Vincenzo’s POV
‘È UNA TRAPPOLA’ (it’s a trap) I yelled out as we all drew out our guns. His men came out from behind the docks as they began shooting at us. All our men were down Lorenzo stood by me as we had our guns aimed at Xavier and the men.
Xavier put his hand up and told the men to stand down, ‘pleasures all mine’ he pulled out his gun and aimed it at my head, Lorenzo then aims the gun at Xavier’s head daring him to pull the trigger. I put my hand up telling Lorenzo to stand down not wanting to get him killed because of me. He hesitantly put it down cursing in Italian.
‘Lorenzo go’ I demanded, he looked at me like I officially lost my mind. ‘GO’ I roared, he walked back and then began running to the car. I’d never forgive myself if he got hurt trying to protect me, I rather die than him get a scar because of me.
‘What are you waiting for? DO IT!’ I roared, veins in my neck popping out as my entire body tensed up. As he goes to shoot, he drops the gun holding his wrist as blood pools out of it. One by one his men begin falling. Faster than you can count, they were dropping like flies. ‘Dragon’ Xavier whispered as he ran off along with the men who survived.
I stand there and look up at the abandoned warehouse squinting my eyes, I see a black silhouette on the roof before it disappears. ‘Vincenzo’ my head snaps turning around, and Xavier shoots his gun. With the air being knocked out of me I fall to the floor. “VINCENZO’ I faintly heard Lorenzo yell and then not being able to breathe I surrender to the light.
Isabella’s POV
As I saw Xavier hold the gun to Vincenzo’s head, I knew it was time. I shut my eyes as I allowed myself only for a moment to go back to my old self. Opening my eyes, a sadistic smile formed on as I pulled the trigger hitting Xavier in the wrist to drop the gun.
Then one by one taking out his men, before they all scattered like little rats.
I stood up and quickly packed the gun away and handed it back to snipper. ‘If anyone asks, you shot them. You did it, take the credit okay? I was never here’ he shook his head as he went to fight me ‘but it wasn’t me, you saved boss. I don’t want the credit.’ I shook my head ‘I was never here’ I repeated adding more of a dominating tone to my phrase as I started him down point my finger at him.
He let out a sigh and nodded his head ‘You’re just as crazy as he is you know that?’ I smirked ‘but more terrifying’ I winked smiling at the distant memory. He stayed silent as I ran past him and hopped back on my motorcycle and went home.
x
I sighed as I quickly snuck back in the house, peaking through the kitchen door everyone was sitting on the couch looking worried. I took in a deep breath as I prepared myself for my performance.
I stormed inside like a madwoman, ‘shouldn’t they be back by now?!’ I yelled, everything looked at me worry still never leaving their face. ‘They probably are talking with the men that came to pick up the shipment. That’s why they’re taking longer’ his mum tried to reassure herself, I flung my hands in the air ‘It’s a trap. I’m telling you, and you are all acting so ignorant trying to convince yourself that it isn’t. IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE ME?’ A small part of me was no longer acting as my frustration level’s rose.
Maria phone rang, and I closed my eyes as I felt my heart tug. I hissed in pain as I crouched down a little and held my chest with the palm of my hand. ‘Lorenzo are you-‘ I looked up as my facial expressions dropped. ‘Vincenzo’s been shot and he’s unresponsive’ My entire body went into shock, and I yelled ‘WHAT’
‘Where are they?’ Maria asked Lorenzo and he explained he needed to take him to a local hospital not wanting to risk his brother’s life and take the time to drive all the way back here. We all gather our stuff and immediately rush to the door, but I froze in my spot hearing the cry of his mum.
I turned around ‘are you not coming?’ she shook her head in a state of panic as her entire body began shaking at the thought of stepping out of her estate. My head swarmed with emotions as I watched her in such a state. I’m so used to seeing her polished and always with her head held high but right now … she looked like a wounded puppy. ‘If I can’t leave now, when will I ever leave’ she cried to herself. Ariana pushed past me and went to aid her mum, ‘Isabella go, I’ll catch up’ she softly called out. I nodded my head and turned around to go ‘Isabella’ his mum called out my name, halting I look back ‘take care of my baby … please’ I nodded my head and rushed to one of the cars.
