I eyed the two of them the feeling in my stomach worsening. ‘What are they doing here?’ I bit walking into the office. Vincenzo looked on edge almost like he was going to throw up. I looked at him trying to see if he was okay. ‘Oh, you’re going to find out baby’ Roxy purred, my gaze turning to her. My eyes piercing her soul as I warned her not to push me today, she went quiet but remained confident.
‘Didn’t I fire the two of you?’ I looked between them, ‘We are not your employees to fire us, besides we know the real reason you wanted us gone’ Lexi pondered, ‘To think Vincenzo ever trusted a snake’ She hugged his arm, he tensed under her touch pulling his arm free. ‘Is it true?’ Vincenzo asked.
I looked at him confused and frustrated ‘Is what true?’ I yelled, he grabbed the polaroids from his desk and flung them towards me. ‘IS IT TRUE ISABELLA!’ His voice echoed in my head sending chills through my body. Goosebumps rose on my skin because for the first time his anger was a hundred per cent aimed at me, I bent down slowly picking up the polaroid’s a gasp leaving my lips as I stare at the pictures.
‘No, No, NO!’ I chanted denying everything, I looked at the picture of me going to my doctor’s appointment and Xavier in front of me his hand extended making it look like we were involved in a conversation. I flicked through the other’s my eyes growing wider at every picture. ‘You cannot seriously believe this’ I threw the polaroid’s across the room. ‘Why would he believe anything you say ever again? Photos don’t lie isn’t that you and Xavier?’ I tensed my jaw, ‘Besides he doesn’t know you anymore’ Lexi whispered with a victorious smug on her lips. ‘If you don’t wipe that smirk off your face I WILL’ I yelled lunging towards her, tackling her to the floor, punching her in the face.
My fist collided with her nose hearing a satisfying crack. Blood oozing from her nose and cheek, not being able to stop myself I felt a pair of familiar arms wrap around my frame forcefully pulling me off. ‘THAT’S ENOUGH!’ He roared, ‘Both of you out!’ He ordered them, Roxy helped Lexi to her feet walking her out, ‘Don’t forget Isabella, you won’t leave this office alive. I hope you satisfied yourself’ She mocked, ‘Not enough’ I bit back lunging towards her again before Vincenzo caught me midway. ‘OUT!’ he yelled.
The door slammed shut, I snapped my head around looking at him in complete disbelief. ‘Tell me you don’t believe it’ I begged hurt he could ever think I could betray him. ‘I want to’ He spoke softly looking at me with sympathetic eyes. ‘Vincenzo’ I whispered my voice cracking, feeling my throat burn up and swell with tears and screams ready to burst. ‘You know me!’ I yelled; he shook his head ‘I knew you! I … I don’t know you now’ he frustratingly brushed his hand through his hair.
‘I DIDN’T BETRAY YOU VINCENZO! I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT WAS HIM LOOK AT WHAT HE WAS WEARING HIS FACE IS BARELY VISIBLE’ I yelled trying to reason with him, begging him to listen to the words coming out of my mouth. ‘Isabella you were talking to him; you’re telling me you didn’t recognise his voice!’ I flinched, shaking my head ‘I wasn’t talking to him! He didn’t utter a word his mouth is just open; they did this on purpose’ I grabbed the polaroids throwing them in the firepit. ‘It’s all a plan to get rid of me, so he can infiltrate’ I spoke up piecing the pieces together, ‘Why would my girls want you out?’ He asked confused, I snapped my head towards him irritated. ‘Did that plan crash make you stupid?’ I blurted out.
‘They want you to themselves again, as long as im here they know they can’t have you’ I scratched my head my heart twisting into a knot, all this stress really isn’t good for the baby, ‘I need to hear you say it, tell me you don’t believe them. Tell me you trust me’ I whispered. He looked at me his eyes full of regret as he tensed up. Worry began stirring as I looked at him my breathing picking up as I watched his body, ‘Vincenzo. Tell me you believe me’ I repeated almost pleading with him.
‘How can I?’ He finally answered, ‘How can you? Is that seriously all you have to fucking say’ I felt everything come crumbling down from beneath me. ‘I don’t know you, Isabella! My team, the people I’ve known for years came to me with evidence that you’re a mole’ I stormed closer to him pushing him back ‘why would I partner up with the man who tortured me for months and continues to torture my own parents? WHY WOULD I EVER GO TO HIM’ I yelled, he looked at me his eyes growing wide ‘To get your parents back … KNOW IT MAKES SENE’ He pushed me back storming off ‘You went to him, you surrendered to get them back.’ I looked at him like he lost his mind, ‘No matter how much I love and want them back. I would never step over you and this mafia to get them back’
I would never do anything that could prevent me, you, your touch that makes my skin crawl with excitement, your breath that forms goosebumps all over my body, your voice that echoes in my heart and your scent that I could pinpoint from a crowd of millions. I would never do anything that can forbid me from seeing you, I thought he knew this but again I was mistaken his old self would know that I would never betray him not even if given the chance. I looked at him now and his eyes were hard as ice his face cold as stone-like he was looking at a traitor and that would be the thing that kills me.
‘Please listen to me, I didn’t do it! I never spoke to him. I have no intention of it, and I would never, and I mean ever go against you’ I whispered, he looked at me like he didn’t know what side to believe like he had no idea what to do. For once he looked lost, alone, and afraid. I sighed I grabbed his cheek and forced him to look at me he didn’t flinch as he locked eyes with me. The more I stared into his eyes the more I felt like crying, the eyes that once used to light up and melt into mine now stares back at me cold and lifeless ‘You have no idea who I am, do you?’ I whispered softly, he closed his eyes slowly and leaned his forehead on mine. ‘I’m sorry’ he whispered.
I tensed my jaw and pushed him off me ‘NO! NO, YOU’RE NOT. YOU’RE NOT SORRY, AND YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THEM OVER ME’ I shouted, grabbing his tray of glass and bourbon smashing it on the floor. ‘After everything I did, you really think I would go against you?’ I looked at him my entire nervous system breaking, grabbing a book from the shelf I threw it across the room. It hit the already broken mirror as I watch it fall along with a few small pieces of glass. I turned to him tears now trailing down my face ‘It’s me! It’s me Isabella’ I cried out slapping myself on the chest.
‘It’s me. It’s me. The girl who tried to stab you, but instead you cleaned her wound and gave her your hoodie. The girl who you rushed to and covered her ears talking her through the storm because she was terrified. The girl who you sang to the girl who you danced with. The girl you took horse riding and a picnic along the river. The girl YOU light a lantern with. The girl you played laser tag with. Vincenzo looks at me please … Please look at me’ I whispered crying.
‘Isabella-‘ He cut himself off, He grabbed my arms pulling me in. I cried in his shirt feeling like this was it. The end of the road for us ‘You know I want to believe you’ I pushed him off me softly. ‘You’re going to regret this’ I softly shouted, he shook his head once again looking like he was in another battle with his head and his heart. With the side of him, he no longer remembers, ‘I regret nothing’ He finally spoke up.
I rolled my eyes swallowing back further tears before I snapped my head looking at him. I threw my hands up in the air ‘because you don’t remember what you’re supposed to regret’ I pointed out. I took in a deep breath and sighed, wiping my tears I nodded my head softly ‘Fine if you truly believe there is a possibility that I could ever do something like that. Then okay, I’ll go but on one condition’ I gave in, feeling like if It was the end of the road then so be it. ‘Anything’ He softly whispered, ‘You need to protect Maria, no matter what’
He nodded his head; I blew out air and nodded my head slowly. ‘Do it’ I whispered, ‘If you believe I betrayed you, then that means you believe I broke Omerta. Kill me and get it over with, but don’t forget your promise’
He shook his head, ‘I don’t want to Isabella, I don’t-‘ I cut him off, ‘But you have to … don’t you?’ I referred to the code, his reputation for his mafia and enemies that he doesn’t spare those who betray him. ‘Do it’ I spoke firmly as I looked at him square in the face, not believing he could. ‘Aren’t you scared that I’ll kill you? That I’ll hurt you’ He shouted, ‘NO,’ I replied instantly.
‘Why the fuck not! I’ve done it before’ he yelled, I flinched at his outburst and his statement. ‘I’ve had demons in my mind and you … you are the thing that saved me from myself. Not all monsters are bad. I’ve seen you at your worst when your demons overcome you and I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
He looked at me from the side his eyes softening ‘I will not have you without the darkness that hides within you the darkness that you’re so ashamed of. I will not let you have me without the madness that makes me. If our demons cannot dance, neither can we.’ I whispered. It was finally the end for us, our once dancing demons now stare at each other like strangers. While I stare at a man with so many emotions that I could burst but all I get back is confusion and conflict. ‘We won’t be dancing, will we?’ He whispered.
