A Soft Storm

chapter 8

1 year ago

The pavement was cold and rough underneath Cassidy's skin as she laid on top of it. The sky was gray, making the alleyway seem so much darker to her. Her hair was nearly brown from grease and her skin was taped against her bones from lack of food. She let out a cough, shivering underneath the cruel winter sky.

Her stomach roared with hunger, making her flinch. There was another sound of which made Cassidy's caution double. The noise was coming from the front the trashcan she was hiding (sleeping) behind, making her breaths grow soft and her movements, silent.

"I f*****g get it already." The voice was deep and sounded quite angry, "Just deal with the s**t, what are you? A couple of bitches?"

Cassidy slowly moved her eyes up, seeing the back of some mop head. He seemed to be smoking a cigarette, judging by the gray cloud coming off of him. Her stomach made a noise again and she hitched a breath, hoping he did not hear it. And he didn't.

Out of the side of his pocket was the beautiful, green image of money. Cassidy widened her eyes like some desperate, starving animal and reached out her shaking hand. It'd been awhile since she was able to steal so easy. People were getting clever these days, making the crime a little harder to commit.

She was so hungry and so cold.

If there was a God, perhaps he was trying to save her right then and there. All she needed was just a couple dollars... just a couple and she could hope to survive for a couple more weeks. And here was her chance.

Her fingers lingered his pocket as he shifted his weight, still yelling into the phone wildly. Instantly as he stood still, she swiped the cash as gracefully as the flowing wind. She examined the money and then widened her eyes, letting out a victorious laugh, "N-No... way."

"Stealing from me? Not a good f*****g idea." Cassidy let out a yelp as the man leaned over the trashcan, smiling at her like some sort of demonic entity.

Cassidy backed up, tightening her grip on the money and shook her head, "You rich assholes have everything!" She spat at his shoes, lifting herself to her feet, "For God-sake you're carrying f*****g $10,000 in your pocket! I... just need a little okay!?"

The man stepped forward, his terrifying grin still on his face. He was so calm, making Cassidy grow uneasy. She looked backwards and saw her steps were leading her to the end of the alley, a fence. "I don't share my shit."

Cassidy's back banged into the chain linked fence and she pulled out a knife from her jacket from her torn up shorts, "Go away!"

He only laughed, "Didn't your parents tell you not to wave f*****g sharp things around?"

Cassidy narrowed her eyes, "Unlike spoiled bitches like you, my parents didn't do s**t for me. People like me need to get by, by doing s**t like stealing when we are by ourselves. So just back the f**k up and go home, pretty boy."

The man stared at her for a moment, letting the intense silence settle. Then he grinned which caused Cassidy to tightened her grip on the blade, "You'll make for an interesting toy." His hand gripped her wrist, "Let's see... Are you all f*****g talk?"

Cassidy grunted and kicked out her leg which was only caught by his other hand. She chuckled, "For the bullshit scary act you try to put on... You're an idiot." Using the support of his to hands, she twisted her body towards him, kicking her free left leg into his face. As he released, her body dropped to the floor.

The man laughed, completely unaffected by her last move. She widened her eyes as the number of men in suits multiplied, all surrounding her. A raven-haired man turned to the demon, "Wow, what fun did we miss, Boss?" Cassidy widened her eyes at the name the demon received.

The "Boss" chuckled, pulling out a silver pistol and pointing it straight at Cassidy's, pretty blonde head. "You really pissed me the f**k off." She widened her eyes, backing up into the fence.

Her hands let go of the money as she flailed, "Okay there!"

"You should really pick your f*****g targets better." The curly haired boss man placed another unlit cigarette in his mouth, his glare turning a little savage. "You might f**k with the wrong Mafia."

Cassidy widened her eyes, "Mafia? Are you f*****g serious?"

"She's got one hell of a mouth." A tall, yellow-haired man chuckled. His eye was scarred with the shape of a lightning bolt.

"You got two f*****g options, you piece of shit." The demon man bent down, pressing the metal against her head, "For stealing from me, you can either repay your shitty sins by getting bullet to the head or coming back with me and work your ass off as a slave until you die from exhaustion."

Cassidy tried to growl back but, his entire being was too intimidating. "I-I..." She coughed harder, feeling her chest throb with the hacking. Die right then and there. Or die in a Mafia Base? Well, she's had worse ideas. "I'll go with you."

