Chapter 16: Vengeance

Edward POV

A single bulb flickered in the dimly lit room I stood in. From my brief stay in the room, I could tell that it smelt like a mixture of cigarettes, fear and sweat.

I was staring at him. The bald hitman who tried to harm Vanessa. His wrists were tightly tied behind him as he sat in a way that caused him to slouch on his chair.

Glancing at him, you’d think he was full of fight. But my senses knew there was fear in his eyes and a tremble coming from his lips.

Leaning against the table, I rolled my office sleeves up, adjusting my cuff links too. Then I focused my stares at him proper. Jonathan, my private investigator was right beside me, sharpening two blades in his hands. He did it so randomly, like a pro.

He always had his cunning way of making people talk without uttering a word. His death stares were very intense, it almost made me feel sorry for whoever ended dup in that iron chair.

“Do you know who I am?” I began lowly, my voice entwined with havoc. “Let’s move from intros.”

A small grin creeped on the hitman’s cheek.

“Yes, I know you. Edward Silver, Ruthless Billionaire. You think you big enough to take me hostage huh?” He chuckled, a thick Italian accent followed him as he did.

I smiled lightly, but the rage within me was screaming for release. He put Vanessa’s life in danger, hijacked her car. He messed with what belonged to me, what was mine.

“I’m gonna make this easy for you.” I spoke, reaching for the pocket in my jacket, as I pulled out a sleek, small gun. His eyes widened with shock as I placed it on the table.

“Who sent you?”

The bald hitman laughed dryly as a hollow sound followed.

“Me not saying anything.”

In a flash, Jonathan moved behind him, pulling his head back by the collar, forcefully.

“Try again, Wrong answer.” Jonathan yelled, pressing the two blades to the hitman’s throat.

The bald man made a funny noise from within but stayed quiet.

I reached for my phone, and clicked on the SUV security footage.

“Look at this.” I shoved the phone in his face. “We both know it’s you.”

The phone screen displayed him clearly, the snake tattoo, the awful stare, the moment he pointed a gun at my Nessa. The fucking grin on his face when he thought his mission would be successful.

“Tell me what I want to know bald guy, or I’ll make sure to send your body over to your family in Italy.”

He jolted back, scared from the thought of my words. Jonathan’s blades held him firm, tightening his grip till drops of blood came running down his neck.

“Okay fine, I tell you!” He protested, trembling as he spoke. “They paid me to do job and I do it.”

“Who hired you?” I was beginning to loose my mind.

His forehead was filled with sweat beads, rolling down.

“It was Rodrigo. Rodrigo Mascolo. He is my boss.”

I pulled back puzzled, running my hands through my hair as Jonathan and I glanced at each other.

Rodrigo Mascolo, the Italian infamous mafia leader. Attacking Vanessa was no coincidence. It was premeditated.

“What does your boss have with Vanessa Coleman? Why does he want her dead?” My fist hit the table, causing the gun to jolt up a bit.

The hitman slouched even more on the chair, confusion written all over his face.

“All I do is job. I don’t know anything else.”

But I wasn’t satisfied with his answer. The rage I felt from within me needed a release somehow. This bastard put Vanessa’s life in danger, and now he acted like he was innocent.

Swiftly, I picked the gun from the table, steadying my hand as I aimed it at his head.

“You’re a fucking waste to me.”

He began screaming in Italian, horror filled his wide eyes as he panicked.

“Per favoure, don’t shoot. Please. I’ll never harm people again.”

A shot echoed out from the gun, silencing him along side his pleas. Blood pooled from beneath him as he slouched forward on his chair.

“Good job boss. You’ve tied up the loose strings Jonathan remarked, motioning to put the blades away.

“Make sure you clean this up. I need intel on Rodrigo. All his connections, his moves, his family. I want him gone without a trace.”

“Yes boss” Jonathan Nodded, already making arrangements as he brought out his phone.

***

My thoughts drifted back to Vanessa as I drove back to the Mansion. I wonder how she would feel if she knew any of this was happening. But it’s good she doesn’t. I want to keep it that way.

My mind couldn’t forget her lying on that hospital bed, looking all wounded and scared. She had too much going on.

My jaw clenched as I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. I want her to feel safe and loved. I’m going to make sure it becomes a reality, even if I have to destroy anyone or anything who tries to harm her.

Getting into the garage at home, an idea hit me. Quickly, I reached for my phone and called my assistant.

“Yes, Mr Silver?” She responded, waiting to hear me speak.

“I want you to find out something for me. Find out the accessories Vanessa Coleman likes. Get her favorite designer to create a custom dress for the charity event coming up. I want her looking elegant, classy and unique. Prepare flowers, make them her favorite, and make the bouquet big.”

“Yes sir. Would you like to add anything else?”

My mind raced as I hesitated.

“I’ll tell you the details later, but go ahead and book a private dinner reservation for 2. Pick a good one.”

“Alright sir. Understood.”

The call ended as I leaned back in my seat, exhaling slowly. I don’t just want to protect Vanessa, I want to remind her that she means so much to me, just like Liam.

I owed her nothing but the best.