Shawn's P.O.V.
I will end this once and for all…
If I needed to hurt my father or even shoot him in order for him to know that this shouldn’t happen at all I will do it just so this madness of him will finally stop. I won’t let him hurt more people especially Camila’s family, what he’s fighting for is something so absurd! They did nothing wrong to him! He was the one who did something wrong to that family so why is he trying to hurt them again?!
"Connor get out of my way" I muttered the minute I was already heading out of the house but Connor was standing there as if he was going to stop me.
Today is the most dreaded day as father will head over to meet Alonzo to finish this whole fight off, they left the mansion at dawn and locking me in the house for weeks until this very day came. They made sure to lock me inside where I couldn’t be able to escape and look for Camila, there were several men guarding the whole place and my friends, Connor, Matt and Nick were separated from me just in case they will help me to escape. Now it was only just Connor here giving me an advantage to escape but seeing how father all has a hand in them I might be able to not escape easily as I thought.
"I'm sorry Shawn but I can't let you go, direct orders-"
Direct orders?! I turned to him with a thundering gaze, if I want to and if I can I would’ve already killed him at this moment if he wouldn’t fix the way he was saying and doing to me. If he ever tries to stop me again telling that it was my father doing this I will surely forget the bond that we have even if it hurts and makes me feel sad.
"Who are you working for? Alexandros? The man whom you hate and promised to take him down with me because you're my friend and saw the way he treats people like animals. For years you were actually on my side so how come you suddenly chose to follow his order?" Connor is already a brother to me and seeing him following my own father’s orders just rips my heart into shreds… I can’t believe him…
"Get out of my way Connor" I started walking past him again but he was quick to stop me and push me back to where I was standing on earlier. He made sure that I will never be able to reach the door to where I would be able to have my escape.
"I can't let you go there, your life will be in danger" I don’t care! The woman I love is there together with our unborn child and my safety is more of what you’re worried about?!
"You said it yourself, there's a great possibility that Camila might be there and she'll end up being I'm danger than me when dad sees her"
"Matt, Taylor and all of our men are going to protect her-"
"Not when my father is barking orders! You know they wouldn't try to contradict the orders given to them because that means they'll die. Once dad sees them protecting Camila there's no way yes going to cease fire just like what you I think"
"You I really think your father is that evil?" A low and dangerous chuckle came from me, as funny as this whole situation looks like right now I couldn’t help but feel my anger raging in every part of my body as I looked at him with a glare.
"Don't try to make it look like you don't know what his capabilities. You of all people know what kind of a man he is, he's selfish and filled with anger, he's blinded by his guilt of what he did before so his pinpointing everything to that family who did nothing wrong!"
"The woman I love, the one carrying my child is going to go there at that port. Connor if you I won't let me go you know very well what will happen to them, they'd die Connor and as the father and lover of those people I cannot let that happen. They're my life, the one that keeps me going and sane so I wouldn't end up like him"
"Once you go there, he's going to kill her more. He's going to use her to make you do all things you won't like just for you to become the leader once this battle ends" He retorted which only brought me closer to the edge.
"I don't need your help!"
"You don't need it but I want it! I can't let you live a life in filled in misery, I don't want you to see her be in pain with your very own eyes!"
"Do you're just going to follow his orders? You're just going to turn a blind eye knowing that my own father is going to kill the woman I love together with my child? What kind of friend are you?!" My rage suddenly turned into shock the minute I heard a small voice speaking to me right after, I froze up the minute I saw Aaliyah standing behind me with confusion and unshed tears in her eyes.
"Shawn, what do you mean by that? What about father killing them...?"
"Its nothing-" I tried to shove it off, wanting to not tell her what happened then as I wanted to forget that memory over and over again. I don’t think I will be that strong to always remember that scene that keeps killing me…
"No, I heard everything. What happened 18 years ago? Why does Dad badly want to hurt Camila's family?"
