THE MAFIA KING'S BRIDE

CHAPTER FIVE

ARYA

I freeze, trying to process what papa just said.

“Viktor?” I whisper, my whole body going cold

“Yes” Papa replies, looking at me with an almost broken expression

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms, raw anger cooking inside me.

My gaze meets Papa’, bloodshot and filled with worry. I’m sure mine mirror his, because I can feel the tears stinging my eyes.

“Is it really true?” I whisper, barely able to speak.

“Yes” He sighs

“Viktor killed Tomas”

He passes a file to me. My hands shake as I flip through it, each page worst than the last. By the end of it, there is no doubt that Viktor killed my brother

“Viktor... what have I ever done to you to deserve this?”

“You ruined my childhood, my life, my happiness ” I croak, my body stiff, tears streaming down my face.

“Why? Why Tomas?” I heave

I ball up the evidence in my hands, rage and grief colliding.

I finally found my brother’s killer years of his death being a mystery

Instead of relief, I feel so much at once.

I married my brother’s killer

“Munchkin it’s okay” Papa engulfs me in a hug and pats my back until I calm down

“I shouldn’t have told you” Papa whispers

“But you need to know...so you can protect yourself”

“I will try my best to protect you”

“But you know it has limits, now that the family...”

“Don’t worry papa” I cut in

“I know what to do” My eyes burn, with a glint of determination

“Arya...don’t do something reckless.”

“Remember you are all I have now” Papa shakes me tightly, worry lines appearing on his face

I place my hands on his face, gently smoothen those lines

“Don’t worry papa”

“I will be fine” I reply, masking my face in composure

My phone buzzes

“Uh Papa I need to go now”

“Viktor’s mother asked me to accompany her to an event” I say.

Papa’s back is hunched. I know the news hit him hard too

We were his world, but now it’s just me.

I place my hand on his, rubbing it for a few seconds.

“Bye, papa” I whisper, leaving the room

Papa needs space to think

I do too

It’s a lot

My husband is my brother’s murderer

What would he do to me? To my family?

Obviously the hatred hasn’t extinguished.

“Viktor, watch your back”

“I will take back everything you took from me”

“I will destroy you and your family for killing my brother” I mutter resolutely, slipping into the car

I take a deep breath before meeting Viktor’s mother

Losing Tomas still hurts, even after four years.

But I’ve grieved enough. Now is not the time to grieve

Now is the time for revenge, and a bloody one.

LUCAS

“Have the documents been delivered?” I ask, walking into the boardroom

Today I have a meeting with the managers of all my companies scattered across Sicily

My phone rings. I let it ring, too busy to pick a call.

But the caller is persistent, irking me.

“Have the managers ready before I come” I order, bringing out my phone to see the caller

I expect it to be my mother.

She’s the only ones who call me in this manner

“Private number” I mutter, eyebrows furrowed.

Who would dare to call me with a Private number?

I pick up “Good morning”

The receiver laughs.

My movements pause, my eyes widen in slight surprise.

This voice sounds exactly like mine

“Viktor. Viktor.. Viktor…” the receiver speaks

What is going on?

“You are wondering why I sound like you right?”

I narrow my eyes

Whoever this person is, they clearly do not know who they are messing with

“...You know”

“I have watched you all those years”

“Flying high and taking over”

“I envied you Viktor”

“You were out there enjoying while I was here fighting for my life, on a daily basis”

“Who are you?”

Should I be alarmed? Yes

Am I? No

Viktor Soclov fears no one.

“I just sent a picture. Check it out”

A message arrives. I click on it, and my blood runs cold.

It’s a picture of a three-year-old me, sucking my thumb, and another boy who looks exactly like me standing beside me.

“What is this?” I whisper, confused at what I am seeing

I have no memory of this other boy.

“Hahaha” The receiver laughs

“Seeing you sit up is comedy” he mocks

I scan the room, watching the cameras.

Impressive—this person could hack my security database.

“Who are you?” I demand

“I am your brother” He replies

“In fact, your older brother”

“You came 8 minutes after me, little brother” He replies

“How?” I mutter

Unable to contain the news, I stand up from my seat, loosen my tie and remove my suit, the phone still on my ears

The room suddenly feels so hot

“Oh little brother”

“You do not remember do you?”

“The flood really messed with your memory” He mocks

“How?” He laughs

“Ask our parents”

“They know better”

“No! You tell me!” I snap

“I have no patience for suspense”

“I’m not one of you workers Viktor”

“As a matter of fact, I am your biggest enemy and your biggest fear”

“I will take every single thing from you”

“I am not weak like our father”

“I have come to claim what is mine, including your head”

“Watch your back Viktor, because I will hit you where you least expect”

The line cuts

I stare at the empty phone in disbelief.

A brother? A twin brother?

I rack my brain trying to remember my childhood, but I can’t get anything. Only blurry images and memory gaps I can’t fill.

“...sir” My secretary walks in, breaks into my train of thoughts

I don’t have time for this

A splitting headache already forming round my head

“Cancel the meeting. I’m heading out”

“...but sir...it was an hassle to bring them all here at once”

I throw him a cold stare till he drops his eyes.

“I’ll deliver the message” he replies, scampering out of my office

I walk briskly to my car, preparing to talk to my father.

He would definitely be at home, since today is their wedding anniversary

“Good after Father” I greet, entering his office

“Viktor my son, sit down I have good news for you” My father beckons

I remain standing, looking straight into my father’s eyes

“Do I have a twin brother?” I ask directly

My father’s eyes widen slightly, and his pupils dilate.

My heart drops. That caller was telling the truth.