Chapter 02

Respect the fucking contract.

***Andy***

 

Another one…no, wait. I take a deep breath and concentrate. There are at least three more alive in this room. Not for long they won’t be. I step forward and place my foot on the edge of the coffee table to push off and lunge at the first guy. I only manage to nick his forearm and that pisses me off. I never miss.

The idiot chuckles and somehow the sound ignites a shiver that rocks through me. An awareness of recognition. A rumble rips from my throat that enhances my frustration before I go for my second attempt. The man has nice reflexes, I’ll give him that. My third and fourth attempts come up empty and that’s something that’s never happened to me. I just slaughtered twenty guys by myself without much effort, mainly because they underestimated a woman alone, and yet here I am mustering on my tiptoes to end one freaking guy right now?

Okay, maybe I’m down to my last stretch of energy or something. I know damn well I should have taken better care of myself these last few weeks, but it couldn’t be helped. I’m consumed with vengeance. And the worst thing? I let Marco slip through my fingers again. Cazzo! The man snatches my wrists from behind, holding me in a tight grip.

“Now, now, anima mia.” My soul. “Couldn’t you find a nicer word to greet me?” Those raspy words stroking my ear are followed by that husky chuckle I heard a moment ago.

What’s he doing here? Afon. I only had a brief encounter with him months ago, and then he was there at the hospital when I got hurt. As if he belonged to be the one by my hospital bed as my next of kin. Such brief encounters and yet he imprinted my body with so many emotions, I couldn’t even comprehend. Like now. My breathing slips out of rhythm and the room slowly starts to get smaller. I need to fight, I have to. Marco is out there, I need…

“Fuck. You’re bleeding. Vinci, call it in and get the doc ready. Jakov, call ours too…I need more than one fucking doctor.” Afon’s voice starts to trail off as my legs give out from underneath me.

I’m fading in and out of consciousness. Every time I manage to get my eyes open I’m instantly fading back out. I have fragments of awareness where I’m in a car, being carried up some stairs…all of this is wrapped up in Afon’s scent. It’s probably the only reason I surrender without fighting to wake up. And the fact that all the fight has drained right out of me.

During the fight earlier, a knife was lodged into my thigh. Previous to that, the fucker I was fighting managed to cut me a few times before I sliced his head clean off. I know damn well it was stupid to go in there all alone, but I had to. I’m so driven by vengeance I was too blind to see I wasn’t in shape anymore. The time I needed to let my shoulder heal, not eating properly, hunting down Marco all snowballed out of control.

I take a deep breath and suddenly panic floods me. It’s not the spicy, sandalwood with a hint of citrus I was wrapped in; the clean and yet masculine scent of Afon. No. I’m surrounded by lavender with a hint of vanilla. Surging up, my eyes fly open, yet my surroundings are blurry. I blink a few times and rub my eyes furiously. Dammit, how long was I out?

There’s something warm and wet licking my face. Dog breath. What the…my sight is sharp and clear when I open them a second time. Just as sharp as the teeth I’m staring at. Holy hell, that’s one big ass dog. Instantly I know what breed it is, a Caucasian Shepherd.

This one is white, like a massive polar bear with heavy hair. The paws are large and freaking heavy. I should be scared and yet the dog is licking my cheek and cuddles closer, draping her, or his, body over my chest. Shit. I try to shift the heavy beast somewhat off me so I can breathe. Why did I neglect myself these last few months? I’ve never felt this weak, not since…

I cut off my own thoughts because I don’t need a trip down memory lane. Not now, not ever. So instead I focus on another approach to get some space between me and the beast.

“Hey, baby. Gonna give me some room here?” I ask the beast in a sweet tone while I scratch behind its ear.

It’s like he knows he’s crushing me because he turns onto his back and snuggles into a position that fits the both of us. Meaning it allows me to scratch his belly…also the reason I know this beast is a male.

His teeth go around my forearm as if he’s keeping me in place so I can’t stop scratching. His tongue lolls out in between while trying to lick my arm. The absurdity of it all gives me the giggles. Something I haven’t done in what feels like years. I should be panicked not knowing where exactly I am with this massive beast on the bed beside me, and yet he’s on his back in full surrender, comforting me.