No… She shouldn’t…
"Shawn you have to tell me the truth so I can help you, you know I can't lose anyone of you now" Aaliyah pleaded, walking close to me and gripping on me tightly just so I can tell her to know what she wanted to hear. I turned to the side to see Connor slightly nodding his head, giving me the sign that I should tell her everything as it’s time…
"18 years ago, Dad killed Mom by piercing a bullet in her heart"
"It happened when he ordered his men to kidnap Camila and her mother. They were kidnapped because of me, because I met her before when we were younger, the minute he learned that she was Alonzo's daughter he made it a point to start his plans to take Crystal Fire down using Camila and her mother as the bait. I managed to hide myself in Matt and Taylor's car then as I overheard them talking about Dad's orders to them. I saw everything, all of it including their state. They were both tied up and close to each other until there came a time where someone almost caught me so I ran to a safe place at the building. Soon I came close to meet Camila again, she was asking me to help her, she was asking me to save her, to protect her but given my weakness that time, even though I badly wanted to save her, even though I wanted to take her out of that place and wipe away all of the tears that she has because I couldn't bear to watch her looking so scared and sad. She held my hand as if I was her only hope, it was as if she already gave me all of her trust. I wanted to save her but I couldn't, at that very moment Matt and Taylor found me and tried to pry me away from her. I screamed at them not to hurt her, Matt took me away until I couldn't see her anymore, I started wiggling from Matt's grasp just so I can find her to check on her and talk to her but then I managed to see Mom running to a room"
"I followed her and then the next thing I know, she fell on the ground with blood all over the whole place. And them when I turned my head to see who was there inside the room, I found Dad holding the gun that was still raised up high in the air as if he was going to shoot someone more. Right after that Dad shot Camila's mother" My heart was breaking every time I try to recall that scene over and over again.
Nick said I was quite lucky seeing how traumatic that was for a brain of a 4 year old boy, he monitored me every day for all my life worried that I might suddenly turn into a psychopath or a sociopath with those things that I’ve witnessed. He was worried that I might become someone just like my father. He tried triggering me just to check if that trauma will cause psychological problems with me but he was thankful it didn’t and his worries wouldn’t have to come true.
It was definitely a traumatic experience for me and matched with grief over the loss of my mother Nick was scared that I might be incapable of being and becoming normal again. He was expecting me to be in the stage of fear and trauma or might as well be in the sorrow time but the next day he said I acted as if nothing happened. As if I hadn’t witnessed a killing nor had I lost my mother, that was that time he worried about me but he was so relieved when my tests all came back negative.
"I saw two people being shot dead Aaliyah and I was so powerless to do anything. That night, I promised myself that I would never become a monster especially taking over Black Rose. I'm going to do everything in order to protect the people I love especially my family. I know it's hard for you to understand but I can’t let Dad inflict more harm to Camila and her family especially to my child If I have to take great lengths just to stop him then I will. I just couldn't let him hurt more people, he's done enough harm"
Enough is enough, he’s already made their life miserable by making them lose a very dear loved one, a husband losing his wife and a 5 year old girl losing her mother, that is already enough but it seemed like he still doesn’t know that. I am here, as his son to stop him from becoming more evil than he already is, before he could even hurt us I will have to put an end to this craziness of his.
"I'll help you" After a long pause Aaliyah suddenly spoke her words which was surprising and very shocking. There was determination in her eyes as she turned to look at both Connor and I with a pleading look.
There’s no way I am going to let her come to that place! She can’t defend herself! Let’s say the men wouldn’t hurt her but there are several stray bullets there and once we come close to father I might not be able to guarantee that we can still talk to him if his mind is already swallowed by his anger and hatred.
"No-" Connor and I both spoke at the same time knowing very well that we cannot, by any means let her come despite her perseverance and determination. It’s so dangerous for her when she is defenseless and I couldn’t always worry about her when I’m also going to find both Camila and our father.
"Connor please, we need to go, we need to save everyone from being killed. You know what kind of man my father is. Please you know I can't lose anyone anymore not even Camila and all of my friends, even you're my family now. Despite the orders, may Shawn and I's lives ever become in danger please we have to do it for them"
"You're not going to come-" My words were quick to be cut off my by dearest sister as she threw that guilt card on me again. I couldn’t help but sigh, running my hand along my hair not knowing how to make her stop being this determined when where we are going is a very dangerous place. Why can’t she understand that?!
"Let me help you please, I don't want Dad to end up becoming more evil that he already is. Two mothers death is enough"
See? That’s her favorite guilt card just so she would be able to finally do what she wants and what she needs.
