Ever since Andrei and I had that weird little argument after he showed me pictures of us in childhood, shared memories of a time when he and I apparently got along, I've been tense with him. He never brought up what I said to him at the end of that conversation. When I said it was worse if he actually cared about me as his sister and still accepted selling me off for their business purposes.
We both ignored the uncomfortableness since I'm uncomfortable in this house with these crazy people every day anyways. It all blends in. I was feeling restless tonight. It wasn't very late at night yet, but I could feel the early warning signs of my insomnia.
I go through phases where I can't sleep and I'm up all hours of the night roaming around.
Since I felt restless I decided to go downstairs and make myself some tea. I stopped short down the hall when I started hearing noises. What was that? It went quiet again, so I figured I misheard and started to walk again. Then I heard it repeat. I paused.
Oh for christ sake. Loud moaning. I started to hear all kinds of loud things in Andrei's room at the big finish. I banged on the door and ran downstairs to avoid any more audio of my brother in bed with a woman.
One good thing about a big house was that I couldn't hear him any longer once I reached the kitchen and started opening cabinets trying to find the tea bags. I took my teapot and filled it with water, then I put the stove on and waited for it to boil.
I slid up onto the island in the middle of this kitchen and swung my feet absentmindedly while I waited. A few minutes later I heard echoes of feet coming down the stairs. Andrei's friend must be leaving. He never lets them stay.
Instead of going out the front door my brother actually led this girl into the kitchen. He and she both paused when they saw me on the island.
"Getting her water to go," Andrei whirled to the fridge. I glanced over my shoulder and a gorgeous girl was standing there looking mortified. She probably figures I'm the one that heard the two of them.
"I'm so sorry. I'm embarrassed" the girl actually called it out. I slid off the island as my pot came to a boil. "Don't be. You're entitled to your pleasure" I waved her off. Then I turned directly to my brother. "Where'd you fools put my tea?" I asked him.
The girl's eyes bounced between us. She was surprised by my response. "How the fuck should I know" Andrei shrugged it off and escorted his lady friend out.
I swear if they threw out my tea bags.
I started rummaging through everything and found one. As I steepled my tea I heard the front door close and Andrei's feet padding down the hall. Since there was no more chance of audio porn upstairs I went back to my room with a nice hot cup.
I had literally just put down my mug when my phone started ringing. Anthony.
My heart stuttered in my chest. I've been careful with myself after how I reacted to Anthony's news about screwing around with other girls the same week he fooled around with me. I didn't like my reaction. I needed to keep myself in check, and I have been.
Except when Anthony keeps texting me and now apparently calling me. I felt it was a bad idea to pick it up. I didn't want to hear his sexy voice. It's even hotter over the line of the telephone.
But it rang and rang and I just found myself answering. "What?" I tried for a plain voice. Only I didn't hear Anthony's sexy voice on the line. Not right away.
"Aw, O'Riley, did you make me a slideshow? I'm in the middle of a construction zone here trying to work. Could we do this another time?" I heard him say. I was confused, but something stuck with me. O'Riley? Is that what he just said?
"Cut the shit, Rizzo and press play" an unfamiliar voice spoke, but the hint of an accent. I could hear a bit of the philly coming through. Oh shit...
I tried to conjure up what Anthony had been saying when I first answered. He said O'Riley, uh...slide show? What else did he say? I kept listening close, but there was a long paused silence, and my heart was beating out of my chest.
Construction site! Well where the fuck is that? I didn't want to hang up the call, so I put it on speaker and pulled up my texts immediately.
*Me: Enzo, I just received a weird call from Anthony. I think he's signaling for help. He mentioned O 'Riley and a construction site* I texted him fast. *Enzo: Shit, okay, got this.* he told me. I texted back asking what site. He told me the street and I told him I live about 10 or 15 minutes closer to that area than he does.
*Enzo: Lexi, no matter what, do not go to that site. I'll handle this* he said.
Yeah, yeah, men always tell me it's handled. But clearly Anthony needs help, so I said fuck Enzo's orders and I started running to put some shoes on.
When I ran outside I ran for the garage, but a guardsman stepped in my way. "Miss Petrov, can we help you with something?" He asked me. "Move" was all I said. "We have orders from your father that you be accompanied when leaving the residence unless with the Rizzo men" he told me.
Another man telling me things. I grabbed him by the elbows and kneed him straight in the balls. When he crumpled over I went into the garage. I heard other guardsmen jogging over.
I don't have the keys to any of these cars. Shit. Think, Lexi? Wait...I spun in a circle looking around for it. Bingo.
I ran over and undercovered Andrei's expensive ass motorcycle I just heard him bragging about buying. He left the keys on the bike because he loses everything. I grabbed the bike even though I knew my brother would kill me if he found out.
