“Shit!” I detect movement again this time at the far side of the dock. At a spot, currently not in view of my men, situated at the opposite end of the lot. I almost missed the dark figure disappearing under one of the containers. He's closer to the van. The sneaky bastard is midway between us, and the stationary truck.
“Target spotted: far right, under the yellow container.” I announce to the team through our communication device. We’re all wearing black tactical gear and are hooked up to personal communication devices with a secure line.
We checked our weapons, just before slipping out of the van to intercept the bastard. Nico and I noticed several more figures dressed in dark clothes, faces covered by ski masks creeping towards the docking area. They’re using the containers to cover their position. They move like amateurs, not putting much effort into remaining hidden. I get a niggling feeling that I can’t quite decipher. They don’t fit the mold of the type of men, who Alban Berisha, usually sends when he wants a job done.
“Several more are heading towards the truck. We’re intercepting.” I relay with hushed tones so that my voice doesn’t carry to the slithering bastards. “Let the fun begin.” Dante’svoice comes through laced with gleeful anticipation in response. Causing soft chuckles from the men.
As I creep stealthily along the sea of containers, Nico covers my back. Checking below as we slowly make our way towards the parked truck. Midway to our destination, one of the fuckers suddenly appear in front of me, pointing his gun. Dropping unexpectedly to the ground, I sweep out a foot, knocking him off balance as Nico puts a bullet between his eyes. He falls with a thud at my feet..
After the crack of the first shot, chaos follows. Our men, by far, outnumber those who attempted to ambush our shipment. A couple of the fools open the door of the truck trailer only to be ambushed by five of my soldiers, who jump out at them. Hidden among the merchandise waiting for the signal of gunfire.
Within minutes, we’ve dispensed them all. Ten men. To our twenty. With the number of men that Alban has at his disposal, I’m surprised at how little he sent. And, at their inexperience to boot. They were too easily dispatched. A niggling of unease returns. These men were quite inept and were barely a challenge. Why didn’t Alban use more seasoned soldiers for this task? It was almost as if he dispatched only those that he was willing to sacrifice. Recruits.
“Something feels off.” I say to Nico, who also appears to be puzzled. Their clumsy movements, their hesitation—it felt less like an assault and more like a sacrifice.“I know, it makes no sense that he would send his most inexperienced men..” Nico frowns at the aftermath.
“Brother this one is still breathing.” Dante says. He's holding the bastard by his collar. His face is pale and full of fear. Blood runs down his arms from a shoulder wound. He looks young.
“Did Alban fucking send you, why did you come here tonight?” He remains silent. “You can choose whether you get a quick, or a slow and painful death. No one lives who tries to steal from me.” I growl. Withdrawing my favorite knife, the coward pisses himself and starts to beg. My men look on in disgust.
“I…I’m sorry, we weren’t here to steal from you.” He stammers. “We were supposed to keep you busy while they snatched the woman.” He blurts out. “What woman?” Motherfucker! There’s a knot of unease in my chest, my heart is racing and my hand tightens on my gun. I already know the answer. At that moment both my cellphone and Nico’s started ringing. I don’t have time to deal with this shit, so I put the coward out of his misery. One shot. His head snaps back and he falls to the ground.
“Darling……” I hear Nico say as I grab my phone already running to where my vehicle is parked. “Yes!” I bark. “Boss, the mansion is under attack!” Jimmy's voice crackles through the line.
“Jimmy, get the women to the safe room now. I’m on my way, let me speak to my wife.” There’s a shuffle then her voice comes on—one that I’ll know anywhere. “Dominic, I don’t know what’s going on. There was an explosion.” I detect panic in her voice.“Listen to me Angel, Jimmy is going to take you and Serafina to the safe room. Stay there until I arrive. Do you hear me?” I could hear the faint sounds of gunfire through the line.
“Okay… Dominic? Are you okay.” Elle asks. “Yes Angel, please go with Jimmy.” I urged. I hang up and panic slams into. They set a trap, and I walked blindly into it. It all makes sense now. They wanted me to split forces, thinking that I would leave the mansion vulnerable. Dante, Nico and Dario, barely throw themselves into the car before I’m tearing away from the docks. I don’t even register the headlights trailing us back to the mansion. I fling my phone onto the dashboard, curse, and slamboth palms onto the steering wheels. “It’s okay, Dom. Jimmy will get the women to the safe room.” Nico says, steady but tense. “Our men will hold the bastards off until we get there.” Dante adds.
