Breaking The Silence (Fatally Flawed Book 3) (15 page)

              “I told you I had something you wanted. I never said I would give you back your cash.” I say dropping the gun to the floor. Looking at Anthony I let him see there is no fear in my eyes. He can do his worse, but I’ll never talk.

              “NOW.” Lorenzo says, catching my attention, causing me to glance in his direction. I’m fully aware he was trying to get me to look away so Anthony could hit me, but this is what I need to do to protect Izzy. I feel nothing as the world around me goes hazy before eventually turning black, I willingly fall back into the pits of hell, Izzy’s beautiful face keeping me company.

              Finally coming to, I smell the scent of dirt and mold, something I was once all to accustomed with. Before I even open my eyes I know I will be back in the tiny cell I was kept in as a child. Taking a deep calming breath, I remind myself this is what I have to do. Trying to Ignore the fact that I’m back in the one place I swore to never see again, I notice a pressure on my wrist. Wiggling my arms, I soon hear the sound of chains follow. The noise reassuring me I’m not getting away. My jacket has been removed along with my boots and socks. While trying to get all my senses back I hear the sound of the heavy door being opened, before seeing a pair of fancy dress shoes come into my line of sight.

              “While I was in prison I would hear stories of the amazing things you could do with a knife. I never let anyone know you were the product of my seed, being brought up by a fucking gangster immigrant. The shame that would have brought to my blood line was too great, but I’m sure if they would have seen what I can do with a blade, they may have been able to put two and two together.” Anthony says, pacing back and forth on the dirty cement floor.

              “I almost regret not protecting your mother like I should have. You would have made a good contribution to my organization, but that is all in the past. I’ve waited a lot of years to have the chance to ruin you. Too bad your bastard brother won’t be here to witness it.”

              I finally raise my head, looking him the eye, “don’t compare my skills to yours. I never had to prepare a speech to put fear in my victims. You can trick yourself into believing you have won, but we both know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.”

              The punch to my jaw has my head turning to the side, I spit the blood pooling in my mouth onto the floor, before turning my head back in Anthony’s direction. With our gaze’s locked, I give him a small smirk, “you’re going to pay for that.” I state.  

              “Is that my one warning?” He laughs out, pacing the floor in front of me. I stay silent trying to piss him off more, and force him lose his cool. Even though they have me chained up. I’ll prove to him and Lorenzo, I still hold all the power.

              Just like I predict, with flared nostrils, he lets his emotions take over and starts reigning down punches wherever he can land them. I would love to say they didn’t hurt, but the jabs I’m taking to my ribs, make it hard to breath easily. Tiring himself out, he kicks me a few times, then charges out of the room shutting the door behind him. Mentally checking into the place I used to go as a kid, I prepare myself for the time I’ll have to spend here.

Chapter 37

K.J.

              Both my arms are numb from being elevated above my head. My knees are raw and bleeding from the hard concrete floor, and dehydration is starting to set in. I haven’t seen anyone since Anthony left, which is a good thing because my ribs are still sore. I guess Jasper not only got his eyes from him, he also got his punching power. A few fractured ribs are nothing compared to what they have planned for me next. If I know Lorenzo, he’s trying to wait for me to be weakened by hunger and thirst before letting Anthony back in here. He forgets that I have been through this. I can predict every move he will make, and I’ve prepared myself for all of them. Letting my chin rest on my chest, closing my eyes, I try to sleep while I can.

              I’m awaken by the sound of footsteps on the outside of the door. I can hear two people whispering back and forth before Lorenzo walks in wearing his usual suit and tie. Followed behind him is Anthony, with a smile on his face, carrying a bullwhip in his left hand. I look from Lorenzo to Anthony letting them see there is no fear in my eyes. My old boss takes a step toward me, bending down, getting into my personal space.

              “You’re not getting out of here alive, boy. Do you really want to prolong the inevitable? Tell me where my money is and I’ll show you mercy by putting a bullet in your head. “He states in a calm voice, trying to convince me to give him what he wants.

