Sophia
"Burn her!" Samantha instructed with a wicked smile and turned to leave. "Oh, and Sophia…" she paused and turned to look at me, still smiling. "I'll make sure to take good care of Leo for you," she whispered in the most annoying voice and burst out laughing. "Sam, please don't do this! I'm not going to be a problem! I'll leave him!" I cried, hoping she would stop seeing me as a threat, "That's the thing, Sam, even if you leave him, you can never leave his heart. He loved you, and as long as you're alive, he won't let me fully into his heart," she replied and took slow strides to where I was. "He doesn't love me. If he did, he wouldn't divorce me so easily, so please just let me go," I pleaded. She pretended to think about it for a while before saying, "Nope, I am not taking any chances. You have to go. Sorry." She spun around and walked out of the room, leaving me with her two minions. The man picked me up from the chair and took me back outside to the same car he brought me in. He forced me into the car and locked me in. From inside, I watched in horror as he poured gasoline all over the car. "Help! Help me!" I screamed and began trying to escape from the car. The door to the other side opened, and the woman got in. She handed me a piece of paper and a pen. "Sign here," she instructed calmly as if we were not in a car that would soon be set ablaze. I stared at the paper, and it read "Transfer of Vehicle Ownership." They were trying to make it seem like I bought the car and self-exited in it. "You're crazy if you think I'll sign that!" I snapped. I couldn't see her face because of the mask she was wearing, but I could tell she was glaring at me. She brought out a gun from behind her and pointed it at me, threatening me to sign the paper. But I maintained my stance, she was going to kill me anyway, so what was the point? She raised the gun backward and tried to hit me with it, but I dodged and knocked the gun out of her hand. She punched me hard and bent to retrieve the gun. Just then, my eyes caught sight of a bottle of champagne under the seat, and I quickly picked it up and smashed it on her head. She went numb immediately. I wasn't sure if she passed out or was dead, but I couldn't care. I looked out the window to see the man going into the house, probably to get a lighter. Without wasting time, I took off the lady's clothes and face mask and put them on myself. I dressed her in my clothes and took the gun, tucking it in my pocket. I also made sure to sign the papers before I got out of the car. The man returned just as I got out of the car. "Did she sign it?" he asked. I nodded, trying to look as calm as possible. "Good, but why is she so silent? You didn't kill her, did you?" he asked and began walking to the car. "I knocked her out," I lied, trying so hard to imitate the lady's voice. He stopped in his tracks and stared at me suspiciously. "Let's get this over with, then," he muttered and retrieved a lighter from his pocket. I stepped away from the car and watched as he threw the lighter on it. The car was immediately engulfed in flames, and soon an explosion occurred, followed by a piercing scream. It turned out she was alive after all. The man burst out laughing like that was the funniest thing he had ever seen. I had spent the last two years watching Leo kill people, so death didn't faze me anymore, but the fact that it was supposed to be me burning in the car sent chills down my spine. "Let's go, the boss is waiting," the man said and began walking toward the car. I stared at him as he got closer to the car. I knew I couldn't go with him. It would only be a matter of time before I was figured out. "Aren't you coming?" he asked, spinning around. I stared at him hesitantly before finally deciding on what to do. I retrieved the gun I had stolen from the lady and planted a bullet in his head. I watched as he fell to the ground, lifeless. I tucked the gun back in my pocket and carried his body into the car. He was really heavy, and by the time I finally had him in the car, I was soaked with sweat. I got into the car and began navigating my way out of the abandoned road. It took me two hours before I was finally off the road. I drove around the city for a while, not sure of where to go. I made sure to avoid police checkpoints and busy roads. I finally came to a stop in front of a forest. I looked around for a while, making sure no one was watching, before driving into the forest. I avoided the trees as much as possible and drove at full speed until I came across a cliff. "Here's our stop," I announced to the dead man in the back seat. I got out of the car and went to stand at the edge of the cliff to make sure it was deep enough. After confirming that, I returned to the car, put it in neutral, and got out. "Goodbye, monster," I muttered as I watched the car drive toward the edge of the cliff.Sophia I watched as the car drove off the cliff without any remorse, after all, he didn't mind watching me burn in that car.I spun around and began to walk out of the forest when I heard a loud explosive sound. I turned to see flames erupting from the cliff and let out a satisfied smile.I returned to my condo and packed a few things that I could get my hands on. I needed to get out of there fast. I packed some clothes, jewelry, money, and most importantly, my passport.I knew that it was only a matter of time before Reggie or Leo heard of my "death" and stopped by to check if I was really gone. If they found out I was still alive, it wouldn't take long for Samantha to find out, too.I put on a pair of faded blue jeans, an oversized hoodie, and a baseball cap. I zipped up my suitcase and dragged it outside. I thought of calling a taxi but decided that using my phone was too risky. Sam could be tracking it.The bus stop was just a stone's throw from where I lived, so I dragged my sui
