I look around and darkness, did he shoot me? am I dead? Am I in heaven or hell? I looked around the area. I couldn’t see anything, only hearing the footsteps that echoed through the warehouse. My breathing picked up I can’t be here. “GET ME OUT OF HERE!” I cried out jumping up struggling against the restrains. Now all that was heard was the sound of my chair hitting the floor.
‘WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO THE LIGHTS’ he roared.
The lights turn back on and when I adjusted my eyes to the light, calming down that it was no longer pitch black, I see more men than before. All dressed in black, black pants, black tops, and vests. Their guns were pointed at the men’s heads.
“Luke, drop the gun before I drop you’ His low firm voice threatened, and of course his heavy thick Italian accent was deeper than ever. “Vincenzo, what took you so long my boy’ he snickered, Vincenzo pressed the gun further into his head. ‘Uccidili’ he demanded (kill them). Gunshots echoed the small basement, all the men dropped to the floor blood splattering everywhere, and the only one’s standing were the King’s men.
He just … did he just … he gave the order to kill. Okay, I’m starting to believe the whole mafia boss a little bit more The dude who’s name I just found out was Luke, which was a slight disappointment I was hoping for a cooler name.
He took the knife out of my thigh and went to stab Vincenzo in the chest. My heart getting caught in my chest, forgetting about the pain in both my throbbing thighs. I went to stand up but was pulled back by the restraints, the stab wounds in my legs also making it impossible to stand up on my own.
Vincenzo grabbed his wrist before the knife could get anywhere near him, he smirked cockily and twisted his arm around. Forcing his chest up, he kicked the back of his knee Luke losing balance gets forced to a kneeling position in front of Vincenzo.
Vincenzo had the knife placed on the man’s throat, he bathed in the fact that the man was kneeling before him, a smug smirk overtook his facial features. Vincenzo whistles a slowly. I don’t know how a whistle could sound intimidating but behold. His whistle alerting his men, knowing what he commanded through his whistle they all aim their guns at the man who had been stabbing me repeatedly torturing me.
‘Take him, and keep him in the basement until I get back … I might have some fun of my own.” He keeps his gaze fixed on him, before yelling “ANDARE” (go) three men grab him and drag him out. I look up at Vincenzo my body weak and my eyes threatening to close shut for good, the loss of blood.
He quickly knelt and Un-handcuffed me picking me up bridal style. ‘You’re okay leonessa, you’re okay’ he reassured himself more than he was trying to reassure me. He rushed out of the building with me in his arms, holding me close and tightly against his chest we got into the back of a car as he demanded the man to go to the estate. The estate? No, I need to get to Maria. I mentally cry out, but my body failing me too tired to let me say anything.
His grip on me tightened as I buried my head further into his chest. He once again risked his life to save mine. Chaos is all I could think about to describe this situation, insanity is what we were, and we barely knew each other.
The thing about chaos is that while it disturbs us, it too forces our hearts to roar in a way we secretly find magnificent. He was rude and a prick but, in his own way, he was gentle with me. Even if his gentle side still made me want to strangle him.
He looks down at me as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I finally give into my body urging me to fall into a deep sleep. I was able to faintly here Vincenzo telling me to keep my eyes open, but the weight of my eyelids was too heavy to stop.
So, I finally allowed the darkness in.
x
My eyes flutter open, I tilt my head to my right, and I don’t recognise the room I’m in. My chest tightens as I can feel my heart beginning to pick up speed. ‘Dear sh sh sh you’re okay’ I look at the woman with wide eyes ‘Vincenzo brought you in here, this is the private hospital he has on his estate’
I go to speak but the dryness of my throat sends me into a coughing fit. I go to stand up but the sharp pain in my legs forces me still. The lady hurries off to get me a glass of water.
The soothing coldness of the water entered my dry throat as I felt the dryness wash away, I look up at the lady ‘Why am I here?’ I managed to finally speak up.
She looks at me with pity eyes, ‘You were involved in a kidnapping, and you got really hurt.’
She started explaining trying to not go into full detail, ‘I know that, but why did he bring me here. He made it very clear he didn’t want anything to do with me.’ I asked her to clear up the fact that I knew and am aware of the events that led me to need medical attention. What I was confused on was why Vincenzo brought me to his home, especially after how I treated him.
