Laughing Eyes: Bittersweet Familia (3) (14 page)

Anna

My head pounded as though a small child was using it as a trampoline. A sickening feeling caused bile to rise in my dry throat, my skull aching to the point where my eyes could barely open. When I did, my eyelids felt like they had been glued shut. After struggling for a few minutes I took in the darkened room around me.

It was not the hotel room.

It was not my shanty shack I had been living in for the last few months and it certainly wasn’t the walls Danny and I had made love within.

My brain felt like it was swelling as I looked to the end of the bed dizzy and confused.

There sitting on a chair, his elbows on his knees, chin resting on steepled fingers, was the man with ghostly-looking eyes.

Despite my heart pounding painfully in my chest, I was too slow from my injury to respond to his impenetrable gaze. He was boring holes into my eyes, no hint of expression on his handsome face.

“Who are you?” I stammered, my voice hoarse.

“I’m sorry about your injury,” the man ignored my question. His voice was deep and velvety. “I hope you can forgive me.”

Forgive? What did he care?

“Please, this is all a mistake. I have never seen you before, there must be –”

“But I’ve seen you.” For a second I thought I could see a light flare in his eyes.

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to understand. Do you like the flowers I left for you?”

Squaring my shoulders, I did my best to look alert, attempting to defy the pain.

“The flowers are beautiful,” I responded. “It’s just a shame they stand for something so vile.”

He had the nerve to look taken aback. Offended almost. “Vile? How so?”

“I don’t consider blood-soaked offerings very flattering.”

“Anjo,” he began as if he was talking to a small child.

“Don’t call me that!”

“You allow the gypsies. I can see that trait about you. An angel. You are not just their angel.”

What did he mean by that? This man didn’t know me at all. He was a watcher, a voyeur, a murderer!

The way he talked, the smoothness of his voice, the way he enunciated every word was confusing. “Look, I don’t know what you want from me. I don’t even know who you really are.”

“You know exactly who I am.”

Silence.

We waited in a silent standoff.

“My name is Nicolas. Nicolas Blanco.” He finally announced.

“That’s not how everyone else knows you.”

“So you do know who I am.”

“Barely. Your name doesn’t concern me. Whether you are Nicolas Blanco or El Leon, to me you are a murderer of the sickest kind.”

He paused, contemplating my words. “I don’t think death can be measured.”

“Of course it can. You killed all those people for nothing.”

“Anjo, it wasn’t for nothing.”

“Don’t call me that! You have no right. To all those whose life you destroyed, you are known only as the devil! A soulless destructive man.”

“Then we have more in common than you think, Angel.”

“We have nothing in common,” I spat. “How dare you insinuate otherwise.”

He eyed me for a long time, his lips not moving, a nothing expression in his pale blue irises. I could sense the challenge radiating off him in other ways. He was a tall man with broad shoulders and a chiselled jaw. Yet, in the partial darkness he looked like the devil himself.

Nicolas stood abruptly, his chair screeching on the wooden floor. He was a looming presence in a room that seemed set on swallowing me up. When he rounded the bed closing the space between us, I scrambled clumsily to the bed head. His empty yet magnetic gaze refused to break with mine.

The thudding in my chest now moved to my ears, a sense of crazed panic threatening to explode from within. In seconds he was on the bed, hovering over me, his legs framing mine. I was trapped beneath a ruthless killer yet not one part of him was touching me. Nicolas was a man who could quite easily see the end of my life and be wearing a smile while doing it.

It was then I could smell him. A fragrance so intoxicating with a hint of sweet spice.

The very same scent all those nights ago that chased me through the trees.

His face settled only inches from mine, a tiny hint of something flashing across his eyes.

“What do you want with me?” My voice, along with my body, was shaky.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Nicolas said, his own voice husky.

His lips twitched at my sharp intake of breath. He was downright scary and so void of emotion all at the same time.

“You could always let me go.”

His face moved close. “Why would I do that?”

Nicolas’s lips gently fell to mine. They were soft and sensual, but from him it felt like a death caress. He kissed me like he was sucking my soul straight out of my body.

