SARIAN I ran out of the lounge before he could stop me, my heels clicking too loudly on Don Julio's club's glossy marble floor. My heart was racing. And my ears were ringing after hearing what he had just told me. He was so cruel. A heartless bastard. Does he still have to do that to my father even in death? Adrian Caruso. Father's real name. A chip implanted on my face. I was being followed by the Blood Vultures. Why? Why would he say that? I couldn't tell which was worse, his words or his composed demeanor while telling me about it. I didn't want to accept his story. I forced my way through the crowd disregarding the lights, the music and the people dancing as if they were unafraid of the monsters pursuing them. I took a left turn and took the stairs two at a time, hurrying to be outside the club. Then
DON JULIO There was a little something that I loved now as our lips pressed together in a kiss.And that was peace.I felt it.But I knew it was just for now. Sarian sat on my lap, the soft glow from the bulb overhead illuminated the large office and the sound of music came from the club below.The guilt struck my chest like a bullet while her lips were still on mine. Soft. Sweet. Trusting. I was going to say something that she didn't know. I exhaled and grabbed the glass of whiskey and gulped it all down.“ Sarian.” I called slowly, watching her, the specter of our kiss still between us she blinked up at me panting. “There is something you must know.” A tentative smile crossed her lips. “Is this about us?”“No.” I swallowed. My throat was dry as I adjusted myself on the couch. “ It is about your father.” Like the sun disappearing behind a cloud that smile on her face vanished. “What about him?” I glanced around my club's private lounge to make sure nobody was nearby to listen.
DON JULIO The villa's thick curtains let in the morning sun which created beautiful golden lines on the floor. It was quiet in the villa behind me. Almost cutting through the walls. And then I heard a small voice. “Don Julio.” It was Sarian. I chose not to turn to look at her. She didn't say anything again. She smelled of springtime jasmine. She always smells that way since we got back from Sicily. “I was wondering,” she said, taking a step closer and then stopped. “If you had wanted to play chess with me? I am a very good player. I'll beat you to it.” I grinned. “Piccola, it hardly counts.” She gave a faint laugh. “Do you fear that I will win you?. My phone buzzed twice using my men's code for visitors before I could respond. It was business time. “Sarian not now.” I said looking up from my phone.”Duty calls.” She managed a small smile. “All right, I'll go brew some coffee.” It took five minutes for three black cars to arrive. I was able to identify them witho
DON JULIO It was a beautiful morning as the sun shone on everything. For once there were no meetings, no threats made in whispers and no plans involving blood. No sick and stupid attacks and for once, I forgot that the Blood Vultures actually existedI wanted everything to be perfect for once..Just her and me. I had to.temikd myself constantly that falling in love wasn't part of the plan. I still hadn't given up on my chase though. I looked at Sarian, I wanted her to trust me, to feel safe around me, I wanted to give her with a memory which was priceless and everlasting.With the convertible top down and her hair blown about like silk ribbons we drove out of the villa. I watched her take in the view without saying anything. There was a small smile on her lips as she enjoyed the view.We visited a small coastal town that only the locals were familiar with. The beach was concealed between cliffs and the ocean resembled a blank canvas. We
SARIAN From the airport, the drive had been peaceful and no one said anything. And then the car took a sharp bend and we arrived at a wrought-iron gate defended by stone lions, the road meandering through undulating hills and tranquil Italian countryside. Beyond it was a villa that looked like it was from a painting tucked away among vineyards and cypress trees. The sight was stunning and the only time I had seen houses like this were only in movies. For a man like Don Julio—I knew he was filthy rich —but the house I was staring at was worth millions if not billions of money. There were two older maids who spoke only in Italian. They unpacked and swept the villa to remove any indication that we had just arrived. Everything ran smoothly effectively and without noise. Like they'd done it a hundred times. A second-floor room with long white curtains that billowed in the wind and an endless view of the vineyards was assigned to me. It was so breathtaking, and I loved it more than the
SARIAN It had been a blur at the hotel. We all moved when Don Julio gave the order. There were no inquiries from his men. They had been trained that they just followed orders. No suggestions, no complaints whatsoever.They packed as fast and accurately as if it were normal. As though disappearing in the middle of the night was completely normal. Anyways that was what they had signed up for and they were very good at it. I knew I was going to miss this place and everything. I had hardly had time to pack my belongings into my bag before we could get into the car and drive through the silent dark streets of Palermo, but I had carried a little bag and Don Julio had instructed that no one should leave anything behind. I didn't know why he said that but I was also scared of leaving nothing behind. We had arrived at the airport. The scent of perfume, burnt coffee and metal filled the air. People were dragging suitcases behind them as they hurried past with heavy steps. Everything
DON JULIO “Oh, my God.” Her palm flew to her mouth.“Tell me you are lying?”“This is not the time to argue back and forth, Sarian.” I said, grabbing her arm and pushing her forward. “They are lots of unsettling things you wouldn't want to know.”“Oh, yeah.” She sneered.The fire in her eyes was back and I frowned slightly. “We found a chip at the side of your face, how about that for a start?”She gasped, her mouth forming a small ‘O’. I opened the door and pushed her towards Luca, who gave a small nod, understanding what I meant. I stood by the glass window as I watched Sarian get into the black SUV outside the doctor's office.She moved gradually as if she were adjusting to a new body. With guns concealed under coats and vigilant eyes my men hovered protectively around her. She didn't turn around. Okay. That was good and I liked that and at least no more questions from her.I wanted her to forget about this place, forget about everything that had happened. I knew what I was avo
DON JULIO As soon as I entered the hospital the antiseptic stench pricked my nostrils. Chill. Sanitized. Dead. As if they were making an excessive effort to remove the blood that frequently discolored them the walls were too white and spotless. I was in a hurry to get Sarian out of Sicily, I knew that whoever was tracking us would know instantly when the chip got burned that something was wrong and they might be making a surprise attack at us but I had to be ten steps ahead of them.I don't know which of the gangs.The Blood Vultures?The Vipers?The Crows?Or even some freaking gang that didn't want to mind their damn business but revenge would be a topic for another day. I was a hospital hater. The doctor was waiting for me in the elevator wringing his hands as if he wanted to express regret for his birth. He looked like he had been patiently waiting for something that he dreaded so much. His voice was nervous as he spoke to me and then he ran his hands through his face.“She’s aw
DON JULIO I turned around and left before I could think of destroying something in the hospital, before anyone would come asking silly questions.Behind me, the hospital's lights dimmed, vanishing like they never existed to me in the first place.I kept my eyes forward. Every part of me felt like I was seeing things as I was blinded by anger but I moved deliberately and calmly and kept my face expressionless. The doctor had told me that the police would soon be here and I had felt it as soon as I stepped out of the double glass doors. However I had always trusted my instincts and something wasn't quite right. Two blocks away I slid into the parked car, dark windows, plate that cannot be traced. I learned from Matteo to always have one escape route close by. I was grateful that I paid attention tonight. My mind was on the nurse that had brushed past me when I walked into the hospital when sirens sounded as soon as my fingers touched the ignition, rising and falling, destroying the