Lethal, p.28
Lethal, page 28
“Ah,” he smiled widely, “I have heard great things about you.”
“Great things? Are you sure?” I confirmed.
He chuckled, settling down on the couch and gesturing me to do the same. I obliged, unsure as to why he was here. My stomach fell with dread when I realized he may not have any news about his son’s death.
“Mr. Jamshidi,” I prepared myself, “I’m afraid I have some bad news. About Feroz-”
His face fell and I saw a wave of pain in his eyes.
“So, he was telling the truth,” he stated, interlacing his fingers.
“What do you mean?”
He settled back on the couch with a deep sigh, as if preparing to launch into a story.
“About a month ago, Feroz came to meet me.”
“He did what?”
I was shocked, to say the least. Why didn’t I have any idea about this? Why didn’t he tell me?
“Yes, he reached out to me. Found him sitting in my office one morning. It had been years since I had seen him or even heard from him. I was naturally astounded.”
“What happened?”
“He looked good, was smiling even.” Mr. Jamshidi went on, “Things weren’t good between us when he left, but I was happy to see him. I hugged him and we both sat down to chat. That’s when he told me that he had become involved in some extremely dangerous situation.”
I listened quietly.
“He wouldn’t give me details, said he was afraid those people might hurt me or his mother.” he shook his head, “I tried convincing him but to no avail. Eventually, he told me why he was there.”
“Why?” I prompted, still baffled.
“He said that the way things were going, he may not have long left. And before he lost the chance, he wanted to make amends with his family. I begged him to tell me what life-threatening situation he was involved in. I could’ve helped him with anything. I am a powerful man with friends in all the high places. But he just smiled, held my hand, and asked if he could have dinner with his family tonight.”
Oh, Feroz.
“What a joy it was to have him back home. His mother cried, almost fainted, raged a little, and then hugged him.”
I saw tears in his eyes.
“My heart was so full that night. Both my children were with me after a decade, my wife moved about with a skip in her step, ordering the cooks to prepare all of Feroz’s favorite meals. She hadn’t been herself for a long while having lost two of her three children.”
He was crying unabashedly now, not bothering to wipe his tears.
“For a few hours, I forgot the real reason why Feroz had come to see me. When the time came for him to leave, he made me promise not to tell his mother. And I-”
He paused and then went on.
“I just- I mean, how could you just believe if your son, who you’re seeing after years, suddenly tells you that he may die in the coming weeks? You don’t just up and believe something like that. At least, I didn’t. I told him to come back home, be with us. But no. He said he had another family he needed to be there for, someone he couldn’t let down.”
Mr. Jamshidi looked at me.
“Initially I thought it was maybe his boyfriend or a husband, but then he told me about you.” he gestured towards me, “He told me that ‘Lexi is just a girl in a lot of pain, and even more love in her heart to give to the world.’ He spoke fondly of you, called you his best friend, family, and confidant.”
I smiled sadly, my eyes welling up.
“For the next few days, we remained in contact- I kept on asking him to come back, or at least take my help. But to no avail. He didn’t want me or his family anywhere near what he was involved in. Eventually, he lost all contact.” he sighed again, “There would be this constant dread in my stomach. I had gained my son back and lost him again within days. It started to dawn on me that what he said might actually have been true and so I made my way down here today, and just so happen to have run into you.”
He looked grief-stricken- like he would burst into tears any second. His charming smile fell and his lips turned down as he tried to contain his trembling.
“Can you tell me more about him? What kind of person he turned out to be?” he asked earnestly.
“Well,” I crossed my leg, “Feroz turned out to be better than a majority of the men in my life. He was kind and smart, and never once did I hear him talk badly of you or his family. He thought the world of you and even keeps a picture of you all. ‘They give me strength.’, he used to say.”
“I am glad I raised a good man.”
“You raised one hell of a man.” I nodded in agreement.
By the time my emotional and heartfelt conversation with Mr. Jamshidi ended, it had become quite late. It wasn’t until I received Alistair’s text, did I realize if I didn’t leave, I would be late for dinner.
“You have somewhere to be.” Mr. Jamshidi observed, “I wouldn’t keep you.”
“I am sorry, but I have an important dinner tonight.”
“That’s absolutely fine. However, there are a couple more things I need to talk to you about.”
“Yes?”
“One, I have to give you this.” I watched with curiosity as he picked up a brown file that was by his side and extended it to me.
“What is this?”
“My son asked me to give it to you. It was one of the reasons why I was down here today. I was going to leave it at the table but now that you’re here…”
Still staring at the folder, I continued, “And the other thing?”
“I would like to know where he was laid to rest, if he was, and was even given last rites.”
“Mr. Jamshidi, I oversaw all the arrangements myself,” I assured him.
“Would you take me to see him, one last time?” he asked hesitantly, emotion stuck in his throat.
“Of course. How about tomorrow?”
“That would be lovely.”
Forty-four: Promise
Alexandra
Emotions. Emotions. Emotions.
They’re a bitch, aren’t they?
