Chapter 254 New Haven
Dakota's P.O.V.
"Give me two minutes to take a shower and change my clothes. I don't want to look like a psycho in these clothes with blood splattered on them." The others laugh as I run upstairs and take the fastest shower of my life. My bed is calling for me as I put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, but I ignore it. I have to get Samantha and Addison first. When I get outside, the others are waiting in the SUV, and I get into the back with Ari.
"Lie on me and try to get some rest," he says. I don't hesitate to lie on the seat and put my head on his lap. It feels like Ari shakes me awake only a minute later.
"Dakota, we're here." I sit up and look around. We're parked in the driveway of a small oceanfront cottage. It's almost three in the morning, so everyone in the surrounding houses seems to be asleep.
"Ari and Xavier, wait out here. I don't want them to feel intimidated. Keep an eye out for anyone who may be watching." Sarah and I get out of the SUV and head to the front door. I can see lights on inside as I ring the doorbell.
"Who is it?" a woman asks.
"Dakota and my friend Sarah," I reply. The door opens, and I hide my surprise. Samantha looks nothing like the man at my house. She has bright red hair pulled back into a long ponytail, gorgeous green eyes, and she’s in a wheelchair.
"Are you sure this is necessary? I'm sure you can understand that I'm uncomfortable going to unfamiliar places, and I'm picky about who is around my daughter." She doesn't open the door all the way as she waits for me to answer. I smile and hold my hand out to her. She hesitates but eventually takes it.
"Your dad is worried about you and knows I can offer the protection that he can't. I'm Dakota Kondrati." I wait for her to recognize my name, and when her eyes widen, she swallows nervously.
"You are nothing as I expected. I pictured a tall woman in her fifties wearing fancy dresses." Sarah and I look at each other before we burst out laughing.
"The only time you'll catch me in something fancy is if there's a dress code. I prefer comfort over name brands, and I'm only twenty-two. My fiancé and Sarah's boyfriend are in the SUV waiting for us. Are you ready to go?" Samantha smiles and opens the door so we can go inside.
"You don't seem so bad to me. I'm going to have to change my plot a little." I look at her in confusion as she leads us to the living room, where she has several suitcases packed.
"What plot?" I ask. Her face gets almost as red as her hair.
"I'm working on a book about a female mafia boss. I have been thinking about it for a while and have started some general research, but I refrained from researching you because I didn't want it to appear that I was basing my character on you. You were my inspiration, though. I thought it was cool that a woman could be a powerful mafia boss in what's considered a man's world." I think, for once in my life, I'm almost speechless.
"I'm flattered. While you're staying with me, if you have any questions, I would be happy to be a resource for you." Samantha looks shocked and then smiles.
"Thank you. I would really appreciate it." We all turn when there's a sound coming from down the hallway. A little girl in a nightgown is rubbing her eyes as she approaches us.
"Mommy, who are these people?" she asks, walking over to her mom and looking at us curiously. Samantha opens her mouth to answer when I see a movement behind her in the dark kitchen. I run the few steps to put myself between her, Addison, and whoever is there.
"Is anyone else here?" I whisper.
"No," Samantha says. The figure moves again, and when a man all dressed in black begins running toward us, I pull out my knife and send it flying through the air. It hits him in the forehead, and he falls to the ground. I see several more shadows moving as I pull the knife from the man's head. How many are here, and how can I get Ari and Xavier's attention? No matter what. I will keep my promise to ensure Samantha and Addison are safe.