Chapter 1: Beginning of the End

Newark, NJ, New York City…..

"Marisa, hide our daughter quickly while I distract the enemies!" Lovato commanded his wife hurriedly as he stabbed a goon, the blood splattering on his dark face.

"Got it. Come on baby…" Marisa covered her daughter's eyes to prevent her from seeing such a bloody scene.

"Mummy, we aren't playing hide and seek, are we? So why are so many people running around to hide?" Little Scarlett asked, puzzled as she felt her vision go blank.

Marisa's face softened at her daughter's naivety. It was so unbelievable how her innocence had been preserved amidst the bloodshed and power struggles of this underworld.

"Yes, you're right. We aren't playing hide and seek, but Mummy has to go and find your father right now." Marisa explained hurriedly.

"Okay Mummy, Scarlett will be a good girl and wait for you to come back with Daddy." Little Scarlett promised.

"Mummy will come back for you, okay." Marisa reassured her daughter as she kissed her forehead.

Marisa hurriedly made her way through the bloody war in the underground part of New York City after stuffing Scarlett into a nearby trash can. Although she wanted nothing more than to stay with her daughter, Marisa felt obligated — nay, it was an out-right calling from within — for her to enter the fight herself; for love is stronger than fear, and Marisa loved Lovato deeply and the criminal legacy they had chosen together.

She charged towards where most of Lovato’s enemies were standing in shock that they had been stupid enough to underestimate this fearless woman who ran against them like a raging bull wearing red combat boots. Most of them began running away as soon as they saw how fiercely determined she was - but not all could escape unscathed or alive…Marisa took out several Mafias before advancing further up top alongside Lovato. It seemed like time stood still for both lovers now that their lives were on edge – one wrong move could cost either Marisa or Lovato their life! They fought tooth and nail as if it was some type of morbid dance between two opposite forces until eventually overcoming what used to stand in front: they defeated them again…or so thought those remaining few who chose life over death..

Still panting heavily amid the ruins left behind due devastation caused by Miss Bulwark (*as referred lovingly by Lovato*), both daredevils embraced at last after such intense battle; relieved - although bruised & battered (mostly mentally!)-that also no harm had come upon their little brave soul known as 'Scarlett'. One final thing remained however: The showstopper itself…. A fiery explosion occurred right then when two hearts collide during an affectionate kiss shared...

'Bang, Bang!' Immediately everywhere became deathly still, There was just silence between them as they both stared into each other's eyes. That was it. That cool and calculated Lovato, had actually dived down to plant his lips unto his wife's: his dear Marisa and the two stayed like that for a little while… until he felt a warm stream of liquid flowing from his wife's back. 

She was the one who had been shot! "Miss Bulwark!" Lovato cried out as he pulled her falling body closer to him.

"My love….I...I'm…" Mariza gasped, as she sucked in the cold air.

"No, you can't leave me," Lovato reminded her. "I can't.... I can't lose you again..."

"L-L...love..you"-Her voice was only a whisper now as she coughed out a volume of blood..."my dearest sir, who would have thought I'd be so lucky to find a man...as perfect as you-"That was it. There was no more left Marisa could say for Lovato. She was empty–just a lump of flesh - no life left in her whatsoever, she was truly and utterly dead ..

Before Lovato could utter another word, Scarlett appeared before him out of nowhere; she had secretly followed her mother all along the way, her curiosity getting the best of her… Lovato had completely forgotten about her! Swiftly, Scarlett rushed to squeeze in between the couple in order to hug both her parents' backs as they sat embracing whilst on this ground. Then Scarlett did what she always does when she wants something from either of them...She started pushing and screaming at the lifeless body of her mother to wake up, wanting their unending attention to the point where she became unstoppable-- unrelenting. The little bundle of joy slowed down eventually and turned into sobs. Lovato and his other allies were in complete shock !! .. Before them lay the lifeless body of their Mafia Lord's powerful wife and all they could do was hold their hands tight as they grieved uncontrollably together.. Now Scarlett sat in-between them...traumatized..

Scarlett looked around and now she was startled… Lovato bent down to pick up his child, it had been a moment before he realized she was staring at her lifeless mother's body with her eyes filled with tears and sadness. The little girl struggled and fought her father as he attempted to carry her but she would not let go. She kept crying and chanting, "Mommy! Please don't do this to me again! I promise to be a good girl Mommy, please! No no NO!.."

"Scarlett," Lovato choked out."Your momma's gone honey," He wept gently at the sight of his only daughter like this, who held on so tightly to his wife's body as if to never let go . Ever.

"No~!" Scarlett screamed, before Lovato scooped her up into his arms and they prepared to leave, while the apothecary started performing all the remaining procedures in accordance with the mafia's traditions…. It finished all too swiftly.....  

Lovato would always remember the love he shared with his wife… their fiery and bloody love so beautiful that would be replayed for many years, then eventually down the timeline (but in a different way!)

