Marco“One step ahead. How does that make you feel?” a voice booms from the other end of the line. He was so swift in receiving the call, one might think he had been waiting all night for my call.He sounds familiar, like one of the attackers from the previous visit.“I don't know what time zone you're on, but it's not yet seven AM over here. I've been keeping my end of the deal, so we have no business.”“Just a reminder, Sidorov. We don't play games,” he replies. I could tell the anger in his voice but I'm just as irritated.“The only one playing games here would be you. Bloody brother? Who the fuck believes such cheap lies? She might be crazy but not stupid enough to ever believe she had a brother ready to swoop in and save her. Cheesy, don't you agree?”“Maybe if you hadn't shoved out your ugly face, Maria would be with me. I don't trust you one bit.”“But your boss does, and you need my protection. In a matter of hours, you'll come crawling for a place in my gang. Let this be the l
MarcoLarge , fancy chandeliers, suddenly find their way up the ceiling of the antique mosque, and radiant colourful lights making it seem just like a chapel ground, the typical white wedding.I sent Sophia to make a scan of the area immediately we tracked their location. There's a long roll of red carpet at the center with chairs covered in two rows of blue and white linen, filing both sides of the once–empty mosque. Beautiful flowers, lavished all around in elongated ceramic vases along the carpeted floor. A continuous row of dishes, and fine wines. A grand wedding indeed. It's Impossible to tell how hastily the decorations were planned. It looks just perfect. Normal. And Happy. Such words shouldn't be used to describe such a wedding. To the commoners and bystanders, it's an unnecessary lavish wedding of a philanthropist and a tycoon, but to the other world, it's a fancily decorated war zone, and as groom, it’s nothing close to innocent, or whatever picture the society have of me.
Marco Did she just confess her feelings? My face suddenly goes limp, as our gaze meet intensely. She doesn't just stop there, she's still talking,“Why do you think I saved you? I couldn't watch you die because of what I feel Marco,” her free hand reaches for my face, caressing my beards.I stagger away from her immediately. Maybe I've had too many drinks. Sarah is crazy. She’s lost her memory. She doesn't mean what she's saying. She mustn't.“You... You tried to run away. I can't believe any more of your crazy words. I'll go get your meds...”“I don't need meds, Marco. I'm not crazy. I...” she pauses, peeling her gaze off me and staring at her pink fingers.She wants to say something, probably another crazy proclamation,“... I remember everything. Including the night at my apartment. Our little moment... Ever since you walked into that hospital, I couldn't help but notice you. I fell every minute for you, Marco.”“Sarah. Stop talking... You're lying...”“i would gain nothing from ly
MarcoI'm getting really restless. What could be taking so long? The crowd is beginning to murmur.The rivals are not even here yet. Or maybe they chose to hide away until after the wedding. Just as I'm about to leave the podium, I see a woman standing at the entrance, clothed in white with a flower bouquet in her hands, and a veil over her face. The same dress Sophia had picked. The congregation awards a standing ovation as she walks in.I couldn't hide the smile on my face as she approaches the altar.“Right about time,” I heard the priest say but I didn't take my eyes off the prize. SARAH.She looks elegant in the dress. I admired the dress at the boutique but I never imagined it would fit so perfectly on her. And her breast. They look fuller than ever.I can imagine how hot our honeymoon would be. I haven't made any plans yet but that's not a problem. I've the resources. More than enough, now.She takes her position in front of me as the audience takes their seat. The hall is qui
Sarah “Do you think this is a good idea?” I ask as we drive back to my father's mansion. We arrived Russia the early hours of the morning.“Trust me, Maria. No one would ever find out. Betty or whatever you called her, got what she deserved. She deceived you and tried to steal from you,” Shawn replies.He might be right on that one. I never really trusted Betty but I didn't have much options to choose from. It pricks me how I deceived Marco. As much as I wanted to stay back and be with him, I had to be sure it was the right thing.According to Shawn, he's the son of a dangerous mafia family. That's the last thing I want to get into after all I've encountered. I just want a peaceful existence, far away from the chaos. I never thought I would need my father's wealth, especially when I know it's the reason for my many enemies, but It's the only resource I've left. And Shawn, who was my father's right hand man, knows exactly where the treasure lies.“Why did you risk everything to save m
MarcoI've had a week to myself. No guards. No missions. No Andrey. No relations. It's not enough time for me to get over Sarah's death but I needed the space. Waking up this morning, I feel refreshed, still very much miserable. Andrey hasn't been home. I'm surprised. I wanted him to be around to hear the big announcement I have for everyone. An announcement I never imagined I would make.But with what happened to Sarah, with all that she suffered before her death, it's only right for me to step up and act.Father warned me about stepping foot back there. All I wanted was Sarah's body. She deserves a befitting burial. But I guess father is right. The government must be working round the clock to capture the culprit. And with my name on the invite, my father's warnings are valid. Forcing myself out of gloom and grief, unlike the past few days, I feel nothing. Just cold blood revenge against everyone involved in this. Including my father. There's no way he's innocent. He was so quick t
