CHAPTER 2

Henry Zattani

I take a deep breath, finally inhaling the pure air of freedom. I look with a smile at the image

of Guilhermino leaning on his blue truck across the street, he's here just as he promised. I look

back and take one last look at the penitentiary that was my home for three and a half years.

I walk towards my friend, with moderate and cautious steps, I watch his eyes narrow in my direction, more

precisely on the cigarette between my lips and I can't help but smile right after blowing the smoke in the air.

This was a habit I acquired in jail, I tried it on one night, where not even my plans for revenge could bring me peace and voilá.

"Yea!" I raise my hands in surrender as he arches his left eyebrow in disapproval, taking one last shot of my Dunhill, a gift from

my cellmate in celebration of my departure. Knowing that I won't be allowed to smoke in his car, I put out the cigarette and dispose

of it in the only nearby trash can.Shit.

“Since when do you smoke?” I shrug.

“It's been a few months.” I replied succinctly, ending the conversation.

I don't want to talk about my new addiction and he understands that.We got into his truck in silence, staying that way until a song

started playing on the radio.It's weird being back in the real world, I mean sure all the shit that happened to me inside that place was

real but I only had walls to look at all the time, there were no expectations or good times, everyday was just acceptable . Lower the glass

of the car window, allowing a better view of what goes on outside.I close my eyes for a moment and let myself go, the low music from the

car and the soft breeze coming from the open window are enough for the anger to return. He even took that away from me all these months.

My jaw twitches and I try to find calm in the song's chorus.I can feel the tension coming from Guilhermino, but I keep my eyes closed a little longer.

I understand your concern about my next actions and I don't blame you, I've been informing you about everything I planned for the Leal gang

and scared him, I've been changed with the arrest and I'm different from the boy he knew as a brat.So I was smoking.

Nicotine keeps me calm when nervousness and anxiety arise, it works as an outlet.

“Mada is making a nice pot roast in your honor.” He says, tapping my spot lightly to get my attention.

I smile sincerely at the mention of the woman's name.

"Excellent.”He snorts.

"Excellent? Is that all you have to say? "

"Where is your excitement to eat real food?”A crooked smile tugs at my lips.The food wasn't that bad, in fact it was

the least of the problems one could have in that place.“I'm not that hungry. I say, justifying my reaction.He glances at me, frowning and I stare at him, anticipating

me and speaking before he starts his speech.“I thought I'd ride a little.’’ I talk. Feeling him relax in his seat.

“I'm sorry you lost Hercules, but we got new horses, you can choose any one of them.

I nod, turning my face to the window, not wanting to broach the subject with the one person who's been by my side and end up being an asshole.

Hercules died some time after my arrest, we were extremely connected and he felt my withdrawal a lot, the vet thought that the reason for the death was sadness.

My horse was a gift from my father when I turned eighteen, he was one of my memories of my old man and his death will also be paid for.The farm entrance starts

to appear just ahead, my heart starts to flutter seeing all the employees at the entrance. I almost lost the only inheritance my parents left me in the midst of all this

mess, I am so grateful to every man and woman who worked hard and didn't give up on me when everything seemed to fall apart.

“Before we get out of the car, I want to."

ask you if you still have those thoughts in your head. The eye, knowing exactly what he's talking about.Yea.

“That man is dangerous, you ended up in jail last time.

I hear your words, even though I already know about it.”

“I know, but I'm not afraid. I can assure you that I am not the same as before.” Now it's your turn to look at me.

“I see that. I am here for whatever you need.’’ Speech.

“I won't involve you in this.’’ I declare.

“Henry, your father took me in when I was still a tomboy and I needed help, for me you are like a younger brother, and I do not abandon the family.”

I close my eyes, let out a long sigh. I won't try to convince you otherwise now.

“I have something to show you.” He holds out his cell phone, open to a gossip page, and I stare at it confused.

“Just read.” Speech.

“Amélia Leal will have a party to celebrate her 18th birthday at a super trendy local nightclub, the young woman has the presence of her parents, her older sister and her closest friends. Rumors say it will be something refined and discreet like her, but everyone will be masked and the celebration will last all night.”

I read the entire article twice. A photo of the girl is printed across the top of the news and I blink a few times as I stare at the image. Memories of the first time I saw her invade my memory.

"I come down from the room asking myself for resilience and control, I try to forget for this moment the last information I got about my wife's family and play a good host, but what I see when I leave the last step throws me off axis.

“ Who are you? I take in the small figure caressing the down of a chicken in the middle of my living room.” I tilt my head, trying to improve my field of vision and understand what's happening.

“The cat got your tongue, girl? You can't break into my house, steal my chickens and then ignore me.”

The girl whispers, her long brown hair covering half her face, but I can still hear her shoulders moving like she's saying something.

“What did you say? Speak up, damn it!” I say impatiently.

"I said my name is Amelia and I didn't trespass on your property or plan to kidnap your precious chicken, idiot.

"Do you know the exact date and address of this club?" I ask.

“It will take place tomorrow night at the Vazz nightclub, you know what it is."

"Yes, I knew. "

It was one of my favorite clubs when I was younger.

"I'm going to need a mask.” talk.

"No, we're going to need two masks." He surprises me by saying, but

I decide not to question it, it will be nice to have someone I know to control my anger.