Maria sat next to me as she clutched my hand. I looked at our intertwined hands as my mind went blank, how? How! How did this happen? I was there I left, and he was the only one standing. I lost my touch, tears began streaming down my face at the thought of premaritally losing him, the thought made me want to ram my head through the glass.
‘He’ll be okay Bella’ Maria whispered as she kissed the side of my head, closing my eyes the tears poured down my cheeks as I prayed for the best. Please don’t leave me … please.
x
The car came to a halt jolting me awake, we all swarmed out of the car like bees as we ran inside the hospital. I stormed to the receptionist, ‘Vincenzo King’ I called out she looked at me and asked for my relation, ‘where is he!’ I cut to the chase. ‘Ma’am I’m not permitted to disclose such information until I know the-‘ I cut her off slamming my hands on the desk ‘WHERE IS HE’ feeling every single rational part of me fade away as I slipped into the darkness.
‘Isabella’ Lorenzo called out, Maria quickly ran to him and embraced him. I walk up to him and point my finger at him ‘where?’ He nodded his head as he escorted us to the waiting room and explained to us what happened. My eyes burn with tears hearing the truth behind his fall, Xavier.
Once again, he was the one eliminating the people in my life until I’m alone. I stood up frustrated balling my hands into a fist I slam them down the glass table shattering it. ‘I told you. I told both of you. It was a trap. IT WAS A TRAP, BUT NO ONE LISTENED. NO ONE TOOK THE WARNING AND NOW LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.’ My anger, sadness, frustration every single emotion crawling up my throat.
Blood flowed down my fingers as tears streamed down my eyes. My face was hot, eyes slightly widened as my lips fall into a straight line. ‘Isabella-‘ Lorenzo goes to calm me down, ‘NO. NO.’ I pointed my finger at him yelling ‘What? Isabella what? WHAT’ I look up as I feel my chest tightening.
The surgeon comes out and approaches us. We all focus our attention on her in an instant ‘is he okay?’ She nodded her head slowly ‘The bullet wound just missed his heart. He’s going to be okay, but he needs rest, it also might take time before he is upon his feet. Trouble walking is common, and you’ll need someone to change his gauze’ We nodded our heads and asked if we could see him. ‘He’s currently sleeping but you are allowed to see him, no longer than five minutes. He needs to sleep’ we nod our heads and walk into the room.
I stopped at the door as the sight of him lying in the bed helpless and vulnerable made my insides turn and my heart stop beating. He could’ve died because of me because Xavier is after me. Like the rest of them, he died because he was fighting for me. I closed my eyes shut; I will make hell rain on you Xavier.
Lorenzo and Maria walked up to me hesitantly, ‘you need to get some rest’ I shook my head wiping the tears off my face and taking a deep breath ‘I’m staying. You guys go home and get some rest’ they nodded their heads not wanting to push me further as I’m already on the edge of raining hell on earth.
Taking a slow deep breath I walk closer towards Vincenzo, standing at the edge of his bed I couldn’t help but break down, I sat down on the chair next to the bed and leaned my head on the metal stand. ‘Vincenzo, I told you don’t go. Not to boss you around, but because I was scared’ I whimpered. ‘I was scared of this very situation. Please be okay’ I whispered as I gripped his hand and getting no reaction back.
Biting my bottom lip to stop myself from crying, I let out and looked up at the roof as I drifted off.
FLASHBACK
I sat at the edge of the hospital bed, as I watched Alex’s heart rate. Feeling completely numb, I shook my head and sat down with a blank expression on my face as I contemplated why I don’t feel anything at all. Not fear, not sadness, not anger … nothing.
‘How is he?’ without even flinching or moving a muscle I answered Xavier, ‘like you care’ I spoke in an ordinary tone as I continued to look into space, ‘look at me when I talk to you’ he spat. Not giving him a reaction, he grabbed me by my jaw and forced my face to look at his.
I pinch his nerve on his wrist and twist his arm behind his back and kick him behind his knee. He knelt and I bent down to his ear ‘I’m not that little girl you left to die anymore.’ I harshly whispered as I twisted his arm further, he let out a groan of discomfort. ‘Touch me again, and I will make hell look like a walk in the park compared to what I will do to you. You’re getting weak old man. Remember that’ I let go of his arm and pushed him down.