Sophia’s Pov“W-what is this, what are you both doing here?” My brows furrowed as I glanced between the lady and Quinn, who relaxed in his seat without a care in the world. He was the only person sitting in the First Class area, which said a lot. Just how rich was this man?“I never imagined we’d meet this way, Sophia.” His lips curved into a thin smile as he leaned forward to pick up a glass of wine, slowly tilting it into his mouth.I watched on in discomfort, fiddling with the edge of my clothes as I gulped harshly. This was definitely not how I planned for my day to go. I didn’t expect to meet my ex-husband’s lifelong enemy here, yet here I was, standing in the midst of chaos. Hailey finally spoke up, “I saw her trying to flush her baby out. I intervened as soon as possible.” “Oh? Did something go wrong between you and Leo?” He asked, a smug smirk tugging at his lips. My eyes stung with tears and my throat felt tight all of a sudden, as I gripped the edge of a seat, trying to
Sophia “Are you listening to yourself?” I blurted, shocked by his proposal.“You heard me right. I said you should marry me.” Quinn repeated himself slowly, and each word made me feel like I was in some sort of a fever dream.“So, I marry you and in return, you protect me? That’s all?” I glanced towards Hailey, seeking some assurance. It seemed like I should’ve just walked away when I had the chance. What had I gotten myself into?“Why is that so hard for you to believe, Sophia?” Hailey interjected, annoyed by how I was speaking probably.“I’m honestly just trying to understand why you’re both helping me.” I shook my head in confusion, pursing my lips.“Do you need to know the minor details?” Quinn said, his demeanor calmer than ever. I bit my tongue to hold myself back.“What else am I in for? I want to know now.” I demanded, standing my ground.“That’s not something we can tell you right now. All I know is that if you follow through with this, you’ll be safe from Leo and Samantha’s
Sophia’s PovMy fingers glided over my soft skin, which felt nothing like it had before. I hadn’t looked in the mirror yet, but Hailey was constantly fawning over how beautiful the work done on me was.“I do feel better now…” I murmured, taking a peep at Hailey who was sitting on the edge of my hospital bed. “Yeah, the doctor said that by the second week, you’d be fine. The bandages are ready to take off too. Are you ready to see your new face?” She beamed.I pursed my lips, unsure if I would like the outcome or not. The deed was already done anyway, it was either I regretted my decision or I loved it. There was no in-between and like I usually told myself over and over there is no choice either.I sat up slowly, “Yeah…I think I am,” I nodded, outstretching my hand, “Could you pass me the mirror?”“Uh, yeah.” Hailey reached for the handheld mirror on the small wooden table beside her, passing it to me. This was the final revelation, huh?I took small, shaky breaths as I slowly unrave
Sophia pov Getting used to living as Gina is a tad bit difficult. Each time someone in the house called me that, I wouldn't quickly notice and when I did it'd be too late. Even Hailey was disappointed.is it that hard to comprehend?I stood in front of the mirror, trying to give myself a pep talk. “You can do this, Soph–.” I paused, slapping my forehead in agitation as I shook my head. No, no, I'm getting it all wrong again. “Gina. My name is Gina now.” I breathed, smoothing down my clothes as I noticed my bump. So, babies grew this fast? I gave a small smile to myself before stepping out of the room, ready to take on another day. I had been informed a while ago that Quinn had requested to see me, but I was getting ready which made me late. When I arrived, the room was full of smoke and there in the middle sat Quinn, puffing on a cigar with his legs kicked up on the small glass table in front off him. It was either he didn't know that I had entered, or he just ignored me because
Sophia pov I sat on my bed in silence, my mind playing games on me. I still couldn’t seem to forget how Quinn killed that man and left him lifeless in a pool of his own blood. It made me absolutely sick to my stomach.The scene just kept on replaying in my head over and over as I took deep breaths and drank water. Two days had passed now, and I hadn’t even eaten anything. I heard a soft knock on my door before a maid waltzed in with a tray full of food. “Madam, here’s your breakfast.” She said, standing in front of me. “Uhm, you can go put it right over there.” I gestured to the table beside my bed, and she nodded immediately moving to place the food there. “ Master Quinn says you should eat.” She said, and with that, she scurried out of the room leaving me all alone in my silence. The funny thing is that I kneww I would not eat the food, it’d go the way it had been for the past 2 days. Quinn knew it, Hailey knew it, the maids knew it, even the chef knew it. I laid back down on m
