Chelsea (The Club Girl Diaries Book 2) (27 page)

“Well, your fucking niece showed up outside my compound, pointed a gun at my Old Lady and forced her into a car. After spending the last couple months pretending to be her friend,” I said, pointing my finger at him.

“Not possible,” he said, tapping his fingers on the arm of the leather chair. “My niece is on the other side of the country at college in California.”

“Then who the fuck was sitting outside my clubhouse pointing a gun at my Old Lady a couple hours ago?” I snapped. “She yelled that the club had killed her family. And as far as I am aware, you are the only person with that kind of vendetta against us.”

His lips drew into a thin line as he glared at me across the room. I thought he was about to let loose, but instead he yelled,
“Grant!”

I looked around the room, stopping when one of his men stepped forward. He was a gangly looking guy, hair slicked back with too much gel and arrogance seeping from his pores.

“Sir,” he said, his eyes staying focused on my men as he came closer.

Anthony didn’t look at him. “Where is Rosalie?”

I saw the corner of his lip twitch like he wanted to smile. “Cali, sir.”

“That’s a lie.” Ham moved swiftly to my side. I turned my head to him, curious.

“Grant is Rosalie’s boyfriend. One would assume he knows where his woman is.” His eyes met mine. He was throwing this shit back in my face. I kept my shit on lock down, fighting the urge to punch the fucker in the throat. There were too many guns pulled and once something started, people would die. I knew that for sure.

“Oh, he knows exactly where she is? Last week when I followed the girls on a night out, him and another guy approached them,” Ham explained, venom in his words. I saw Anthony’s eyes narrow. It was a small movement but one that told me he was listening and contemplating the loyalty of his men.

“When they tried to get Chelsea and Rose to go home with them, someone else stepped in,” he looked over to me, “Deacon.”

Ham had informed me of this, but during the time it had just made me angry to know that he was spending time with Chelsea and watching out for her when that was my job. I didn’t realize the significance of it all until now.

I could feel Blizzard beside me. His body was practically radiating and shaking with anger. I wasn’t sure if it was because this stupid fool had just admitted to being Rose’s boyfriend. Or if it was the situation in general. I just prayed that he kept his cool for a little while longer so that we could all make it out of there alive.

Grant’s eyes were flicking around the room. I knew right then he was guilty. He was nervous. I would be too if I had just lied to one of the biggest Mafia Don’s in America.

I folded my arms across my chest and waited for the show. Anthony wasn’t about to let anyone get away with making a fool of him. Especially in front of us, people who he considered the opposition.

“Gio,” Anthony growled.

Giovanni, Anthony’s now eldest son, was the closest to the man. His gun was raised in a second flat and placed against Grant’s temple. The dude shook, stumbling as Gio forced him to walk around the sofa to stand before his father. Gio placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Grant grimaced in pain as he was forced to his knees.

Anthony leaned forward. “Let’s try this again. Grant, where is Rosalie?”

Grant hung his head in defeat, knowing there was no talking his way out of this one. “In Athens with Marco.”

Anthony’s head drew back, he was surprised by this information. He took a moment to compose himself before he shuffled closer again, sitting on the edge of his chair. “Speak now.”

“Sir—”

“No,”
Anthony spat, “you speak now or I give you to this club and they can torture the facts out of you for all I care.
Speak!
”

I wanted to rub my hands together. I would love to get a hold of this slimy little bastard but as much as I hated to admit, Anthony was doing the right thing. This was going to be a lot faster way to get the information that we need.

“Marco is after the girl,” he admitted quietly, long gone the cocky bastard in him.

“Why?” Gio asked, pressing his gun hard into the back of the man’s neck.

“Because her parents put your father away,” I said. All the eyes turned to me, so I continued, “Romano was arrested by Chelsea’s father who was a member of the DEA. Marco went over there and took out his revenge, but Chelsea managed to escape out a window. When the police found her, they knew someone would be coming after her, as the missing piece, so they hid her where no one would go looking for her…in foster care.”