"I got a text from Taylor, he gave me the location of where the two mafias are going to take place" Connor suddenly spoke flashing me his phone, it seems like he was worried about leaving Aaliyah here that’s why he was not letting me leave a while ago. But now that she’s coming I’m off the hook and ready to go?! What the hell is happening here?!
"I'll be fine, please I just really need to stop Dad before he gets worse" I threw a look at Aaliyah but she immediately wrapped her arms around me, pulling me for a hug and acting all cute just so I can already say yes.
Do I even have a choice?
"Always stay by my side, let Jordan come and alert him what will happen" With a quick nod she started heading upstairs to tell Jordan what will happen, seeing her figure retreating I used this as a chance to tell Connor whom he should prioritize for the day.
"Connor, protect no one but my sister" No one but her not even me… Connor tried arguing, the look on his face already told me so but I quickly stopped him from saying anything else.
"Shawn-"
"I'll take care of myself, just do everything to protect Aaliyah"
My sister’s safety is more important right now and having Jordan with her as well I know that she will be protected. I just need her safe and that alone is alright for me, I don’t care what will happen to me, I just really want all the people I love to be away from harm.
"Connor are you sure this is the right location? There's no one here" I muttered, getting out of the car and looking at each and every direction to check if there are visible signs that people are here or had been here.
There were no bullets on the floor even which raised my doubt and curiosity, it seems like Taylor sent the wrong location but he would never do that. This whole place where we are right now is very clean, there were no cars or guns and bullets even a single human being here aside from the flying birds here and there. But why did he send this location if this isn’t where they are?
"I don't understand, this is the exact location, I know that!" Connor spoke in annoyance, he was worried that I might not trust him after this but I saw the location Taylor gave him. This is indeed this port though it is empty, that is what I wanted to know but knowing Taylor he wouldn’t send Connor a false information at times like this unless…
He’s up to something…
"Do you think Taylor had turned his back against you?" Aaliyah asked, her eyes filled with mystery and worry. As much as I don’t like pinpointing fingers and trying to accuse of someone about betrayal this easily seeing these evidences I do think he turned his back on me but knowing him… No, he wouldn’t do that…
"No, he would never do that"
But why the hell would he want us to come here?
"Then why are we here when there's no one here?" Aaliyah continues to question me but at that same exact time I realized that someone higher than Matt knows the main plan, that one person whom Dad trusts with all his might and the one who had been protecting Black Rose for several years already. He sent us to the man who can help us!
"He actually gave us the best location" I muttered with a smile the minute I was already able to see the familiar car fast approaching us, it took quite a half spin before it finally stopped before us. The window slid down revealing a smug yet teasing looking Voight with his arm resting on the window.
"I heard from Taylor that the mighty righteous son needed some much help to infiltrate a place" He spoke with a small smile, even wearing a sunglasses which slightly made me smile. I couldn’t help but laugh slightly seeing how I hated this man for hurting Camila then but then now here he is helping me to get the woman I love.
"Well we all need a side kick at some point"
"Yeah, eventually it happens when a man is hell bent to save the woman of his life"
A blonde woman was sitting on the passenger’s seat, judging from her face I think she’s that lady who got married to Jesse. I saw here talking to Camila then at the cliff where my beautiful woman revealed her own plans about the surprise wedding. Though I am totally shocked to see her here with us, with the enemy.
“I came here to help, my husband is there as well as my best friend and there’s no way I’m just going to sit down and do nothing when there is so many lives at stake here” She answered right away, almost knowing that I would definitely ask her why she’s here with Voight and to the men who wanted to hurt Crystal Fire but I guess she came prepared and also did her digging.
Judging on the smug look in Voight’s face seemed like these two are planning to go to another fun undercover mission as if their careers doesn’t matter to the two of them at all. Tracy was even smiling at me making me know that she knows everything about me and Camila now, and from the looks of it, it was Voight who filled her in with all the inconsistencies and gave the evidences.
"Well what are all of you doing there? Let's head to the scene before bullets would learn how to fly"
Camila's P.O.V.
