Chapter 002: Two
1089 Words
Nero.
“Don,” Desmond called, jolting my thoughts back into the car. “I respect all your decisions, but…” He hesitated, “This is the first time you’ve changed your mind.” He uttered, avoiding eye contact with me.
My attention was now fully on Desmond.
A flicker of surprise crossed my face before settling into a resigned, knowing nod.
Shadow’s brows furrowed, and his face curved into an unreadable smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“I thought you knew me better than this, Desmond,” I snarled, not because he questioned but because he thought I would dare harm a child.
He noticed my shift in tone.
I only addressed him by name when we disagreed.
I adjusted my Rolex watch. “I wanted to remind Esteban who runs Acapulco. To make him think twice about ever crossing me.”
Everyone knew me as Nero Giovanni, a monster who could rip your heart out with his palm. The mafia that runs Acapulco by blood and violence.
The handsome devil who was always in designer suits. But I knew better than that.
I might be everything. A drug lord, a murderer, or even worse, but I would never lay hands on a child.
Not even one from my worst enemy.
“I don’t think that’s enough,” Desmond drawled. His hands tightened around the steering wheel. Scared yet ready. He knew better than to disagree with his boss.
He gulped, knowing his neck was at risk. “Only you having a wife can tame Esteban.”
He was right.
“Esteban's a family man: Broken by his wife’s untimely demise - A single dad. A pitiful wife and a young child will mess with his psychology. He'd worry about them even before he thinks of arresting you.”
His words hung in the air, rigid and toxic.
I shifted in my seat, the leather creaking. My heart remained steady, A slow rhythmic drum of war.
I needed to act and to act fast.
The silence that followed was deafening, not the silence of peace but the silence before an explosion.
My eyes shifted back to the road. I watched the curly-haired bastard clumsily take a card from his pocket and hand it to Esteban. I watched how uncomfortable the girl was.
I studied the innocence in those almond eyes. Green as spring grass, wide and round. My eyes trailed to the fullness of her lips. Slightly parted as if she was about to say something, but thought otherwise. Her full chest heaving up and down.
“A wife,” I whispered. Loud enough for my ears alone.
The Clouds grew darker as if giving a warning. Light raindrops fell on their skin.
The trees rustled.
A storm was brewing.
“I choose her as my wife,” I muttered. The words hung between us like a curse.
Shadow's eyes widened. His lips pressed in a thin line. He rubbed his fingers on the control, and my door clicked open.
I strode towards the trio. My steps wide and purposeful. I didn’t bother to fake a smile. Didn’t waste time on formalities. My hands caressed the pistol around his waist.
“What’s going on?” She asked. Her gaze was boring into mine.
My hands were already curled painfully around her wrist. Shadow held Mason firmly. His wriggling didn’t even stand a chance.
Esteban tried to reach for his gun.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” I barked. My voice was calm. Like a stone dipped in water.
“Why don’t you keep your daughter close? Acapulco’s getting quite dangerous these days.” I continued, a wicked smirk on my face.
Esteban’s arm, which was already wrapped around the pistol, trembled. Mason noticed our guns and oxygen fled his lungs. ”Why don’t you guys let us go, and we’ll pretend all these never happened?” He laughed nervously.
“Forget I ever invited you to our wedding-“, He hurled.
My eyes were fixed on him—cold and stripped.
“I’m sorry,” Esteban stammered. “I have to keep Soffy far from all these.” He swiftly lifted Soffy in his arms, then he turned to leave. His steps were heavy, with the weight of a detective abandoning his duty.
My chosen bride wasn’t sure of what was going on. She wasn’t sure whether she should speak or not. Her eyes were fixed on her curly-haired friend, whose struggles seemed like a joke compared to Shadow's grip.
I nodded.
Shadow read the sign. His gun seemed heavier than mine. Perhaps because he did most of my dirty laundry.
Shadow adjusted his gun on Mason's back and pressed it tightly so that Mason arched his back uncomfortably.
She finally reacted. “P-Please S-sir,” She trembled. “Don’t… hurt Mason,” Her tears flowed uncontrollably. Her eyes were glassy and moist.
“I’ll do anything you want.”She begged.
“Mason.” I countered. Realization rippling in my consciousness.
That was his name.
“Come with me,” I whispered, my voice barely a breath.
“Don’t do it, Evangeline!” Eva turned towards Mason. Her lips were slightly ajar.
“Sorry, sir.” She lowered her head. “I'm afraid you’ve mistaken us for someone else.”
Shadow c****d his gun.
“I don’t repeat myself,” I growled. I cupped her cheeks and lifted her face to meet my eyes. “It's your freedom for his life!”
Eva's lips trembled. Her eyes were red and swollen.
It was now raining heavily. The storm could no longer be avoided. Her sundress was soaked, clinging to her body like a second skin. Her n*****s were firm and rigid. Leaving less room for imagination.
“Damn! You guys are great at hiding cameras.” Mason hinted. His eyes squinted through the rain. Searching the deserted street for my hidden camera. “Is this a film? A street joke? Ha! You got us.”
“Does this face seem like it's from an entertainment crap?” I snapped. Eva flinched. Her feet were tired, and backing away, but I held her in place.
“Shadow…remind me why he's still alive,” I growled. My jaws clenched. My grip around Eva's arm is tightening.
Shadow lifted his gun to Mason's head.
“If I don’t have an answer in the next three seconds, you'll be marrying his brains.” I snarled my words, dripping with the sweetness that tasted like arsenic.
- Writer