Anthony watched me, hanging on my words. His sons stared, clearly surprised by the news. No one spoke or tried to argue that I was wrong, so I just kept talking, “He tried to frame the Brothers by Blood. I guess he was a little upset that when Romano got put away and he was placed in the driver’s seat that we still managed to pull some of your business deals out from under him.”

I could see Anthony clenching his hands into fists as they sat atop his perfectly pressed dress pants. Gio’s finger twitched on the trigger of the gun and I prayed he wouldn’t fire until I knew exactly where Chelsea was and how to get her home in one piece.

“Your brother is fucking nuts,” Blizzard snapped, his resolve finally breaking. “Do you know what he’s doing to that girl? I’ve seen her more than once with bruises and burns for God’s sake. She’s supposed to be your family, but what the fuck are you doing to protect her?”

I threw my hand to the side, my palm landing on Blizzard’s chest as I felt him walk forward. It wasn’t often people saw this side of him. He was a joker—relaxed, calm—a guy you enjoyed being around. But he was also fiercely protective of those he cared about.

“Gio, Rico…you will stay,” Anthony spoke quietly but surely. “Optimus, I believe we need to have a few words.”

I dipped my chin.

“Please, feel free to have a few of your men take Grant here. I would like a little privacy for this conversation.”

I didn’t wait a second more. “Ham, grab the asshole.” I needed this over. The longer I leave Chelsea, the longer I risk her life.

Ham, Wrench, and Slider stepped forward and grabbed the lying little snake, dragging him out the door into the lobby. Gio and Rico flanked their father, taking up residence on each side of him. Blizzard and Leo stayed with me, doing much the same.

“There seems to be some misunderstandings between us,” Anthony said clearly, once the room had emptied.

“Someone tried to frame us for your father’s death. It wasn’t us and I can prove that shit,” I told him.

He nodded and folded his hands back in his lap. “Yes, I’m sure you can.” He cleared his throat. “My brother was not happy that my father passed his legacy on to me.”

I heard Blizzard scoff behind me. Anthony shot him a glare, his eyes narrowed.

“I want my woman back,” I said simply. “If he’s hurt her, I’ll kill him.” I wasn’t about to beat around the bush. Marco DePalma was a dead man. Anthony could try and stop me right now, but one way or another I was going to take him out.

He raised his hand and scratched at his chin. “You say he’s hurt my niece?” The question was aimed past me to my VP.

Blizzard didn’t hesitate to answer. “On more than one occasion. Our man said when she pulled her gun and ordered Chelsea into the car that she was sporting some pretty nasty battle wounds.” He talked through gritted teeth, the thought obviously wearing on his mind.

“She was an illegitimate child. She came from an affair with one of his maids.” I looked up at each of his boys and I could see the pride in his eyes. “To him, she needed to earn the right to be a part of this family. Her mother left before she was born. We didn't know anything of her until she appeared around a year or so ago making claims. Marco was disgusted. But for us, as soon as she proved her DNA, she was family. She has my blood in her veins, it doesn’t matter what it was mixed with. I should have stopped it before it got to this point.”

This strong man sat in front of me, his head hung like he was ashamed of his actions. He could stare a man in the eyes before shooting him dead, but when it came to family, there was nothing more important.

Maybe we weren’t so different.

“Grant will give you the information to find Marco and get your…woman…back. I believe you’ll do what you see fit and I will consider what you’ve told me here today.”

With that, we were dismissed. There was no bloodshed and I had a way of reclaiming what was mine. I was done. I merely nodded and turned on my heel, my brothers following me out the door and into the hall.

Our buddy Grant was sporting a split lip and was crumpled against the wall. Wrench was grinning and Ham was staring down at him with utter disgust. Time was running out and the only thing I was concerned about was getting the information I needed to bring Marco down and save my girl.

“Leo, call the boys, get them on their bikes,” I ordered. Wrench grabbed the piece of garbage by his arm and dragged him with us as we walked down the prim and proper hotel hall.

“Let’s get our girl back.”

“Hand me your cell phone,” Rose said, her voice shaking.

