Indebted to the Mafia King
Out of Harm's Way

Chloe

"Listen," Tony continues, still focused on the road. The police sirens get more and more distant as we drive away from the city, but I still don't ask him where he is taking me. "I know you don't want to think about it now, but I need to know what happened," he requests in a gentle voice. I hear a hint of pain in it as well, but mostly, I can hear the guilt behind his words.

I want to tell him none of this is his fault, but we'll have time for that later. Right now, we just need to make sure no one else gets hurt, or worse, killed.

I inhale sharply, steadying myself enough to share the recent events with him. I am strong, and I can do this, I tell myself. I've always told Tony I could handle it all, and even though I was scared as hell back there, I still managed to save myself. I can do this.

"After you left, I spent a few more minutes in the office before I headed up to take a shower. I don't think I was in there too long, but as soon as I stepped out, I heard the alarm go off again," I begin as calm as possible. "I thought it could be you or my mom, although I knew she wouldn't let the alarm go off like that. So, it occurred to me that it could only be you again."

A dark shadow crosses his face, and his jaw clenches, but I carry on.

"By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs, Mateo was there, holding a gun and looking smug as always once he saw me."

I shiver at the memory. I don't think I'll ever forget the look of satisfaction on his face as he found me alone.

Tony's knuckles turn white as he tightens his grip on the steering wheel, but he doesn't interrupt me.

"He shot the camera in the corner and told me I had some explaining to do. After that, he walked toward me, calling me... names." I clear my throat, not wanting to repeat the monstrosity of curses he threw at me. "He asked me how stupid I could be to think I could hide from him behind a sham marriage." I swallow hard, my eyes darting to my hands on my lap. I fidget with my fingers while recalling the moment in my head.

"I thought I'd be killed on the spot. I don't think he would have spared me even if I obeyed him. But when he started flipping the gun around, too worked up as he cursed at me, I saw a chance to escape him. My only chance. So, I jumped on him and snatched the gun from his hand. We struggled a little, but I managed to grab it from the floor and shoot him in the shoulder. At least that's where I think it hit him. I didn't look back," I confess.

Tony remains silent the entire time, only driving and listening to me. He doesn't do a good job of hiding his reaction, though. I fear he might break his teeth at any moment if he doesn't stop clenching them so hard.

I can tell he's doing his best to remain calm. I don't want to add fuel to the fire, so I decide to shut up for now, waiting for him to put his mind in the right place and tell me what the plan is.

However, I reach for his free hand, squeezing it in a reassuring gesture, wanting him to know I am grateful for him saving me.

I still want to tell him this is not his fault, but I remind myself I can do it later, in a proper moment.

We fall into silence again, and twenty minutes later, Tony parks at a highway motel far away from the city. It looks as shabby as it can get, but I don't complain. Living in the underworld my entire life, I've seen my fair share of shabby hotels. Honestly, as long as I can take another shower, hopefully a warm one, I'll be more than grateful.

"Stay here," Tony orders, preparing to open the door.

But I immediately hold his arm, preventing him from stepping out.

"I don't want to be here alone," I tell him, my eyes wide with fear.

Tony gives me a soft smile and shakes his head. "It will only take a minute. It's okay. We weren't followed. I promise I'll be right back."

Gulping, I nod at him and release his arm. My heart beats fast until he returns a minute later. He pulls the car to the back of the motel, away from the highway, and parks it in front of our room.

He opens the car door for me and helps me inside the room, making sure to lock it behind us. The room is not as bad as I thought it'd be. It has a queen bed, a small TV, and a bathroom. It's simple, but warm, and right now that's all I need.

"Go wash up. Wash the blood off, and leave the robe on the bed," he orders, suddenly serious as he looks at my hands.

Only because he mentions it do I realize I have blood on me. All over me. There are stains on the robe and on my hands, but I have no idea how I got it. I shot Mateo, but not close enough for the blood to have sprayed. Or, maybe I was closer than I realized.

"Are you hurt?" Tony asks the question that hadn't crossed my mind until now.

I search my body, pulling the sleeves up and opening the robe slightly to check my stomach and legs. But there is nothing. Only a few scratches I probably got from running away through bushes and trees. "I don't think so," I reply, confused. The blood must really all be from Mateo. It makes me instantly repulsed.

I throw the robe on the bed and don't wait for Tony to order me again before rushing to the bathroom. I get into the shower, not even letting the water warm up. It takes a couple of minutes for it to start getting hotter, and I can almost cry with gratitude.

At some point, I think I hear the door closing, but I convince myself I'm paranoid. Things are still very fresh, so I might be imagining things.

When I step out of the shower and return to the bedroom, wrapped in a towel, I replace a Walmart bag on the bed where I left the robe.

"I thought you might need something to wear," Tony tells me from the corner of the room. He's leaning against the wall, one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone. "Get dressed while I make some calls."

"Thank you," I whisper. "I..." I hesitate, knowing he's busy and has a lot on his plate. But I simply can't postpone it anymore, no matter how frightened I am to hear the truth. "Are Ellie and my mom okay?"

He looks at me, his frown softening a little. "They're okay. Armando has them in a safe place," he assures me.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips, and I collapse on the bed. I cover my face with my hands, allowing the tears to fall down once more. I feel the mattress sinking beside me with Tony's weight as he comes to me and pulls me sideways to his chest.

"I need to tell you something, and I need you to listen carefully," he whispers in a low voice. I wipe my eyes, looking up at him. "Cal is sending some of the Irish Kings to come and pick you up. He'll take you to their hideout in the city." I frown. "Why? Why the Irish Kings?"

"The Saints' men are all on a mission now. Some of them were injured, so we're down a few," he explains to me.

Tony doesn't have to say it for me to know what he means. I know what mission that is.

They are after Mateo.

However, the idea of being with what used to be a rival mob doesn't make me comfortable. I've met Cal before, though, and I could tell he was loyal to Tony. And to be fair, I don't think Tony would send me with Cal if he didn't trust him entirely.

"I don't want to be away from you again," I cry.

"I know. But I have things to do, Chloe. And I need to make sure this mistake doesn't happen again."

The look in his eyes tells me he's suffering from leaving me once more, but the resolution behind it also tells me he will never let this go until he sees that Mateo gets what he deserves.

"You're going after him, aren't you?" I ask softly.

Tony's jaw tenses, and his shoulders stiffen.

"Hell yeah, I am. I will make sure he pays for what he did to you."