I walked back up to Alex on the bed as I stroked his hair, all he did was ask if I was okay and the bastard shot him. Why? to remind me he is in control that anyone who shows interest in me will be killed in cold blood. That he was the only one allowed to do anything when it came towards me.
That was when I shut off all emotions towards everyone and everything. I was numb all the time, the only thing I knew was anger, I turned around and looked at Xavier who was still on the floor. ‘You put everyone I love in a hospital bed… or a grave. I won’t love anymore’ I stated and then bent down to his level as I put his chin up with my index finger. I smiled baring teeth ‘you smile’ he commented as he thought I was being affectionate towards him. ‘Most species bare their teeth, as a threat. As a display of aggression … of leadership. It’s a reminder that these clenched jaws can and will tear open your throat.’ he gulped and tried to cough to hide his reaction as he pulled at his neck. Smirking ‘I want you to think of this the next time I smile’
END OF FLASHBACK
I sighed at my memory, years ago I stood in a situation that almost mirrored this one, but this time I was petrified. I closed my eyes as I smiled to myself in pity thinking about my state.
I have never been ashamed of my past and I have never been ashamed of myself especially when I went by Dragon. It was a time of pure darkness, I let out a puff of air as I smirked. What is darkness? The definition is the absence of light. You cannot see darkness. Darkness cannot exist with light. Darkness cannot be explained, darkness only comes when everything else has gone. When you no longer have light … darkness is nothing and then … it becomes everything.
I look at Vincenzo as he still layed their unconscious, I inched closer and smiled. ‘If you could see yourself right now, I can just imagine the tantrum you would throw’ I giggled softly imagining him throwing a fit to leave and put on clothes that don’t expose his backside. I sat and stared at him for a while, as creepy as it sounded, he was so calm and serene.
I looked up at the window then back at him ‘When I was in your office, I saw a bunch of books… one looked particularly warn out so I read it … do you want me to tell you the story?’ no answer, just the sound of him breathing and the heart rate machine filled the room. Smiling through teary eyes ‘Well you’re not awake to fight me and I can’t keep quiet or still otherwise I think I’ll have a breakdown.’ I chuckled imagining his aggravated response to me talking too much.
‘On Mount Olympus a young deity paraded herself. She was the goddess of spring, and her youthful beauty attracted the male deities. Her name was Cora, but she would go by Persephone. Demeter her mother was overprotective and shielded the young girl from the Olympic gods, she wanted her young daughter to maintain her purity and virginity. So the goddess of agriculture kept Aphrodite and her son’s arrows away from her daughter. The divinities of love did not want to have another divinity in Olympus immune to their influence and planned an attack on the young goddess.’ I smiled as I traced the king tattoo on his hand.
‘Far from Olympus in the depths of the earth was another god who lived free from the influence of the gods of love his name was Hades. The king of the underworld. The endless tasks of managing his kingdoms never allowed Hades to think of anything else but his work’ I stopped as I saw resemblance in Hades and Vincenzo.
‘But a great trimmer disturbed the kingdom of Hades. He then rose to the surface to see what was happening the Edna volcano was erupting a sign that tayfin the monster imprisoned by Zeus was unhappy. That was when Hades heard a sweet voice coming from a nearby forest, in the woods Persephone sang without realising that anyone was watching her. Aphrodite and her sons noticed Hade’s interest in Persephone, and wanted to take the opportunity, the god of passion and love shot the heart of the god with one of his golden arrows which instilled desire and passion in the heart of Hades.’ I continued as my mind drifted off imaging the scene taking place in front of me.
‘Consumed by passion Hades approached the spring goddess, who did not feel his approach. Hades tried to flirt with the young woman, but she resisted. Hades then grabbed his beloved and the earth opened so that he can return to his domain. With the goddess in his arms, the god of the dead descended into a tunnel to his kingdom. Persephone was very agitated and was locked in a room in Hade’s palace until she became calmer’ I laughed at the irony, as I smiled and closed my eyes trying to stop myself from crying and continue.
‘Although she felt attracted by the god, she was still trying to push him away, despite his confession of love. Her mother started to get stressed not knowing where her daughter was. So, she wandered the world in search of Persephone, after much searching she found one who used to accompany her daughter and explained how Hades kidnapped her taking her to the underworld. Her mother was furious and would not forgive Gaia goddess of the earth, who had been an accomplice to her daughter’s abduction.’ I went to continue but my throat grew dry, and the lump began to form.
