Damned: Chapter 44) Fragile Thoughts

I was about to take a step down the staircase but slipped and slipped into his arms. Vitaly seemed to want to say something but didn’t or rather it seemed like he couldn’t. And for the first time ever, I saw pain in his face. He seemed drained and perplexed and tired as he held me but somehow didn’t let go. Something was wrong.

“Vitaly-”

“Be careful,” He tried to smile. “Who’s going to catch you when I’m not around, Angel?”

Before I could have said a word to him, Nikolai touched him on the shoulder, “Let’s go.”

Sitting in the van, I looked out that the tiny window at the back as we drove. The night felt empty and like a great nothingness captured every essence of the living now dead earth as a fragile string of hope seemed to drift across with the glides of the tender wind.

“Here,” Archer gave me the gun, “I believe this was yours.”

Taking it dryly without an expression to spare he looked at me worriedly, “I promise you, Katherine, you’ll be safe. As long as I’m alive and even when I’m dead I’ll make sure you are left with a good life.”

“I trust you, Archer.” I said softly and hugged him for the first time, “I just- I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“Okay listen,” He took a deep breath and gave a half smiled, “I’ve never actually given a pep talk before but someone I once knew used to say that sometimes, sometimes it’s okay to feel scared, to be unsure, to be vulnerable to things, to grieve, and to love- everyone’s broken Katherine, no one’s perfect in this world. Doesn’t mean we stop loving them, it’s not right to kill our humanity. What I’m saying is that whatever you’re feeling right now, accept it, because that’s what makes you a beautiful individual- your heart and your ability to care and feel. People like Vincelli lack that. Sometimes, doing the right thing is risky and doesn’t always save everyone but once it betters the future it’s worth the risk. I know it’s hard to swallow but that’s life. You’re a good person Katherine, and I’m glad I can call you my little sister.”

“I think you’re actually good at pep talk.” Natalia smiled at us from the side.

From the prismatic rearview mirror, I noted Vitaly’s serious expression as he sat alongside Moe and Nik at the front. Vitaly kept looking at his phone and he seemed frustrated by it.

“We’re here.” Nik’s voice echoed to us.

The address which was sent to us arrived at this remote area with acres and acres of land which surrounded an enormous mansion. At this point, I wasn’t even sure which part of the country I was in anymore. It seemed like the countryside but everything about this mansion seemed otherwise. I’ve never seen anything like it. I really hoped Moe and Nik found James soon because the place seemed never-ending.

“Okay, so we’ll stick to the plan.” Nik stated, “But what if we get caught?”

“We don’t.” Moe scoffed, “They already were after me for sleeping with Vincelli’s niece and late wife.”

“That’s why they were after you?” I laughed and up topped him. “Nice.”

“I’m staying here with Natalia.” Anthony announced, “Get James and the folder and hurry back.”

“Maybe if you hadn’t stolen it from me in the first place then we wouldn’t be in this position.” Vitaly iced, “This is on your hands now.”

“It’s not my fault it was stolen from me,” Anthony retorted back, “I tried to get it back from whoever stole it because I knew if you found me and I didn’t have it you would have killed me thinking I was lying.”

“I don’t understand, why did you take it, Anthony?” I asked confused.

“Two and a half years ago Vincelli’s men paid me to get that folder, I had to find a way to go undercover and away from my father’s monitor.”

“So you faked your death.” I said in disgust, “You did all that for money while your family grieved.”

“Think what you want, I did what I thought was best, you and Sarah aren’t even my family. I was aware that the Rostovs hired someone to receive the folders, so I had to find a way to get closer to them.”

“You disgusting piece of shit used Natalia for that.” Vitaly scowled.

“The day the package got to your house I got hold of it first and left. I was on my way to send it to my payer but I was curious want it was all about. There was this strange diary along with the folder, I read everything Vincelli’s late wife wrote in that diary and I saw my family being involved like how Vincelli killed my mother, how he kidnapped Katherine who wasn’t my real sister, Rostov’s family, everything. I got scared and ran with it when it was stolen from me. That’s it, I’ve been running ever since.”

“You’re nothing but a coward,” Natalia stated while giving everyone mini microphones to put in their ear, “We’re wasting time, let’s just get this over with. Vitaly and I would monitor everyone from here, we have a good signal.”

“She’s right,” Archer agreed.

