Twenty-One

M y head pounds as my brain slowly catches up with my body. Keeping my eyes closed, I test my hands… Nope, they're tied. My feet are bound as well. I peek out of my one eye and see light. Okay, at least I'm not in a trunk; that’s a positive.

“Yeah, they pulled up not even two minutes after we left out the west gate.” A voice sounds from the front seat. “Jimmy just sent over the footage. Looks like another crew showed up five minutes later.”

“It was close. Too fucking close. How is he?” a voice that sounds like Joey’s asks. There is no need to move to confirm my guess. I know it’s him; his cologne suffocates me in the backseat.

“I don’t know, man. I haven’t heard anything yet. Vito just got to the doc with him.”

Not even the best doctor can save him now… Hope you rot in Hell, you piece of shit .

“How the fuck did she get a shot off at him?” the not-Joey asks.

“Her father and brother were some of the best gunmen I ever knew. Doesn’t surprise me she knew what she was doing.”

Were… Knew? What does he mean were? Is Micah, okay? Was he somehow hurt in all this?

My stomach sinks as my heart races, dread overtaking my senses. I was so set on ridding myself of that monster that I couldn’t focus on the immediate repercussions on my family or Trent if things didn’t go according to Nico’s plan.

What if Joey kills me? My death would destroy Trent, causing him to go on a rampage and burn the world down— I stop that train of thought right there. If I allow emotion to take over, I’ll never be able to figure a way out of this. Right now, I have to have faith that everyone I love is safe.

Another wave of anxiety hits as I remember catching the briefest of glimpses at the fallen test on the ground. Two pink lines… two frickin’ lines.

I'm pregnant.

Trent would love a child, no matter who their father was, so I'm not afraid of his reaction to the news. In fact, he’ll be more than excited to start pursuing his long-term life goals sooner rather than later. I can't wait to see his face when I tell him. I can already picture the emotion that will shine through his gorgeous green eyes.

Look at me; I must be some special sort of crazy to be thinking of a future with a baby and my man when I'm tied up in the back of a car. With no clue where I'm going and knowing for certain at least one of the men in the front seat hates my guts. My brain is on overdrive. I’ve suppressed my emotions and buried my true thoughts for so long that it's no wonder I am thinking these things at a time like this.

I test my restraints again, and the plastic material catches the skin on my inner wrists. Fuck, how am I going to get out of this?

We drive for what feels like forever. I remain as still as possible across the backseat of the car, trying to make it seem like I’m still knocked out from where Joey pistol-whipped me on the side of the head when they stormed into my sewing room. I was closest to the door when I shot my gun, so they took me down before I was able to see if I hit my target.

The car comes to a halt, and I believe we’re at our final destination. Is this it? Am I to be wiped out like this? After everything I’ve been through, is this how my story goes?

Please don’t let this be the end…

My mind thinks of all the things I haven’t done yet. The dreams I’d love to pursue. A life with Trent by my side and the family I want to create with him.

A quiet tear slides down my cheek. If I never see Trent’s face again, at least I’ll die knowing what it means to love someone with every fiber of your being and what it feels like to have that love reciprocated in every way possible .

The front car doors open and slam close. The men’s conversation is muffled, so I can't make out what they're saying. They’re outside the car for a decent amount of time, and my anxiety builds with every passing second.

Just when I think I can't handle the wait any longer, the door closest to my feet opens.

“Get up,” Joey says as he aggressively shakes my legs. I feel the cool metal of a blade slide between my ankles and cut through the restraints. Guess they don’t think I'm a flee risk.

I don’t move at first, trying to play off the fact that I was knocked unconscious not too long ago. “I know you’re awake. Get your ass up.”

“Why would I make my death easy on you?” I spit, not bothering to listen. I know my mouth is going to get me in trouble, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

“Not here to kill you… We’re here to make an exchange,” the other man says, and now that my eyes are fully open, I notice it’s Nicky, one of the house guards.

