Marco“What happened on that day?” I ask, after feeding her with a few spoons.“I was kidnapped,” she replies while swallowing the content in her mouth. “Who was the girl wearing the gown if it wasn't you?”She begins to cough. I help with a glass of water, but my mind is on those details. I need answers. It wouldn't let me sleep especially after i became sober. “I have a vague memory of what happened that day.”I clean off food stain sticking to the corner of her lips before i take my seat again. “I hope you understand my reasons for these questions. The only way I can protect you is by knowing all of your enemies.”I'm about to ask another question when I hear a phone vibration. It's not mine.“You have a call.”Sarah rushes up, heading towards the cellphone on a stool in the sitting room.“Who was it? ” I ask since she didn't pick the call.“A wrong number. How about we suspend this chat and have—”“It's important I know everything, Sarah. We don't have much time to spend here,”
MarcoThere isn't much to be done. Big Tom didn't even notice my absence. Man has been into some troubles only him can solve. All I need to do is deliver this truck to the address and check up on my little sister before I get back to Sarah.I don't like that she's all alone back there. Who knows if someone knows about her location. What if they break in?All these thoughts only make me want to rush out of here and get back to her as quick as possible. If she really wants to stay then I can't say no. I could enroll her into one of Andrey's training centers, but I have to be there with her. The only girl amidst potential hitmen isn't the kind of safety I wished for her.I halt in front of a large brown gate. I've no idea of what's in the truck as usual. Big Tom and whoever the receiver is must have had a conversation. I'm only the middle man. Two armed men approach me, looking up to face me. “ID?” They demand.What ID are they requesting.“From Big Tom,” I reply, without turning off th
AkimThe surrounding is lonely and the bright lights from the reception ahead cast a reflection on the lonely van parked carelessly outside. I open the trunk door of the van, a pipe hanging at the corner of my mouth. I jump down from the truck, scanning the area with a look of contempt. Two others follow behind. “We've arrived at his place. He sure has some history, to afford a place like this. Leave it to me, Luca,” I speak into a device as two other men follow behind. “Good. Get whatever you need. Clean your tracks and keep him alive,” my boss says at the other end of the phone and then it beeps.I replace the phone in my breast pocket, while one of my men approache me,“What's the update from boss? A clean kill?”“Sucker. I wouldn't need you two if that was the plan,” I reply with gritting teeth. “He wants him alive…it wouldn't be for long,” I mutter to myself before turning back to the others, ”Keep watch outside.”I walk into the revolving door, hiding my weapon under my coat, p
MarcoMy first instinct is to pull out my gun. As I cock the riffle for an aim, a voice cries, “Death trap” It sounds familiar. She's holding her hands out towards me, striken with fear. I catch the face now close-up.“I didn't mean to startle you,” she says, helping me with the bag at the trunk.“That should be my line. Stop creeping in corners,” I reply, “I didn't think you'll choose to stay after all these years.”I turn back to Sarah as I scoop her in my arms, slamming the car door shut with my leg while I let Clara take in the luggages. It's a big surprise for me to meet her here. After all these years of service to my father, she still remains loyal. She has more grey hairs than I remember. Andrey loved her but I still have an unresolved score. It's a good thing she's here, anyway. At least, Sarah has company. Experienced company. I walk into the bungalow, as the glasses slides down for me to pass through after a quick scan of my face at the entrance.I'm sure Igor doesn't kno
MarcoRarely, there's hardly no one around. I'm surprised. I got down from the car, pulling into the entrance and finding it also desserted. Half information. Fuck.With the explosion I heard over the phone, it could mean anything.On the other hand, it could be another of Andrey's tricks. I hate the way I'm feeling. I dash into the main entrance, in search of a fucking soul. No guard. Too quiet to belong to a powerful Sidorov. Nights like this at the mansion should host a feast or a gun party.Maybe the old man has found a better way to live. What are the odds of that happening? It only makes me more convinced. Something isn't right. And I can smell Andrey's hand in this. I run up the flight of stairs, straight into the conference room. It's the only place I'm sure to find my father. They might be having a meeting. Probably about me. They must have seen how qualified I am for the position or maybe he convinced them. I don't care how they arrived at the right candidate as long as
Akim“A Russian, boss,” I speak into the phone as we reroute away from the lonely streets.“That's all you have to say? A Russian?” Luca questions over the phone, his temper about to get the better of him.“We lost him but I promise to dig deep.”“You know what to do” Immediately, his call drops.I hit my fist on the steering as I sneer at the window, driving back.I lost track of Marco. I was this close to reaching him.The only thing left of me is to ransack his apartment for more clue. For a man like my subject who deals in all sorts of drugs, I know there'll be something to pin him down with.I head back to his apartment, parking far away from the penthouse and make my way back into the apartment, in search of something.That's the only language my boss understands and our best way to recruit strong minds into our group. A blackmail or nothing. But I personally don't like the man and Luca seems to be particularly interested.Effortlessly, I break into the apartment.MarcoI'm done
MarcoIt took me an hour to get to the destination. Before I could open the door, two men approach me. I'm at that point where nothing scares me.Whatever these strangers are up to can never be anything compared to what I've to lose.Arrogantly, I follow them, glaring at one who tried to hold me, “Get your hands off me.”There's a small bar ahead. It's empty. And dark. One step inside and I'm almost choking from the smell. I can smell coke, tobacco and a mix of cheap cigarettes.“You came. Of course you did,” a voice responds from the shadows.“Akim...come over”A man pops out. I recognize the face as a lamp is turned on. “i just knew you were familiar. I know you from somewhere,” he continues, taking pauses and sniffing at white powder on the bar counter.“We've nothing in common. Why the fuck did you break into my apartment?” I demand.It's the last job I did for The Boss. I remember all these faces, especially the one carrying a briefcase.“Of course we do. It's high time we settl
SarahShawn!That's the first things that blares in my head.He knows about this. I have no doubts.“Hello. Are you there?” the voice at the other end brings me back to the present as I try to steady my reaction. “Yes. I'll get back to you shortly,” i reply, turning off the phone. I'm walking around, biting my phone, brushing into my hair. It suddenly feels like a tight room with no air. Who do I contact? I'll be in big trouble if Shawn speaks. Or if the feds find Marco and in the process stumble on that evidence.All what my father have done in the past will be paid, By me. They sure don't know me as Maria but it wouldn't be long till my secret is revealed if I don't act now. I take out my phone, about to dial the first name that pops up in my head when the door swings open.“You were taking so long,” she says almost stopping half way into her words.“Did something happen?” she asks looking worried, then I realize I had an horrific look on.“No. Everything is fine,” I say with a
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