Shock was an understatement the minute they revealed to me what the whole mafia would be doing with Black Rose. I was so numb, my whole body almost collapsed the minute I heard what will happen in the next week that will actually determine what kind of life I will be able to have. The more I think about it the more stressful it was for me, I was close to fainting but with the small amount of energy left in my body I chose to push and tell them what I really want to do.
Of course I am not that dumb to not know that it indeed was not a shipment but a rather face off or war against the two mafias, there would only be one reason why Alexandros would want to see my father and it’s because he wanted this whole thing to put to an end. He wanted what he planned to do before successful and of course there’s no other time than this right?
I’m sure the news of be getting married had probably reached him as well as my pregnancy, there’s no way he’s planning to meet Dad because he wanted to make amends meet and suddenly we all live happily ever after. Alexandros is a man of his words, when he wasn’t able to kill me then I know that he vowed to find me and end my life the same way he did with my mother. It’s only a matter of time when that will happen and I will indeed risk my life if ever I say yes and come with them.
But thinking rationally, would it be bad for me to wish to see the man I love one last time? Would it be a sin to hope that everything would end up being fine when I see Shawn? Could there be a possibility that we can still save his father from being imprisoned in that devil cell and finally free him from becoming the monster that he is? I might be putting my life in danger the same way I am doing with our child but I couldn’t help but want to see Shawn one last time even if it means the end of the both of us. He told me that one must die between the two of us the next time we see each other again…
Whether or not I was fighting for Crystal Fire because this is where my family is or I am fighting with Black Rose because my friends and home is there… I will do whatever it takes to end this war not in a violent way.
A small knock from the door suddenly caused my attention to shift to it, it didn’t took long before the door opened and revealed the man whom I was indeed looking forward to see. Guess I will be stuck with him for the rest of the day and I wouldn’t be able to say no as I know its direct orders from the leader. The look on his face was enough for me to know what he was thinking and what he is planning to do, I won’t let that happen at all. I need to be there…
"Jesse don't, I know what you're going to tell me and no I'm not going to do nothing nor stay here and be guarded by Papa's men. You know I need to see Shawn, you need to let me see him please"
It’s been a week since I heard the news, I didn’t expect that time would fly that fast but of course even the most hated day in our life comes we wouldn’t be able to avoid it whether we like it or not. A week flew by so fast which scares me as I realized that the long week preparation and the battle is now going to happen in just a few hours or even minutes. We don’t want to lose our friends nor the people who became like a family to us but we know that Alexandros wouldn’t fight fair so we need to have guns and other weapons to save and defend ourselves.
As much as we wanted to settle this whole problem with words, there’s no way Alexandros would just want to let all the things that happened in the past pass. For sure he’s going to have to use force and have me just as what he wanted then. I just hoped that everything would end up being fine despite the tension that would really come between the two mafias at the scene.
Jesse, who just entered my room lifted his hands in the air for a second before nodding his head. His eyes were directly looking at me in an overprotective way not to mention worried as well, it took him only a few minutes before he sighed heavily and made his way close to me at the bed.
"I think I can hear a 'but' after that deep sigh" I pinpointed, looking at him with a slight glare seeing how negative and worried he already is for what was about to come later on. Despite the fact that none of us here at the mafia are talking about what will happen after this whole incident, we all are definitely worried for our lives and for the people we all care about.
I actually pity Jesse and Tracy since this should be their honeymoon week, Papa gave them a vocational gift for 2 weeks in which place or country they prefer but then the news of Alonzo ordering a shipment from Crystal Fire appeared a day before his wedding. Papa didn’t tell anyone about it and just revealed to Jesse an hour before I head home and when the wedding had finished, Tracy knew what will happen but Jesse told her not to involve herself to the mafia despite her wanting to do so.
They should be enjoying their time as man and wife now, going to a romantic vacation and all but because of me again, this is what is happening to them. The feeling of being a nuisance brought me to the edge, I hated feeling this way as all of them are going crazy about thinking how to protect me and all. I just wanted to put things back in their rightful place but with several circumstances I don’t think that would indeed happen here.
"But you have to always stay by my side no matter what happens and if ever I wouldn't be able to protect you when I say run you run got that?"
