Freedom Day

Erin's POV:

"Father!" I quickly checked his pulse. He was still alive but hardly breathing. I pull him close so I can carry him, but father manage to squeeze my arm softly.

"Erin, don't. I'm not going to make it anyway."

"No, father. I am taking you to the hospital!"

Father slowly shook his head.

"Listen to me…promise me…protect Axel and Lily. Please don't leave them. Promise me."

"Don't say that, father. You will still live. I won't let you die!"

"Promise me, Erin," he coughs out some blood, then I know he won't survive this. He's been stabbed and shot many times, but he's a tough man and endures it all. Not this time. I can feel his heart slowly drifting away.

"I…Shadow promise," I cried.

"No. Shadow is free. But Ale…," he breathes deeply, and I feel his heartbeat stops.

"Father? Father!" I shook him. Father died in my arms. I glance around, screaming for help. I heard footsteps running fast in my direction.

"Dad!" Axel arrived and pushed me, hugging father, "Dad!"

Lost. Loneliness succumbs me. Romano was the only person who showed me kindness and treated me as his family. I could never repay him. Now that he's gone, his death will haunt me forever. I shouldn't have stayed. I should have accompanied him. None of this would have happened. He would still be alive.

Many attended the funeral. The church was packed with friends and business partners of father. Some are unknown to us, but I know they are those he helped. He always has a heart for those in need.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Romano supports many orphanages and the homeless. To them, he was their savior; for me, he is my father. The only person who shed some light during my darkest hour.

An outpouring of emotions for the loss of the mafia king filled the air. I sat at the back to keep my distance. Observing the crowd and listening to the different chatters.

Axel wanted me to join the eulogy, but I refused. I cannot bear to say goodbye to the person who gave me my life back. Who taught me everything that I needed to know to survive, to be strong, and yet I failed him.

Our little Lily delivered the last eulogy. It's excruciating to see her in tears, hearing her crying voice saying her goodbyes and promises. I love her to death, and it is depressing to see her suffer at a very young age for this loss.

After the mass, we laid father to rest next to his wife's grave in the lot he bought exclusively for his family in a private cemetery. He is now in peace. I waited for everyone to leave to have a private moment with father. Axel searched for me before he left with Lily. He looked in my direction and nodded. As soon as his car drove away, I approached father's grave.

"Father, what shall I do now?" I knelt, breaking into tears, "I will keep my promise to you and find out who did this and make him pay."

Today is my twenty-fifth birthday. The day father promised to give me my freedom back. But today, freedom is not what I seek but my father's killer. Freedom is for revenge.

Before father died, he mentioned fixing everything, so I could go home peacefully and be happy. What is he trying to fix? This thought bothers me, driving back to the mansion. I will figure this out later. I need to make sure Axel and Lily are safe.

When I reached the mansion, I saw Lily sitting on the stairs outside the main door, propping her face with her hands.

"Erin!" Lily came to me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Lily, what are you doing here? You should be inside."

"I was waiting for you," she looked up, and her teary eyes met mine.

"Oh, Lily. Next time, wait for me inside, okay?"

"Okay," Lily nodded. I carried her in my arms, "I miss dad."

"I do too. Come on, let's take you to your room."

"Lily!" Axel came out of father's office and saw us, "Erin, you're back. I thought you were leaving."

"Nah, I can't leave this little angel alone."

"That's good to hear. We'd like to have you around. By the way, happy birthday."

I nodded and continued upstairs. I laid Lily in bed, and she took something from her pillow.

"Happy Birthday, Erin," Lily gave me a small box.

"What's this?"

"Dad gave it to me. He told me to keep it and give it to you on your birthday."

"Thank you, Lily," I kissed her forehead and tucked her in bed. I checked all the windows in her room and ensured it was all locked. I opened the box and saw a necklace with a key pendant.

"Why would father give me a key?" I asked myself confusingly. Unsure why I stuffed the necklace in my pocket and proceeded to Axel's office. I need to talk to him about my plan to hit the road for a while. I will hunt father's killer, but I will not tell him about it.

"What is your plan now? Kingsmen need a new leader, and clearly, you don't want it," I heard Alejandro's voice inside the office, and I remembered father's last words, only he didn't finish them. Was he referring to Alejandro? I stood by the door and kept listening.

"I cannot think about it yet, uncle. First, I must find who killed dad."

"Mr. Ezekiel called and informed me that when the shootout happened, he and his men retreated to the mountain to save themselves. It was an ambush."

"And I want to know who is behind the ambush."

"Mr. Ezekiel wants another meeting with you."

"Me? Why me? It seems like he wanted to meet the next heir. For what? To kill me as well?"

"That's a big accusation, don't you think?"

"It just feels so odd, uncle, that after my dad's death, he still wants to negotiate an alliance."

"Romano's reputation precedes him that even after his death, other mafia groups still want to be part of the Kingsmen. He knows you will fill the position, or do you want another person to take the seat?"

"Who? Aside from Erin, I can't think of anyone else to trust."

"You have forgotten your uncle. I have stood by your father's side since the beginning. If you let me, I would happily take the seat while you are still undecided."

"I am sorry, uncle, not that I didn't recognize your loyalty. I'm just desperate. This is a big responsibility, and Kingsmen is dad's legacy. I don't want to fail him, but your decision fits the current situation.

"You are forgiven. Even if you take over, you don't know how the business works."

"That won't be necessary," I barged in.

"Erin! I didn't know you were still here," Alejandro looked surprised to see me. Ah, he thought I was gone since it's my twenty-fifth birthday. My freedom day.

"Alejandro. I decided to stay just as I promised to father before he died. Tell Mr. Ezekiel that we accept the meeting. Just inform us when and where, and we'll be there."

"Very well," Alejandro stood and gathered his things, "I'll be back for your decision, Axel."

I watched Alejandro leave and listened to his footsteps until he reached his car and started the engine.

"Axel, you can't let your uncle lead the Kingsmen. Father wants you to take his position. What are you doing?" Axel opened father's safety box and took a key.

"Ahh, planning?" Axel opened father's weapon room and took a gun.

"Planning for what?"

"To kill that Ezekiel!"