The Secret Behind His Fists

Chapter 5- Mad World Part 1

Seline's POV-

Run, that was the only thing I could think to do was run. Even as I do so I feel my heart constricting. The further away I run the more pain there is. Where am I going? What am I doing? The only thing I know is that after I ran from his embrace it hurt, but I resolved myself to get on a plane and fly. This is what will shock you the most, I am currently on a plane to Italy. Yes I am going to Italy, where the Don himself lives. Hopefully, just maybe, I will be able to get in to see him. Finally after 8 hours I am here. As I wander around I wonder what I should do first. Steeling my resolve I decide I'm going to the Don's house, however, I have no clue on how to get there.

After walking around for about an hour my feet are starting to kill me. Having a language barrier is something I was dreading. After another 20 minutes I finally find someone who speaks English. "Excuse me I was wondering if you speak English?" I ask the older gentleman who is eyeing me curiously. "Yes ma'am I do" he says with a very thick Italian accent. "Oh, thank god" I laugh, "I was wondering, and this is going to be an odd request and you probably don't know, but can you point me in the direction of the Don's house please?" He looked at me wide eyed as if I had lost my damn mind, not that I really blamed him. "I am sorry ma'am, but did you just ask to see the Don?" he asked in a tone that made me flinch. "Yes Sir, I am a friend of his son and I wish to speak with him momentarily." I replied.

"Oh and which son would that be?" I looked at him stunned, my mouth hanging open. "Wait, he has more than one son?" I respond with genuine curiosity. "Yes he does, now please tell me which son of his you know." he says in a curt manner. "Paxton, I know Paxton." I breath out barely above a whisper. "Ah, so you are the girl who ran from my son, You know he has been looking for you. Even asked for my help." I feel his eyes on me, judging me for what I did. "I ran because I was scared, I ran here because I want to learn." I state matter-of-factly. "You want to learn? What is it you want to learn?" he says in that curious tone.

"I want to learn about your world, I want to be part of it. To be part of him." before he can speak I continue on with my rambling. "I love him, Sir, and I was scared. Your son knows I have a past, but he does not know the horrid details of it." I finish off breathlessly. "Oh, is that so? Tell me of this past and then I will decide if I should help you." And with that, I take a deep breath and begin the story of my sorted past. "My past is not a pretty one. My mother died when I was 10, and after that my father changed. It started out as most abuse does, verbally. Soon it turned physical, with beatings and lashings and anything he could think of. Then, one day after I had turned 16, my father came into my room. I figured it would be just a typical beating, but he had this glint in his eye. My father r***d me that night." I pause to look up at the Don to see he is looking at me with a sadness I have never seen before.

I stood there motionless for what seemed like an eternity. When suddenly he reached towards me and enveloped me in a quite meaningful hug. I'm sure this wasn't in 'the norm' for a Don, so I hugged him back, trying to keep myself together. He speaks so softly into my ear that I almost can't hear him. "I will help you, and I will teach you. I will teach you to fight and defend yourself. I will teach you Italian and Russian. I will help you reclaim the strength that you lost. On one condition." My breath caught in my throat, I continue to listen. "You go back, and you tell my son what you told me. You help him win this war. And above all," his voice swelled a little, "you tell him that you love him." I waited a moment before nodding my head into his shoulder. I tilted my head towards him, gathering my strength, and said, "I have a condition of my own." I paused before saying, "You cannot tell your sons. Not about where I am, not about teaching me to fight, and not about the language learning."

He pulled back slightly, making a point not to break the embrace. He was gazing at me intently, clearly pondering the stipulations I've put in place. After a moment, he says, "I accept your terms, however, I have a counter." I look up at him, a thousand questions written on my face. When he says something I never would have dreamed of. "You have to call me Father." He smiled a genuine smile, nothing flashy, but as sincere as I have ever seen. I look at him, tears started rushing down my face as if the flood gates had finally been opened. I can't manage to say anything, so I simply nod. I can't believe I'm bawling like a baby in front of the Don. THE DON. I mean, Father. Holy s**t!

"Yes, Father."

3 Months Later-

I watch his movements, he comes at me swinging his right hand. "I've taught you better than this, don't be afraid to use your strength. Hit him!" Doing as Father says, I step forward swinging my left hand connecting to the side of his head, effectively knocking him out. Ah that's my princess, I knew you could do it. These last three months of training you have been the best." he praises me and I cannot help but smile. I look down at my now unconscious opponent, now feeling a confidence I had not felt for a very long time. "Seline, it's time to hit the range. I need to check out those skills one last time before you leave me, my daughter."

We headed down to the sub-level basement of the house where the gun range is located. "Father, what skill set will we be starting with?" He retorts with, "We will start with normal targets, then move onto the moving targets." Taking a deep breath to steady myself as father has taught me, I turn and look at the target. Quickly unloading the entire clip, I let out my breath before pushing the button to call up the target. Looking at the target I see 9 out of the 10 bullets have taken out the bullseye, with one shot to the head. Right between the eyes. Smiling, I let my newfound confidence rise to the surface. Within a split second, I take ahold of the knife hidden at my side, whirling around gracefully almost unseen, I propel the blade within an inch of Fathers head. The guards quickly un-holster their guns aiming them right at my head. I cockily smile and place my hand on my hip, proud of my work. Father gestures for his men to lower their weapons. He glances at the knife beside him and then back at me before he says, "The last time I was this proud, it was with my own sons. I felt the wind graze my face before I heard the impact. You, my sweet child, are ready and capable of not only helping win this war, but of being my son's future. I cannot think of anyone who is more worth of my son or his love." With tears in my eyes, I know our time has come to an end. However, I know in my heart we will see each other again. Looking up at him, I smile and say "I love you Father, more than my own life. You have given me more than you will ever understand or know. If there is ever anything I can ever do to repay you, please do not hesitate to call on me." With that, I turn and walk out the door leaving this chapter of my life behind me for the time being.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I board the plane back home to where I left my heart... all those months ago. I hope he will be happy to see me, as well as take me back. With that, I am on my way.