A Corrupted Christmas

Case File Name:

Before They Take Care Of You.

❆Chapter Seventy❆

The drive out of Miami felt like an eternity—it was probably the longest forty-five minutes of my life.

But soon I pulled down a gravel road, leading to a restaurant that resembled a manor.

The parking lot was empty and the lights glowed perfectly against the sign that read—

Summit House

As I got out of my car and subtly tucked my knife into the waistband of my jeans, I continued glancing around, noticing the endless land in the distance.

Or how really fucking fancy this place looked.

Especially when I walked up the three short marble stairs where a man dressed in a tux opened one of the French-pained doors for me.

Which I hesitantly walked through, glancing around the elegantly designed interior before I noticed the man holding his white-gloved hand out.

"Your phone ma'am," the man said, and I couldn't miss the sympathy in his eyes—almost like he knew who or what awaited me further inside the restaurant.

I nodded almost hesitantly, analyzing his face as I slid my phone from my pocket.

And as soon as he had it in his hand, he nodded—motioning me to walk further into the restaurant.

But even as I walked further into the restaurant, I purposely glanced over my shoulder—noticing the drawer he stored my phone in.

Until I glanced back forward, taking in the empty restaurant that had tables draped in white cloths and dim candles on each one.

There wasn't a single person in sight.

Except for Adriana.

Who was seated at a table drinking one of the two glasses of red wine.

"Lena," Adriana said, flashing me her annoying fucking smile.

I forced a tight smile back, "If you wanted to grab dinner sometime you could've said something," I said, clearly being sarcastic.

"I just wanted to chat," Adriana said as I sat in the seat across from her.

"About the fact that Tazmin won't marry you? Or about how weirdly obsessed you are with her?" I asked, my sarcastic tone sickly sweet.

Yet Adriana only smiled like a maniac, "Wine?" she said, motioning to the other untouched wine glass closest to me.

"I'm good," I said dryly, pushing the glass away from me.

As if I would fucking drink anything Adriana served me.

"You know, I always knew you were an issue," Adriana said, unraveling her silverware from the cloth napkin, "But the moment my fiancée left our engagement party to check up on you—I knew I would have to find some kind of solution."

I lazily raised my brows, "Ex-fiancée," I corrected her, purposely not addressing the rest of her statement.

Adriana only smiled slightly, glancing past me when a server suddenly approached our table with a steaming plate of pasta.

"Thank you Havier," Adriana said as the man sat the food down, now glancing over to me, "Would you like anything Lena?" she asked.

I firmly shook my head, "I'm good," I mumbled dryly, knowing if the wine wasn't up for discussion then food definitely wasn't.

I'm smart enough to know she would try to poison me.

"Oh that's a shame..." Adriana trailed off as she placed her napkin in her lap, "I wanted to share your last meal with you," she said as if it really fucking bothered her.

And at this point, she was no longer annoying.

Now she fucking terrified me—especially as I realized she definitely has a plan to kill me here tonight.

Which means I need a better plan than what I walked in with.

Especially after hearing her conversation with Havier before he walked away—telling him and the other staff to clear the premises.

I'm so fucked.

And they all seemed under Adriana's influence, so I knew no one here would even attempt to help me.

"You know Taz bought me this place?" Adriana said as she twirled her shiny fork in the pasta, "I think it really suits what's about to happen here tonight."

I narrowed my stare, "Speaking of her—does she know what's about to happen here?" I purposely asked, knowing that Tazmin definitely wouldn't let Adriana lay a finger on me.

"No," Adriana said as she chewed her food, holding her hand over her mouth, "We're going to play this all as some accident in the death logs later," she explained so fucking casually.

But she technically has the power to pull this kind of move.

Seriously, who is picking and choosing the people allowed in these offices?

"And you know," Adriana spoke again, setting down her silverware to grab her wine glass, "I'm aware that she won't let you go that easily—even after death," she said, taking a brief sip of her red wine.

Meanwhile, I wasn't even focused on trying to form a rebuttal to every word she spoke.

Instead, I was carefully thinking of a plan.

I just needed to get out to my car—and drive as fast I fucking could away from here.

"I need you to be gone and for Taz to somehow hate you, Lena," Adriana said, now grabbing her Saint Laurent purse, "But god is it hard finding anything wrong with your day-to-day—even with a private investigator."

I suddenly felt my heart fucking sink past my stomach, somehow already knowing what she was about to bring up.

