Sold to the mafia

Zane

I wanted so fucking badly to go after her. I watched her close the door to her condo and I stared at it for a long time. I could’ve begged her to take me back. But what could I promise her?

I can’t leave the mob. They’d hunt me down. They’d hunt us down. Marky’s there now at my place, keeping an eye on her house for me. I refused to leave until I had eyes on her. I called him the second I had the strength to get my ass back here and confront Garret.

I have a sick feeling in my gut. I may be overreacting, but I’d rather that than risk her safety.

It can’t have been more than an hour since we left, but the shop’s deserted. I walk to Trisha’s room, but it’s locked. Needles’ is open though.

“Yo,” I call into his room, holding onto the jamb of the door. “When did they leave?” I need to know. Once they pick the shipment up it takes a few hours to drop it off. But then they’ll be free to do whatever. I was hoping I’d catch them and make sure Garret stays away and leaves her the fuck alone.

Needles looks up at me from his drawing pad and opens his mouth to answer, but then his expression changes and he stands up, letting the pad fall to the floor with a dull thud.

“Bro, what’s wrong?” he asks me and I back up, running my hands down my face.

I keep telling myself it’s alright. I keeping thinking she’ll be fine.

But I can’t fucking lie anymore.

This shit isn’t right. I’m not alright.

My heart twists in my chest. She’s not alright.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Maddy,” I start to tell him, but my throat closes. I shake my head and pound my fist into the wall.

“How long?” I ask him again. My words come out harder than they should.

“Like fifteen minutes.” I nod my head and swallow thickly. “What happened?” he asks again, and I know I need to tell him.

“I gotta call Nikolai,” I tell him as chills run down my arms.

Fuck, having to make this call makes it that much more real.

I pull my phone from my pocket and dial his number. I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t be calling to talk about this shit. It’s against code. Nothing is ever discussed on the phone. It’s the reason I drove here.

I press the buttons and put the phone to my ear. Every ring makes me worry more and more, like he’s avoiding me. Like maybe they’re gonna take a hit out on me and keep me in the dark about it.

It’s Nikolai, I tell myself. He wouldn’t do that to me. He was everything to me growing up. He’s not gonna fuck me over like that. Right?

Finally, he answers, “Yeah?” Hearing his voice answer the same way he always does is a good sign. A good fucking sign.

“Nikolai, I got a problem.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. Fuck! I wish this weren’t real. I wish I could just take it back. I’d take it all back to save her.

“You need me?” I can hear him move the phone and I’m guessing he took it off speaker.

“You don’t know?” I ask him.

“Know what?”

“Something happened today at the shop.”

“How bad?” he asks.

I shake my head and reply, “Not bad. It’s just, my girl.” I swallow thickly before continuing. “She was here and went out the back when the van was here.”

“That’s not good, Zane.” Nikolai’s voice is low. There’s a pause before he asks, “Did she see anything?”

I can’t lie to him. “She saw a bit, but she knows not to say shit.” I say the last words with conviction. “She’s not gonna say shit to anyone.” I start pacing the room with my hands in my hair. Needles is watching me like he’s ready to go to war with me. He’s always been a loyal friend like that. But he’s nervous as fuck. “She’s good for it. I’d put my life on it.”

“Just calm down, Zane.” He’s talking like there’s nothing wrong with what happened.

“I think Garret’s gonna want her,” I say, and I have to pause. I can’t finish the sentence. I shouldn’t, first of all. This is all going down on the phone and I can’t say shit like that. But that’s not the reason I can’t get it out. The thought of them going after her makes me physically sick, almost unable to speak.

“We won’t touch her. He won’t touch her.” He’s quick to answer, and his words are absolute.

“I have a bad feeling, Nikolai.” I’m telling him the truth. I really do. Something in my gut is telling me she’s not okay, that she’s still in danger.

“It’s me, I got your back, Zane.” Hearing Nikolai’s voice telling me it’s alright calms me down a good bit. Maybe it’s all just in my head because I had to end it with her. Maybe that’s why I feel so fucked.

I did need to end it though. She can’t be around this shit. I’ll never be able to bring a good girl into this shit life. I should’ve known better.

“She’s a good girl, Nik,” I tell him simply.

He chuckles low and rough on the other end. “I’m sure she is, and she’s fine.”

“Do you need anything from me?” I ask him. I can’t imagine it’s that easy. That she saw some shit, but they’re just gonna let her go.

“Nah, it’s all good.” It’s silent for a moment. “You alright?” he asks.

No. I’m not alright.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I nod my head and look out the small window in Needles’ room. “If it’s all good and she’s safe,” I feel the need to clarify so he knows exactly what I’m saying. “Then I’m good.”

He hesitates on the other end and my heart stops in my chest. But finally he responds, “It’s all good. And I give you my word that she’s safe. Go calm your ass down.”

I wait another moment, letting the words sink in before I end the call.

“What’d he say?” Needles asks. I shove the phone back in my pocket and try to calm down.

“He said she’s good… It’s all good.”

We stare at each other, neither of us saying shit, but I’m sure we’re both thinking the same thing. He’s lying. She’s a witness, and that means she’s dead.

“Needles, help me take her car back, man.” I can’t even look him in the eyes.

“Yeah, sure,” he says as he takes a hesitant step toward me. “It’s gonna be alright.” He nods his head weakly, barely keeping eye contact with me.

Even he doesn’t believe it.