When he finally pulled away, I could still feel his intimidation lingering. Once again, his gaze locked on mine, weakening me in every way. They were the strangest eyes I had ever seen. A mix of violence, emotionless resolve, passion, and yet simply…nothing.

“I am of no use to you,” my voice quaked.

“On the contrary. You are exactly what I’ve been waiting for.”

Danny

“Fucking hell! How long do you think?” Aiden asked.

“Dead for about six hours.” We both stared down at the mutilated body of the guard left recklessly on the path. “They could be anywhere by now.”

“That’s their bags,” Aiden picked up both duffels and took a step over the mess on the ground, rounding the corner to the hotel room.

Running a frustrated hand over my face, I prepared for the worst. I knew I was dealing with the sickest possible kind of human being and I also had to accept that I had to play his game in order for it all to end. I just never wanted Anna to be a part of that game.

“Danny!” Aiden’s voice broke my thoughts.

I followed his footsteps, wondering when someone would arrive to give the dead man the treatment he deserved.

“What is it?”

He didn’t have to say anything. The yellow flower in his hand and the blood stained wall, said it all.

The tangy, metallic smell of blood hung thick in the air as we stood staring at the message.

“’You are close,’” I read out loud.

“Fucking asshole,” Aiden only confirmed my thoughts. “I hate fucking being toyed with. We came here to end this fucker’s reign of terror over the people. Now I feel like he has made it personal.”

***

The trip leaving the airport was quiet as we both mulled over our thoughts. We knew there was only one move left. That was to head back to El Leon’s and sort the fucker out once and for all. I could only pray that Anna was safe.

“Is that – what the hell?” Aiden squinted through the dusty windscreen to a lone female figure stumbling down the tree-lined street.

“Luiza! She’s alive.” While I was more than relieved to know that we had at least found one half of the puzzle, I was even more concerned that Anna was nowhere to be seen.

Aiden sped forward until we finally reached her. She was wounded, bleeding from the head, crimson staining the whole left side of her pale, frightened face. She clutched her ribs as she struggled to remain standing. Jumping from the truck I ran to her side catching hold of her as she fell in my arms.

“Anna,” she stammered. “They have Anna.”

“Where did they take her?”

Luiza broke out in hysterical sobs, half screaming, half choking. I felt for the girl, but I needed answers.

“Luiza, where is Anna?” I asked again, this time more assertive.

“All he said was ‘where you first met’.”

Anna

That morning as the sun had claimed its spot in the clear sky, a man came to collect me. It was the same one who had held a gun to Luiza’s head. My heart sank with not knowing whether she was ok. Barging through the door, the bald man void of any pleasantries looked straight at but through me at the same time. Had they all been trained to be as emotionless as Nicolas? Detach themselves as a means of survival in a business that was clearly only for those with a cold heart?

Still lying on the bed but bringing the sheets tight around me, I watched as the man made his way across the room, his steps deliberate and in haste. Without saying a word he approached, wrapped his meaty paw around my upper arm and yanked me out. The bed sheet tangled around my feet causing me to fall against him.

“What’s happening?” I asked with slight hope.

He ignored me completely, his eyes not even blinking in response.

Another man walked in carrying a device I couldn’t identify. Suddenly, bald head pushed me forward on the mattress clasping both my arms tightly together. I sobbed quietly into the blanket knowing that yet another chapter of freedom was coming to an end. While bald head held both my arms behind my back, the other using the device, circled my wrists and pulled them together. He then attached something from that point to my elbows drawing them further in. My arms were totally restrained, my shoulder blades squeezing painfully against each other.

“This isn’t necessary? I won’t run!” I choked.

Again they ignored me. Not even an inkling of acknowledgement. If they weren’t touching me, I would doubt whether they could even see me.

I was led through the beautifully adorned halls and down an enormous staircase. This wasn’t just a mansion, this was palace! I real surge of anger rose from the pit of my stomach, knowing this man’s fortune came from threatening people with their lives if they didn’t join his cult business of arms creation.

We weaved through the lounge and out to the blaring morning sun, my feet warmed by the wooden deck beneath. Through the glare, I could make out the cascading blue green hills in the distant. It was a breathtaking scene.