I felt the cold air kiss my cheeks ever so softly as Archer and I walked alongside the paved pathway towards the entrance of the house. Its pathway was so long it was lit with two-three streetlights towards the door. Nik and Moe, took to the side of the house, avoiding any security cameras.

“I hope they’re alright.” I sighed.

“They will be, I have faith in them,” Archer replied as he rolled up his sleeves.

“Why do you think he wants to see me?”

“I’m guessing maybe he wants to reminisce old memories with his Goddaughter?” He chuckled.

“You’re so funny.” I rolled my eyes dryly, “Didn’t know humor is your thing.”

“Happens when I’m antsy to kill someone.”

I arched an eyebrow at him as we walked, “Which is how often?”

“I’d rather not say.”

Upon arriving at the entrance, someone opened the door for us. He looked at he worked there as an employee. To be quite honest, it was sickening to know that a man can earn all this through such a disgusting means of method.

“Take the stairs straight ahead and it’s the second door to your left. Mr. V. will be inside. He’s expecting you.”

“Lovely,” Archer smiled, “Been wanting to meet with the old man for a while now.”

As we walked I felt nauseated by the place, every step of the way.

“Don’t worry, we just need to buy Moville some time to find James.”

Over the earphone, we heard Moe speak, “When I find Jamie, I’ll send ya’ll a code phrase.”

“What code phrase?” Natalia asked through the speaker.

“It’s Moe’s got a big package.”

“Is this even necessary?” Natalia scoffed as Nik laughed at her disgust.

“Once he gets Novak, it’s doesn’t matter.” Vitaly voiced.

Archer and I stood in front of this large deeply polished oak door and knocked twice when we heard a voice signal us to enter. As we did, there sat a thin tall man whose hair was neatly brushed back, at a desk whose chair was turned to face a large open concept window that overlooked the mountain lights above and beyond. It was a beautiful sight I had to admit.    

“Isn’t it lovely, Kitty?” The man began in a rough yet smooth voice, “You loved to come up here and look at the stars with me. She particularly loved to be up here with you as well. It was like our own little family moment.”

I frowned at that. I didn’t remember any of this.

“Poor thing couldn’t have children for me. Not that I wanted any of those sordid things, but I did particularly grow fond of you with your curious little nature and bright kind eyes. It made my heart almost melt.” He continued.

“For a man who killed so many, I refuse to believe you even had a heart,” Archer stated firmly.

“Oh no, I don’t. If I did, I probably wouldn’t have killed my own wife,” He laughed as he turned to face her and somehow his face seemed so familiar. I’d seen him already in my dreams. He oddly seemed to age like fine wine mixed with poison, “But you see, she wrote this little diary about me accounting for my actions and hid it with someone. I wasn’t very fond of that. Also, she took away my little Kitty and carried her back to the Donovans.”

“Where is James?” I asked.

“Katherine Alaska Donovan, do you know that she was the one who gave you your middle name?”

“What?”

“My wife, she always wanted to name her child Alaska. Anyway, to answer your question, did you bring the diary for me, sweetheart?” 

“You answer me first, where is James Donatello Novak?” I firmed.

“Do you know, I thought he had the folder with the diary but turns out he didn’t which only left me to believe that you had it. Besides, it all made sense now, my wife did say before she died that the key to finding that diary will begin and end with you, Alaska. She was so dramatic, that damned woman.”

 “We’ll ask you again, where is James?” Arched pressed.

“Oh my, I can definitely see the family resemblance. Such impatient little prudes.” He stated rolling his eyes, “Do you know what was disappointing, I expected James to be shocked when he saw Violet the woman he loved with all his life, yet he wasn’t. That boy is such a smart little thing, I should have hired him to be one of my assets. Although, I truly enjoyed it when Violet killed her sister. My! You should have seen the shock there.”

Vincelli made a sickening chuckle and I felt lightheaded thinking about that, “Ana- Maria’s dead? She killed her own sister?”

“Oh the things that girl would do for me.” He sighed in awe.

“I know what this is, you enjoy it don’t you? Turning people against each other, families, killing lovers, causing pain to others, to children- you have a God complex agenda. You live for it.”

“You know, I always admired you, Archer Devereux, you and that Vitaly Rostov. I just love the scenario.”

“Beep Beep Beep. Guys.” Moe’s voice suddenly echoed, “We’re in the basement right now and we just found a Miss Violet Proca and Dmitri Orlov’s body dumped down here.”

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