She let out a small sigh. ‘I know Vincenzo can be … tiring to put it in simple terms, but that’s because of all he has been through and the man he is now. He may not be good and explaining how he feels, and he might suck at showing it but his intentions when it comes to his people and you and pure.’ She explained briefly, I looked at her confusion all over my face. What did she mean ‘me?’ as if she read my mind, she elaborated a little further. ‘The way he assembled all the men to rescue you is enough to know you’re important to him whether he sees that or not’
I nodded my head slowly trying to comprehend the whole situation, ‘where is he?’ a slight tug in my heart made me realise I was disappointed that he wasn’t here when I woke up ‘In his office or in the basement.’ She casually informed me; I nodded my head ‘if he cared as much as you say he would have been here’ I commented she looked at me a small smirk on her face. I rolled my eyes ‘I don’t care that he isn’t here, it just contradicts what you said’ I quickly clarified but the amused expression never left her face.
She shrugged her shoulders smiling ‘If he isn’t here, he is handling the situation’ I nodded my head confused before realising what she meant ‘he killed him didn’t he?’ I asked she looked at me with a look that confirmed my question.
I take a deep breath and get off the hospital bed. ‘Dear no, no. You cannot be moving you need to rest.’ I shook my head ‘No, I’m fine I- I need to see him’ I slowly and in immense pain walked out of the home hospital or whatever this is.
I looked at my surroundings in complete shock, my mouth hung open as I took in the view. The land was enormous the place had over five different properties not including this at home hospital. How am I going to walk all the way to the damn house.
Wait … WHICH ONE IS IT.
I looked around noticing a bunch of men scattered around the estate. to my right there was a man tall, with jet black hair and a nicely built frame. He was the closest person near me ‘Excuse me?’ I called out, He looked over at me shocked, he ran closer to me ‘Hey, you really shouldn’t be up.’ he pointed out looking at my condition, I shook my head quickly. ‘I’m fine, but I need a favour can you take me to Vi- your boss?’ I cut myself off not wanting to say his name, since everyone here calls him boss.
He looked at me hesitantly ‘Please’ I looked at him with pleading eyes ‘You wouldn’t say no to a girl with stitches all over her thighs and a few on her stomach, would you?’ I gave him a puppy dog eyed expression, he looked at me squinting his eyes trying to look away so I couldn’t guilt trip him.
‘Ugh, that’s not fair.” He whined face palming himself. “Fine lets go but if he gets mad it’s all on you Chica’ He gave in walking closer to me so he can help me walk. I couldn’t help but laugh, he gave me a side eye look and I bit my lip to muffle the laugh. ‘Chica?’ I questioned mockingly returning his side eye.
‘Wha- I know you’re Spanish and I wanted to lighten the mo-‘ he paused for a second looking a little lost in thought ‘Wait why am I explaining myself to you. Chica do you need a ride to the estate or not,’ he asked in a childlike tone. ‘Oh, we will get along fine. I’m Isabella by the way’ I introduced myself and smiled. ‘I know the whole estate knows being we saved you today’ He clarifies, I looked at him my mouth forming an ‘O’ I felt so stupid of course everyone knew who I was after the rescue mission.
‘Oh yeah … right thanks for that by the way’ I thank him for assisting in saving my life, He shrugged his shoulders, ‘You’re welcome but honestly you’re thanking the wrong person. It’s Vincenzo you should thank. I can’t put my finger on it just yet, but something tells me you’re a special one’ He laughed shrugging his shoulders.
I looked at him exhausted of people telling me the same thing, I let an exhausted breath, ‘I’m too tired to try and decipher what you mean by that’ I breathed out feeling the energy slowly drain out of my body.
A heartfelt chuckle left his lips as he looked at me and started walking helping me limp. ‘Come on let’s go. Oh, and I’m Lorenzo’ he introduced himself, I nodded my head pointing out the similarities between his name and Vincenzo. ‘That sounds just like your bosses name’ I stated the obvious.
He laughed and turned his head facing me, ‘Yeah our parents wanted our names to sort of rhyme’ I stopped dead in my tracks my mouth fell wide open. He stopped and looked at me worried ‘you, okay?’ he asked frantically, I waved my hands in the air ‘YOU’RE HIS BROTHER! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE YOUR SO PLEASANT’ I yelled out unable to hide my surprise.