‘You need to wake up so we can find out how the story ends’ I whispered, as I was about to let go of his hand, I felt his grip tighten around mine as I laughed out through tears.
I called the nurse as they rushed in making sure everything was okay internally, after alerting me that he should wake soon and that he was okay they left the room. I rested my head on his chest as he didn’t ease his grip around my hand, I slowly fell asleep.
x
I felt someone stroke my hair, causing me to slowly open my eyes. Through blurry vision I didn’t see anyone in the room, I jolted awake as I sat upright and saw Vincenzo awake. I smiled as a relieved sigh left my lips as I hugged him. He winced slightly and I immediately got off him ‘sor-‘ he cut me off and pulled me back down to him.
I closed my eyes as I rested my head in the crook of his neck, I heard him deeply inhale then exhale as he tightened his grip on me. I stood upright as I smiled at him through exhausted eyes, he looked at me with pity ‘Have you been here all night?’ I nodded my head slowly ‘Couldn’t leave you here all alone’ I smirked as he shook his head ‘I’m used to it’ he muttered my smile dropped as I saw a more broken side of him shine through.
I shook my head as Lorenzo, Maria and Ariana walked in, ‘You’re awake’ Lorenzo stated feeling relieved. ‘Fratello’ Ariana calls out as tears escape her eyes as she bends to hug him. Maria stands next to me as she whispers in my ear ‘you killed his men didn’t you’ I looked at her as I shook my head ‘I was at the house’ Maria lets out air as she looks at me ‘PFT year okay, Isabella no one knows you as well as me, you can’t stay put to save your life … I mean that literally’ hinting at the times I risked my life by putting myself in dangerous situations.
I shook my head as I heard the heart monitor go to a flat line, my heart beating fast I snap my head at Vincenzo seeing him throw a tantrum about wanting to leave and how he is fine. He struggled sitting up, so Lorenzo bent down and helped him sit up straight and immediately Vincenzo went quiet as he looked at us with raised eyebrows and slightly widened eyes ‘Wha- why do I feel a draft on my back’ I muffled a laugh as I covered my mouth. I told you he would chuck a tantrum, I mentally told Maria as I smirked. He let out a painful groan as he lifted himself up using the metal steel, I aided him and helped him stand up ‘you can barely stand up, would you just sit down?’ I begged ‘I’m fine and don’t need to be here, Lorenzo get my clothes’
Cops walked in as they smiled at Vincenzo ‘Vincenzo’ they greeted him, he smiled timidly as he muttered curse words in Italian. ‘Officers’
‘We have a few questions if you don’t mind’ He nodded his head knowing he can’t refuse and sat back down slowly, ‘how did you get the gunshot wounds?’ he looked at the bandaged wound on his chest then back up at the officers ‘wrong place wrong time’ he answered him short and sweet. ‘Where were you?’ Vincenzo wandered as he looked down with furrowed eyebrows, ‘I- I really don’t remember’ the officers looked at him before nodding their heads. They continued to ask questions which Vincenzo dodged and went in circles before they stood up to leave, ‘if you remember anything give us a call’ He nodded his head as the officers left.
‘This is why we have our own personal hospital on site.’ He told Lorenzo, Lorenzo shrugged his shoulders laughing ‘It was nice seeing someone interrogating you for a change and not me’ I shook my head ‘can you help me put him back down, ask the cops for handcuffs if you got to’ Lorenzo laughed and snapped his fingers pointing at me.
‘Not a bad idea, OFFICERS SIR’ he called out before Ariana slapped him on the back of his head, Lorenzo looked at her with his mouth parted as he rubbed the back of his head ‘you bitch’
I rolled my eyes as I sensed a sibling fight, Vincenzo still upright grabbed his clothes and went to walk in the bathroom to change, ‘Vincenzo you can’t-‘ he cut me off ‘If you won’t help me leave.’ He snapped wanting to just get out of the hospital and back home. I stared at him for a moment ‘fine’
Knowing no one else was going to help change him and if I didn’t, he was going to do it on his own and most likely hurt himself even more. I sat him down on the chair in the bathroom as I took off his gown, leaving him in only his boxers. I sucked in a breath looking at his frame, trying to rescue myself I coughed as I grabbed his black T-shirt and slipped it over his head, he threaded his right arm through as I aided him with his left. I guided his arm through the hole of the T-shirt inches from his face. I stand there for a second as his eyes never leave mine.