‘Not unless you believe me, not unless you remember me’ I cried softly, he shook his head visibly upset. ‘I’m so sorry’ He softly whispered. I nodded my head closing my eyes ‘I know you are’ I whispered. ‘What- what if I don’t kill you?’ He looked at me, I stared back at him confused ‘I don’t know what and who to believe, but one thing I know for sure is I don’t want to see you dead. Even if I can’t have you, I can’t live with the fact that you will be gone forever. Even if you run and your seas away, I’ll rest easier knowing you’re alive’
‘Alive but dead’ I whispered; he closed his eyes pained. I sighed ‘No one is going to believe that you of all people had a ‘traitor’ escape from right underneath your nose.’ I air quoted the word traitor. ‘What if people just think you’re dead?’ He commented.
I looked at him an eyebrow raised ‘I mean that could work’
He nodded his head deep in thought, he was chewing on his bottom lip. ‘Okay, let’s make it believable than’ I nodded my head, ‘You ready?’ He asked me. I let out a sigh and nodded my head ‘No one can know you’re alive.’ I looked at him ‘Until your memory comes back when you remember I could and would never do this.’ I whispered. ‘Right’ he sighed out.
He roughly grabbed my arm and stormed out of his office. ‘Vin-VINCENZO WHAT ARE YOU DOING?’ Lorenzo roared out, Vincenzo kept his head down and I couldn’t seem to stop the tears from flowing down my face. ‘VINCENZO. ISABELLA WH-‘ Ariana started shouting, her voice broke. I turned around and saw Maria run out of her room. ‘Isabella. ISABELLA’ She shouted lunging forward. ‘KEEP HER OUT OF MY FUCKING WAY’ Vincenzo yelled out, his voice sending everyone to silence. We never stopped walking as his grip on my arm tightened the closer, we got to the basement. ‘VINCENZO WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU FUCKING DOING LET HER GO’ Lorenzo pushed him when he noticed where he was leading me.
‘It’s okay’ I whispered, ‘NO! NO, IT ISNT WHATS FUCKING GOING ON’ Vincenzo kept his head high, giving them nothing more than a cold stare. ‘Get. Out. Of. My. Way.’ he warned. ‘Yea let him kill the fucking bitch’ Roxy yelled out, ‘She turned her back on the King’s, she betrayed us all’ Lexi joined. ‘I swear to god I’ll fucking kill them’ Maria threatened lunging towards the two. I looked back my eyes wide, this was the first time I saw Maria ever threaten death to anyone. ‘Maria … it’s okay’ I whispered. Her face fell as her eyes started filling with tears. ‘Isabella?’ she whispered my name almost begging me to not confirm what the girls said was true. I shook my head ‘It’s okay’ I reassured her one more time.
‘Vincenzo, talk to me. Let her go. It’s Isabella she would never-‘ Vincenzo cut him off and dragged me downstairs towards the basement. He threw me in, I fell and landed flat on my side. ‘VINCENZO DON’T FUCKING DO THIS!’ Lorenzo shouted trying to get in banging on the door ‘VINCENZO FUCKING DON’T DO THIS! THIS ISN’T YOU! FOR FUCKS SAKE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR’ Ariana now joined her brother trying to desperately reason with him. ‘ISABELLA PLEASE, VINCENZO PLEASE DON’T DO IT. ISABELLA PLEASE GET UP OPEN THE DOOR. VINCENZO PLEASE DON’T DO IT. VINCENZO!’ Maria pounded the hardest against the door, her scream sent chills down my spine. Her cry made me sick to my stomach as I cried out.
They all went quiet trying to hear what was going on inside, ‘There is no way he’d hurt her’ Ariana tried convincing herself, Lorenzo, and Maria. I looked up at Vincenzo, he quickly came to my side and helped me up. Mouthing a sorry, I shook my head not caring about anything except Maria. ‘Don’t forget your promise to me’
‘WHAT PROMISE? ISABELLA WHAT FUCKING PROMISE?!’ Maria started crying out again, I slowly breathed in and out. ‘I’m so sorry, I wish everything would just come back to me already. I wish I knew you.’ He softly spoke so they wouldn’t hear him. I nodded my head ‘I know, but I haven’t lost hope just yet … I know eventually when you come to your senses, you’ll find me’ I whispered reassuring the both of us that this will be over soon.
He sighed feeling like that was a far fetch ‘Even if I never get my memories back, I’ll remember the new ones. Isabella, a part of me knows you’d never do this but a different part of me keeps reminding me that I really don’t know anything about you. To me I just met you a week ago’ I nodded my head understanding him.
‘You’re so used to listening to your head, that when your heart speaks up you don’t know what to do … Maybe, maybe we are like the moon and sun, the moon comes out at night and the sun comes out in the day, they pass by but are never meant to be together.’ I closed my eyes and felt him cup my cheeks.
I looked up to him and leaned in, our lips connected for the first time in a month. The kiss was soft and gentle, we both savoured the moment. This kiss was different from all the others this kiss felt like a goodbye. We parted slowly and I watched with teary eyes as he leaned his head on mine, tears forming in Vincenzo’s eyes. I nodded my head ‘You need to stab me, they need to see the blood or they won’t believe it’ I whispered, he shook his head frantically ‘I- I can’t’ He softly stammered out, I shook my head ‘Vincenzo you need to’ I softly cried out, ‘Isabella I can’t- I- I can’t’ He cried, my heart shattered seeing his eyes going red as his tears slowly escaped his eyes.
I grabbed his knife from the table and forced him to hold it, he looked at me knife in hand, tears flowing down from his eyes. His body shaking ‘I can’t-‘ He softly cried trying to make no noise. I took in a deep breath tear hot not being able to stop them. ‘You have to’ I begged him, ‘It’s the only way I can get out of here alive and can find my parents. Alone or not, I need to get them for Maria, and I need to kill that son of a bitch for everything he did to me … to us’
He shook his head irritated now ‘You will not go after him alone. It’s a suicide mission’ I shook my head smiling ‘who’s going to stop me? I’m dead’
He looked at me knowing there was no use fighting me, I nodded my head and wiped away the tears. ‘Do it.’ he took in a deep breath, shaking his head dropping his hand. ‘I could hurt anyone. I could kill anyone, but not you. If it was up to me, you’d never see a single drop of your own blood again.’
‘Then why don’t you believe me?’ I whispered, he shook his head ‘I don’t know’ I grabbed his hand and placed the tip of the knife on my thigh, ‘Loving any of us is a death sentence, isn’t it?’ I nodded my head sadly looking up at him through teary eyes. ‘To insanity, Vincenzo King’ I whispered, he shook his head crying ‘To insanity, Isabella Knight’
I gave him one sharp nod; he shook his head no. ‘DO IT!’ I shouted, ‘NOOOO’ a muffled scream was heard behind the doors. He closed his eyes shut as the tears rolled down his cheek, my hand secured tightly around his as he pressed the knife into my thigh. I looked up at the roof and let out a silent cry. Looking back down at my leg he pulls the knife out and quickly wraps the wound ‘First thing you do, you go to the hospital’ He whispered in my ear. I shook my head ‘they ask too many questions’ I repeated his words to him. ‘Isabella … please’ He begged me, I nodded my head slowly.
He stepped back looking at me, biting his bottom lip. His body shaking the knife falls out of his hand as he backs up against the wall ‘I’m so sorry’ he calls out. ‘SORRY? WHY IS HE SORRY! VINCENZO OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR’ Lorenzo cursed.
‘Isabella? I- ISABELLA!’ Maria yelled her voice breaking as the bangs on the door became louder. ‘BOSS? WHAT’S GOING ON ISABELLA CAN YOU HEAR US?’ Hacker called out, I looked at Vincenzo and smiled weakly ‘It’s okay’ I whispered.
‘Stay put’ He ordered me through teary eyes. He grabbed the knife and walked upstairs, he slowly opened the door and slammed it shut behind him. ‘NOOOOOO’ Maria cried out. I winced crying at the pain in her voice, I’m so sorry Maria. I placed my hand above my stomach and cried harder. I know I should tell him, but there was something preventing me from uttering the words. ‘YOU FUCKING DIDN’T. ISABELLA GET UP AND COME HERE! ISABELLA!’ Lorenzo roared, from the sound of shuffling and banging I’d say he was trying to get through.
I sighed leaning my head against the wall, tears never stopping. I’m going to get my revenge and God help anyone who gets in my way. I heard one of his new men ask Vincenzo ‘Do you want me to dispose of the body?’
‘NO!’ Vincenzo yelled. ‘No one touches her except me, everyone leaves’
‘We thought the old Vincenzo had a small chance at coming back, but now by killing Isabella … you just killed any chance of that happening.’ Ariana spat. ‘EVERYONE FUCKING LEAVE!’ he shouted frustrated ‘I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL.’ Maria cried out ‘SHE WAS MY ONLY FAMILY AND YOU TOOK HER AWAY FROM ME. YOU TOOK HER, YOU FORBID ME FROM MY OWN BLOOD. MY LIFELINE, MY SOUL, YOU TOOK THE ONE PERSON WHO MADE THIS WORLD WORTH LIVING. YOU KILLED MY BEST FRIEND … you killed my sister, and I didn’t even get a chance to tell her I loved her, that everything I said yesterday wasn’t true. That without her I’d lose myself. My last conversation with my sister was a fight! I TOLD HER I WISH DRAGON NEVER EXISTED. I- I …’ I cried feeling every piece of me shatter hearing her like that.