He looked at me with wide eyes at my sudden outburst but then lost his composure and laughed like I just said the funniest joke. He called over a car to take us to the estate. Yes, yes. we needed a damn car to get there. The car parked right in front of the stairs that lead to the door, and in front of a fountain. Damn, I want to get drunk and swim in that.
Lorenzo helped me out of the car, ‘Are you going to be able to go up the stairs?’ I tilted my head contemplating the whole thing in my head ‘I’ll be fine, might take me a minute but I need to move.’ I admitted knowing that to get back to normal I need to move my muscles and not constantly lay down on a bed I probably shouldn’t start now since they are fresh stitches, but I was never one to follow the rules anyway.
I looked up at the stairs in front of the mansion huffing I walked up them slowly; it took me longer than usual, but I made it just to find that Vincenzo’s office was on the second floor but thank the lord above they had an elevator. ‘Who the fuck has an elevator in their house’ I burst looking at him.
He turns to me shrugging his shoulders. ‘The real question is who doesn’t … what peasants’ he sarcastically mocks snapping his fingers and pointing me in the elevator ‘let’s go, Chica’ he calls out.
For the first time today, I let out a genuine laugh holding onto his arm as we stepped inside. We walk towards his office and see two men standing In front of the doors. ‘We need to see Boss’ he informs the men, the men looked at me then back at each other.
‘Sorry boss ordered us no one is allowed in’ he paused for a second and the other man spoke up ‘Especially the girl.’ Rolling my eyes, I push past the men and swing both doors open.
‘Boss? we need to talk’ I mocked him.
There he was at his desk he was so concentrated on what he was doing I wasn’t sure if he realised, I was in the room, but the sly smirk that formed on his lips let me know he was aware of my presence.
‘Ms you’re not allowed to be in here’ his men grab me by my arms and are about to pull me out of the room. I winced; Vincenzo’s head snapped up he raised his hand up gesturing for his men to let go.
‘Leave her.’ Without another word they do just that quickly letting me go and walking back outside, I look back at them with a rather cocky look earning a chuckle from Lorenzo. ‘I like you’ Lorenzo laughed out before they closed the doors and leaving just myself and Vincenzo.
I go to speak up but get distracted by the elegance of the office, I look around and admire every detail. His office was a matte black with gold interior, the walls coloured black with only one wall having gold detailing. On that wall was five pictures of very intimidating, powerful, and dangerous men. I approached the pictures, and I realised it was the heirs of the Kings. I scanned the names reading them in my head, until my hands grazed over the last one with the gold plaque. ‘Vincenzo King’ my fingers traced over his name.
I looked around a little more and noticed a small library he had on the other side of the room. I walked towards the hundreds of books he had, my hands ran over them and stopped when my eyes caught the title of my favourite novel. I smiled like a little girl as I pulled it from the collection.
‘Stop touching everything’ his sudden harsh outburst made me jump dropping the book. He made his way towards me grabbing the book kneeling down slowly, his hand grazed my thigh. My airways suddenly becoming tighter than they should be.
He stayed kneeling near me for a moment before he took in a deep breath and slowly stood up to neatly put the novel back in its allocated spot. ‘Someone is a bit anal about their office.’ I commented to myself watching him align it perfectly with the rest of the novels on the shelf, ‘What are you doing here Isabella?’ he asked exhausted.
I nervously scratched my arm as I mustered the courage to look at him, ‘I have question’s’ I admitted, nothing about what happened made any sense to me. He looked at me curiously before gesturing to sit on the leather couch near his desk. I sat down as he walked over sitting on the edge of his desk. ‘Why was I get kidnapped’ I asked him straight away I hated beating around the bush.
‘They thought you have information on me, they used you as well as leverage thinking you hold some sort of meaning to me’ he shrugged his shoulders leaning into his chair. Ouch.
‘Then why did they single me out? I know those close to an enemy usually get taken as a bribing tool. It doesn’t make sense I’d be taken unless …’ I drifted off softly my mouth forming a thin line, he edged closer to me ‘unless?’ he dragged curiously.
I shook my head ‘nothing’ I whispered; they couldn’t have kidnapped me for me. Because of Spain …all they asked me about was Vincenzo they have no Idea who I am. I tried reassuring myself taking in a deep breath I looked up at him. ‘Why did you save me?’ I asked softly knowing I basically threatened him if he did that again.