My hard gaze locks onto Joey’s. “I'm not being sold into some sex ring… You can just put a bullet in my skull now.”

“That’s not what’s going on here,” he replies with a look on his face like I should trust him.

I scoff. “And I should believe you, why? You want me dead, just like your boss did.”

“Can you please just shut the fuck up and come inside.” He reaches in and grabs my arms, hoisting me up and out of the car door.

“Only because you said please,” I snark as they slowly lead me inside. Shut up, Ashley , I chastise myself, needing to remember that it’s not only my life at stake anymore.

We walk through the gates of what appears to be a warehouse district. Several guards with guns are standing at the post, but they allow us to walk on past.

Ugh, hello, a woman restrained over here, I say with my eyes as I pass them, but they never make eye contact. Of course, they don’t. I should’ve known better .

We make it through a hallway and into an end room. When the doors swing open, my knees give out at the sight in front of me.

Trent. He’s here, and so is Micah.

They’re alive!

I go to run toward them, but my arms are aggressively pulled backward. A yelp of pain escapes me.

“Not so fast, princess,” Joey hisses.

“You said she was unharmed,” a familiar older man in a three-piece suit says as he steps out from the shadows to the left of us.

“I said she was in one piece.”

“Don Amato,” Nicky says, nodding his respect. At least he has the wear with all to acknowledge this man’s rank among the room.

“Why the fuck are they here, Hugo?” Joey spits as he eyes Nico and the men surrounding him.

“I told them you wanted a discussion. You said they’re becoming a problem. Figured we’d talk it out like men,” Hugo says, his arms splaying wide.

“Don’t tell me you’re selling out to this group of wanna-be mobsters? You think Nico is to be trusted. Fucking piece of shit abandoned his responsibilities…his family, no less, when shit got too hard. That pussy is worthless, and if you think for one second, I'm going to sit down and discuss issues with the likes of them, you’re more of a clown then they say you are.”

Holy fucking shit. Has Joey lost his damn mind? You don’t speak to a boss like that .

Joey’s grip shifts behind me, and I whimper at the angle my arm is being bent.

“Shut the fuck up, bitch,” he seethes, and before I know it, for the second time today, a barrel of a gun is pressed against my temple.

“Nooo!” I hear Trent shout, emotion nearly choking him. When I glance his way, I see Micah holding him back. My eyes plead with his to stand down. I love you, I mouth to him. His green eyes shine with fury.

“Joey, tell me. What makes you think you can call me, arrange a meeting, disrupt my day, and then disrespect me like that amongst my men?”

Hugo goes to step toward where Joey, Nicky, and I stand on one side of the room. Joey pulls me back a step with him, placing his body behind mine. Coward.

Hugo tsks. “I thought you knew better.” He flicks his eyes in Nicky’s direction, and within seconds, Nicky whips out his gun and fires a round into the side of Joey’s head. His hands go limp around my arms as his body slumps to the floor.

With my breath catching, I close my eyes as tears of relief come over me, just as Nicky comes behind me and unbinds my wrists. As soon as I’m free, I run full force into Trent’s waiting arms, where he holds on to me like he might not ever physically let me go. Kissing him deeply, I melt into him, not giving a fuck who’s around to witness it.

Trent’s palms encircle my face as he assesses my injuries. “Are you okay?”

I nod as he kisses every mark that I'm sure mars my face. I hear Nico and other men conversing with Hugo, but I pay them no mind. When I'm in his arms, all the background noise just fades away, like it always does. Like we’re in our own little bubble.

“You’re alive,” I say in disbelief, as the fortified walls I had built up come crumbling down now that I know he is safe.

Trent wraps his arm around me, his body trembling along with my own. “I thought I lost you for good this time. I was so fucking scared, baby,” he whispers into my hair, and more tears fall down my cheeks.

“I'm here… I'm okay.” But he ignores my words and holds on to me tighter.

Once my nerves begin to settle from the safety of Trent’s arms, I key into the conversations around me.

