For Her Protection

STEFENO-3

Chapter Eight

I am a heartless and sadistic motherfucker. I thrive on fear and lust for torture. Hurting people, in any capacity, excites me. The feel of spilling someone's blood or ruining their life makes me undefeatable. I don't do relationships. I f**k and thats about it. I punish everyone and anyone. But Cassie? Could I do this to Cassie? Could I do this to the little girl I've known all her life? f**k yes, I could! I'm a selfish bastard.

I clear my throat. A sure sign that I've made my decision. "Call her." Simple, yet effective words. "Ugh, s**t man. Do you understand what you're asking of my family, Stefeno? Do you realize what this will mean not only for me, but for my dad and dead mother?" Elijah pleads. "Please man. Don't make me do this. Anything else, but this. Please man." Tears pool in Elijah's eyes. If it was any other person, their heart strings would be pulled. But not me. I don't give a f**k.

Iven puts his hand on Elijah's shoulder. Right now, there is no boss and employee. This is two families who have been through everything together. Two generations of loyalty and friendship. Two families that became one. "Elijah, we all love Cassie. This is why we all agreed to her leaving, but bottom line is...we can't keep that promise any longer. She is in danger, and the poor girl has no idea about it. It would be different is she knew and could protect herself, but she can't. We don't know who we can and can not trust at this point. We loved your mom and when she died, we agreed this would be for the best. But face it son, it's time for her to come home. You know Stefeno would never let anything happen to her. I'll speak to Carmine. He will agree. It's time son. She needs to learn the truth."

Elijah stays silent. We sit there for a couple of minutes before he abruptly gets up. "I can't believe I'm about to do this to her." And he walks out. I turn to my father, "Talk." "What is there to talk about?" I give him a look. He sighs, "I just want the girl to be safe. And I might admit, it would be nice to see you settle down and have an heir. I'm not saying you have to love the girl, but she would make a good mother." Can't say I'm shocked with his confession. "I'm f*****g her." I point out. He stands up, laughing and says, "We shall see, son. We shall see." He makes his way to the door before turning to me, "You think I didn't know about the tabs you've been keeping on the girl?" And walks out.

About ten minutes later Elijah walks back in. "She hung up on me. I told you this wasn't going to be easy. She said she wouldn't be coming home." I rub my temples. This is giving me a migraine. I stand up and walk over to my bar and pour myself a whiskey. I lift my eyebrow at Elijah and he nods. I pour him one as well and hand it to him before taking out a cigarette and lighting it. "Speak." He sighs, " Man, I really don't want to do this. This is so f****d up!" In this moment, we're friends. No longer boss and second in command. "We don't have a choice, Elijah. If this person gets a hold of her, who knows what they will do? Look what they did to Carmine. Do you really want that for her?" He scoffs, "Do I really want you to marry my sister? Come one Stefeno, you know she deserves so much more. She deserves love and happiness. She deserves someone better than anything we could ever be. I don't want her in this life. It's fine for us. This is all we know, but Cass? She don't deserve this. She's to pure for anything our life has to offer." I'm not even mad at him. I completely agree. "She'll be safe. That's what matters."

A couple days later, we're in my private jet heading to Seattle to get my "bride". Elijah is practically shaking in his shoes and is anxious the entire time. I'm just casually working and having a drink. The captain comes over the intercom and states we're going to be landing soon and to buckle our seatbelts. Elijah's face pales and my heart starts to race. This feeling is forgein to me. I'm not sure what this means. But for the first time in my life, I'm actually anxious to see someone. Well, here goes nothing.....