The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

These are not Alexi’s men. These are men who have obviously been watching the club and waiting for an opportunity to arise. I just gave them all of me, with my own stupidity. God knows how long they have been hanging at a distance watching the comings and goings in case they got a chance at picking me off. It’s horrifying to imagine they may have been out here this whole time, waiting for a time like this.

I glance at him moving in and the man from the car is now behind me, blocking my path. Aware of both and my senses telling me how far away from actually touching me they are. More aware of the one behind me as it instils a higher fear factor, but my brain calms and the part that works well in a crisis moves in to formulate an exit strategy. Eyes doing a quick scan of every avenue around me. Adrenaline kicking in and I do what I do best. Lift my fucking feet and run like a bat out of hell crazy woman with no desire to die, to my right, down the alley I had come level with and put everything I have into moving like a whippet on cocaine.

Run bitch, RUN.

I’m a pro at sprinting in heels and tight dresses and I’m pretty swift in my departure. The shock of it makes them hesitate so I get a jump start of seconds. Enough time to turn left down an alley out of sight and then left again, down another space, until I get to a recessed door in the street. It’s a total fluke manoeuvre, fuelled by extreme fear but it pays off. The door is set back enough and in the darkest of shadows where it is positioned. Close enough to jump into it before they catch me up. It's deep enough to press my entire body up against the chipping surface so that when one of them runs past they can’t see me. Shielded in the frame of the opening as my hand scrambles behind me to try to get it open. Hand cupping rusty, rough metal as I get a grip on the handle and turn it frantically. It doesn’t budge at all.

They will come back and check these little nooks when they realise, I couldn’t have gone far. I’m blowing out air dramatically, panting and trying to keep my shit together. Chest burning with the sudden exertion, and breathless as I struggle to inhale air. My limbs are shaking badly, and my feet are on fire from running in heels.

I hear one shout to the other about doubling back; knowing he will come this way only sends me into a terror fuelled frenzy. I start frantically looking around for somewhere else to go. They are too close, and I’m too exposed. I have nothing to defend myself with and everything in me is shaking and stammering with dread and I need to get away.

I spy another door further up the alley, in a darker spot, and take my chance; abandoning my locked haven, I make a second run for it. Pushing myself off with speed, giving it my all, galloping as fast as I can without letting my heels hit the concrete in case they hear it, tiptoes all the way and press myself into that doorway as I had the first as I slam into it. I try the handle, yanking until it makes an odd crunching noise and much to my relief, it opens.

Thank you, God.

I throw myself inside, too hyped up to feel relief, right into the abandoned building as though jumping out of a fire-engulfed window. Desperation in every action and still struggling to breathe any valuable amounts of oxygen.

Dust, cobwebs and dirt clog my lungs as I inhale the musty damp air that clings to my face in the tumble-down interior, stifling a cough as I do so. I manage to wedge the warped door shut again as quietly as I can, pressing against it with my butt and pushing hard. I stand with my back to it, aware there are filthy windows nearby; although dirty and smeared they might still see me if I move out of the shadows. I just hold incredibly still, using my body’s weight to make sure they think this one is locked too if they try it.

My phone vibrates again. Knowing it will be Alexi, my heart somersaults, a little ray of hope, and this time self-preservation kicks in above all else and I grab at it to answer. No hesitation whatsoever now I’m in danger that is not from him.

“Alexi …” I whisper harshly, panting and trying to stay quiet while being heard by him. Voice trembling in hushed husky tones.

“Where the fuck are you? I’m standing in the fucking bar …” he snaps like a madman on a tirade, but I stop him mid-yell, crunching my eyes shut for fear they might hear me. My hands trembling as I cradle it as close to my mouth as I possibly can.

“Shh, please. I’m in trouble, Alexi.” It comes out desperately, my voice a weak, raspy whisper, breaking as tears bite my eyes. Hopelessness washing over me at the sound of his voice.

My saviour. My hero.

There’s a crunch of footsteps in the alley which echo my way and I completely freeze and hold my breath, crushing my phone to my face to mute any external noise from it. Alexi has fallen silent for a second anyway and I just pause, afraid to move a single inch.

“Cam? What are you talking about? Where are you?” His tone does a complete two sixty in his recovery and instead of rage is a deep, genuine concern. That cool, controlled huskiness but with a hint of something that sounds like fear, in a hushed tone as though he senses he needs to be quieter. I wait, listening for the sound outside to dissipate, afraid to speak or draw attention

“Cam? Talk to me … tell me where you are.” Alexi sounds strained this time, the fear overtaking his normal unemotional manner. A hint of panic in that normally cool tone pressing me, but I can’t say anything until I’m sure they won’t hear me. The footsteps seem to be going the opposite way, fading out and I exhale heavily, pulling the screen from my mouth quickly. I may only have seconds.

“I came out front and walked right. I may only be a block away, but they are chasing me. I don’t know who they are. Two men. I’m in an old building that’s left past a parked black car on the kerb and then first left again, I think. I don’t know. I can hear them looking nearby. Find me, please.” It comes out fast and muted, scrambled thoughts confusing my whereabouts. Tears prickle my eyes with sheer anxiety, moisture springing up and bubbling down my face as it hits my cheeks. I know he is close, but not close enough to save me should they find me in here.

They want me and I have no doubt they are the people who tried and failed the first time around. The people Alexi spoke of, who’ve murdered two women already.

