AllFreeNovel
Share Us
However,I was afraid we'd all die that night. I just hoped I had boughtus enough time.
* * *
VANESSA
I was breathing heavily as I held Ethan's bruised face in my hands.
"Ethan, wakeup. Please, wakeup," I pleaded with him,mutteringprayers.
Today was a particularly bad day. I was involved in a gangster shootout, a car accident, and the final blow was a fight. I stood by and watched Ethan agree to fight despite his obvious injuries, having used his body to cushion mine when the car flipped over. He wasn't in fighting shape, yethe agreed to it.
I knew Ethan was a brash man, but for the first time, I saw a side of him that I wasn't used to seeing: his selfless one. From where I stood, I couldn't tell if hehad come into the fight with a strategy. All I knew was that despite his bruises and wounds, he had no choice but to agree.
"Please, help him," I begged Tristan, who was standing next to me, but he didn't respond. Despite the obvious anguish on his face, he did not move to assist him.
"Why won't you helphim?" I asked the other men, desperate to figure out what was going on.
"We cannotintervene. It would be disrespectful to the boss if we do," the man responded.
Respect?I realized I'd never truly comprehend the world of Mafia men.
I could feel every hit Ethan took in my bones. It was difficult to remain silent as the other men did nothing but watch him get hurt. I covered my eyes, but I could still see Ethan fighting and losing.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I found myself crying out of fear of losing Ethan Levine, a handsome, hotheaded, and noble criminal whom I should hate.
I couldn't deny that hewas a dangerous man, but I found myself caringfor him. It wasn't hard to see past his tough-guy persona. The longer I stayed at his house and in his life, the more I realized how necessary it was being like this; he needed to be strong not only for himself but also for those he cared about.
I tried to remind myself that dangerous men were all around me, but it was difficult to remain still. Sean Mullen, the man Luke had introduced to me, was beating Ethan to the ground and pinning him down.
My heart skipped a beat as I watched the scene, thinking Ethan was dead or unconscious from the hit, but then I saw him move.
Pretendyou're dead or something!I wished, but I knew Ethan was never going to listen to me. He would never readily accept my assistance if I offered it. Nonetheless, I knew I had to protect him. I was compelled to turn to the side of the car and pick up a rod that had broken off the car's bonnet.
It was heavy and weighed more than I could lift in one hand, but I managed to lift it above my head and sprint toward Ethan.
Violence had never been a pleasant sight or a viable option for me until this night when the man who haunted my dreams was in danger.
As I got closer, I knew exactly where to stand and where to place my feet before swinging the rod. The men noticed me, but it was too late to stop me as the rod was aimed at Mullen's head.
The vibration shook me as the rod made contact, and the man fell off Ethan to the ground, both hands on his temple. I rushed to my knees and held his face.
Ethan's eyes opened, but he said nothing.
"Ethan, say something," I pleaded. I could see the swellings on his face.
"Cunt," I heard from behind me before being yanked away. "Young lady, that was very stupid of you," Sean Mullen said to me. He shook me with his large and strong arms as he spoke to me.
His strength terrified me as much as his size, but I stared at him defiantly because I knew if given the chance, I would strike him down again. I thought my daring expression would startle him, but it only made him laugh more.
I felt my throat clench as he wrapped his hands around my neck. I struggled against his strength, gasping for air, but it was futile.
He drew my face to his lips and whispered into my ear. His voice was husky, but I could hear him over the night breeze.
"I will fucking killyou."
I looked over at Ethan for help, but he was just lying on the ground.
