Chapter 38
Nick
The air is thick with tension and the thirst for blood.
We’re at the old factory and we badass this invite in a way I’m sure Joey will never imagine.
What I think he thought would happen is me running to him like the little bitch he thought I was, maybe with Pa at my side like I’m some school boy.
That’s not what’s happening now.
Not. At. Fucking. All.
What is happening is this.
In the thick darkness is a host of the meanest guys in Chicago.
They’re all around me.
They’re the distraction that just came on the scene two minutes ago. Not enough time for whoever’s inside the factory to prep or do whatever the fuck it is they would normally do when war comes to their doorstep.
War… that’s what this is.
Joey’s threat was the straw that broke Pa’s back and sound the war cry for blood. Blood for fucking blood. That threat of Joey’s was a very big mistake.
I’m on the roof with my brothers.
We’re the rescue team, while everyone else is the army come to play dirty.
Around us are snipers hidden on the surrounding rooftops. The closest one to us has eyes on Mia. She’s in the attic.
He’ll give the all clear to Vincent and we’ll follow his orders to move.
I’m not far from where she is but I wish I could see her. I wish I was in charge of this operation. This is best though. It’s all I can do.
Down below on the ground Pa stands with Claudius Moritz and all the men. Over a hundred strong. It really is like an army. All the alliances we have called in to battle.
Blood will flow the streets this night.
I glance at my watch. On the herald of eight o’clock, Pa takes a step and the men follow as one, looking like a nightmare come to life.
That’s it. It’s time.
“Let’s move,” Vincent shouts.
Me, Salvatore and Gabe follow him running toward the door that will take us inside. The men below might look like demons, but we look like we came straight out of the darkest corners of hell. Devils.
I pity the fools who think they can mess with us.
I pity anyone who thinks he can mess with me.
These motherfuckers have my girl, they won’t get away with what they’ve done. I’m primed to kill anything and anyone who moves in front of me fucking dead.
When we crash through the door, I hear war break out around us and bullets piercing the night sky.
We each have a task based on what we’ve been told. Pa had the place checked out first so we could plan properly. No point barging in guns blazing and they spite us by killing Mia.
The guards are below us on the first floor. That gives us the clearing.
Vincent, Gabe and Salvatore will take care of them and cover me while I get Mia.
I run down a set of wooden stairs with my brothers and we split off in two. Gabe comes with me as I rush along the path leading to the attic. Vincent and Salvatore continue together down the stairs leading to the first floor.
It’s all smooth sailing until two idiots rush us.
“Keep going,” Gabe cries to me.
I listen and continue my pursuit.
Pulling my long reach knife, I hack off the head of the thug who came for me. Blood sprays as his head rolls and his body slumps down but I keep going.
The little set of stairs leading to the attic is just ahead of me.
I race up them and kick the door in only to see that fucking piece of shit Marco Antonella in here with Mia.
He has her naked. She’s crying. Her face is beaten so badly I can’t recognize her. The fucking asshole looks to me, and I see his fly’s undone like he was getting ready to pull his dick out. Shock suffuses his features and he’s about to pull his gun on me when I end him.
Bullet to the head blowing his fucking brains out.
Mia screams as blood splatters all over her, and her gaze snaps to me. It snaps right around to me and I see the light in her eyes past the bruises.
“Baby,” I shriek and rush to her.
“Nick!” She pulls against the chains and tries to reach for me. “Nick.”
I hold her still and shoot the chain down from where it loops to the metal hoop on the wall.
I drag off my jacket and cover her nakedness then hold her close to me as she cries.
This is my fault. The darkness of my world came to get her.
I dragged her in simply by loving her. This is what happened to the angel.
“Come we’re going home. We’re going baby.” I hold her closer.
“No, wait…” she tugs back shocking me.
What the hell would make her want to wait? I want to take her out of here right the hell now. There is nothing here for us to wait for.
The sounds of death on the floors below make that clear.
“We need to leave Mia,” I say with urgency.NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
“My brother. It’s him. He shot Tommy. He’s the guy who did it. My brother.” She breaks down.
I freeze up.
Freeze right up at the revelation and first I’m not sure what the fuck she’s actually telling me, and what the fuck to think.
I couldn’t have heard her right. There’s no way.
“What the hell are you saying to me Mia?”
“My brother, was working with Hector Ramirez,” she blurts and I shake my head. That name. That name I had that name all along. Hector Ramirez. She knew it and I never knew. “He’s the man we owe the money to. My brother used us. He knew by doing the job for the Fontaines by shooting your friend would get him back in with Hector, an alliance.”
“Mia…” I breathe and my hands slip from her.
I’m stunned and shocked.
Tommy died hours ago.
Tommy died.
Her brother shot him.
Mia’s brother.
I can’t process it.