Mirac brings the SUV to a stop in front of the house. Everything looks quiet, but I know it’s not the case. Climbing out, I head inside. I walk to my bedroom, needing to shower and change my clothes because the women will worry if they see the state I’m in.
I open the door and switch on the light, then freeze. Lara’s sitting on the bed, paging through a book. Her head snaps up, then she shoots off the bed.
“Oh my God! What happened?”
“Why aren’t you with your mother?”
“You answer first,” she demands as she slowly peels the fabric away from the dried blood on my arm.
“It’s nothing. Just a couple of scrapes.”
“Your arm is bleeding!” She scowls up at me. “Sit on the bed.”
“Yes, Lara Hanim,” I tease her. I take a seat, then repeat the question, “Why aren’t you with your mother?”
“She’s sleeping. After Nisa gave her enough food to feed a small army, she couldn’t stay awake.”
“How is she?”
Taking hold of the hem of my shirt, Lara pulls it over my head before carefully peeling the sleeve down my left arm.
Shaking her head, she answers, “I don’t know. I told her she’s safe here, but I don’t think she believes me.”
“It’s been ten years, baby. She just needs time. Be patient with her.”
“I know. I’m going to get the first aid kit.”
She darts out of the bedroom, and I look down at the torn skin. It’s really not that bad and should heal quickly.
When Lara returns, I let her fuss over me, thinking it will set her at ease. My eyes stay glued to her, searching for any signs that she’s not coping after the day from hell.
“How are you?” I ask when she wraps a bandage around my arm.
“I’m okay.”
“Lara.” I wait for her to meet my eyes. “Don’t lie to me.”
She stares at me for a moment, then continues to fasten the bandage. Once she’s satisfied, she starts to gather the used antiseptic wipes.
I take hold of her hand and pull her closer until she’s standing between my legs.
“How are you, baby?”
I watch as she fights to keep control over her emotions.
“Come here,” I murmur, pulling her onto my lap, so she’s straddling me. Placing a hand behind her head, I press her face into the crook of my neck. “Talk to me.”
Lara wraps her arms around me, burrowing as close to me as she can get, then she whispers, “I’m glad I have her back.”
“But?”
“I’m worried about her.”
“I’ll get a psychiatrist to help her through this.”
“What if she’s never the same again?”
I press a kiss to her hair. “That’s something you need to prepare yourself for. It’s been years, Lara. You’ve changed, and so has she. You’ll have to get to know each other again.”
“I know.” Her breaths fan against my neck. “At least I have her back.” Lara lifts her head, and her eyes meet mine. “Did you find out why Mazur told me she was dead?”
I nod. “But I feel it’s something your mother needs to tell you. When she’s ready. Don’t push her for answers on what happened to her over the past ten years.”
Worry tightens her features. “Is it that bad?”
I nod again. “She’s going to need a lot of care and time. That’s all we can give her.” A tear spirals down her cheek, and I reach up to brush it away. “Just be strong for your mother, and I’ll be strong for you. Okay?”
“Okay.” She hesitates, then asks, “Did you kill Tymon?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
I shake my head. She doesn’t need to hear what I have planned for him. “He’ll die soon. Don’t worry.”
Lara lifts her hand to my face and frames my jaw. “Thank you for saving my mom.”
“You’re welcome, Ödülüm.”
Chapter 47
Gabriel
After I’ve given Emre and Viktor their food, and they’re busy wolfing it down, I step into the freezer.
Mazur lifts his head, his left eye bloodshot from the knock he took during the accident.
“Finally. I thought you weren’t going to wake up.”
“Fuck you.” He spits on the floor.
I shove the sleeves of my shirt up to my elbows, then take a seat across from Mazur. Locking eyes with the man, a smile lifts the corners of my mouth. “Tymon Mazur. Finally tied up like the pig he is. Ready for slaughter.”
His features tighten, and I see a flash of panic. “Why did you interfere in my business? Why did you attack?”
I stare at him long and hard until he tries to shift in the chair. I take in his size, the fucking ridiculous mustache, the absolute cruel pull of his features.
Jesus, this is the man Lara had to serve all her life.
Inhaling deeply, I let the air out slowly, then say, “I honestly don’t think you’ll remember, but I’m a ghost from the past.”
His eyes narrow on me. “I’ve never seen you before.”
“You’re right. You haven’t.”
He starts to look frustrated, and it makes my smile grow.
“First things first. You fucking tortured Lara.” I lean forward, my eyes locked with his as rage simmers in my chest. “I’m going to do to you what you did to her.”
“Answer me!” he shouts, his face almost turning purple. “What have I done to you?”
I stand up and take the time to move the chair out of the way. Turning back to Mazur, I say, “My mother was a baker. She loved it very much.”
Confusion fills his face.
“My father opened a bakery for her. They made a modest living. I used to help after school, and one day while I was packing shelves, your men came in and killed them in cold blood. I watched my parents die, and I vowed to avenge their deaths.”
Viktor and Emre come in, and Mazur’s eyes flit Viktor. Instantly fear darkens his eyes.
“Looks like you know Viktor?” I ask.
“Everyone knows the head of the Bratva,” Mazur mutters, his panic growing.
“Oh, we’re going to get to know each other on a real personal level,” Viktor chuckles.
“Mazur,” I snap, getting his attention back on me. “Where was I?” I think for a moment. “Right. I probably would’ve taken over the store, but because of you, I worked my ass off to become the head of the Turkish mafia, all so I could get my revenge. This moment.” I take a step closer. “It’s all your own doing.”
“You have the wrong man.” He shakes his head. “What would I want with a bakery?”
“Once you got all the owners to sell their stores to you for next to nothing, you flattened it all. Then, you built a mall on that ground.”
I watch as he starts to remember.
“Deniz and Sinem Demir. They were hardworking people, just trying to make a living, and you just had to fucking kill them.” I gesture for Emre to untie Mazur, then say, “After tonight, my grandmother won’t have to wear black anymore.” Smirking, I add, “But first, you need to pay for the hell you’ve put Lara through.”