Burning secrets

5 years ago A message: Tick-tock. Tears I cannot longer hold back running through my face, fear has me petrified to the bathroom floor. “Kitten, what’s going on?” he can never know the truth. It will kill him. And if the truth doesn’t kill him; he will. “I’m just stressed; it was a long week at work.” I don’t even try to smile, if I fake it, he will see right through me. “I want to take a long shower and go to sleep.” “I’m here when you want to talk kitten.” He said with a calm and patience reserved only for me. I showered, long, focusing on calming my nerves. My suitcase already packed inside my car. The voice of the flight attendant rang through the speakers, announcing the arrival to the Airport in record time. I rubbed my eyes trying to erase the memories of my last day in Las Vegas, before running away. I take one step inside the airport from the international arrivals gate. The first time I come back after 5 long years away. My heart pressing against my ribs, my hands sweating. I feel like I’m about to pass out. A person pushes me away trying to pass through the crowded place. I have to move. I got to the bagging area and wait for my luggage to arrive. The song “bad things” from Camila Cabello bussing through my airpods; a friendly reminder of what awaits me beyond these doors. My stomach twisting makes me doubt this was a good idea to begin with. But father was sick and that was enough to summon me back here. Outside, Las Vegas sun shined bright, reminding me I was no longer in my cozy apartment. I took my jacket off and signaled a cab to stop. I had a long drive ahead. I look out the window, thinking about what awaits me. I’ll probably be staying at my old room. Tony will cook lasagna -he knows it’s my favorite- and I’ll make sure to stay inside the house for the rest of the time I’m here, making sure I don’t speak with no one else. Specially not with him. I knew I was a coward; he hates my guts after I disappeared with no explanation, so I need to avoid him at any cost while I’m here. Like I said. I’m a coward. The cab turns right on the familiar street. The trees, the houses, everything looks the same, as if it was only yesterday that I left instead of 5 years. The driver pulls over outside of the white house with the number 574 painted on the side of the door. I unload my luggage from the cab and paid the driver. I walked to the door and knocked. No answer. Knock again. Nothing. I take my phone out and dial Tony’s number. He answers on the second ring. “Hey Kat! What time your flight arrives?” “I’m already at home.” “f**k! Sorry Kat, I thought the flight was going to arrive later than this.” “Yeah, the flight was ahead of time.” “Mmm well, don’t worry I’ll be there in 5.” “Ok. See ya, Tony.” I hung up. The sun was starting to set, the kids on the streets started to retrieve to their houses, the traffic starting to disappear. I used to love this time of the day; it was the time they would get home to have dinner with us before leaving again to deal with the club business, my brother and him. Vicenzo Ferri. Even the thought of him sent a chill straight down my spine, my heart thrashing against my ribs trying to escape. He was my brother’s best friend, president of the Vipera MC -the most feared motorcycles club in Vegas. He was danger incarnate, and the single, suffocating center of my universe. Everything about him screamed warning signs, yet it was impossible to look away. Heavy black hair framed a face defined by high cheekbones and a shadow of stubble. When those vivid blue eyes locked onto mine, glowing like lit fireflies in the dark, my breath caught. He wasn't just handsome; he was a gorgeous disaster waiting to happen. And he was my ex. I haven’t seen him or heard from him in five years, the last time I saw him, was the night I left. I never gave an explanation. Block him out without proving a reason for it. That was something he was not used to. He hated my guts for it. The lights of a car coming down the street brought me out of my thoughts. Slowly the van pulled over in front of me. My aunt came down and walked around the car to the back seat door. That’s when I saw my father with an oxygen tank. Then man was thin, curved. Only a shadow of the strong man he used to be. I ran to help them. Smiling slightly at my father while picking up the bags. “Oh dear, I’m so glad you are back! Now is your opportunity to repay by taking care of Luca, just like he took care of you all these years.” She refused to acknowledge me as my father's daughter. He had found me when I was ten years old and officially adopted me a year later. But to her, I was a free maid to clean up after her. “Yes ma’am.” I’ve learned is better to not contradict her. I carried the bags behind them, my father’s slow steps faltering every now and then. Tony didn’t tell me it was this serious. We enter the house and I walked straight to the kitchen to place the bag items on the pantry. Coming back to properly hug my father. “Dad! Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling poor?” part of me was mad at the thought of him being by himself in this condition “I could have come back sooner.” “This is just the way that is supposed to be darling. I don’t want you to stop living your life just to take care of me” he caressed my cheek “but I am glad you came back. I’ve missed you.” “I’ve missed you too dad.” I said hugging him. From the corner of my eye, I could see my aunt digging her nails into the couch. she reserved all her hate for me to lash it whenever my father and Tony where not around to see it. I heard the front door open and slam shut. Tony was here. I got up and walked over to the entrance only to find out Tony didn’t come alone. My heart stopped at the sight of the man that hunted my thoughts and dreams since the day I ran. Enzo.