I lay against the shower floor as the steaming hot water pours down on me, but no match for the tears burning my eyes. My body shakes uncontrollably like a person in withdrawal. The horrifying memories of only a week ago are replaying in my head.
I don't know how long I've been in here when Kaia and Zayn smash the locked glass bathroom door, wrapping me in a towel and placing me on the bed. "Breathe Ana, please breathe," Zayn says hurriedly as he straps the nebulizer mask over my mouth. "In, out, in, out. keep going, you can do it." Zayn encouraged me as Kaia wraps my body in blankets.
"Mama?" Xile calls out as she enters the room. My eyes blaze open as I look at Zayn, tears still pooling out of my eye I shake my head, not wanting her to see me like this. Kaia rushed over to Xile and takes her out of the room before she can see much.
Sound baths echo in my ears as my breathing stabilizes. Kaia enters the room, the smell of chamomile filling my nostrils. Zayn help me sit up and she places the tray over my thighs. "Drink." I shake my head in refusal.
"Anaís, either you drink it willingly or I will willingly pour it down your throat." Kaia expresses, anger painting her tone as she glares at me.
"Kaia," Zayn warns.
"No, she's barely eaten since we've been here and the only thing, she does is train and come back in here."
"I know, just take it easy on her. Anaís, please drink the tea, it'll calm you." I groan quietly removing the nebulizer mask and turning the machine off. I roll my eyes at Kaia as I pick the mug up and take a few sips. When I'm done, I lean back and close my eyes. "How's the company doing?"
"It's doing well, we held a meeting letting everyone know you'd be taking some time off. we didn't give them a reason, but everyone misses you dearly." Kaia informs me.
"I need to get out of here, I feel stuck and all I can think about is blowing their heads off. Has Grey given any updates in regards to their whereabouts? I haven't exactly been letting him see me. When he knocks at my door, I deny him entrance, and the few times that I've been in the training room and he's either entering or there already, I leave."
"He has his best men on it. However, they've been unsuccessful. It's like they've completely dropped off the face of the earth. They've also assumed new aliases because, to the outside world, Camilo and Evelyn Hernandez have been dead for 9 years.
"We know all mighty Anaís would rather find and kill them herself, but this is for not only Xile's but your safety as well. Why do you keep avoiding him?" Zayn asks as he sits beside me, and I rest my head on his shoulder.
"Honestly, it's a lot to take in. I feel like I've been lied to from the moment we met each other on my birthday. Everything from then feels like we were in a fairyland and then reality hit letting me know I'd never be happy. I feel so deeply for him and I'm so worried that he's only with me because our bastard parents made it so. Then there's the thing with him being the leader of the fucking Italian mafia and I can't help but worry about Xile's and your safety. He's never scared me or intentionally did anything that suggests we were in harm's way, but it's still so scary. I also don't want to burden him with not being able to have children, because I do see a life with him and if that's what he wants, I cannot give that to him." I admit.
"We both completely understand how you feel, but Anaís, if you see the way that man looks at you even when you're in nothing but a huge t-shirt with stains all over it, your hair tangled, and your face stuffed with food, you'd never question his devotion to you. he looks at you as if you hold the galaxy in your eyes, treats you like the most fragile thing in the world and treats Xile as if she's his own. Yes, being a mafia leader has its risks, but he'd kill everyone in this world if it meant making sure you and Xile are safe. He was blowing off yours and our phones when you didn't answer after only an hour, and he was on the jet flying back here not 30 minutes later. I can't speak on how he feels about the children thing, but I know he'll never leave you, even if the world is against him." Zayn says.
"Zayn, you couldn't have said that any better. That man loves you, and we all know you love him. these past few days he looks utterly miserable and Xile tells us he sits by your door at night as you sleep." Kaia says as sits beside us, taking my hand in hers.
"I'll talk to him soon, but not now. Wait, he sits at my door?"
