Chapter 4

Chapter Four

                    

I punched furiously for the millionth time today; I changed my stance panting, all my body was covered in sweat, feeling hot and exhausted, but still, I didn’t let that stop me. Even though my knuckles were ripped open and bleeding but I ignored the pain.

Physical pain is nothing, but emotional is much worse because I hate feelings, being fragile and the worst of all is being helpless.

I punched again, aggressively. The bunching bag rattled under the force. No one hurts my family and that stupid fucker, Giovanni and his assholes, crossed the line. After trying to, or almost killing me, they gain the confidence to mess with my business.

I don’t give a shit about that; it was like your brat son is making some mess to gain your attention, but yesterday they went insane when they killed two of my men working at one of my clubs.

“Woah, easy man. What did the poor punching bag do to you?” Leo entered the gym with a big concerned frown on his face.

“Gab, it’s been almost five hours since you’ve been here. You need to get some rest. Aren’t we going to Vegas after a couple of hours for that business meeting?“ He approached me with careful steps, afraid of me snapping at him.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to calm my erratic heart. Sweat drops traveled from my forehead to my naked torso, hot and sizzling, feeding my burning rage more and more.

I turned to face Leo’s concerned eyes clenching and unclenching my fists. Whatever I try to do, I can’t forget the scene of the lifeless bodies of my men.

 Two of my family members were brutally slaughtered. Their limps were cut. The blood was everywhere and the look on their faces was agonizing.

“You think this is a joke? Two of my men were killed in my club under my nose without a reason. I want that fucker dead Leonidas and I’ll with my own hands, I’ll cut his limbs agonizingly slowly with a dull blade and after that, I’ll burn him fuckin alive. No one touches my family and lives, Leo, NO ONE.“ I said harshly, growling, walking to him.

The rage in me was eating my own soul and the ashes choking me.

Leo’s nostrils flared as he took his jacket and shirt off.

“Pathetic.” He mumbled, then punched me so hard that I kneeled.

“You’re here moping like a fuckin five years old baby, punching the poor thing like a weak man. C’mon Gab, show me what you got, but I guess it’s pathetic like you because Giovanni’s men kicked your ass.”

I know what he was doing and why he’s using that mocking tone with me. But right now I wanted blood. It doesn’t matter whose, mine, his, or anyone else.

The beast in me demanded to be fed, needed something to patch its wounded pride, and needed some retribution.

With a mighty snarl, I charged and punched Leo’s jaw. The sound of crack didn’t make me wince, it only made my beast ask for more. I want more... More.....MORE......

“Yes, that’s it Cerberus unleash your beast, c’mon hit me,” Leo said, avoiding another low kick and again throwing me on the floor on my back.

My friend might look like an ordinary man, but don’t let his appearance fool you.

Though he has lean muscles, he’s a mighty assassin. He has the strength of a bull and before you can even blink, he will slit your throat with one swift move. His father was my father’s second in command. Don’t underestimate him, period.

After an hour of beating the crap out of each other, we lay on our backs panting.

“Feeling better bro?” He asked, patting my sweaty chest.

“Gab, it’s not your fault these men got killed.”

I closed my eyes, and after a while, I replied.

“They were killed in my territory, Leo, under my nose. That fucker killed my family in my own fuckin’ house. I’m going nuts Leo, their blood is on my hands. I’m the one that killed them. It’s my fault. I’m the one that is supposed to protect them. You all are my responsibility “

“Then don’t stay here and pity yourself, do something to get revenge. You’re not a weak and pathetic man Gabriel. you’re Cerberus, the Alpha dog, the scary beast, you owe them that.” he said growling in my face furiously.

I closed my eyes again to regain some of my composure. He was right, but I can’t act without the factions. I need to ask for a hearing; the code demands it.

He stood up and offered his hand; I took it and did the same.

“C’mon, go and clean up. We need to go to our Vegas meeting, and for the love of god take Theo with you this time. He’s supposed to be your freaking bodyguard.“ Leo huffed.

I went to my room and threw the sweatpants I was wearing in the hamper, and started my shower. The hot water cascaded down my body, massaging my worn muscles. After a couple of minutes, the sourness started to fade, and I relaxed. I need to think carefully; I need to protect my family; I need to kill GIOVANNI.

I chose one of my black suits, and while I was wearing my dress shirt, a knock interrupted me.

“Come in.”

Theodore entered and closed the door.

“Sir Gabriel, we are ready to move,” he said calmly.

“Just give me a couple of minutes,” I said after dressing properly.

I headed to my office to check on something, and Theo followed silently. After a while, I felt his eyes on me, and without looking, I asked him.

“What is troubling you, Sergey?”

Theodore or Sergey, that was his real name, is a very intimidating man with his hulking body. He is taller than me, his muscles are bulking everywhere, and his blue glacial eyes are more intimidating than his physical appearance could ever be.

I met him in Russia almost ten years ago, directly after I became the head of the family.

He was deserting the military. Some of his colleagues set him up with a murder. He was a Spetsnaz and a very capable man. Our paths crossed, and I helped him to escape the Russians.

He told me all of this had happened because he refused to take his father’s place, so I made a deal with Lebedov. And we have been together since then. He’s my bodyguard, my enforcer, and my third in command, too.

Sergey interrupted my thoughts with his serious tone.

“Sir Gabriel... “ I cut him off saying “Just call me Gabriel Sergey, you are my friend, you know.”

He didn’t bat an eyelash and continued.

