Share
TWENTY-SIX.
Related chapters
Little Bird TWENTY-SEVEN.
I gradually find my way back to the present by the sound of muffled voices penetrating the darkness in which I have once again found myself submerged in deeply. “I can’t believe you brought her here, Eleni -” “Don’t call me by that name, Theo. You of all people know the fucking trauma it has attached to it.” I faintly hear Ele whisper harshly with so much pain lining her words as she converses with whom I assume is her brother. “You have no idea what kind of trouble you have brought to our fucking doorstep.” Theo snarls back. “I couldn’t just leave her there, Theo.” “Yes, you could have. When are you going to learn that you just can’t go around saving every fucking stray you come across, Ele? We have enemies. How do you know this wasn’t a set-up? It’s a known fact that the Bratva like to use women to destroy their foe's kingdoms from the inside out.” “You’re always so paranoid, Theo. It’s been five years now. If the Bratva were to seek vengeance, they would have done so alread
Little Bird TWENTY-EIGHT.
Resting my head against the wall, I lower my gaze as Ele returns to the room with a cold can of Pepsi in one hand and a small bottle of pills in the other.“Hey, is everything okay?” She asks with a concerned look appearing across her face as she walks towards me. “Did my brother say something to upset you? Because if he did… I swear I will maul his eyes out with my bare fucking hands.”“Whoa…” I snort, believing every word she’s just said. “Retract those claw's kitty. He said nothing that I can’t handle on my own.” I chuckle in a light tone, pointing to the can of Pepsi and pill bottle in her hand. “Are those for me?”Thrusting them forward, “yeah. These bad boys right here are the good shizz - morphine.” She shakes the white bottle before I take it from her. “I took them from Theos’ medicine cabinet in his room. He doesn’t have a clue that I know the pin on his cabinet door.” Her lips hesitantly twist. “It’s the date our mother died.”My brows knit together at her words as I untwist
Little Bird TWENTY-NINE.
ACE.I sit back down behind my desk, pulling out the file Ismail had delivered earlier. If the Serbs didn’t take Birdene, then who the fuck did?There has to be more to Birdene Black that we have all been blindsided by.Killing Branko hasn’t deflated the rage that is still simmering in my chest, threatening to light my entire body up in flames.Someone took her and until I find out who, I will not rest, and I won’t show an ounce of mercy either.I don’t claim myself to be a possessive man but with Birdene…She is like a little ray of sunshine I didn’t know that I needed in my life; calming the chaos that holds my soul captive.I have to find her.If something happens to her, I will never be able to forgive myself. And I sure as hell won’t be sorry for the path of devastation I will leave in my wake, wiping out every bastard whose hands are dirty from her abduction.Slipping my reading glasses over the bridge of my nose, I pull out the small stack of papers from the envelope and star
Little Bird THIRTY.
“ACE!”I jolt awake, covered in sweat, feeling like the weight of the world is pressing down on my shoulders, causing the air in the room to thin out; making it difficult for me to catch my next breath.Sitting upright in the bed, I close my eyes as I try to focus on my breathing and not the miserable life I’ve been handed. Rubbing my palm over my aching chest, I slowly swing my legs over the edge of the bed and pull myself up.The sound of the SUV rolling and the gunshot that claimed Volkovs’ life still rings loudly in my ears. Every time I close my eyes, the images of Volkov, Alana and the other henchmen lost in the crash burn my eyes and when I open them… The images begin to fade, but they don’t fade quickly enough to allow me to forget about them.My throat still feels raw and after the friendly chat I had with Ele and Theodore, I purposefully slept through dinner, doing my best to avoid them both. It’s like, no matter where I go, I always find myself trapped in someone else's
Little Bird THIRTY-ONE.
“If you can, I’d like you to sit up straight and take a deep breath for me.” Doctor Raymond says softly, pressing the cold stethoscope between my shoulder blades.Straightening my posture as I sit on the edge of the bed, I draw in a deep breath, pausing for a split second when a sharp pain spreads across my chest.“Good, now exhale.”I exhale, sighing with relief, completing the task without any pain.“Okay, that’s very good, Ms. Montgomery. One more time, please.” Doctor Raymond requests as he moves to stand in front of me, pressing the stethoscope against my chest.Silently, I obey, even though I think this is a waste of time and I wish Ele would have listened to me when I told her that I was fine and didn’t need a doctor to check me over. The fewer people I am around, the better.“Superb. I can hear you wincing when asked to inhale. I can’t hear any fluid in your lungs, which is good, but I do believe they are bruised from the force of impact and wearing your seatbelt.” Doctor Raym
Little Bird THIRTY-TWO.
With my father forcefully fastening the belt around my mouth, imprisoning the apple covered in hay, I fiercely try to wrench it free.My desperate pleas for help are stifled, while my weary body is overwhelmed by excruciating pain, rendering me unable to mount a formidable resistance.The surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins dissipates, leaving me vulnerable as my father forcefully tightens the belt. My head is abruptly jerked backwards, ensnared in his unyielding gaze.“I should have done this a long time ago. I should have punished you every time you showed us an inkling of defiance. But your mother was too afraid that if they found you, beaten and broken, we would be executed.” My father snarls with his top lip curling upward. “Your mother is weak and if she didn’t come from old money, I would have gotten rid of her many years ago. She couldn’t birth me a son and her twat is as loose as her fucking lips.”Tears burn my eyes, leaving a trail of heartache down my cheeks as
Little Bird THIRTY-THREE.
ACE.The SUV comes to a standstill at the top of Peak Mountain.Stepping out of the vehicle, I take one final drag of my cigarette and then toss it onto the ground, tilting my head back. Exhaling through my nostrils, I take a minute to admire the cloudless sky and allow the warmth of the sun to caress my face.It’s the only sensation that doesn’t seem to piss me off and while I can, I’m going to indulge in it every chance I get until my Little Bird is returned and back safely in my arms.Clenching my jaw, I lower my head, straightening my suit jacket, and buttoning it up as I walk towards Holden and Bryce who remain standing next to Bryce’s 1990 Corvette.As my gaze wanders over the Corvette with the light of the sun casting off it, my heart skips a beat. Such a fucking beauty she is, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to buy it off him.“One day you will be mine…” I quietly murmur to myself as a mischievous smirk delicately graces my face.As I reach Holden and Bryce,
Little Bird THIRTY-FOUR.
As Ele carefully removes the wet towel from my back, I hiss when a burning sensation feverishly licks my wounds. “You are going to have some pretty scars when they heal,” Ele whispers, inspecting my back as she tosses the towel on the ground. “Don’t be afraid to show them off, Val. Wear them with pride and show the world that you survived today’s assault.” Slightly turning my neck to look at her, “is that what you do?” I whisper with my eyes trailing over her bare arms. She snorts, nodding her head, “there was a point in my life where I used to hide my scars. They made me feel dirty, reminding me of the abuse and trauma that comes with them. Now, when I think about it, I kick myself for wasting so much time hiding my battle scars like they were a dirty secret. I’m seriously contemplating getting them tattooed and flaunting them every chance I get.” As she speaks her truth, her eyes sparkle with determination and survival instinct, forcing me to believe everything she says in awe.
Latest chapter
