Damned: Chapter 43) Dim to Darkness

I sat at the table away from Vitaly. Clearly, he didn’t mean what he had told me. He couldn’t possibly feel anything for me. It was not that long until Moe and Nik came back as Natalia and Archer followed behind.

“I brought dinner. And by dinner, I mean lots of comfort food because we all clearly need comfort in any form we can get.” Nik smiled.

“Why so quiet, Piranha?” Moe asked, noticing my silence.

“James has the folder. What if it’s a trap? What if they trick him into meeting them because he thinks that Violet is in danger. What if they hurt him?”

“Katherine, your friend is going to be okay.” Archer calmed me, “We’ll find him.”

“He was right there. I saw him, he was at the motel. And I just- I couldn’t-”

“It’s not your fault, Jamie knows how to handle himself,” Moe assured me.

Vitaly’s eyes locked onto mine and I could feel my tears were building up, “I’m going to meet Anthony downstairs.”

I didn’t want anyone to see how broken I felt as my pain was seeping through my presence. Taking the elevator back to the ground floor, I saw Anthony walking into the bar so I followed him there. Soft classical jazz music played in the background adorned by dimly lit soft lights. I sat on the stool next to his as he ordered a drink.

“I didn’t know you started back drinking alcohol.” I smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

“Honestly Kat, you don’t have to pretend like I mean anything to you.”

“What are you saying? Anthony, regardless, I’ll always consider you my brother. Nothing would change that.”

“Things already have. I shouldn’t even be in this mess, my poor father was used.”

“We all were pawns, Anthony. Every single one of us.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t deserve it.” He venomed at me and in that second I knew I lost my brother because Anthony Donovan would never have spoken to me in that tone.

“All you do is whine and blame people, don’t you?” Vitaly’s voice echoed beside us as he then stood in the middle and took the shot which was placed by the bartender in front of him.

The sound of a man clearing his throat behind us gave him our attention, “Miss Katherine Donovan?”

Looking at him curiously, I don’t recall ever seeing this man in my life.

“This package was sent for you.” He continued as Vitaly took the package and watched the man walk off. Anthony tried to call him back but he ignored him and walked away.

“What is that?” I asked cautiously at the package in which Vitaly held with a frown.

As he opened it, there wrapped a card inside it and a phone attached.

To My Dearest Little Kitty,

Forgive me for now being able to write to you. It’s been quite a few years actually, but my, you have grown into such a lovely young woman. I barely even recognized you, sweetheart. Oh, how I’ve missed you! You’ll visit me soon, won’t you?

At 1:00 am you’ll receive a call on this phone. Do answer it. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to any certain friend of yours.

I send my regards to the others.

Also, Miss Banks wanted me to let you know that you owe her an eye.

See you soon!

G. Vincelli.

“He’s bluffing.” Nik inserted as he took the letter away from Natalia and read it again to himself.

We all gathered together in the living area of the suit and placed the phone at the center of the coffee table.

“I agree, if he had Mr. Novak he would already have the folders so why want us?” Natalia scowled.

“But what if he does?” I frowned.

Moe rubbed his chin and took a deep breath, “Violet or no Violet Jamie wouldn’t be that stupid to walk into Vincelli’s place with meat for the lion.”

“What if he was in a bad frame of mind? Remember he also lost his friend Marc, and hearing of his lover whom he was searching for all these years could have triggered his emotions to corrupt his thinking.” Natalia stated.

“No,” Vitaly shrugged casually while looking in disgust at Anthony who ignored us all and kept to himself, “I agree with Moville, Novak is smarter than that. I’m aware of the type of person he is and how he thinks, he doesn’t let his feelings get in the way.”

“We have 15 minutes until that phone rings. It’d be the safest option if Katherine answers rather than any of us.” Archer spoke and added in a reassuring tone as he smiled at me, “We’ll be right here with you.”

“The fact that he has a pet name for you, Piranha,” Moe gave a soft laugh, lightening the mood, “Bet he made you ramen while you were a wee kiddo too.”

Impatiently we all waited until it rang and I turned the call on and put it on speaker so everyone could have heard.

‘Hello?’

A rough sandy voice gave a soft laugh, ‘Miss Katherine Donovan, or I assume Archer got to you already? So what do you go by? Donovan or Devereux? Makes me wonder if Katherine was even your real name.’

Somehow that felt like someone was choking me out of my identity and it was upsetting. To be quite honest, it reminded me of my ex-boyfriend who cheated on me. That piece of crap used to constantly guilt trip me and make me feel like I was nothing and had no purpose. I for one had no more time for pu**ies in my life- and I wasn’t going to eat this same sh*t again.

‘Listen, sh*thead, I don’t care, I know what you’re trying to do and no it won’t work. At the end of the day, I know who I am, where I stand, and what I want in life. Speaking of, I want James so where is he?’

The man laughed and continued, ‘Come at meet me at this address I messaged you and you can have your James back unless you’d want me to return him back in pieces then that’s also fine with me. Oh, and bring me the folder for his exchange.’

With that, the call ended and an address was messaged to us.

“What. The. Fk. Was that?” Moe exclaimed, “He’s doesn’t have the folders but has James?”

“I’m confused. What’s going on?” Natalia asked.

“I think it’s best if I go alone then,” Archer answered.

“Are you crazy?” I frowned, “He wanted me there. What if something happens to James because of that?”

 “We’ll all go.” Natalia suggested, “Katherine and Archer would meet Vincelli. Moville and Nik could probably try and find James inside the place as Kat and Archer would keep Vincelli distracted. I’ll try and arrange with Mr. Richard a panel van with security equipment.”

Somehow, I had a nauseating feeling about this entire situation. Somehow I knew it would have been over soon, and somehow I wasn’t sure if it would go the way we all want it to.

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