‘Lorenzo get me out of here’
‘You can’t leave’ Vincenzo whispered so softly I barely heard him, ‘why the fuck not’ she yelled. ‘Because her last wish, what she made me promise. Was to protect you no matter what, I owe it to her to not break that promise.’
‘You also promised to protect her, to never forget her and to keep her safe. What happened to that promise?’ She spat and everything went quiet. The door creaked open, and Vincenzo was now in sight. I covered my mouth with the palm of my hand and muffled a cry. ‘Isabella, I’m so sorry’ I shook my head and closed my eyes.
He grabbed a sheet and laid it out on the floor. He painfully closed his eyes waiting for me to lay in it and fake dead. So, he can carry me out and take me somewhere safe, ‘You will have Sebastián with you.’ He spoke softly, I looked at him ‘If what you said is true, you’ll need someone to keep an eye on you. He’s your right hand, it makes sense he goes with you’
I nodded my head slowly and hopped towards the sheet. ‘You ready?’
‘Ready as I’ll ever be’ I laid flat on my back as he covered me up in the sheet and carried me bridal style, he slowly walked me upstairs opening the door. ‘N-no’ Maria breathed out sounding like she covered her mouth with the palm of her hand. ‘Sebastián, follow me’
‘Why the fuck would I ever take orders from you!’
‘Follow. Me’ He warned lowly.
x
He laid me in the back of his car, ‘I’m trusting Isabella to you’ Vincenzo spoke, full of jealousy and anger. ‘You’re trusting me to get rid of her corpse!’ Sebastián yelled out like he had officially lost his mind. ‘No’ Vincenzo softly spoke. ‘Then?’ I grabbed the sheets and flung it off sitting up slowly, ‘Not a corpse, but who knows’ I commented, Sebastián jumped and screamed like he’d just seen a ghost. ‘Isabella? W-How?’
‘I didn’t kill her, I never do anything until, I’m sure. But if people get word, she is alive and well, three things will happen, Isabella will have an even bigger target on her back because she would be seen as my weakness for not killing her. Two, people would create more ‘proof’ to show she is a traitor, and three my enemies will grow confident and try to attack me because I’d be seen as weak. Killing me and pretty much everyone closest to me.’
I nodded my head slowly as Sebastián tried to understand everything happening, ‘so what now?’ He asked looking at me ‘well, I go underground. Try not to get any attention and other stuff I’ll tell you later’ I nodded. He cocked an eyebrow at me and looked ahead watching the road as Vincenzo took us to some unknown location. Maybe one of his safe houses? I wasn’t sure.
x
A week has passed since my ‘death’. Vincenzo took me straight to the hospital and then to one of his secluded safehouses. It was and felt like in the middle of nowhere, there were no neighbours, and the town was two miles away. I sighed and sat down on the sofa. I looked up hearing the doorknob turn ‘Isabella?’ Sebastián called out, ‘Over here’ I shouted.
‘Okay, I know I’m late but I got us food on the way so you wouldn’t yell at me’ I laughed softly grabbing a slice of pizza. ‘You, okay?’ He questioned looking at me, I nodded my head slowly ‘I just can’t get Maria out of my head.’ I whispered. ‘She’s still a wreck, she cries every day but today she stopped crying. She was visibly sad and mourning but I think her tears dried up. Honestly, Isabella, the whole Mafia is mourning you. No one is working and the ones that are working are doing it by force. You really had a deep impact on everyone there, when they first heard the news they nearly burnt the basement. They still love and fear Vincenzo but wish he never did what they all think he did’
I nodded my head softly taking in his words. ‘I loved every one of them like brothers and sisters. I just hope Maria can go on like normal. I wish she could know I’m okay but that would just put her life in danger.’ I reminded myself of the reason why she can’t know to stop myself from getting up and running towards her.
I shook my head and finished eating ‘Okay time to get to work, no more laziness and no more sadness. I want revenge and I’m going to prove it one way or another I’m innocent’ I stood up and walked to another room. I heard Sebastián groaning and whining under his breath. I rolled my eyes ‘Chúpalo princesa!’ I shouted.
Grabbing my coat, I look at the mirror not recognising myself anymore. I looked at my new short haircut, the bags under my eyes and the look of death pretty much. I shook my head washed my face and went out. ‘I don’t have Hacker anymore so now It’s time to do it old school.’
I threw him his keys and ushered him to hurry up. ‘Clock’s ticking’ I tapped my imaginary watch, groaning he stood up and locked up behind us. We got in the car and started driving into the city, putting on my glasses to cover the majority of my face as I looked out the window. It was beautiful in New York City at night, I admired the buildings and lights as we drove.
‘Okay, go to the strip club. That’s where they’re working need to see who goes in and who comes back out.’ We sat in the car for hours, my eyes on the door while Sebastián started falling asleep, I smacked his arm noticing a familiar face. That’s one of his men, ‘That’s one of his men’ I started frantically smacking his arm. He shot up ‘What!’ He yelled shooing my hand away. I unbuckled my seatbelt about to open the door when Sebastián shut it back closed. ‘What the fuck are you doing!’ I whisper shouted.
‘What the fuck are YOU doing, you’re dead!’ He looked at me like I just said the dumbest thing on earth. I rolled my eyes ‘you’re not Lorenzo you can’t look at me like that’ I greased him off, ‘You two have such a strange relationship’ Sebastián commented trying to change the subject. ‘Nice try, I need to go down and see what’s happening’ I bit, ‘I’ll go, it won’t be weird if I’m there you just STAY!’ He warned me pointing his fingers at me ‘If you treat me like a dog, I will bite you like one’ I threatened sitting back in my seat.
‘Atta girl’ I slightly lunged towards him, and he quickly shut the door running inside the strip club. I let out a huff of air sitting back in my seat waiting for him to come back out. I continued to stare at the door monitoring who goes in and who comes out. I sat up seeing a familiar tattooed hand, my heart began beating noticing the king’s crown. Vincenzo
I sat back in my seat trying to look elsewhere so he wouldn’t recognise me, I took a small peek through my glasses and saw him standing at the door crouched down with his hand on his heart, he started looking around frantically until his eyes landed on me. I gulped and turned away staring out of my window.
I heard the door open, and slam shut, judging from the way my heart was about to explode in my chest that wasn’t Sebastián sitting next to me. ‘What. are. you. doing. here’ He grunted through his teeth, I slowly turned around and saw him for the first time in a week. I took a deep breath and used the coat to cover my stomach which was now a little more visible. I coughed and smiled ‘What a coincidence bumping into you here’ I smiled. He eyed me and saw my new hair cut he was visibly tense, and I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle.
‘Isabella, you’re not allowed out of the damn house let alone near the place you can easily be spotted!’ He whispers shouted, I huffed sitting back in my seat, ‘Vincenzo, I won’t sit still when I know the son of a bitch has my parents … even if I really should be sitting still’ I whispered the last part and looked down at my stomach.
‘You really should Isabella everyone thinks you’re dead, don’t forget why we did all this’ I sighed and huffed ‘I know, believe me, I have more experience with going underground than you might think’ I hissed. ‘Isabella what are you doing here’ he groaned agitated. I looked at him and sighed ‘What did I tell you I was going to do when I left?’
‘Isabella…’ He drifted. ‘No, don’t Isabella me. You kicked me out and ‘killed’ me when you knew the situation I was in, you pushed me away and forced me out when you know I needed you most. So no, don’t you dare Isabella me because you have no right’ I snapped. He shifted in his seat and sighed ‘Get out’ I whispered.
He turned to look at me, ‘even after breaking my heart, you keep coming back just to make sure it can’t recover. When I prove to you and kill the ones who set me up and tortured my parents, I’ll be back … so I can watch you break just as you broke me’ He stayed looking at me for a second, his eyes glazed over as his eyes trailed down to my thigh. He winced shutting his eyes and looking away, his head still looking out the window ‘I just want to tell you I miss you with no subtext. No guilt, no anger, no expectation that you’ll fix it. I don’t want you to feel bad or to tell me it will get better. This is where we are meant to be right now … me apart from you, my hands a little empty and my heart a little sad. I just miss you … and I wanted you to know, even without remembering you I can’t get you out of my head or my heart’ and just like that he slowly and once again he left me all alone.
I watched as he walked off and into the strip club, I breathed out trying to stop the tears from flowing down again. I wish you never left me, that you never forgot me maybe everything would’ve turned out different. It would have been me and you against the world … us against the world. I whispered mentally and looked down at my stomach. Ashamed and sadness overcame me, I wish I could tell you but I just … I can’t tell him, not yet anyway.
Sebastián came back and quickly got inside the car, ‘Well?’ I asked. He sighed ‘I couldn’t hear much but they’re planning something. When they started talking, they went to the private room’ I huffed and leaned back into my seat.