While the rebelling mafia goons had been vanquished, the death of the Ruiz's family madam, Marisa had stained the victory that was to be celebrated. Slowly, the darkness in the city eventually dispersed and a sense of melancholy settled in.

Lovato wiped his tears as clenched his teeth in a burning rage… "Whoever you're, I will get my revenge…. Even if I go down with you!" He roared into the stiff atmosphere, knowing that his wife's killer would still be around somewhere in the dark night.

As the bright sun rays flooded their faces, the shadows of their bloody and painful past disappeared, not forever…. Only for a while.

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"Enemy dead?" The dark-haired heavily prosthetic assassin slowly pronounced and inquired.

"What remains does not represent any sort of a threat," came the same answer. "...now what?"

Suddenly, a rumbling sound from below and above was heard. Both men didn't have to look twice to know that there was once again trouble on the horizon; more specifically, trouble by the name of Lovato Ruiz! Neither man wasted any time responding, but they knew they'd have to move quickly & precisely....

"Let plan B begin…..  You're all dismissed,"And the line went dead.

Now that the battle was over, they could focus on getting someone; currently it was Ruiz's little heir….specifically Scarlett…

"Maybe we should wait...to finish off the Ruiz's family?." Franky, his fellow bounty assassin frowned a bit.

"....You should not worry. Boss always is always one step ahead," The dark-haired prosthetic assassin  shakily responded. "...I'll go get Seto."

The dark-haired prosthetic assassin offered no rear, for once he can tell his boss truly means what he says..."Whew! So that ends it all!"

Well….. No, it was just the beginning of the end…. Of everyone's end.

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"Father, where are we going?" Scarlett asked her father quietly, as soon as she saw her pink travel bag outside the mansion. 

"We are just going on a little business trip, my little honey." Lovato smiled at his only daughter.

"Business trip? Are we going to Europe to meet Mummy?!" Scarlett's face lit up a bit at the word 'business and also meeting her mother', since that meant adventure, fun and her age specifically valued adventures and fun.

Lovato had performed a hypnosis on her to make her forget that traumatic experience… Even if it was for a while, Lovato would do anything to keep Scarlett's sanity intact.

"Yes...but we are not bringing much! We are going to a small hotel then we'll go from there."

"Yay!!!" Scarlett squealed, as she was jumping in circles and with so much excitement. How could she not get excited, when it was with her beloved father and they were heading out on their very first business trip together, they were also going to meet her mother.

Suddenly, a noise and the sound of several men running scared the two way too familiarly. Without hesitation, Lovato immediately bundled his daughter into his arms and ran to the backdoor of the mansion, ready to turn around and act right all of sudden! The entire mafia, his entire mafia lieutenants and bodyguards as well as servants all at saw what was (or would soon be) happening.

Lovato didn't have the time to waste on his daughter's safety as he handed her over to one of his loyal guards before sprinting back towards the looming danger. He knew that he had enemies, but he never suspected that they would find him so quickly.

As he reached his front door, it was kicked open with a loud thud and a group of masked men rushed in with guns blazing. Lovato could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he pulled out his own weapon and started firing back at the assailants.

The firefight raged on as bodies fell on both sides, painting the once pristine marble floors red with blood. It was only when the last of the attackers was lying motionless that Lovato finally took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax for a moment.

But then he remembered Scarlett.

He immediately ran to the spot where he had left her only to find that she was already gone. Panic set in as he frantically searched the mansion, calling out her name in desperation. Lovato's heart sank when he found the guard's lifeless body lying on the floor, blood pooling around him. Scarlett was nowhere to be found.

Lovato knew that his enemies had taken his daughter and the thought of what they might do to her made his blood run cold. He couldn't lose his little girl, not like this. He knew he had to act fast and get her back.

"She is safe with me, Lord." A dainty teenage boy holding a sniper across his shoulders walked up to Lovato with Scarlett in his other hand.

"Daddy!" Scarlett jumped at her father in fright after seeing the big gun in the teenage boy's hand.

"Daughter!" Lovato hugged her tight in relief and turned towards the boy, "Romero, you're back!" He forced a sad smile as he thought about all that had happened in his absence.

"Yes, Lord. I came as soon as I got the news. Who are they?" Romero squinted, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"I will tell you everything later. But first…" Lovato glanced at Scarlett who is still snuggling him. She always reminded him of her.

Romero nodded with understanding as he secretly glanced at the little girl in her father's arms. Looking innocent, as always…..

With a heavy heart, Lovato left New York with Scarlett. He knew deep down that this supposed business trip almost became a mistake and that he should have been more vigilant. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the precious moments he had shared with his daughter before it all went wrong. Now, she would stay in Europe, away from all this bloodshed… until she was old enough to face this reality.

And that reality marked the beginning of Scarlett's dangerous life, in blood, in war, and in love.