I stormed out of his office and went straight outside in the garden, sitting among the flowers I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding in. This entire situation felt like de ja vu, it was a repeat of my whole life just fast word a few years.
I hate you, Vincenzo King. ‘I may be heartless but you’re naive’ I grabbed a rock lying next to me and threw it as far as I could screaming. How could I be so naive to think Vincenzo King could ever change. He’s a weapon, a killer. You can use a spear as a walking stick but that doesn’t change its nature.
In a weird way I admired him he knew who he was and who he wants to be, he won’t stray from it even if that means having to lose the ones, he valued the most. I sarcastically chuckled to myself realising we said we hated each other before ever saying I love you. Maybe there really was no love maybe it was all an illusion to keep me in this prison because you know what they say. To keep a prisoner captive, make him forget his in prison. Standing up dusting off the grass from my thighs I sighed.
I won’t forget ever again. Walking back inside everyone froze and watched me with caution, I shook my head feeling too tired to even mention anything I brushed past everyone and headed straight to my cell, collapsing on the bed I scream into my pillow. A knock on my door broke me out of my tantrum, ‘GO AWAY’ I shouted in return, but the door opened anyway, ‘Bella?’ I looked up and saw a concerned Maria, smiling at her she shook her head sensing the fake smile and embraced me in a hug.
‘You were right’ I mumbled into her shoulder, she shook her head and kept me in a tight embrace, ‘don’t ever say that again, that was scary’ I peeked over Maria’s shoulder and saw Lorenzo at the door. Rolling my eyes I break the hug and lean back into the bed ‘Lorenzo I’m honestly in no mood to see a King right now’
He dramatically gasped placing a hand over his mouth, closing the door behind him he sits on the bed in between me and Maria. ‘Are all the kings fucking stubborn?” He simply shrugged before a serious expression overtook his features and he pulled me in for a hug.
My body tensed up before slowly easing into the hug as I wrapped my arms around him, ‘I still hate the Kings’ I stated before letting go, ‘what happened?’ Maria asked me, sighing I began to explain the situation as briefly as possible. I needed to vent but at the same time, Vincenzo was a private person if he knew I blabbed about every detail god knows what he will do.
‘But why what happened all of a sudden?’ I shrugged my shoulder at Maria ‘I don’t know’ I looked at my fingers fiddling with them as I thought, ‘You’re making me weak’ a phrase I heard all too well, a phrase that will haunt me forever.
FLASHBACK
‘You’re making me weak’ Xavier shouted again for the millionth time today, ‘Xavier, I’m not making you weak has it ever occurred to you that maybe you are weak?’ I shouted out of frustration, forgetting about the consequences.
He harshly grabbed me by my throat slamming me against the hard brick wall, I winced in pain as my head connected with the brick, ‘Isabella it sounds to me like you missed the dark cell?’ My eyes immediately widened with fear as my entire body began to viciously shake, I shook my head ‘no no no im sorry’ I quickly muttered out.
‘Good girl’ Xavier purred as he began kissing my cheek then trailing down to my neck. Squirming and feeling uncomfortable I push him off of me. He pulls at his hair obviously frustrated ‘that wasn’t part of the deal’ I spat, after he let me go, I agreed to join the gang and do everything in exchange he doesn’t touch me.
He raised his hands up in the air shaking his head, ‘let’s go’ He ushered me towards the bar in front of us. Xavier had a meeting with fellow members from a few different gangs. They tend to gather at different clubs all over Spain to not attract attention from the police and only have meetings with a small number of leaders.
I stepped inside the door and immediately felt sick from the smell of smoke, mixed with alcohol and what seemed like vomit. Xavier kissed my cheek making sure everyone in the club saw so no one would approach me, I immediately tensed up as I inched away from him. He went to the back of the club leaving me alone, I wandered towards the bar sitting down. ‘Vodka’ I ordered the man eyed me up and down with a confused expression.
‘Dragon’ I spat, the man’s eyes widened as he handed me my order, I took the shot before ordering another, ‘aren’t you a little young to have that?’ I looked to my right and saw a tall tanned man sitting down next to me, he looked no older than 17. I shook my head eyeing his features. Tan, jet black hair, clean features, and an expensive looking suit. ‘You scream Italian mafia’ I commented he looked down at his dress code before chuckling. ‘And you scream badass underboss’ I shook my head allowing a smile to overtake my features, ‘hey you stay outta my business. I stay outta yours.’ He let another airy chuckle out before agreeing.
‘Good to see you again Bella’ he laughed, I cleared my throat ‘good to see you too Dante’ giving me a hug I tensed but eventually eased into it, I turn back around and take another shot. If words get back to Xavier I touched another man, he will not hesitate to kill him especially now that he feels the need to prove to Spain, he is more dangerous than me.