Something that's meant to be taken to the grave.

Yet here sits a picture of me kissing Tazmin's fucking sister on the white-clothed table in front of me.

"Burn it, rip it—do whatever you want because I have a sealed envelope addressed to Taz that I'll be sending out once I leave here," Adriana said, now picking up her silverware to resume eating.

I shrugged, picking the picture up and ripping it into numerous shreds.

"We only kissed," I reluctantly told her, not even wanting to give her more information.

Adriana only smiled, "I don't care what actually happened silly," she determined, twirling her fork in the pasta, "You're straddling her while you kiss her and she's pulling the straps of your dress down—it looks just how I need it to."

I rolled my eyes, "Gia will advocate what happened that night," I said, not even bothering to give into Adriana's delusions.

"But will Taz believe her after both of you lied?" Adriana said, raising a brow when I suddenly stood from my chair.

"I'm making myself a mixed drink," I said as I walked over to the bar, "I don't trust anything you or your staff serve me."

Adriana suddenly stood, reaching in her purse before following me over to the bar.

And I couldn't help but glance down as she neared me—noticing the gun in her hand.

But I refused to actually show fear in front of her.

Because that's exactly what she wants.

"One last martini," I determined as I grabbed one of the bottles of liquor.

Adriana nodded, watching me grab a glass along with numerous other things.

And for once it was silent between us for a few moments, but only because I was focused on slowly concocting the drink.

And I was purposely drawing out my actions with hopes of delaying what felt inevitable.

But I knew I had to act—and I had to do it now.

Or else Adriana would get her way and more.

So before thinking it through, I raised the filled glass in my hand—

And threw it in Adriana's face.

Which immediately earned a gasp from her.

But before she could react I threw the glass at her head.

And when she ducked to the side, I quickly grabbed everything around me to throw at her.

Which immediately made Adriana stumble backward—holding her arms up to shield her face from the glasses and different liquor bottles I threw at her.

Until one of the wine glasses finally hit her right in the chest and shattered on impact.

And as soon as she let out a grunt and reached for her bloodied chest—I ran towards the back door I had been eyeing.

Which was thankfully unlocked.

I didn't even hesitate to swing the door open so fucking fast and run out into the endless fields of grass.

And when I heard footsteps echo closer to me, I began running to the nearest tree for cover.

But ultimately I knew I needed my car.

I drew in deep wavered breaths through my burning lungs as I remained entirely still behind the large tree.

And suddenly, it felt like my entire life was flashing before my eyes.

Like I actually came to terms with the possibility that I could die tonight.

The first people that flashed in my head were my family.

Every single face burned behind my eyes—from Nadia and Morana to my parent's faded faces.

I recalled the corny dad jokes Zane always made or how Tazmin would look at me.

It was the one thing I had never lost even after we ended things.

She always looked at me the same.

"Lena!" Adriana called out.

I flinched as soon as I heard a loud gunshot go off, wrapping my arms around my body to somehow soothe myself back down to sanity.

But whether I liked to admit it or not, I'm fucking scared out of my mind right now.

And Adriana is eventually going to find me behind this tree.

So I need yet another plan.

I quickly reached for my knife, desperately trying to get my rapid breathing under control.

But I swear it feels like I've fallen into a full-blown panic attack.

My hands are fucking trembling like crazy and it feels like each breath I take isn't even close to enough air.

But I can hear her footsteps getting closer and—

"Fine, Adriana," I suddenly called out, forcing my voice to remain calm and steady as I slowly walked from around the tree.

And there Adriana stood a few feet away, pointing a gun at me.

Specifically at my head.

And knowing she's not only Tazmin's ex-girlfriend but a part of the FBI—something tells me she won't miss.

So I have to be smarter.

I suddenly stepped forward with my hands purposely held behind my back, "You want to kill me?" I said, taking a few more steps to close the large gap between us, "Go ahead then."

And as soon as I took yet another step—so did Adriana, pressing the coldness of the gun into my forehead.

Which immediately made my internal panic grow.

I only have one chance at this and that's it.

But I really don't want to die.

I can't die.

I suddenly pulled one of my arms from behind my back—and stabbed my knife into Adriana's stomach.

Which immediately made her ear-splitting scream echo around us.

Especially when I pulled the knife back out of her, leaving her bleeding out entirely.

"You fucking bitch," Adriana breathed out.

