I sit in my cell as I hear the guards bringing in another inmate. They decide to place him in my cell block as I inconveniently have an empty bed. I groan as I turn over to see the door unlocked. I roll my eyes and shift my attention to the wall. I didn’t like the idea of sharing my space unless in the company of a woman. I freeze in shock as I hear the following phrase.“Is that any way to greet your favorite uncle?” The new roommate teases. I turn to jump from the top bunk quickly. “Francisco?! What are you doing in here?”“Taking a small vacation, I assume.” “What have you done?” “Don’t worry nephew. All is right. Charlotte had been caught and I took the fall. I’m sure we won’t be here long.” “You’re wrong, uncle. I am being indicted for my crimes and you will be as well.” He couldn’t have done this for the treacherous and vindictive Charlotte - who I’ve come to know as problematic.“Charlotte is not going to save you. She only wants what she believes to be hers. Leonardo is t
I go downstairs to look for my phone in my bag. Elena must’ve heard me as she appears behind me.“Ms. Claire, what is wrong?” She touches my arm gently.“I’m leaving, Elena. I can’t do this anymore.”“But where will you go?” “I don’t know. I’m going to call Jasmine and see if I can stay with her for the time being.”“But you are pregnant, what about the babies?” “I’ll get my own place to settle into before they arrive.” I sit down and dial Jasmine’s number. I’m relieved to see she answers.“Claire, it’s late - is everything okay?” “No. Can I come over?” I tremble as I speak.“Of course. I’ll be waiting at the door!” I hang up and grab my bag. “Hold on, Ms. Claire. I pack food and some clothes for you and I go too.”“It’s okay, Elena. I’m sure Leo will need you.” “No, I make sure babies and you are okay first.” She runs to the kitchen before heading upstairs. The minute I see her disappear, I hear Leo coming down. I could tell the difference in his steps.“Claire, you don’t have t
I sit in our vacant home once again. Had my reaction truly showed a dedication to Charlotte? I just didn’t think it was fair after her father had done such horrible things to me. I know it didn’t excuse what she did to my wife - nothing would, but why must we all suffer? Correcting a wrong with another wrong just seemed chaotic and seeing Elena leave with her - spoke volume. She took Claire’s side on this as well. I wait for Mason to call me and let me know that Claire has arrived safely, the least I could do from where I sat.The phone finally rings and I see Mason on the other line.“Did she make it safely?” I ask quickly.“Yes. And I’ve stationed officers around the house and neighborhood. She will watched for the time being.”“Do you think that’s necessary?” I ask quizzically.“Honestly man, I do. She’s already attacked Claire twice and is becoming increasingly paranoid - there’s nothing to stop her from trying something now. She thinks that Francisco’s confession ensures her safe
Apparently Francisco planned ahead and I had a mafia henchman left at my disposal - a little perk of being the mafia leader’s favorite. I have him watch Leo’s home as he reports back to me. I wait in patience as I plan my next move. I’m brushing my hair after a much needed luxurious bath. Staying in a hiding hole that mirrored a rat motel had left me feeling filthy. I see my a notification on my phone and read it quickly.‘The girl was crying and she’s leaving the house with a few things. No sign of the man.’‘Follow them.’ I answer without a second thought. Where was little ditsy Claire going at this hour? It couldn’t be work related after the “unfortunate” incident that happened to her hand. So where was she going?‘She was dropped off at what looks like a friend’s house. It’s a big gated house and there’s a girl outside waiting for her. There’s also some sort of maid with her.’ That vile little Elena must have accompanied the infantile peasant to her friend’s house. I just couldn’t
I give Leo the honest truth about what I see in his marriage to Claire after speaking with her on the way to drop her off at her friends’ house. I felt for her situation - as Leo’s longest friend, I knew how he prioritized Charlotte first hand and I could see where it would hurt his wife. Especially, after what Charlotte had done to her. And frankly, I think Claire deserved to have justice but I tread lightly. Leo was close to his breaking point.As I’m speaking with him, I get a call from one of my officers and quickly put him on hold.“What’s going on?” I ask sternly.“There’s a vehicle we found circling the block where Claire is located. Would you like us to dispatch task force security in the premises?” Charlotte hadn’t taken her warnings. She was coming for Claire. I quickly turn the vehicle around and head back to the house I had just left.“Dispatch now!” I yell as I hand up and race there.“I reach the neighborhood and everything seems quiet. I can see the officers are still i
I watch recounting my argument with Leo to Jasmine as I wiped what little tears I had left. “Don’t cry, I’m here for whatever you need. You can stay with me for as long as you need, hun.” Jasmine reassured me as she hands me a tissue and a bottle of water.“He chose Charlotte, Jas. He even offered himself as a sacrifice for her after everything she’s done to me. How could I ever trust him again?” I shudder as I speak.Suddenly, I hear my phone ring and see an unknown number is calling. I put the call on speaker as I answer. It was Mason. He gave clear instructions and notified me that there was someone in the area who had followed me. Charlotte was relentless.I listen to his warning and respond before the call disconnects.“Let’s close all the blinds!” Jasmine says as she moves to the windows throughout the house. Elena follows suit as they hurry to secure the house. I get up and walk to the sliding doors as I hear a rattling noise from the far end of the yard and see a man jumping
