Mafia's Trap- Jaden

Chapter 6

Katherine POV

    I heaved a sigh of relief as soon as I entered the elevator and the door closed. I didn’t realise I was holding my breath. What just happened?  I couldn’t wrap my head around it. This is just too much for me to process. He was the one who murdered that man, and we willingly went to him for help. How stupid we can be? What did Peter lead us to?

    Oh lord! Please, please help me. My mind seemed exhausted at this surprising turn of events. I feel like I might faint any second. How can he sit there peacefully after murdering an innocent man just a few hours ago? Does he not have a sliver of conscience? And why did he let me go? Aren’t I his biggest witness? What does he possibly want from me? It’s not like I have anything much to offer. A shiver ran down my spine as I realised. Sure I wasn't that naive to not understand his intentions. This is insane. If this is a nightmare please God wake me up right now. I closed my eyes and looked upwards. 

    The image of him kept looming before my eyes. He was a perfect example of Adonis on Earth. I bet he was no less than 6'2. Wearing an all black suit, he had a chiseled jaw with stubble of beard, followed by thick dark eyebrows and eyelashes; light honey colored eyes that hid millions of secrets in its golden depths. He had perfect plump lips and a straight nose. His dark hair was perfectly set with hairgel.

      “What took you so long ?” Amelia asked as I walked out of the elevator, snapping me out of my reverie. “Did you find your bracelet?” 

         “Yes I did”, I replied, showing her my wrist. I wouldn’t have gone back to his office had it been some ordinary bracelet but this was the one that belonged to my mother and when I wear it I feel like she is near me and watching over me. 

            “Come on, let's go. I’ll drop you guys home,” Peter said as we made our way through the crowd to the exit of the club.

    As I stepped out the door of the club, a cold wind blew at my face. I tried not to show any emotion on my face but my stomach was in knots. I wanted to tell Amelia everything but I bit my tongue as he had warned me to keep my mouth shut. We got into the car and drove towards home. 

    “What sort of business do the Woods do, Peter? I was curious to know more about them.

    “James and Jaden own the club as you both saw The Dragonfly and they also run a hotel business RiverWoods. You might have heard of it. But that is just a front for what they are actually involved in….” 

        “And what is that?” I interrupted him. My interest is now heightened. 

          “Almost Whole city is under their control." Peter stated.

           "I don't understand ? How ?" Amelia inquired. 

           They are the biggest mafia in the city.” Peter deadpanned. Amelia and I collectively gasped.

          “Peter, are you crazy? Why did you bring us here? What if anything would have gone wrong? They could’ve killed us. I cannot believe you can be this stupid?” Amelia reprimanded Peter, shock lacing her voice.

        “Well, did you have any better ideas then?” Peter retorted. “I was just trying to help you guys. I just called asking for some information because your sister saw someone committing a murder and I felt that the situation was grave. I wasn’t aware that my boss would want to meet with you. Even if I want to, I can't go against their orders. I’m sorry Ames.”

     "How are such illegal activities allowed by the city? Aren’t the police aware of this?" I asked, sounding irritated, while throwing daggers at Peter. I knew Peter was trouble the first time I heard about him. We are in this shithole because of him. How the hell did he think that that monstrous man would help us?. 

     "This Mafia business involves a lot of money Katherine, my bosses have a ton of it. They have well developed connections too with almost all big pockets in the city. They are well respected and feared by people. No one would dare lift a finger against them. However they are not like other Mafias, they don’t kill people mindlessly. They have certain principles that they follow which is very rare to see for people in their position.”

    He further added, "I have only worked for James, the younger boss who manages the club. It was my first time meeting the main boss and his elder brother, Jaden."

      My thoughts drifted to him once again. Principles! What utter bullshit. Does following principles involve shooting bullets through innocent people’s head? What kind of a sick person is he? I cursed myself for being in that alley and having to witness that gruesome act. It would eat me alive if I found out the dead man had a family that loved him. He is extremely dangerous. I just need to figure out how to get out of this mess, so that my sisters and I don't die. I slumped back into the seat and looked out the window.

    "And once again I'm sorry guys. I should have been more careful." Peter pleaded with puppy eyes.

“Well you better be,”Amelia crossed her hands across her chest and looked out her window. Peter playfully nudged her. I rolled my eyes at them.

        ~•~•~•

           We finally reached home to find Rose fast asleep on the couch. Sending Rose away from this mess is the first thing I need to do in the morning. I don’t want her getting involved in this. I never imagined when we touched Chicago soil three months ago that we would be in such immense trouble. We just wanted to live our lives peacefully.

            I don’t know for how long I lie on the bed staring at the ceiling, thinking What kind of criminal advises you to never run back home and lock the door. I almost laughed at his sentence. I stayed in my bed waiting for the night to pass but it was a very long night. I stayed awake for the most part of it.

        I didn't know how long I was deep in my thoughts until I drifted off to a restless sleep. His perfectly chiseled face haunted me even in my dreams.

           ~•~•~•

           Sunlight peeked through the curtains as I rubbed my face.Thank God for Saturday, I don't have to go to the library. I need a break from the madness that unfolded yesterday. I checked the time on my phone and it was still 6.30am. I lay on my bed for sleep to come. I finally gave up and pulled myself from the bed.

      I made my way to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and as I was expecting, there wasn't anything to eat. No eggs, nothing. I decided to make a strong cup of hot coffee. As I made my way with a coffee mug in my hand, I noticed that Amelia and Rose were still asleep in their bedroom. I sat on the couch in the living room. While I was drinking coffee I thought to myself, I need to stop moping around and be productive to keep my mind at bay.

         After shower, I got dressed in my dark high waisted jeans and some plain white full sleeve white round neck crop top. I brushed my long hair and put it up in a messy bun.  I finally sat on the table and made a list of things that needed to be done today. First being finding a new rental home. I don't want to put my family in any more trouble because of me. 

            I miss mom and dad, I wish they were here. I miss mama's baking, her soft voice, her kind hazel eyes, and her beautiful laugh. God I miss her badly. I took out the only picture I have of all four of us from the drawer. 

           I stared at all the happy faces in the picture. Photo was taken back in Florida where we were vacationing at the beach. We were hardly six and four years old in the photo. Me and Amelia were in our cute little matching swimsuits while Papa and Mama were sitting beside us in the sand. Their smiles touched their eyes. I don't have many memories of them, but I have some blurred ones just like this one in the photo.

            I didn't realise I was crying until I felt my cheeks wet. I wish I could hug them and tell them how much I love them. 

           As if they gave me confidence through the photo. I wiped my tears and straightened up. I need to protect my family. We have already been through hell and back. I will do anything in my power to keep them safe, Even if I have to sacrifice myself through the process of it, I will do it.

    I kept the photo back safely inside the drawer and headed out, With a plan in my mind. 

                   ~•~•~•