‘I need to know what they’re planning’ I groaned holding my head in my hands. He took off and I looked out the window the city lights and buildings all blurring together. All I wanted to concentrate on was figuring out what they’re planning but my mind couldn’t help but drift back to Vincenzo … give him back to me. I begged looking up.
x
I looked into the mirror in front of me, my robe wrapped around me as I stared into the mirror. ‘Besides he doesn’t know you anymore’ Lexi’s voice echoed in my head, my stare intensified, ‘I knew you! I … I don’t know you now’ Vincenzo’s voice now echoing in my head. I looked into the mirror my jaw tensing my knuckles wrapping around the sink as my knuckles turned white. ‘Why did they kidnap them Isabella … to get to you right?’ Maria’s face flashed in front of me my entire body tensing ‘Everything that goes wrong in our lives seems to have your name is written all over it Isabella’ I couldn’t help but picture her face in front of me, full of anger, sadness and disgust. I leaned forward into the mirror, my eyes bloodshot red as I tried to hold back the tears. “Vincenzo, it’s me. It’s me!’ My cry for his old self to come back, his stoned face and tensed body flashing in front of me. My throat burned as I grabbed my head in my hands. ‘Congratulation’s Ms Knight. You’re pregnant.’ My doctor’s voice made its way in the mix among millions of voices.
I let go of my head and looked up at the mirror. Letting out a scream, a scream for help, a cry of pain and a scream of frustration. I banged my fist into the mirror watching it shatter in front of me, I looked down at the blood on my hand.
I sunk down to the floor letting out everything I once bottled up since I found out I was pregnant when I thought Vincenzo died When I had to take over when he lost his memory and finally when he thought I betrayed him.
I looked up straight staring at the wall in front of me because once I finish this cry. It’s going to be the last one, I was done crying and it’s time. It was time to destroy, and I’m going to destroy it all.
‘Isabella, are you okay?’ Sebastián called out from the other end of the door. I stood up and opened the door, ‘Just fine’ I walked past him and into the bedroom. I laid flat on my bed looking up to the roof, things were about to start heating up and I wasn’t going to stop until I needed to. I looked down sighing, well at least until I can’t see over my stomach.
x
It was time to do everything the way I did before Hacker, and all his men were there to aid me. I looked across the street and finally saw him, Antonio the man who hated me from the beginning who tried to torture me along with Xavier and the person I just know has information on my parents. I smirked and started walking behind him, far enough not to be suspected but close enough not to lose him. I grabbed my sunglasses from my head and put them on, snatching a magazine from one of the stands as I continued walking.
I stood behind the corner and watch him duck under a wired gate and go inside an abandoned house, I looked behind me making sure no one was following me and slowly went after him. Ducking under the wired gate I investigated the cracked window; I watched him walk in and greet a few other men they all grabbed a beer taking a swing.
I cocked my eyebrows and looked around the house one last time, I saw the back door cracked open. Biting my lip, I walked around and softly opened the door trying to not make a sound, I tiptoed around the hallway until his shadow came into view. I straightened my back against the wall trying not to make a sound. ‘Is anyone there!’ He called out, I bit my bottom lip looking up. Fuck!
I looked around and noticed a long piece of wood, bending down I grabbed it and waited for him to figure out where I was. He and the rest of the men split up looking around I grabbed a piece of rubble and threw it, opposite him, he turned to his right and followed the noise while the others followed ‘Come out, come out wherever you are’ He sang out I rolled my eyes. I crept up behind him and swung hitting him in the back of him and the rest of them in the back of the head. ‘If you insist’ I singsong laughing at his fell face forward passed out.
‘Thank god for old habits’ I praised myself for being quick at what I do otherwise this would’ve been more of a blood bath than I intended.
Huffing I dragged his limp body to the chair grabbing some rope he had laying around. I cringed ‘what the fuck were you planning on using this for?’ I commented out loud. I shuddered and quickly tied him along with the other men up keeping their arms to their side. I tore off fabric from each person’s top and waited for them to regain conscious.
After a few minutes he opened his eyes slowly, I smiled tilting my head to the right as I slowly watched him come to the realisation. He jumped back and went to scream, when he opened his mouth, I stuffed the fabric inside silencing him. I opened my mouth forming a wide smile and I looked at him. ‘If it isn’t my favourite bitches’ I smirked, ‘did use miss me’ I purred.
He and the rest who slowly started waking up noticed the rope bounding them together like a fun knot. They shook their heads to wake up from a nightmare, and then finally shifted their gaze up looking at me, looming in front of them. Antonio suddenly lunged forward trying to free himself.
I laughed a loud jarring laugh. As I watched the fear in his eyes as he looked at me, I was enjoying his fear. I enjoyed it more knowing it was me who caused it. ‘Oh, you lot have no idea just how happy it makes me to watch you squirm … just like how you made me squirm’ I reminded them of the days of the basement when Xavier wasn’t on the grounds.
‘You’ve really gotten yourself into a bit of a knot here, haven’t you?’ I grinned looking at them. ‘You’re never going to win baby’ Joseph spat out eyeing me up and down giving me the creeps.
I want answers and if I must go back to old tactics I was going back. The others squirmed trying to free himself from the ropes as I continued to watch the lot of them amused. ‘I wouldn’t be too sure of that kitten … I’m not the one tied up’ I reminded him.
Antonio spat the fabric out of his mouth ‘You’re supposed to be dead’ I shrugged my shoulders ‘Yeah well, it didn’t stick.’ I stood back up on my feet and walked around the small living room, I smirked finding the solid brick on the floor.
‘Why aren’t you dead?’ Carlos now made his voice heard. ‘Trust me it’s not from a lack of trying’ I pointed at him ‘starting to think the Grimm reaper is scared of me’ I laughed out shrugging my shoulders again.
I turned my attention back to the brick on the floor I bent over and picked it up looking behind me, He looked over trying to see what was in my hand as he started struggling against the rope. ‘You’re in danger, you’re on our turf now’ He spat, the men all nodding their heads like they won.
I smiled.
Technically all of New York was his turf. A sinister chuckle left my lips grabbing a chair I held its side I sat down and leaned into it making the chair lean on two legs. ‘I’m never in danger. I am the danger’
‘And boy did you catch me on a bad day’ I laughed. ‘Now why don’t you tell me what I want to know’ I eyed him, and he laughed ‘I’m not saying shit!’ he spat in my face, I nodded my head grabbing his leg I lift it up to rest on my chair.
Standing next to him I whispered in a dangerously low voice ‘I was so hoping you’d say that.’ My smile immediately dropped into a straight line as I smashed the brick down on his knee. Hearing the satisfying crack of his leg breaking and his scream for help. I smashed it over his knee once again just to be safe, ‘Still want to play the silent game?’ I asked. Not saying anything he continued to scream and make painful groans.
‘I’ve always loved a challenge Antonio’ I threw the brick against the wall glass cabinet. The glass shattered walking towards it I knelt and picked up a piece, I placed the tip against his stomach, ‘Three’ I started counting down, his body shaken as his pulse started picking up. seeing the veins starting to bulge ‘Two’ I added more pressure, the rough tip barely penetrating his skin.
He sat his body tensed, his head high as he stayed stubborn. ‘One’ I grunted out stabbing his stomach with the very rigid glass. Blood streaked down his stomach. He tried to fight to keep his stubborn footing as he spoke ‘If you kill me …’ He gasped ‘I swear to god it will be the last thing you ever do’. I raised my eyebrow amused, the corner of my lip twitching into a mocking smirk. ‘You are in no position to make threats kitten’ I laughed out.
he squirmed uncomfortably, ‘You either tell me what I need to know or …’ I raised my eyebrows and rolled my eyes ‘Let’s just say I hope God has mercy on your soul because I won’t’
‘Okay next victim’ I sang out, I looked around for something I could use smirking I grabbed the beer bottle. ‘How about I shove this up a place it doesn’t belong … for a little revenge?’ I smirked looking at all of them. ‘You’re nothing but a women what power do you think you possess. Come close and I’ll take you my way’ all of them started laughing but before I could react.
Ruffling was heard from one of the rooms. I snapped my head up, standing up straight, I looked at him. He and the rest avoided eye contact and began shifting uncontrollably in his spot. ‘Who was that?’ I asked, they shook his head and started squirming even harder to get out of the ropes that bounded him like he feared what I would do when I found out who was inside one of the rooms.
‘GET ME OUT OF HERE!’ He screamed; I took off looking through each room kicking the doors open until I finally saw who was making the noise. ‘Alex?’ I whispered, seeing his lifeless body tied up on the floor only wearing a pair of ripped boxers. I rushed towards him and quickly untied him and helped him up. He pulled me into a hug his body trembling as he squeezed me for dear life, ‘You’re okay, you’re okay’ I whispered.
‘Alex, listen to me. Go outside my car is only around the corner. Get in and don’t you dare get out until I come’ He nodded his head and quickly ran out.
I stormed back inside my body on fire, angrier than I ever was before. I watched him on his feet still bound to the ropes. I grabbed a fist full of his shirt and hooked him in the jaw. ‘Pedo little fuckers, aren’t you?’ punching him again, and again and again. Until his face limped in front of me, ‘what me and the rest of the people you tortured wasn’t enough?’ I yelled out grabbing the brick back up and smashing it into Joseph’s face.
