Chapter 70: Chapter 70

CADDIE

May 22nd 2018

I raise my eyes to the dark sea, strewn with flecks of light. The view is stunning, as the full moon stands high in the sky, illuminating the neighbourhood.

I wrap my blanket tighter around my body as I sit on the cold steps, sipping on a cup of coffee.

For the past twenty minutes, I've done nothing but think about how lucky I am to still be alive and appreciate the little things I have.

I turn my head, looking back at the building over my shoulder as I can hear my phone ringing in the kitchen and I ignore it.

Today we said our farewells to Layla and for some unexplainable reason, I feel quite emotional.

I held Jaxson for two hours straight, staring down at him as he slept peacefully in my arms. I cried, kissing his head multiple times as I whispered in his ear,

'Thank you for choosing me to be your mum.'

Most days I feel unworthy of his love, but, tonight I made a vow to always put him first. I don't ever want him growing up and thinking I didn't give him my all.

Now that the club has been permanently closed and Ace has vanished, I see no reason why we should remain in Auckland.

I have an Aunt who lives on Australia's gold coast, and I have already calculated that if I sell everything I own, I should have enough money to pay for our flights and give my aunt some money to help with the costs for the first few weeks until I find work.

I finish my coffee, standing and turn around to walk back inside. But something catches my attention in the corner of my eye and I stop.

With my brows furrowing together. I turn back around and look down the street.

An unmarked patrol car is parked across the road, three houses down and panic bites into my burning flesh.

My mind instantly thinks of him,

Ace..

I quickly go inside and lock the door behind me, turning every light off and I stand by the window, carefully pulling the curtain aside as I stare at the car.

I can hear the beat of my heart pounding in my ears, my chest rising and falling vigorously as my body paralysis with fear.

I'm too afraid to look away in case he steps out of his car and decides to come banging on my door.

I blink away the tears, swallowing the lump coaxing my throat as butterflies form in the pit of my belly out of sheer terror.

It's the feeling of uncertainty that has me on edge and the sense of awareness that keeps me alert.

As I expected, the car door opens and a man dressed in all black with a cap worn low over his face gets out. He has a silver firearm on his belt that gleams faintly in the streetlights.

I will myself to break free from my frozen stance and move. On trembling limbs, I sprint to the far end of the house, where Jaxson is sleeping, and wrap him in a blanket, squeezing him against my chest.

As I exit the room, the corridor lights cast a dark shadow behind the front door, and the handle jiggles. I want to scream but nothing comes out of my mouth and I feel like I'm partaking in an out of body experience as I watch in slow motion the man I believe to be Ace suddenly has a gun pointed at his head.

I slowly retreat to Mal's room, walking backwards as I cannot bear to look away from what's happening. A faint POP sounds through the air and the man in the cap falls to the ground. I wait for the sound of a THUD to be heard but it doesn't come. The door handle jiggles again followed by someone pounding on the door.

I spin around and dash into Mal's room, opening her double door closet and closing it behind us as I conceal myself under the mountain of clothing she has hung on coat hangers.

Jaxson begins to stir and I rock him in my arms as I squeeze my eyes shut, praying he'll continue to sleep and not make a sound that will draw attention to us.

I hear the door being kicked in, heavy footsteps pacing through the house, checking every room and when the footsteps enter Mal's room, I wrap my hand around my mouth.

I make an effort to breathe shallowly via my nose.

I don't want to die...

I'm not done living...

Shit!!!

I haven't even begun to live my life.

When I begin to believe that these could be my final thoughts, nausea overtakes me.

"Thisavrós!!" (Treasure!!)

"Vanko?" I choke out, removing my hand from my mouth.

"Thisavrós, are you still here?" His deep, richly accented voice booms out as he turns around and searches the house again.

"Vanko!" I cry out, standing up with Jaxson still in my arms. I push the closet door opens, "Vanko!" My voice trembles.

As I walk towards the hallway on trembling limbs, he exits my room, his handsome face stained with worry. He comes towards me, embracing me in his arms and checking on both me and Jaxson.

"W..wh.what are you doing here?" I wonder as he encircles my face with his hands and kisses me on the head.

"I've been keeping a close eye on you since word got out that Ace was found in Wellington with three broken ribs and a fractured jaw. The men at the station did not take it lightly, and one, in particular, desired to send a message that you will always be an easy target."

"I always knew that the men were corrupt as fuck." I chuckle with mockery. "But, you did that to him for us?" I look down at Jaxson still sound asleep.

(Yes) "Nai. It was either that or I buried him alive."

"But why?" I ask him perplexed as we never really crossed paths.

"Seeing him inflict violence on you for the first time struck a chord in my heart. I believe men should learn to worship the ground women walk upon because without them in our lives who do we have to stand at our side and lift us up when we are at our lowest?" He rubs his thumb along my jawline as he stares at me with an abundance of affection in his eyes.

"I was so scared." I whimper. "I really thought it was Ace coming to get his revenge. I had no idea what you did with him, and frankly, I did not care, since I have never felt so free to breathe without him constantly prowling around."

"I would never let anything happen to you, thisavrós." (treasure.) He says in a promising tone. "I want you at my side, so I can hold and protect you always-"

"Vanko," I interrupt him. "I thought I wanted to be with you too. But after everything that's happened, I'm not so certain anymore." I feel a single tear slide down my face. "I want more in life and I don't think I'm going to find that here."

I lean into his touch just as his hand springs back. "I understand." He says, stepping away with fine lines etched into his flawless complexion.

"I just-"

(No.) "Óchi, you don't have to explain." He says quietly and my heart lurches into my stomach.

"Vanko.." I reach out to touch him but he shakes his head with a sad look on his face and turns away from me.