Sophia pov I groaned, putting a hand up to my head as the birds outside chirped loudly. I didn’t feel like getting up but the noise made it unbearable for me to fall back to sleep easily.I carefully sat up, guiding myself with one arm on the bed while pushing my back to rest against the headboard. With every movement now, I could feel my stomach getting heavier and heavier with the baby.I heard a rustle beside me and turned to face the chair where I saw Quinn. His eyes were fixated on me and narrowed. I yelped, my heart racing and my eyes wide as I looked at Quinn, “What are you doing here?” I asked, barely hearing myself over the sudden rush of blood to my ears.“Were…were you watching me sleep?” I asked, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. I was in just shorts and a tank top, and even though the blanket did a good job of concealing me, I still couldn’t help but feel odd.He ignored my questions, standing up from the chair with a soft creak. “You’re awake, good.” He crossed hi
Sophia pov Quinn looked at me with an expression that I couldn’t register as we sat in the car quietly as the driver drove to some other place. I was unsure of where we were going, but that didn’t matter to me now.The excitement of knowing that my baby was a boy overwhelmed me, now I could barely think straight.“Why are you smiling like a fool?” Quinn asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.“I-I’m sorry…I just…” I babbled, as I whipped my head so fast that I almost got whiplash. He chuckled, shaking his head.“Just save it. We’re heading to a meeting now.” He said, redirecting his focus back to the road.“I need you to know that these aren’t ordinary people. I’m there to strike a deal and you’re my wife now. You have every right to come with me.” He muttered.Hearing him call me his wife made me feel queasy a bit, but I shook off the feeling. “Okay. I understand.” I agreed. It wasn’t as if I had an option, and besides we were too far from home for me to suddenly demand that we turn
GINA'S POVMy plan touched down on East side, Orlands Airport. I took the rental car and drove into town. It is going to be a long drive to my destination so I called home. I talked with Derek than I called an old friend.“Hello, Guss.”I heard a chuckle at the other end of the phone.“What's funny?”“Oh, nothing. I'm still surprised you asked me for help. I mean. The first time we met ended you making one of those Hispanic girls slap the nuts of me.”I smiled. That was funny. “I'm glad you don't hold grudges.”“Grudges don't suit a black brother like me plus, the lady is hot by the way.”I let out a small laugh. “Take care of her.”“I will.” The line cut. I dropped the phone and stepped on the gears. The retried nurse told me that Aura was not adopted. She was taken by her family. Going on this hunt, made me realize why Quinn and Leonardo may have never found this if they looked. Hailey’s husband has access to filed that no one else can. Rock Creek hospital was a military hospital b
GINA'S POV“Hello, Quinn, finally. I've been calling.”“I'm sorry baby. Its really messed up over here.” I can hear a hint of frustration in his voice.“Is she really Aura.” He was silent for a moment. “Yeah.”“Oh my god.”“Mhmm. It really sucks. I didn't think I will ever have to meet her again under these circumstances.”“What are You gonna do?”“Leonardo and I have agreed, we will stay. If we left her alone back then she wouldn't have ended up the way she did. We have to make it up to her. Anyway we can.”“Quinn, are you growing a soft spot for her?” I wish so bad that he can understand how disgusted that made me feel.“I know this is so out of place but she is Aura.”“I don't care. Your Aura has become a bitch. Who she was in the past past doesn't validate or save her from any of the harm she did in the Future.” I was almost yelling, veins popping from my head. “Gina, please. I understand what this is like but I don't think you understand that we owe this girl. We have a lot to
SAMANTHA’S POVIts been a month since I fell off that base building. I still had fractures in places where fractures shouldn't be. But that wasn't the scary thing, it is that once again I had to sit in the same room with the men who put me here.Quinn is standing behind Leo. His massive figure pressing too hard against his suite. His face is ice cold and he wore no smile. Like the executioner on a visit with Hades. Leo was comfortable settled in the third cushion chair in the room. His legs crossed and his eyes fixed on me without blinking.I held my breath and squeezed my palms together. Trying to remind myself to calm down that I was here welcome. “Samantha Honey, it's alright. This men are your friends. That have been looking for you. Tell them how you found us.” The old lady said. I smiled brightly and then returned my gaze to the two men. I gulped. If only she knew what we all meant to each other now she wouldn't have cramped us up in the same room.“I remember two weeks ago, L
LEONARDO’S POV“Its Samantha’s father. All of a sudden, he has grown a soft spot for the girl he once abused. Now he is hunting my men down and tearing my syndicates apart and I can't do anything about it.”Gina’s eyes are locked with mine. The light in the room made them glimmer. She has tears in her eyes too, that's why. Her face held an expression of pity. She is worried about me and knowing that made my heart melt. The kiss on my lips made me realize how much I'm still in love with her.“Matteo will squash you. You don't have what it takes to hold him down, Leo.” I flashed her a big smile. “I won't go down without a fight either. You don't need to bother about all this. Its my business.”“And you saved our… Derek, I can't just standby and watch you suffer. Plus, Matteo should pay for raising a kid like Samantha.” She turned around to stare at Quinn who has been fuming with anger since they walked into the room. He exchanged glances with Gina. Hie frown deeper instantly.“Forge