"Yup, Xile snuck a picture and sent it to us. by the way, he got something for you. I'll have Xile bring it." Zayn says before sending her a message.
She rolls a cart filled with different-sized boxes on it. I wipe my eyes and sit up, reaching my arms out for her, "Hi my beautiful girl." She crawls on the bed, and I take her in my arms, running my hand through her hair.
"I missed you, but can we open these gifts, he instructed me not to without you," she says pulling back, I nod and the three of them rush to place all the boxes on the bed.
Each box has one of our names on them, inside are new laptops and phones for Xile and I since they took our things. Skincare, makeup, more clothes, even though he had the closet in our rooms filled with things the day after we got here. Sewing machines, different fabrics, sketchbooks, board games, and all the Barbie and Bratz DVDs. I smile at all the thoughtful gifts and my heart warms.
"Pool?" Xile asks. We all agree and throw on our swimwear. The twins open the sliding doors that lead to the backyard and head out to the pool as Xile and I go into the kitchen to prepare snacks.
"So, Grey has been an awesome help with making sure my school knows I won't be attending the next few weeks, and he took care of all the prom stuff. He misses you mom, and he's doing everything he can to find Camilo and Evelyn whilst keeping us safe. Emilio told me he flew to Italy after finding out what we'd been through. He went off on his father and told him he was dead to him. I know you want to talk to him, so spare both of you the heartache and just do it."
"I will baby, I will." I carried out the tray of drinks as she carried the charcuterie board. We placed them on the table before getting into the pool with the others. We listen and dance to music as the sun goes down. Zayn gets a call from Grey, and he tries to sneak away so I won't hear, but I follow him and make him put it on speaker because I'm nosey.
No, it's because you miss him.
"How is she? Have you made sure she's eaten? Did she take her medicine? What did she do today? Has she said anything about me? Is Xile okay? Did she attend her classes today? Will you ask them if they need anything? He rambles, not letting Zayn get a word in.
"Grey, you don't need to worry. They're both taken care of, please stop worrying so much. You're going to give yourself a heart attack."
"How can I not? I'll be there soon; I'm wrapping up some things and then I'll head over."
"All right, we're in the pool about to eat the food my mom packed for us. We'll save you some." He hangs up and grabs onto my shoulders, shaking me, "He's driving me crazy. You need to talk to him. Save me, Ana, save me." he pleads dramatically.
I laugh and shrug him off as I get out of the pool to dish out everyone's food. The others follow me and as I'm about to pick up the utensils, Kaia slaps my hand away. "No, go sit down, we will take care of this."
"Can you all stop treating me like a baby, plus I have to take out Grey's food? He's allergic to some of the stuff here." I say as Zayn pulls a chair and sits me down.
"Well, isn't it great that you have a mouth and can tell us what to put in and what not to?" I roll my eyes and fold my arms. They dish his food out and take it inside. Sitting on the patio outside, we watch tv as we eat.
After showering, we joined each other in the living room to discuss work. We sign off on some documents and when we're done, we watch a movie until we all eventually fall asleep.
The day before...
Emilio enters my office, "We're ready for you." I follow him through the warehouse to the glass room.
Three men are on their knees as everyone around the exterior of the glass room watches.
I walk up and walk through the doors as they're opened for me. A single chair in front of them, I walk over and sit on it, crossing my legs as Emilio stands beside me.
"Andres Garcia, husband to Isabel Garcia and father to Lola Garcia, residing at 244 Harlow Circle. Luis Lombardi, son of Luca and Paola Lombardi, residing at Caring Hands Nursing Home in Philadelphia. Daniela Diaz, caretaker of 21-year-old brother with disabilities, Gabriel Diaz. Am I right?" he announces as he takes slow strides around them.
They remain silent. He grabs one by the hair, pulling his head back as he bends his head at their ear level. "I said, am I right?" he yells.
"Yes, please leave my family out of this." The one he's holding speaks up.