With a shove, the two men forced me further out until I stood just shy of the pools edge. Looking down into the crystal blue water, I saw the half-naked completely submerged form of Nicholas swimming. His body sashayed and rippled with the motion of the water as he crossed to the other side of the pool. With a splash, he rose to the surface, hands planted firmly on the marble edge. I watched almost transfixed as his muscled back worked to lift his weight completely out. Rivers of water gushed down the length of his body as he turned to face me. We stood on opposite sides of the pool, but I could still feel his deathly magnetism.

“Good morning, Anjo,” Nicholas said, his voice deep and velvety.

I hated when he called me that.

He cocked his head to the side, “Aren’t you going to greet me?”

“Good morning, Nicolas.”

His lips twisted with an emotion I couldn’t decipher. The man was no more than a stranger to me, but I was picking up on his cues and right now he wasn’t impressed.

His body was still dripping with water, but he didn’t seem fussed. “I have question for you that needs a definite answer.” He paused, trying to read my body language. “Which agency do your friends work for, Anjo.”

“I don’t know. They never revealed.” I lied.

“You don’t think for one second think I would believe that they didn’t mention where they were from or who sent them?”

I wasn’t about to reveal anything about Danny or Aiden. What difference would it make? They were here to find him no matter what.

Nicolas flicked his fingers ever so slightly, a clear indicator for the men behind me. Holding me in place, the other kneeled down and wrapped a chain around my ankles. With a hand splayed across my back, I was shoved forward. For a split second I caught Nicolas’s gaze once more. His cold eyes were unresponsive, his demeanour settled on seeing me fall.

“Please, don’t!” My words stumbled from my mouth.

The corner of his mouth twitched by the slightest degree. With another push from behind, my feet left the warm marble as I fell into the cool water.

Panic was tearing me apart. Even if I could swim, I couldn’t move with the restraints.

My weight instantly pulled me to the seemingly bottomless pool as I thrashed wildly around. The surface felt a lifetime away, the water crushing me the further I fell. I could see his face. He was rooted to the spot watching me helplessly disappear into the welcoming depths.

This was how I was going to die, seeing him above me was my last view. Danny’s gorgeous smile came to mind and despite not being able to breathe, a tight knot formed in my throat. I wanted nothing more than to be with him again, to hold him.

My chest restricted with lack of oxygen, my head dizzy. Just as all fight left me and darkness took hold, Nicolas’s face appeared before mine. He paused for a moment, watching as my eyes began to close. I could feel his strong arms wrap my waist, pressing his hard body against mine. With a push off the bottom, he sent us sailing through the water until we finally reached the surface.

Now surrounded by fresh morning air, I choked and gasped desperately for breath, Nicolas’s arms maintaining their stronghold. Only when my breathing settled and my heart found its normal rhythm, did he hold me apart.

With one hand still keeping me afloat, he used the other to tilt my face toward his. “Just know, Anjo, that it’s just as easy for me sink you as is to save you.”

I blinked furiously as droplets of water clung to my lashes. His eye dropped to my chest where the white cotton nighty was now completely transparent, my breasts and nipples clearly outlined.

I could feel his erection pressing between my thighs and a fierce blush claimed my cheeks as a tremor ran through my body.

“Please, don’t!” I said quietly trying to intercept his thoughts.

He breathed heavily through his nose before once again pushing me away, the weight dropping me back down into the deep blue. I wasn’t ready, my lungs still empty. Thrashing about, I quickly found it counterproductive, the movements only sinking me further. I could see a whirl of bubbles as Nicolas took off in the other direction, leaving me to drown.

He was leaving me.

I wanted to cry, but there was no point.

Two hands hooked under my arms, but I couldn’t see who it was. Once again, we shot to the surface, but this time I was hauled up and over the ledge, vomiting salty pool water. It was the man who had entered my room who had saved me. Nicolas was nowhere to be seen. Lying on the cool marble in a puddle of water, I allowed the sun above to blind me to my surroundings. The warmth of it was soothing, my chest heaving at a rapid pace as I took in as much air as possible. I could feel my already light head begin to lose focus. Although the sun was drowning me in its rays, all I could see was darkness.