I gripped Carlo’s hair and smashed his face into my knee ‘I’m close … what are you gonna fucking do about it?’ I questioned grinning. I grabbed his hair and lifted his face. ‘My demons finally woke up, and they feel like playing a game’ I whispered.
Grabbing the knife, I tucked into my boot I stabbed him in the side and back of his abdomen between his lower ribs and hip. Causing immediate paralysis of both legs and a spread sensation repeating the same action with the rest of the men.
I watched as they fell flat on their back unable to move, unable to run. All they could do was stare at me. I laughed untying the ropes and all that bounded them and walked towards the kitchen, ‘Judging from Alex, the ropes and matches on the counter. You were going to light this place up when you were done?’ I called out.
‘I wouldn’t want to spoil your plans’ I smiled, finding the lighter fluid, and started pouring it all around the living room I bent down and took all their phone out of the pocket smirking then proceeded to pour the gasoline on all their clothes, bodies, and surroundings I want this place to go up in flames. Grabbing the match from the countertop I flicked it and watched closely as it sparked. ‘Tell the devil I said Hey, he should know what I mean’ I winked ‘oh and I might be a woman but that’s all the more reason you should’ve been very scared haven’t you heard? We hold grudges’ and without another word I dropped the match on the floor.
Walking out of the house as the fire started building up and spreading all over the living room. Their screams were all that was heard above the crackling of the fire and the falling of the ashes. I walked a far distance and watched in satisfaction as the house blew up, smoke emerging from the chimney the house now covered in nothing but flames, ashes, and their corpses.
I lowered my head and rushed back to the car. ‘Isabella, I know where your parents are’ Alex quickly spoke out. ‘Isabella, I know where your parents are’ Alex quickly rushed out, I looked at him but no words were coming out. I stayed sitting there frozen as I tried to comprehend what he was telling me. I looked straight ahead and turned the car on, ‘But you can’t go after them today’ he whispered softly. ‘You need to wait until tomorrow at 2 pm that’s when they’re moving them from the storage unit to another location’ He informed me, I nodded my head ‘His men are going there?’ I asked him. He shook his head ‘No, Xavier only has three of his closest men know about his secret weapon … and you just killed one of them I’m guessing’ He whispered looking defeated.
‘Did he?’ I whispered not sure if I wanted to know. ‘No, you got there just in time … when I heard your voice all I thought was thank god.’ I stopped at a red light and turned to him smiling, ‘as long as I’m alive, you’re safe’ He smiled nodding his head. ‘How did he get you?’ I asked, trying to piece together everything. He sighed ‘Fico heard the news about your death when he went back to inform Vincenzo and you about Xavier. I don’t know what happened he never came back, I heard about your death when I went asking for you. I came back and Antonio saw me exiting the estate. Turns out he was keeping a close eye on them for some reason.’ He explained.
I parked the car in front of the house and looked at him ‘If he was watching them, that means Xavier is planning something.’ I explained, ‘Whatever it is, his phone better tell me what.’ We both got out of the car, and I rushed him inside, ‘there are some clothes in the room down the hall to the left’ I pointed out.
He walked inside and closed the door behind him, I grabbed the phone out of my pocket and turned it on. The apple logo popped up and I sat waiting for it to start up. I leaned my head against the chair as I waited. The phone finally turned on I quickly unlocked the phone and started looking for something that can give me some information. I clicked the phone log as I started scrolling through his recent calls. One number looked suspiciously familiar.
I leaned over picking up my notepad and pen and started taking down the numbers along with names, only one number wasn’t saved but it was contacted over thirty times. I clicked the number to see if there had been any messages exchanged.
‘Antonio, call me now. He will exile me.’ I read the number again in my head trying to understand and figure out why it sounds all too familiar. I sigh and continue to read the messages ‘Give the boss what he wants, and your secret is safe with us’ I squinted my eyes nothing making sense, ‘It’s not easy to simply give you a person like the one you want’
‘Isabella?’ I looked up and saw Alex, I sighed and smiled ‘you, okay?’ I whispered he nodded his head thanking me once again. I shook my head smiling ‘don’t thank me, trust me I could use more company around here’ I laughed looking around the very isolated house. He nodded hanging his head low ‘I tried to come to you earlier when we heard about your parents, but we couldn’t be suspicious and when I found out where they were … you know’ He winced not wanting to finish his sentence.
I hissed ‘It’s okay, I don’t blame or expect anything. Thank you for telling me … I’ll go after them tonight, guards or no guards I need to grab them before they move locations.’ He nodded his head understanding ‘I’m coming with you’ He spoke up confidently.
I giggled a little at how sweet he was being, ‘No you’re not!’ I pointed at him to sit back down in his chair, ‘You’ll stay here with Sebastián, and keep this between us’ I referenced the situation, he slumped back down pouting. ‘It’s not safe for you to go alone’ he fought. I shook my head ‘A wise man once told me something once if you’re not happy with something you either fight it, accept it, fear it, or control it.’
I quoted a man who often spoke to me on the phone or in person ‘when I was a little girl, I think I made him up in my head, but he was so sweet and always so proud and encouraging me. He was dangerous as well like me, but he was nice to me and Maria.’ I laughed shrugging my shoulders.
I smiled hearing his voice echo in my head as I repeated his words aloud, ‘I plan to fight and control it. Besides it’s them, that should fear me’ I winked. He laughed and nodded his head agreeing with me, ‘whoever told you that sounds like a great guy’ He whispered, ‘He is a great guy’ I corrected him still idolizing my imaginary friend.
‘Tell me about him’ he smiled leaning back into his chair. ‘Well like any imaginary friend he was … unique?’ I laughed trying to find a word to best describe it, ‘He needed to be in control of everything, you would never see him just sitting around. I used to imagine him tall, and very strong but he wasn’t young he was older. He was a stubborn man who needed to do things with his own hands, if you told him to stay put, he would be at the location before you.’ I laughed
‘It kind of sounds like you’re describing the male version of yourself’ he laughed out. He smiled indulged in the story, ‘but aside all that he was furiously loyal, loving, and the kindest soul you’ll ever meet. Even if he isn’t real … oh he is nice so long as you’re on his good side of course. He was the one who gave me my nickname’ I smiled nodding my head seeing Alex’s shock. ‘I always wondered why you went by the name Dragon, I thought Xavier gave you that nickname’ I shook my head furiously ‘He likes to think he created dragon, but she was already born … just needed an excuse to pop her head and say hello’ I winked. He sat on the edge of his seat and hurried me to continue the story by me telling him he was somehow escaping reality.
‘Well, as we all know I didn’t take after my mum at all, I’d say I took after dad, but I was more stubborn, resilient and fierce so maybe I mimicked my imaginary friend?’ I laughed shaking my head, ‘Nearly all of his traits I have, so when I became aware of the world, we were living in I wanted a part in it. I didn’t want to work at the flower shop with Maria and Mama. No, No. I wanted to be dad’s mini worker. So that’s what I did … to his disliking mind you’ I pointed nodding my head to the side.
‘So, I joined in on his business meetings, shipments, loading the trucks and everything. Once he took me to the gun range to teach me how to shoot. Said if I was going to be stubborn and join the family legacy, I need to know how to use a gun. I caught on so fast that he and the rest of the men were beyond shocked because he was never able to properly shoot a gun. One day we go into a little incident with one of the four families trying to become the head. He attacked our compound, I hid on the roof and took out his men before they entered the house, he only had six but still. It was the first time I ever killed anyone, I was scared and shaken up my mum had allowed my imaginary friend in my room to talk to me while she took care of my dad. So, my imaginary friend tucked me into bed held me close to him while I trembled and told me a story …’
FLASHBACK
I kept replaying the events of today, my body was shaking my heart was beating too fast I felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. I looked up at my imaginary friend, his eyes soften when they met mine. He smiled reassuringly and kissed my forehead as he held me close to his chest, I wrapped my arms around him and felt tears falling down my eyes. ‘Oh Isabella, I’m so sorry you had to go through that’ he whispered into my hair ‘I didn’t want them to hurt my dad, I heard them whispering from my window’ I muttered, he nodded his head and smiled sadly.
‘I don’t think I can sleep’ I whimpered feeling paranoid, he pulled me off him so I could look him in the face, ‘my Isabella is scared of no one’ he softly whispered giving me a playful wink trying to lighten the mood. I giggled softly, he tucked me back in bed and sat next to me while I leaned my head on his arm. ‘In this life mi mariposa, everything you chose will determine your life.’
I sighed taking in what he said getting goosebumps at how strong that sounded, how much meaning and broad it really is. ‘Fight it or accept it. Fear it or control it,’ he whispered to me feeling the power behind such a simple phrase.
My imaginary friend’s soothing voice broke me out of my train of thought ‘You know Isabella, according to some beliefs the dragon was once regarded as an evil creature who sought destruction and killed innocent people …’ I watched in awe as I listened to his story, ‘but in oriental mythology, the dragons were seen to have god-like power they were a symbol of wisdom and longevity being associated with the figure of the Empire’ He nodded his head proud as I giggled. ‘So, the dragon was not a bad creature?’ I asked with an eyebrow raised. He shook his head and looked at me ‘No, of course not’ He playfully scowled.