I glared but pulled my phone from where I’d tucked it in the side of my bra. She took it from my palm and turned it off before tucking it into the pocket of her jeans. I pushed myself against the door of the car, trying to stop myself from being thrown around as the driver maneuvered side streets, weaving in and out of traffic. He was good, I had to give him that.

I knew nobody would find us now. If they were giving chase, they would have lost sight of us a while ago. Rose watched me, the gun in her hand laying across her lap.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered quietly. The car was big, but we were still close to the driver and his sidekick. I wasn’t sure if they could hear us.

“Why?” I asked sadly.

“I had to. They made me.” Her good eye filled with tears, the other was so swollen I wondered if there would be permanent damage. But why should I care.

“I told you the club could help. We could have protected you.”

“Shut your mouth, whore.” I jumped as the front seat passenger turned to snap at me. I recognized him. He was one of the creepy men that Rose tried to get us to go home with. My eyes widened and a slow smirk grew on his face. It was disgusting and made me feel dirty.

“You…” I stuttered, looking back and forth between Rose and my captor. “It was a setup. That’s why you were so upset, so eager to go with them,” I shot at her accusingly. I felt the anger build up in my stomach, replacing the fear.

I’d been set up.

“Oh, so the bitch finally gets it.” He laughed, turning back around to face the windscreen.

I glared at Rose and she hung her head. It was clear she was ashamed of her actions.

“How could you?” I sneered. “I was your friend. I cared about you, I fucking cared about you!”

Her body flinched at every word.

Good. I hoped they were hitting her where it hurt.

“It’s not you!” She sobbed. “It’s the club. They hurt my family. They took my cousin and my grandfather and our business.”

“Bullshit!” I cried. I wanted to reach out and slap her.

This friend that I had come to love, she had betrayed me and now my fate was in the hands of mad men who were about to do who knows what to me.

We pulled into a rundown area. The houses were old, falling to pieces and in desperate need of a paint job. I knew we hadn’t been driving for long so we must be still in the Athens area, but I’d never been to this side of town. It sent a shiver up my spine. I had no idea what was about to go down, but I knew in my gut that it wasn’t good.

I was going to get hurt.

We pulled up to a large house. It wasn’t like the rest, it was newer and it didn’t fit in.

“Watch her,” creepy bar guy ordered, giving Rose an evil eye. She bobbed her head up and down, acknowledging the order but not looking at him.

Both men hopped out of the car and walked up to the front door. If I had any chance of getting out of this situation, it was now.

“Rose, please,” I pleaded, tears filling my eyes. “We’re friends. I love you. I care about you. Please don’t do this.”

She looked up from where she held the gun in her lap. “I tried to steer them away from you. Tried to make it so you wouldn’t get hurt. I set the timer on the bomb wrong so it would blow up after you were out. I tried to stop you from going into work that day they shot up the gym. They weren’t supposed to do that! They were just supposed to grab you!”

I watched the anxiety building inside of her. Her hands were shaking and she was throwing her head back and forth like she had some major internal struggle. I looked over the seat and realized that the idiot driver had left the keys in the ignition. I watched as they stood at the front door of the house, probably waiting for someone to come open it. No doubt holding me at gunpoint out in the open would possibly draw attention, even in this type of area.

I looked back at Rose. “We can get out of this. We can go to the club. They’ll protect you. You’ll be safe there and your dad won’t be able to find you,” I talked quietly and quickly. I saw her eyes flick to where the men stood. She was considering it. I could see it. “You don’t have to do this, I know you think you do, but you don’t. I can prove to you the club didn’t do what you think they did. I can prove it.”

I saw the front door of the house was now open and the men were walking back to the car, laughing and joking like my life wasn’t in danger. It was one big joke to them.

I reached out to her, my hand moving slowly even in my desperate need to get the gun away from her. I felt the cold metal under my hand but before I could close my fingers around it, the car door flew open behind me and I was wrenched out.

I screamed, hoping that someone would hear me. “Get off me! Put me down!”

I saw Rose fumble with the handle and dive out the other side. “Stop it!” she cried. “You’ll hurt her!”