I looked down and bent down and threaded his feet through the black jeans, pulling them up. I grabbed his hands and helped him stand up as he gripped the sidebars while I lifted his pants up.
Still, on my knees, I help the hem of his jeans as my eyes trailed up and looked at him while I bit my lips. He shut his eyes closed sharply breathing in while I zip up the jeans and button them closed.
Slowly standing back up straight inches from each other, I grew uncomfortable at the sudden closeness after our harsh breakup I step back a little and brush my hands through my hair. ‘Come on’ I whisper as I grab his hands again and escort him out of the bathroom and on the wheelchair Lorenzo got. ‘I got it, Isabella, you beat us outside in the car’ I nodded my head and rushed out with Ariana and Maria while Lorenzo and Vincenzo get discharged.
We sat in the car waiting for the guys to come as Ariana stares at me sadness in her eyes, ‘Isabella … I’m sorry for how things ended with Vincenzo’ I looked up at her and tried to plaster a smile I shook my head ‘It’s not your fault, I’m fine’ I lied as I looked out the window and tried to drift off.
‘I know my brother; you could see the love he has for you simply by the way he looks at you. There has to be a reason why he left you, it cant be because of his statuer … there’s more to it’ she drifted off, not really caring I kept my gaze fixated on the window as I watched the branches of the trees flow in the wind and the flowers as I smiled reminding myself there is beauty in this world if you look for it.
The door opened and Lorenzo helped Vincenzo in as he put the wheelchair in the back and sat down. My eyes peaked at Vincenzo as I watched him sit with his head leaned on the headrest. He balled his hand in a fist as he clenched his jaw, he was in pain but didn’t want to show it.
I shook my head focusing back on the window as I watched as everything flew by as we drove. He was good at hiding his emotions, wonder how long it took him to master the art of deception, but it was hard to hide deceive a deceiver. Vincenzo got on a phone call immediately going back to business, ‘we won’t be able to attend the meeting tonight in Spain, can we reschedule it for tomorrow night?’ he went quiet before thanking the man on the phone and hanging up.
‘Guess you won’t be able to use me yet huh?’ I muttered not looking him in the eye, ‘not yet’ he responded. ‘Not ever’ I bit back. ‘I really don’t see how you have much of a choice’ still looking out the window I smiled ‘Don’t underestimate me Italy, I can many things, but your bitch is not one of them.’ I lifted my head off the window as I turned my head to him ‘remember that’
I saw his eyes glaze over as it looked like he went into deep thought as he sat back and got lost in whatever he was thinking about. After a few minutes, I see the gates of hell, as his men armed slowly open up the gate of the house to let us in. Parking the car Lorenzo helped Vincenzo out as I darted towards the dogs sitting outside, a genuine smile overtaking my lips as I pet them before I sense Vincenzo’s stare and walk inside.
I go to my room and get in the shower and take a nap feeling the exhaustion completely take over.
x
‘Isabella’ I felt someone shake me awake as I looked up and saw Lorenzo inches from my face, grabbing a pillow I smack him across the head with it. ‘Fuck’ he falls ‘did I scare you?’ I smirk in the pillow closing my eyes ‘Nope’
Feeling the impact of the pillow I jolt up ‘what? the sight of you freaked me out I thought Shrek was in the bed’ he shuddered earring a death stare from me as I fixed my hair.
‘What do you want?’ I asked frustrated, ‘Vincenzo needs a shower and uh … No amount of money is gonna make me shower him.’ I stared at him with wide eyes ‘No’ I shook my head ‘I just told him I wasn’t his bitch, now I’m going to go shower him? Ha, I think not’ Lorenzo pleaded with his eyes ‘No Lorenzo, get one of the servants to do it.’ I lay back down on the bed as I close my eyes trying to go back to sleep.
‘I’ll probably just ask Aria-‘ I practically flew up as I stood on my feet, ‘No, no. It’s fine I’ll do it the poor thing just got shot. I’ll help him’ I rushed out not wanting her anywhere near Vincenzo, the thought of her touching him and being in such quarters made my blood boil.