‘The Japanese dragon had combined traces of various animals his head was similar to that of a crocodile’ He used his hands like a crocodile’s jaw and slapped it shut, I smiled watching him. ‘his body was as long as that of a serpent and protected by six scales like those of a lizard’ He made a weird slither like movement with his body.
I looked at him my eyebrows raised, and my mouth formed a mocking smile. ‘They mostly live in the ocean or on top of the mountains most legends believed they granted wishes to the humans’ he paused for dramatic effect, ‘Dragons were in fact believed to be kind and showed complex emotions such as loyalty, sympathy, feelings of serenity, gratitude and devotion but when they got angry, they could destroy entire villages leaving nothing but fire in their paths.’ I looked up at him and wondered, was I like a dragon? I felt all those emotions and today I got angry and left nothing in my path.
I shook my head and listened to the rest of the story ‘In China, it represents good luck and prosperity … and Isabella you are my dragon… you saw someone trying to attack your own and you destroyed them you spat fire and left nothing in your way. You are as fierce, as brave, as dangerous, and as majestic as a dragon … el dragón‘ He kissed my forehead.
END OF FLASHBACK
I looked up and saw Alex get teary, I giggled and shook my head. ‘It sounds like you never really had much of an easy life’
I exhaled a deep sigh and looked back up at Alex nodding my head, ‘no, I never did … but I wouldn’t trade my life for the world. I had the best parents and the best sister. Yes, it was hard, nothing came easy, and I had to go through a lot, but everything made me who I am today’ I shrugged my shoulders leaning back in my chair. “I think I used my imaginary friend for emotional support whenever I was happy or angry or scared, he would come. Until one day he just stopped.’ I shrugged my shoulders upset.
‘Anyway, I guess among all the struggles and trials I went through are memories I never wish to lose even if that means an easier life’ I smiled, ‘I never tell my story or about my past to gain pity, it’s so people understand why I am the way that I am’
Before Alex could respond the doorknob rattled, I looked out the window and sighed seeing Sebastián’s car. I nodded my head to Alex reassuring him he was safe. ‘Hey, Isabella I got food’
‘In the living room,’ I shouted back quickly hiding the notepad and phone in my pants pocket. He stopped when he saw Alex, I shook my head and explained to him the situation and who he was. After that was clear we all sat around the table and dug into the pizza. We lounged around in the living room for an hour before everyone decided they were sleepy and called it a night. I walked into my room and closed the door behind me, I smirked and took the phone back out from my pocket and continued looking through everything.
I hummed and saw five new messages; I squinted and opened it.
‘We have to postpone moving them out of the storage unit.’
‘Antonio! You need to stay there and make sure no one goes in or leaves’
‘Hello!’
‘So, help me if you don’t answer me I’ll burn you alive’
I laughed and quickly went back to a straight face realising I probably shouldn’t be laughing at the irony of that last message. I chewed at my lower lip and sent a message back ‘send me the address, I’ll make sure no one goes in or out’ I waited a few minutes before the phone dung once more. ‘444 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019’
I sighed and replied asking if he was sure he didn’t need me for another operation. Xavier denied it and said he and the rest had it under control. I quickly got up and got ready, I peeked from behind the bathroom door making sure no one was in my room. ‘Okay,’ I whispered once I was sure and opened the cabinet at the bottom of the sink. I moved all the feminine products to the side and smiled seeing my pocketknives, I grabbed the holster and tied it on my ankle putting the blades in the pocket. I grabbed my thigh holster and strapped it on my other leg putting in the blades. I grabbed a pair of fitted loose pants and a black bodysuit.
I grabbed my handgun and tucked it behind my pants, I looked in the mirror my baby bump ever so slightly becoming visible. I sighed ‘I promise I’ll keep you safe, you’re just going to have to trust mummy and her … adventures?’ I whispered.
I slowly opened my door, trying to not make a sound. I stand still waiting to hear any sound, I sighed in relief after hearing both of the boy’s snore. I tiptoed to the living room grabbing my keys from the kitchen island. I smiled silently thanking Sebastián for getting me my motorbike against Vincenzo’s better judgement. I silently thanked God for Sebastián nativity.
I grabbed my helmet and unlocked the door and quietly got out trying to stop the creaking from the old door. I fist bumped the air and rushed to my motorbike. ‘Oh, how I missed you’ I whispered kissing it. I sat in awe as I watched it purr to life, I revved it hearing the satisfying roar before taking off.
‘I’m coming’ I whispered, my mind for once was clear. No distractions, no uncertainty I knew where I was going and what I needed to do. Nothing and No one was going to stop me, I will burn anyone and watch their bodies turn to dust if they tried to stand in my way. It was time my parents came home, not for me but for Maria. I speed up feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I laughed finally remembering what It really felt like, to be my full self.
The sparkle in my eye when I face danger, once you get that adrenaline, that high. Once you get into it, it’s a mix of adrenaline, a stroke, and such a high it is so addictive that once your soul gets a taste of it it’s very difficult to not want more.
I was only a block from the storage unit as I scoped the place out, there weren’t many men that surrounded the area, but there were at least five men who stood in front of one specific unit. I calculated everyone’s position scheming the best strategic in my head. I smirked and closed the shield on my helmet and speed off to park the motorbike.
I swung my leg off the motorbike and put my helmet on the seat, I bit my lip and walked around towards the back of the area. Only two men stood guard, I rolled my eyes you need just as much coverage from behind, attacks are more likely to come from the back to catch them off guard and ease their way taking out every person one by one until they reached their destination. I kneeled behind the bushes; they looked like newbies I don’t even think they have been a member for more than a few months. I looked around and grabbed a rock, throwing it opposite me hitting a bush.
They sharply turned towards the bush that suddenly rattled and approached it guns drawn leaving their post. I rolled my eyes ‘definitely newbies’ I whispered to myself. I slowly stood up and walked towards the too, grabbing a twig I snapped it in half. They jumped once more and walked into the bushes, ‘Whose there?’ one of them called out. I rolled my eyes one more time and stepped out from the bushes, I shook my head as they walked further into the bush. I sighed maybe I should spare them, they’re too stupid to cause much trouble for me anyway. I turned around stood up against the wall peeking my head seeing if anyone was on the side.
I spotted one man approaching probably after hearing the two idiots rustling through the damn bush, I kept my back firmly planted against the wall waiting for him to come in sight. I listened hearing his footsteps slowly approach, I raised an eyebrow. The tip of my tongue on the roof of my mouth, my lips curling into a smirk.
I quickly wrap my arm around his neck and cover his mouth with my hand, he starts pushing and squirming trying to set himself free, I grunted applying more pressure ‘Just give in to it, go to sleep’ I whispered into his ear, didn’t take much longer until his body became lifeless. I slowly pulled him and hid his body behind the dumpster, I bent over and grabbed his silencer from his waistband and walked around the building, I huffed I missed my wider range of gun choices.
I saw two men near my bike, aiming the gun I shot both in the back of their heads, I grunted falling to the floor when someone’s foot collided with my back. I lifted myself up and looked up at the gun aimed at my head, I smiled and winked. I grabbed his wrist pushing his hand out of the way and pulled him down. I swiftly turned around sitting on his torso, putting the gun in his mouth. ‘así es la Vida’ I purred and fired. I whipped the blood with the tip of my mouth off the corner of my mouth and stood up making my way towards the unit.
‘Hello boys’ I purred.
All five men shot their heads in my direction quickly grabbing their guns out and aiming them at me, ‘let’s have some fun hm?’ I hummed, I watched as I saw one of the men put his finger on the trigger I quickly ducked down, taking the knife from my ankle, and flicking it in his direction. The blade piercing his throat like butter, I kicked my leg out tripping one of them and using his body as a shield holding him up to my body by his neck. I aim the gun back up and shoot two of the men in the throat. I smiled at the only reaming man standing, ‘what’ll it be? Gun or you wanna fight me like a man?’ I purred. I grabbed the blade from my thigh hosteler and stabbed the man I was using as a shield in the back, I twisted it like a key in a keyhole, my body shivered hearing the satisfying click. My lips turn into a straight line pulling the knife out from his back and pushing his body to the floor.
He stared at me horrified, his gun still aimed at my head ‘I guess you chose the gun then?’ I asked pointing at the gun nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes and kicked the gun from his hand and pushed kicked him into the storage swing door. His back smashed into the metal door, he quickly regained composure and went for his gun.
I bent down grabbing the blade around my ankle and flung it. I laughed when it hit his upper thigh. He grunted and fell. I walked up towards him and kicked his gun away.’ Come on give me a fight, I want it so bad’ I bit my bottom lip. ‘Or you can give me the key to unlock it. Your choice really’ he swung his fist ducking I uppercut him on the side of his stomach. He bent over I grabbed a fistful of his hair and kneed him in his nose. Grabbing the back of his hair I pulled his head back ‘Tell me, do you ever use your balls, or would you like me to cut them off now?’ I flicked the blade out as I watched his eyes turn cold.
