Envious Desire
16

Axle’s POV

“WHAT THE FUCK AM I PAYING YOU FOR?” Murder laced my voice. Images of strangling the life out of him played out before my eyes.

“Mr. Cross tracking someone who was taken isn’t easy to do. It takes time.” This fucking private investigator is testing my fucking patience!

“That’s your fucking job! You’re a fucking Private Investigator! This is what you fucking do! My patience is wearing dangerously thin,” warning him is imminent. “Either deliver results or you’re fucking fired!”

Pressing the red button, I type in the search to speed dial Ivy.

“Hey Axe.”

Niceties are a waste at this point. “Have you found anything?”

“Axe, if I would have found anything yet, I would have informed you. I know how important she is to you.”

“Clearly not enough since I haven’t heard from you,” I spewed in frustration.

Exhaling a loud breath, “We haven’t found anything new. We contacted the New Jersey police department and the FBI since she crossed state lines. It’s in their hands now even though I’ve been scouring New Jersey off hours and it’s out of my jurisdiction.”

Fuck! She has been trying, shutting my eyes, I realize my anger is displaced.

“Fuck! Ivy...”

“I know Axe. I get it, I’d be the same way if I were in your shoes. We’ll replace her. Everyone is working to get her back.” A moment of silence fills the heartbreaking space, “I miss her too.”

The pain in my chest intensifies. “Thanks Ivy.”

“Take it easy, Axle. You’ll be my first call the second we replace anything.”

Hanging up, I scroll through the endless photos I’ve captured of Chloe. The sparkle in her eyes, the brightness of her smile, the smoothness of her skin. Anyone would be fortunate to receive her love.

Shutting my eyes, I death grip my phone angered at my inability to rescue her from this inferno of misery.

Where the fuck are you baby? Your discovery is vital to my existence. And once you’re within reach, I shall not fail in your protection ever again.

Fury burns in my veins, scrolling through my contacts I zone in on Dominic Valentino’s number, dialing with impatience. Ring after ring... nothing, not even an option for voicemail. What the fuck is the purpose of a fucking cell phone if you refuse to answer.

“FUCK!!!”

Inhaling a deep lung filling breath, I conclude, remaining at home is counterproductive. I require distraction and focus, returning to work is imperative to my survival.

Jade’s POV

It’s been surreal without Chloe’s presence next door. She’s become an integral part of my life and a great friend like I’ve never known. My life feels a bit empty in her absence.

My truest desire is that she is found unharmed, with the ability to move past whatever may have transpired during her capture.

My phone sparks to life, capturing my attention. Viewing the display, it’s my lawyer. That’s odd. Swiping left, I raise the phone to my ear, “Hello.”

“Hello Ms. Davis?”

“Yes, Hello Ms. Lopez. How are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. How have you been?”

“I’ve recovered well, thank you for asking.”

“That’s great to hear. I’m calling today because I received a call from Rikers Island.”

Oh fuck, did he escape?

“Mr. Dane Scott was killed during a riot in the gym. Apparently he was stabbed repeatedly, rushed to the infirmary and perished while they were assisting him.”

My chest ceased to move, accompanied by a blank mind. “Excuse me?” I uttered in sheer inability to comprehend the information I was just afforded.

“He’s dead Ms. Davis.”

Dane is dead?

“Personally, I hope he felt 10 times more pain than he ever inflicted on any of his victims. But I had to inform you given your case against him.”

Still unable to formulate words, silence swallowed the room.

“Ms. Davis?”

Blinking out of my trance, “Yes I’m here, just in... shock.”

“You can breathe again, that bastard will never hurt you or anyone else ever again. Have a wonderful day and an even better life Ms. Davis. Go and get a drink... you deserve it.”

The phone drops from my ear as I stare off into space filtering this new found information. He’s dead? But how? Can it be?

Veering my eyes towards my phone, I grasp it, scrolling to converse with John to confirm my new knowledge. The endless ringing synchronizes with my labored breathing.

“The number you have reached is no longer in service.”

What? His number is no longer in service? Is he? No, it can’t be. How did this happen? Pondering the multitude of possibilities, it hits me.

I have to confirm this. Curiosity killed the cat but this is of high importance. I require reassurance. Grabbing my purse, I fly out the door, down the hall to the one person I sure will have answers to my queries.

Knocking on the door my heart escalates in pace, tolerance eludes me. Grasping for my heart necklace to ease the tension building in my spine, I inhale and exhale.

The door swings open, jolting me as I release a low scream.

I jump into speaking, “Is Mr. Valentino available?”

“And who might you be?”

I observed his eyes scan my body as I replied, “Jade Davis. Please, it’s imperative I speak with him.”

Sucking in his teeth, “Wait here.”

I twist facing a scenic view of purple and yellow follows lining the driveway I just bulldozed over, finally realizing where the hell I wandered. This is his boss, the head of the Italian Mafia. Why the hell did my feet stampede here? What the fuck is wrong with me? My conclusion is to run back home, putting one foot in front of the other, I begin my journey to safety when a booming voice halts my cowardly actions.

“Ms. Davis, to my surprise he’s available to see you,” a smirk tugs the edges of his lips.

Damn it, what do I do now?

“Follow me,” he stalks inside the home. Traipsing behind him, we pass halls of gloomy grays and blacks until we reach the familiar door of his office where I was once accompanied by Axle.

Opening the door he moves aside for me to enter, “He’ll be with you shortly.”

Just as easily he disappears, leaving me with the chaos brewing in my head. I’m stuck, impatience on full throttle, planting myself in the chair in front of his desk, leg on high speed bounce full of nerves, I seek my necklace for comfort.

“Ms. Davis.”

His voice springs me from my seat with a light scream.

He eyes me with concern scrunching his eyebrows. Walking behind his desk he settles into his chair.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, I um,” words left me. How do I inquire if someone is dead? I felt my throat swell up attempting to breathe.

“Ms. Davis, though my curiosity was piqued at your arrival, I do not have all day, either spit it out or get out.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, “I received a call today informing me of the passing of Dane. Is that accurate?”

“It would seem so.”

I strive for a coherent sentence, “How did? Why was? Can I?”

“Ms. Davis,” He interrupted my incoherent thoughts. “He no longer has to occupy space in your mind. You are free.”

Moments of silence tear at my ears when I finally garner the courage to ask, “Is this real?” Tears well up as the notion of real freedom waves before my eyes.

“Yes.”

“And his crew?”

Eyes slicing they intensify his stare, “No one will ever surface at your humble abode again.”

Swallowing hard, I release a booming wail of fear, anxiety, relief and despair. I’m free of him. I’m actually free of him.

“I am not a good man Ms. Davis but I do not tolerate stealing from me or the mistreatment of children or women. He was unfortunate enough to think he could do both while under my watch.”

Blurred vision didn’t hinder the gravity in his eyes as he spoke his words.

“Now, I have a meeting to attend.”

Springing to my feet I beeline for the door.

“Ms. Davis!”

I stop to twist my neck to face him.

“That 20 grand you stole from him was not mine. I cannot guarantee whomever it belonged to will not come after you in the future.”

A sting vibrated in my chest.

“It’s not my duty to inform anyone of my replaceings but that doesn’t mean it will stay hidden in the shadows. Understood?”

Nodding my head, I twist on the balls of my feet, making my way out of the large home. Feeling the brisk air on my face I keel over bursting with hot liquid streaming down my cheeks.

It’s over. It’s finally over. I can breathe again.

~~~~

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