“.......... I don’t know what is going on in your head, but I just want to make sure that you know what you are doing right now?” He said coldly.

“I don’t know what you are talking about?” I lied, though I have a clear idea about it and I know who he’s talking about. It’s Ariel. He was the one who delivered my necklace to her, and since then I have seen the unspoken questions in his eyes.

“I’m talking about the little miss I delivered the necklace to.”

“SERGEY.“ I growled harshly. He didn’t even blink and kept going. It’s hard to intimidate him.

“Again, I hope you know what you are doing because giving her that necklace your father gave you means one thing and you know that.”

I didn’t comment and kept looking at the paper in front of me.

“It means that she’s your woman now. We will respect and protect her. She owns our loyalty; she’s your equal now.“ He said, folding his arms above his chest.

“Sergey, she’s not my woman,” I said, pinching my temple.

“You put your claim on her, Sir Gabriel. If you liked it or not, it’s final, but now her life is in danger.”

“What the fuck are you saying, Sergey?” I stood up, clenching my fists.

“As she gained our loyalty and respect, she gained your enemies, too. She’s weak and fragile and she will be an easy open target for your enemies now.”

My eyes widened when the realization hit me. Yes, I put her life in danger, even though I don’t know why I sent her my necklace.

“I’ll never let anything happen to her. She saved my life. She owns it now,” I said, irritated.

“Just make sure she’s safe and sound,” he commanded.

I blinked and stared at him.

“You know, this is the longest conversation we ever had. Wow, Sergey.” I said, smiling.

“We need to move now, Sir Gabriel.”

I sighed and followed him out. In front of the mansion were three black SUVs. My men greeted me by bowing their heads.

Theo rode with me in the passenger seat after making sure everything was right.

My phone vibrated, showing Leo’s number on the screen.

“Boss, I’m waiting for you at Michael’s hospital. We need to check on your stitches. You have opened them again, and then we will take the private jet to Vegas.” he said in his business tone.

“Ok, we are on our way.”

Our little group headed to the hospital smoothly. But suddenly I found myself in front of the café, Ariel’s café.

“Stop here, Andrew,” I commanded.

“Is everything all alright, sir?”

“Yes, Theo, you don’t need to worry.”

Without thinking, I opened the door quietly. My eyes found her instantly, even though the place was crowded. She was talking to an old couple, smiling sweetly. After a minute, she took her apron off and walked to the piano.

She caressed the keys fondly and with a delicate smile as if she were looking at the love of her life. Then she sat on the small chair. After closing her eyes, she held my necklace as if she was praying and that made my heart skip a beat. Her soft smile brightened her face.

But what happened next blew my mind the sweet melodies and her angelic voice took my breath away............................

You shout it out,

But I can’t hear a word you say

I’m talking loud, not saying much

I’m criticized, but all your bullets ricochet

Shoot me down, but I get up

I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose

I don’t know what got into me or what possessed me; it was like my breath was knocked out of my lungs. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

 She enchanted me and what broke the spill was people clapping and cheering her.

Sergey squeezed my shoulder to gain my attention. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes said a lot, and the look he gave me didn’t sit well with me. I shrugged his hand and went back to the car.

After visiting the hospital and making sure everything was ok, we took the private jet and headed to Vegas. Since then Leo kept stealing secret glances at me. I was so caught up in my thoughts to ask him about his stupidity.

“Gabriel?” he asked tentatively.

I sighed and rubbed my face with my hand tiredly.

“Yes.”

“Umm....... Where’s your necklace that one your father made you? I didn’t see it for a while now and I know it’s so precious to you to be lost. So where is it?“ He asked curiously.

I eyed Theo, who just glared. “I didn’t lose it and it’s none of your business.“ My tone came harsh and final, so he didn’t ask more. His eyes just gave me a calculating look.

I looked at the man in front of me, Khaled bin Khalifa, the biggest warlord in the Middle East. People say that he’s related to some royal family, and that’s how he has all that money to buy and sell weapons around the world.

But the truth is, no one knows his origin. All we know is that he is Arabian and has a big influence everywhere.

I shook the man’s hand firmly and gave him a quick look. He was an ordinary man in his fifties, medium size and medium built.

“Cerberus, it’s an honor to finally meet you,” he said cheerfully.

“The honor is mine, Mr. Khaled.”

“I hope you don’t mind meeting me here in Vegas. I like to do my meetings here, and it’s more fun than the suffocating office.”

I didn’t reply, I just nodded.

“Ok, let’s get down to business,” Leo said calmly.

“Oh, direct to the point. I like that,” Khaled smirked.

“I’ve everything you need; from pocket knives to heavy armory. I even can get you a tank if you would like.”

“Leo has the list of all that we need.” I motioned to him to give the file.

“This isn’t the only thing I work with. I can get you anything you could imagine. I can get you some women too if you like. In all colors and shapes.”

I looked at him, disgusted.

“I don’t sell women. In my family, we respect them, cherish them, and honor them. THEY COME FIRST.” I sneered at him.

I stood up, and Leo copied me.

“I think we’re done here. Let us go.”

Back at my Vegas villa, Theo put in front of me some glasses and a vodka bottle; I thanked him and drank like a thirsty man in the desert.

The song kept replaying in my head, her angelic voice sent shivers and goosebumps through my body. She was out of this world. But why do I keep thinking about her? What is so special about that kid?

I finished my seventh glass and sighed. This is going to be a long night.