‘Sorry, it’s a long story’ I commented at my tense behaviour, I wasn’t used to people approaching me let alone having anyone besides Mateo or Alex to talk to. ‘How are you Bellissima?’ he spoke, I smiled not sensing a flirty behaviour rather a tone of genuine concern, but he spoke as a joke to not anger me.
I looked up at him and smiled ‘also another long story’ I let out a low chuckle before he spun me on my chair and looked at me with worry in his eyes, ‘we have time’ I looked at the door biting my lip contemplating on what to do.
Xavier’s meetings genuinely lasted a good three hours, closing my eyes I let out a sigh. ‘I’m stuck with a devil wanna be’ I stated, ‘please my brother is the devil’ he joked, I smiled as I tilted my head analysing him. ‘Then we have that in common’ he nodded his head using jokes to make me feel comfortable.
‘I experienced a great traumatic experience last year when I went out on my own to rid me of my guilt’ I started off, something about this man was calming like he was in control of everything. He had a peaceful side to him that could make anyone feel at peace and comfortable enough to share anything with. So, I did, for the first time in two years, I spoke without fear about everything that happened to me.
His expression changed and immediately saddened ‘I’m so sorry’ he whispered making me emotional seeing his genuine concern for me. I immediately wiped my tears off my face. Dragon doesn’t show emotions. I reminded myself if I was caught by anyone in this state I’d be disgraced.
‘Isabella, you are by far the strongest person I know and believe me I know a lot of people,’ he stated I furrowed my eyebrows at him confused by his statement. I smiled before looking away, ‘no one should have had to endure what you went through, for that I’m sorry … let me help you?’ my head shot to him as my mouth slightly parted.
help me? I questioned in my head, ‘I wish you could’ I replied in a low whisper, ‘the person I’ve become doesn’t run away, even if I desperately want to. Besides if I get caught, he won’t kill me, but he will kill you … I can’t let him do that.’ I felt hopeless, I was finally being offered a way out and I couldn’t take it. I smiled at him trying to reassure him I was fine.
‘If I get out, I’ll get out on my own terms’ I stated he studied my facial expressions before shaking his head feeling defeated, he let a sad smile take over his lips as he held my hands, ‘I tell this to my younger brother and sister and sometimes even my older brother. I only ever say this to them because I feel as a family, we are special. You will now be the first outsider I will ever say this to. Isabella you weren’t born to be soft and quiet, you were born to make the world shatter and shake at your fingertips.’ my eyes weld up as tears began to form hearing those words leave his lips, I smile as I squeeze his hands. ‘I know that now it’s time you know that … and make everyone know it too. I don’t want every meeting of ours to be like this, I want to see you happy’
I hugged him as tight as I could and stayed like this for a minute before letting him go, ‘I can’t leave you here’ he whispered like a concerned older brother. I looked him dead in the eye smiling with tears in my eyes ‘you can, and you will’
‘You are the first person my heart opened up to since everything, the first and most likely the last person … and in the short amount of time I’ve known you I know one thing for sure. I can’t lose you and I can’t allow your family to lose you either.’ I saw the door of the office slowly open up I quickly stood up as I let go of his hands and walked away hoping Xavier didn’t see Dante.
I quickly wipe my tears away as I hid all signs of emotions and waited for Xavier, ‘dragon’ I looked at Xavier and faked a smile. He told me he had to finish something quick and for me to stay outside.
Ten minutes passed and he finally appears in front of me again, ‘Can we go’ I frustratingly yelled in a hurry to leave. ‘Why are you in such a rush to leave?’ he questioned eyeing me as if he knew something, my stomach twisted with worry as I continued to stare at him with a blank expression. ‘I felt sick inside, the smell was horrible’ I answered him walking ahead.
‘So, it wasn’t because of that boy you didn’t want me too, see?’ My body immediately froze as my heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. I did a sharp turn ‘what boy?’ I asked trying to act oblivious. He shook his head laughing like an idiot, ‘what boy?! THE ONE YOU WERE HUGGING AND HOLDING HANDS THAT BOY.’ He roared as he began waving his knife in the air that was covered in blood. My hands immediately covered my mouth as I screamed, without thinking my I ran as fast as I could to find him.
Xavier stayed put allowing me to run past him, I ran behind an alleyway and saw a bloody man lying flat on the floor, ‘NO NO NO NO’ I yelled feeling like I was reliving my nightmare, I grabbed his body and placed his head on my lap as I cried, his eyes slowly opened as he smiled and held my hand ‘let them know bella’ he whispered before closing his eyes shut as I watched him die right in front of me. My cry became louder and harsher.
END OF FLASHBACK
I wiped the tear that escaped and quickly shook my head, ‘Isabella?’ Lorenzo called out. ‘You zoned out for a good ten minutes are you okay?’ I smiled and nodded my head ‘I’ve been doing that a lot lately … I’m fine don’t worry about me’ I smiled as I gestured for them to go outside. ‘I need to get out of this room, I’m feeling a little suffocated,’ I stated as my breathing began to become harsher.
