Ford: The Dudnik Circle Book 1 (8 page)

There’s noise behind the door right before it bursts open and we all see two dead bodies on the ground and who must be Albert standing in the middle.

“Now, you all go on about with your shit as I will continue mine. Oh and Tarzan. Another one down, the next one will be you.”

We all watch as the swift move of the blade leaves a red line that rapidly starts to flow, turning Afon’s white dress shirt into a sea of red.

***Justice***

“Afon, no!” I watch as his hands come up and wrap around his neck as his knees give out from under him.

At the moment, I don’t fucking care about that Filippov fucker. I rush to Afon and kneel down at his side. Ford’s jacket hits the floor as he pushes his shirt against my hands.

“Give pressure but not too damn much. Ambulance is on the way…. I gotta…”A flash jumps over Afon as I see Ford run out the door, Yegor hot on his heels behind him.

Tears run over my cheeks. With all the turmoil in my fucked-up life, these last few days have been draining. Like the blood that’s… focus.

“Don’t you fucking dare die, Afon. I need you, come on… hang in there.”

Paramedics pour into the room and nudge me aside, and I watch them try to stabilize Afon. His eyes are on me when I see them fade as his head lolls to the side.

Sweetie pie, my ass.

“Sit down or I’ll drag you down myself.” Ford’s voice is a harsh command.

I shoot a glare in his direction while I continue pacing the room they’ve put us in. I hate this. Waiting. No news. Surgery. That’s good, right? At least he’s not dead… yet. Fuck.

Strong arms wrap around me and I’m dragged against a hard chest. A naked chest, I might add. His smell surrounds me as my mind wonders if they put us in here because of his bare tattooed torso. Ford took his shirt off so I could put pressure…
fuck
, will Afon be? How fucking long has it been? Really? They keep us in the fucking…

“Shush,
Angel Moy
. They’re doing everything they can. I’m sure they will give us an update as soon as possible. For now, let them focus on pulling him through.”

Shit. I said that out loud, didn’t I? I’m so tired. Why am I falling apart when I’ve been so strong for so long? I’m the damned head of one of the biggest gangs... Okay, even bigger now since we’ve merged.

I take a deep breath because I damn well know the answer. Within a matter of days, I’ve lost two people. And not only were they close to me, but also high up in the rank of my gang. Am I going to lose my second-in-command? He needs to pull through, he just has to.

Ford’s lips cover mine in a lingering kiss that turns my mind numb. When he eases back, he touches his forehead with mine. This man from my past, who I’ve hated all my life, is now the very person I lean on.

When I made the choice to use him to push Filippov, I couldn’t foresee this would happen. Although it feels right.
He feels right
. Deep down I know he would give his life for me. A cold shiver runs down my spine. Is he doing this because he feels obligated? Because he must pay for the hurt he’s caused me?

“What are you thinking, Angel? Tell me.” His gaze penetrates my mind as if he’s trying to peel the thoughts right out of my head. Trust and honesty. Things I value. Things the men I’ve lost gave me as I gave to them in return. I need to be strong. He doesn’t…

I straighten my spine. “Look, Ford, I’m thankful you’re here, but I’m fine now. We’re… fine. There is no reason for you to feel obligated to be here for me.”

Hurt. That’s what staring back at me. He takes a step forward and another one and by doing this, he pushes me backward until I’m boxed in between him and the wall.

“What’s this? You think I’d be with a woman out of guilt? Would give my life so she can live hers without a backward struggle? How wrong you are and how sorry you’re going to be for those thoughts the second we get home.” His voice is a low growl, breathing next to my ear.

Those words, his tone. The place between my legs starts to throb. And now I'm annoyed by the way my body reacts to him. This whole fucked-up situation and we’re in the freaking hospital for crying out loud, but my body is still screaming for him.

My hand cups his hardware and I give it a tight squeeze. “Are you sure? Because you should be thankful I don’t have a rope on me or I’d string your balls so tight, your dick would be begging me to…”

“My dick will always be begging for you, Angel. He’s just not allowed to speak so you’ll never enjoy that satisfaction. Besides that… there’s no fucking way rope will ever come near my balls or my dick for that matter. As for you… I can’t wait to wrap you up, totally under my control.
Mine
.”

My body shivers at the promise in his voice. Damn that man.

