“Jesus,” I said.
“Daddy went out on the Monday, he didn't return until four days later...” she swallowed hard. “With Vladimir in tow. I didn't know until years later, but my father promised Vlad he could have me in exchange for a promise of drugs every week as payment.”
“Fuck, bird. I'm so sorry.” I kissed her red hair. “Do you know how they met?”
She shook her head. “No, Vladimir never told me.”
I held on to her tight just as the skies above us turned black. It was an almost immediate change. The wind had picked up, and I felt goosebumps appear on Ella's arms. “Listen to me, Ella. You are so, so fucking strong, do you know that? The fact that you've kept fighting for this long. You believe me when I say I'll keep my promise to you, don't you?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “I know. Thank you.”
“Never thank me, baby. I'm fucking crazy for you, Ella. Have been since the moment I saw you. I swear right here and right now that, if you let me, I'll make you the happiest woman on this earth. For as long as I've got breathe in my lungs. You hear me?”
A soft sob left her pretty lips, and she nodded. “I hear you, Jax.” Her small hand slid up my chest, and her fingers gripped my shirt, and then it happened. The skies above us opened up, and within seconds we were soaked through to the bone.
“Ahh!” She squealed, getting to her feet.
I followed rank, taking my suit jacket off to wrap around her shoulders.
“Pops!” I yelled over the thunderous rain. “I'm gonna head back, okay?”
My father nodded while shaking Benny's hand.
“Tell Carter I'll call him tomorrow."
With Ella under my arm, we hurried back to the truck just as the first strike of lightning lit up the grounds behind us.
It was fucking chaos.
Chapter Twenty Five
Ella.
Jax looked concerned. The rain hadn't given up whatsoever, fat drops blasted the windscreen, and other drivers were taking their time, wasting time we didn't have.
He followed the SatNav for as long as possible, but with the winds and rains only getting worse, he couldn't risk wasting any more precious seconds. It was nearing eight p.m now, and we hadn't made any progress.
I gazed out the window; it was a blur of grays and blacks and movement of people running to get indoors. Jax had taken a left turn, bringing us into a little town. I say town, but as the neon signs for the motel flashed on and off providing light, I noticed that there wasn't much left here at all. An old bus shelter with smashed windows rattled in the winds, loud clanging noises that could be heard above the fierce howl of the wind. There were abandoned cars and children's bicycles lining the roads and sidewalks.
And then, Benny's phone rang.
“Sir?... One moment.” Benny reached forward and tapped me on the arm with his cell. “It's the boss man, Mrs C.”
I looked in horror at Jax. I'd never even touched a phone let along used one. And I didn't need Vladimir hollering at me down it. Swallowing, I tried to find the bravery I had earlier. “Hello?”
“Where the hell are you?” he spat, I could tell he'd been drinking.
“We're on our way. There's a huge storm, Vladimir-”
“Don't give me that bullshit, Ella. I want you home within the goddamn fucking hour. I swear to god I will slice that little bitch's throat if you're not.”
“Vladimir, please. The roads are so dangerous; we're doing what we can.”
He ignored me. “Put Jax on.”
I passed Jax the phone and turned away from both of them, tears streaming from my eyes.
“Sir...Yeah, I hear you, but if we carry on, we won't make it...Right... Look, if I may? There's a motel right in front of us, and I genuinely think it's best if we sit and wait for this storm to pass...” There was a long pause. I could hear Vladimir's bellows but couldn't make out what he was saying. “Thanks, sir. Understood.”
I turned to look at Jax, wiping away my tears, and he handed Benny the phone back.
“Change of plans, guys, we're gonna crash here for a bit.”
Panic captured me. “Please, please, can we just go back? We'll drive slow.” I cried harder. “Please, he'll kill her. It's a trap, Jax.”
“Hey, hey,” he cooed. “You heard me speak to him, he understands. He can't expect us to get back in one fucking piece in the worst storm for over twenty years.” He looked over at Benny. “Ben, go book us a room, huh? Here, take my card,” the men exchanged looks, thankfully Benny didn't argue and seemed quite happy to have an order to follow. He exited the vehicle, shielding his shaved head with his jacket, and made a run for the motel's reception.
My breaths were coming fast and furious, my lungs screaming in fear for my daughter. Why did this storm have to happen now? Today of all days.
I collapsed into Jax's chest and clung to his shirt. He didn't say anything for a few moments, his strong hands simply holding me and caressing my hair, which was now starting to curl once more thanks to the earlier onslaught of rain. I inhaled his scent, the aftershave he wore, the smoke, the natural woody aroma, and concentrated on my breathing.
“Come on, bird. Let's get inside and get dry, huh? We've just gotta wait for the storm to pass.” As he said that there was a rumble of thunder above us, followed in quick procession by a strike of lightning, a deafening crack as the electricity hit the earth.
Nodding, I pulled away and sniffed. “Okay,” I croaked.
Jax smiled, and together we ran for the safety of the room Benny was waiting outside.
The men were not impressed with their dwellings for the evening. I, however, was in heaven. Everything was so different from The Mansion, from the thin, worm cream carpet, to the even thinner flow real bedsheets, to the small en-suite bathroom where the shower head never ceased to drip.
I watched, amused, as Benny pulled back the bedsheets with one finger to inspect the sheet underneath.
“God, this is grim, but I don't think I can see any piss or shit stains.” He shuddered.
Jax laughed. “I'd keep your shoes on, though,” he said, looking at the floor.
“You two are such babies,” I said, kicking my heels off and sighing at the delicious feeling of freedom on my feet.
The weather outside battered the building, the windows rattled and banged, there was a large gap underneath the door where a whistle trilled anytime the wind picked up, the rain pounded the roof, and I could still hear the clanging on the old bus shelter outside.
There was a small, wooden chair sat by the window, and so I curled up in it and watched the outside world pass by, while Benny and Jax watched videos on Benny's phone. Yawning, I didn't realize how tired I was, and so I shut my eyes, just for a moment, not even the violent rumble of thunder nor the cracks of lightning could keep me awake it seemed.
“Bird?” A warm hand was rubbing my arm. “Hey, bird,” came a familiar voice again.
My eyes opened, and it took me a few seconds to remember where I was. “Hey, everything okay? How long have I been asleep?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.
Jax smiled. “Just an hour. I need a cigarette, wanna come with me?”