Chapter 13 - Jamie

How could I even consider staying? No, I had to leave. Who did he think he was? After changing back into my clothes, I sneaked out of the den. I moved slowly and cautiously down the stairs, bundling between the clients as they started filling the den. I could not get caught leaving. He would come up with all kinds of excuses, but I knew what I saw, and there was no hiding it.

My heart felt heavy, but I couldn’t allow my feelings to get the upper hand. Departing from the den, I moved cautiously through the large parking area. I stayed between the cars as I proceeded to the gate. Where there were no cars, I stayed close to the outer walls, moving in behind the dumpsters just inside the main gate. I watched as four guards came by.

They were glancing around, and I felt sure they were already searching for me. Thinking they had all passed, I ran for the exit. It was only a short distance, but as I stepped into the street, I heard someone calling out behind me. Looking back, I felt my blood turn to ice as one of the guards came charging at me. The others weren’t far behind him.

I just turned and ran with no clear direction or idea of where to go. A couple of blocks away was a park. I ran in and hid in the shadows of a small bridge. The guards passed twice before heading back towards the den. Positive that this time they had left, I quickly moved out of the Morozov territory.

I still had no idea where to go or who to contact; I was alone and felt defeated. I was surveying the area as I went and knew I needed to find somewhere where I would be safe and lay low. Tired and sore from running once again, I decided to enter a bar. It was quiet, with little to no people inside. The place looked normal enough not to be Bratva, and it appeared decent.

I was reasonably sure it would be safe. In one corner was a group of about five playing pool and minding their own business. They didn’t even notice me as I moved in. There was a couple in another corner close to the jukebox kissing and another pair at a table chatting up a storm. Taking a seat, I ordered a drink and watched the people from my corner of the bar.

The lights in the corner where I sat weren’t as bright as the rest of the room. It gave me some cover, I thought, sipping my drink. I knew I would have to figure something out as I couldn’t stay here. With my current situation, I wouldn’t be able to stay in one place for too long.

Breathing in deeply, I closed my eyes, trying to regain my senses. Yet, closing my eyes wasn’t such a good idea after all. I saw Ana standing over Ashan and that stupid smirk on her face. I should have slapped her, I thought. But no, what did I do? I ran like a child after the playground bully had shoved her.

“Hi, there.” Startled out of my thoughts by the voice behind me, I swung around so quickly that I almost toppled off the bar stool. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” the petite woman standing slightly behind me said. Her voice was soft and kind, but I had to listen carefully to hear her through the noise.

Lifting one hand at her, I replied. “It’s okay, I was just thinking. Can I help you?”

She was small, seemingly no threat to me. Her chestnut eyes appeared a bit too large for her face, as did her wide smile, exposing her abnormally large teeth. She was dressed in tight blue jeans and a loose red hoodie. The hoodie was pulled up like mine as if she was hiding from life, and I felt a pull to her. It could have been her nonthreatening appearance or the similarities my mind made.

I wasn’t sure why, but I instantly felt a strange bond with her. “May I sit with you?” she asked, glancing around. I nodded as I turned back to the bar. “I’m Bea,” she added, sliding onto the stool next to me. “I haven’t seen you here before.”

My mind was still swirling with all that had happened, and my guard was down. My mood was in the dumps, and I thought a little company may just be what I needed. “Jamie,” I replied, staring into my drink, wishing I could disappear into the glass.

“You look tired. Have you eaten? Would you like a meal?” Bea said, hailing the bartender. Glancing up into the mirror behind the bar, I saw my reflection. It did look like I was something the cat dragged in. My tattered clothing and, once again, I had dirt on my face as if I had slept on the curb. It must have come from hiding under the bridge, I thought.

She ordered a plate of chips and another round of drinks for us. I felt thankful and hoped she didn”t ask too many questions. Our conversation started out small, but I thought she shared openly with me. She told me about her small apartment a couple of blocks away and growing up with two brothers.

I wished I knew what having a family and being loved was like. The more she shared, the more I longed for a normal life. As she spoke, I reconsidered my actions. I had never had anyone, and Ashan offered me a somewhat normal life. Maybe I could have overlooked Ashan’s indiscretions. At least I would have still had something I considered.

After she ordered another round of drinks, I started feeling uncomfortable. Her questions became more specific as time passed, and this sent up a red flag. Once I took note of the direction her questions started hinting at and studied the patrons around us more closely, some more red flags started popping up.

Realizing I had walked into a trap, I knew that my next moves would have a strong impact on whether I got out or got captured. Bea and about a third of the people around me were surely part of the enemies. I was astounded that they had still been tracking or watching out for me. I was so intent on getting away from Ashan that I hadn’t even thought of my reason for being with him.

It’s not been months, but it has been a week since I ended up married and staying with Ashan. I felt sure I would have had some time to make a plan. Now, here I was, feeling like a cornered wolf. My heart pounded at my ribcage, and the blood in my veins turned to ice as I unexpectedly felt dizzy. I breathed in slowly and deeply, trying not to panic or show fear.

Glancing at Bea, I spoke in an even tone as I breathed out with care. “Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. A little too much liquid, I think.”

Bea smiled at me as I slid off the stool. I hoped she hadn’t picked up on my fear. Walking to the bathroom, I kept my head low, pulling my hoodie over my face. Yet, I made sure to check if anyone was following my movements. There were at least six men that I could pick up on.

