C R U O R
(n.) blood, murder.
• • •
"Found anything yet?" I walked into the room filled with people, looking around as they all worked on something.
"I have nothing." Anita groaned, dashing the pile of papers down onto the table as she threw her head back with frustration.
"Me too." Alissa told me and I pursed my lips; I'm not disappointed, they're doing the best they can.
"I don't think they're from New York," Wade spoke, walking over as he stood in front of me, leaning down on the table as he sat on the edge with his arms crossed.
"Why'd you think that?" I asked him and he pulled back his shoulder length curly hair back, half of it being pulled up into a bun as messy strands fell over his face.
"I know New York inside and out," He told me and I nodded, knowing this already. "I know every gang -- little or big -- every road, every hideout, every territory..." He trailed off. "None of these gangs fit the criteria," He explained and I narrowed my eyes.
"Are you sure?" Alec asked as he looked between us and I don't doubt Wade one bit.
"Most certainly," Wade nodded. "Give me some time," He rubbed his jaw as he looked down to the ground. "I'll look into where the most dominant Mexican gang is, that should help." He told us and I agreed.
"Remember," Flavio spoke. "These people are the real deal," He dropped his legs off the table as he sat up. "These are trained professionals and it also seems as if they have money," He carried on. "That gear they had on, not cheap." He looked around at us.
I felt the bubbling feeling of anxiety deep in my gut, my hands shaking ever so slightly. Whoever this is, he's giving me a bad feeling.
"Fuck," I muttered. "Look into Carlos Vega." The name clicked in my head, I don't know how right I am but it's worth a shot.
"Vega?" Alec stood up with confusion on his face.
"That man is suspicious," I told Alec. "I may not be right but there's no harm in checking him out." He nodded slowly, sighing.
Vega is a cunning bastard, one of the most sly, silver tongued men I know. He's witty and charming, so easy to fall prey to him and that's usually how he gets away with things.
Now, nothing is greater than money for him.
When I say filthy rich, I mean he could end world poverty at this point yet he's not satisfied with the money he has.
Now, he's not really into this dark side of the business unlike his brother who's crooked to every inch of his body.
Carlisle Vega; that man can never be trusted. Yet, I doubt his involvement in this as he's more about taunting and torture, well planned tricks to mess with his enemy. If he really wanted me, he'd make sure I'd hand myself over to him, instead of him taking me himself.
Funny thing is that'll never fucking happen.
Carlos and Carlisle, the famous twins in the business realm; real charmers, the most eligible bachelors in Florida — as they say. They own like half of Miami; honestly speaking they're living their best lives.
"Please don't get caught when looking into Vega," Alec warned Wade and he nodded. "Last thing we need is to get onto his bad side." I agree, he would make our life a living hell.
"Vega?" Lorenzo walked in with confusion, coffee cups in his hand that he brought for everyone on his way over. "Which one?" He asked as he appeared next to me, kissing my head before he headed over to the table to put the coffees down.
"Carlos." I told him and he snapped around, brows furrowed as he clicked his tongue.
"No," He raised a brow. "If you're looking into a Vega, then it should be Carlisle." Lorenzo told Wade and he was quick to jot the name down onto his notepad.
"I'll look into both." Wade popped the pen behind his ear.
"Thanks, Wade."
"It's so weird being back in this safe house." I smiled, thinking back to my first few weeks of being back in New York, when I had met Dominic.
"The memories this place holds." Flavio snickered and I rolled my eyes, slapping his stomach as he purposely said it to tease Lorenzo.
"Does this place bring out your inner dickhead phase?" I raised a brow, Flavio smirking down at me.
"I've spent so much time here," He looked around. "Especially your bedroom," Lorenzo snapped his head around and I groaned.
"You'll get used to it," Dominic patted his brother's shoulder and I raised a brow. "I know I didn't." Son of a bitch.
"Especially in your bed," Flavio carried on as his smirk widened and Lorenzo laughed, confusion growing on my face.
"Vio," I suppressed my smirk after realising that deathly spark in Lorenzo's eyes. "Run."
