I hadn’t been tied down I would have jumped out of my seat. “How did I do?”
Rex nodded, awareness sharp in his bright eyes, he’d shaken off the fogginess, and now stared at the man with caution. “And you are Fedir Sykyta… Ukrainian mafia.”
Fedir clapped his hands. “Ah, you know me. I am touched.”
“Of course I know who you are, you’re the largest dealer in North America.” My eyes widened, breath pausing in my lungs. “You’re far from home.”
Fedir’s face hardened, his black eyes narrowing on Rex, the two pools of darkness glared with hostility. “I have no fucking choice. Your shit drugs are on my streets,” he spat. “You sell dishonor, you make bad angel powder, and now I look bad… I don’t like this.”
“We never put drugs on your streets, clearly your men know nothing.” I kicked Rex under the table, imploring him to not anger the armed gangster. His head swiveled to meet mine. It’s ok, he mouthed, before turning back to the man who had ‘danger’ written all over him.
“I have been buying from Mexicans for long time, and now, everyone dies who snorts coke sold to him by you. You tell me, who is to blame?”
“Our drugs are pure, and we’ve been selling to Felix for years. But guess what… Felix is dead, and his dumbass of a nephew has taken over,” Rex gritted out. “Rio has been?—”
Fedir waved his hand in front of his face, annoyance coating his features. “Yes, yes, I know this. Rio sells drugs to everyone, not just us. But the drugs come from you! You, Street Kings, are bad for business.” The angry man leaned toward Rex, close enough his breath tainted the air. “So, I have decided, I will take your drugs, I remove the middle man, and sell them myself. Win win.” A satisfied smile grew on Fedir’s face, and he leaned back in his chair as if he’d just shared winning lottery numbers. “All you have to do is, tell me where you grow it, and I will let your woman live.”
Rex’s face paled. “I don’t care what you do to me, but the woman is innocent, she has nothing to do with this.” His eyes darted to mine, a silent apology in their depths. “In fact, she was going back to England tomorrow, her time here is done.”
I swallowed at the disinterest in his tone. I knew he didn’t mean it, it was for Fedir. He was trying to get me out of here unscathed, but he made no mention of himself.
“Well, if you like her or not, her life is in your hands Sergeant.” Fedir chuckled. “I want the drugs, you don’t tell me, you both die. You do tell me, only you die.”
“That doesn’t sound like much of a deal.” Rex tried to move as much as possible with his limbs strapped down, shuffling in his seat to ease his discomfort. I knew exactly how he felt, my butt was starting to go numb and my fingers were red from lack of blood flow. “How about this, you let me call my prez and we can have a sit down talk about making a deal.”
“Pah. You think I want to trade with you. I fucking hate Americans.” The men spat on the floor by Rex’s feet, and his face flushed with anger.
“You buy our drugs from the Mexicans, but you won’t buy them directly from us? That’s fucking stupid—Unh.”
A slap resounded in the small space, a bright red mark appeared on Rex’s cheek as one of the men stepped back. Rex glared with hatred, promising retribution with one swift look.
“I buy from Mexicans, I don’t buy from fucking Americans.”
“I can’t make a deal without my president’s knowledge, that’s how we do things. I can’t give you what you want, but if you dial this number, you can speak to him, come to a decision.” I could hear the desperation in Rex’s voice, it was barely noticeable in the deep rumble of his voice, but his eyes darted to me every minute, trailing over my swollen fingers and pausing on my belly, longing overtaking the anger that was becoming a permanent mask.
But did he worry for me… or the child that he had put inside me? I wanted the chance to figure this out, I wanted to get out of here alive and feel the baby kick and move inside me, have a chance to grow to love it. My heart was resentful of the man in front of me, but seeing him try so hard to get me out of this screwed-up predicament had me softening toward him. I couldn’t forgive him, not yet. But I needed to get out of here—both of us—to be able to have that option.
The men muttered to each other, their language like music to my ears, but their words were anything but pleasant. Straining to hear everything that flowed from their vicious tongues, my heart stopped in my chest when the skinny one looked at me, his lust-filled eyes raking across my chest.
“Yaka garna zhinka.” The woman is pretty.
Their heads turned toward me as if as one, and I knew I had only one shot of getting me and Rex out of this alive. Of giving us the possibility of survival.
