Chapter Two

THE QUIET THAT SCREAMED

The days after Hunter Groves left their house bled into each other like open wounds dark, swollen, and impossible to ignore.

But everything became strangely quiet and calm. Too quiet.

There were no strange men in their driveway. No black vehicles idling outside the gate. No warnings or letters or threats. It was as if the storm came and then simply vanished, leaving no sound in its wake.

Mirabella didn’t trust the quietness or calmness.

She moved through the house like a stranger, tiptoeing through the shadows of what used to be home. David was different, too. Quieter and more absent recently. He stayed out late and left earlier, sometimes he doesn't come back home at night even. When she asked where he went, he offered plane replies; work, meetings, errands.

She knew he was hiding something from her.

He had done something.

She cornered him on the third Sunday after their uninvited visitor came around.

David sat at the marble counter in the kitchen, flipping through an old photo album with a mug of coffee in hand. His eyes looked distant, like he was in deep thought. Mira stepped in, opened the fridge, took out a smoothie and closed the fridge a little harder than necessary.

He looked up. “Morning.”

“It’s 3PM.”

He smiled tiredly. “Right. Afternoon, then.”

“What is going on with you? I want answers.”

“Mira…”

“No.” She crossed her arms, jaw set. “I’m not a child anymore .You can’t keep pretending this house isn’t filled with untold stories and secrets.”

David sighed, closed the album, and pointed to the chair beside him. “Sit.”

She did because she needed to know everything.

“I paid the debt,” he said softly, his eyes not meeting hers.

Her heart skipped a beat 

“You… what?”

“I handled it. It’s done. No one’s coming back to the house to take you for any debt.”

The words sounded like a thunderstorm in her ear. “How? David, what did you do? How can you possibly pay more than seven hundred million in such a short time?”

He looked away with regret in eyes and voice. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Wait—” She leaned forward, eyes burning and voice low. “You went behind my back. After that insane man walked into this house and threatened us, you went to see him.”

“I went to him and made a deal.”

“I don't get you David, you made yourself a deal with that devil?”

He looks very worn out now, maybe because she was bugging him with so many questions he doesn't want to answer or he was simply tired and irritated with everything. “I made a choice,” he snapped. “You’re just fifteen. What do you think he’d do to you if he takes you away, Mira? Let you go to college? Let you live? You have no idea what Hunter Groves does to those who cross his path.” 

She flinched.

His voice softened again. “Mira, we are talking about Hunter Groves here, the most dangerous and feared Mafia lord who rules town. Haven't you heard of their deeds? I made sure he had no reason to look at you again.”

She stared at him for a long moment, breathing hard, heart burning with rage and confusion.

“But you traded yourself David, that's not what I want,” she whispered.

David didn’t confirm it. He didn’t have to.

His silence was enough.

Mirabella was speechless. 

It was already the worst that he sacrificed himself.

And what's worser was that he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t given her a choice, hadn’t trusted her with the weight of everything going on. He was carrying everything alone, trying to fix everything alone because he considers her a kid.

She wanted to pull his ears and she wanted to scream, but her throat burned with all the things she couldn’t say. Rage. Love. Resentment.

She wanted to hate him, but she couldn’t. He was her brother and her only family left and everything he was doing now was to protect her.

So she hated the man who forced him into that deal.

Hunter Groves.

That name alone made her stomach coil and her lungs twist.

“I’ve got a job now,” David said after a long silence, drawing her out of her thoughts. “Not glamorous, but it keeps them satisfied.”

“They? So you work for them now?” She asked with wide surprised eyes.

He paused. “Don’t ask.”

She blinked hard. “So what now? You live like this? With a leash around your neck?”

“It’s not forever Bella. Just long enough to keep you safe,” his eyes were now teary.

She was on the verge of tears too because her brother was always thinking about her safety even though he was equally not safe.

Mira clenched her fists on her lap. “I never asked you to protect me like that.”

David reached over and touched her hand gently. “You didn’t have to. You are my little sister and my only family left Mirabella, it is only right for me to always protect you.” 

“But we should protect each other David, what if something happens to you then I will have no one left in this world," she said sobbing lightly.

"Nothing will happen to me, silly girl. I will always be here,” he said, ruffling her hair.

They sat in silence for a moment before he cleared his throat.

“I forgot to tell you,” he added, “Hilda’s almost done with college. She’ll be back after this semester.”

Mira tilted her head. “Oh, I know you. You are always speaking to her.”

“Every day.” His face softened into a light smile, the first real light she’d seen in him in weeks. “She’s graduating early. Might move in once she’s back.”

“Back here?”

David shrugged. “Don’t know yet. It depends on work. Depends on… everything.”

Mira only nodded her head. Glad for the little smile she just saw on her brother's face after a very long time.

Because everything still felt like it could shatter at any second.

***

Three Months Later

Mirabella stood in Terminal B of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport with a single silver suitcase, a pink back pack and a scholarship letter clutched in her hand.

She’d been accepted into a university in New York. Full ride. Honors program. New track. A chance to start over in a place where no one whispered about dead parents or repayment of mafia debts.