Alexi needs to come. I can’t fight them, and I can’t hide forever, they won’t give up if they know I’m close.

“I’m coming, baby. Stay calm, keep your head and find someplace to stay hidden. We’re coming. You, you and you follow me, in my car. NOW … Cam, I won’t let anything happen to you, I promised, didn’t I? Just try to keep your head in the game, don’t fall apart. I’m moving, getting to the car.” I can hear his steps, on the verge of a run, and the crunch of gravel and muffled voices as Alexi assembles his rescue party into vehicles. Giving orders mid-conversation and it’s a relief to know he is moving, acting fast. He’s coming for me.

My baby is coming.

his voice to feel safe even though I know he can’t help me

need to stay put and hide until I get there. I’m already on my way. Just stay

will you know where to look? I’m in a building, what if the car has moved?” I cry a little more desperately in afterthought as

already have you on my screen. I’m here, I’m coming. No one is going to take you from me—ever. I made a promise to you I don’t intend to break. Nothing will ever happen to you.” It’s a certainty in his tone, a fierce statement with a hint

Will they?

Alexi won’t let them take me; he will move mountains to get here before they find me. I have every faith that he will. I just need to wait until he finds me, and if they find me first, I fight hard and loud until he hears us. I

it to my ear. I think he is checking his screen

so much of where he is and the fact they are on the move, then realise I shouldn’t be listening to his atmospheric noise but listening to my own otherwise they could creep right up on me and I wouldn’t hear them. I pull the phone away and turn my head to stare at the scratched and warped door I’m leaning against.

of two men mumbling to each other and I know they are practically on the other side of the door. I didn’t hear them approaching and now it sounds like

the doors, even that one over there. One must

FUCK

they already have them out of the lot. The car park gates are slow and sometimes the cars out front from his staff block the street. My head is a

running my arse out the door screaming on Alexi. I’m just so desperate not to be in this situation anymore. I need to stop myself freaking out and blowing my hiding spot. So antsy; nerves strung out and body twitchy,

down there? I’ll go check it out while you keep looking here.” The voice commands, close enough to hear them clearly through my wooden safety barrier as though they are right next to me and I would put them at standing maybe six feet away. There is more crunching of shoes on loose stones, scraping, which then turns to steps on concrete

so if he opens it, I move

will he check behind the

is get hold

able to track my phone but it’s whether he gets to me before they do something. The intention is murder and they might do

Shit

I jump, covering my mouth with my hand to curb the terrified squeal and I hold my breath again, biting down hard on my tongue to distract myself with pain. My body is against the door pushing with all

myself firmly against it and wait. Trying to figure out if he has decided it’s locked and is moving on away

me flying with a squeal, across the dirty, shrapnel strewn floor in a chaotic throw. My shoe catching on a little step and I’m flung on my knees painfully into the dim light of this derelict prison. Scraping with dramatic aplomb across the rough concrete with grazing pain as I skid to a dirty

deep voice of my predator, and as I struggle to get up, cutting my palms on ragged debris and broken glass, he yanks me from behind by the hair and pulls me forcefully up against

million triggers

and igniting all my cringe and hysteria impulses; held captive and already high on the fumes of terror and fear knowing this man is here to harm me. I start fighting back uncontrollably with slaps and kicks as I clamber to my feet, clawing nails at whatever I can reach. Blinded by memory and

ribs as I throw my body weight backwards into him to knock him off balance,

He is trying to reduce my fight and oxygen and claws

not anyone’s docile little victim. I’m Alexi’s little hellcat and I won’t go

backward slaps at his face and head, knowing it would serve more worth than my tiny soft hands. It’s my only weapon right now and I will use it to both hurt him and let Alexi know they have caught me if he puts it back to his ear. I whack at what I

my only hope in getting out of

nails to grab hard and dig into the flesh I manage to cup there. Piercing into softness and digging with all my might. There’s an angry roar as acrylics connect fully and he cruelly yanks my face sideways, pushing my body by letting me go with the arm around my waist. I’m spun

thwack that immediately turns to pulsing swelling flesh as my body follows the curve of my knock and I crumble in a heap on the ground to the side of him. Dazed and my vision blurs a little. Once again being stabbed all over my lower

scramble to get to my knees once more. Hand sliding over my leg, then ankle and grabbing my shoe as I do so. My wits about me, even if they

a choice because they are sexy, I don’t just buy cheap shoes either, with no real strength to the heels. I buy solid expensive and sleek footwear that has enough heel strength to use as a weapon should I ever need it. I learned the value in a good shoe a

him as hard as I can in his inner thigh. Throwing my weight behind it and cupping my shoe so the heel is gaining strength from the palm of my hand. A thrusting motion with intent.

in pain and blood instantly spreads around the embedded weapon. He throws another swing at my face, less coordinated but this time I

grip of me, he yanks me back to my feet, pulls me level with him and grasps my shoe-wielding hand so tightly he crushes my wrist bone with the ferocity of his anger.

you and make you suffer for days for that. I will rip your fucking pussy to shreds and enjoy every minute.” It’s a snarl in the shadows and I’m half blinded by the bright light flooding in through the open door behind him, unable to see him properly. Eyes blink at the sudden assault and a blur of dark and light confuses me, so I have no clue what is going

from his gaping wound. My only hope of fighting a man this size. He overpowers me cruelly and all I can do is grasp at his

else to get loose, but I don’t have the vision to see what it is. Still adjusting to him opening the door and flooding

end of the road