GINA’S POV The telephone rang. I sprang up from the chair immediately. My face has paled out, I'm covered in cold sweat and half asleep. I staggered to the phone. My head weighed a thousand pounds and there was this throbbing ache gnawing at the back of my head. I could feel the pain, I could notice how blurry everything is but I couldn't care less. Its been two days. No one has called. No one is replying to my texts, no one is reaching out. My hair is haggard, pulled out strands littered the floor. My eyes are sullen and my body felt like it came out of a washing machine. Broken and beaten up. I picked up the phone. “Hello. Quinn, is that you?”“This is Daisy from Hudson Pizza calling to ask if you…” I hung up, sighed and crumbled to the floor, hugging my knees. Oh, God what happened to them. Please.. someone should call please. Tears soaked the knees of my pajamas. I covered my mouth and muffled a sob by pressing my lips into my palm. I don't want to wake Hailey. She has been
QUINN'S POV We took the Jet. Leonardo had informed us he ks coming to meet us so we met him at the Delgado train station. There was a small eatery just off the station, across the road. We booked a private space and ordered burgers. The only means on their menu that allowed us to keep our food on our laps while we covered the table with maps. Leonardo brought the most advanced map of them all. He brought guns too but he came alone. His own way of warding off suspicion from himself. Now we are all standing, looking over the draft on the map and trying to figure out where exactly Samantha is going. She was last spotted taking route that intersected several other roads including a mountain path, a valley and a ranch. She could be anywhere. I sucked in a deep breath and exhaled. My eyes returned to the cell I was holding. There are markers of different landscapes and infrastructures in all directions. It still didn't make it easier where she is going. Leonardo stroked his chin an
GINA’S POV “Are you sure?” Quinn asked, pulling the picture closer to him. He peered at it, trying to see what I saw.“Yes. I remember when she had that cut. I don't know if there is any way she could have come to know that my son is here but I do know that if there is anyone mad enough to track you guys down, it's her.”“I thought Leonardo said she had a miscarriage?” Quinn reminds me.“I know which is why I feel it in my gut that she wants to kill my baby because she lost hers. I know it's a hunch but…”“I will check it out. We have nothing right now. This is the best we have been able to make out in hours, we will work with it.” Hailey’s husband took the lead immediately. He had Samantha's image printed out and he left with some of his own to have her face run through any database there is and see if she may have come anywhere near Australia.Meanwhile, I suggested to Quinn that we call Leonardo. He didn't buy it. He wouldn't even entertain it but I insisted. If anyone could find
GINA'S POV “How did you figure it out?” Quinn asked, his legs crossed and his back resting on the plush seat in his office. I sat on the table. He was wheeled so close that his face could touch my lap.“Reggie once told me that that girl, Aura, was slaughtered like an animal. And I found his description strange because he never said anything that would make me that he was close to you guys enough to have tagged along when the two of you went to find Aura. So I wondered how he knew. He didn't say something which I expected to hear and I found it rather strange.”“Why was that?”“He didn't talk about who the guy that killed her was. The way he spoke of the guy, it was obvious he knew him well but he avoided giving any details about him. Not even his skin color. Why else would someone do that if not that they unconsciously wanted to make sure the person was never known.”There was a small smile tugging on Quinn's lips when I was through. I could tell he was impressed.“Aren't you a sma
QUINN’S POVWhen I saw the pained look on her face, I regretted every advising her to do this. Even though she finally settled back and looked comfortable again, the feeling still did not go away.‘I adjusted the headphone and continued to listen to their conversation. I seemed to have missed a word or two while I was lost in thought.“I guessed that would be his question. Quinn still hasn’t stopped thinking about that girl.” I frowned. It was like I could see him making that small grin like he knew everything about me.“Honestly, I don’t care” Gina said, indifferently. “just answer the question.”“I will but Gina, arent’t you curous to know how all this began. I will gladly tell you along with what Quinn wants to hear.”I squeezed the car seat. Even now he stills jumps at any chance to soil my name. There was an uncomfortable silence of Gina’s lips before she finally spoke.“Since you like telling stories, go ahead.”‘Damn it.’ I smashed my fist on the steering wheel. This fucking s