And right as her defenses lowered—I dropped the bloody knife to grab the gun from her hand.

But before I could get it out of her grasp, she tugged the gun back.

"She can only be mine, Lena," Adriana grunted, pulling me into her as she stumbled back a few times.

Until we both fell down into the grass.

And as I hovered over her I quickly jerked the gun out of her hand and flipped it back on her.

"She's not an object Adriana," I said, purposefully leaning against her open wound, which earned a breathless grunt from her, "She deserves to make her own choices and be with whoever she wants."

Adriana rapidly shook her head with wide eyes as she gasped for air—and as soon as I noticed her patting around for my previously used knife, I knew I had no other choice.

Take care of them before they take care of you.

And Adriana will never let this go.

It will always be me or her.

I suddenly squeezed my eyes shut as I aimed down at her and pressed the trigger.

Just like I had practiced with Vic—the gun jerked back in my hand, and the gunshot combined with Adriana's screams echoed so loudly around me.

Until my own broken scream rippled in my ears, feeling tears burn in my eyes as I processed the rough pain burning my stomach from the inside out.

Until I realized, Adriana had stabbed me back with my own knife.

A string of sobs vibrated in my chest as soon as she tugged the knife out of me.

I could feel every ounce of warmth oozing out of my body and ruining the shirt I wore.

Another gunshot suddenly went off.

It was defensive and instead of Adriana's stomach, it went through her head.

Which immediately made her body fall limp under me as I desperately gasped for air.

All I could feel was the worst fucking pain burning down my side as I quickly stumbled up from her limp body.

Which I couldn't even look at.

I seriously feel like I can throw up right now.

I quickly shook my head at the idea, blinking a few times to push back my urge to cry.

Because fuck all I wanted to do was cry.

But instead of breaking down right there, I began walking back towards the restaurant as I held my hand to my burning stomach.

And I was nearly limping with each step, grunting as I tried my best to keep a fast pace.

I just needed to get to my phone near the entrance of the restaurant.

Which looked just how I had left it—minus the shattered glasses and broken liquor bottles.

I quickly glanced away from the broken glass, noticing drops of her blood all over the floors.

I killed Adriana.

I just...

I drew in a few wavered breaths when my eyes burned with tears—grabbing the nearest tablecloth and tugging it off of the table.

But only to tie it tightly around my stomach and contain the insane amount of blood it felt like I was losing.

I let out a wavered sigh as I pulled my t-shirt back down and walked toward the entrance.

And as soon as I stopped in front of the small side table, I tugged open the drawer and pulled my phone out.

And suddenly, I grew hesitant—feeling entirely unsure if I should call Tazmin right now.

Adriana is the one person protecting her on the inside.

She's valuable to her and I just—

I quickly shook my head, deciding to scroll down to a different contact that I didn't hesitate to call.

There were five rings.

Which felt excruciatingly long.

Until the line finally clicked and a huge relief nearly glowed inside of me.

"Did Taz send you more shit again?" his familiar voice echoed in my ears.

Which immediately made me draw in a deep breath to contain my overwhelming emotions.

But I'm shaking so bad, even my hands are shaking and—

They're covered in her blood.

And I just...

I can't breathe.

"Lena?" I heard him say in confusion.

I drew in a few more deep breaths and let them out, "Victor," I forced out, my unstable voice echoing around me as I desperately tried to keep it together.

"What's going on?" I heard Vic say, his voice suddenly more serious than before, "What happened?" he asked, and I could hear some shuffling on the other end, almost like he had stood up.

"I... I need you to come here," I whispered, drawing in another deep breath as I leaned against the wall for support, "I need to tell you in person and you can't bring Tazmin."

She's going to be so mad at me.

Fuck I've already done enough as it is.

"But Taz will—"

"Please," I forced out, feeling my throat close up so tightly as I glanced around the eerily empty restaurant.

"Mav and I are on the way now," I heard Vic say as keys jingled in the background, "Send me your location, and don't move."

I nodded almost immediately, "Okay-yeah I'll send it now," I said, sliding down the wall to sit on the cold ground.

And as soon as the call ended, I sent over my location to Vic and stared forward at the messy dining room ahead.

Time felt so slow around me as I tuned out every single detail of what just happened—holding my hand tightly to my bleeding stomach.

The only thing I could focus on was how jittery my body felt and how fast my heart continued to beat.