His soft chuckle lets me know he caught my body’s surrender. “That right there, Angel… That’s what you stir inside me. No other woman has been able to do that. No other.“ He takes a deep breath. “I’ve never been inside a woman before you.”

It’s barely a whisper and his confession confirms my thoughts. “Well, I could only get myself off until you. There, are we done admitting shit so we can get back to worrying instead of sexing each other up? Because I’d hate to have my legs around your waist when they come to,”

“When I come, Angel… I don’t fucking care if anyone else is coming or going. Just as long as you and I do… preferably together.”

Before I can reply, the door swings open, and a doctor walks in with his hands in his pockets. His slightly gray hair shows his age, while his slumped shoulders show the weight of his profession and he looks so, so tired.

“No,” I whisper. Dreading what comes next I strengthen my spine but place my head against Ford’s chest.

His arms close around me as I feel the rumble of his voice in his chest. “Doc. Lay it on us.”

“We did everything we could,”

I hold my breath, bracing myself for what comes next. I press myself deeper against Ford’s warmth, afraid that if I let go, I will lose everything. Voices fade as my mind runs away with the thought of yet another huge loss.

Ford grips my shoulders and pushes me away from his body. “Justice.” He snaps. “Like the doc said, it’s up to Afon now. He hasn’t given up yet, so you better not fucking throw in the goddamn towel until you’re standing at his fucking grave. And fuck. Then I still wouldn’t let you drop the damn thing.”

“I suggest you all go home and get some rest. Come back in a few hours. He’s still sedated. I will allow one or two visitors in a few hours, once we move him out of recovery”

The doc steps forward and he grips Ford’s hand, then mine and Yegor’s. I totally forgot there was another person in the room.

“Let’s go home.” Ford laces his fingers with mine which leaves me no other choice but to follow.

“He’s got a little surprise for you.” Yegor whispers behind me.

“Don’t ruin it yet, Yegor. She’ll find out soon enough.” Ford mumbles.

My curiosity is piqued but I really, really hate surprises. I dig in my heels and come to a stop. “What’s going on, Ford?”

He glares over my head at Yegor. Yeah, stuff it, I need to know. “Newsflash, don’t ever plan a surprise for me. I hate that shit and I have a trigger-happy finger reflex.”

“
Lapochka
…you’re not even carrying.”

Sweetie pie, my ass. I tilt my head. “Do you wanna take that chance?”

He seems to ponder for a few seconds before he says. “Filippov vanished into thin air but we managed to grab his guy, Albert. He’s waiting...for us. You game?”

“Why the fuck are we standing around here for? I don’t even need that shower; I’ll have time for that when I’m done with this piece of shit.”

Walking in the direction of the exit, I throw the words over my shoulder. “I hope to fuck you have enough rope.”

I squeak out loud when Ford picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. “Enough, Tarzan. Don’t you fucking worry about that. My woman gets everything she fucking wishes for, and more.”

Noooooo
…
Big, bad mob bosses do not squeak. What the hell is this guy doing to me? All those years, I’ve been one of the guys. Head. Respected. I still am, except now with a feminine vibe? Oh, damn. I need to box this shit in before I start wearing pink shit or something.

The walk to the car is faster than the wait for Yegor to clear it. They take every precaution, double it, and then toss in an extra rundown. They're on full alert and who can blame them? The last car bomb killed my brother and another hell-of-a-good guy from my gang.  

The drive to Ford’s house makes my mind wander and right when the car comes to a stop I think about how Filippov is still out there. He’s got a nasty street gang tied to him that’s itching to claw their way to the top. “You know the fucker is probably holed up in the nest of that new gang, right?”

Ford nods as we climb out of the car and walk to his mansion. “We’ve got a few guys out and our computer guys are working together right now. Quite a team I might say. Or threesome.” He chuckles as he wiggles his eyebrows.

“Aaaaah there it is.” A pang of jealousy hits me. Acer and Apple. Twins we nicknamed after their favorite computer hardware preferences. Apple is so addicted to her computer she rarely leaves the house. A gamer you have to smack on the head and drag her away by the hair. Besides that? She’s fucking gorgeous.

The sharp pinch in my left ass cheek snaps me back in the conversation. “Ow, why did you do that for?” I rub my ass while he smirks at me.

