I turned the car on, thankful that it was quiet upon startup. With a deep breath, I pushed down the pedal and drove out of the garage, down the driveway, and away from the only man I’d allowed myself to love in my life.
With every mile that I drove away from him, my heart ached more and more. I tried to ignore it as best as I could as I stopped at a gas station and bought a cheap disposable cell phone. I pulled into a parking spot in a dark corner and called the number I’d memorized from James’ phone.
My father picked up on the second ring.
“I told you I’d call you,” he growled.
“It’s me,” I answered, and I heard a sharp intake of breath on the other line. Then he chuckled softly.
“Kasia… What a delight to hear from you.”
“I want to make a deal,” I spat. I fingered the hilt of the knife at my waist.
“Do you now?”
“You are to leave James Monroe out of this,” I demanded.
“What could you possibly offer me that would convince me not to kill him myself?”
I breathed in deep. It was now or never.
“Me.”
He chuckled softly.
“You’d offer yourself to save him?” The phone line echoed with his bellowing laughter. “Well, this is a treat. Make your way to the Bronx. There’s an old factory on Commerce Street at the end. Show up by yourself. If anyone comes with you, we’ll shoot on sight.”
“See you there,” I replied. I hung up, snarling at the phone. Fucking asshole.
I was ready for this. My mother had taught me to be strong, how to fight, and how to kill when I had to in order to survive. Everything in my life had been leading up to this.
I burned rubber as I peeled off into the night.
* * *
I stared up at the brick warehouse. I’d parked a little bit away so that I could approach and take stock of the place before I went in. I came up a back alley, noting that only a few windows were lit. When I got close enough, I peeked in a window and saw at least fifty men hunkering down inside.
I rolled the possibilities of entry through my mind. I could try to stealth my way in, but that would be nearly impossible with the army that my father had brought with him. I could walk in and present myself, but they’d likely search me and take all my weapons from me. I didn’t want to lose those. Looking around, I tried to look for something I could use.
There was a metal ladder attached to the building. Quickly, I moved over to it and tested the first rung. It was solid. I started to climb, first one floor, then the second, and the third.
I climbed four stories up to reach the roof. I jumped up to find it abandoned. My father was overconfident, and it showed. He’d left this area unguarded and that was a foolish mistake.
Stealthily, I moved across the roof. There were several windows and I peered through each one until I found the room I was looking for.
In an office on the top floor, my father was scrolling on a computer. Carefully, I looked around and saw that he was alone. I wrapped my hand around the 9mm at my waist and pulled it free.
With a deep breath, I leapt through the window, landing on the hard floor with a loud huff. Pain lanced up through my knees, but I pushed it aside as I stood up tall and aimed my weapon straight at the man who had taken everything away from me.
My mother.
My life.
My home.
For a second, he looked surprised, but he recovered quickly. He glanced down at the gun and then back at me. It was obvious that he wasn’t going to take me seriously.
“Kasia,” he began. “It’s about time you showed your face and dealt with the responsibilities you have as my daughter.”