Page 56 of Black Wedding

This is not the trap, just a warning from Bree.

Please help us.

“Motherfucker!”shouts Paddy at the top of his voice, startling us all a little.

“It’s not a nice feeling when your son disappoints you, is it?” Desmond adds, and much to my surprise, Evan snorts.

“We could say the same about our dad, but we don’t. So leave your bullshit until after we have found Bree, Dad,” Evan says confidently, and everyone stands there with their mouths wide open. I can’t remember the last time Evan stood up to Desmond, or if he ever has, but something appears to be changing. Finally, he is thinking for himself, and I love it.

While I couldn’t agree more with his statement, I know that nothing will stop Desmond from arguing back. The asshole loves to argue. I cut him off right as he opens his mouth once more. The resulting scornful expression tells me he is not happy that I interrupted him for a second time, but I really don’t give a shit.

“What happens next? Where does he go?” I ask Kellan, hopeful that this might show us where my girl is.

We all watch the screen as he walks to the back of the building and sets off the fire alarm. He leaves the piece of paper on a shelf, discreetly tucking it away for us to find, and then he walks out with all the other shoppers.

The camera switches to an outside view, and he walks down a road, making sure to point out to the camera which way he is going, but after that, no new feed appears. Instead, we watch as he walks off the screen, disappearing completely.

“Where does he go?” I demand, and Kellan releases a deep sigh, looking sad.

“There’s no CCTV around the houses in that area. I have even looked for personal feeds from home owned cameras, even doorbells, but there is none of use. I’m sorry, Liam.” He looks dejected, like he has let me down, and I want to comfort him, but my mind is whirling.

The images play on repeat through my brain. I know Bree would ensure that if Vinnie was risking his life that there’s an excellent chance we would see this. She would make sure there was a way to find her. But all I can focus on is that she is missing and I can’t find her. She is locked up somewhere, hoping I will come to save her, and I can’t.

I am interrupted from my spiralling thoughts as Paddy places his hand on my shoulder, reassuring me. “This is fucking great. We may not have enough information, but my girl has done well. Ringing the fire alarm will make it more difficult for the people watching to tell if new people arrive on the street, so we have to move now. We can check out the streets while people are distracted by the fireman. I’ve already texted an associate who is on his way there. He will start a small fire in the waste bins behind the shop. That should keep everyone distracted. He will also go and retrieve the note. There has to be a reason he left it there. Maybe it has more written on it. Either way, we need to get it before Vernon’s men do. We also need to get that kid out of there because if my son finds out what he just did, he’ll be dead by morning if not sooner,” Paddy explains. His words finally help me to place the missing pieces together. Fuck, Bree really is brilliant.

We are all on our feet, moving towards the door in an instant. I turn to Kellan, who has a matching murderous look on his face like he is ready to do battle. “Kellan, you can’t come, brother. I need you to stay here and monitor the feeds. I know you would fight for Bree, but we are walking into a trap. A fucking dangerous trap. You have Hallie to think about. So, I’m sorry, but you are staying here. Please don’t argue with me on this. It’s not just because I can’t have you getting hurt, but I genuinely do need you to monitor the screens for any threats around us,” I explain, trying my best to show Kellan how serious I am.

“I will stay because it makes sense for someone to watch the cameras, but I want you to know that I would have fought for Bree and for you. I may not be as ruthless as you or as well trained, but I can fight. You know that. This is not me pussying out, I am thinking of my daughter. She doesn’t have anyone else.” Kellan still looks ashamed as he talks, his eyes downcast and his cheek flush with a pink tinge.

“It’s not pussying out if I give you an order. I know you would fight for us, take a bullet for us, but I would hate for that to happen. Go and watch the monitors. Keep us all safe from there.” I pull him in for a short, unexpected hug. He returns it with a few pats on the back. It’s not the most affectionate of hugs, but we don’t really enjoy talking about our feelings. In my eyes, he is my brother, and just like I do with all my siblings, I need to keep him safe.

Kellan pulls away from the hug and runs back up the stairs. He shouts as he runs, “Use the earplug to keep communication open, please, Liam!” I confirm I have heard him and walk over to the cupboard by the door.

