Torn between rashly taking off his hand from Ciara and gently letting her go, Ghost was static for the next few seconds. The slow, definite steps of Don Carianno behind him heightened his sense of defense and his grip on her wrist tightened, against his will."Son." Don Carianno's voice echoed next to him, gripping his shoulder and forcing him to turn around. There was no lying and denying more. He had to face his complicated truth.The brief distraction made Ciara able to wring her wrist away from his hold. She bent again for the shards of glass and this time, Ghost couldn't stop her. He forced himself to watch her in silence. Everyone did. She barely made it up when Rasta bounced forward and smacked her face."Crazy bitch! How dare you create such a sick mess??!" He grabbed a handful of her hair, and her cries echoed. He dragged her back behind the counter, ignoring how deep the glasses pierced into her skin.Ghost winced slightly. His body stung like he'd been the one who got hit
The starry night sky echoed Ryder's sullen mood as he stared up at the stars, deep in thought. Distant wailing of kids and lowkey chattering were the background sounds. Somehow, they synched with his misery, creating a sore in his heart.A half-filled glass of whiskey was loosely gripped by one hand, and the other hand was wrapped firmly around the rails. His shoulders were sagged, indicating just how troubled he was.Tomorrow, he would be visiting different Packs in hopes that they would ally with him in his fight against the Mafia. It was a drastic step, one that wasn't insured. If they do agree and ally with him and the war ends badly, he will suffer an incurable loss. Every damn thing he had would be gone.The Mafia would sweep them out of existence, and the other Packs would suffer losses that they knew nothing about. If that happens, he'll spend the rest of his life feeling guilty.But if things work out right, then Jason would be back home, where he belongs. Surely, it would be
26Ghost had his legs placed on the table as he listened half-assedly to the men who seemed engrossed in their conversation.It was supposed to be a four-man meeting. But he hasn't said as much as a word since he arrived here — It was one of Don Carianno's condos — he couldn't proudly say he was listening either. Not until someone swatted his feet with a folded paper."Take them down, Ghost. This table cost me a fortune." Don Carianno said with a bit of irritation. "And would you please, show a bit of interest here?"Ghost took down his feet with a sigh. "I can't. I just can't seem to develop any shitty interest in this conversation. I'm flatly sitting it out,""Why not?" Don Carianno puckered his brow. A ring of smoke covered his face from the cigarette between his fingers."Because it's fucking stupid and pissing me off. So what if the Chinese Mafia lost a man in the underground fights? So what if the Triads are mad and reeling with anger? We didn't kill him. It was just a fucking a
27"I don't bloody care," Camilla seethed, tugging her arm off his hold. "Ghost wouldn't tell me his address, so I can't visit him at home. And he's been avoiding my calls. So I'm sorry, but this meeting is over. I need to talk to him."Don Carianno stood and went to her. Calmly, he said. "Camilla, have some bloody manners, please. This is a meeting. Now, you're welcome to wait for him in any of the rooms in the building but not in here,""You caused all these, Don Carianno. Why the hell did you give that bitch to him?" Camilla retorted. Bratty, as always."It's just for two weeks. What's the big deal?" Don Carianno tried reasoning with her. Camilla wasn't just any Mafioso's daughter. Her father, Riccardo Dante was a big shot caller in the Mafia world. It gave her more rights to throw silly tantrums than any daughters of the Mafiosos. If only Ghost wasn't always trying to upset her. If only he'd learn how to treat her right."Ghost hasn't touched me after the day he returned. It's bee
28."I don't know what to do about that broad, bro. She's gonna mess up my life if I don't do something about her," Ghost grumbled, squeezing his eyes shut briefly. "I don't understand. Didn't the boss permit you to have her for two weeks? What are you so worked up about?""That sick permission. It's gonna be my doom!" Ghost was all shades pissed, and he badly needed to vent it all out. It was boiling up in him. "You lost me," Scar said after seconds of trying to make sense of his words but couldn't. He ordered another drink instead. The night might just be a long one, so they needed as many drinks as they could get. Ghost sighed, taking a deep breath. He had to explain in simpler terms. He needed Scar to understand what mess was going on in his head."You know how I got addicted to killing?" Ghost puffed, turning his head in Scar's direction, trying to clear him. "Slit a man's throat, and it felt fucking exciting. Had the urge to do it again, and Don Carianno passed the next vict
29"Grazie (Italian for " thank you"). The random Italian man smiled at Ciara as she placed his drinks on his table. He had a girl with him, and her head rested on his shoulders as she beamed at Ciara too.Feeling weird, Ciara nodded nervously and strolled back to the counter. She got behind it, taking a few seconds' break. The hushed whispers of her co-workers infiltrated her ears — they were going off about her again. She threw them a glance, and they fell quiet, avoiding her gaze and pretending to be busy.Weird. They never avoided her gaze. On the contrary, they always blasted her for making eye contact with them, and if she looked a second longer, they're gonna walk up to her and hit her face. It's always been that way.But lately, they've been acting very differently. Not just them. Everyone else. Imagine serving a drink and getting thanked for it. That's never happened since she came to work in the bar.They usually blast her, and some uncouth bastards would go as far as grab
"Where are you taking me?" Ciara's voice grew into a panic as she asked for the umpteenth time since they left the hideout.As usual, Sergio said no words. He hasn't said a thing since they got inside his car. His right hand held the steering, and the other hand held a gun, pointed at Ciara, who was seated on the passenger's seat. Just in case she makes any funny movements.Ciara glanced out the window, and there was nothing but endless lines of trees and abandoned buildings. It was a track road that had the most eerie sound. Where was he taking her?He stepped on the gas, increasing his speed, and Ciara had to struggle to keep her heart from sinking in fear. Tears flowed ceaselessly down her eyes. She fisted her skirt, muttering endless prayers to the Moon Goddess.She might have never been a religious girl and most times, questioned the existence of the goddess. But right now, she was a firm believer, and she needed a supernatural intervention to save her from the claws of the beast
"Jason," Giveon mumbled, with a slight tremor in his voice. The situation just got worse with him showing up here."Jason? That's not– that's not Jason," Ciara muttered back, shivering in fear and latching on tighter to Giveon. "That's the vicious Capo of the Cariannos. You warned me about him at the nightclub, remember?""It's a bit more complicated than that, Ciara. But that guy right there? That's Jason," Giveon repeated firmly.Ciara gasped. "What?" Glancing back at him and seeing that his cold eyes were fixed on her made her forcefully swallow her saliva, almost choking on it. Is that really — Jason?Ghost, pissed and raged, stepped away from his car with Scar trailing behind him. He barely noticed the men as his gaze was on Ciara. Her forehead was bruised, visible proof that she had just been manhandled. And who else would do that if not Sergio?!His menacing steps led him to where Sergio was standing. "Ghost, dude," Sergio began with a nervous chuckle as he approached him. "th