McCreepy laughed, watching as the other man held me tightly as I kicked and fought. He snatched the gun from Rose’s hand. She tried to grab it back off him, but he pushed her in the chest causing her to go sprawling on the concrete driveway.

“This what you wanted, whore?” he asked, pointing the gun at me. My body instantly froze.

People lied when they said your life flashed before your eyes before you died. My life did
not
flash before my eyes. There were no deep and meaningful thoughts that ran through my mind. I didn’t question the choices I’d made or whether I wished I had one more chance to do things differently. All I thought was,
I wonder how much this is going to hurt.
I saw his finger pull the trigger, it was slow and purposeful. The smile on his face growing wider and wider.

Rose screamed.
“No!”
Shuffling along the concrete, holding her broken arm to her body and reaching out with the other hand. I let out a puff of breath, accepting my fate as the trigger was forced all the way back.

Click.

There was no loud bang. No flash of light before the darkness consumed me.

What there was though was laughter.

McCreepy was in hysterics, almost doubled over and wheezing. The man holding me couldn’t suppress chuckles either.

“You thought...” he attempted to speak but had to take a moment to calm down. “You thought we’d give the little backstabber a loaded gun?”

Rose looked like she’d been slapped.

I bared my teeth and threw myself forward, only to be restrained.

He laughed again. “She’s been stringing you along this whole time and you think we would trust her? Don’t you think we knew you’d play the pity card and try to turn her to your side? Almost had her too. I saw it in her eyes.” He laughed again. “Or should I say eye.”

The man behind me forced me up the path, shoving me and causing me to stumble and fall. My knees grazed the concrete and my palms were now scratched and stinging. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t have time, I was dragged to my feet and pulled up the front steps. I could hear Rose behind me, sobbing. McCreepy told her to shut the fuck up and I wanted to turn and give him a piece of my mind. She was hurting, she was broken. Yes, she had betrayed me but I couldn’t help but still feel protective of her.

She’d been fooled too. I just knew it.

Walking through the doorway I could feel blood dripping down my leg from the scrapes on my knees. The carpet inside the door was a light creamy color.

Good. I hope this stains you fucker.

I felt the blood drop from my leg onto the floor. It was slightly satisfying.

We walked down a long hall, the house was nice. Tidy. Almost as if no one actually lived there. At the end of the hall there was a door. I didn’t want to open the door. I knew where it would go. Right into a basement.

“How bad guy cliché,” I spat, causing the man behind me to laugh.

He reached around me, turning the door handle and pushing the door open to reveal some stairs. His chest rubbed against my back and I could feel his breath in my ear. I shuddered. Just a mere touch made me feel dirty. Taking a deep breath, I held my head high as I took each step. Every time I put my foot down I told myself
‘you are strong, they won’t break you.’
I hoped I could convince myself that the words were true because I had no idea what I was walking into.

The temperature changed dramatically when I reached the bottom of the long staircase. It was cold and with only a light T-shirt on over a pair of tight stretchy workout pants and track shoes, it felt like I was inside a freezer. The place was dirty, not like upstairs at all. There were boxes covered in dust and old tools scattered everywhere. A sofa was pushed against the far wall and other household items were everywhere.

“Chelsea! I’m so glad you could join us. Rosalie has told me so much about you.” The man appeared out from behind a pile of boxes. I knew this was Rose’s dad.

I didn’t respond, just glared at him which only made him laugh. He walked closer. He was done up in a gray pinstripe suit and tie and his hair was cut short. I didn’t miss the Italian accent either. It was prominent enough for me to know that English was his second language.

“I hope my boys treated you well,” he said, gesturing to the two men.

“They didn’t force me to hold my hand on any burning stove tops, so that’s always a bonus,” I sneered.

My smart remark only made his grin grow wider. “Yes, you are everything I was hoping you would be.”

“And what exactly were you hoping I would be?”

“Strong.” His smile turned into a smirk and I could feel the promise of pain in his eyes. “The strongest ones are the most fun to break.”