David stood beside her, arms around her shoulder, he was protective even now.

“You’ll call every week?” he asked.

“Every Sunday.”

He nodded.

“If you need anything…”

“I won’t.”

“I mean it, Bella. If you need anything at all. Just say the word and I’ll…”

“I won’t need anything big bro,” she said again, sharper this time. “You don't need to worry about me. I am on a scholarship so everything will be provided for me, so you don't need to do their dirty work because of me. Stay away from the Mafia and his gang, please.” She said, her voice teary.

David swallowed hard. And gave her a small unsure head nod.

The loudspeaker called her flight.

She hugged him once, tight and fast then pulled away.

She turned to leave, but ran back to hug him again. She was going to miss her brother and she wasn't assured of his safety in this wild town. 

“I'm going to miss you so much. Do not ever miss my call," she gave him a very stern look.

He chuckled lightly and patted her head. “I wouldn't, for anything. I will miss you too.

She didn’t cry in front of her brother. She’d done enough crying in private.

But by the time she walked onto the plane, she couldn't hold back her tears. She cried softly and quietly thinking about her brother who she was leaving behind. 

“I have heard my parents blaming you, God for many things, even though I don't know much about you. But please keep my brother safe and alive for me. Please,” she cried uncontrollably, but silently.

***

Hunter Groves never forgot the people who owed him. He made sure to draw out every penny from them, even if it meant wasting their lives in the process.

He especially didn’t forget those who tried to run away or disappear. Mirabella was his to claim, control and own, but she was going away from him.

He leaned back in the black leather chair of his downtown Atlanta penthouse, sipping a glass of aged bourbon while watching two screens. One showed security footage from one of his warehouses. The other showed a single still image of a young girl, carrying a pink backpack and a traveling bag beside her. She was standing with her brother and about to depart.

He'd had his men watch her every movement.

Mirabella Antonio.

She is gone, for now, but not far enough.

“She’s going to New York,” Tobias said, stepping into the room. “Enrolled under scholarship.”

“Good.”

Hunter didn’t turn away from the screen.

“She doesn’t suspect being watched, right?”

“No.”

“She shouldn’t,” he said. “She was never the target, but now she is. She has become the target ever since I set eyes on her pictures.”

Tobias raised a brow. “But you’re still watching her.”

Hunter took another slow sip of bourbon. “That girl is a loose end.”

“She’s a kid, Devil.”

Hunter’s eyes hardened. “She’s a bloodline. Antonio’s daughter. The face of the family that crossed me. She might not be in the game now, but one day, someone will try to use her. Her father got involved with several enemies, even Scorpion as well.” Well, Scorpion happens to be his cousin. They are not too good with each other as they tend to have zero tolerance for each other, but they are not at war with each other. His cousin might want a claim on the girl he has eyes for. 

He stood and turned toward the city skyline. The glass wall in front of him reflected a monster tall, precise and cold.

“I’m not keeping tabs because I care,” he added. “I’m keeping tabs, so I’ll know if she ever becomes a problem.”

“And if she does?”

Hunter smiled without warmth. Oh, he has other plans for her. Whether she becomes a problem or not, she wouldn't be a problem in his bed. Definitely would not.

“Then I’ll remind her why her father’s debt was never truly paid.”

***

Later that night, Hunter walked the concrete floors of his newest operation; a weapons distribution center disguised as a steel fabrication business. It stank of oil and money. His cold aura could be felt from afar.

David Antonio stood in the center of the warehouse with other workers, knuckles bruised, his shirt clinging to his skin because of too much sweat. He’d been working for six hours straight — lifting, stacking, cleaning blood and dead bodies.

Hunter didn’t speak at first. Just watched.

David noticed him, straightened up and greeted him, “Boss.”

Hunter lit a cigarette, fingers smooth and calm. “How’s the hand? Giving you problems?”

“The hand’s fine.”

“You learned to shut your mouth yet and do as you are told?”

David didn’t reply.

Hunter stepped forward, flicked the cigarette ash at his feet. “You gave me your life to protect your sister. Very noble of you. Stupid, but noble.”

David’s jaw tightened.

“I’m keeping my end,” Hunter said. “She’s untouched for now. You sent her away, but don’t think for a second that makes her safe. Her safety depends on your performance.”

“I didn't take her away personally to keep her from you, she went because of school,” David said, tone clipped. Afraid not to provoke him.

Hunter nodded once. “Good.” He never went back on his words, but the one he made to David to let his sister go were all lies. Let his little fire go? The thought of her under him makes it impossible for him to let her be. But for now, he will. He will let her grow first, because a young teenager will never be able to take everything he has planned for her. His pants were now very tight around his groin area. He looked down and noticed he was already very hard and uncomfortable. Only thinking about her, she was already getting this much reaction from his dick. The thought of her already made him feel this way. What power does this girl have over him?

He leaned in closer, his voice low. “Because if she never steps back in

to my world… you’ll be the first I kill, then I'll find her and consume her fire.”

David's eyes went wide. “But you…”

“Oh, you should know you are dealing with the devil himself.” His face was dark with something as he walked away.