The man grinned, "Good."

Present.

Cassidy's P.O.V

3 days, not a single call, threat, or even encounter from Rafe or his bitches. Despite the fact I probably would've wanted to stay away from Mafia men out to kill me, I was growing impatient. And so was the rest of the Savino Family.

It's been almost two weeks since the data was stolen by Midnight Run, and it seemed to be getting more troublesome the more days that went by. Sebastian had been away for the past 2 days, trying to scout their base since Mason had no luck trying to pry it out from Shawn. Just being inside the Hangout made me nervous, everyone's stress was visible in their faces and lack of sleep.

Especially the boss.

It was strange. The mafia and I were looking for the same people yet, we weren't on the same team. This was probably because they were after the whole damn crew when I was only after Midnight Run, bitchy little apprentice. Of course, I was already aware even if Mason found the base, there was no f*****g way in hell he'd give me the address since he's repeatedly and annoyingly repeated how "he won't help my f*****g ass out."

For some reason, this turned into more of a game for me than an actual problem.

I'm an insensitive b***h, I know.

But, I didn't want the damn demon to find RAfe before me, considering Rafe is also his threat as well, he'd kill the blonde asshole. But, that was my duty. I wanted to kill him myself. So, I needed to find him before Mason.

Unfortunately, I made the f*****g genius mistake of breaking my old phone so not only do I not possess Rafe's phone number but he no longer possessed mine. My only option was to go outside and force whatever bitches he had looking for me to give his number. But with the s**t, never-ending hours the demon gave me, my time was unfortunately slim.

"Get me so more damn scotch." The demon spoke, holding up his empty glass.

I sighed, "Boss, this is your tenth glass. As much as I'd love to see you die from alcohol poisoning, how about I get you water?"

"Now." He glared at me, his horrifying expression more intense due to the purple bags that now decorated underneath his eyes.

I gulped and took the glass, "Got it."

Fucking drunken Demon.

I made my down the elevator to the kitchen, pulling out the almost empty bottle of alcohol and poured the last drops into the cup. I stared it for a moment, "I really should give him water." Even as Satan's spawn, surely his human form can only handle so much.

Instantly, I dumped the liquid into the sink with the glass and pulled out a water bottle from the fridge. Hastily, I made my way back up to the top level and walked towards the Hoodlum Hangout's doors. But, on the other side stood a rather unsuspecting (hilarious) situation.

Lyam stood by Mason's desk, propping the Boss's arm around his shoulder to support the mumbling drunk. I covered my mouth, letting out a small laugh. Oh man, Mason you really outdid yourself this time. Vincent turned to me and widened his eyes, instantly whispering something to Lyam.

Lyam made the same expression.

"Are you going to sit there and talk s**t about me like some Freshman girls or are you going to say it to my face?" I lifted an eyebrow, walking over the demon's desk and placing the now unneeded water on the surface.

Lyam chuckled nervously, "Well, as you can see... the Boss is sort of..."

"Hammered?" I laughed, leaning my head back, "Even demons have their limits!"

. "And Sebastian isn't here to take him home. So we're sort of... screwed."

"So?" My laughter died down, "You guys take shifts to guard his house throughout the day, right? Just take him home yourselves."

Leo interjected, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "About that... You see nobody is actually allowed to enter his house unless there is an emergency. Other than that we all just keep guard outside."

"Why should I care?" I yawned, almost excited over the fact that this means I've got some free time.

"Because we need you." Lyam smiled. I don't like it when Lyam smiles. This is when you know that you are going to be involved in some deep s**t. "We need you to take him."

Instantly, I let out a laugh, "Yeah right!"

"Think of this as your alone time with the Boss." Lyam winked, making my blood boil with anger. "Besides, you're the only one he's never forbidden to entering his house."

"I've never been to it in the first place, dumb ass." I rubbed my forehead in irritation. "So what you're saying is you want me to play the sacrificial lamb for you p*****s?"

They all smiled, nodding in unison. These bastards had no f*****g shame.

I let out a breath, "Fine... Fine!" I threw my hands up in defeat.

Why am I risking my life to go to this Demon's lair? Good question! But c'mon, who the hell wouldn't be interested in seeing the forbidden chambers of a demonic Mafia boss?

