AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I tense as the man thrusts forward at the same time as a shot rings out, the sound of it bouncing off the stone walls and magnifying several times over. I stare in horror as the man between my legs staggers back, a gaping hole in the side of his head causing what was inside to explode all around us. Further shots ring out as chaos enters the room and I am helpless as I lie chained like a human sacrifice in the middle of an obvious massacre.
The figures scream and run for cover as the sound of death fills the already chilling space.
It all happens so fast I can’t think straight and only when a body lands on me do I scream before a familiar voice whispers huskily, “I’ve got you, baby girl. Stay still until I tell you to move.”
The tears flow down my face unchecked as the man I love shields my body from harm and just feeling his protective body over mine causes my shock to desert me, leaving me a sobbing mess.
* * *
The stenchof death surrounds me, the acrid smoke of burning flesh and the footsteps of heavy boots and urgent voices. Most of all, though, I smell salvation as the musky scent of the man who has become everything to me in an alarmingly short space of time, covers my burning body with his. As the noise subsides, he pulls back and rips off his jacket, covering my modesty as he sets about releasing me from my prison and ignoring the chaos surrounding us, pulls me into his strong arms.
He nuzzles my hair and whispers, “I thought I was going to lose you.”
As I cling onto him, nothing else matters. What happened no longer matters because he came for me. He was there when I needed him most and is the first person in my miserable life who has ever done that.
He holds his hand flat on the back of my head in a protective move that I appreciate and, as I cling on tight, he growls over the top of my head, “Are they here?”
“No boss.”
I recognize the husky voice of his consigliere and Dom growls, “Search every fucking corner of this house of horrors. They must be here. Search for any evidence.”
I hear a low groan and Dom snaps, “Bring that fucker over here.”
I tense as the sound of a man moaning in agony approaches and Dom straightens up and pulls me safely into his arms and whispers, “We will find them, baby. This man is going to help us, and I need to deal with that. Stay brave for a little longer and then I’m taking you home.”
I gulp away my tears because I know he’s right. This isn’t over all the time Mario and Diana still breathe, so I pull his jacket tighter around my aching shivering body and nod, stepping to the side, trying to ignore the pain in my leg as my skin deals with the burn they inflicted on me.
As Dom moves, I peer past him and notice a couple of soldiers holding one of the hooded figures down, replacing me on the altar, and set about restraining him in the cuffs they used on me. They rip off his robe, making sure he’s naked and his hands are bound at the wrists before being hooked on the same device mine were. His legs soon follow, and I get a moment’s satisfaction knowing that Karma is a bitch.
I am curious and move to Dom’s side to stare at the man who is now cowering under Dom’s ferocious gaze, and I stare in shock as a familiar face peers back at me.
Detective Woznowski doesn’t appear so confident now as his eyes stare back at us with fear and resignation.
“So, detective, this is an interesting situation we now find ourselves in.” Dom shakes his head and appears almost amused.
“You don’t understand who you’re dealing with. Release me.” The detective growls and yet it’s hard to be scared of a man who looks pathetic as the roles reverse.
“I know exactly who I’m dealing with, and they won’t be safe. They willneverbe safe from me.” Dom snarls and yet the detective merely smiles.
“Keep telling yourself that. You see, this goes way further than two wanna-bee crime lords fighting for relevance. This is about power, absolute power, to control this damaged world we live in.”
Dom leans forward and says lightly, “Power is the drug of fools. However much you have, it’s never enough. There is always someone with more than you and it can drive a once sane man mad.”
“Is that what you think—we’re mad?”
Dom waves his hand around the room. “What do you think? This is like some weird fucking frat initiation shit. Guys who never grew up taking part in something any ordinary person left behind at puberty. Preying on defenseless women to make themselves feel powerful and dressing murder up in excuses to join a fucking sick club.”
“Maybe but ask yourself what rewards membership brings. Protection, riches, and power. A solidarity of brothers who have each other’s backs. Knowing you are part of a family who will protect you and make certain your future is walking down a path paved with gold.
“And yet, where are they now?”
Dom sneers and glances around at the room that is filled with the mafia. Soldiers who are staring at the detective with a grim animosity that makes me shiver as threats and intimidation dances with death around the room.
“Safe.” The detective barks out a laugh.
“The most important thing to do when under attack is to save the organization. You won’t find them; you’llneverfind them, and you’ll probably never understand the reason behind any of this. That is if you survive long enough to figure it out. Mr. Ortega, your future is written in blood and always has been. The arrest was only the beginning. There will be more bodies, more accusations and it will become relentless. You may as well have saved yourself the trouble, because nothing you can do will ever come close to hurting the Dark Lords.”
“The Dark Lords. What a fucking joke.”
