On His Knees

Chapter 6

“—damn it, Cade. What the hell did you do?”

That’s weird. Where have I heard that voice before? It sounded familiar yet I couldn’t remember who it belonged to.

“Don’t worry, he’s not dead. He’s just passed out.” Caden. I’m one hundred percent sure it was Caden. There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize that voice.

“If the boss knows about this, he’ll kill us!”

“Shut up. Don’t wake him up.” I felt a hand caressing my cheek. It was cold, almost as if it was a dead person touching it. “I’ll kill you if you wake him up.”

“Jesus. This is f****d up, Cade. You’ll sabotage our plans.”

I flinched when I heard a loud smack followed by a cry echoing in my ear. My eyes went wide open as I gasped, holding onto my chest. My heart was beating so fast like I ran a damn marathon.

Looking around the place, I realized I was inside a car. Caden’s car to exact. What I’m doing here? I had no idea. Groaning, I could feel my lips tingling and swelling. Did I eat something I was allergic to?

I snapped my head from left to right and saw Caden standing outside. The window on my side was rolled open, enabling me to hear his conversation with another man in front of him. It was dark around, but I could see huge trees surrounding as. The headlights were turned on. It lighted what’s in front of the car though it was too bright to see. I looked at the side and saw there were also several cars parked beside us.

What the hell? “C-Caden!” I yelled his name.

Caden hunched his back, leaning close to the window to see me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Where am I? Where are we? What are we doing here?” I bombarded him with questions. I was confused and lost. What the hell just happened and how did I get here?

Amidst the hysterical queries, Caden only pulled a smile at me. “Relax, Livi. We’re just taking care of things here. Then I’ll bring you back home.”

“T-things? What things?” I nervously asked. We’re in the middle of nowhere! What things could he be taking care here? “Take me home, now!” I’m not an i***t. I knew exactly what kind of things Caden was doing here.

Caden pouted at me. “It’s hard to bury bodies, Livi. Be patient, okay? We’ll be done shortly.” I could feel my whole body turning cold. I was right. God damn it, of course, I’m right. Taking my seatbelt off, I pushed the car door open but Caden slammed it back close. I glared at him. “What are you doing?” he asked, raising an amused brow. “You want to see it too?”

“I want to go home!” I demanded. I checked the time and it was already one in the morning. How long was I out?

“I told you, it’ll be done soon.” Caden caressed my cheek and his hand was so cold, it almost burned me. “Be a good boy and wait there, okay?”

I slapped his hand away from me. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked, my glare never leaving my face. I was mad. He could have brought me back home after I passed out from whatever reason but no. He just had to bring me to a place where they bury the bodies of the people they killed. Just the thought of it sickened me.

“Where else will I bring you?” Caden asked. He was feigning innocence and I didn’t find it funny.

“My house, where else?!” I exclaimed, frustrated.

Caden pouted. “Sorry, but this is kind of my priority.” The man beside him who was dressed in a black suit approached him. He whispered something at Caden and before backing away, he gave me a piercing gaze. He walked away and Caden faced me again. Smiling, he said, “okay, I’ll take you back. They said I can go.”

I watched him walk around the car. He got inside and sat on the driver’s seat. Yanking his seatbelt and putting it on, he backed the car to get out of whatever forest we were at. I settled back on the seat, sighing in relief.

“What the hell, Caden,” I complained again. He was still driving through a pathway only meant for certain cars. The forest was thick and dark and only the light from the car guided us. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked, aware that I kept repeating the same questions again.

Caden scoffed. “You didn’t even see a dead body, Livi. Stop being overdramatic,” he berated.

It’d be fine if it wasn’t for the tone of his voice. He was making light of my worry about this place and how disturbing it was. Yes, I belonged to a Mafia family, but never did they involve me in their business. Dad and my brothers made sure I stayed away. I’d only cause trouble. Besides, I had no interest in how they produce their wealth. What I wanted was a normal and peaceful life. No killing, no torturing, no exploiting and destroying the lives of innocent people.

