Ghosts in the warehouse
NOLAN POV
I got Ben’s luggage and went to meet up with my father so that we could come up with a plan to safely rescue her without putting her life on the line.
The mere thought of seeing her in pain and scared was sending me over the edge, and for the first time in my life, I felt like murdering someone.
Zane Gray was going to pay with his fucking life for laying his filthy hands on Benedykta.
An hour later, I made it to my father’s mansion, and this place brought back the good memories we had before things went sour between us.
This man wasn’t just my father; he was also my best friend, but that bond and those feelings went down the drain the moment he chose to betray me.
He slept with the woman I was in love with, and that is something I can’t look past, even if he happens to be my father.
Forty minutes later, I arrived at his mansion and offloaded Ben’s luggage, carrying it to the doorstep.
I rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, my father opened the door, and our eyes locked in a frenzy.
I could tell that he was very stressed out.
“Come in, Nolan,” he muttered quietly.
I nodded sternly and walked into the house.
It seemed like nothing had changed, but my attention lingered on the empty bottles of liquor on the table.
I heard the door close behind me.
“I figured that we could use all the help we can get, so I called your uncle here.”
I gave him a puzzled look.
Before I could mutter a word, I saw Uncle Matteo emerging from upstairs.
We spoke a few hours ago.
Last time I spoke to him, he was in Italy; what the hell was he doing in the United States?
Our eyes locked, and he smirked at me.
“I thought you were in Italy. What are you doing here?” I asked curiously.
This whole damn thing felt like it was some sort of setup.
“Well, I’ve been in America for the past few days, keeping an eye on you and your father.”
I rolled my eyes.
He gestured for us to sit at the table like we were some kids.
My father groaned deeply but still sat down.
Uncle Matteo cocked a brow at me.
“If the both of you want to successfully bring Benedykta home, you need to work together, but first, you need to put your differences aside.”
I sat down, staring at my father.
This whole thing was starting to feel like detention.
“Ambrose, since you’re the oldest, why don’t you go first?” Uncle Matteo chipped in.
My father glared at him.
“You still remember that I’m your capo, right? Don’t test your luck,” he warned, and I couldn’t help but chuckle because the look on Matteo’s terrified face was priceless.
My father gave me a small smile.
“Nolan…I don’t know where to start, but I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you, son, and I know that no matter how many times I apologize to you, it will never be enough to repair all the damage that my actions have caused.”
He lowered his gaze.
“You were right; I should have tried harder to stay away from Ben when I found out that she was going to be your wife, but honestly, I gave it everything I had. Sometimes the heart is stubborn, and it never listens to the logic of the brain, and like every other person, that’s where I fucked up.”
I could see the remorse in his eyes.
“Maybe I should have told you about Ben at the engagement party; maybe all this pain could have been avoided, and maybe nothing would have changed between us.”
I couldn’t do this shit.
I raised my hands, stopping my father from finishing his sorry ass speech that I didn’t need to hear.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for this shit; can we just cut to the chase?”
My father nodded quietly and gave Uncle Matteo a knowing look.
He lit a cigarette with the same old silver lighter he’d had since I was a kid.
Uncle Matteo sighed deeply.
“She’s being held in a warehouse just outside the city,” Matteo said, laying the map flat on the table between us.
I scoffed in annoyance.
“Zane sent the location ten minutes before you arrived, and he’s expecting you and your father to show up without any backup or the police, but that’s where he’s wrong because I’ll tag along and keep my distance in case he decides to play dirty.”
I nodded quietly.
“You’re sure he won’t hurt her before we get there?” I asked in a worried tone.
My father’s eyes darkened.
“He won’t. Not if he wants to see tomorrow.”
Our eyes locked.
Ambrose spoke next, his voice low but hard.
“Matteo and I will take care of Zane and any of his hired muscles. You get Ben and get out of there; is that clear, Nolan?”
I nodded quietly.
I couldn’t let her die.
The warehouse loomed like a rotting skeleton against the dusk. Concrete and rust, windows broken, the air around it still and unnaturally quiet.
We parked a block away so Uncle Matteo could get out before Zane figured out our plan.
My palms were already sweating as my father and I approached the front entrance.
The door creaked when I opened it. Every step inside echoed. Dust floated in the beams of my flashlight. I could hear my own heartbeat thudding in my ears.
There was a metal door on the other side of the room.
It must be it.
Where he is holding Ben hostage.
My father gave me a knowing look and opened the door.
The lights turned on, and then I saw her.
Benedykta.
She was tied to a metal chair in the center of the room, under a flickering hanging light. Her hair was matted, her face bruised.
Her clothes were stained and torn. She looked up as I stepped closer, and for a moment, we both froze.
“Nolan?” her voice cracked.
Her gaze lingered on my father’s face.
“Ambrose...” she whispered softly.
My chest squeezed.
Zane was standing behind her with an amused grin on his face.
The room smelled like fresh vomit.
Zane took out his gun and pointed it right at us.
His face was wild with obsession. Hair disheveled, eyes sunken. He looked like he was possessed.
“She was mine before any of you fuckers ever touched her,” he snarled.
He glared at my father.
“Toss your gun to me now!” he demanded angrily.
When my father hesitated, he grabbed Ben by the hair, yanking it hard until she screamed in pain.
Ambrose immediately tossed his gun in Zane’s direction, and it landed at his feet.
Zane let go of Ben’s hair, smiling.
“You’re sick,” Ambrose said coldly.
He grinned like a madman.
“Benny, didn’t you tell them the good news?” he taunted, and Ben sniffled softly.
“Zane, please don’t,” Ben started, but
her voice began trembling.
I swallowed hard.
“So between the father and son, who’s the father of your little unborn bastard?” he taunted.
I felt the words like daggers, but I didn’t move. I didn’t look at her. I couldn’t.
She was pregnant.