Page 20 of Under Her Skin

We load up and begin our trek to the unknown coordinates. Flying into Italy was easy enough - I have connections all over the world. It's how we smuggled in an arsenal of weapons and gear. I was not heading into Kiel’s territory without enough weapons, bullets and tactical equipment to outfit an entire troop. Underestimating Kiel is how we got here. Thinking we had the upper hand, and that we’d taught him a lesson, is how Ava became a prisoner to that sadistic scumbag.

“Fuck,” I spit out. The brothers are also tossing out various expletives. We reach the coordinates location, and I’m staring at a fortress. Towering stone walls line the perimeter, multiple security shacks splattered around the grounds from the perimeter to major entry points. Kiel learned from last time. What a damn shame.

The Giovanni brothers are scoping out the area, attempting to find a weakness. If I can’t find one, they won’t either. Their shoulders slump. Chase looks at me. “Fuck. What the hell do we do now?” Even after being tortured, carried from the building, and weeks of recovering, they still look at me. I am still the leader, and I need to get my shit straight or we will all lose.

I slump over the wheel, closing my eyes, running through the different scenarios. Snapping up, I turn and look at the brothers. “Where is the computer?” Jax digs around for it before pulling it out.

“It’s a long shot. But so was someone sending these coordinates.” I open the computer, pop open the email with the location, and reply to the message with‘We’re here. What are the next steps?”

Each brother takes a look at what I wrote. “Really?” Chase snorts. The others shake their heads.

“Let's hope that whoever is sending us this info is wanting the same thing we want.” Shutting the truck off and turning off all lights, we sit. Hours go by as we wait. The softpingwakes me from a nap - a nap that took me by surprise. Sleep is a complete joke since Ava was taken. I just need her back here with me.

I nudge the brothers awake. Opening the computer, I make sure the satellite connection is still solid. Clicking on the email icon, I open the newest email. The message is short and sweet:Tomorrow @ 22:00.I look from brother to brother then to brother, the serious glint seeps into their eyes. They are just as ready as I am.

“Are we sure this isn’t a trap?” Jax cautiously asks. He nudges his other brother and they both turn to stare at Chase and me.

Chase turns fully, facing the back seat to stare at his brothers. “But this is the only way,” he whispers. “I don’t think I could live with myself if we didn’t follow through.” His voice cracks with unshed emotion. These are the last clear words I hear as the three talk loudly and over each other with their opinions. I’m sure they make valid points, both good merits for following the mysterious tip, versus it’s a trap that will kill us all. Ten minutes of this bickering fiasco of pros and cons, a few harsh‘fuck yous’,and I lose it.

“Shut the fuck up,” I bellow. The truck goes silent. I now have the undivided attention of all three Giovanni brothers. “Yes, it is possible that this is a trap and we will all die. But truth be told, I don’t give a fuck.” I pound my fist against the steering wheel. “I will walk through the fires of hell to get to Ava. And I will slaughter that piece of shit til I’m holding his beating heart in my hand.”

The brothers stare at me with shocked expressions and mouths gaping open. I just confirmed how much Ava means to me.

Turning around to face the windshield, I close my eyes and send a small prayer into the ether that Ava is surviving, that she can hold on one more night. We will get her home and I will be there for her every single step of the way.

The wait for tomorrow will be long. We were so close to her and yet … We must wait.

The decision is made. Trap or not, we will move forward. We drive a distance away from where Ava is being kept, a place off the beat and track about an hour from the holding, to find a hiding spot to drive off road further into the forest area where we can camouflage ourselves into the surroundings. A temporary command center - a place where we can plan, plan, and then plan some more, and fake a few hours of sleep. I don’t think I could even rest knowing she’s so close but not here and probably being tortured by that sick fuck.

As we set up to go over our recon notes and begin to determine the best course of action, I send another pleading prayer that she is alive. If she is alive, she can survive. If she can survive, then we can stitch together all the pieces that scum broke and flayed.

19

AVA

The quiet clicking of silverware on the plate is the only noise that can be heard in the dining room as I sit with Kiel. The staff prepared a beautiful breakfast. If I was sitting here with anyone other than this deranged devil, I might enjoy the incredibly savory meal currently placed before me.

My skin starts to itch as I stab another egg, popping it in my mouth. It's his eyes; he is feasting upon me. His intense gaze makes me physically ill. The delicious food tastes like dust in my mouth. I sigh softly. If I don’t clean the plate, it will push some unknown button Kiel has and I just don’t have it in me to deal with his shit anymore today.

Drinking a sip of my orange juice to wash the ashy taste away, I drift away with my thoughts.

I awoke this morning to Kiel’s gentle hands drifting along my body, shifting at the tickling sensation. He looks down, a soft smile slips on his face. That disturbed light that constantly gleams in his eyes only seems to intensify each time I glance into them.

Cringing, I wait for the explosion of anger. The snap of his fury for the guard - the one left dead, bleeding out all over the pristine white kitchen tile. He continues to glide his hands up and down my arms, slowly shifting to my stomach and back up until he cups my face, turning so he can take my mouth.

I know better than to fight. I give in and continue with my game - I pretend tolovethis and want everything he is doing. Gently rolling me over, he proceeds with our morning routine of sex.

His goal so predominant in his mind that he is letting things slip. As he thrusts into me, I let out a breathy moan of pleasure. It does the trick and Kiel picks up the pace. Hisneedfor an heir is clouding his mind. Not taking notice of there having been a death in his house makes him susceptible to the attack I am planning.

I want nothing more than to take the knife from its hiding place and thrust it deep into him, over and over again until his breath stops and life seeps from his eyes. Stretching as if I’m enjoying his heaving rutting, I arch my back, putting my hands above my head. As my hand brushes the wooden handle, a flash of the stranger's words hit.

“Don’t make any moves that risk your survival until you know it’s the right time. Then do what it is you must to live.”

Freezing, I seductively bring my arms into a wide sweep back to his thighs where I run my nails down his skin. I’m praying that he didn’t see the intent in my eyes, the hesitation of my body. Thankfully, he doesn’t notice a thing. So distracted with my train of thoughts, I don’t feel Kiel stiffen. It’s his groan that snaps me out of it.

A throat clears, bringing me back to now. “Does the meal not satisfy you, pet?” Slipping a serene smile over my still puffy lips, I throw on my mask, a veil of deception. A school girl giggle falls from my mouth.

“Just reminiscing.” I hope that will be enough, but know it won’t be.

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