Run? Really? I had the urge to laugh at him amusingly as he’s telling someone skilled to run away and stop attacking people, I know I don’t do that really but I also need to defend myself when the enemies already is close to me to the point where I could already easily get hurt by them. I have my gun with me, the gun that Shawn gave me as he handed Matt that before he told us to go, right now that will be the one I will be using incase some of Alexandros’ men might attack me.
"Yes Dad, besides I know how to use a gun might I remind you? I can definitely protect myself" Jesse sighed once more, this time he didn’t hesitate to hold my hands together, caressing them as he tried to instill another reality in my head. I know he’s worried and he wanted me to be safe and stay here but I can’t help but want to come with them there so I can see Shawn even just for one last time…
"You can shoot and fight all of the enemy but once a bullet accidentally hits you its endgame Camila. Your life isn't the only thing in danger but as well as your child"
"I'll be fine Jesse, you know I will be" Flashing him a small smile, I squeezed his hand to assure him that I am fine which seemed to calm him down slightly.
I was scared really and I’m not going to pretend that I’m not because I know that all of us are worried about what will happen during the face off. I’m not going to pretend that I am ready to fight whoever comes to attack me because I can fight back and I know that I always have to be careful now that I am not just going to protect myself, I have my child growing inside me and it needs the most protection making me very vulnerable in everyone’s eyes.
As much as I know that I will end up in danger here, I can’t do nothing here when two mafias are in such a battle. This might be the last time I will be able to see Shawn, this might be the last time I might be able to say I love you to him so I wanted to be there despite my fears. He was watching over me, he was trying to know what I was doing the whole time and I couldn’t just help but fall for him more and more. He’s ensuring that I was safe and I think he also did plan to ruin the wedding but good thing he didn’t because I would really hate him if ever he did.
I don’t know what will happen later on, the thought of him wanting to kill me was never the option as I know he loves me. But then again I don’t think Alexandros would let me still be alive, Papa would do whatever it takes to save me even to risk his own life to be killed by Alexandros. Shawn might be there and the thought of him and some of the friends I have there attacking my family and our men here just keeps breaking my heart over and over again.
I just really hope that everything would end up being fine, that everything would end up peaceful and good because I could never forgive myself if I will lose all of them just because of me… Just because they all wanted to protect me and my child…
"Señorita, let's go" Papa’s worried voice echoed around my whole room as he took a small peek from the door momentarily looked at me with a small smile. Worry was filled in his eyes the whole time, he tried masking it with a smile but I know that he’s trying his very best to act fine and unbothered of what was going to happen.
The whole Crystal Fire made their way to the port, arriving an hour earlier than the expected time Alexandros’ arranged just so we would be able to find safe places in order to hide me so they wouldn’t see me. Papa made sure to make me wear my ribbon today, he told me to trust the friends I had there in Black Rose so the minute they see that they’ll know to avoid me and protect me… I really don’t know what to do and what to think…
I was with Jesse as we head over to that place, he never said anything else to me at that moment because I know everything that’s running inside his head is nothing but worry. I didn’t try to speak to him as well because I fear I might only make myself more worried and nervous at the encounter we will have later. As seconds pass by Jesse’s phone kept ringing, my eyes quickly cascade on the caller ID and noticed that it was Tracy who was calling him.
I didn’t dare say anything as he just let his phone ring nonstop. I feel really awful and bad for what is happening, I wanted Tracy to be here so Jesse would not worry this much about her but then again her life will only be put in danger here with us. The more I keep having friends, the more I keep meeting new ones that make me be happy the more I know that these people would only be sucked in this deep dark world of mine and I can’t let that happen anymore.
The minute we arrived there no one was there, we indeed were still early but knowing Alexandros I know he will not be late and would not follow his scheduled time to meet, for sure he’s going to come here at an early time as well so we wouldn’t have that much time here. There was a big empty building beside the long pavement before the water line, I’m guessing that it is supposed to be a hospital of some sort or a research center considering how big and long it actually is.
"Hide her now Jesse, don't even take your eyes off of her" Papa turned to Jesse who was holding my hand tightly, the worried look in his eyes never vanished but he was more determined to keep me safe as that was what I can see in his eyes. I didn’t let a second pass before I pulled him in for a hug, resting my head on his beating chest as I never wanted to ever let go of him. Like a child, I almost started spilling my tears for him but I know that he would only worry more when that happens.