My grandad had always enforced the idea that Ukrainians stick together. There had been a small community of immigrants back home who would always be there for each other in their hour of need. I just prayed that he was right and that my heritage would work in both of our favors.
Taking a deep breath, I replied, “YA znayu, shcho ya bisa harna, mudak.” I know I’m fucking pretty, arsehole.
Their wide eyed faces twisted toward me at lightning speed. “Ty rozmovlyayesh ukrayins?koyu?” Fedir asked, curiosity peeking his interest. The other men watched me with avid interest, Rex included.
“YA ukrainka?” I am Ukrainian. “My Grandfather grew up in Lviv and moved to England in his 30s with my mum after my grandma died,” I explained. “I was born in London but raised celebrating my history.”
Fedir eyed me skeptically. “Your pronunciation is terrible, what is your name?”
I squinted at the man beside me. “My pronunciation is not terrible, I’m just a bit… rusty,” I sniffed, “and my name is Mia.”
Fedir scoffed, and the men laughed along with him. “That’s not a Ukrainian name. You’re a liar, just like your American friend.”
My cheeks flushed pink at the accusation, anger rose inside me at the claim I was lying. I wouldn’t lie about my heritage, I was raised proud of who I was, proud of my mixed culture. “Ty smiyesh nazyvaty mene brekhunom.” You dare call me a liar. Raising my chin, I stared down at Fedir with contempt. “My name is Solomia Harwood, only granddaughter of Andrij Bartosh, and I don’t even know what you’re saying about ‘Mia’ not being a Ukrainian name when Sykyta isn’t a Ukrainian name either.”
His eyes lightened at my full given name, the mafia boss bowed his head, his hand placed over his heart. “I apologize, Solomia, you are right. My own grandfather fled Czechoslovakia after World War II and settled in Ukraine, marrying a local woman. He would be ashamed of my treatment of you.” He clicked his fingers, and a minion rushed over, slicing the cable ties free of my wrists. “Please accept my regret, pryntsesa.” Rubbing my wrists to ease the ache, I shot a dark look at the man. “That’s what they call you, no?”
“How do you know that?” Rex growled, his eyes narrowed on Fedir. The two henchmen now stood behind their boss, their guns tucked safely away in their holsters.
“I have eyes everywhere, Sergeant,” he spat, before giving me his sole attention, his face softening. “My babusya, God rest her soul, was also called Solomia. She was the love of my grandfather’s life, a kind woman with a core of steel… much like you.”
“Thank you?” I took it as a compliment even when my fingers tingled with sparks of pain. “So we can go?” I gripped the arms of the chair, trying to ignore the pins and needles rushing the feeling back into my hands.
“Not quite.” My heart dropped into my stomach. “There is still the matter of my business. I have lost much money, Solomia, and I am not happy. I am willing to make a deal… with you.”
“Me? But I’m…” I shot a worried glance at Rex, “I’m not in the drug trade.”
“Let Mia go?—”
“Solomia! Her name is Solomia, you fucking Americans always changing things to suit yourselves.” Fedir sighed. “Here is what we are going to do.” His hand slapped against the table. “Street Kings will provide me with the drugs I need, you will drive it to Canada and drop it to a location of my own choosing. I will pay you only the same amount I used to pay Felix… no more, no less. You will bring Solomia to my house once a month to have dinner with me and my wife. She needs to be around her own people sometimes, brush up on her… pronunciation. This is a good deal.”
“I agree to all of it except the dinners,” Rex started. “She shouldn’t be caught up in the middle of this.”
“I am not making deals with you, pyzda,” Fedir hissed. “I am making a deal with Solomia, only she can agree to the terms. You have no say.”
My hands shook in my lap, and I clenched my fists to hold the trembling at bay. “What if I don’t agree?” I croaked. “He told you earlier, I was going back to England. I can’t commit to monthly meals.”
Fedir’s eyes narrowed on mine before whispering to one of his men, their softly spoken words indiscernible, now they knew I could understand them, they took great pains to ensure I couldn’t hear their muttered conversation.
Rex stared at me with a newfound respect, a hopeful look shining in his blue eyes that stood out starkly against the paleness of his face. The gash on his head had stopped bleeding, the scarlet river stained against his face and shirt.
“Why were you running?” Fedir asked.
“What?” I finished my perusal of Rex, and twisted to look at Fedir.