“I’ll do even worse if you don’t stop thinking less of yourself or me for that matter. Besides that? You’re fucking gorgeous and all mine, I don’t want or need anyone else. Ever. You get that or do I need to rub it… or pinch it some more before that ass knows it’s mine?”

How the fuck does he do that? He’s like a mind reader and the master of my body, all rolled into one.

Glaring at him, I snap, “Take me to that fucking asshole, I need to unwind. Oh, but I need another set of clothes first.”

I peer down on my dress that is ruined by all the blood. Yeah, I need to change into comfy clothes. Something I can move around in and have a little playtime.

Once I’m upstairs, I grab my bag and take out my wetsuit. After throwing it on the bed, I strip naked before I slide it on. It’s a smooth black fabric with red and white flames on the arms and legs. I love these things. It allows me to move freely. Ford might have a stash of robes, but I have a stash of these things.

I grab my leather fingerless gloves, with extra padding on the inside and slip them on. Pulling the elastic from around my wrist, I tie my hair back and I’m ready. I hold my phone in my hand and walk to the door but come to an abrupt stop because of the hot, muscled, man who’s leaning in the doorway and staring at me with hungry eyes.

“What?” My voice wavers a bit because of the longing gaze that penetrates me.

Ford pushes off the doorway and stalks toward me. “You’re fucking hot in that second skin.”

Sidestepping, I exit the room while I toss over my shoulder, “Save it, Slick. Play first, hot sex later.”

“Oh, it will be hot all right.” He mumbles as he follows me.

I have no idea where I’m going, so when Ford remarks that I need to turn left at the bottom of the stairs, I wait until he’s beside me and we both head in the same direction.

His basement twists and turns like a maze and I kind of adore the place. His whole house has this very old mansion, comfy home, yet very creepy vibe. I like it. A lot.

Ford stops in front of a door that hints of a soundproof room. Nice.

“Soundproof?” The gleam in those adoring pupils of his answers my question. I mentioned I liked it here, right?

Opening the door, he allows me to walk in first. Wow. Just… wow. I stalk to the table instead of running like a damn five-year-old who’s going nuts in a candy store. 

Holy fuck. My hand hovers above the table as though I’m getting the feel of the vibes of all the items laid out. And there are a lot. Ropes. All different kinds. Thick, thin, long, short, soft, rough, cotton, ropes made from metal strands. I’m in
heaven
.

“Yeah, I got you a bit of everything since I don’t know your preferences… yet.” He pulls me against his chest as I tilt my head back and breathe out my gratitude.

I’m at loss for words. It’s perfect. I can’t wait to… shit. I totally forgot why I’m here. Turning, I see a man strapped to a chair. His mouth is duct-taped but I still recognize him as the guy Filippov called Albert. Lifting my phone, I scroll through my music.

“What are you doing, Angel?” Ford asks as he glances at my screen.

“I’m deciding what song to use.” Looking up, I beam, yeah… totally in my element right now.

“Hmm, that’s a nice choice.” He points at Blue Swede’s “Hooked On A Feeling.”

“That’s almost three minutes. Maybe George Thorogood’s “The Sky is Crying.” That’s more than five minutes.”

Muffled sounds come from the dude who’s strapped to the chair. Slightly irritated, I walk over and rip away the tape covering his mouth.

“What was that, Roast?” Yup. Totally just nicknamed the guy I’m gonna off as a piece of meat that’s gonna be tied and fried.

He pins me with a deadly glare. “I said, I’m not gonna talk.”

I act shocked. Full bit too...Hand to my chest, I take a step back, mouth open, gasping and shit. The piece of garbage glares some more while Ford chuckles. Time to level this shit.

“I’m not here to make you talk. I’m just going to torture the hell out of you until I squeeze out the last puff of air from your lungs and the essence of your soul leaves your pitiful body. That’s all.” Turning back to the table with the ropes, I halt. “Oh, and you have a little over eight minutes to live since I’ve decided to play both songs, so there. Extra bonus scene, just for you, Roast.”

I make a playlist with the two songs and hit the repeat button, just in case I need a little extra time. I don’t want silence. I like music; it gives me strength and heightens my mood.

I already made my choice when I took in all the beautiful ropes on the table, so I grab a cotton, sand-colored rope from the table and let it slide through my hand. I hit play and nod to Ford.
Game on
.