Children, absolutely children -- they way Lorenzo's chasing Flavio who's screaming on the top of his lungs.
It's been a few hours, Wade still researching on the Vega twins.
He decided to go back to his apartment, to run the check their considering all his equipment's there, it just made sense.
Flavio also went by, about two hours ago to just 'check up' on him but weirdly, he hasn't come back.
I usually wouldn't be concerned but my stomach churned with discomfort from the anxiety and we made plans. Plans that should've happened about an hour ago and Flavio never bails, or at least texts me to let me know if there's a change in plans.
"Has anyone heard from Vio?" I walked into the living room and I didn't get the answer I wanted. "Wade?" Still no.
This doesn't feel good.
"We need to check up on them," I internally felt panicked. " I called but they won't answer, Flavio's call wouldn't even go through." I clenched my jaw and Alec sighed.
"They're probably alright, Mar," Alec tilted his head a little. "Stop stressing, come." He patted the the seat next to him and I shook my head.
"No," I muttered. "I'm going." I turned around quick, grabbing my keys, shoes and rushing out immediately.
"Fuck!" Lorenzo and Alec sprinted after me and that just made me run.
They won't let me go but I have to. My gut's telling me to go.
"Mara!" Lorenzo caught up as he grabbed me by my arm, pulling me into him and he I groaned out of frustration.
"Enzo, please," I looked up at him desperately. "Come with me, if you must, but I gotta go." He sighed as he glared down at me, his brows furrowed.
"Mar." He groaned before turning around to look at Alec. "I'll take her." Alec seemed unsure at first but he them sighed, nodding.
"Keep her safe, D'Agostino."
Impatiently stepping out the elevator, I haven't spoke a word to Lorenzo this entire journey here; my lips sealed shut as my gut sickened me.
I felt nauseated by the anxiety that bubbled inside me, my palms clammy with nervousness.
Looking at his apartment door that was wide open made my stomach drop -- it wasn't exactly the door... but the blood.
The blood that was smeared onto the floor, the door, the walls as hand prints were evident; the prints showing how desperately whoever's hands they were trying to grip onto whatever their hands lay on.
My breathe hitched, my eyes wide as my heart dropped. Everything being blocked out, Lorenzo's voice fading out as my eyes twitched at the sight of the blood.
"Amara! Don't!" I couldn't care less, running inside without a second thought.
I could feel my hands starting to shake, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I witnessed the scene in front of me.
No, please... God, let this be a dream.
Glass shattered everywhere, the couch flipped with the stuffing slipping out as bullets created holes in the couch. The curtain ripped, blood smeared all over the floor.
"No." I felt tears line my eyes, my hand covering my mouth as I felt the pain in my heart, growing each second, the more I took in what's happened.
"Oh my -- fuck." Lorenzo looked around, grabbing his gun as he searched the place before dropping his arms down, frozen in place.
He stood by the couch, staring down in shock and I ran over to only witness what made my heart hurt even more.
A gasp left my mouth as I watched the bloodied man on his front, beaten and bruised to a point I barely recognised him; the blood splurging out his mouth as he looked up with his eyes fluttering.
His hair sunken in the pool of blood, his face drenched in it and he was unrecognisable.
A small smile on his cut lips, coughing as he groaned; spitting out blood as he lay there with his clothes torn in a pool of his own blood; his long hair soaked too.
"Wade!" I crashed down onto my knees, in aid, flipping him over to see two bullet wounds in his torso.
My eyes flooding with tears, as I put pressure on his wounds; the injured man groaning as he shook underneath my grasp.
"F-Flavio." He muttered, his lips quivering as I saw the tears starting to spill from his eyes.
The tears forming a path through the blood, dripping onto the marble floor and I felt incredibly sick to my stomach.
"Wade, please, stay with me." I looked back at Lorenzo who was frozen solid. "Lorenzo!" I yelled and he snapped out of it. "Call someone!" My panic just kept growing, worse and worse.
Suddenly, I felt Wade's weak grasp on my wrist, snapping my head back to look at him.
"I love y-you two," He whispered, the life in his eyes draining so tauntingly as his skin paled. "Thank you f-for everything..." I couldn't help but cry, my bottom lip quivering and I knew what was going to happen but I can't accept it.
