Alessio“I need you to tell me, when it comes down to it—will you choose us or her?”I stood rooted to the spot. How could he ask me to choose between Mena and my family, when they were both my family?Mena was carrying our baby. A Fanucci.“I will do the same as I did when she begged me to spare Anson’s life,” my jaw clenched as I recalled her desperate pleas for his life. “I will do what’s best for this family—so don’t you worry about me.”"But it’s not you I’m worried about," Dad argued. "It’s her and her loyalty. She’s so good, too innocent,” he shook his head slightly.I understood his worries. Mena’s kindness was part of what made her so special, and the reason I fell in love with her. It was because she was so different, but in our world those traits were seen as a vulnerability.“I don’t want to have this conversation,” I stated, looking the other way. “I thought you liked her, I thought we all liked her,” I said. “Not that I care—because I’m the only one that has to like her.
MenaI stood at the back of the cold warehouse, my arms wrapped around myself as I watched Isaac, still unconscious and bound tightly to a chair.Everyone moved to do something, even Pilar tightened the chains behind Isaac’s back, while I just stood there with an uncomfortable feeling. I felt out of place—like I was the only one who hadn’t done this before because this was not normal behavior. To them perhaps, but not to me.Completely focused, Alessio pulled Isaac’s phone from his pocket. Then he used his finger to unlock it. On any other day, I would’ve called it clever, but for some reason, the sight was very disturbing.“Drive this to a different location,” he instructed, handing Gian the phone. "Take over everything you think might be important, then smash it. I don’t know how far these people are willing to go for him, but I don’t want to take any chances."Gian bobbed his head, “Got it.”“I’ll go with him,” Pilar said before turning to me like I was some lost puppy. “Will you b
MenaFrom the corner of my eye, I saw Donni swallow hard. His face tightened with tension, and for some reason, I hoped he would jump in. Even Isaac’s expression changed, and for a second I could see some doubt in his eyes.Just one bit of information could prevent him from possibly losing a body part."I’ll let you decide. Do you want me to take a toe, a finger? You tell me," Alessio smirked.This was not it. At this rate, he would kill him before Isaac could give him anything."I see we’re just getting to the good part," Gian walked in. He had returned back to the warehouse with Pilar by his side.He also carried the same wicked smirk as Alessio, maybe even more demonic. Gian did not even know the full extent of Isaac’s betrayal, but he already wanted to get it over with and kill the guy.I couldn’t even imagine his reaction when he would find out.Alessio was just bluffing, right? He couldn’t seriously torture Isaac with those scissors without pulling at least something out of him.
MenaI glanced over at Alessio, and then my eyes traveled to the folder and the taser. Isaac asked him what he wanted to know, but since I was already at this point—I had no problem taking the lead. “Can I?” I gathered the courage to ask.Alessio’s brows shot up. "Why not?" he responded, to my surprise. I hadn’t expected him to agree that easily.I grabbed the folder and taser, then sat down on the chair, scooting myself closer to Isaac. I wasn’t even sure about what I was going to do, but I knew that I had to do this.It wasn’t just about protecting Isaac from torture or about getting answers. It was about proving to myself and to everyone else that I could handle this.If I could handle this, I could take on anything.“Either do it yourself or just kill him already!” Gian yelled from the back, losing his patience.I turned just in time to see Alessio raise his hand to silence his brother, then his gaze shifted back to me, giving a slight nod toward Isaac, signaling me to proceed.I
MenaGian waved his injured hand in front of me. “This isn’t about me right now?” his voice rose as he yelled in my face, his brows creasing in anger.“No, this isn’t about you right now,” I felt terrible that out of all the people in the room, I had to be the one to tell him—but it was true.However, Gian wasn't having it. He shoved his hand closer. "This isn’t about me right now?" he yelled again, his voice echoing off the walls of the warehouse. “Are your eyes not working?”I felt a lump form in my throat, seeing the pain in his eyes. He must’ve felt as if I was dismissing his feelings."I think you’re overstepping," his eyes narrowed.Before it could go any further, Alessio stepped in. “Step back, Gian,” he sounded tired, the kind of tiredness that came from having too much weight on his shoulders.I had unintentionally put Alessio in a position where he felt torn between his brother and me—and the last thing I wanted was for him to choose sides.Gian and Alessio glared at each ot
Mena"If I call my boss and give him the code, it means the operation has failed, and my life is in imminent danger, beyond the possibility of assistance," Isaac claimed.This was what we wanted, right?He was talking about ending everything, but why did it make me feel even more sorry for him?"Since I signed a contract, I’ll be nothing more than just a number in this operation, and they don’t have much on you, so you’ll be safe for a long time. It’ll remain registered as failed for a minimum of ten years," he said."And why would you do that?" Alessio questioned.“Because I won’t let you cut off all my limbs for something you deserve to know,” a sad smile crept across his face. “And I don’t want to spend my last moments trying to convince you about how sorry I am things had to be this way.”Even in his final moments, Isaac was prepared to protect Alessio. I hadn’t been there from the start, but if that wasn’t proof enough that their friendship meant something to him—I didn’t know wh
MenaStunned by the force in Alessio’s voice, Gian instantly fell silent. I realized what Alessio had done. It was a 5 against 1 vote, because I knew he was also against it, but he had chosen me over the group’s decision.Why would he do that?“Mena,” Alessio called out my name.Understanding what had to be done, I grabbed my phone and searched for Jessica’s number.Alessio took the scissors from Gian’s tight grip and made his way to Isaac to press the scissors to his neck. Gian, who had not moved a muscle since he had been yelled at, followed his every move with a vicious look in his eyes.“Don’t do anything stupid,” Alessio hissed at Isaac.I dialed Jessica’s number and put the phone on speaker, holding it out so everyone could hear. The line beeped twice, and then someone answered. “Hello?” I recognized Jessica’s voice."Jess, it’s me," Isaac’s face lit up a bit."No, I don’t want to talk to you—" Jessica began."Please, please—just hear me out!" Isaac spoke, sounding desperate."W
Mena“Someone had to do it,” Gian clicked his tongue, speaking as if he had just fixed a minor error, and not ended a life.With my back still turned, I looked from Pilar to Dante. I knew this had to be done, but for some reason, everything about Gian made me sick.I could see the look in all of their eyes.Dante, Donni—even Pilar. You couldn’t tell me he didn’t make them sick as well?“Get out,” Alessio commanded. He sounded angry, pissed—but I did not know why, because if Gian hadn’t done this, he would’ve done it himself.“What?” Gian chuckled.“Just go home, I’ll clean up here,” Alessio spoke, his tone more calmly this time.“Gladly!” Gian responded. “He got what he deserved, and now my job is done here.”Disgusting.“Yes, it is,” Alessio said. “Donni, you stay here—Gian, take Mena with you—““No!” I opposed. My heart raced, and anger flared up inside of me. How could he suggest I leave with Gian after what that monster had just done?“Don’t tell me to go with him,” I nearly plead