"Oh, like you left my family out of it when you decided to work for Camilo Hernandez?" he laughs, pushing his body forward, making him drop on his face as his hands and feet are tied together behind his back.
"Let's make this easy, eh?" he says, returning to my side, "Or we can skip to the fun part," I say with a wicked grin on my face.
"He's going to kill that worthless slut Anaís and you!" the woman yells and I shoot her in between her eye, her blood scattering over the two other men.
"Hm, now that she's shut that foul mouth of hers, shall we boys?" I sigh, sitting forward in my chair. "Let's start with an easy question, where are they?"
"I'll never tell you anything!" the one on his knees yells before spitting at me. "The fun part it is then," I say motioning for one of my men to turn on the smart board in the room. "Luca e Paola, da molto tempo non ci vediamo. Come stai?" (Luca and Paola, long time no see. How are you)
"Figlio, che cosa hai fatto." (Son, what have you done) his father cries. "Gli dirai tutto. Per favore capo, risparmialo perché non sa cosa ha fatto. Per favore, lavoravo per tuo padre." He pleads. (You'll tell him everything. Please, boss, spare him, as he does not know what he's done. Please, I used to work for your father.)
"Ed è proprio per questo motivo che non lo farò. Avresti dovuto insegnare a tuo figlio I valori della lealtà." (And it's that exact reason I will not. You should've taught your son the values of loyalty.)
"Now, you heard your father. Go ahead, tell your better everything." I smile as I walk over to him and rest my hand on his shoulder. "Never."
I stab him in the shoulder, and he growls as his mother's cries echo throughout the glass room. A table of different tools is rolled in. I turn to it as Emilio unlocks his cuffs. I grab the hammer and bend down to him. "Oh, don't cry now boy."
I slam the hammer on his finger repeatedly, the sound of his bones breaking, and his screaming only gets me more and more riled up. taking the pliers, I pull some of his teeth out, forcing him to swallow them.
I cut him repeatedly over his body with my knife, making the cut deeper with each one. "Ready to talk now?" he stays silent, and I pour boiling water over him as his father begs for me to have mercy on him. Paola's cries are still prominent as she sees her son lying on the floor, his blood decorating it.
It looks beautiful really. I should become an artist.
I grab him by the hair and drag his body closer to the screen, "Show yourself." I say to Mariano, Emilio and I's best friend. He enters the camera frame pointing his gun at Paola's head. "NO!" the pitiful man at my feet yells. "Please son." His dad pleads with him.
"Hm, which one capo?" Mariano asks, an evil glint in his eyes. "Speak," I say, pulling him up by his hair. "Mordimi." (Bite me) he yells, saliva leaving his mouth. I grab his face turning it to the screen.
Two gunshots sound and blood splatters over the camera and Mariano. He shrugs, "I guess both." He grabs the phone, turning the camera to their dead bodies. "It's sad really, oh well. I'll see you soon brothers." He says before cutting the call.
Luis wails and I drop his body to the ground. "Put him in one of the cells and ensure videos and voice messages of his parents are playing nonstop."
I walk over to Emilio, "Have our best men deal with the other one and tell them to keep him alive. Bring his wife and kid here if it leads to that, but no one harms them. I'll be in the office, and we'll leave when you're ready."
I call Xile to check on her and Anaís, she tells me she's been in the training room all day. Emilio enters my office, almost as much blood on him as I do. We leave and buy food for everyone on the way to the safe house. it's around 8 pm when we arrive, Xile opens the door and her face falls immediately.
"What happened, are you okay?" she asks taking the bags from us. "Mom!" she yells, and I shush her quickly, "Don't worry, it's not ours." She slaps our shoulders and shakes her head as she enters the kitchen.
"Before you ask, she's still in there. I tried telling her to stop but she didn't listen." I nodded, making my way to where she is.