I felt like I was on the literal edge of spiraling out of my mind, especially with how silent it was out in the middle of nowhere.

It honestly felt like I had zoned out for over thirty minutes—numbing my overwhelming thoughts away.

I didn't think once about what I had just done or even my open wound that I continued to apply pressure to.

I just sat there quietly like some sort of fucking maniac.

Or at least I felt like one. 

I suddenly glanced over when one of the doors to the restaurant got pushed open.

Which instantly made me flinch.

But when Mav and Vic rushed into the restaurant, I visibly relaxed in relief.

"What happened?" Vic asked as he eyed my appearance, watching as I stumbled up from the ground.

And as soon as Mav noticed my bloody hands, his light eyes widened, "Oh fuck," he whispered,

immediately walking closer to me.

"It-it all happened really fast," I whispered, refusing the urge to glance down at my stained hands, "Adriana told me to come out here or she would hurt my family and she had this insane plan to kill me—she chased me outside with a gun and I had used my knife to stab her and the gun to kill her but-but I don't know how to clean this all up and—"

I suddenly drew in a deep breath, feeling my eyes burn with tears as the twins visibly processed what I was telling them.

"I killed her?" I whispered mostly to myself, drawing in deeper breaths and letting them out as warm tears slid down my cheeks.

"I..." I trailed off as Vic instinctively took a step toward me and pulled me into a hug.

"I killed her," I repeated myself, feeling everything around me burn so horribly as Vic held me in a hug.

"We got it Lena—we'll handle this," I heard Mav say in reassurance.

I drew in deeper breaths as more tears escaped my eyes, wrapping my arms around Vic for more support.

"I can't do this anymore," I said, my weak voice echoing in my ears, "I'm so tired of people dying or constantly being threatened—I really didn't want to kill her."

It feels like a never-ending circle—like I'm constantly being used or violated.

When will this all stop?

"I know you didn't want to," Vic whispered, his tone soft and calm with me, "We're going to clean this up for you—it's going to be okay."

I felt more tears burn in my eyes, "It doesn't feel okay," I whispered as I pulled back from Vic slightly.

"It will be," Vic said as I reached up to wipe my tears.

But as soon as I processed what I had done—and the blood on my face, I had to draw in deeper breaths to physically calm myself down from another breakdown.

"It's good—you're good, Lena," Vic said as he ran his hands up and down my arms, "I'll grab a napkin or something."

"Yeah and we should get her out of here," Mav told his brother, who immediately nodded, "And we need to work on an alibi," he determined.

And as Vic began throwing out the necessary steps they needed to take from here, I remained entirely still in place—even as Vic grabbed a cloth napkin nearby and carefully wiped my face for me.

"What's this?" Vic asked, motioning down to the puffiness under my shirt.

Which was the tablecloth I had forgotten I tied around me.

And suddenly the aching pain that I had weirdly gotten used to was now at the forefront of my mind—recalling that I had been stabbed.

That Adriana had stabbed me when I—

"Nothing," I whispered as we walked out of the restaurant into the darkness of the night.

And with each step that I refused to limp through in front of them, the pain shot down my body even worse.

But I couldn't think about that right now—I just needed to get out of here first.

Vic suddenly halted his walking as he analyzed my body illuminated only by the moon, "Lena it doesn't look like noth—"

"Uh guys," I heard Mav call out as he caught up with us, motioning ahead where bright headlights slowly grew closer to us.

And the fact that I couldn't make out the car only made me grow anxious—hoping that it wasn't someone associated with Adriana.

I really don't want anyone else to die tonight.

I suddenly glanced to Vic when he instinctively reached for his gun in his waistband.

Until a look of recognition crossed his features.

"It's Taz," Vic said as the G-Wagon slowly got closer.

Which was enough to make my heart nearly sink down past my chest.

I don't want her to see this.

To witness me like this.

Or realize that I had killed a valuable connection.

"I—she can't see me," I whispered, walking over to the Cadillac Escalade with the twins following close behind me.

And this time I couldn't help but limp as I nearly ran over to their car so I could leave.

Mav glanced over to the car growing closer, "Lena I don't think we should—"

"You can't let her see me," I said, scrunching my eyes shut when my side burned so fucking badly.

"We won't," Vic quickly assured me, nudging Mav as they purposefully stood in front of me.

And as soon as the car halted against the gravel, I nearly felt my heart race quicker in my chest.

I couldn't hide anywhere but behind the twins now.