With every movement I make, I become aware of my sore muscles. Not to mention the throbbing in my thigh. Shit. Some flashes come back to me as I remember the fight from…last night? I glance around but I don’t see a clock. It should matter, I should panic…yet I’m lying in this clean bed, one hell of a large cuddle bear…well, dog, whatever, right next to me so who cares.

I take a deep breath and let it slowly slide out of my body. Safe. Warm. Content. I’ve not felt this in a very long time. Closing my eyes, I decide to get some more sleep and drift off.

Shifting weight on the bed wakes me back up. I hear faint voices outside of the room. More than likely why the dog is now giving me his back while he faces whatever is happening outside of the room.

“What is it, baby?” I stroke my hand down his white thick fur while he gives a low growl directed at the door in return. “Good boy,” I whisper while I keep petting my bodyguard.

Normally I would grab my gun or knife, whatever’s nearest, but something deep inside me tells me this dog is the deadliest weapon in here. Besides…I already glanced around…no other weapons in sight.

I can’t make out what they’re saying until the door opens slightly. The dog doesn’t do anything yet, probably because the door isn’t fully open. From the sound of the two voices it’s my brother and Afon arguing.

“You can’t fucking do this,” Ricca seethes.

It’s apparent that Afon is the one holding the door when he says, “Watch me. I told you I’m not letting you see her. The message I sent was very clear and all you needed to know. She’s safe, unharmed, and with me. I specifically said she wasn’t taking visitors. Three days. Then, if she wants to see you, you can come over.”

There’s some shuffling outside the door, the dog lets out a low growl.

“Leave,” Afon snaps. “She’s promised to me, my wife, respect the fucking contract and get the hell out of here.”

My heartbeat picks up. A contract? I’m promised to Afon? They…he…my brother honored the Italian tradition? One he promised, swore to me, never to do…because I simply can’t. I could never be somebody’s wife. How could Ricca do this? Betray me like that, and Afon for that matter, when he knows I will never be able to fulfill any husband’s…whatever.

“Fine,” Ricca snaps. “But you’d better have her call me when she wakes up.”

Afon chuckles. “That’s up to her, not me. But I’ll be sure to let her know.”

The door is closed again as I hear footsteps fade. Fury boils inside me. These apes think they can rule my life? I don’t want to face my brother, not the way I’m feeling and with what I’ve been through. For that I’m thankful Afon didn’t let him in the room but that doesn’t make my anger fade from either one.

Ricca for his betrayal, pawning me off like that. Afon for accepting and not even knowing what damaged sack of bones and meat he’s saddled himself up with. I want to scream, throw things, run, anything...and yet I don’t have the strength or even a grip on myself to do so.

A sob rips from me as tears start to fall. The sweet dog whines and snuggles close to me in an effort to comfort me, and strangely...that’s exactly what I need right now. I bury my face in his thick fur and let the tears flow. Yet they fade soon, anger taking their place. I dry my cheeks and glance down at my shaking hands.

I have so many emotions running through me at this point in time I have no clue how to even deal with myself, let alone deal with the vengeance I seek. Surely, I can’t jump out of bed and track down Marco again. The last time cost me weeks. Before that I needed to let my shoulder heal. I was so close, I still can’t believe I let him slip through my fingers.

Then Afon shows up, okay…probably a good thing because I have no clue what might have happened if he didn’t, but still…dammit. I need to regroup, find a way to get a hold of myself, yet all I want to do is stay in this bed and hug the dog that is giving me the comfort I need.

The bedroom door opens and Afon steps inside. My heart starts to pound in my ears. I should have locked the damn door when I had the chance. I don’t want him to see me like this; it’s bad enough he’s seen me at my worst where I crashed into darkness in his arms as a weak and lesser person.

“Get out,” I snarl.

Shit. It’s his house, his bedroom, his bed. “Never mind, stay for all I care. I’m leaving.” Anger laces my every word.

The dog next to me sits up as if he’s on my side. I let my hand slide through his fur and lean on his strength in this moment. I don’t care if it’s Afon’s dog. I never had a dog. Until now, because I’m taking this one with me.