62. Zola

Chapter 62

Zola

T he night was quiet, quieter than I ever thought London could be, which if I was not in my situation, I would have found incredibly fascinating. From time to time, I would hear an occasional yell from streets away or shared laughter, and the low buzz of vehicles in the distance. Everything seemed far away and muffled, and it was an eerie sort of peace.

With every minute that passed, I felt as though I was aging ten years. I didn't know what to expect beyond the fact that Dante was possibly coming for me, but apart from that, I knew absolutely nothing. I was filthy and exhausted, and even when I lay down on the hard bed, there was no rest.

I thought of Dante and of the fact he was on his way, I prayed with all of my heart that he would be safe. Then I shut my eyes and tried to just rest so that when the time came, I would be able to act quickly and with great strength.

I had not eaten for hours and I knew having some food in my system would help, but with no one offering, I had absolutely no appetite anyway.

About ten minutes later, the door was unlocked and pushed open.

"The boss wants to see you," Francesca said. "Someone will be here in a little while to take you to him, so be ready." She shook her head disapprovingly. “Wash your face or something. You look terrible.”

She went out and locked the door.

I wasn’t in a beauty contest and had absolutely no interest in making myself more presentable so I did nothing. After a few minutes, the door was unlocked and opened by one of his stoic-faced men standing at the door. I sat up, my heart rate quickening. He swung his head to the side, and the message was clear. I was to step out of the room with him.

I stood and followed him up the stairs. By the time I arrived at the ground floor, I could hear faint voices in conversation coming from different parts of the house. It looked like the house had become a hub of activity. I was led back to Ugo’s office.

Ugo was behind his huge mahogany desk. He smiled and leaned into his leather chair. I didn’t return the smile.

"You're quite a serious little thing, aren't you?" he commented, getting to his feet.

He walked over to his bar and poured himself a tumbler of golden liquid. He didn't offer me one. Then he returned to his seat behind the desk. He took a long sip of his drink and apologized.

"I'm sorry I didn't offer you one, but given the meds you’ve probably taken, I don't think it would be in your best interest." He continued drinking with his attention on me.

"I'm thinking about what to do with you," he said conversationally. "I've known Dante since he was a boy. Back then, he was just about your size, maybe a little taller, but he was broad and strong. A handsome lad."

He cocked his head slightly.

"He was completely under my control and I had countless chances to do away with him. If I had known he would end up becoming such a huge problem, I would have. He was quietly ferocious, never letting anyone get away with anything. I admired that about him, so I kept him around, sure that if I could get him to be loyal to me, I'd have the perfect guard dog by my side."

He took another sip of his drink.

"Too bad he turned on me. He crossed the line."

He drained the glass and set it down with a small clunk on the polished surface of his desk. Even though his voice was relaxed I felt waves of fury coming from him. He was livid.

“There can be no more excuses, no more leniency,” he murmured. “Today was the last straw. Do you know he kidnapped my son? Can you believe it?”

Suddenly, his mild urbane demeanor changed. And the change was extraordinary. It was as if he was a different person or he was possessed by a demonic spirit. His black eyes glittered with fury and hatred.

“The arrogant bastard kidnapped my son,” he screamed, spittle spraying from his mouth. His whole body shook with venom and animosity.

My eyes widened with astonishment at the amazing transformation, and also because I’d never known he had a son. I had done a lot of research on him while I was idling my time away in the witness program.

“He thinks I’m going to negotiate with him,” he spat indignantly. “I’d rather kill my son with my own hands than negotiate with that creature. Everything ends today, and that's where you come in. You will walk into Twenty-Third Street. Not run, not scream, just simply walk in a straight line. You are not to turn right or left. No matter what, straight always.”

“What do you mean walk on the street?” I whispered in fear.

"Exactly what I said. While cars are zooming by at full speed all around you, you are going to walk in the middle of the street. They'll try to veer around you and miss you, or maybe they'll hit you, and your body will be thrown into and perhaps crushed by a lorry or bus that couldn't stop."

I stared at him in astonishment. The man was a raving lunatic.

"Why would you do that? What have I ever done to you? You’re the one who has ruined my life.” I screamed. “You’re the one who has taken everything away from me.”

“You're right,” he said. “This has little to do with you, but you're connected to Dante so you must pay. As did your father. He’s going to see you walking and he's going to come to you and try to help you, or maybe he won't. Who knows? We'll see. Now, I should warn you that if you stop walking in a straight line for even a second and choose to run, or even call for help, my men will empty an entire row of bullets inside you. The same if you try to get any good Samaritan to help you. And if you dare try to warn Dante about what is happening you will incur the same punishment.”

I thought of what he had said. “Since I'm going to die anyway, why should I wait for Dante to come to me?”

“Because it's going to be a long walk, and if Dante gets here before you reach the intersection, then I'll spare your life. But if he doesn't, well, the city will take your life. If he arrives on time and comes for you, you will be spared.”

I was trembling with fear. “If the choice is down to either me or Dante's life, then how do I know that even after Dante is gunned down, you will spare me?”

“You don't know,” he said softly. “You'll just have to trust me. You might not know anything about the mafia, but we adhere to our word. It is our greatest honor. I’ve heard from reliable sources that he will be on his way here soon, so it is time for you to take your walk, my dear ..."

I started to charge at him, but I was caught in midair, turned around, and slammed so hard into a wall that I froze with shock and pain. I didn’t even bother trying to get up. It was impossible.

He walked out of the room. I was picked up and deposited in the middle of the street and told to walk.

There was almost no one around, just a few passersby with their families and dogs. I looked filthy, covered with dirt and blood. If I was honest, I looked like the worst kind of homeless drug addict. Nobody came to help me. A few who saw me simply didn’t want to get involved. Only one woman stopped and asked me if I was okay.

“I'm fine,” I told her. I had to keep my wits about me.

“Do you want me to call an ambulance?”

“Please don't,” I cried and saw the shock in her eyes.

I could only imagine how batshit crazy I looked, walking with such iron-like determination toward my own death. I considered screaming and perhaps ducking behind a car, but I couldn't risk it. I knew Ugo was deadly serious. I would be instantly shot dead, and then Dante would walk right into the trap with no one to warn him. And he would be gone as well.

All I could do was keep walking as I tried to figure out what the best course of action would be. Every step I took carried so much weight that it seemed like each one was the hardest I’d ever done.

I started thinking about Dante and it helped me to walk more calmly. I then started thinking of what I could do to make him understand there was something wrong with me. He had to be the smartest and most vigilant man I knew, and I had to trust he would notice I wouldn’t just be walking up the street for no reason and come up with an effective counteraction.