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“What the hell was that?” Julian growls as soon as we are close enough.
“I didn’t plan that, but I had to have her,” I explain. “I’m gonna have to take a little leave of absence to deal with this. A vacation of sorts.”
Julian—my boss and best friend—looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. I don’t know, but I feel something in my chest, something I haven’t felt before, and I need to explore it.
“What do you mean vacation? You can’t just take a fucking vacation! You are my second in command. You’re in the mob,” Julian growls in frustration.
“I can, and I will,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’ve never asked you for anything like this before. I think I’m overdue a few days off.”
“This is not a 9-5 job.”
“I fucking know. I still need some time off.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sucks in a deep breath. “Markus—” Elena appears out of nowhere, grabbing his arm, and his whole-body tenses as he looks around, ready for a fight.
Her face is pale, her big green eyes are glassy and brimming with fear. Just like Julian, I’m on high alert immediately, knowing something is wrong. Elena is clawing at Julian’s forearm like she is scared he is about to disappear.
Both Julian and I look past her, scanning the area for any danger, but there is nothing, just people at the bar, drinking and conversing. I spot Lev, one of the heroin suppliers, also the son of one, Vladimir Volcove. He is a scumbag, I know that much, and he is looking in our direction, but he wouldn’t be dumb enough to mess with us.
“What’s wrong?” Julian asks quietly.
“I don’t feel well. Can we please go home?” Her voice is meek, and the words come out with a slight tremble.
“What really happened?” Julian insists, refusing to accept her lie.
She shakes her head, her eyes bouncing between Julian and me.
“We will discuss this further,” Julian finally turns his attention back to me.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m taking some time off. Lucca is more than capable of stepping up.” It’s true. Lucca is one of our best men and has been handling way more shit lately. He will do just fine.
Julian looks like he wants to strangle me, but with Elena latching onto his arm, I know he can’t deal with me right now. It’s the perfect combination, really.
“Call the car for me,” he orders. I give him a slight nod and pull out my phone.
Julian turns his full attention to the small, barely dressed Elena next to him. She never lets go of him as they walk away, heading toward the exit.
After I call for the car, and we part ways, I make my way to pay and pick up my prize. I’m unsure how to feel. Part of me is worried by the pull I feel toward the girl, while the other part of me is frenzied with need. I have to have her.
The payment process goes through quickly. As soon as the money transfer is approved, I’m being led back to my purchase.
The door opens, and I hear a strangled scream echoing down the hallway. It’s the kind of sound someone makes when they are hurt and trying not to scream, but the pain is too much to bear, and their instincts take over.
All I can think is… if that person wants to live, they better not be touching what’s mine.
I grit my teeth so hard my jaw quakes. Speed walking down the hall, I turn the corner into the open space behind the stage. Something overtakes me, and my blood freezes in my veins when I spot Fallon on the ground.
A man twice her size looms above her, digging his knee into her chest.
His hands are fumbling to unlock the chains around her wrists while she struggles to push him off. I can see her tiny nails sinking into his flesh with vengeance.
She’s a fighter.
Swinging back his arm, he hits her across the face, backhanding her into the concrete. It’s then that I completely see red. I cross the room in a flash, wrapping my arm around his throat. I put him in a chokehold, then use my other hand to twist his head sharply. I don’t think, I simply react. The crack of his neck fills the room with deafening silence, and his body goes slack in my hold almost immediately.
I don’t feel remorse, pain, guilt. Nothing.
Pushing his body to the side, he falls onto the ground next to Fallon. His face is tilted to the side, and his mouth is open, a look of terror stuck permanently on his face. I drag my attention away from him and back to her.
She sucks in a shaky breath, her chest moving rapidly as she struggles to get air into her lungs. Her eyes are wide, and some small veins inside have ruptured, making the white part blood red.