From what I’m picking up, Nicky was once employed by the Amato family and was brought into the Santini compound for extra security measures. Seems like a few of the families were making moves to take Junior out. No one trusted him.

After a gentleman’s handshake, Nico approaches Trent and me. “Well, Bishop just confirmed Giovanni Santini Jr. is dead.”

I could have told them that… I watched the life drain from his eyes.

“Are you certain?” Micah rings out from beside us.

“Yeah, I want to see that piece of shit’s dead body,” Trent says.

“Yes, he died during the transport. Bled out from the chest wound,” he confirms, then adds, “Bishop and his crew caught up with them at the doc’s. Vito’s taken care of as well.”

“I wonder who got the shot off? Can’t say I don’t wish it was me. I wanted to be the one to kill that motherfucker, and then let Nori rip him to shreds all over her front lawn.” I watch Trent’s fist clench at the thought, then his green eyes meet mine. “Speaking of Nori, we found him locked in the closet?”

My poor boy, I bet he was so worried. “Is he okay?”

“He will be happy to see you, but he’s fine. One of The Saints is a vet, and he has him right now.”

The guys stare at me for a minute, putting the pieces together. “So, the blood in your sewing room, that was Junior’s?” Micah questions knowingly.

I nod as a sick smirk I’m not at all ashamed of takes over.

Trent’s eyes search mine in awe. “You shot him… You killed him?”

My face must be sporting a ‘you’re damn right’ expression because Trent’s arms are around me once more, pulling me in close.

“If anyone truly deserved the vengeance, it was you. I'm glad you got to put an end to your nightmare.” Trent says, then squeezes my shoulder lightly. “It's over. It’s all over.”

“Wait… Where’s Luca?”

“Bishop found him after getting several pings on his phone. He’s okay, just banged up.”

“Wha—what do you mean?” I stammer.

“They messed with his car. So, they found it wrecked on the side of the road. Airbags deployed and knocked him out for a while.”

I sigh in relief. Everyone is okay.

Nico leans over, giving me the best hug he can manage since Trent won’t let me go .

“Glad you’re okay. When Micah texted me that Junior returned early, I knew we had to act quickly, and I'm happy we did, considering none of us had a clue he knew about you two yet.” He says to Trent and I. “The confusion from the small storage room explosion gave Micah the opportunity to retrieve the banking statements, along with a number of other things. But most importantly, those documents will ensure there is no heat on us once all this is said and done. Just as you suspected, the embezzled money was being laundered through Sinners and being hidden in numerous accounts around the world.”

More relief floods through me. Junior was a ruthless man but not very smart, or he thought I was too dumb not to pay attention. The first time he laid his hands on me, I decided any opportunity I had to betray the monster, I would.

I look at Trent, slightly worried he won’t understand why I didn’t tell him about me helping Nico. Thankfully, he is smiling proudly in my direction as Nico continues. “I filled the guys in on the chopper ride over. The fact that you took matters into your own hands just shows how strong you are. Thank you for trusting me.”

Seeing Nico at the off-Broadway show was like a sign from above. I contemplated going up to him for the first half of the show, but I knew from the stories I had heard of him leaving the Mafia that he was my only hope at that time. Later, when I found out that Trent’s now a Saint, it felt like cosmic fate intervened yet again.

Nico’s phone rings, and he holds up his finger and steps away.

Immediately, I look into Trent’s eyes again, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I was worried he would try to stop me, but I was determined to see this through and help any way I could .

“At first, I was hurt, but honestly, Ash, in this moment, I’m just thankful as hell and in awe of you and the tenacity you always have. You heard the man, my baby’s a badass.”

I chuckle, leaning up to kiss him until Nico’s voice interrupts.

“Come on, let’s get out of here. I found just the place for Bishop to meet us with the body,” he informs us after placing his phone back into his pocket.

“Are you okay?” Concern laces Trent’s expression as his hands hold on to my shoulders. He gives me a once-over.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” My eyes going wide in question.