I walked into Vincenzo’s bedroom as he sat on the chair on the balcony blowing out smoke. I raised my eyebrow at him and lightly knocked on the frame of the door before walking on the balcony next to him, ‘what are you doing here?’ he asked more confused than anything else, I think I was the last person he expected to help him. Well I thought I’d be the last person as well but he was the first person to help me whenever I got hurt or wounded.
‘Don’t push it’ I warned him, he went quiet, but a sly smirk came over his lips I smiled and shook my head choosing to ignore it. As I leaned on the edge of the railing staring out at the view. ‘I didn’t know you smoked’ I spoke up turning my head to look at him, ‘sometimes we need to kill ourselves a little to stay alive…’ I looked at him curiously as I asked, ‘So which part of you are you killing tonight?’
How can someone smoking be such a turn on? I bit my bottom lip watching him as he dragged out a breath and slowly blowing the smoke back out, ‘fear’ he answered me. I tilted my head slightly ‘from what?’ I asked curiosity getting the better of me.
He put out the smoke and looked back up at me ‘you’ I straightened my head and slowly straightened my posture as I put a strand of my hair behind my ear, ‘Come on’ I helped him stand up as we walked to the bathroom.
I adjust the temperature of the water to his liking and slowly undressed him, our eyes never breaking away from one another. I looked at the water and realised to shower him I’m going to have to go in and I didn’t want my clothes wet.
Taking in a deep breath I slowly pull my shirt over my head and toss it to the side; Vincenzo’s eyes rank my body as he studies every inch of me fearing this might be the last time, he’ll ever see me. I take off my tracksuit and toss it near my shirt. Standing in front of him in just my bra and underwear I let out a shaky breath and help him inside.
The water falls on both of our skin I sit him down on the chair as he closes his eyes looking up at the showerhead. I admire his physic and his utter vulnerability at this moment. I walk behind him and grab the shampoo bottle squirting a bit in the palm of my hand as I slowly massage the product in his hair.
He hummed as my fingers massaged his scalp, ‘close your eyes’ I softly whisper as his head goes under the water to rinse the shampoo out of hair, I repeat the same process with the conditioner.
Grabbing the body wash and squeezing it on the luffa as I scrubbed his back. The bubbles covering his many tattoos, tilting my head to calmly analysis the permanent ink. I stand in front of him as I hear him breathe in my scent and relax his body under my touch. I scrubbed his chest softly then travelling down.
I stand upright as I feel his hands softly rest on my hips as he pulls me in. Closing my eyes, I bit my lip. This type of affection was new for Vincenzo, he was vulnerable a part of me yearned for this moment but now that it’s here I had more questions than anything else. I stayed in this position before resting my forehead on his.
Our lips were inches apart my heart rate surprisingly calm as I felt relaxed in his arms, ‘I’m becoming weak because of you’ his voice echoed in my ear as I snapped out of it and stepped away. ‘Isabella-‘ I cut him off softly ‘Come on’ I turned off the water and wrapped him a towel and walked him to the bedroom.
I quickly wrapped myself in a towel before I approached him. He sat on the bed with the towel wrapped around his torso, ‘Come on’ I softly whispered as I grabbed his clothes out, ‘Isabella don’t do that’ feeling completely helpless and numb I snap.
‘Do what Vincenzo? DO WHAT?’ He closed his eyes tensing his jaw, ‘This’ he waves his hand between us I shake my head laughing ‘This’ I wave at the distance between us ‘Is what you wanted remember?’
I put my hands up ‘I refuse to fight you for not wanting me, I won’t be that girl that begs for you. I’m here to help you and once you get better, I’ll be back to how it was when we met. Cold and distant’ He fell silent as he looked down closing his eyes.
I shook my head not in the mood to argue as I approached him with a plain white T-shirt ‘Come’ I inched closer to him as my hands traced over one of his tattoos as my heart stopped. ‘Vincenzo’ I softly spoke his name, he looked up and followed my gaze ‘what’s the meaning behind this?’ I asked terrified of his answer.
He smiled softly ‘It’s something my brother told me once’ my heart picking up speed as my breath got caught in my throat, he read out the tattoo ‘You weren’t born to be soft and quiet. You were born to make the world shatter and shake at your fingertips. D.K’
Dante …