These past few months, I have been dangling between rage, pain, and small bouts of happiness. I have killed countless people, bawled like a baby but somehow managed to obtain a little bit of bliss with Alistair.
Today, I was consumed with sadness. After my conversations with Aurora and Mr. Jamshidi, I barely had any energy left. The thought of seeing Alistair brought me a sense of happiness but the thought of a family dinner filled me with dread.
As I rolled up to the front doors of the Donati Mansion, I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Being on the verge of war and meeting with Alistair’s parents were starting to feel like the same situation. I fixed my wine-colored dress and grabbed my bag before walking inside. Alistair met me at the door, looking quite handsome. But then again, he always did. He had ditched his usual suit for a form-fitting, black shirt and pants.
“I am so glad you’re here.” he breathed, “You look amazing.”
“As do you.” I eyed him up and down with admiration. His tattoos curled up his chest to his neck, and I noticed a tiny, diamond stud nested in his ear.
I curled my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss, a kiss he returned with equal fervor. His hands moved over my back, down, and then back up.
“Well,” he pulled away with a grin, his eyes hooded, “I could get used to this kind of greeting.”
I hummed, “Let’s get this dinner over with so you can take me home.”
Dropping a quick peck to my cheek, he grabbed my hand, laced our fingers, and guided me inside.
It had been a long time since I’d been here. The house seemed different today. Much more silent than usual. But I felt a strange warmth when we stepped into the living room, hearing the laughter and the chatter.
“She’s here!”
Alistair’s announcement had everyone dropping their conversation and turning towards us. I had to admit, the sudden stares did make me somewhat conscious.
“Mom, Dad, this is my Alex- Alexandra,” he continued, “Alex, meet my mother Irene, and my father Luca Donati.”
Luca Donati’s grip was strong and his smile somewhat stiff, but genuine, which was quite an unexpected action. Irene Donati, on the other, let out a gleeful smile and grabbed me by the shoulders and in for a tight embrace.
“It is so good to finally meet you, Alexandra.” she squealed, “My son has been ranting about you for ages now.”
Irene Donati was a lovely woman, at first glance. You wouldn’t believe she was married to one of the biggest mobsters in the country given her grace, affection, and a childlike innocence I had never seen in a woman before.
After she pulled away, I turned to face Drina. Guilt seeped into my heart when I noticed her smug and stoic expression and I waited for her to snap. This was the first time I was seeing her after Feroz’s death, after I had cut off all contact with just about everyone in my life.
“You. Stupid. Bitch.” she cursed, folding her arms across her chest.
“Hey!” I offered, cringing at my own voice.
Drina grabbed me by the arm and started leading me out of the room. No one bothered to stop or even question her. Even Alistair gave me a weak wave and a helpless shrug when I silently begged him to save me.
“Traitor!” I mouthed at him.
“I’ll be in my room, find me later.” he blew me a kiss, which did nothing but infuriate me.
Normally, I wouldn’t have been scared. I mean, I could probably take Drina on. But right now- I felt powerless. We stopped outside her bedroom where she turned around in a sudden move and slammed her fist in my chest!
My mouth dropped with a loud gasp and I stared at her in shock.
“You punched me in the boob!”
“You’re damn right I did!” she huffed dramatically, “I am so mad at you. And you’re so lucky Vedika isn’t here, she would’ve punched you in the other one!”
“I assumed as much.” I groaned, rubbing the spot where she got me, “Where is she?”
“She’s out with Mikhael tonight. Alistair sent them on a job.”
“That reminds me, where has Mikhael been all this while? I hardly ever saw him after the first day!”
“He’s been abroad. With Alistair involved with Karina Velov, Dad thought it would be a good time to allow Mikhael to learn a few things.”
I nodded, and then asked after a pause, “Did you bring me all the way to your room to punch me in the boob?”
“No, I wanted you to finally meet my daughter.”
Her mood changed like a swing, and in an instant, it had gone from anger to happiness. She pushed open the door to her room and I followed through.
Nested in a crib was a tiny, little baby. She began kicking her hands and feet as if sensing her mother’s presence. I watched as Drina carefully picked her up and cradled her in her arms.
“Hi darling,” she cooed, “look who’s here- it is Aunt Lexi.”
The endearment sounded foreign to me. But I was so taken by the little girl’s beauty, that I forgot everything for a moment. Her bright blue eyes roamed over my face with curiosity as same as mine.
“Lexi, I want you to meet Feroza.”
My heart faltered, “What?”
She gave me a warm smile, “Yes. I named her after one of the kindest, generous, and strongest people I have ever met.”
“Oh, Drina…”
My throat closed up with unspent emotion as I reached out and tickled Feroza’s chin. She smiled and grabbed it in her tiny hands, and I swear my heart would’ve burst at that moment.
We stood there talking for a few moments, catching up on a few things and playing with Feroza, who commanded a majority of my attention and admiration with her gleeful smiles and laughs.
“She’s getting sleepy now.” Drina observed, “I am gonna get her settled. Why don’t you get Alistair from his room and we’ll meet downstairs for dinner?”
“Sure.”