MarcoI have the address. They insisted on meeting physically with me but I'm yet to craft the perfect explanation for Sarah's death. All along, I thought they knew of her death. I'm convinced now that it could only have been my father who would plot such untimely death for Sarah.One thing surprising to me however is how they knew I was back in Russia, judging by the location sent to me and the time I was given to arrive. There's an old brothel, far away from the busy streets, as I head down a bumpy road with dark paths. Jargo made it clear not to bring anyone along, nor come with weapons. I can't be stupid enough to believe that they just want to talk. I have a pistol hidden under my belt and extra bullets in my breast pocket. Playing games like this requires a victim, I'm not ready to fall in that category.I'm chosing to take up this mission for two reasons; to get back my brother and to avenge Sarah's death. They'll be my first target.There's a vehicle lurking behind me. I ha
SarahI missed him. At some point I thought he found out I've been following him. But from the little I know about Marco, he would definitely come looking for me. I'm not sure I want that. Or maybe I do, or why else did I follow him down here. What if he had seen me? He'll never forgive me for what I did at the chapel.Some part of me cares alot for him. So much so that I was willing to risk everything to save him. As I watched him leave back there, it felt like old times. When my life was still less complex and all I had to do was carry out Betty's bidding.The clock is ticking fast and I'm running out of time. I'm afraid I might have lost my way back to my father's mansion as I try to trace the road back. Shawn might be awake any minute. I can't tell if it was the sex that put him fast to sleep or the drug I used on him. Which ever it is. By now it should be wearing out and I can't fucking find my way.There's a wooden plank showing direction to the west. I've seen that more than
Marco Before I can respond, Sophia’s already packing up her equipment, saving files, closing out of secure databases. “I’ll reroute everything to a mobile setup. With that, I can operate from the road.”“Good. I'll be in the car. Meet me in five,” I say, heading toward the door. I glance back at her. “Sophia—thanks.”She gives a sharp nod, though I catch a glimpse of worry on her face. We've been here before.History is about to repeat itself. “Just don’t get yourself killed. I’d hate to do this without you,” she finally chokes.We’re in the car and halfway across the city before either of us speaks again. I steal a glance at Sophia, her eyes focused, fingers tapping on a tablet as she keeps an eye on Ricco’s movements. Every minute counts. Every second. If Ricco’s man gets to Padre first, we lose the one card we have against him.Not just him, including the corrupt officials funding their activities.Padre is the only key, we can't affor to lose it.As we approach the penitentiary,
MarcoAs I turn to leave the lab, Sophia grabs my arm, her grip surprisingly firm for someone half my size.“Marco, please listen to me. This isn’t about Padre alone. Ricco’s reach is deeper than we think, and getting tangled up with Padre could ruin everything. They’re tied to powerful groups, and they don’t tolerate outside interference.”Her words sink in, but there’s no going back now. I give her a straight look, pulling my arm free from her grip. For one, she knows she can't stop me.“If this information leads us to unraveling Ricco’s entire operation, then it’s worth the risk.”She sighs, adjusting her glasses and muttering something under her breath. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”I slip out of the lab, heading into the cool evening air. A quick drive brings me to the outskirts of the city, near the penitentiary. It’s set behind high towering steel fences and walls.At the entrance, I flash a badge I’d 'gotten through a past job, posing as an attorney. The guard bare
Marco"How many times do i have to repeat this? I'm not Betty," she responded in a frenzied whisper as Ricco's voice overshadowed every other sound in the room. There's another task. Never an end to his missions, but thankfully, amongst all the people he called out, I don't fall in the list.Celebrating the temporary freedom, I watch as Betty gets up from me to join the selected crew.I don't pay much attention on the instructions. It's none of my business.Big Tom is addressing them but Betty and i exchange eye contact. I need to find the truth from her and the only way to do that is to exploit her witnesses.It's not my fault that she provided me one on a platter of gold.After a brief discussion with Ricco about the delivery of new sets of ammunition, i head out of the mansion, in search of Betty.I find her standing by her car, about to get in."Elizabeth Maguire," i announce, few metres away from her. I watch her reaction as she stiffen. Definitely Betty. One doubt crossed. N