I grunted. “You don’t understand. I’m not like you, Caden.” Even if dad doesn’t say it out loud, I could see the disappointment on him whenever I pretend not to care about the family or our business. I could never be like Caden, Hugo, or Louis. I’m weak, pathetic. I’m a coward.

Caden drove into the road and I could finally see the city skyscrapers just a few miles away from where we were. I smiled a little. Seeing it brought calm in my heart. Finally, I’m back to the world where I belonged. “Don’t you think that someday, you’ll have to step up and take over your family’s business?”

I froze. “You know that will never happen,” I mumbled, looking out the window to hide my scowl. “Hugo and Louis will kill me first before I can even step inside dad’s office.”

Caden laughed a little bit but it’s not his typical, friendly laugh. “It’s not like those two idiots can do about it.”

I stopped touching my lips that were still sore. What he said caught me off-guard. “What did you say?”

“Nothing,” Caden said, his lips curling into a sly smile. “I just said your brothers are an idiot.”

I didn’t reply. It was true after all.

As promised, Caden brought me back to my house. It was two-thirty in the morning when we got back. I was positive he had called my father to notify him that I was with him. Caden always did. Dad trusted him and I could see why. He had the aura similar to uncle Dom. It’s not as intimidating but one could tell what kind of person Caden was. He’s dangerous.

“I’m so sleepy,” I said, stifling a yawn.

Caden parked the car in front of our house. There were still guards patrolling the area, but they didn’t pay us any attention. “Get inside,” he ordered. “You still have to wake up early.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What about you?” I asked. We go to school together at the same time. Shouldn’t he wake up early too?

“I’ll try to go to school tomorrow. I have things I still need to finish.” Caden leaned towards me, our faces only inches away from each other. “You’ll see me at school, don’t worry.”

For a moment, the tingling in my lips intensified. I could feel the heat on my cheeks, and I was afraid Caden might feel it as well. “Y-you’re too close!” I pushed him away. Caden laughed. I loved hearing it. It’s not the fake laugh he often uses when talking to someone he probably didn’t like. I unbuckled my seatbelt and slipped out of the seat. “I-I’ll see you. Bye. Thanks.” I got out of the vehicle and hurried up the stairs, never even turning around to see Caden. I pushed the humongous, oak door of our house. I was expecting everyone in my family were either asleep or gone for the night. But to my surprise, dad was still awake. He was in the living room, sitting on the couch while reading a book. The only lights were the lampshades on each side of the sofa. “D-dad!” I called out, jumping in shock of seeing him there.

There was a cup of coffee on the table in front of him. I nodded at the guards standing at the doorway as I walked past them to get to my father. “You’re out late with Caden, huh?” he commented.

“Y-yes. A lot of things happened.” The fact that I was punched in the face, passed out from exhaustion or whatever and was brought to a place where the Vaccarinos dumped their bodies, yeah, a lot of things definitely happened.

“Are you always with Caden?” dad asked.

My body stiffened from his question.

“Monitor Caden’s movement.”

I remembered what he said about the favor he wanted me to do for him. “I’m not always with him but we hang out around much more than we were before,” I answered.

Dad proudly smiled. “That’s good. Where did the two of you go tonight? One of the Vaccarinos turf?”

I hesitated to tell him the truth. Why was Dad so adamant on knowing what Caden had been doing? Did he really think that Vaccarinos would betray us? “No,” I answered, choosing to conceal the fact that Caden brought me to a place the Vaccarinos owned, “I was asleep the whole time. I was…really exhausted. Sorry, dad.”

Raising his head for the first time, he closed the book he was reading to look at me. He inspected the darkening bruise on my face, and I was embarrassed to let him see how weak I was to be punched in the face like this. “This is just a brawl from school. Nothing too major.”

“Don’t get into trouble too much, Livio,” dad reminded. “I can’t let anything harm you,” he said, his voice softening.