I can sorta ride. I've ridden one before, let's say that much. I slammed the garage door lift, and as it rolled open I hopped on the bike and revved the engine, lifting my feet as I took off.
-
I parked the bike a building over so I wouldn't make too much noise and alert them of my presence. I mean it's New York you always hear noise, so I blended in. I could see the glowing trailer in the distance. Anthony has to be in there. I started running for it before realizing I don't have a weapon.
Stupid, stupid move Lexi. Then I spotted the discarded shovel. Hello lovely.
My heart was pumping fast, and I was sharp in my alertness, but not thinking clearly in my rash approach. Still, it's Anthony's life on the line. I couldn't wait for help. I'm so sick of that crap.
I forged on until I got to the trailer, and just as I was ready to start swinging like Babe Ruth I realized Liam O'Riley was laying on the ground.
When I looked up my shovel was in the air, Anthony stood in surprise of my being there. I had to take a second to understand what I was seeing here. Liam was knocked out, Anthony was on the telephone, and he was...oh god, he was bleeding through his white button down shirt.
I jumped over Liam and rushed to him. He waved his hand to gesture that everything was okay, but he continued his phone call. "Yes, bring everything. I need that kit" I heard him say. I didn't understand his meaning.
I started undoing the buttons of his shirt, not paying attention to him trying to remove my hands. When I got it open I could see a gash. Not a bullet wound, just a gash. I was relieved. Though it was bleeding a good bit, I knew it wasn't life threatening.
When he ended the call he immediately used his clean hand, his left one was stained with blood, to take my shoulder. "What are you doing here?" He asked me. I gaped at him. "You called me. I heard Liam's name and I panicked" I told him the truth of it.
He huffed a half laugh. "And you were gonna come in swinging then?" He noted the discarded shovel. "I called for backup. I'm not an idiot. But I live 10 minutes closer than Enzo does. I didn't want him to be too late" I sighed in relief again.
I looked down and noticed Liam had two gashes across his face, and a discarded stapler was beside his head. I looked at that then back at Anthony.
"He had his gun drawn and I couldn't get to mine. I used the stapler to knock his face in. In the surprise of my hit he squeezed the trigger and grazed me here. So I hit him again and knocked him out" he explained.
Damn. Knocked out by a stapler. The fool. Now Anthony had two guns with him and Liam had none.
"What are you gonna do with him?" I asked. I was looking around for something to press over Anthony's wound to stop the bleeding. Since I couldn't find anything sanitary I made him remove his shirt and folded it up to compress.
"Don't worry about that, sweetheart" Anthony blew off answering my question. "Another one underestimating me" I sucked my teeth and shook my head. When he asked what I meant I told him I ignored Enzo's orders, broke a guardsmen's balls after he told me he was following my fathers orders to keep me home, and stole a motorcycle to get there.
That ripped a deep chuckle out of him.
"It's just not pleasant stuff, Lex, and I don't want you knowing that side of my life, is all" he explained his reason. "So lie about who you are" I called him out. "No. I'm not lying about who I am. You know who I am" he held his arms out at his sides showing himself.
Damn Anthony Rizzo for looking sexy all shirtless, muscled, and bloody. For having won a fight with a stapler versus a gun. For being smooth about the whole thing while I sat here trying to tend to his wound.
Anthony seemed ready to say something else when suddenly he was pulling me flush against him. For a second I was disoriented, but I felt his warm chest flat against my cheek, my hand slipped off his wound, and his left arm was wrapped tight around me, his hand protecting my head.
Then I realized why.
Liam had woken up and stood up quickly hoping to get the jump on us. Anthony swiftly lept into action, pulling me against him to guard me and punching Liam dead in the jaw. It made a loud clap and Liam's jaw swung opposite his direction. I swear his mouth swung so far sideways he could've whispered in his own ear. He dropped like a sack of potatoes after that.
All in the same moment we saw a figure standing right outside the trailer door. It was really dark outside now, but from the glow of the room Enzo's wide eyes could be seen. His gaze bounced between Liam, who Enzo just watched his cousin punch, and me in Anthony's arms flush against him while he's shirtless. I can see how this looks ...
We all went to speak at the same time and all stopped to let the other speak. Anthony released me from his hold and I refolded the shirt to press against his gash. He took that moment to explain everything to Enzo who cursed under his breath.
"What'd he want?" Enzo asked the question I wanted to know. I felt Anthony's eyes drop to me and back to his cousin. "Yeah, we need to call an emergency meeting for that" was all he said.
Enzo tipped his head in curiosity. It sounds important. That worries me. "Uh, Lexi, would you mind giving us a minute?" Enzo scratched at the back of his head and asked me. He didn't even comment on the fact that I didn't listen to him when he told me not to come here.
"Seriously? I can come to the rescue, but I can't know the details" I crossed my arms and looked at them. At the same time my phone started ringing off the hook.
Andrei.