My grandfather used to say that there is no nation warmer than Brazil, I agree, the fact that Curvelo is a small and inland town in the country makes all

its inhabitants feel like members of one family and intrude without permission in the each other's lives, despite being a reserved man my parents raised

me to be kind and courteous to anyone who crosses my path, regardless of whether those people are a bunch of nosy snoops or not. Still, I didn't feel welcome

or comfortable in my own home, my thoughts were far away and lost in memories. It's been a long time since I was here and the changes are visible.

Everyone seems to think twice about what they're going to say when they speak to me.I pull up the sleeves of my dress shirt, smile once more at the kind,

loving woman who has worked for my family since I was very young.

“I will go up.” I declare, impatient with all the delay that lunch has taken. Some eyes are directed at me quickly, all the attention is smothering, it's like it's

my first day in jail again and I'm a damn attraction.

“You barely touched the food.” The older woman shrugs her shoulders, giving me a sad, disappointed look.

I growl low, getting up and coming to a stop beside him.

“Everything was delicious, my Goddess." I say, placing a kiss on her already gray hair. Not giving time for

any protest from Guilhermino, I go up the stairs and head towards my old room, the same one I shared with her and spent the best days of my life.I grip the doorknob

tightly, breathing heavily and taking my time. As soon as the door opens and my eyes confirm my suspicion my heart races, nothing has been changed or added.It's like

the past isn't so far away, like she's going to walk through the same door I came in, declare it was all a nightmare and kiss me hard.I close my eyes and take a deep breath,

believing I can still smell her.My chest aches from the memories, the damn day everything started to fall apart, somehow I knew something was going to happen.

It's like I can see the whole scene.The blonde hair spread across my pillow, the angelic and serene image makes me let her sleep a little longer. I head into a cold and lonely bath, relax

as soon as the water makes contact with my muscles and try not to think that among a few hours I will have to deal with the unwanted visit of my father"in"law and his bastard family.

My wife has been tense for most of the night and I have had to be patient and affectionate to make her forget what I would have to deal with today, but I myself am uneasy about the

arrival of the possible guests, these three months of marriage have given me time to listen and read many stories from the Leal family and I am sure that all this cordiality is nothing more

than a pretext for the old dog to find a way to separate me from his firstborn, I know very well that I am a thorn in her side and that her plans for her did not include a marriage to a simple

country farmer. damn it, I don't need him for anything.

"Henry?” Three knocks on the door and a sweet voice bring me back, I turn off the shower and push aside the divider that separates the two parts of the bathroom and head for the door, capturing on the way one of the white towels that are always available in the cabinet below the sink.

"Hi, my angel.’’ I say as soon as I see her standing in front of me, looking at me with the blue and large bilas that soften my soul. Everything is serene and peaceful with her. I kiss her forehead and watch her disappointed expression.

What happened?

"I wanted to take a shower with you.’’ She declares, making her thin lips form a small pout. I smile at his sweet way.

"Sorry, but you slept so well I didn't want to wake you up."

"I should have, I feel like I need a bath with my husband's cat before this day starts. An eyebrow in her direction, tracing back the three steps I'd taken away from her.

“ Hey Princess. You don't have to deal with all this, I can kick your father and those two out of here if you want, just ask me." She laughs softly, evaluating my words for a second and signaling in the negative. I would gladly do that.

"You really didn't like them without even knowing it." He sighs, giving me a gratifying look. I smile back, pulling his face to mine until my mouth is close to his ear.

"I've heard many stories about the Loyal Family, baby."

Oh yes? She pushes me away and crosses her arms. Where exactly?

" Guilhermino showed me some gossip sites. I shrug, walking back to the closet.”

" Two gossips that's what you are, two made men doing research on a gossip site.’’ I spy out of the corner of my eye, her angry expression is cute, so I decide to tease her a little more.

“You can say anything, but those sites provided me with key information about my wife.” I shoot, keeping my back and slowly putting on a black underwear, one of the ones she says makes me extremely hot.

“Impossible.” she declares, demonstrating the hot temper one of the sites commented on.

“Yes, he deserved it.” I agree, bringing his attention to my lips.

“ I want you inside me” he says.

His words pique my interest, I bare his body with my mind and I'm ready to give him what he wants when someone slams the door and interrupts us. Damn it!

“WHAT IS IT, BITCH?” I shoot angrily and get a chuckle from whoever is on the other side of the door.

“Your father-in-law is outside, sweetie.’’ I roll my eyes as I identify the voice and yell for him to get the hell out of here. Idiot.

"They arrived earlier than expected.’’ Aurora comments and I try to walk towards her and wrap her in my arms protectively. Although I've never had so many women before she knew exactly how to treat one off and on top of a bed, I don't usually lose control in the face of the horny, but Aurora managed to make me satisfied with a wet and naughty kiss.

She is married to someone else.

This is a daily reminder that I need to make myself. For every day I spent in prison, it was an extra day that I worked to get richer out here, read about administration and business, made friends there. I gave the exact instructions to Guilhermino and he followed them, I still don't have the exquisite last name, although I'm very proud of what I have, but I have the money necessary to face Augusto Leal and all his gang.

I still don't know what happened or who else is behind my arrest, however, I'm ready for one more match and I don't care about the consequences.

The first round starts tomorrow night.