              When I don’t answer. He stands back up, walking to the door, “don’t kill him, Anthony.” He commands before leaving the cell. Anthony stands before me, a small smile still displayed on his lips. Snapping his fingers twice. Four guards come in, one carrying a set of keys, all waiting for Anthony’s directions. The two to my left are the same size as me with steroid injected muscles. The two to my right are a foot taller with a layer of fat to keep them warm.

              “I want his back facing me.” Anthony commands.

              All four guys rush toward me. The bigger of the two taking me by the arms, while the fake body builders stand guard at their side. I know that I could take them on, and while it wouldn’t be easy, I would make it out alive. However, this is where I need to be in order to protect Izzy and everyone else I care about.

              “You think your little brunette bitch will be able to stomach looking at you when I’m done.” Anthony laughs, as they handcuff my arms back to the wall. As soon as the last one clicks into to place Anthony tells his men to get lost.

              I hear a whistling sound pierce the air before a burning sensation can be felt across my left shoulder blade. I take a deep breath, grinding my teeth together, not giving him the satisfaction of my pain. This is an all too familiar game, and much like before, I have no intention on losing.

              He lands the next hit on my lower back. Breaking the skin enough to feel drops of blood coming to the surface before getting soaked up by my shirt. When I still make no noise, he lets out an angry grunt, landing countless blows across my arms. The burning sensation I feel when breathing is almost as bad as the leather whip cutting into my skin. Preparing myself for the next round of blows, I’m shocked to hear the sound of the whip falling to the floor. Anthony opens the cell door, hollering out to one of his men, before slamming the door shut again.             

              “Lorenzo asked me not to let you bleed out. To be honest I’m also looking forward to another day of father son bonding time.” He declares, ripping the torn shirt from my back. “This may sting.” He laughs out loud before pouring disinfectant on my back. It takes every inch of my will power to keep from hollering out. “I’m no surgeon, but there were times in prison I had to stitch some of my men up. Try not to move too much.” He sarcastically commands.

              Anthony starts stitching the cuts on my lower back first, taking pleasure each time he sticks the dull needle into my back. By this time my back is on fire, every stitch feeling like hot lava is being poured into my wounds. I take to counting in my head, hoping one day I can pay him back, and make him suffer twice as long as he did me.

              When he is finished he stands up, pouring more disinfectant onto my back, before making his way to the door. “I’ll be seeing you soon.” He states, leaving the cell that now smells of my blood. Not long after he exits the four guards come back in. Once again removing my chains to turn me around. As the last one begins to walk off he tilts my head back and puts a bottle of water to my mouth. I drink as much as I can, knowing I will need every last drop to stay hydrated. This torture is far from being over, it’s just getting started.

Chapter 38

Izzy

              Gunner left to go to the office again this morning after we ate breakfast. It’s been two days since he acted strange about the locked room, and I’ve been trying my hardest to break in. I know it’s horrible of me to invade his privacy, especially after everything he’s done for me, but there is a tiny voice in my head telling me I need to get into that room. I try really hard to ignore her, especially when it comes to criminal activity, but my will power is never strong enough. Since I have no phone to google how to break into locked rooms, I improvise. Trying to remember anything I’ve seen in movies. This is where is sucks to be a Disney fan, because Rapunzel never did get out of that tower by herself.

              Using a butter knife, spoon, and fork have gotten me nowhere, so now I’m upstairs looking for a wire hanger. I look in the room I’m currently staying in, and find nothing but the dirty clothes I really need to wash. Making my way to the other guest room, I also come up empty handed. By this time, I am beyond frustrated, and feel the door itself is mocking me from downstairs.

              “You slimy bastard.” I yell out, “I will get you, YOU HEAR ME!”

              “You will get who?” I hear a voice say from behind me. I spin around, my fists in the air, screaming out in fear. “Damn it, Gunner. You scared the shit out of me.” I state, placing my hands back down at my sides.

              “I see that.” He says, laughing out an apology.

              “Next time you should make some noise, let a person know you are coming. I could have seriously hurt you with my mad ninja skills.”