My heart melted from dad’s concern. Only he was the kind one here in this house. “Thank you, dad. I promise I won’t.”

“Now go to bed. And put ice on that bruise,” dad teased, flashing me a smile.

“Fine, fine.”

I went to the kitchen, straight to the fridge to get what I needed. I kept the lights turned off, not wanting any attention from the people inside and out of this house. Transferring the ice in a cold compress, I began making my way back to my room. I was itching to ask dad what his reasons were for keeping a close eye on Caden. Was it really because they were planning something against us? I highly doubt it. Uncle Dom was out of the country and only Caden was left here to take care of things. He couldn’t possibly think of a plan all by himself, that’s just preposterous. The Saverios had greater numbers in term of members and this place was like a fortress. The Vaccarinos would be out of their minds if they try to do something against the Saverios. Besides, uncle Dom wasn’t that kind of man. His friendship with dad prospered all these years and never did he mention that he desires to take over the Saverios. He’s not as ambitious as Dad.

And Caden and I were best of friends. He wouldn’t do that to me. There’s just no way.

Arriving at my room, I walked straight to my bed and lied down. I pressed the cold compact on the swelling in my eye. I hoped it’d be gone when I wake up. Hugo and Louis would have a field day when they see how f****d up my face was.

I didn’t sleep a wink. I couldn’t stop thinking about Caden. Why did I pass out anyway? The last thing I remember was when I was in the library and we were arguing about what Kelly and the others did to me. Caden was fuming in anger but I think I managed to keep him out of trouble. Kelly wasn’t a part of the Mafia. One of our rules was never to involve or harm a civilian unless they’re involved with our matters. Unfortunately, Kelly wasn’t. He just punched me for a petty reason. It’s not like he stole drugs from me, or anything related to what we do.

I just prayed Caden would let this go. The bruise on my face darkened incredibly and the fact that I lacked sleep didn’t help either. I stared at the mirror and realized how much I resembled a damn panda. Too bad I wasn’t as adorable as them.

“You’re so cute, Livi.”

My head shook to forget what just popped in my mind. Caden was just teasing me. It’s not like he meant it.

I hurried to put on my clothes after I showered. I came down the stairs and didn’t even bother going to the dining room to eat breakfast. I could grab a bagel in the nearest coffee shop and eat it in my car.

The classes at the morning went without a hitch. Like what Caden said, he didn’t appear at school. He did say he’d attend it but maybe he wouldn’t. He was busy with whatever stuff he was doing last night. Ugh, the memory of going into a place where they dispose the bodies was just…I didn’t want to remember. We’re in the same business but I had never been into those kinds of places.

I was finished with my morning schedule. I put my things inside my bag and readied to head out the classroom and eat lunch. I only ate a bagel and a cup of coffee this morning and it wasn’t that filling. Exiting the room, I avoided the looks people were giving me. The bruise on my face was hard to ignore. And the fact that I had pale skin only made it even more visible.

Walking through the crowded hallway, I decided not to go to the canteen. I might encounter Kelly and his posse again. One bruise was enough.

I really thought I could get away from trouble but unfortunately, fate wasn’t on my side today. I stopped in my tracks, seeing Kelly and his friends standing in front of me. Great. Why did this situation remind me of those typical bullying scenes in a movie? It’s almost hilarious.

“You think you can get away from us, f*****g midget?” Kelly asked, his eyes fuming in anger.

I forced a smile. “I was thinking that, honestly,” I replied. I didn’t want to sound like a cheeky bastard, but it did. And it only made my situation worse. “C-can we just properly talk and not resort in violence, guys?”

“f**k you!”

I braced myself for another punch in the face but before it came, I heard Kelly gasped in horror. I opened my eyes and gasped as well, seeing Caden in front of me. “Didn’t I tell you not to touch what belongs to me, Kelly?”

Kelly’s eyes widened in horror. “W-woah, bro! We were just messing around!”