‘I didn’t’ he shrugged and walked around his desk and sat down. I looked at him in pure disbelief ‘You didn’t?’ I asked mockingly. ‘Just like the idiota’s who took you thinking you meant something to me, in case it wasn’t clear enough already Leonessa, I don’t care. Isn’t that what you wanted? for me not to care or be near you!’ he shouted getting defensive, he looked back down at his paperwork and continued what he was doing before I stormed in.
‘Oh, you don’t care, do you?’ I exaggerated, he kept his head down not answering or giving me attention. ‘I’M FUCKING TALKING TO YOU, LOOK AT ME.’ I shouted irritated, he didn’t even flinch, but he did stop writing for a second before he continued. ‘VINCENZO’ I yelled wobbling closer to his desk not being able to keep applying pressure on my thighs.
I swipe everything off his desk with the back of my hand. I straightened up my posture watching everything that was on his desk fall to the floor. I edged closer to his face, ‘I don’t like being ignored.’ I warned him, especially after what I had to endure because of him.
He stands up slamming his fists on the table matching my energy, I slightly flinched back but quickly regained my composure. Our eyes locked with one another, anger radiating off the both of us. ‘Get. Out.’ He warned me to leave, I kept my stare narrowing my eyes I slightly shook my head no. Slightly tilting my head, ‘make me’ I called out his bluff. ‘Gladly, just don’t say you didn’t ask for it’ he licked his bottom lip looking at me. I snickered a laugh ‘Not even in your dreams Italy’ I smiled mockingly.
‘Isabella, leave before I do something I’ll regret.’ He straightened his posture and went to sit back down but I had enough, I felt all the emotions I was feeling rising, and it was about to burst in any second, I scoffed throwing my hands in the air, ‘Like what Vincenzo?!’ I laughed out looking at him in disbelief, he watched me with a stoned expression. ‘Huh? Are you gonna stab me in the leg?’ I asked him sarcastically.
Hitting the side of my head I shouted ‘Oh, wait-‘ I recalled the events knowingly and pulled up the hospital gown I was in exposing the scaring, stitches, and dried blood on both my legs. He shut his eyes turning his head not being able to handle the sight of my legs and for a split second a wave of guilt washed over his features before he turned back returning to his usual sate.
‘Are you going to kidnap me? OH, WAIT A MINUTE!’ I shouted using my hands to gesture to the estate and his office. ‘You already did!’ I cried out, shaking my head frustrated. ‘So, tell me Vincenzo King, what is it you can do that hasn’t been done to me already’ I asked him my voice came out from the core of my throat firm as the word vibrated against my neck.
He watched me for a minute staying quiet, I shook my head biting my lower lip calming down I looked back at him.
‘If you don’t care, why am I here? Why wasn’t I just left to die? why am I not in my own apartment? why did you … why did you save me?’ I asked him seriously wanting an answer, except he just stood there like someone was holding his mouth shut keeping him from speaking.
There was no emotion on his face. None, to anyone else they would think he wasn’t even listening but as I walked closer to the desk and looked him in the eye again, I whispered ‘why?’ my eyes slightly glossy as I felt the urge to cry but bite back. His face may show an emotionless Cabeza de polla (dick head) but his eyes, his eyes gave him away.
If anyone else looked at him in this moment if anyone else witnessed everything that happened, they would think he was the devil himself, emotionless with a heart dark as the night.
No one would be able to see the guilt, I see in his eyes right now and maybe I see it because so did mine. Maybe I saw it because we were the same, I was just lucky to escape my past, but something told me in this moment staring at Vincenzo King who has yet to tear his eyes from mine.
He continued to stare at me, he went to speak before he was interrupted, ‘ah, there she is the leverage, you and your sister are the children of Mario Dante Knight. You can be very useful.’ I backed away from him in complete disbelief. I looked at her with an irritated expression, ‘keep my dad’s name out of your mouth’ I spat, ‘What makes you think I’m staying.” I asked her annoyed, but before either could answer the door flew open.
‘Isabella?’ suddenly someone’s arms wrap around me holding me in a tight embrace. I take a second to compose myself and realise it’s Maria. I hug her back tightening my arms around her as she cries into my neck ‘I-i thought I was going to lo-‘she cried in my neck softly, I burry rub her back whispering “shhh don’t even think it, if I’m breathing, I’ll never leave you. Come on let’s go home’ I turn around and look at the women and Vincenzo disjointed. We walk towards the door but the two men from earlier block our way.
‘You’re not going anywhere.’
