Ivans face drops as he realises now isn’t the time for jokes and Anton slaps his shoulder before pulling him towards the kitchen.
I can’t help but also feel pride for Willow, the fact she must of been terrified and still did what she could to help Alina. She thinks of herself as weak because of her anxieties, but in reality she is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. She loves and cares hard, she has never others letting her down beher downfall and what I love most is that no matter how much sorrow has been thrown her way, she still loves with her entire heart. She’s never let the bad turn her cold.
What her ex put her through didn’t damage her like she thinks. In fact I think it made her love those she’s cares for even more than what she already did. She would do anything for anyone to make sure they never felt how she’s been made to feel, and with this new information about her being the one to give Finn that nasty head wound, I know she’s a fucking warrior.
“I think we all need to sit down and talk together.” I say looking at each of the girls and Lev. The girls all nod as I look to Nikolai next telling him to clear the room and work from the kitchen instead.
Once him and his guys are out of earshot, Lev pulls closed the sliding doors to the living room before taking the armchair next to me.
“Tell us everything, from the start of when you all arrived and anything from other encounters with Tommy you think is useful information. If it’s too much at any point, we can take a break, but it’s really important that we get all the information tonight. I know it’s a lot to take in, but we need absolutely everything to be able to get Ella safely away from Tommy.” I say softly towards all of them.
It’s Gigi who speaks first.
“Before we start, I want you to know one thing.” She sighs looking up at the ceiling and wiping a lone tear away before composing herself and looking at me with nothing but vengeance in her eyes.
“I don’t care how it’s done, I don’t care who you guys are or what seedy business you are all clearly in, I want those bastards dead and I want you to use every nasty and cutthroat tactic you can to make sure they suffer.”
I tip my head to her in agreement because that’s exactly what’s coming to them.
Chapter Forty Eight
Willow
I’m exhausted after Alina and I told the girls the truth about everything and also after talking with Dragna and Lev, going over everything that happened this weekend. It’s four in the morning and even though I want to sleep, I can’t.
Nikolai said they can’t find anything on where Tommy has gone and knowing he has Ella is making me feel sick to my stomach.
Dragna also saved a girl from the club we were in and the girls and I talked to her for a bit, finding out what happened to her and why she was there. It made my head spin.
She’s only just turned eighteen and was brought there by her dad’s business partner to secure a deal which actually meant being groped and almost assaulted further by every single man in the booth.
She went to see one of the doctors a couple of hours ago and there’s just so much going on that I haven’t had time to think straight, especially after reliving this weekend by telling Dragna what happened to us.
When I told him that it was Tommy who forced me to make the phone call while threatening me with a gun, he stood up from his chair and lifted me from the sofa before sitting back down again with me curled up on him. He didn’t let me go the entire time we all talked and even now, he still hasn’t loosened his grip on me.
The girls all went to bed and once Lev calmed down over the fact that Finn strangled Alina and he took her to see the doctor they have here.
My mind is on high alert at the fact this is all real and that this is the real Dragna.
This is his life, how he grew up, the only life he’s ever known and it’s terrifying he was able to keep all of this from me. At the same time, I can’t stay away from him. He saved us tonight. He protected us and showed up when it mattered, and that means everything to me.
I keep thinking what would be happening right now if he hadn’t of found us and got us out of there and I can’t help the tears that begin forming in my eyes. My breathing picks up and I feel myself starting to panic when all the feelings and the reality of what’s happened and still happening hit me out of nowhere.
“Hey, hey, it’s okaymoya dusha, you’re safe.” Dragna says as he rubs circles on my back, but it’s not helping. I need out of his lap, I need out of this house and away from everyone in it.
I start to sob as I stand up and make my way towards the front door, gasping for air.
“Willow. I’m here. I’m here. I’ve got you.” Dragna’s voice sounds from behind me and I feel his large hand encase mine, his thumb pressing into the pressure point on my hand.
“I need…” I can’t finish my sentence as I look around me and feel the walls beginning to close in around me.
“Out of here. Now.” I manage to get out and Dragna lifts me into his arms and walks me outside into the cold, biting air.
He sits on the steps and sets me down in front of him and I press my hands to the cold concrete trying to ground myself and control my breathing.
“I know that everything is crazy right now and it is a lot to take in, your reaction is completely normal.” He speaks softly tome, reassuring me as he grips my ankles and holds them firmly, creating a nice pressure.
I continue trying to stop my breathing from coming out choppy when he begins to breathe in and out in a slow rhythm for me to copy. Within a couple of minutes my breathing matches his, my heart rate has slowed a little and my eyesight isn’t as fuzzy anymore but I still need away from here, even just for ten minutes.
