“I don’t understand. What’s happening? I promise, whatever you think I did, I didn’t.” I rushed out in a panic.
They had to believe me. There had to be a mistake, they couldn’t possibly have been after me.
All my life I’d never been in trouble - with school, with the law, not even with my father. I had worked hard at keeping away from trouble, away from the kinds of people that caused trouble. It had always been a struggle, just like everyone else I’d had a dark side but I’d kept it tucked down inside, harnessed by thick chains.
It had mocked me, laughed at me, tried to tempt me to let my hair down - live on the wild side for once ‘because it was fun’. But never had I not been in control.
I wasthe standard definition of a good girl by reference of any dictionary.
“Poor baby. No, this has nothing to do with you. At least it didn’t start out that way.” The bastard had the gall to pause and wink. I suddenly had the urge to throw up and say ‘eww’.
“My boss expects payment. Anton had debts to settle, a lot of them actually - it doesn’t surprise me that they outlived him. As his next of kin, you’ll take his place. Now, get in the car. The boss wants a word.”
Oh, that was for damn sure, and I’d be sure to give him a shit load. But not that easily.
An opening was made between the men and I see the idling limo at the curb. It was maybe twenty feet away, unfortunately, there wasn’t enough of a gap for me to try and escape. Not that I thought in the slightest that I’d be able to evade at least a dozen men - all on high alert, no less.
“And if I refuse?” I look back towards the man with my challenge. Surely, they couldn’t kill me here. We were in public for fuck’s sake. I knew the second my words registered with him because his face took on a look I can only describe as pure evil.
“You want your dear old aunt to be homeless, penniless and rotting in some scum apartment block similar to yours?” He knew he had me. But still, I took an extra second to scan the area. Surely someone should’ve seen us by now. For this to work for him it had to be a stealth mission - in and out quickly, without being seen. If only I could stall.
“Who did my father owe money to? I assure you, I’ve never heard of any of this.” It was true, to a point. I knew that my father dealt with some dodgy people, but I was never allowed to question it. So, I buried my head in a book and hid myself away.
“The wrong people.” I waited for him to elaborate, which he did not.
“How much did my father owe?” My voice quivered slightly, more than I wanted it to.
“More than he or you will ever see in a lifetime.” His smug smirk made the comment sting more than it should’ve. My hand raised automatically, thwacking across his cheek wiping that smirk from his lips. Yes, my fathers’ funds had started dwindling, and yes, I knew I only had about four hundred bucks in my account at that moment, but we weren’t poor. He’d pissed me off but maybe slapping him hadn’t been my smartest move. As his face turned back I caught a glimpse of just how much danger I was in.
The back door of the car opened, a man in my peripheral vision stepped out. He took a second to clear his throat but I didn’t let it pull my hawk eyes from the loser that stood in front of me.
It was scary how much I had him pinned. He was a bad dude, I knew it to be true down to the depths of my bones. Guys like him waited until his enemy turned their back to strike. I wouldn’t have trusted him as far as I could throw him.
“Anastasia, I think you’d best get in. You have my word, we mean you no harm.” I blinked at hearing a new voice. There was something strange about the new man’s voice, but I couldn’t pinpoint what.
I finally took a second look over at him, there was a familiarity there that I couldn’t place. I brushed it off as a coincidence, maybe I’d seen him around my father’s house - he was clearly the ‘boss’ so it wouldn’t have been a big leap.
My father, God rest his soul, hadn’t been a good man. I hate admitting it but it was the truth, one that I’d been hiding from all my life. He had been into some dodgy shit, I’d seen the proof. I knew there was a hell of a chance that what this man was saying was the truth. I’d seen the people my father had over, the company he kept when he thought I wasn’t around. Not to mention the number of late-night guests that would come over uninvited, always wanting something from him.
I knew he wasn’t safe, that this could’ve possibly been the outcome sooner or later. But my father wasn’t to be reasoned with. So, maybe his fate was justified, but mine? I hadn’t done anything to end up in this position. I looked over to my aunt. She was a fair distance away, standing with the rest of my father's friends and colleagues.
They could take the house, it would never mean anything to me now. My aunt could move in with me? She could get a job, bring in money for herself that way. As I thought it over, I was sure we’d be okay on our own. Hell, I hadn’t seen a penny of Dad’s money since high school anyway. I pondered it, it seemed unfair that I was the one deciding on her behalf - but of course, the alternative was my death.
Gritting my teeth, I stepped towards the car. The man in the suit slipped back inside the car, waiting for me to join him. I cautiously climbed in, examining the interior as I did so. The man sat patiently, hands folded in his lap, in the furthest seat from mine. The door slammed quickly behind me, startling me. I was trapped.
My hand urged to reach for the car door handle. I was curious to see if I was really trapped. I’d be silly not to attempt an escape, despite the high odds that these clowns would have most definitely locked that door. My hand halted on the door.
“My word was true, I mean you no harm. But if you try to escape, I’ll have Deno put a bullet through your aunt's skull.” The man pulled my attention back to him. He was so calm and… poised. Not only was it eerie but it only managed to piss me off even more. I didn’t like being toyed with.
“If I never had a choice, why the big production? Why not just gag me and drag me away?” I spat at him, fear and bitterness giving my words a harder edge. I could’ve cried with frustration but my tears had already been spent.
“It’s easier when we can get you to cooperate.” Surprising maybe even himself, he at least had the decency to look contrite. He wasn’t wanting to pull that card, but he had, and it had worked just like he knew it would. Despite the way I felt and my big girl words, I nodded a slow, reluctant nod. My agreement spurred him into action, pressing a single button he lowered the partition between us and the driver.
“We’re ready, Edmond. Take us home.”
The first twenty minutes of the car ride Anastasia was silent, brooding as she kept her distance. Her body pressed as far away from me as possible, her side flush against the interior of the car door. She couldn’t have been comfortable. I had the urge to say something, to reassure her. She had no idea what was going on but I didn’t have the words. How could I possibly explain the situation, let alone justify myself? I couldn’t, not to her. She had no idea yet, but she had full control over me.
It didn’t take long for Anastasia to drift off to sleep. Her eyes began to droop but she fought against it. It had been entertaining how determined she had been, I watched from the corner of my eye as she tried to hold on for as long as she could.
