Chapter Eleven

Once I had finished talking to my uncle last night I excused myself to my room, where I’ve been hiding out ever since. Right as I finish throwing on my hoodie over my leggings, my phone buzzes with a message.

Echo: I’m outside. Do I need to come in and rescue you?

Me: No, I’ll be down in a minute.

I lace up my shoes and head down the stairs. Just when I think I’ve made a clean getaway my mother steps out of nowhere.

“Bristol. You’re not leaving looking like that?”

It sounds like a question but I highly doubt that’s true. “Of course I am.”

“It looks like we can’t afford to buy you nice clothes.”

“I’ll get changed as soon as I get back. Echo is waiting for me, and my uncle doesn’t seem like the kind of man who likes to be kept waiting.”

“I don’t understand why he keeps that street rat around.”

I ignore her comment and make my getaway.

Echo smiles as I make my way towards the purple muscle car he’s in.

“Nice car.”

“Nice car...girl this is a 1970 Dodge Challenger. She isn’t just nice, she’s a beauty.”

She also looks expensive and for a guy who lives on the wrong side of the tracks he didn’t just save up his money from his day job.

“She is beautiful, but also looks like she cost a pretty penny.”

Echo laughs, “Girl, are you saying I can’t afford a car like this?”

“What I’m saying is you live in an area that has seen better days and I'm guessing dealing is your day job.”

“I’ll have you know that I’m an entrepreneur.”

I laugh as Echo peels out of the driveway, dust and gravel spraying everywhere, rap music blaring from the stereo.

We listen to his rap music as we drive, it drowns out the silence as we get closer to his side of town. He pulls into a parking lot beside a bowling alley and hands me a bandana. I take it from him with a confused look on my face.

“It’s a blind fold Princess, even you don’t get special treatment.”

“And you do? He is my uncle.”

“Your new boyfriend lives with cops, you don’t have your memories back and once you do, you will know how to find him, so until then we have to wear blind folds.” Echo gets out of the car and comes around to my side, opens my door and offers me his hand.

I take it and he helps me out of the car. “Once we have the blind folds on, a van will pull up beside us and two big gorilla men will throw us inside and usually not so nicely either. I may have fucked one of their daughters and they aren’t too happy with me.” I snort at his brassiness.

Echo takes the bandana from me and helps me tie it up, making sure it’s extra tight. I’m left in darkness wondering why we have to go to all this effort.

“Take my hand B, I’ll be right here.”

Echo seems so sweet and I wonder why old me didn’t pursue him more. Was it because of his social status or did I really actually like being with Sebastian? I link my fingers with his and he pulls me in closer to his body as the sound of a car approaching has my adrenaline pumping.

Within seconds a van door opens and large hands drag me towards it as Echo curses. I want to rip the blindfold off but while Echo still has a hold of my hand I just go along with what’s happening.

My knees bang against something hard and I let out a hiss of pain. Hands wrap around my armpits and I’m lifted, stumbling when the ape lets go of me. When the door slams an engine starts and the van moves forward causing me to fall into Echo. He helps stabilize me and lifts my blindfold.

I blink a few times to adjust to the light, while we both sit and not slide around. Whoever is driving makes no effort to drive carefully. I look at Echo and his eye has some red swelling. I reach out to touch it but he flinches.

“I guess he’s still pissed at me.” He shrugs. “Let me see your shins. That fucker just let you walk straight into the van with no warning.”

Echo sits in front of me and pushes up my leggings. Red angry marks mare my skin and will surely leave bruises tomorrow. His grip on the back of my legs tightens and he closes his eyes.

“I hope these boys of yours can protect you,” he says, opening his eyes to look at me.

“I don’t want them to have to, they don’t need that in their lives.”

“I don’t think they have a choice, he already knows who they are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Echo opens his mouth to say something when the van abruptly stops and he jumps to his feet. “We’re here.”

Echo opens the van door just as the two massive men watch him jump out. He claps one on the shoulder. “Thanks for the lift.” The guy scowls at him but they dismiss him just as quickly and walk away.

I follow him from the van and take in my surroundings. It looks like we’re in some kind of underground parking. Echo takes my hand and we walk to the lift where he presses the button and the doors slide open instantly. He keeps his tattooed fingers linked through mine and the gesture offers me some comfort, like we’ve done this so many times before.