I get in my car and race to Jasmines house. Claire wouldn’t want to see me but I needed to make sure she and my unborn twins were safe. I race through the streets as I reach the neighborhood entrance. I’m about to punch in the gate code for the neighborhood when I hear a gunshot. I freeze and I can feel a wave of shock crash through my body. I watch my fingers shake as I push the buttons. The gate opens slowly and I can feel my heart racing as I drive slowly and carefully through the neighborhood to Jasmine’s house. I see the unmarked vehicles littering the neighborhood and officers walking back to them. I nod at them as I pass. I see occupants of the surrounding houses standing outside and asking the officers for explanations as I pass. I make it to Jasmine’s house and wait for access to enter the gate. I then park the car and run to the door.“Leo, what are you doing here?” Jasmine questions as I stand there.“Where’s Claire?” I ask sternly.“She’s in the living room but I’m not sur
I sit down in the visitation room expecting to see Charlotte but I’m shocked when I see another woman enter. A woman I had forgotten after all these years. At the door, I see my ex-lover Julia’s sister.“This is what you do with your life after the murder of my sister.” She huffs as she sits down. “She would be disappointed in your actions.” She scoffs as she sits.“Dalia, what are you doing here in the US?” I ask quizzically. I hadn’t spoken to her since her sister was still alive and pregnant with my child.“I came to see what had become of the man responsible for the murder of my sister. A shame that she passed for this.” She motions a hand at me.“Don’t disrespect the dead.” I warn.“You are one to talk. Look at where you are. You flee France for a woman - right after the death of our beloved Julia. A death caused by your carelessness.”“I loved her.” “You shamed her. Pregnant by a rival mafia leader and carrying your bastard with not even a ring?” She slams her hands down.“I pl
I leave the hotel with more confusion than when I had arrived. Dalia had brought my ex-lover Julia. A woman I thought to be dead and she had brought her alive and well - carrying my son. I try making sense of it all as Enzo drives me back to the safe house to wait for the attorney to appear and collect payment.“Is everything alright, boss?” He asks as he drives.“No.” I respond blankly as I stare out the window, recounting what I had just witnessed.“I can go back alone and end this, if you’d like.” He offers as we continue driving.“No. No one is to touch Dalia without an order.” I say strongly.“What happened up there? I was almost certain you’d have killed her by now.” He asks.“She brought a gift for me. She brought her sister and my son.” I admit as we reach the house.“Julia’s alive?” He asks in shock. My men were aware of my relationship with her from the very beginning. An effort on my part to make sure she was also protected.“Yes. I saw her.” “We have an heir.” He smiles a
Tick. Tick. Tick.I watch the clock on the wall strikes an hour since my arrival and I’m thankful for the ticking of the hands being the only noise in my roomWhy would Leo put me here? I’m not crazy. Claire is the problem. I curl my knees up to my chest and hug them tightly as I sit in the luminous lighting against the cold wall touching my bed.“I have to get out of here.” I whisper to myself as if someone would even hear me.“You can leave these walls but I will never leave your side.” I hear the echo of my mother’s voice.“What the hell do you want from me? You’re dead. You’ve been dead.” I say in snarky tone as I look into her cold eyes. She stood at the end of my bed.“I want you to confess.” She says gravely.“What would I have to confess?” “That you killed your own mother.” “I’m not doing that.” The memory of a corpse was not going to convince me to confess to killing my mother. I turn away from her and face the wall as I lay down. “You don’t exist. You’re just a figment of
It’s late when I get a call from Chief Commissioner Mason.“Sorry to bother you, but I have some news. If it alright if I stop by?”“Of course.” I reply as I get up and wait for the front door bell. It had to be important if Mason was stopping by at this hour. Did something happen to Leo?I open the door the moment it rings and I see Mason waiting, I motion for him to come in and lock the door behind him. We walk over to the living room and sit down.“I didn’t bring juice this time since it’s late. But I did bring you a fruit cup.” He holds it out for me and I smile softly as I take it.“You’re lucky it’s close to juice.” He lefts out a small laugh at my response. “What’s going on?” “Well I got a call from Leo just an hour ago.”“Is he alright?” I interrupt.“Yes. Charlotte was in sort of manic episode and refused to leave his house. She threatened to kill you.” I catch my breath in my throat and feel a knot forming in my stomach.“W-why? I left Leo alone.” I stutter as I feel my bod
