Episode 003
979 Words
Sera pov
They found me. No, they didn't just find me, they cornered me. My breath is caught in my throat, my heart thumping so loud I swear it could wake the dead. I see him standing there, a shadow I can't get away from Enzo "Viper" Romano. Beside him, the woman whose self-satisfied smile still pierces my memory. The words he spat at me reverberate in my head—cold, cruel, cutting deeper than any knife. Why now? Why here?
He stretches out for me, but I don't hesitate. Instinct takes over. I grab his wrist, twist it behind his back, and push him hard. He groans in pain, but I don't care. The room is quiet momentarily before the others stand up, muscles ready and tense. Luca, Enzo's right-hand man, comes forward, his voice low but commanding, telling everyone to hold their ground.
"You have the wrong woman," I say, trying to keep my voice steady even though I'm screaming inside. "Get out of here before this turns ugly." I push Enzo forward once more, and we start to run. My body is taut, ready to fight or run—I don't know which, but I have to defend what's mine. I must get out of here, take Livia and Vito, and vanish. But where can I go if they cannot find me?
Enzo's voice breaks the tension. "Sera, it's over. We've been looking for you. Your family has been looking for you. We found you. There's nowhere left to hide."
I took a trembling step back, my eyes fixed on his. "My name isn't Sera. I don't know you. Leave my bar. Now. Or we'll have a problem." My voice is cold, as if it were broken glass. I will not allow him to intimidate me. Not here. My daughter's life is in danger.
From the corner of my eye, I see movement. I raise my hand, and the crowd pauses for a moment, before the door explodes open and more bikers pour in. The distraction is all I need. I bolt.
My legs are burning as I run through the side exit. My hands tremble as I struggle with my keys, drop them, curse myself, and pick them up again. As I open the car door, a heavy hand grabs me and slams me against the side. Panic scratches at me, but I scream as a rough hand clamps over my mouth.
I stand, frozen, and look up into his icy blue eyes. These are the same eyes that shattered my heart and haunted my nightmares.
"Sera, please. "I don't come here to hurt you. ""Allow me to explain," he pleads, desperation in his voice.
I will listen intently. I bit down hard on his hand. He yells and jerks away. I don't stop. My knee slams up, and he doubles over, gasping.
I hopped into the car, struggling with the keys, peeling out of the parking lot with tears clouding my vision. Furious at my weakness, I swipe them off, abandon the car a few blocks away, and run the rest of the way home.
I pause, breathing in ragged gasps. There's no use running anymore. They'll find me soon. Someone will inquire about my whereabouts, exposing my secret.
What now, Sera? You can't just rip Livia out of her bed in the middle of the night. She deserves better than this.
A bitter laugh escapes me. I'm a Ventresi. We don't run from enemies. I'll be ready if Enzo comes for me, and I know he will.
I walk back to my abandoned car and get in, taking out my phone. I sent a brief message to Dario: Shut the bar; do not utter a word about me.
Dario responds quickly:" They've left, but they'll be back. Prepare.
I sigh and tap my fingers anxiously on the steering wheel as I park in the driveway.
No one here knows who I am, which is safer. Even though the Ventresis may have few enemies, no one is dumb enough to mess with us. Of course, the Princess of Darkness found me, but they couldn't touch me without starting a war.
Inside, Livia wakes up and drinks milk with Mrs. Signora's apartment. They both smile at me when they see me.
"Y": You're early. "Everything okay?" Signora asks kindly.
"Yah, slow night." I instructed Dario to close early. "Don't mention the truth.
You look like you've been through hell. What happened, Sera?"
"I take a beer from the kitchen and sit on the couch. I need this.
Let me be honest with you. My real name's Angie. It's Era Ventresi. My parents, Don Donato Ventresi and Francesca Carval, observed her keenly.
She nods, understanding. "I know, sweetheart. Everybody in the town knows who you are—we're not fools. Your family sent men to look for you here a few years ago. We told them nothing. We knew you were running, so we covered you."
"I blinked, stunned. "The whole town knows?"
"She smiles gently." "Thank God. Please share what occurred tonight.
I swallowed hard. Enzo showed up by chance. The president of the Princes of Darkness MC. His name is…"
"Enzo."
"My eyes open wide, and I nod.
"Hey, how do you know that?""
"Massimo is my brother." I relocated here after Enzo was born and left the MC life behind. We don't talk much, but I'll keep you safe. That life never leaves you. Prepare yourself for his arrival, which is inevitable. Livia is his daughter. The MC world is similar to ours. He can claim her. When he does, you will have to go along with him. I'm sorry, Sera."
"I look down at my sleeping daughter and sigh. I can't. I can't involve my family in this. At least Enzo doesn't know Livia. Not yet.
What have I gotten myself into?
- Writer