We all got up and walked outside and sat in the garden as Lorenzo and Maria tried to desperately make me forget all that happened. Lorenzo suggested we all played monopoly laughing we agreed. Ariana also came to join the fun.
That was before Vincenzo decided to interrupt and fuck it all up. ‘Get your bags ready’ all of our heads shot in his direction in complete confusion, he eyed me as a crazy smile appeared ‘time to use our bargaining tool. We leave tomorrow morning.’ Without a second glance he leaves, a frustrated sigh leaves my lips as it dawns on me that Vincenzo King is back to his old self, and a man of very few words.
Not feeling like playing anymore I stood up and stormed my way inside all the guards and men immediately moved out of my way, as soon as I approached the office doors his personal guards eyed me not moving. ‘Whatever threat he gave you trust me … mine is worse’ they both exchanged looks before slightly making room for me to open the door, staying calm I look at them both giving them a final warning.
In an unsettling calm voice, I order them ‘move’ quickly moving to the side I open the door and burst in, ‘Spain? Tomorrow? Bargaining tool? Tell me what kind of world you’re living in’ I shouted the second I opened the doors, and to my surprise I see Aria sitting on his desk.
letting out a fake laugh I walk up to them within seconds and grab the girl by her arm and throw her out, ‘you can either wait outside or leave. This is gonna take some time’ I turn to the guards who stare at me with a shocked expression, ‘do. not. let. her. in.’ They sharply nod their heads as they stand guard, ‘sometimes I wonder if they work for me or you’ Vincenzo mutters, I turn on my heel and plaster a smile approaching his desk.
‘I asked you a question, answer it’ He looked at me takeback as he stood up and was now staring me dead in the eye, ‘who do you think you are to demand anything from me?’ he questioned scoffing I smile ‘who do you think you are using me as a bargaining tool? Especially after everything.’
‘Isabella get over it, you know exactly why you were kept here and you’re finally fulfilling your entire purpose of being here’ I closed my eyes as I tried to calm myself down, let them know his voice echoed in my head.
‘How about you get rid of that stick you have up your ass and wake the fuck up. I’m not a fucking toy you can play with when you’re bored or a thing you can use when it’s convenient for you’ he shakes his head before walking back ‘You knew the reason for your stay here, don’t act like this is news to you … Isabella I’m the boss my responsibilities are this mafia.’ I cut him off ‘Responsibilities?’ I shout, ‘How about your responsibility to me?’ I shouted feeling the anger I bottled up from before finally coming out now.
‘I’ll never let a single flame burn you’ I repeat his words to him feeling the tears in my eyes begin to develop, looking up to stop them from flowing down. I look back at him as his emotions completely change, guilt. My features softening as I stared at him, shaking my head I quietly sat down on the couch. ‘I’m burnt.’ I stood up to leave and felt Vincenzo’s hand grab my arm as he spun me around pulling me in him.
I look up at him ‘The difference between me and you … I wasn’t afraid to try’ I snatch my arm from his grasp and walk out. Aria was still at the door, rolling my eyes I walk past her ‘next time you throw me out like that you won’t be happy’ I stopped in my tracks and spun around smiling at her. I slowly walked towards her until our faces were a few inches apart, I intimidatingly tilted my head slightly to the side as a sly grin overtook my lips, ‘your mind is playing tricks on you, don’t ever threaten me. Never ever think you’re capable of that.’ I inched closer to her ear and in an unsettling whisper ‘I promise you will lose every time’ winking at her I walked away.
x
It was almost 10 pm when all of a sudden, all the men began rushing out of the house, we all stood up on high alert. I saw Vincenzo putting his gun in his back pocket as he adjusted his leather jacket, I grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving. ‘What’s going on,’ his mother asks, ‘that stupid gang is at our shipment causing trouble, Isabella’s ex’ I instantly cringed hearing him call him my ex. ‘Not my ex, and what do you mean?’ I asked as a sick feeling began in my stomach.
‘The guy’s called and said Xavier’s men were there and were fucking everything up and wanted to send a message’ my eyes widened at the familiar setting, ‘Vincenzo what did Xavier’s men say to your men’ I spoke feeling rushed, ‘serpiente‘ my stomach dropped.
‘Serpiente‘ I repeated ‘Vincenzo it’s a trap’ I quickly rushed out. He took his arm out of my grasp before shaking his head ‘there is only a few men there’ I shook my head again more viciously ‘that’s what they want you to think, Vincenzo, trust me it’s a trap’
‘Isabella with all due respect stay out of my son’s business, he’s the boss, not you. If he say’s only a few men then that’s it.’ his mum spoke out, frustratingly I ball my hands in a fist as I turn on my heel, ‘do you want to see your kids harmed? Or even having any of his men’s death on your hands?’ I questioned her, not giving her time to reply I turn back to Vincenzo ‘Trust me on this one’
He shook his head and left.