“My men tell me you were running from something… or someone.” He shot a dark look at Rex, still tied up and at his mercy. Rex returned the look ten-fold, refusing to back down in the stare off.
“I wasn’t running. I was…” I thought for a minute about what to say, I couldn’t tell him I was running from Rex because of what I had seen… what he had done to me, because I couldn’t trust that I wouldn’t blow this tense meeting sky high. “I had just found out I could be pregnant, and… I was scared, so I took a drive… by myself.” The excuse sounded plausible, ‘an emotional woman runs away from her problem’, was a stereotype that I promoted as heartily as possible to try and get Fedir to accept that Rex hadn’t hurt me in any way.
“Hmmmmm.” His scrutiny was uncomfortable and I squirmed in my chair under his watchful eye, as he inspected my excuse for falsities. “So you are with child then? It is his?”
Fedir jabbed his thumb toward Rex. “Yes, it’s his, and I’d like Tata moejy dytyni
unharmed, I don’t want to have to tell my child that its father was killed by our own people, that wouldn’t look good.”
“But he hurt you, no?”
“No, no… he didn’t…” I stuttered under his menacing stare.
“I did not become the boss of the largest distributor of drugs in Canada and the Ukrainian mafia because I am stupid. I am not so gullible, pryntsesa,” Fedir sneered.
Attempting to soothe the man who was quickly becoming irritated, I held my hands out in peace, I couldn’t let this go sideways, not when it was slowly turning in our favor. “You’re right, I was running from him. But not because I was scared… but because I was angry.”
I looked to Rex whose cheeks flushed bright red, shame washed over his face but he held my stare as I told my truth. Telling Fedir a broken down version whilst also highlighting my pain to the man that had duped me.
“I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant, it was a decision that Rex made on his own. I may have decided to stay if things had been different…” Rex’s eyes widened at my confession, he never knew that I had been thinking about staying and what it would be like to move here, but he stole my freedom when he stuck holes in the condoms and now my choices were limited. “And now I’m pregnant with a child that ties us together for the next 18 years, so I was angry and needed some space to breathe. I never expected you lot to… to…”
“Well, regardless of what choices you both have made, a child is a blessing,” Fedir stated, “and you both must work together to raise this child with love and respect.” I watched Fedir with shock as he preached the importance of a child having both parents together. “Rex did what he had to do, sometimes we have to do things we do not like for the ones we love, no?”
My mouth hung open as I stared wide-eyed at the man who had us kidnapped, who now looked at Rex with an inkling of respect. “Are you serious?”
“Of course, a man has to look after his family!” His fist pounded the table with certainty. “Now I will make you another deal, Solomia, one I think you and your ‘baby daddy’ will be amenable to.”
I held my breath as he tapped his fingers in a rhythm against the wood, the light shining on the thick gold that lined his hand. Rex lowered his head, watching me from under lowered lids, his chest puffed up with a sense of self-importance now a fucking crime boss had essentially given him a pat on the back.
“I will buy my drugs from the Street Kings. I will deal only with you, and you name your baby a good strong Ukrainian name… what do you say?”
“Does this deal mean I have to still come to you once a month?” I countered, the men shuffled on their feet, giving each other awkward looks as I tried to negotiate with their boss.
“No, no. A phone call will be fine. And we can brush up on your pronunciation at the same time.”
“Then I accept,” I held my hand out in a gesture of goodwill, and Fedir grasped it tightly, shaking my hand and entering into a deal that would alter the course of my future completely. Even if I wasn’t here, I was now tied to the Street Kings and the Ukrainian mafia inexplicably.
Fedir’s grin widened. “This is irony, yes?” I looked at him quizzically. “Your name, Solomia, it means ‘peace’.”
My shoulders dropped at the first hint of an agreement between us. But I still had something at the back of my mind, and now, I had an understanding with a mafia boss that could potentially help me out with a little problem. Especially considering he seemed to like me. “I have one more thing I’d like to add.”
Rex watched me curiously, his lips tightly sealed as he stared at me with a glimmer of respect. And although I cared about him and his safety, I wasn’t over the act that had brought me to this chair, sitting in front of men with guns, that had at one point, been pointed at both of our heads. These were all actions that could not easily be forgiven, but I didn’t have many options of revenge at hand, except… “I feel like I deserve some form of retribution…” I eyed Rex with a small amount of apology, but also irritation at the way he had handled things between us. “I want you to punch him for me.”