Chapter 24
Marcel
Six hours have passed us by and Isabella has been asleep almost during the entire time. While she’s been resting, I’ve been tapping away on my phone gaining whatever information I can about what happened in that meat locker. From what I saw, it couldn’t have been good.
I shut down my email app on my cell phone and go to my text messages, sending one off to Stefan.
Any updates?
It takes only a few moments before I see three little dots appearing on the screen and a reply is sent back to me.
We’ve caught the snake. It’s being held for the moment and transported.
Hmm, I didn’t realize Stefan would put this much effort in moving Franco Falcone. I think about what I’ll say to him for a moment, but decide to keep it plain and simple.
Why not cut the head off the animal?
Dots appear back on the screen before they disappear altogether. I divert my attention back at Isabella, figuring I won’t get an answer. At least I can breathe a little easier knowing the bastard has been caught. Surprisingly, a few minutes later I have a response.
It’s personal. That’s all you need to know.
Isabella stirs in her bed, brings her hands up to her eyes and rubs them. Upon opening them she looks terrified, as if maybe she thought getting rescued and into the hospital was only but a dream. “Relax, babygirl. I’m here.” I whisper out from across the room. When her eyes land on me she instantly takes in a deep breath.
“Sorry, I thought it was all a dream.”
I nod, “Of course you did. It wasn’t, though.” Standing up from the chair I go back to sit in the one directly next to her bed. “I won’t pressure you to tell me what happened while you were there, but I hope you’d let me in on your nightmare. It’s the only way I can fully be here for you, sweetheart.” I take my hand out and tuck her dark locks behind her ears. My movement is calculating, doing something so simple yet letting her know I’m here for her in whatever way she needs me to be.
“Marcel . . . you don’t want to know everything. Trust me.” Something in the way she speaks tells me it’s far worse than I imagined.
“I might not, but I need to know in order to help, Isabella. You’ve known me for years, and in that you know I’m a strong man. I’m not naïve. I hate to admit the things I know they probably did to you . . . but I’m here for you.”
Isabella brings her right hand over her face and sighs, hiding her expression away from me as she speaks. She tells me about waking up in the refrigerator and seeing Madigan. How Alfred Falcone came in with pig’s blood and made her drink it, threatening both girls with Franco’s presence later that day. She told me how they didn’t have any idea Madigan was pregnant at first, but when Franco came to see them later and cut her clothes off with a knife he saw her protruding stomach and did the most gruesome thing she’s ever witnessed. Hell, I’ve seen some sick shit but never anything this bad. I barely kept my stomach contents in as she went into detail telling me what he did to Madigan. Isabella explained it was his sick, twisted version of an eye for an eye. I wouldn’t even say it comes anywhere close. Franco was looking for an excuse to become a barbarian. Madigan being pregnant gave him an in. I may be the type of man who loves revenge against the people who wronged me, but never would I have gone to those lengths—harming a child is inexcusable.
If that wasn’t the worst part Isabella confessed Franco turned her over to his men like a prostitute. She wouldn’t even look at me as she said it, instead staring at the wall while her body shook in fear at the recollection of such gruesome memories. Fire boiled inside my body, wanting every man to have their stomach contents ripped from them while they were alive. The anger within me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
Isabella continued to tell me how she was beaten, bruised and used. I wanted to be strong for her and get through it all although there was a point where I had to step out of her room and catch my breath. Hearing all of this has been done to the woman you love is a bit much.
When I came back into the room Isabella asked me if she should continue and I gave her the go ahead, not wanting to miss any details of her experience. I can’t be here for her if I don’t have all the information. She explained how the torment continued, but how it changed and one of the Falcones is actually working for the government like she does. I asked her who it was and she wouldn’t tell me, not wanting to blow his cover. Instead, she asked me to ensure the sons of Franco Falcone aren’t harmed in whatever transpires.
If you ask me, it’s a bit much to ask. My phone starts to ring just as she’s asked me to ensure they aren’t harmed. I think about ignoring it, but see it’s Stefan and decide to answer.
“I wasn’t expecting a call from you.” I admit.
He chuckles lowly on the other end, “No, I didn’t think you would. Figured I’d give you an update since you’re with your princess right now. I’m about ten minutes out from the snake’s location. The Skulls ransacked the Falcone residence and only ran into a few maids and a chef. It looks like the sons have made themselves scarce.” At least now I won’t have to ask anyone that the sons don’t get harmed. Fuck, for the life of me I can’t understand why Isabella won’t just tell me who the operative is. At least then the other two brothers could be on my fucking radar, but for some reason she wants to protect them all. Honestly, I can’t understand it.
“Do me a favor and make sure he suffers a great deal.” I seethe out, grinding my teeth.
“Rest assured, he will.” Stefan promises.
“Have you heard anything about Madigan?” I ask, knowing very well how Stefan hears everything. He reminds me of the one character inGame of Throneswith the little birds who’d report back to him. Surely Stefan has a group just like them.
“Yes, the woman is alive but she had to have some organs removed. I didn’t ask for the details.” Probably a hysterectomy. She had her child ripped from her womb after all.
“Jesus Christ. At least we can be thankful she’s alive.”
“I have to disagree with you here, Marcellus. Madigan will most likely wish she was dead too when she heals from all this. It’s not exactly something easy to get over.” And just as Stefan Dalca was starting to grow on me he went and proved what type of asshole he is.
Instead of letting Stefan know I’m hanging up, I simply end the call and go through my contact list until I find Ion’s name. Within a few rings he’s answered.
“Marcel, how is she?”
“She’s alive, better than to be expected. I hate to do this on such short notice although I think you can imagine people will be after Isabella for her hand in what transpired with the Falcone family. As soon as the physicians clear her I intend to take her out of the country to rest and lay low. Do you have any objections?”
“No, of course not. I was going to suggest something of the sort. You both need to take time with one another anyway. Mariana has said she believes your wedding will take place before Elena’s,” Ion chuckles at that. Elena is a prominent Romanian woman set to marry one of the head Clan members very soon. I believe within the next six months or so.
“She may be right. I don’t plan on allowing her to slip away again,” I reply, meeting my eyes with Isabella’s.
“Good on you. Now go take her somewhere and we’ll be in touch soon.”