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“We have to get out of here before the cops show up,” Eli commands, as he struggles to take the brunt of Joe’s weight from me. He jerks his head at my car, and I grimace, knowing this is going to be like stuffing giants into a clown car.
Working as a team, we silently settle a bleeding and unconscious Joe into my passenger seat mostly without issue. Both Eli and I jog to the driver’s side and without a word, I toss him my keys before climbing into the cramped back seat. I have no other choice but to trust him to take the lead right now, knowing without a doubt that Eli has way more experience in this type of situation than I do.
I don’t ask where we’re going or pester him with all of the questions sitting on the tip of my tongue as we drive away from the car accident. Other than checking on Joe repeatedly, Eli remains stoic and silent. From the rearview mirror, I can see his jaw is set in a firm line. His eyes are narrowed but his face remains blank and impassive. The only way anyone would even be able to tell that Eli had just been in a major car wreck is the blood steadily trickling down his cheek from the gash on his forehead and the splatter that covers his clothing.
It dawns on me then, that Eli had said we had to run before the cops arrived. While I’m sure someone in the distance more than likely called the police, it never once occurred to me that I should. Maybe it was because the adrenaline was forcing me into action, spurring me forward to help whoever was in the car. Or maybe, subconsciously, I already know that the police wouldn’t be a good thing where Eli is concerned. Mafia and cops don’t mix. Right?
A few minutes later, we pull into an empty driveway beneath a massive structure, composed of black metal and steel with minimal windows. Leaning against the back door, I strain to see the top of the building. It’s got to be at least 50 floors, if not more. It’s sleek and modern but the lack of windows is so unlike anything I’ve seen in the city that it stands out rather than blending in.
I quietly observe Eli as he rolls his window down, presses a button on some sort of automated machine that looks like a small ATM, and scans his palm. My eyes widen and I gape as the machine flashes green before a massive steel garage-looking door silently rolls up to reveal a private enclosed parking lot filled with matching black Escalades.
“Holy, James Bond,” I murmur in awe. Eli chuckles, but the sound is empty and hollow. He drives forward, entering the brightly lit space, and pulls into a spot near a large elevator. The entire garage is plain, white, and uninspiring. It’s basic and if it weren’t for the fleet of identical SUVs, I’d think this place was just like any other underground garage.
Of course, that thought completely disolves as 6 hulking men wearing matching black suits emerge from the now open elevator doors. Like a scene from a movie, they wordlessly converge on us like a united entity with their hands hovering over their waists.Guns. I swallow hard, the sound audible in the small space.
Eli takes a deep breath, readying himself.For what?Are these men here for us or are they working with whoever caused Eli’s car to crash?
Glancing over, I take in the men once more as they approach my car. The two men in the front of the pack are sizing up the situation, their eyes flitting from Eli to the passenger side where Joe’s slumped on the door, to the backseat. Surprisingly, I find myself sitting tall, spine straight as I stare back at them. I may not have a full grasp of what exactly is happening right now, but Eli won’t let these men hurt me.
Right?
Eli sighs heavily and turns his large body, angling himself between the two front seats to look at me. “I know this is fucked and we have a whole hell of a lot to talk about, but I need you to trust me. Can you do that?” His face is still impassive, stony even, as he waits for my reply.
I consider him, taking in his bloody face and clothes. The hard set to his jaw, his white-knuckle grip on Joe’s headrest. Eli’s freaking out but he’s doing a damn good job of disguising it as nonchalance. My eyes dart to Joe and I cringe when I notice his breathing has slowed. We don’t have time for this. Joe needs help.
Whatever feelings I might have from tonight can wait until later, when I’m alone.Yes. Save the tears and panic for private,I remind myself.
Looking back at the beautiful redhead before me, I nod once. “I told you I’m in and I meant it. Now get out of the fucking car so those guys can stop looking at me like I’m their next meal.” I gesture to the pack of suited men that are standing right next to the car, hands still on their guns as they watch Eli and I interact. They haven’t moved, haven’t taken their weapons from their holsters, or threatened us.
They’re just waiting.
Waiting for Eli, I realize. Waiting for his word or command. He’s their boss.
Yes. Mafia. Definitely Mafia.
Eli’s eyes widen at my demand but then, he barks out a loud laugh that makes me jump and Joe groan. “Ah, fuck,” Eli says as he releases me from his intense gaze and looks at Joe. “I’m sorry man. Let’s get you upstairs.”
Joe says nothing but gives a small grunt in acknowledgment as Eli swings his door open and nods at the men before beginning to call out orders. It’s then that the transformation happens, right before my eyes. Sweet, funny Eli becomes someone else entirely. Somehow, he becomeslarger.I know it’s impossible and had I not been watching their interaction, I would have sworn that Eli grew in both height and width. Everything about him evolved into something else, somethingmore.
His easy and casual stance is strong yet powerful. His body language is authoritative in a way that brokers no argument, and he wields his words like a sword. All of the men snap to attention under his penetrating gaze, eager to do his bidding. I sit shell-shocked in the back seat as though I am one of his subordinates awaiting his orders. This isn’t a side I’ve seen from Eli nor have I ever imagined him in this role. Isaac? Yes. Renz? Definitely.
But Eli…
My mouth salivates and my body shivers, thoroughly enjoying this display of raw dominance.
“Out, Violet!” he barks as he spins away from me and heads toward the elevator. His voice snaps me back into myself as though I’d been having some sort of out-of-body experience.
Looking back, I see Eli’s men carrying Joe between them as they follow their leader. I scramble from the car, barely catching myself before faceplanting onto the cold concrete floor in my rush to not be left behind. Wordlessly, we pile into the large lift, making sure that Joe has space as he hangs limply between two of the larger men.
I press myself closer to Eli despite his flippant attitude toward me. He’s pissed, maybe even nervous, and he doesn’t know what to do with the fact that I just witnessed a piece of his world that he’s worked so hard to keep private. I’m aware that an argument is coming. Maybe even some sort of punishment.Hopefully, one that I’ll like.My pussy throbs at the thought. All I can do is pray that Eli and the guys choose to let me in rather than push me out. However, judging by his behavior right now, it’s unlikely that they’ll be merciful.
Half of his men gather toward the back of the elevator with Joe, the other half in front of us. Given the way they form a protective line, surrounding Eli, I assume it’s a strategic safety procedure. Eli stands next to me, his arms banded tightly across his chest, his feet spread wide. His jaw is tense, his brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed into a glare. He pays me no mind, ignoring my presence completely, though I have no doubt that he’s fully aware of my every move.
He's intimidating and somewhat scary when he’s like this. Sexy, yes, but his threatening posture holds the ability to make my knees buckle and my chin dip. I grit my teeth, ignoring the overwhelming need to cower. Fuck that and fuck him, the moody bastard.
Leaning forward, he slams his hand down on a button that holds a symbol I recognize as belonging to a Penthouse. My eyes widen in surprise, though at this point, I don’t know why I even bother with the emotion. This entire night,no, this entire day has been one shock on top of another. Not only did Eli storm his way back into my life but he then proceeded to blow everything I ever thought I knew out of the water.
Car chase.