His body trembles as he reached for his pocket, I raised my eyebrow waiting to see a key before he took out a small device pressing a red button. Those two idiots from the bush came running towards me one had a gun aimed at the back of my head while the other stood in front of me. ‘Drop the knife and let him go.’
I rolled my eyes and dropped the knife letting go of the man, I put my hands up and watched them. ‘Cuff her, the boss is going to want to see her’ The man limped over to the side as he grabbed his phone calling someone, I looked at them amused at their lack of knowledge, ‘None of you knows who I am … do you?’ I suddenly broke the silence; they all rolled their eyes and the man threw the cuffs to the one behind me. I felt him lower his gun as he caught it. I flicked my head back, hitting him right in the nose. I spun around kneeing him in his balls and used him to cover myself.
I took the gun from behind my back pocket and shoot the two men in the head, I pointed the gun to his head and leaned closer ‘you should have stayed in the bush’ and pulled the trigger. I walked towards the one who was on the phone and start rummaging through his clothing looking for a key to open the storage unit. I sighed finding the keys, ‘finally’ I rushed towards the unit and quickly unlocked the lock and swung the door open.
‘What the fuck’ I shouted; it was empty. My heart dropped when I heard two familiar voices from a distance, I rushed out and saw them being put into a car by one of his men. ‘NO! NO! NO!’ I shouted, they both turned their heads and saw me. ‘GIVE THEM BACK TO ME’ I shouted out feeling every single fibre in my body ready to spitfire. The man quickly shoves them into the car and takes off.
I run for my bike pushing off the dead and take off, hot on their tail. I pull out my gun and aim for the tire, the car swerves. I pull aim for the other tire and suddenly felt everything crash. With the sound of another car swerving and crashing into me, my body hits the floor. I stare at the car that holds my parents fade into the distance as I helplessly look on.
People crowding me trying to get me to speak, to keep my eyes open. To not die, I laughed ironically in my head, because little did, they know I was already dead. I placed my hand over my stomach feeling a sharp pain. My baby, our baby. Please, please be okay. My eyes shut as the tears flowed out until my body caved into the darkness and gave out.
Everything was black.
x
Vincenzo’s POV
I stared into that broken mirror, and I see her every time I investigate it. There she is standing right beside me. Everything at the Mafia has been cold, distant and on thin ice ever since they thought I killed Isabella. Lorenzo hasn’t spoken a word to be besides the occasional update on work, Maria hasn’t been eating or leaving her sister’s room. The only time she did was to kill me, I looked down at my stomach lifting my shirt seeing the freshly stitched scar. I don’t blame her; I would have done much worse if I was in her shoes. I sighed pulling it down and going back to my chair.
I looked up at the small library to the left of the office, tilting my head. I winced at the headache that suddenly overcame me, and like a dream she appeared. Limping around my office as she touched the pictures on the wall then traced the books on the shelf. Her body turned to me like she was frightened, the book fell to the floor. I grunted and shook my head and looked back up. Nothing, she was gone. I smashed my fist against my head fucking remember, why can’t I fucking remember. I lowered my fist and slammed it on the table.
The door opened slowly as Lorenzo entered, his body squared his face stone. ‘I finished checking the numbers everything is on schedule. Our gun shipments have arrived and were dispatched. Your men are all still grieving, and more than half decided to do work outside the estate’ He spoke formally and walked off. ‘Lorenzo’ I called out, he stopped in his tracks and looked at me. ‘Boss?’ he answered. ‘Lorenzo don’t do that’ I spat, feeling helpless. ‘You did this to yourself’ he harshly spoke up. I sighed running my hand through my hair, he approached me fuming.
‘She cried over you. She cried for months!’ He shouted. ‘She took over because she knew how much you loved this mafia; she was the only one who refused to give up on you! She went out and searched for you! SHE DID THE IMPOSSIBLE AND MADE YOU A DECENT HUMAN BEING AND WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU FUCKING KILL HER!’ He shouted in my face.
‘I KNOW. OKAY. I KNOW!’ I shouted back, ‘Then why didn’t you reach out to her? Why didn’t you save her instead of killing her, why didn’t you give her the closure she needed?’ He replied waiting for an answer.
‘Because I don’t know her’ I whispered. ‘I fucking wish I did, it’s like I’m torn between two parallels of myself. The side of me that knew her and the person I am now. The only version of myself I have ever known. You asked why I couldn’t give her the closure she needed, why I didn’t reach out’
‘Vincenzo just save it-‘ He cuts me off, ‘Because I’m hurting too,’ I shouted. ‘Because I look into her eyes and see so much emotion, so many memories that I know nothing about. I was afraid, I was afraid that if I see her crying in front of me, I’ll apologize and beg for her back! I can’t do that to her’ my gaze dropped. ‘I can’t hurt her any more than I already have’ I whispered.
Lorenzo stayed silent for a minute before he spoke up ‘Vincenzo … you just referred to her in the present, not the past’ he whispered his observation of my words. ‘Is she al-‘ The door swung open cutting Lorenzo off. I coughed, clearing my throat. ‘Boss this package came for you’ Luca handed me a yellow envelope smiled and walked out.
‘Vincenzo-‘ I cut him off with the back of my hand ‘this is from Xavier’ I ripped open the envelope and pulled out a polaroid. A photo of his phone, with one number and date highlighted. I squinted my eyes confused and read the message on the frame. ‘Don’t believe his lies’ I whispered. Lorenzo moved closer and looked over my shoulder. I scanned the number and the date. I looked up at Lorenzo my eyes wide anger radiating off me. I pushed aside and went towards my phone I flicked through the contacts and matched the number. I eyed the date and looked at Lorenzo ‘Lorenzo, what date was my crash?’ I asked. ‘December 8th’ I looked back down at the photo the date highlighted as I whispered ‘December 8th’
‘That’s dad’s number’ I flung the polaroid aside and stormed out of the office, ‘GIOVANI’ I shouted out my voice echoed through the big now unsettlingly quiet house. ‘Son’ he greeted me, I watched as mum stood by him. ‘Why was your number on his phone’ I spat, he looked at me as he stood frozen. ‘Why. Were. You. In. Contact’ my tone dangerously low as I inched closer with each word.
‘I-‘ he was cut off by the sound of bullets. My headshot to the door as it broke open. I pulled out my gun and aimed it towards the doors, my men and Lorenzo following in my lead. I turned to the side and saw Maria and Ariana watching ‘GO!’ I shouted at them. ‘Well, well, well. If it isn’t my favourite family’ Xavier mocked smug. I looked at him ‘You do not want to test me today’ I spat.
‘I just wanted to make sure you got my gift’ he smiled innocently. ‘If someone helped arrange my rival to purposely crash a plan and kill whoever was on board’ he paused, ‘I mean I would like to know’ He smiled at me mockingly before turning to Giovani. ‘Especially if that person was my father’
I turned around ‘YOU!’ I shouted, Lorenzo and Ariana, looked at him in shock. Disgusted as they shouted, ‘YOU DID WHAT!’ he stood frozen ‘It was supposed to be Isabella, he said she was comin-‘ he quickly rushed trying to justify everything. ‘DO YOU THINK THAT WAS BETTER! DID YOU WANT TO KILL ISABELLA? WHY?’ I shouted.
‘BECAUSE SHE CHANGED YOU! SHE WAS BECOMING A WEAKNESS FOR YOU AND FOR ALL OF US I COULDN’T-‘ I cut him off and yelled ‘WHAT MADE YOU THINK YOU OR ANYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO LAY A HAND ON HER’ I roared.
‘WHAT MADE YOU THINK YOU HAD ANY RIGHT!’ Maria shouted, she looked over at me seeing the pain and hurt in her voice and face my features soften as I stayed quiet, ‘What made you think you were allowed?’ she spoke venom laced in her words as she approached me. ‘You should have died during that crash, you coming back was worse than your death’ she spat.
‘What. Did. He. Do.’ Xavier grunted, ‘Where is she!’ he yelled out concerned, ‘why isn’t she here?’ his voice growing more and more worried, as he just noticed her lack of presence. ‘WHERE IS SHE! ISABELLA! ISABELLA!’ He shouted out. ‘Never. Speak. Her. Name.’ I warned lowly, ‘OH YOU DIDN’T HEAR!’ Maria shouted feeling like she finally reached her climax. ‘YOU DIDN’T HEAR!’ She shouted again. ‘MARIA NOT THE TIME’ I shouted, ‘Maria get out of the way’ Ariana yelled out. ‘Baby come here’ Lorenzo extended his hand out for her. ‘NO, WHY SHOULD I! WHY NOT TELL THE MAN’ She shouted.
Xavier’s grew more and more worried as he stared at the three of us, ‘What!’ he pushed. ‘Vincenzo Killed her.’ She spat. His eyes widened as he looked back at him, ‘You what?’ He warned as he started approaching me, I pointed my gun at him ‘Watch your step’ I reminded him, he stopped his men still aiming their guns at everyone in the house. ‘I don’t believe you’ he spat, ‘No, no. We saw him carry out her body in a white cloth. He killed her because he thought she was working for you’ Maria continued to speak, I looked over at her begging her to stop talking.