Vincent and Lyam were now carrying the drunken i***t out of the doors and towards the elevator with Marco and I following, "Marco and I have a shift in a half hour so," Vincent spoke, "We'll take you to his complex."

"You guys are such assholes." I shook my head as the elevator doors closed, "Making your maid do this s**t for your sorry asses."

Lyam laughed, "You aren't just our maid."

"Maybe to you. But to this damn guy," I poked the Boss's shoulder, "I've been his toy since the first moment we met. I don't even think the bastard knows my f*****g name!"

Vincent chuckled as the doors opened, revealing the lobby, "You're probably the only one stupid enough to think that."

I growled as we walked out the doors, into the night, "Stupid!? The asshole sexually harasses and threatens me every damn day!"

A limo was waiting in front. Lyam gently laid the Boss onto the leather seat, "I don't think you get exactly what the Boss is thinking."

"And you do!?" I slid in next to the half-conscious demon.

Marco chuckled, entering on the opposite side, "We've been with him for much longer than you. The guy is easy to read once you get used to it."

I frowned, looking back up to Lyam, "He nearly killed me a year ago. To think I'm anything but his slave is shit."

Lyam and the other two laughed, "You still don't f*****g get why the Boss didn't just shoot you and took you in instead?" He seemed to have quite a bit of f*****g amusement from my sentence, "Just think about it, this heartless bastard doesn't take mercy on f*****g anyone. Especially people who steal from him."

I looked down to my hands, refusing to give in. "Whatever..."

"Anyway," Lyam leaned against the limo door, "If he regains himself or something. You can use that exorcism s**t again and maybe you'll escape death."

Before I could retort, he shut the door, leaving two cracking up bastards. I growled to myself, looking outside the window.

"Why am I in a car?" My entire being froze as I heard Mason's voice next to me.

Vincent and Marco laughed, "Don't worry." Vincent snickered, "Until he's fully sobered up, he thinks everything around him is some dream."

Oh my f*****g god.

I let out a laugh, looking to Mason who was slowly closing his dazed eyes. "People shouldn't drink alcohol if they can't handle it."

Vincent and Marco lifted an eyebrow, "Like you're one to talk." Marco shook his head, "Last time we were in a situation like this, you were the one half-conscious and Mason was the one catering to your drunk ass."

My head throbbed at the memory, "Let's never bring that up again."

As I looked out the window once more, it seemed we were going up hill. There was nothing but grass and trees and the concrete street we were driving on. As the limo came to a full stop Vincent immediately opened his door, "We're here."

I maneuvered myself out of the vehicle and nearly s**t myself. Seriously.

The place was enormous.

It was two story, modern mansion. There was a gate that I guess we passed through where two guards stood. The street expanded into a large, flat drive way that could fit more than 10 cars I swear. My favorite part of it, was the balconies on the second story and the lights that illuminated it.

Some of the building seemed to have more windows than walls. Different sections of the structure were different colors or materials. Some were black or white and others were made of tan rocks. it was gorgeous just staring from the outside. And it was the only house on this large hill.

Marco and Vincent led me forward towards the front doors. There were at least 10-15 people patrolling this entire place at once. This felt like the f*****g white house. The person right outside the doors seemed hesitant to let me through but my two guides said some s**t that persuaded him.

When he opened the door, I felt every mischievous spark in my entire body ignite. I was going into the forbidden lair of the demon boss. This was like pressing the f*****g red button that says "don't touch!" I just had such a craving to do it!

Instantly, I felt Vincent and Marco drop the boss's weight onto me, leaving me to support this damn asshole. "His bedroom is upstairs. Once you are done, get out quick before you die." Marco chuckled.

Then the doors closed behind me. "How f*****g reassuring." I sighed, looking forward.

I gasped viewing the inside. Okay. Layla... not even Helena's house was comparable to this s**t. Mostly what took up the enormous living room was this little hole that was literally built into the ground with several couches installed on the side and little coffee and side tables in the middle. There were three steps on the staircase leading down to the little hole so you could actually sit down.

In the back, by the fire place there was a bar and a small entryway that led to the kitchen and dining room. To the side was my goal, the stairs. I grunted, dragging the fat ass across this football field of a room to the steps. He mumbled with every movement, making it hard to take this task seriously.