              “I’ll try to remember that next time, Karate Kid.” He jokes.

              “Many men have regretted underestimating me. I may be small but I’m fast and nimble. Like a kangaroo.” I state, jumping from side to side on the balls of my feet. “Come at me.” I tell him. My hands once again in the air.

              “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He says while crossing his arms over his chest. Not wanting to waste an opportunity, I try to strike while he isn’t ready. I lift my left leg and swing it, trying to land a kick to his front thigh like I’ve seen Jasper do in his fights. With more speed than I knew he possessed, Gunner catches my ankle before my foot hits him, and pushes me backward.

              Thankfully I was close enough to the bed, when I lost my footing and land on something soft instead of the floor. I’m fully aware he now has the upper hand, so I try to get up quickly. That damn speed of his once again rears its ugly head, and he is on me before I can get up.

              “You fight dirty, Miss. Waters.” He states in a stern voice. “Stay still while I think of a proper punishment for you.”

              The word, punishment, sends a sharp pain through my chest and my heart is once again split in two. Gunner must sense the change in my demeanor, because he removes all his weight from me, allowing me to sit up. “Did I hurt you, Izzy?” He asks, voice filled with concern.

              I shake my head, placing my hands on my stomach, not looking at him. “I just got a wave of nausea. I think I need to lie down for a bit.” I whisper standing up from the bed, making my way to the door.

              “I understand.” He says, “I’ll bring you up some chicken noodle soup in a bit.”

              I walk out of the room, my head down, trying to hide the tears I couldn’t hold back. Just when I think I am starting to get back to my old self, something reminds me of K.J. and I feel my heart break all over again. In my mind I know I’m only doing what I have to, but my heart and soul have yet to receive that memo. Once I make it back to my temporary room, I lay on the bed and softly cry my heartache into a pillow. I keep telling myself this is just a setback, that tomorrow will be a better day, but even I know it’s a lie.

              I must have fallen asleep because I’m awoken to a light tapping on my door. “Come in.” I shout out, as loud as I can through my clogged throat. Gunner walks in, carrying a dinner tray with a bowl of steaming food and a glass of water.

              “Sorry to wake you. I just thought you could use some home cooked soup to make you feel better.” He states with a small smile on his face.

              “I bet, it smells delicious.” I say, not able to smell anything through my clogged nose.

              “You know, beautiful, it’s okay to be upset. You lost someone you care about. There is no shame in how you’re feeling.” He declares, sitting the tray down on the end table next to the bed.

              “I’m not ashamed in feeling upset. I’m ashamed that I still love him despite the reason I left.” I whisper, feeling some weight lift from my shoulders after finally speaking those words out loud.

              “Seeing as I don’t know what it is he did, I can’t say much.”

                “It’s not just something he did. It’s who he is.” I declare with fresh tears starting to blur my vision. “If I had known from the beginning I would have stayed away.”

              “Look at me, Izzy.” He commands. “Who is he?”

              I know he’s trying to get me to talk to him. Tell him the whole situation, so maybe he can help me but I can’t tell him. That is a line I am not willing to cross. I may not be with K.J. anymore but I will always protect his privacy.

              “He’s the person I go to bed thinking of. He’s the only man my body has ever called out for. He is the other half of my heart that will forever be broken because fate is cruel, and sometimes you can’t turn back time.” I say no longer holding back the tears.

              Gunner sits on the edge of the bed, our gazes locked, “I need you to follow me down stairs. There is something you need to see.” He states standing up, walking to the door, not bothering to look back and make sure I’m following him.

              Gunner leads me down the stairs, to the locked office I have been trying to break into. He reaches into his pocket, retrieving the tiny key, before opening the door wide. I stand in the door way, no longer breathing, my hand covering my mouth to hold in the contents of my stomach. A part of me wants to run the opposite direction, and pretend I never saw what was behind this door, but Gunner places his hand on my back giving me no choice in the matter. With a tiny shove from him, I slowly walk in, my heart now shattering to pieces from the scene splayed out in front of me.