I should have told them she was alive, that she wasn’t dead. That this was the safest option for her, that I couldn’t touch a hair on her head. That her absence was like a knife stabbing me every second she wasn’t here. ‘There is no way you killed her’ Xavier muttered, I watched him ‘She meant too much to you when she looked at you. I saw it, I saw the love in her eyes. She would die for you, and you would die for her. There was too much emotion between the two of you for you to do that. You couldn’t kill her even in your state. I don’t believe you.’ He harshly spoke out, I looked at him he was in a way convincing himself rather than us. Maria eyed him then eyed me for a second, her stare softened like she realised something. From the corner of my eye, I see one of my men inching towards our panic alarm, it sends a signal to all our men. ‘How would you even know about love?’ Lorenzo spat, trying to distract him, ‘because that’s how I starred at her’ He admitted.
‘You call everything you did, everything you put her through love?’ I spat, ‘You tortured, weakened, manipulated and harmed her more than anyone. You call that love?’ He winced. ‘I will kill you’ he threatened, ‘Such a shame, you lost the love of your life without even knowing it. Your dad betrayed you, and well everyone around you hates you.’
‘No one will stop me huh?’ he smirked and pulled the trigger; I stood tall closing my eyes waiting for the bullet to pierce my chest. I opened my eyes not feeling the gunshot, I look down and see my mum laying on the floor clutching her chest. ‘No, NO’ I shouted, Lorenzo, aimed the gun towards them, one of his men saw and shot. Maria dived in front of him taking the hit. Lorenzo screamed out, the alarm blared through the estate as cars and my men started filling the home once more.
‘KILL. THEM. ALL’ I shouted. They all rushed out of the house, my eye’s scanning for Xavier. ‘Damn it!’ I shouted, smashing my hand through the wall. Nothing but gunshots and screams were heard, I rushed back inside and bent down near my mum. She smiled weakly at me for the first time she softly grazed my cheek ‘I’m so sorry Vincenzo’ she whispered; I shook my head frantically. ‘Why?’ I spoke out, looking at her. She held my hand while her other cupped the side of my face I tensed under her touch not use to the affection but nonetheless I didn’t move. ‘I was never a mother to you, you were right. I birthed you and that gave me the title Mum. However, I should have committed to that title, held your hand when you were scared. Tell you bedtime stories at night, take care of you when you weren’t feeling well.’ She coughed, ‘I should have been there to watch you grow, and I’m so sorry I wasn’t. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me most. I’m sorry because of me and your father you were forced to grow up alone and all too fast. I killed myself, I buried myself in alcohol instead of taking care of the three kids I love more than anything.’
I shook my head I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel about what she was saying to feel happy because she’s finally seen the fault or angry that she’s only realised now because she’s dying that the realisation will only be for this moment alone and never to be loved through.
‘I loved you all so much, I just wasn’t good at showing it. I wanted to give you all the world instead it started feeling like I was just sucking the world out of you all.’ She coughed, I shook my head ‘ stop, you need to save your energy’ I tried to stop her, but she shook her head weakly ‘No, I need to say this. When Dante died, a part of me died with him. I know you all thought I didn’t care, but the truth was I cared. I cared so much more than you could imagine. I couldn’t bear the thought of no longer looking out from the window and watching him paint, or not seeing him play soccer, or listen to the two of you bicker over who is more good looking’ she giggled recalling the memories.
I watched her and felt like I didn’t know who I was staring at this was the person I dreamt of the mum I yearned for and now that she’s here it feels like a sick joke! I got my mother back only for her to be taken away just as quick. ‘
‘I was there, you never saw but I was there. I loved you so much, and I’m so sorry you lost him … And I’m so sorry I made you go through all of that alone. I’m so proud of you monkey’ I looked at her shocked. ‘You haven’t called me that since I was five’ I whispered.
‘You’ll always be my cheeky monkey, I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. Thank you for taking care of them for me, thank you for stepping up when both your parents failed you … Thank you for not only being a big brother but a dad, a mum, a best friend, and everything to my kids to my Ariana and Lorenzo. Thank you for teaching them, guiding them, being there for them. Thank you for allowing them to have a bright and happy childhood, I’m just sorry I couldn’t do the same for you’ Lorenzo looked up from Maria and towards us listening to Mums’ voice, I looked down and shook my head.
‘Please forgive me’ she begged. I couldn’t speak I just looked down at her tired expression the way her body was slowly draining. ‘Don’t say that when a person asks for forgiveness it’s always when they think they won’t have a chance to ask for it later! You want to be a mum? Then live’ I spoke out.
She shook her head weakly ‘I lived … it’s time I know it is … Vincenzo I was never a mother to you back then. So please let me be one right now. Let me save you, let me protect you! Let me die knowing that I did that. Monkey … please let me be your mum’ She whispered softly, ‘I love you so much, mio figlio.’ (my son) She spoke up then immediately after closed her eyes. NO!
I let go standing up my entire body tense and my head spinning I looked down at her body ‘I forgive you’ I softly spoke turning away I looked at my men.
‘Did you find him!’ I shouted, ‘We got half of his men boss, but Xavier got away. Hacker is running number plates and surveillance now’
I turned around on my heel and grabbed Giovanni by his shirt. ‘You.’ I spat, ‘You are the reason they entered my home, the reason for mum’s death for those people to enter my home the reason Maria is clinging to life and the reason I FORGOT ISABELLA’ I shouted. ‘I did it for us! To be rid of them, to give them what they wanted.’
‘Nothing! no reason is going to justify what you did’ I shouted feeling every emotion at the surface. I let go of him, ‘You are not even worth a bullet, get out.’ My voice was low and harsh as I grunted out the words. ‘And if I ever see you in New York or near any of us, I will find you and I’ll kill you myself’ I nodded my head and two of my men escorted him out. I watched Lorenzo crying near Maria, I winced as I watched them. ‘That’s a fucking promise’
I ushered for my men to kick him out and dump him somewhere far! My head snapped towards Lorenzo hearing his scream. ‘Why!’ he cried, ‘Because I love you, Lorenzo King’ He shook his head furiously and picked her up. Rushing her out and to a hospital.
x
Lorenzo’s POV
I carried her in my arms her weak fragile body began growing pale. ‘Maria, baby. Look at me, come on. Keep your eyes on me’ I encouraged her, ‘GO FASTER’ I shouted at the driver, ‘Lorenzo, promise me something’ she whispered. I looked down at her ‘anything’
She stayed quiet for a second ‘If I die, don’t be sad for too long. I want you to be yourself, the Lorenzo I fell in love with. The man who made me laugh, who taught me how to paint. Don’t let me drain you of the light you have inside you.’ I shook my head tears on the brim of my eyes ‘you’re not dying Maria’ I shook my head adamant. ‘Lorenzo-‘ she whispered. ‘No, don’t even think it! Because every time I think of not having you in my life I break into a million pieces.’
She cupped my cheek and whispered, ‘As long as you love me … as long as i’m in your heart. I’ll never leave you, Lorenzo’
She sighed and whispered. ‘I just wish I could say goodbye to Isabella’ she whispered.
I looked at her confused, ‘he didn’t kill her’ she whispered softly, I eyed her through my blurry vision. ‘You could see it in his eyes, the love he has for her. He might say one thing, but the eyes say another … the eyes never lie’ I watched her and let out a small laugh. ‘You are seriously such a special angel’ I whispered kissing her on the forehead. ‘He also kept referring to her in the first person’ she weakly laughed out. I shook my head ‘stop wasting your energy, save it.’ I begged her, she nodded her head and looked at me. The car came to a stop, and we immediately rushed her inside, they took her on a bed and rushed her to the emergency. ‘SAVE HER! PLEASE GIVE HER BACK TO ME!’ I shouted when they wouldn’t let me pass through the glass doors.
Please give her back to me, don’t let her go. ‘Please don’t leave me here alone, please don’t leave me here. Please don’t leave me. Please don’t leave. Please don’t. Please.’ I whispered against the glass.
‘We need to find a contact, we have no idea who she is’ I heard doctors and nurses frantically rush out, I turn and investigated the room. My heart dropped when I saw her, ‘Isabella?’ I whispered. Maria was right … she’s alive.
I rushed into the room and stood next to her on the bed, she had an oxygen mask over her face as she laid limp. ‘Excuse me, sir, you can’t be in here’
‘I know her, she’s my girlfriend’s twin’ I rushed out, ‘What happened is she okay?’ I asked. They nodded their heads ‘She had a motorbike accident; she is recovering well’ the doctor informed me. ‘Thank god’ I whispered, so he didn’t kill her. Why did he make us all think she did.
‘It’s a miracle she’s alive’ The doctor spoke up, ‘she wasn’t harmed too much?’ I asked for reassurance, ‘No actually, she is in stable condition and should wake up anytime now. It’s a miracle her and the baby are alive’
My head snapped in the doctor’s direction, ‘The what?’