After my meltdown and discovering some things in Francisco’s past, I began hearing my mother’s voice again. She was haunting me and I knew I wanted to see Leo to calm myself. I drive the only car available to his house and knock on the door. Elena cracks the door open and tells me that Leo is not home. A answer I refused to accept. She stood in my way as much as Claire. I try shoving the door open but she slams it shut in response and locks it. Feeling defeated, I sit on the doorstep and stare at the pavement for what felt like eternity. Then I see Leo’s driver drop him off as he parked the town car and I wait for him to notice my presence. I expected him to at least be happy to see me but his face expressed nothing but disdain. He didn’t expect me or want me there.He tries to tell that he will never choose me and that it’s Claire - it’s fucking Claire. And the next thing I know, the Chief Commissioner is detaining me at Leo’s request and taking me to the car. How could Leo do this
I arrive at home and see an unknown vintage car is parked on my property. I was in no mood for company unless it was Claire’s. I send a photo of the license plate Mason and he asks that I remain inside as the vehicle belong to the mafia leader Francisco who has just escaped prison. But I see something even more shocking as I get closer to my front door. Charlotte is there sitting on the pavement outside my front door. Her hair is disheveled and her clothes are wrinkled. She looks to be a complete disarray. I text Mason back, letting him know that Charlotte was here and there was no sign of Francisco. “Charlotte?” I ask in disbelief as I approach the front steps. “Oh. Leo, I’ve been waiting for you to get back.” She looks to have been crying. “Are you okay?” I ask as she begins to stand. “No. I was thinking about what you said and I think you should reconsider. I would’ve waited inside but Elena refused to let me in.” “That’s because you’re not welcome here anymore.” I say coldly a
I missed sleeping in an actual bed as I stretch out my limbs and see it is the next morning. The attorney texted and confirmed his flight. Soon he’d arrive here, pay Charlotte’s father a visit and come to collect his payment but I had to sense in waiting for him. I needed to catch up to whatever Dalia had done while I was locked up.“Enzo!” I beckon my henchman and watch as he comes in.“Have you seen or heard anything about Dalia? Enzo was always on the avenue and overseeing our territories. If the streets were talking, he’d be listening.“Last notice I got was that she was staying at the Hilton hotel just downtown. I placed a few men there. They haven’t seen anything suspicious.” “Good. We’re going to pay her a visit today.” I smile lightly as I imagine the fear in her face as I come to find her. And for a second, I feel guilt. Her sister would be disappointed if she were here to witness all that had happened.I get dressed and have Enzo drive downtown. The drive is lengthy but I w
I see Nathan’s face line with confusion at the mention of Jordan. I knew our line of work wasn’t large and there must be something he must’ve heard about Jordan.I hear him question the name I had just mentioned.“Yes. I dated Jordan. He’s the owner or was the owner of a construction company here in the city and I had gone to architectural school with him years ago.” I explain.“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name.” He seemed to be upset in his remembrance of that name.“Did you know Jordan?” I ask curiously.“Actually, yes. I did a job or two with him when he first opened his company. I thought he had a pretty good vision but come to find out, he’s been fucking my wife.” I could see the rage painted across his face. Jordan had overstepped once again and this time, he involved himself in someone else’s marriage.“I’m so sorry, Nathan. I didn’t know. Was this recent?” When had this started? From my understanding, he had been going through mediations and his divorce for jus
I peak downstairs as I hear the front door open. I hoped to see Claire had returned. I’ve taken a liking to her company. I see her come in with her husband behind her. And the from the looks of it, he didn’t enjoy my waiting. I come down the stairs casually and head to the kitchen. I grab myself a soda when I hear footsteps behind me.“Spying on my wife?” I hear Leo say from close behind me. I turn to see he is just an arms reach away.“I just wanted to make sure she made it back alright.” I say as I open my soda and take a drink.“Why wouldn’t she? She was with me.” His tone was unenthused.“Well, she disclosed her attacks. I felt it was only right to check on her.”“Is that all?” He asks presumptuously.“What do you mean?” “Well, I’ve heard the news that you’re going through a divorce and I just want to make myself clear when I say this - Claire is my wife. She is carrying my children and I won’t tolerate you disrespecting that.” He stands firm - assuming it’s an intimidation tacti
I was thrilled to hear my babies were healthy and developing and even more so, when I the doctor informed me that they were boys - just like I dreamed of. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Elena and Charlotte. As we ready to leave, I see Leo watching me extremely. I’m sure the news has him feeling as though he needs to do more to protect me.“Can we see Elena?” I ask as we get in the car to leave.“Of course.” He replied without so much as a disagreement. I’m sure he thinks that Elena would convince me to come home but my decision wasn’t wavering at this moment. We drive back to Leo’s home and I see a pair of eyes watching from the window. She had been expecting me long before I decided to come. Leo assists me out of the car and I walk to the front door which is already open as I near it. “Ms. Claire, how are the babies?” “They’re good. I have some news for you?”“You are coming home?” She asks hopefully as she waits for me to announce the news.“No.” I nod sadly and try to s