Illicit Temptations (Tempted Series Book 1) (37 page)

I let out an anguished shout that vibrated off the hollow walls. I didn’t think anyone would hear me and that wasn’t why I screamed. I did it because there was nothing left for me to do, I grunted in frustration because I was so angry that I was in this situation. I kicked my legs and shook violently as if I had the strength to break the ties that bound me to the chair. I was torn between giving up and still wanting to get the fuck out of here. I knew the chances of my father finding me were slim to none realizing that I was my only hope. It was time for me to step up, be my own hero, and stop waiting for someone to rescue me.

My hands were tied together and there was nothing I could do to free them. I tried to focus to conjure up a way out of here. I spotted a window thinking that if I could break the window with the chair attached to my back then maybe I could hoist myself out of it. I still had the use of my legs and figured if I gave it my all then it might just be possible. I planted my feet firmly on the floor, careful not to step in my own vomit as I lifted myself to my feet hunched over because of the chair resting on my back and walked towards the window. I was too short to reach the window and I would never be able to break it from the disadvantage of my height. I looked around frantically for something to climb on top of to make me level with the window. I spotted a wooden crate and tried kicking it towards where the window was. I climbed on top of the crate only to discover that I still couldn’t reach the window. I hung my head in defeat ready to throw in the towel once and for all when I heard someone begin to applaud. I froze as my stomach dropped and fear engulfed me.

“Nice try,” Deke said still clapping. I slowly turned around dread filled me as I met his gaze and rightfully so for when my eyes met his he pierced me with a lethal stare. “Here, let me give you a hand,” he said keeping his voice controlled before pulling me forcefully by my bound wrists knocking me onto the ground. I whimpered as my forehead connected with the concrete the weight of the chair on my back feeling like cinder blocks.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out whatever he was going to do next knowing that I was going to pay dearly for trying to escape his wrath. The next thing I knew I was being pulled by my legs across the filthy floor back to the center of the room. I cried silently all my will gone as he tied my ankles together and lifted my limp body and chair back to the upright position. I hung my head in defeat and prayed for God to take me.

I was running along the docks as quickly as my legs would carry me ignoring the pain in my knee trying to get to my girl. I had left my geriatric crew in the parking lot of the docks taking off before they could argue with me. I reached behind me and pulled the gun from the waistband of my pants as I approached the warehouse. I looked around checking out my surroundings noting the two men that stood guard in front making it impossible for me to get through that way and forcing me to find an alternative way to get into the building.

I walked around the side of the warehouse sticking close the perimeter of the building careful to elude anyone that could take me down before I got to Nikki. I rounded a corner watching on as a group of men retreated in the opposite direction. I waited until they were out of sight before inching closer to where they had been and spotted a metal sliding door that was slightly ajar. Bingo!

I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard her crying the sound igniting a rage like no other inside of me. I snapped out of it and my legs began to move quickly following the sound of her cries.

“I’m coming Princess,” I whispered hoarsely as I slid through the slight crack in the door. I was going to be able to save her. Thank Christ I wasn’t too late.

“Help me. Dear God, please help me,” I cried my voice sounding weak even to my own ears. I swayed a little fighting the urge to surrender to sleep. My arms feel like they are going to fall off they are so heavy from my shoulders down to my wrists but my wrists and hands feel numb since he tightened the zip ties. I stared at the concrete my vision was starting to blur and I saw little black dots everywhere.

“No one’s here to save you sweetheart,” the sick fuck says, taunting me a little more because he hasn’t had his fill of torturing me. He moves to stand in front of me cupping my chin, forcing me to lift my head.

“My father will kill you,” I shout. “Do you hear me? He’s going to kill you! Just let me go,” I believe this with my whole heart that, even if he doesn’t let me go even if he kills me I don’t doubt my father will kill him.

Deke laughs. “Your father can’t save you little girl just like he couldn’t save his best man. And when you’re dead, he won’t do anything either just like he didn’t after I killed Val. Daddy’s not in control anymore, you’re at my mercy.”

I want to tell him he’s a pussy for not killing Val himself and simply ordering the hit so he wouldn’t get his hands dirty but I remain silent. It’s not worth it. Even though I bit my tongue, he rears his hand back and slaps me across the face again. I tell myself I must be immune to the pain by now because even though my cheek feels as if it’s on fire I don’t flinch. I lift my head slowly, looking the devil in the eyes, but I can’t stand the sight of him anymore and I turn my head slightly to see Mikey standing off to the side with his gun cocked.

I wasn’t sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. Could he really be here? My Mikey. I know he’s not a figment of my imagination when he takes one hand off his gun and places his index finger to his lips signaling me to remain quiet. I look into his eyes and in that split second I know I’m going to be okay, it’s all there in his eyes, he’s not going to let anything else happen to me.

He’s here.

I’m safe now.

I don’t know what causes me to take my eyes off Mikey but suddenly time stops and everything goes horribly wrong.