Caden wasn’t convinced. Everyone watched as he landed a punch straight on Kelly’s face. I swore I heard a crack and I’m sure it came from Kelly’s face. He fell back on the ground, blood spurting out of his nose and mouth. His friends backed away, dumbfounded and stunned. Kelly writhed on the floor, clutching his broken nose.

“W-what the hell did you do, Caden?!” I asked, pulling him away from the scene. He whisked the blood from his knuckles. I thought he’d stop but he kicked Kelly in the face again, earning another howl of pain. The people witnessing Caden’s brutality screamed, either running away or taking a video of what he did to Kelly.

“Rotten bullies like you have no place in this world,” Caden said, spitting at Kelly. His friends were already running away, fearing the same thing would happen to them.

I grabbed Caden’s arm, dragging him away. “Stop it, Caden! Let’s go!”

Pushing Caden to get inside my car, I slammed the door closed. I turned the engine on and hastily drove out of the school building. I’m sure someone already reported what happened. We’re in big trouble. Very big trouble! So much for even planning to stay away from it, Livio!

“What were you thinking?!” I scolded, turning the wheel to the right to get to the Vaccarino mansion. We couldn’t go back to school after what he did. He had just beaten a teenager to death. His punch looked like he took out every tooth in Kelly’s mouth, Jesus!

Caden wiped his knuckles with the tissue that he got from my car. The rage he had back at the corridor was already gone. He’s back to normal and it scared me how fast he could change moods. One moment he was searing in anger and now he’s ready to eat lunch and talk about life. “What’s wrong with what I did?” he asked nonchalantly. “I put that little piece of s**t on his place. I should have killed him, to be honest. One less piece of trash.”

“My God, Caden,” I exclaimed, rolling my eyes at how easy it was for him all those things about killing. I knew what kind of things he was capable of doing but not to these people! “He’s just a boy!”

“A boy who hurt you,” Caden snapped. “I already warned them, and they didn’t listen.” He warned them? He took out his phone from his pocket and called someone. “Go to the school and clean up the mess there. I want Kelly and his group delivered to me tonight.”

I stepped on the brake, not caring if we were in the middle of the street. “What are you doing?!”

Caden hung up the phone, throwing it on the dashboard. “Do you think those idiots are just your ordinary bullies? Do you know why they think they can do anything they want without any consequences?” He leaned closer, his gaze piercing me. “Because they’re a part of my group.”

I didn’t know what to say. His revelation made me speechless. “T-They’re…a part of your group?”

“They f****d up and they need to be punished for it,” Caden said. “Keep driving. Let’s talk later about it.”

“No, Caden.” I faced him, shifting the stick to the park. “I don’t know why you’re so overprotective of me.” I had to confront him about this. He stepped out for me a couple of times already and every time he did, it’d turn in bloodshed.

Caden shot me an amused glare. “I told you, you’re important to me.”

I wanted so hard not to show any reaction, but my body betrayed me. I tensed up and my cheeks flushed. “As a friend, right?” I carefully asked.

I thought he’d say yes. I thought he’d tell me I was just as important as his father because I was family to him. I thought he’d tell me all those things I was expecting. But instead, he closed the gap between us and kissed me on the lips.

The tingling resurfaced and it was if his kiss felt awfully familiar. His lips were so soft and warm, I wanted to bite it, nibble it, pull it with my teeth and—

My indecent thoughts were interrupted when Caden pulled away. I didn’t move, I couldn’t. I was frozen in my seat, my eyes widening in pure shock.

“You don’t kiss your friends like this, don’t you?” Caden asked, smirking at me.

“I-I don’t think so,” I mumbled.

“f**k,” he cursed, his grin strained as if he was stopping himself from whatever urge he was feeling. “I can’t get enough of you, Livi.”

And he dived in for another kiss. But this time, it was greedier, more passionate, more…

“Ah!” f**k, I think I just came.