Chapter 31

I entered a taxi and went back home.

“Go to a forest and hide all you took from this house that could implicate me. For now, I am a suspect, and the cops can barge in anytime!” I typed and sent it to my men.

They weren’t among those I suspect because none of them knows of the safe lock inside my office, so they aren’t the ones who gave this information to the cops. I took a quick bath and dressed up in casual wear, covering my face with a cap before heading out through the back door.

I had a feeling someone was keeping an eye on me, so I had to sneak out secretly to avoid being followed since I was heading to Diane’s house. I don’t want any of this to be linked with her. She is just too innocent to be involved in this even though I had made her do a lot for me today.

She hadn’t called me yet or sent any text. I don’t expect any because she would be really angry at me. That’s if it hadn’t turned to hatred because she must have seen what those files contained.

I was just lucky she didn’t take it to the police.

When I got to her house, it was under lock. I was surprised, staring at the key and wondering where she must have been.

School had closed long ago, and it was almost night. Diane should be at home. This was the perfect time she had always been at home. How is she suddenly absent now that she has what could shatter my life in a second?

My heart began to race, and I took a heavy breath to calm my nerves, reassuring myself that it wasn’t what I was thinking. Different thoughts were just running through my mind, sending fear through me.

I waited for a few minutes and brought out my phone. I dialed her number, and it was switched off.

A lot of “what ifs” bombarded my head as I made my way to my car.

It was my fault after all!

I should’ve finished this mission yesterday!

Sofia had been enrolled for days now, and I just don’t know why I haven’t finalized my plan of kidnapping her.

A loud hiss slipped my lips as I leaned on the car. The evening was drifting into night, and she wasn’t home.

Where is she then?

Just then I began to hear quick steps like someone was running. I jerked and turned sharply.

There she was, her backpack hanging on her back as she ran towards me with a bright smile that shined like a perfect pearl. She was like an angel, causing my heart to swirl.

I didn’t even realize I wasn’t breathing until her body hugged me tightly, her face nuzzled in my chest.

“I thought I would never be with you again…Why did you scare me so much?!” Her soft voice made my heart flutter, and I felt peace and calmness like still water.

“I am sorry.” I breathed kissing her hair.

“I am so happy to see you. I am so excited, praying this wouldn’t turn out to be a dream.” She cooed, lifting her face to look at me.

Her sparkling eyes and dazzling smile were driving me crazy. She has such beautiful eyes, the kind that could get you lost in, and I guess I did.

“You are the reason I am here. You saved my life once again and took a great risk that could ruin you…. I thought panic would stop you from touching the gun but you grabbed them all like my strong princess. Do you really love me this much?”

She rolled her eyes and looked away shyly. “Let’s go inside before they take you away from me again.” She murmured, grabbing hold of my hand.

“Don’t worry. Nobody is taking me away from you.” I laughed as we both entered her house.

“I thought you would hate me already. Or didn’t you check the files… Have you seen the badge yet?” I asked as she dropped her backpack on the bed.

“What else is there to see? You are a member of a mafia gang. A deadly one that had taken a lot of lives and committed several crimes. One whose members are unknown but wanted by the FBI. Earlier, I could swear with my life that you won’t hurt a fly, not to talk of being a killer, but now that I found out who you are, I ask myself the same question…” She paused, looking up at me with tears in her eyes.

“Why can’t I hate you? I told my heart everything you were, but it doesn’t listen. I saw you from afar and couldn’t hold my emotions, running like a fool to be in your arms. Leo, I couldn’t unlove you. You are so well tangled in my soul.”

Her words hit me deep in my spirit. My eyes grew warmer as I gazed into her pretty, innocent eyes that held a deep kind of love I had never seen.

I realized at that moment that I was wrong to think you only kill or die for love. The love I have for Diane is one I want to live for, to feel every bit of it till eternity. With her, family suddenly made a whole lot of sense to me.

“I have only one mission left, and I would leave the gang. I will be free from that dark world, and maybe if I am lucky, you will agree to join me in my new life because I will need you so badly, like the air I breathe.”

“Does the last mission involve killing? Are you asked to kill someone?” She asked under her breath.

“No.” I swallowed the lump formed in my throat as her eyes seemed to see through my soul.

“Kidnap?” She added, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Why are you concerned? I don’t want you getting mingled with all this, please.” I muttered, and she smiled.

“You already did that. I was like a mafia princess packing up the gun, cellphone, and files. I even made sure my fingerprints weren't in the drawer's handle.” She said with her eyes lit up, and I just couldn’t help falling for her more.

I would do anything to keep her safe.

“Where did you go earlier?” I asked, changing the topic.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Sofia helped me escape the policemen that were searching students after school. She..”

“What?” I interrupted as shock and confusion twisted inside me.

“Yes…. She made a call to her father, and he made the cops exclude her car from being searched.”

“Then what? Please don’t tell me you went to their house! Did anyone see what was in your bag?” I blurted, grabbing the bag and opening it.

“No, nobody saw it. It didn’t leave my side at any time. I….”

“The documents are not here!” I growled in frustration, gritting my teeth as the bag fell from my hand.