Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Ava

T he weather is finally better, and the sun is shining. I'm over this five-day streak of rain. It was so depressing. I've practically only been to work, so it's nice to finally be outside, even if it is for laundry day. Lisa keeps trying to get me to do a pickup service or let her do it. It's thoughtful, but I'm pregnant, not ill. The laundromat is only a few doors from our building. I'm perfectly safe, and besides, I don't want to waste my day inside the apartment.

"Hi, Ava," Betty, the laundry attendant, greets me warmly.

"Hi, Betty. How are you?"

"Good. And you?"

"Happy that the rain has finally stopped. It was bumming me out."

"It was about time. Dropping off?" She asks.

"Yes. When will it be ready?" I wasn't going to drop it off, but it's so beautiful outside, and I don't want to let the day waste away.

"It's pretty slow. I should have it before closing."

"No rush. Thanks, Betty."

"You're welcome. Go enjoy some Vitamin D," she says with a wink.

I leave without a clue about what I want to do, except enjoy the beautiful day. I decide to take a walk and check out the shops. It's been a while since I've had the chance to indulge in a little retail therapy. The thought makes me think of Tina. I miss her so much, and on days like these, I wish she was here. Even just to hear her complain or share her latest adventure. But I decided and have to stick to it. I can't risk her knowing my secret. It's bad enough that Oliver and Fiona know.

Three stores later and I've found nothing that interests me. If Tina were here, she'd be disappointed in me and would tell me to just buy anything. The thought makes me smile. I'm about to go to the next store when I run into someone. It feels like I've run into a statue.

"Sorry," I apologize to the enormous man in front of me. I try to walk around him, but he blocks me. "Excuse me," I say, but he stays in place. I turn around to leave, but there's another man behind me, and I realize I'm trapped between them.

Thinking they are probably trying to rob me, I reach into my purse, "Here's my wallet. I don't want any trouble," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I turn back to face the man blocking me in front. "Please…" I plead, "… I promise I won't say anything, just take my wallet and let me go."

The man behind me lets out an evil laugh. "She thinks we want to rob her. She's got no idea."

The man in front is just staring, his eyes boring into me with a deadly look.

"Come on," the man behind me says. "We've got a job to do. Let's get on with it."

It hits me that this is not a robbery. Viktor has found out I'm pregnant and sent these men to get me.

"You tell Viktor I want nothing to do with him," I say, trying to sound tough, but my voice cracks.

The men both burst out laughing, "She thinks we're working for that fella!" the man in front snorts.

Now I'm really afraid? If they aren't working for Viktor, who are they working for? I look around for an escape route. It's daylight, but there is no one around? With limited options, I try to make a break for it, but it's hard to run from two men built like brick walls and with a pregnant belly.

"She's a gas," one of them says as he grabs me. "Thinks she can run!"

"Let me go," I cry. "I don't know who you're working for, but you've got the wrong person." I'm really starting to panic now. I aim a kick the man holding me, but he just grips tighter.

"Yeah, you give it a lash," he says with a sneer.

"Look, I don't understand half the shit you're saying, and I don't know who you're working for, but you have the wrong person. Now let me go." My voice is getting higher and louder, and I feel sick.

"She's just a wee cailín ," the one holding me says with a toss of his head. "Let's finish this."

I hear the other man say, "Grand."

In desperation, I kick out again, but this time it connects, and his grasp on me loosens. I wriggle free and make a run for it.

"Brasser." I hear him roar as I pull away, but I feel someone grab me by my hair and pull me back, making me trip backward. This is it. There's not one soul who is going to save me. Then I hear the sounds of bullets and close my eyes. My baby and I are going to die, and Viktor will never know about the baby.

"I'm sorry, Viktor," I say to the wind. Suddenly, the shooting stops, and I hear a voice from above me.

"Ms. O'Brien, are you okay?"

I open my eyes, confused. "Marco?"

He holds out his hand for me.

"What are you doing here?" I look around, confused. I don't see anyone else

The two men are on the ground, not moving.

"Come on. Let's get you out of here." He leads me to a parked SUV I hadn't noticed before. Someone inside is on a cell. My heart stops. Viktor is here. He found me and came to rescue me. Then the door opens and reveals it isn't him.

"I called. He's pissed." The man tells Marco.

"What were his instructions?"

Whose instructions? Who was he talking to?

"Take her to the safe house."

I'm listening to them but have no idea what's happening.

"Get in the car Ms. O'Brien, before the cops come," Marco commands.

"Marco, I'm not going anywhere. Who were those men?" I ask, looking back at their lifeless bodies. "Are you taking orders from Viktor?" I turn back to him.

"No."

"Then who?" I ask, confused. Who else would it be?

"He'll explain when we get there."

"I'm not going anywhere. Who is he ?" I stomp my foot, determined not to move, but then I hear the sirens. Marco looks at me, pleading for me to get inside the SUV. "Fine."

I get in the car with a million questions. Who were those men, and what did they want with me? If they aren't Viktor's men, then whose? I hold my belly, protecting my baby. We could have both died. This is my worst nightmare.

We drive in silence. I look out the window, trying to piece everything together, and come up with a logical explanation. But nothing. My stomach feels queasy. I can barely catch my breath.

"Pull over," I yell.

"We can't, Ms. O'Brien."

"I have to puke." The car barely stops when I open my door, emptying the content of my stomach. I'm sweating cold.

"Here." Marco hands me a handkerchief and a bottle of water. He's unaffected by the sight of my puke, which makes me laugh. "What?"

"Most people would heave at the sight of someone's puke." I take a gulp of water, gargle and spit.

"I'm not most people, Ms. O'Brien. Better? We really need to get going."

"Where are you taking me exactly?"

"To a safe house. That's all I can tell you." I see the apology in his eyes as he closes my door.

Twenty minutes later, we're in a neighborhood I don't recognize. It's one of the quiet ones where all the houses look the same. The lawns are well-manicured, and all the houses are painted the same color. I feel like I stepped into Pleasantville. All it's missing is a Stepford wife walking out one of the doors while waving her hand with a big fake smile.

The driver pulls into a driveway and parks behind a car that's already there. Marco and the guy exchange looks like whoever is waiting inside isn't happy. Who can it be? Who cares enough about me to send Marco to me?

"Better not keep him waiting," says the driver.

I open my door and start walking. Marco and the driver sandwich me between them. Marco opens the door to the house and enters first. I take a deep breath and follow, bracing myself. I'm sure Viktor is waiting inside. It's the only logical person.