“Mikey watch out!” I yelp as he pulls the trigger, but he’s not the only one firing a gun. The doors to the warehouse slam open and in storm an ambush of familiar men all with their guns blazing in fury. I barely have time to process the war raging in the warehouse as Deke falls to the floor at my feet. I shriek in sheer horror as his blood and brains splatter all over me. I feel like I’m having an outer body experience as I tremble screaming at the top of my lungs. It’s just too much.

Mikey starts to make his way towards me and I shake my head and shout. He doesn’t even acknowledge the gunfire behind him and I fear that he’s going to get hit. I try to tell him to turn around but my brain doesn’t send the message to my mouth.

Mikey spins around and we both watch as my father charges into the warehouse shooting with no regard. Jimmy and an army full of men behind him as they shoot at everyone and everything. Deke wasn’t working alone and his men begin to appear from every corner returning the gunfire.

Everyone fades away and I stare at my father watching him pull the trigger continuously without any remorse. I cry as I watch my father kill for me.

“No!” Mikey cries pulling me out of my trance. I avert my eyes towards him drawing my eyebrows together as he starts to run toward me. I don’t know what’s happening all I know is there is no stopping him as he charges straight at me knocking me backwards.

He falls on top of me and his gun slips from his hands onto the floor. It takes me a moment to understand what has happened. Mikey starts to roll off me and I immediately see the blood pouring from his abdomen uncontrollably. He falls flat on his back beside me and I twist my head so I can see him. I cry out because I’m completely helpless still tied to the chair and unable to get to him.

“Mikey baby stay with me,” I shout over the boisterous sound of gunfire. “Please just hang in there,” I beg as I watch his fingers twitch and he tries to reach for me but I’m too far out of his reach. “Somebody help!!” I scream even though no one can hear me.

My heart shatters into a million pieces as Mikey’s eyes close. “No!!” I let out a guttural shrill. He can’t die Mikey can’t die. He saved my life and took that bullet for me. I should be the one lying in a pool of blood not him. I can’t even hold him. I can’t kiss him and assure him, he’s going to be all right. I can’t tell him that he can’t leave this earth because I love him. All I can do is watch as he bleeds out. I don’t know how long I lay on my side watching Mikey die, but
it seems like an eternity.

“Nikki? Nikki!!” I hear my father frantically yell over the gunfire.

“I’m over here!” I scream. “Mikey’s been shot! You need to help him.” I hear more gunshots and then the sound of soles tapping rapidly against the cement. My father falls to his knees in front of me blocking my view of Mikey and takes my face in his hands.

“Thank God,” he cries tears rolling down his cheeks. “Are you hurt?” He asks, as he looks me over. “Did that bastard touch you?”

I shake my head. “I’m fine, but Mikey’s not you have to help him! Please, he can’t die.”

He looks over his shoulder at Mikey looking torn between the two of us and which one he should tend to first but ultimately crawls to Mikey. I watch on as he stares in shock at Mikey’s nearly lifeless body lying in a pool of blood.

“You have to apply pressure to the wound or he’s going to bleed out.” I instruct nervously and watch as my father rolls his sleeves up and without hesitation, he presses his hands down on Mikey’s wound.

“Vic?” Jimmy calls out as the gunfire dies down.

“Over here! We need help,” my father calls over his shoulder as he leans forward applying his weight down on his hands that are firmly pushing down on Mikey’s wound. “Stay with me son,” he pleads.

“Jesus…,” Jimmy says, standing over us.

“Untie me!” I screech at him. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a utility knife kneeling behind me he cuts the plastic ties from my wrists setting me free before scrambling around me to untie my ankles. I shake out my hands and try to get the blood circulating as I crawl falling flat on my face because of my lack of strength and mobility. Jimmy helps me by putting his hands under my arms and holding my upper body up as I attempt to crawl on my knees again finally making my way to Mikey.

At first all I see is blood there is just so much and it seems to be everywhere. I lift my eyes to his face, reaching out I touch his cheek and break down when I feel how clammy his skin feels.

“Call 911,” my father tells Jimmy. I feel his eyes watching me as I shift my body taking Mikey’s head and cradling it in my lap. I lean down and press my lips to his forehead struggling to hold myself together desperate to believe that this isn’t the end for us silently willing him to live.

“I love you,” I say against his skin. “I love you so much Michael,” I lift my head my eyes meeting my father’s.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers regretfully. I wish sorry was enough, but it’s not. It will never be enough, especially if I lose the only man I have ever loved.

When I was, three years old, my grandpa Tony died it was a pivotal moment in my life and at the tender age of three, one would think that I wouldn’t remember anything but I remember bits and pieces from that day. I can recall bouncing on my blue rocking horse with the springs on it waiting for my Grandpa to come home from the docks. He was a longshoreman and had gone down to the union hall that morning. Two officers rang Nana’s bell that day one male and the other a female.
The female officer wore her hair tied back in a ponytail. When her partner asked my grandma to sit down and began to explain what had happened to my Grandpa the female officer took me into the living room and made me tell her all about my horsey. I remember that officer after all these years the same way I remember the scent of flowers that filled the funeral parlor in the days that followed. I know now this is how we remember certain moments in our lives by the people and things that surrounded us at the time. We may not remember the actual event, but the things that were associated with it allow us never to forget these certain life changing moments.