Chapter 13
Marcel
Days go by, and I don’t hear a word from Isabella, and there is no sign of Christian. I have held off going directly to the Clans as long as possible and already have the Arcane on the job, suspicious of what the hell I have gotten myself into. Not to mention the fact that Sal has taken over for the Funar Clan temporarily while I am gone because I have decided I am not going back until Isabella is safe in my arms or until I find her dead and make Franco and his evil sons pay.
Madigan has been quiet and kept to herself. I can feel her tension building as much as mine, though. I think I am going to have to draw the line by the end of the day today. I can’t wait anymore because it may be too late already.
A knock comes at the door, and I look through the peephole, signaling for Madigan to get into the bedroom. It isn’t bulletproof, but I would rather there be a barrier between her and any shady shithole that comes to this door.
But when I look out I see someone who is a sight for sore eyes; Christian Steele. Though, he looks like he has been through hell and back.
Completely disheveled, I let him in to the apartment as he lets out a string of expletives. “I am guessing this is where Madigan has found herself? I guess it’s better than her being where the Falcones can find her, but I don’t exactly like her alone with you.”
I roll my eyes as Madigan comes out of the bedroom and runs full force at her brother for a hug. I see the way he melts for her and feel we are kindred spirits even if he is an asshole; I feel the same way about Aria though am not quite as overprotective as he is.
“I assure you that Madigan has been safe with me. I am very much with someone else,” I grumble, the thought of Isabella painful, especially not even knowing if she is still alive at this point. With the Falcones on high alert, they could have gotten particularly suspicious of her and found her out.
“What happened to you?” Madigan asks before Christian can respond to me.
“What the fuck do you think happened to me? They are onto us, Madigan. The Falcones had me, though they didn’t seem too disposed at torturing me themselves for information. I was able to get out, but those fuckers are going to pay.” He turns to me, looking a bit like a crazed wild animal. “Help me take them down, Marcel, and I will tell you who put that hit out on your precious queen.”
I growl, knowing that it isn’t an offer I would dare turn down. Ion wouldn’t dare let me. But I also know this is heavy shit that could get us all killed. “I’m in, but we’re going to have to bring the queen and king into this, Christian. I think we have underestimated them. The girl I love could already be dead. She went in to take them down, pretending to be this gold digging girl for Franco’s sake.”
“Fuck. She’s screwed. If the mafia wants to get involved, that’s fine.. means more protection for Madigan.”
“Then, I think we shouldn’t waste time, We should go to them now.”
They both nod in agreement, and I start packing my shit up. “We’ll have a car meet us outside the neighborhood. We don’t need to bring that kind of luxury to a place like this. So, it’ll be on foot until then,” I ramble, leading them out the door into the darkness of early night.
It’s not a good time to be out here, but there is little choice. I won’t let another moment pass by that they could be harming Isabella or coming for us.
We try to look natural even though we don’t look like we belong here even with the fact that Christian looks like he’s just been in a fight and I am dressed the part of a local drug dealer. We need to get out of here as quickly as possible.
I pick up my pace, my head down, and then I cut through an alley. I have a gun, after all, surely I can take any freaks that come out here. But somehow I miss in the shadows that someone is waiting for us, and from behind us a group blocks our exit. None of them are from here. No one here would gang up on the three of us like this.
We take off at a run, my gun out as we are dodging shots and knives and arms as we are pursued. I can only do so much. And just when I think we are coming out clear on the other side, I make it across the street and make a run for the car when I hear a scream.
I turn to watch in horror as Madigan is held at gunpoint and forced into a car, Christian left on the ground where he tried to get himself inside as well. She has been taken god knows where.
“C’mon! Our only hope is to get to Ion!” I call to him, and he angrily pushes through the light traffic, almost getting hit by a car.
“You better be sure Ion will help, otherwise I might kill him right along with those Falcone fuckers!”