SHAWNThe fucker is standing right next to her. I hate to see her cry but she deserves to be punished. Everything I've ever done has been for her, yet she chose to trust this fucker over me. Brought my very son to him. I try not to think about how many times he's had to touch her. My Maria.She can't belong to anyone else and she knows this.The anger grows rapidly inside of me as the doctor halts in front of her."Please, don't do this," Maria pleads. She's managed to crawl to the door. Her cry stings my heart as the fucker attempts to land a kiss on her.That's when I reach my limit. The guts he has. All I wanted was to scare her, to make fear me, respect and just follow me.I'm more than enough for her. That has to sink in her tiny sexy brains.Three close shots. He goes limp, and falls right by her side.She screams, shutting her eyes in terror."You've forgotten who I am so soon," I say, approaching her and kicking the body away from her.Now that I've details about the doctor
SarahHis grip over my mouth is so hard. All my attempt to get away proves futile. My heart beats even faster as he pulls me out of bed.My back is against his chest but as we walk past the large mirror in the room, he halts.His gaze rests on my reflection. "Maria, i dont like that look on your face. Everything I've ever done has been for your own good."All i do is shut my eyes, hoping this is a dream. A lucid dream Michel assured me that Shawn was a forgotten past.I didn't bother to ask how he knew but i believed stupidly.Shawn leans towards my ears, his grip tighten against my mouth."I've something to show you. Please, Maria, please, dont do anything stupid."He grabs the sheets on the bed to cover my naked body up."Do you miss me? There's no doubt. You do. But i'm mad at you. Maybe I'll be able to forgive you afterwards. Just maybe..."He pulls me towards the door. The tears trickle down my cheeks over his palm."I hate to see you cry," he continues as he unlocks the door,
Sarah"I got a call..." Michael begins, resting both palms on my shoulders, like he's about to give a long speech.His reaction makes me uneasy. At least I made sure no one noticed when i left. "Remember i mentioned something about my sister living in the same neighborhood with you."I nod in agreeement. "There was a fire."I pretend to be shocked, but i am. How did he find out so quickly. "Is your sister okay-.." i ask."Yes. But," he hesitates but continues, "The fire started at your place.""My house is on fire?" I force the tears to leave my eyes.Michael pulls me into a hug making it easier for me to fake it as I cry aloud against his soft fabric."This is now your home, Sarah. I'll also replace everything that was lost in the fire," Michael adds. I pull away from him, thankfully my face is wet enough."You don't have to. Maybe this is a sign for a fresh start indeed," i blurt out. "I don't want to look back anymore.""I agree, Sarah. The police have begun investiagtion on th
SarahI knew the doctor to be comfortable, but i would never have guessed that he could own such a massive place. There are a few staff around, as they help us unpack the few luggages we brought. A bag for Carlo and one for me. "It's massive," i whisper under my breath as i pat Carlo on my shoulder. He's still fast asleep."I have something to show you," the doctor says, guiding me away from the lobby with bright chandeliers at the centre, towards the flight of stairs ahead. We arrive at the first floor. The first door to our right leads to a room. "Are you ready?" he asks. I nod, gaping around like some lost stranger. I've lived in luxury all my life but with the doctor, it's different.I'm not a prisoner.As he opens the door i find a beautiful nursery all set up.My palm clasp over my mouth, stopping me from exaggerating my emotions, careful not to wake Carlos.The emotions rush in as i step in. It's blue-themed. A typical baby-boy room."I'll call in a nanny to take care of hi
MarcoThe old woman doesn't seem to buy my story. Her look spells suspicion.I retain the smile on my face, closing the gap between us while I continue,"I'm surprized Elizabeth never mentioned it. She told me she'll be here also.""I'm going to call the cops on you. Stay away," she yells making her way back in."Grandma," the little boy comes running out, stopping the woman in her tracks.He's holding a picture frame, extending it to the woman. The boy for one is certainly smart.The woman takes a glance at the picture, and back at me.I catch a faint view of it. A picture of Andrey. For some reasons, he looks almost like me. It's part of the reasons i don't believe Ricco and his lies.Andrea and I have always shared a striking resemblance."Do you believe me now?" i say to the woman, squatting in front of the boy and ruffling his hair."What's your name big man?" The boy doesn't smile. Not a word escaped his mouth. Just the surprise written all over him."Your story had better b
Shawn For a doctor, he sure is a hard man. I barely escaped him. Not without a severe hit on my arm and a bruised knee. For one, i acquired the vehicle, in on piece, however broken my bone feels right now.I've to lay low. Get these fuckers off my track for now or i just might be a cheap prey for them. I'm heading north, with no direction as i try to set up the GPS of the car.They will try to find the village now that I've exposed one of the hideouts.Even though it will be no use to them. There's no way they can crack the vault without the clues in my possession.Still, i'm living nothing to chance. Not the inheritance I worked for. Not ever. I drift into a sharp corner, viewing the rare view mirror for any sign of my enemies. It looks all clear. I keep driving, searching around the car for notes. I'm dead broke, for a man entrusted with such wealth.I find a dollar bill and make a brief stop at a grocery store.Before i get out of the car, I clean off the blood stains on my