I can hear her grunts as I get closer to the door. I open it and she's covered in sweat as she flips and throws her knife into the moving target. I look over and all of them hit the bullseye. I clear my throat and she looks over at me, her chest rising and falling.
A sliver of hope settles in my chest as she smiles but it doesn't last long as she scrunches her face in disgust. She quickly grabs her bottle and her jacket. She tries to leave but I stop her, grabbing her arm. "Anaís, just wait."
"What!"
"Nothing...please take it easy." She scoffs and pulls her arm away, leaving the room and storming down the hall.
I go to my room and wash up. When I'm done, I join Xile and Emilio in the kitchen to eat. I inform her that everything regarding her prom will be covered and taken care of again because she was still worrying.
"Emilio will bring some things here tomorrow. Do not look at them without your mom."
"Can I at least get a hint to what these 'some things are?"
"Nope." Emilio laughs and she pinches him and goes over to the living room, him trailing behind her. Punk. Whom am I kidding? If Anaís told me to eat every grain of sand in the world, I would.
Those two have grown close in such a short time, I think Emilio has a crush on her. If he does, I'll beat his ass.
I grab a pillow from my room and place it behind my back as I lean against the wall beside Anaís' door. Unlike the past few nights, there isn't any sound coming from the room. I cross my arms and fall asleep as I sit outside her door.
"Grey? This has to stop; I know you're worried about my mom, but this can't be healthy." Xile says as I open my eyes slightly.
"I'm fine Xile, don't worry. Go to bed."
"You are both so stubborn and it's 5 am by the way." She says as she walks up the stairs to her room. I open my phone, the brightness almost blinding me. I put on my workout clothes and make a protein shake for Emilio and I.
Knocking on Emilio's door, I open it before he has the chance to answer. He looks up as he finishes putting on his shoes. "I'm so sick of you," he says, I smile at him and hand him his shake. We stretched and ran in the forest for an hour and a half. When we get back, we shower and head to the warehouse.
My mind is filled with nothing but her. Every second of the day, all I can think about is her. She constantly clouds my judgment, and I can't say that I don't like it. I have to make it up to her somehow because the silent treatment is slowly killing me, and I'll be damned if I lose her.
Later that evening...
The house is dark as I walk up the steps, the only light coming from the tv. It's been a long day and all I want right now is Anaís in my arms, her hair in my face as she lays on my chest. All I want is to keep my girls safe and give them the world.
I sit in the dark kitchen as I eat my food and all I can think about is her smile, her laugh, and the faces she makes when she's caught sneaking packs of Jell-O into the room at 2 am. I wash my plate and go to turn off the TV, but it's only then I realize they're all sleeping on the couch.
It's a struggle but I wake up Zayn "Oh before I forget, we had to smash the glass door to Ana's bathroom today to get her out." He says before he carries Kaia to her room, then goes to his. I carry Xile to her room and turn on rain and thunder sounds because it helps both of them fall back asleep if they wake up during the night.
I lift Anaís and she groans a little, settling in my arms. As I walk to the other side of the house with her, I can't help but stare at her and wish this moment could last forever. At this moment, she's not mad at me, she doesn't think I'm her enemy and she doesn't second guess my feelings for her.
I opened the door and laid her on the bed. As I'm about to let her go she grabs onto me, "Stay with me?" she says as she looks into my eyes, her voice nothing more than a whisper.
"Always and forever."
I got in bed and placed her on my chest. She entangles our legs together and puts her soft hand on my chin. I take her hair out of the tight clip and let it fall as I massage her scalp. "I miss you." She speaks up. "I miss you more," I say as I kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry for everything."
"I know." And just like that, her little snores begin again. I spent the next 2 hours basking in her presence until I eventually fell asleep.
Hi all, I hope you are doing well. Once again, the translations in this book are from an app. I do not speak Italian, I can barely speak English and Spanish. Anyways, I hope you are enjoying the book so far!
Love, always. xoxo