Thorns of Roses

American Mafia King

Song for this Chapter:

Don’t Blame Me-Taylor Swift

CHAPTER 47

CORINNE

It’s the weekend.

I don’t have any class today nor my part time job, but I wished I have.

I wanted to go out, away from Blaze exactly, I know he’s here in the mansion somewhere I can feel it.

I feel like I am exhausted and can’t breathe. As long as I feel he’s near, I can’t.

It’s like he has this invisible thread on my neck, squeezing it tighter.

This is one of the reasons I can’t fully trust Blaze.

He’s giving me so many emotional whiplash that I can’t comprehend which is which.

Havoc called me in his office yet again that night.

For a moment this scene was so familiar with me for living with an abuser for years.

I am shaking when I knock on his office door, and when he answered that I can come in, I wanted to run. But didn’t.

I guess, it’s the trauma for what happened to me.

Havoc is calmly sipping his night coffee and told me to sit down, so I did.

What if he charges me for the help, he gave me? And this is the exchange knowing that Marcus does the same to me. Please, I hope Blaze is here.

“Corinne—” He starts and I looked at him with his eyes confused and tender, “Relax. I wouldn’t do anything to you. I am sorry for calling you out this time.”

I sigh in relieve and I nod and clutch my chest “So—sorry. I just remembered him.”

He nods understandingly. He seems to be calmer and warmer for an American Mafia King. Even I, couldn’t believe it.

“It’s okay.” He sat down on his office table. “I just called you here, because I wanted to tell you that Diesel and Carina’s wedding will hold this weekend.”

I nod “I heard.”

“You need to be there, you know that, don’t you?”

I nod “Yes,”

“So, here’s the plan. I'll pretend I don't know why you run away at Marcus's mansion. Supposedly all I know is that you and your father just had a small argument. In that way, he won't think that I already chose side--" What he says, stops me from shaking, chose?

“Chose?”

He sighs “Yeah, I chose you.” He bops my nose tenderly, just like a father to her daughter. “You see, I know you know me as ruthless and cold blood sucking villain.” He chuckles “—but I am not. I will tolerate every little evil deed this world can offer, but not r**e. Especially to just a little child just like you when he did it.”

I smile at him with once again tears on my eyes.

Grateful.

Warm.

Peace.

Home.

That’s what I felt when Havoc said all those words.

I can’t even tell him how thankful I am, so instead, I stood up and throw my arms on his neck, and cry on his hold.

He just chuckles and pat me on my back, warmly, gently. Just like a father.

“Thank you so much—” I sob.

“There’s no need to thank me, all I ask of you is to never let my son fight this cruel world alone. I see what you have is something he needs on his side. Forever.”

“You still want me to marry Blaze?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? For all I know, you’re the worthiest of them all.”

Hannah.

I remembered Hannah.

I close my eyes and sigh “Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Is it you? Who made Hannah and her family disappear?”

He nods “All I can tell you is that, I didn't put them in a situation and a place they didn't like. Trust me they are." He sips his coffee.

His cryptic message is just like his son.

I nod “Are they safe?”

He chuckles “More than safe, I can say.”

“Okay.” I nod.

“Look, on this weekend, it’s going to be long than you even want to. You don’t have to be afraid nor show him some sacredness, I will have all the eyes on you. And Blaze won’t leave your side, we already talked about it.”

“And he said yes?”

“Why would he say no?” He smiles.

And I just did back at him.