After bidding goodbye to the little girl, I made my way over to Alistair’s bedroom. The moment I entered, I could feel a shift in the air.
I found him standing by the pool, hands shoved in the pockets and lost in thought. I moved across the room, and past the sliding doors, and went to stand beside him.
“Hey, what are you doing out here all alone?”
When he turned to face me, I saw something in his eyes I had never seen before. I paused a little when my heart skipped a beat and started thumping a little faster. He was looking at me with an emotion so raw and so consuming that I was captivated, unable to look away.
“In the past couple of months, we’ve had brushes with death far more times than a normal person ever would. The kidnapping, the shooting, and this inevitable war.”
He took my hand in his and I enjoyed the warmth that emanated from his palm.
“Even when I was driving to your place last night, a large part of me was fearful that maybe Karina Velov changed her mind and did something to you. I was trembling, really, of what I might find once I reached you.”
I grasped his hand tighter in mine, unable to provide any verbal comfort.
“It just made me realize, yet again, that I don’t want to lose you. So…”
He shoved his hand in his pocket and took out a small velvet box. My heart stopped for the hundredth possible time today. I still had a pretty tight grip on his wrist when he opened the box.
When he took out the piece of jewelry, I couldn’t help but gasp. A lone ring dangled at the end of a long, silver chain, encrusted with diamonds.
“Alistair…” I breathed.
“Don’t worry, this isn’t a proposal.” he assured me, adding, “Yet.”
“Then- wha- I…” I seemed to have lost touch with verbal communication.
He chuckled, tucking a strand of unruly hair behind my ear, “It’s a rare moment watching you all flustered.”
“Alistair, stop messing with me!” I whined.
“Alright, alright.” he laughed.
I couldn’t fathom why he was laughing at such a serious moment. My heart was racing so loud, I was sure he could hear it over his giggles.
“As I said, it's not a proposal, yet.” he continued after sobering up, “But, it is a promise.”
“A promise?” I asked, as he gently turned me around and moved my hair to the side. Vulnerability hit me when my scar became exposed. I started to turn back around but his hand on my waist held me firmly in place.
“You never have to hide from me.”
His words were breathed on my skin and my eyes closed on their own accord when he bent down and pressed a series of kisses along my scar. I was trembling when he locked the chain in place, the cold ring coming to rest right above my chest.
“When all of this is over, I am going to give you the life you deserve.” he said, pulling me back to him, “The one you always deserved.”
My eyes welled up when I saw the determination in his eyes.
“I am going to whisk you around the world, and it won’t just be margaritas on beaches.” I could hear his smile, as he caressed my cheek with his fingers, “I am going to make up for everything we missed doing all these years apart- a proper date, movie nights, lazy mornings- all of it.”
“I’d like that.” I was able to choke out three words without bursting into tears at just how much I wanted to do those things with him.
“And if we ever get bored, with our combined skills, we can hunt down assholes for fun.” he finished making me laugh.
“But most of all,” he pulled me impossibly close, “I am going to make you my wife.”
Wife.
The kiss we shared then will forever remain etched in my brain. It was otherworldly, the intensity with which our lips collided. Intimate. Passionate. Full of desire and love.
“I love you.” I whispered, moving my fingers through his hair, “I love you so, so much.”
That moment was so, so cherished. It made me feel lucky. It made me feel alive. And most of all, it made me feel loved. Here was someone who wanted me, not for my murderous abilities but rather for me- the person I was before I was thrown into the dark side of the world.
“Let’s get this dinner over with so I can take you home.”
But fate had something else entirely in store for us. As Alistair grabbed my hand and began leading me out of his bedroom, I was in a trance, overjoyed and blissful as I followed him out.
However, we were met at the door by none other than Mikhael, who looked like he had sprinted up the stairs.
“What? What is it?” Alistair asked.
“We’ve got company. SUVs rolling up the main road.”
Shit.
Forty-five: Ambush
Alexandra
Alistair’s grip on my hand tightened and he launched into a tirade of orders and commands to his younger brother.
“Get Drina and Feroza to the safe rooms-”
His words were cut off by the noise of gunshots.
With a loud curse, he grabbed both me and Mikhael and pulled us to the floor as the bullets hit the windows in his room, trashing the glass to pieces!
“What the fuck?” I yelled out in shock, ducking out of the door. With an urgent pull, Alistair led me down the hallway and towards the staircase, muttering a string of profanities.
“This bitch has a lot of balls, attacking my home like this.”
“Mikhael, our manpower?” I turned to the younger brother, who looked more mature and serious than the last time I had seen him.
“Already called for backup.”
“Ammunition?”
“Enough for an army!”
We landed in the lobby amid utter chaos- gunshots, screaming, and soldiers hurrying past. One of them jogged up to us, panting, “They have us surrounded. I don’t know how they got in, but they have. ETA on backup is still 5 minutes.”
“Where are Drina and Feroza? And my parents?” Alistair inquired, taking the guns being handed to him.
“They are being escorted to the west wing safe room as we speak.” the soldier replied.
“Get me extra security, I am gonna go check the back. Alex and Mikhael, you both stay here.”