“As my wife, she was supposed to be protected!” I say through clenched teeth with barely controlled rage. They dare attack my home and go after my wife. Since she’s been in my life, she’s been in danger. I promised to protect her but I’ve been doing a shit job of it.
I tear through red lights, pushing past the speed limit to get to the mansion. The streets are deserted, the city asleep, only my headlights are cutting through the dark. Thank God, I had the foresight to increase security at the mansion. I grip the wheel, my knuckles white—I whisper a silent prayer that my men can keep the intruders at bay until I get there.
Chapter 31
~Elle~
Half an hour earlier.
I fiddle with the bracelet that Dominic gifted me last night after we made love. It’s a slim gold band with colorful stones embedded in the metal. There’s an engraving in the inner band in cursive:
My Angel Elle.
Dominic made me swear to never take it off. The bracelet wasn’t just jewelry, inside he’d hidden a tracker. “If you’re ever taken,” he said “I will find you.” I remember—the weight of it on my wrist, equal parts comfort and fear.
Knowing that I was anxious about the possible danger that Dominic would be facing, Serafina showed up earlier today to keep me occupied. We spent the evening watching a movie. Then, we roped Jimmy into playing a game of scrabble with us. I was surprised at how competitive he was. Serafina was hilarious, as she tried to make up words, for which we challenged her.
It is now close to midnight. I’m finally alone in our bedroom. Serafina is likely now asleep in one of the guest rooms. Now my imagination is running away with me, as I worry about my husband. I can’t wait for Dominic to return home safely. Hopefully, after tonight, he will have dealt with the people after me.
Falling asleep is impossible right now. Without changing into my nightgown, I sit in bed while I go through my phone. Temptation to dial Dominic’s number, gnaws at me. Any distractions could place him in danger, so I resist. I move tohis side of the bed, hugging his pillow. Taking comfort from his scent. I somehow doze off.
A loud explosion has me snapping out of sleep. Rapid gunfire is audible from outside. I hear loud voices and screams. Heart racing, from being jolted awake, I try to make sense of what’s happening. Rubbing my hands across my eyes, trying to wipe away the fog of sleep. I rush towards the windows, and I’m shocked by the scene. Flames are visible, down the long driveway where the front gate once stood proudly. Dominic’s soldiers are rushing about. They’re now exchanging gunfire with whoever it’s that is attacking the mansion. I’m overtaken by a feeling of dread, because I’m sure that they’re here for me.
Outside the bedroom door, footsteps draw closer to my room. “Elle! Elle!” Hearing the urgency in Jimmy’s voice, snaps me out of my frozen state, and has me rushing towards the door. “Wha…what?” His appearance has me stuttering. He’s armed. Gone is my carefree guard. I keep forgetting that the men who I’m surrounded by are capable of such violence.
“We’re under attack, I need to get you to safety.” Jimmy says with urgency as he leads me down the corridor. I follow him silently. He retrieves his phone from his pocket. Shock makes me forget about Serafina. That's until she rushes out of the guest room to join us, her phone to her ear likely informing her husband of the attack. My head can’t help but block out the sounds of their voices.
“Boss, the mansion is under attack. The front gate was blown away.” Jimmy pauses listening to Dominic. “Yes, I have the women, we’re headed there now.” He continues. “Yes boss.” The phone is given to me. My husband must have asked to speak to me. “Dominic? I don’t know what’s going on….there was an explosion.” I can’t seem to keep my voice from trembling. “Listen to me, Angel. Jimmy is going to take you and Serafinasomewhere safe. Stay there until I get to you. Do you hear me?” I hear the barely controlled rage in his voice.
“Yes. I hear you. Dominic, are you okay?” “Yes Angel, don’t worry about me. Stay safe until I get to you.” Serafina was also speaking to her husband. When she hangs up, we join hands as we follow Jimmy.