Using my thumbprint to activate the door, it springs open, revealing my complete weapon collection. Each person takes a couple of items, either guns or knives, as well as stocking up on ammo. We all check the safety and condition of our guns before leaving the house. As I place my gun in my back holster, I’m reminded of the night at my father’s house when I told Bree this was her gun, and I was just carrying it for her. Hopefully, if I get close enough, she will know it’s there and take it when needed.

Picking up the large container that holds my sniper rifle, I put it into the boot of my car. You never know when it might come in handy. We all get into the car, Evan volunteers to drive, Desmond and Paddy slide into the backseats, talking to each other as though they are old friends and not enemies. I take a moment to collect my breath and focus. I know I am walking into a trap, and there’s a risk of death, but I would risk it all for her. I will set her free, even if it’s the last thing I do.

Idon’t know how long I sleep for, but I am woken up by Vinnie gently pushing against my arm. He is trying to shake me awake without hurting me. Sadly, no matter how hard he tries, the pain is excruciating. Even the softest touch against my arm feels like he is stabbing a knife into me. My head pounds like claps of thunder, and just the slightest movement sends ripples of nausea through my stomach.

“Here, have a bit of water, please. Just some sips,” Vinnie whispers as he tips the bottle into my mouth.

As soon as the cold liquid hits my lips, I open my mouth to devour more, desperately gulping it down. But my fragile body can’t seem to process too much water in one go, and nausea rips through me again. I start to gag, and Vinnie instantly backs away, splashing water down my chest due to the sudden movement. He looks around the room frantically, he looks torn, as if seeing the bucket in the corner for the first time.

The bucket is all they left me to use as a toilet, but thankfully, I haven’t needed to go. Not that I could move my body enough to get to the damn bucket. Vinnie looks to be weighing his options over which he finds more disgusting; picking up the bucket he thinks I have used as a toilet or watching me vomit all over myself and the floor.

Thankfully, he makes his mind up quickly and tentatively heads for the bucket. When he sees it is clean and unused, he immediately picks it up and holds it at an angle beside my head. He makes it just in time as my body quickly regurgitates the water Vinnie gave me, along with some not so pleasant green bile streaked with brown and black colours. Vinnie stands as far away as possible whilst still being able to hold the bucket for me.

His eyes are firmly shut and stay that way as I continue to wretch, although nothing more comes up. When the retching stops, Vinnie finally opens his eyes. “Oh fuck, should it be that colour?” he asks while covering his mouth with his opposite hand. He places the bucket next to me and moves away from it. He looks like he is trying to control his breathing so he doesn’t vomit.

“It’s blood. Chances are, I am bleeding internally. I feel like my body is trying to shut down, Vin. My heart is racing, but my body aches. My fingers are blue, which means blood isn’t getting to them. I was desperate for water yet vomited it back up because I couldn’t cope with it. Slowly, my organs will fail, this dizziness will overtake me, and I will pass out. If I don’t get control of the pain and get into theatre soon, I will die,” I explain. The more I speak, the more exhausted I become. My head rests against my arm that went numb ages ago. I can feel it’s cold and a bit clammy, yet another sign. I desperately try to keep my eyes open; it’s vital now. If I close my eyes I may never open them again.

“Bree, listen to me,” Vin says as he gently taps my arm again. I must have zoned out. “I did what you said. I’m sure Liam will be here soon, your plan was great and you know he will come for you. I will do what I can until then. Your dad is going to make the follow-up call in a couple of minutes. He has no idea Liam will know it’s a trap, but it will be easier for Liam to break in if fewer people are here. Also, I went through Luther’s stash and found a fentanyl patch. It’s strong, but it should take away some of the pain until I get you to the hospital. I need to put it somewhere that Luther won’t see it and take it off.”

His eyes rake over my body, but not in the sexualised way I am used to with men. For him, it is purely practical, yet that doesn’t stop the slight blush that creeps up onto his cheeks when he makes eye contact with me again.

“Don’t be embarrassed. Put it on my hip. Pull up my dress, and I will show you,” I instruct, but he doesn’t move. Glaring at him with a serious expression, or at least as much as I can muster under my current condition, I give him my consent. “You have to do it, and quickly before we get caught. Just pretend you aren’t looking at my bare ass if that helps.”

His dark chuckle takes me by surprise. “I will try, but you do have a nice ass,” he says as he starts to pull my skirt up. My dress isn’t big and poofy, more free-flowing like a waterfall. Still, it is not the easiest to get up, mainly since I can’t move around to help.

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