"Be careful Papa, please stay safe"
"You know I will. No matter what happens always take care of your child okay? Always be careful, I love you" He pressed a soft kiss on my forehead but I was quick to shook my head, trying to remove those words in my head. I love hearing those 3 words over and over again as I know how much Papa means that but I couldn’t shake the feeling of how heartbreaking it sounded when came from him at this moment.
"No, don't say that. It's like you're saying goodbye" I bit back my tears, not letting them flow down my face knowing how I wouldn’t be able to properly gain complete control of myself once I let them fall. Soft sobs wrecked my whole body just by thinking of the worse, I know that wouldn’t happen… Papa won’t be saying goodbye… No, he can’t.
"You wouldn't lose me, trust me mi hija"
With his promise, I quickly pulled him again for one tight hug, refusing to let go of him just as he pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. This time instead of feeling nervous, I slightly feel calm knowing that his words were a promise and Papa would do whatever in order for him to fulfill the promise he has. The minute soft noises filled the whole place we knew what Jesse and I should do, Papa gave me one small smile, one that tells me that he’s going to be alright before Jesse pulled me away from him.
"They're here, go"
Some of the men, those who can definitely defend me well followed us suit, they were scattered in different places inside the building just in case the enemies will come close and try to find me here. Matt decided to stay beside Papa just to show Alexandros that they’re not protecting anyone, showing them that kind of illusion. Jesse kept pulling me and settling me over at the second floor at one of the empty rooms, we crouched on the floor as we peeked on what was happening downstairs.
Just as I thought, Alexandros brought the whole troop he has along with them was the men Shawn has, the look on their faces tells me that they indeed are just following orders and they’re scared for what will happen to them. I know they don’t want to fight nor hurt anyone but with Alexandros present they might need to do that to prove to him that he shouldn’t kill them or punish them.
Taylor was standing beside Alexandros surprising me the most, I thought he was Shawn’s most trusted man? Why is he here with Alexandros? What is he doing with him when he’s Shawn’s enemy? My eyes quickly turned among the crowd, trying to find more familiar people especially Shawn but I couldn’t locate him as well as Connor and Voight. Seeing how he wasn’t here only made my hunch more plausible, there’s a great possibility that Alexandros just stole his men in order to fight and claim victory.
"Shawn's not here" A small sigh of relief came from me knowing that he wasn’t included on the plan of his father to destroy and take revenge on our family when we did nothing wrong to them, it was even Alexandros who needed to pay for what he did to my Mama.
"Which means this is all Alexandros' plan, there's a great possibility that he is resisting his father's orders" Jesse narrated which gave me an awful thought about what Shawn’s state is currently, based from the number of the men Alexandros is with today it seemed like no one was left at any place than here.
"Voight and Connor also isn't here, do you think they're keeping Shawn hostage?"
My question was cut off the minute Jesse suddenly received a call, it was on silent so he pulled it out and then it revealed the name of one of the men whom we were talking about just a few minutes ago. One of the missing man here suddenly contacted us which was quite surprising, why on earth would he contact us in the middle of the battle like zone? Jesse gave me a look, asking me what he should do.
"It's Voight" Without a word I pressed the answer call and waited for what he will have to say at this moment. This call seemed to be too much of a coincidence to be taken lightly, something’s happening here…
"Jesse I know you're at the port, do whatever it takes to stall time and stop the bullets from flying. I'm heading there with Prince Charming so you better keep his señorita safe"
Oh my god! My heart started beating fast, every fiber of my body was covered with nothing but happiness. The thought of Shawn coming here to help me stop this just made my heart flutter, even though I still am not sure if he came here to stop his father or to save me and our child just seeing him was enough for me for now. I just wanted to know how he’s been…
"He's coming, he's-" The happiness in my body halted the minute I heard several gunshots firing after the other, my heart was beating fast all the way just as Jesse suddenly pulled me down on the ground until he covered my body with his. I thought it was already the end but in only just a second several men of Alexandros suddenly started entering the place where we are hiding at. Jesse and I exchanged looks before he ordered me to do what I have to do…
"Run Camila! Run!"