When the lift dings and the doors open a memory flash hits me.

“Why is she here?”

“Because she’s my niece and she’ll be running all of this alongside us one day. Everyone needs to know who she is.”

“She’s eight. She’s at risk if your enemies find out who she is.”

“Don’t be so dramatic, you were helping me and your father at the same age. Why should it be any different for her?”

“Because she’s my baby sister. I’ll do anything, just keep her out of this life. Let her be spoiled and marry some rich kid and live that kind of lifestyle.”

“Nothing comes without a price Milo.”

“I know uncle and I’ll do whatever it is you want.”

“Fine, we can make a deal but if she wants in, that's on her.”

“ Earth to Bristol.” Echo says standing in front of me now clicking his finger in my face.

“ Sorry, what?”

“ I said I hope you’re prepared for this. Nothing comes without a price and trust me when I say if you take that deal nothing good can come from it.”

“ Don’t be so dramatic, he’s my uncle.”

We step further into the foyer and Echo again takes my hand. I hear laughter coming from behind the red door looming in the distance. Red seems so out of place amongst all the white but who am I to judge when I know absolutely nothing about design. If it’s meant to make a statement, I suppose it works.

As we step up to the door Echo knocks before a tall wiry looking man opens the door letting us inside. Again laughter fills the air and something in the pit of my stomach makes me feel ill.

Echo pulls me into the large open lounge room where I’m stunned speechless. All of my guys are laughing with my uncle. They all turn to look at me with smiles on their faces except Mercer who’s fists ball up. I realise I still have a hold of Echo’s hand as Mercer moves forward, extremely quickly for a guy of his build. I let go quickly and take a step in front of Echo, holding my hand out.

“What the hell is going on here?” I say a little louder than I had intended. Mercer stops dead in his tracks but doesn’t say anything. I look past him at the others. Maximus is the only one to maintain eye contact but he is so out of his comfort zone right now. I can see how close he stands to Levi, his arm rests against his and that contact grounds him. I find myself moving around Mercer and closing the gap between us. I can feel my uncle and the others watching me. When I reach Maximus I hold out my hands and he takes them in his.

“Are you okay?” he nods and pulls me into his body, wrapping his arms tightly around me. I wish I could stay in his embrace forever but I have bigger fish to fry right now. I pull away but make sure his hand stays in mine while I turn to face everyone.

“Someone better start talking.”

My uncle smiles. “I wanted to get to know the boys who have entranced my niece and make sure their motives are honourable."

“Bullshit. You’ve been watching me since I was in that hospital. So you would’ve seen how they’ve been treating me.”

This makes him bellow out an obnoxious laugh. “I’m glad to see you’re still in there. I was beginning to think you had lost your fire. Echo, take the boys on a quick tour while I talk to my niece.”

Rory looks at me for confirmation and I nod. Maximus lets go of my hand and everyone follows Echo out of the room. I grab Mercer by the back of his shirt as he tries to walk past. He turns to look at me with a raised brow. “Play nice, Echo is a good guy.” He doesn't look convinced but nods his head and follows them out.

My uncle gestures for the couch and I take a seat.

“I like them. That Rocky kid is hilarious.”

“Why are they here?” I ask cutting to the chase.

“Partly because I wanted to meet them and because in the world we live in you can never be too careful. One of them lives with cops and they’re the same ones trying to take me down.”

“Leave them out of this, they saved my life. That has to count for something.”

The man who opened the door walks into the room with a tray and two drinks. He places one in front of me and the other in front of my uncle before leaving us alone again.

“It does count for something and it's why they’re not dead. But let's talk about why you’re here.”

“I don’t want to marry that piece of trash. I would end up killing him, he is so disgusting.”

“Agreed, but his family has something that could benefit ours. And if I was to find a way out for you, I would expect something in return.”

“And what’s that?”

“I would usually have asked you to join me but I made a deal with your brother.”

“With Milo.”

“You remember him?” I shake my head no.

“Just a snippet of him from when I was younger.”

“Fair enough. I need you to get a message to that cop friend of yours.” I raise my brow.

“You expect me to believe you’ll get me out of a marriage if I pass on a message.”

“Of course not, that’s just the start. She might listen to the information I have if it comes from you. She’ll never find me, so I’m not worried but I need her to stop sniffing around my trail. I have some business I need to take care of, and she’s making it rather difficult.”

