Obey Me

I Fell In Love

Celina

"Where are you going?" Vito asked.

"I was going to go for a walk," I told him.

"No," he said sternly.

"What?"

"I said No! Celina,"

"Vito," Vito's eyes narrowed.

"Fine," I walked over and grabbed a book to read. "What am I supposed to do if I can't leave." Vito didn't answer. "How long do I have to stay locked up in here."

"I want to take you somewhere," Vito suddenly said. I went to go get dressed. Vito was waiting outside. He opened the car door for me. It took us an hour to get to where we were going. We had left the city. I wasn't worried but it was the perfect place to bury a body. We walked over to a shooting range.

"I want to teach you how to use a gun," Vito said.

"Why?"

"You know why," he said. I stayed quiet for a moment.

"Okay,"

"Come," he took my hand and led me to a table. He gave me safety gear to protect my ears and eyes. He grabbed a small gun and handed it to me.

"Don't worry, it's okay," he said. Vito showed me how to stand and hold the gun in my hand. "Don't flinch. Focus and keep your eyes wide open." He showed me the target and asked me to aim the gun. Vito showed me how to squeeze the trigger and reminded me again not to flinch. "Keep your balance."

"Okay," I was nervous and the first couple of shots scared me. I wasn't hitting the bullseye but I was in close range to it. We practiced for hours. Vito showed me how he shoots. He was a natural but I didn't really think that was something I should admire.

"Who taught you how to shoot?" I asked him.

"An old friend of my fathers," he said softly.

"Were you scared?"

"Not really," he said. "I was curious and I wanted to protect my family."

"Oh,"

"Are you scared?" Vito asked me.

"No,"

"It's okay to be scared. I didn't want you to have to be a part of this life,"

"This part is a part of you,"

"It is,"

"Then, I don't mind. I am all in, every part, the good and the bad,"

"There might be more bad,"

"Then, at least I can defend myself," Vito came over and caressed my cheek with his thumb. We practiced for a few more hours and then went home. Every day that week, we came to the shooting range. I continued training with Theresa as well. It made me feel safe. I don't know what would have happened if Vito hadn't come home that night but at least now I know I can fight until he comes. Vito has proven to me that no matter what he would come. He would save me. He would protect me. He would kill anyone who dared to hurt me.

-The Next Day-

Vito had finally gone back to work like before. Antonio didn't stay with me but there were three cars full of Vito's men outside. I was still not allowed to leave but I didn't really have anywhere to go.

*KNOCK*

I heard the knock on the door and went to go answer it.

"Brian,"

"Celina, can I come in?" I looked around at the cars. There were no men inside them. "Don't worry they are just being interrogated by my men at the end of the block."

I let Brian in even though I knew I shouldn't.

"So, I thought I would have the pleasure of running into you again," Brian said.

"I-,"

"You can't leave the house," Brian said for me. "I understand." He sat down on the couch in the living room and I went and followed. I sat opposite him. He looked me up and down. "Do you like it here?"

"Yes," I said softly.

"Are you safe?"

"I am,"

"Good,"

"You know Vito is not a good man,"

"Do I?"

"I believe by now you do,"

"He has been nothing but good to me,"

"Oh, I don't doubt that but he is a criminal,"

"So you say,"

"So says every cop in the city," Brian retorted. "Tell me how someone like you ends up with someone like him."

"I think you already know how I met him,"

"I do, but how or well why stay?"

"I fell in love," Brian observed me.

"Is a man like Vito Hernandez capable of love?"

"I think he is,"

"Will you find out before you get killed because of him?"

"He will keep me safe," my tone was becoming defensive.

"Celina, you are a nice, innocent, and beautiful girl," Brian explained. "You can certainly do better. He is going to get you killed."

"He won't,"

"Celina, admit you have a habit of falling for the wrong type of guy. Your ex left you with so much debt you had no choice but to become a stripper. He would beat you and degrade you."

"Stop,"

"You stayed, you let that happen,"

"STOP!"

"Maybe you enjoy being a punching bag,"

"Stop," I began to tear up.

"Celina, I am not the bad guy. I am not trying to be an asshole right now but I need you to open your eyes and see what is really happening. What is Vito doing right now? He is at war with a man named Faron. They have been at war since Vito was a teenager in Brazil. He brought this war here. He took this city as his own and some don't appreciate that."

"You don't appreciate it?"

"No, I don't," Brian admitted. "I have seen my city suffer enough. I will bring him and Faron down. And all I am asking is for your help."

"I can't help you,"

"Then help yourself," Brian said. "I know your ex is back in town. I can keep you safe from him and Vito. I can make sure none of them ever finds you again."

"I-,"

"Think about it,"

"I won't betray Vito,"

"Then let's hope he doesn't betray you,"