I lifted him up the stairs and after at least 15 minutes we finally made it to the top. I stopped for a few moments to catch my breath then continued down the hallway to the room I assumed was his bedroom. Not that the double doors were glass and I could see right through the door or anything.

I slammed them open with my foot and took a second to soak in the glamorous bedroom. There was a large white bed with black pillows and a black folded blanket at the edge. Across from the doors was a wall full of only windows and across from the bed was a door that I guessed led to the bathroom.

I groaned as I slammed the damn Boss's body into the bed. I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I continued my duty, removing his shoes and coat and tie. Slowly, I pulled the covers over him and stopped as it reached his chest. His expression was so... adorable.

I chuckled, moving a few of his messy curls out of his face. He scrunched his nose at the action and opened his glazed eyes to meet mine. I should've been scared but, with this expression, all I wanted to do was pounce on him. "Cassidy?" He squinted.

So the guy does know my name.

I smiled, "Yes, Boss?"

"So in this dream your in my room, huh?" He grinned. He looked so dazed and so beyond this world but, for some reason it felt so intimate.

"This dream?" I blinked, lowing into a squat, "You dream about me?"

I meant it as a joke... but... he responded softly with, "They are normally nightmares. I'm glad this time it's not."

I widened my eyes, feeling my face grow extremely hot. I wanted to respond but, I didn't know what to say. My chest felt really weird in that moment, so tight and so hot. So, so hot. "N-Nightmares?" My voice squeaked, betraying me. God, I was so lame.

"Like the first time we met... It's always that damn alley. It was dark... so fuckin dark."

My throat tightened at the memory. How long did I sleep there? Not just in that alleyway but, in those cold streets? Everyday, it felt like the air got colder and the world around me got blacker.

"It really was..." I moved my fingers through his hair, "...so dark in there."

My eyes went up to gaze outside the windows to the breathtaking view of the lit up world below. Seeing this, I probably should've been happy or serene but, this room made me feel so sad. This entire house... was just so...

"Are you lonely?" I widened my eyes, realizing what I bluntly spat out and covered my mouth.

Mason hummed in response, "But you are too, right?" His eyes were slowly shutting, "That's why I took you away from that shitty place. I was thinking maybe you were suffering the same darkness that I was... I guess you could say I felt that we were sort of the same person."

Not only was I in shock of how f*****g soft and sweet his voice was but, that he was letting me... into his heart. His arm reached out to the other side of his bed and I couldn't help but feel so incredibly sad. The bed was made for two people but, there was only one occupant. Every night... he had to return to this empty house and this empty bed.

This house felt as dark as that alley.

And just like me, he had to suffer all by himself.

My eyes had a tender gaze as I looked him slip towards a soft sleep. He looked like this when I caught him sleeping in his office sometime ago. Such a cruel man yet, he looked so soft. Would he look at me like this if I manage to squeeze all the way into that barricaded heart of his? What expression would he make when he told someone he loved them?

At that moment, I had a strange longing to see that expression... directed towards me.

"Thank you... Mason." I smiled, lightly tapping my forehead on his as I closed my eyes, "For giving me a way out of that dark place." I opened my eyes to see his sleeping, flushed face, "I will try to help you out of yours."

Lightly, I closed the doors and walked outside. Vincent was the first one to greet me, almost surprised that I wasn't harmed, "You're alive?"

I growled, "Yeah."

"Did he say anything?" Marco approached.

I smiled a bit and looked own to my hands, "Yeah."

Vincent and Marco looked to each other, lifting their eyebrow then shrugged, "Alright, well the limo is waiting."

I walked towards the black car, letting myself drown in my thoughts.

Loneliness was the one thing I could never escape. I could leave those dark streets but, emotion and feeling was the one thing that permanently hurt me. I wanted to help him so badly. I didn't want him to suffer more than I was since he was able to destroy a small piece of the large darkness that swallowed me.

I wasn't too sure why I felt so obligated just with that drunken babble. But, just with a few sentences, it felt like he was able to understand every emotion and thought that passed through my mind. It felt a little less... lonely.

Perhaps I was just trying to hold on to this small feeling of bliss I had. Even though he helped a year ago, it didn't make me mad. It made me feel grateful. And I'd never felt this feeling before.

What was happening to my heart and mind?

He was changing it.