“Fine, I’ll do whatever it takes but I want this marriage stuff sorted out ASAP.”

“We have a deal. I’ll have a car delivered to your house later today. It won’t be trackable by your mother.”

“Back up, my mother has me followed?” I question. Why hasn’t Carter told me?

“Of course she does. That woman is a snake."

“Well how would I have known? No memories, remember?" I say sarcastically, pointing at my head.

“Well be careful, your father trusts her but I haven't for years. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s behind what happened to you. She hates that your father won’t walk away from this life. He’s the face of the business world, a way we can filter and clean our money.”

“I don’t want to know, the less I know the better. I like Levi's family and there’s no way they’re dirty or would ever be dirty.”

“Never say never.” he laughs. “In the car is an envelope, you need to take it to her today. I’ll make sure Carter is busy so he doesn’t follow you.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything. I just can’t guarantee I can answer.”

“Do you think I killed Milo? When I close my eyes I see his body, and I hear screaming. I see dark figures but I feel like it was me. Why else would I be sent away?”

“It wasn’t you. You two were very close, he would’ve given his life for you. He did give me his life in exchange for yours to keep you out of this business. Your father never wanted his kids to be on this side of the fence. Your father would have had you put away for your own protection. He won’t even talk to me about it, but mark my words when you remember, come to me first. Milo was like a son to me and whoever took him will pay with their lives. If I thought it was you, you would’ve been dead by now.”

“Took him?”

“His body was never discovered. I’ve been waiting for a ransom but have lost hope.”

Our conversation gets cut short as Echo saunters back into the room followed by the guys.

“There’s no way you would beat me in a race, it’s just impossible unless you have extensive training.” Rocky states.

The banter between them stops when my uncle stands. “It was nice to meet you all but time is money. Oh and before I forget. You with the shaved head.” Mercer looks at him, his brows furrowed.

“You’ll be fighting in one of the underground fights. You don’t come into my home and try to rush one of my men.”

“Any time, anywhere.” Mercer states, cracking his knuckles. “No man comes in holding my girl's hand. Let him fight me first since he clearly thinks he has balls.”

“You’re right. Echo will be your first opponent but don’t let his meatless bones fool you, the kid has been underground fighting since he barely hit puberty.”

“Boss man, before you go, ask B to show you her legs.” My uncle's face changes from calm to all out murderous rage. He always looks like you should be afraid of him but this look could make a grown man piss his pants.

“Show me.” He demands and I roll up the leg on one of my leggings.

“Which one?” Echo shrugs.

“We were blindfolded by then but I thought you’d want to know. I deserved the black eye, my dick slipped into his daughter but B didn’t deserve that.”

“You know I hate snitches but I’ll let it slide this time because it’s my niece. I will call two more men to take you back to your cars. I’ll be in touch.”

With that he leaves the room and I finally have a chance to look at my guys.

"I have some good news." I beam. "My father agreed to drop the charges."

"Are you serious? That's amazing." Rocky says rushing towards me. He picks me up and spins me in a circle.

"Your uncle agreed to get the restraining orders taken care of too." Rory adds.

"You didn't ask him to do that...what does he want you to do in return? You all can't be involved with him."

Rory steps forward and Rocky puts me to the ground. "Not them, just me and don't worry about it. It's nothing I can't handle."

"I…" I go to protest when Echo walks back in the room. I give Rory a look that says we’ll talk about this another time. It's done now and there isn't much I can do about it. I just hope Rory knows what he’s getting himself into. I'm still unsure if we can even trust my uncle. I'm pretty sure my father is on my side though, he seemed genuine when we had talked.

I know the guys have missed school today to be here and I don't want that either.

“I hate to break up this friendship circle but before you all start singing kumbaya we need to leave.” Echo chimes in. I take Maximus’s hand in mine and we all head down to the parking garage where two vans are waiting. The men from earlier are nowhere to be seen.

“We’ll get this sorted out, don’t worry about us. We will do whatever it takes to get you back with us.”

One of the white vans pulls forward and I smile at my boys as they are loaded in.

“You really love them, huh?”

“I do. I don’t know how to explain it. We just fit.”

With that we both jump into the back of the other van. I don’t know what to think, I don’t want my guys mixed up in this world but I also can’t stop them from doing whatever they just agreed to.