Closing the bathroom door behind me, I locked it and quickly sought a way out. Scanning the window, I felt sure I would fit; it might be tight, but I would go through it. Standing on the toilet seat lid, I opened the small square window and glanced outside.

The immediate area was quiet. I pushed myself up and stepped on the toilet bowl to get some more height. Forcing myself through the window, I didn’t even consider what came next. Dropping to the ground, a moan escaped me as I twisted my arm, trying to block the fall into the brush.

Rushing to my feet, I hoped no one had heard me. Rubbing my arm, I stuck my head through the bushes. To one side, I saw two men with guns coming my way. They weren’t in a hurry, so I was sure they hadn’t heard me. But I knew it was only a matter of time before Bea would start looking for me. I considered them to just be on their regular rounds, but if I sat still, I might be discovered.

I had no other option as there was nowhere else to hide. I would have to run. My heart now felt as if it was pounding in my throat. Sweat covered my body, and I had not even started running yet. Feeling slightly numb with fear, I knew I had to move; the longer I waited, the closer they got.

Moving against the wall away from them, I crawled, hoping not to be noticed. But I froze as I heard them shuffling through the bushes below the window. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure it could be heard from miles away. Holding my breath, I tried to silence the beating in my mind.

Wanting to make a run for it, I stuck my head out to see if the street was clear. But as soon as I did, I realized I should have sat still.

“There she is,” one of the guards screamed, pointing my way.

My life would be over if they caught me. I leaped to my feet and ran as fast as I could. I dared not to look back in fear of seeing them closing in. Or worse, seeing them aiming their guns at me.

About a block down, I ran full speed into a man coming out of another club. We tumbled to the ground and heard the men calling out as they came closer. Scampering to my feet, I saw the man I had run into who caused me to tumble was Pedro.

He held out his hand as he spoke. “Come on, let’s get out of here; my cars waiting.”

There was no time to think or consider the consequences; I didn’t even wonder why he would be in the area. I took his hand, and he pulled me up. His Chevy was idling next to us. I got in and locked the door as he ran around and got in behind the wheel.

Pedro pulled out as the first shots filled the air, and we sped away. Out of breath but not out of danger, as I realized he was the last person on earth I wanted to be close to. I tried to thank him and ask him to stop. But my words wouldn’t form properly as I battled to catch my breath.

He drove around up and down streets through different territories for a while before eventually pulling into a dark alley between two warehouses. Now that I was finally calm enough, I spoke. “Thanks, Pedro.”

He nodded and gave me a grin as he got out. “I heard you left and was out looking for you. I am glad that I found you when I did, though.” He said, opening my door. “Come on, you’ll be safe here for now.”

Something didn’t feel right, and I wanted to leave, but he had just saved my life, and this made it twice now. So, I followed him into one of the warehouses. Maybe I could stay the night and make a plan in the morning I thought glancing around.

Both my lungs and muscles were burning. And I needed rest. I had to clear my mind before moving on. This time, I had to have a plan. I couldn’t just go strolling through the street, not knowing who was looking for me. It was clearly not over and too dangerous to be out in the open.

Plus, I knew Pedro a little and felt sure he wasn’t a danger. In the back of the warehouse were what appeared to be two makeshift rooms. The rest of the place was empty. One of the rooms had two small windows, and the other a long row of windows.

The one I could see looked like a kitchen and lounge in a single space. Seeing this as we walked closer, I assumed the other one with the smaller window was then his bedroom.

“You live here?” I inquired as he opened the door to the kitchen/lounge area.

Grinning at me again over his shoulder, he responded slowly. “Sometimes, but not always.” He held the door open and waved his hand for me to enter. I walked in and looked around. It seemed cozy enough for one person. Maybe I should get a place like this that is off the grid. Smiling at myself, I wondered what Ashan would say about it.

Hearing the door lock behind me, I swung around. “Pedro,” I said, feeling fear pushing through me. “What’s going on?”

He gave me that grin again as he spoke. “Oh, I’m sure you know. Twice now, I saved you.” He licked his lips as he came closer. “You owe me, baby,” he blurted out as he grabbed my wrist.

“No, Pedro,” I said trying to pull away. “I owe you nothing, let me go.”

We turned in circles a couple of times as I struggled to free my hands. After two or three turns, Pedro’s posture changed.

He let go of my wrist and grabbed me around my waist as I tried to pass him. Even though I heard the door lock, I wanted to be sure as I saw no other way out except if I jumped through a window. “Jamie, baby girl,” he practically shouted as he flung me backward. I tried to stop my fall but only caught the side of the couch.

Falling sideways from it, I hit my head on the small table, falling with me. Before I could get up or move away, Pedro was on top of me. “Girl, you owe me big time, and it’s time to pay your dues,” he breathed into my neck as he pinned me to the floor.

“No, Pedro, no,” I begged, trying to push him off. He was sitting on top of me with my hands pinned above my head.

“If you don’t stop struggling, girl, I’ll beat ya,” He hushed out as I felt one hand move to the buttons of my jeans.

My mind went blank with fear, and I felt paralyzed as I realized he was about to rape me. I started screaming at the top of my voice, hoping to be heard even though I knew we were somewhere secluded.

Even though I was filled with fear, I kept struggling. I wasn’t about to allow him to do this to me. I hadn’t survived everything to be used like a whore. My fighting spirit wouldn’t give up.