"Don't you dare." I shook my head, keeping pressure on his wound but I could tell... he doesn't have much longer. "Who did this to you?" I asked him and he had a small smile on his lips.
"Tell Anita... I-I love her." Oh no, please.
"Wade." I sucked in a deep breathe, my heart beating frantically as I watched his life seeping away from him, his breathing in a broken pattern. "Stay with me, man, please." I sobbed, biting down on my lips as I lifted his blood soaked shirt to see the blood splurging out so quickly.
A pained gasp leaving his mouth and I instantly took my t-shirt off, a vest on underneath, pressing the t-shirt firmly against his wound and he clenched his eyes shut.
"C-Caro signore perche h-ho peccato, p-perdonami per tutto quelli che ho fatto, abbi p-pieta di me e mi pentiro d-dei miei peccati." Wade muttered underneath his breath and I knew what he's doing, shutting his eyes slowly as a frustrated groan leaved my mouth.
(Translation: Dear Lord for I have sinned, forgive me for all I have done, have mercy on me and I repent my sins.)
"Dominic's on his way," Lorenzo told me and I looked up at him, no hope in my eyes as he just stared down at me.
I bit down on my quivering lip, shaking my head slightly to let him know... Wade's not going to make it.
Lorenzo's jaw clenching as he looked down at Wade, getting down on his knees too as he held Wade's hand in his.
"I love you, Wade..." Tears lined his eyes as he brought Wade's hand up to his lips, kissing it as he let a sob escape his mouth. "Come on, man, just fight a little more... you're stronger than anyone I know."
Wade fought to open his eyes, looking at Lorenzo with a smile as he eased his body more into me.
"This is it." He smiled as he looked up, knowing his fate and it angered me knowing I can't do anything to help. He's dying. "Mar..." I forced myself to look at him. "It's—it's—" He muttered and I clenched my jaw.
"Who?" I asked softly, tears still rushing out Wade's eyes.
"Luis." It can't be... there's no way.
Luis? No, no, no.
Fuck!
I felt my head ache alongside my heart, biting down on my lip so hard until I felt the metallic taste of blood on my tongue.
"Wade?" I shook him lightly after he shut his eyes, waiting a few seconds before I shook him again. "Wade?!" I panicked to see his lifeless body lying in front of me.
I felt the burning on rage build in my heart, the guilt, the pain, it all drove me insane.
"Wade!" I cried out, my voice cracking as I sobbed out loud. "Fuck!" I screamed, I screamed until my throat burned, till my eyes ached from pressure, till I went lightheaded and I just let it out.
Screaming with all my pent up frustration; my throat stinging from pain as my voice automatically died down; a strangled sob leaving my mouth and all it sounded like was pain.
My head clashed down onto Wade's chest, crying until I felt my face go numb. His body still warm, my own body shaking as I cried audibly.
I don't know how long I stayed like this until I felt two hands grabbing my shoulder.
"Wade!" I screamed, reaching out to grab him, my hand in his as I got pulled away. "No, Wade!" I yelled again, gripping onto his lifeless hand tightly as I was dragged away.
"Mara!" I looked up to see Alec, the tears just kept forming.
"Alec!" I crashed into his embrace, sobbing as I fisted his t-shirt, crying into his chest as he crouched, tightly holding me as he himself was shocked. "He's dead... Alec." I cried, shaking uncontrollably, sobbing so loudly and I could feel Alec starting to cry.
I pulled away, looking around and I suddenly shot up to my feet as I rushed around to find him.
"Vio?" I yelled, looking everywhere and Alec followed me. "Vio?!" I panicked and Alec grabbed me as he pulled me into his embrace.
"He's gone." What?!
"Alec..." I muttered as I looked up at his red eyes.
"He's gone, Amara."
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Author's Note: Hi guys, I love you all and appreciate you all so much for reading my book!
Sadly, the time has come for this book to end in a chapter or two.
However... there will be a new book; a sequel to this one coming out soon!
Thank you so much for all the views and support, love you all!!<3