His fingers lace through mine, and he walks us a few steps away from the group. “Ashley, I saw the test.”

Tears well in my eyes, and I throw my arms around Trent’s neck. “I love you so much, Trent. I'm so sorry. I pray with everything I am that you're the father.” My body shakes as I sob into his chest.

“Shh. It’s okay. You have nothing to be sorry for. No matter what any test says, that baby is ours. And I will love them just as fiercely as I love their mother.”

“What did I do to deserve someone like you?”

“You deserve the moon, Doll. And I’ll make sure we keep reaching for it every day.

Trent

We watch on as Bishop and Luca unload the body from the back of his SUV into the crematory .

Ashley immediately goes to Luca, giving him a hug. Nico had a contact not far from where we were in Jersey, so he had the guys drive the body here.

“You okay, brother?” I ask Luca as his face searches Ashley’s, making sure she is just as intact as the last time he saw her.

“Yeah, thankfully, it’s only a concussion. I was more worried about her. But from what I hear, she can handle herself.” He gently squeezes Ash’s arm, and she nods toward the body bag. Luca unzips it enough for us to see his ashen face. “I figured you two would want to see him with your own eyes.” It’s a strange feeling looking at a lifeless body with excitement. Not one single part of me feels sorry for him. In my opinion, Junior had it easy; he deserved a slow, agonizing death.

My gaze finds Ashley’s, searching, remembering the feeling I felt the first time I killed someone. But much like my first kill, when the person deserves it, it's a much easier pill to swallow.

“Burn him,” Ashley commands, no hesitation in her voice. Bishop looks to his father from where he stands behind us. With a nod of approval, his son pushes the body farther into the waiting inferno.

Nico’s source, who owns this place, shuts the door, and the low burning fire ignites into flames. My arm wraps around Ashley, and I place a kiss on her head. “It’s finally finished,” I whisper.

Her blue eyes peer up at me. “It's so surreal. I’m…” She pauses, swallowing roughly. “I’m free.”

My body feels light, my throat thicker than before. “Yes, you are, baby. Yes, you are.” I hold her in my arms until both our brothers join in, hugging us silently. No words are needed; they know what this means for us.

Micah kisses Ashley’s forehead. “You’re safe now. ”

She squeezes his hand in return. “So are you. What is the plan now? Has Don Amato said?”

Micah nods. “Yes, and because the head families in Italy get final say in situations like this, they have appointed Don Amato to be the advisor in New York City for now. Amato’s son is going to come back to the city with me and temporarily lead what’s left of the Santini Crime Family. It will take a while for us to regroup with all the shit Junior has stirred up, and we will continue to weed out anyone loyal to him or his father.”

Trevor pats Micah’s shoulder proudly. “Underboss, here”—he calls Micah by his new title—“just asked if we would officially be his on-call doctors.”

I look to Nico, wondering if he okayed this.

He takes a few steps closer to us, giving his confirmation. “I already gave the go-ahead. As far as I’m concerned, with Amato and Micah at the head of things, we will remain allies in any way we can and still live by the code of The Saints. I want our city to be at its best again, and I think we are one asshole closer after tonight.”

Nico starts walking toward Bishop’s SUV. “Now, if you guys don’t mind, I’m ready to shower off the grime of today.”

I interlock my hand with Ashley’s, leading us toward the waiting vehicle. She tugs on my arm, stopping me before we join everyone else again.

Ashley and I take one more look back toward the crematory, needing to see him burn just a little longer. She shakes her head. “He has taken too much from me… too much from us over the past several years. Tonight, as we walk away from this, I want all that pain to stay in the past. Junior’s ghost belongs nowhere in our future. ”

“He didn’t belong in your past either, baby…” I turn her body back toward the fire. “Just imagine those flames erasing him altogether.”

A beautiful smile spreads across her face. “My sights are set on the future… Me, you, and our little bean.”

As my hand moves over the top of Ashley’s, resting on her belly, my heart hammers with joy for what is in store for us. “I love you both to the moon and back.”