Chapter 2

Violet's Pov

I had never heard a gunshot in real life. 

But I have movies.

 They are quick and sharp, mere sound effects in the background. 

But standing there in papa's office with the scent of blood thick in the air, I realised how different reality was from movies. 

The gunshot had been deafening, vibrating through my chest like a force and the man with the gun, staring intently at me with only one emotion in his eyes — murder.

I tried to scream but my voice was trapped in my throat.

 He lifted his gun and I keeled over in shock. 

I was going to die.

I turned the other way, trembling violently as I waited for the bullet to hit me. 

A gunshot rang out and the scream finally let loose. 

The heavy scent of gunpowder and metal filled the air as I inhaled.

 There was a gunshot.

I had been shot.

I looked down, expecting blood to pool around my chest but nothing happened.

If I wasn't shot then who —The question trailed off in my head as I stared at the silver haired man.

The man who had just killed my father laid in a heap on the floor, his blood seeping into the Persian rug.

What the —“Violet Fernandez.” 

A steady voice called out. 

I turned around to see a tall gentleman dressed in a crisp black suit.

 He looked like one of the party guests but I don't remember inviting him. 

“Violet Fernandez,” 

he repeated but I stared blankly at him like it wasn't my name being called. 

His dark eyes flickered between me and papa's corpse.

 “You need to come with me. 

Now.

”My shaky hands took his firm one and he hurled me to my feet. 

“We have to get out of here,” he said.

I opened my mouth to speak but a dark object glinted from his side and I saw the gun — the gun he had used in killing silver hair.

Who was he?Instinctively, I took a step back, my heart hammering so hard I feared my ribcage might crack. 

“Violet?” He called out.

‘No. Run!’

 My brain screamed.

Who gave the gun he was using?

How did he find papa's study?

Why did he look like someone who had done this before? 

Why did he look like someone who knew exactly what he was doing?

“W — who are you?” 

My voice shook as I forced those words out. 

“That doesn't matter. 

What matters is that your life is in grave danger and I'm the only one capable of keeping you alive.” 

He said simply.I swallowed hard.

 Whoever he was, he had watched.

 He had waited, calculated even, before stepping in.

He was clearly not my saviour.

“You need to come with me, Violet before more of them show up.

 We can discuss my identity later.” he sighed.

Discuss my identity later?

More of them?

My stomach clenched.

 I knew nothing about papa's business but I wasn't stupid. 

I had grown up in a world where questions about his trips were met with silence. 

And now, he is dead. 

Murdered.

And standing before me was another murderer.

“I — I'm not going anywhere with you.”

 I said in a shaky voice.His jaw tightened. 

“I don't have time for this.” 

I took another step back and froze.

 His hand shifted, slightly, the hand that held his gun. 

M****a!

 I reacted before I could think.

 I swung my knee up hard, aiming for the one place I knew would immobilize him.

He doubled over in pain and I bolted.

My gown tangled around my legs as I ran but I didn't let it stop me. 

My heart raced so fast I felt like my body couldn't keep up as I raced across the marble floor.

“Stop her!” 

The man from earlier, echoed down the hallway.

 I didn't stop.

I dared not.

The party was still ongoing — laughter and music still in full display, the guests oblivious to the bloodshed that had taken place. 

I burst out into the main hall, colliding with a waitress carrying a tray of champagne.

 Glasses shattered around.

 I shot her a quick apology and resumed running.

I had no plan.

No destination.

Just one thought repeated over and over in my head — Run. Run. Run as fast as you can. I shoved the partiers, ignoring their protests as I reached the front door and threw myself outside.

 My chest burned with each ragged breath I took and the night air hit me like ice. 

I yanked off my heels and I sprinted barefooted to the open garage. 

The valet stared at me, startled, but I didn't care. 

All I wanted was to get out of there.  

I spotted a black SUV. 

Thankfully, the keys were still in the ignition.

 I dove into the car much to the screams of the security guards 

“Hey!” 

One of the guards shouted.

 I slammed the door shut and locked it.

 I tried to start the car but my shaky hands wouldn't stop fumbling with the fucking gear shift. 

“She's in the car!”

 The sound of footsteps echoed behind me, sending a fresh wave of panic clawing through me.

“Dios mío, carajo! Violet, ¡arranca el charros" 

Oh my fucking God! Violet, start the car! I finally found the right gear and hit the gas. 

The tires screeched against the pavement as the car lurched forward. 

I swerved the car on the main road, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. I had no clue where I was going. 

All I knew was that I had to keep driving. 48 hours later,I have never been this tired in my life. 

For 2 days, I'd been running, hiding, barely sleeping or even stopping to eat.

 I had nothing — no phone, no wallet, nothing except the clothes on my back.

 The last thing I remembered before I collapsed onto the cold floor was walking into a gas station with an exhausted body and an empty stomach. 

I had been trying to figure out what the next move would be when the lights went off.

Now, I am awake.

My vision swam and both my wrists ached. 

What was I doing being tied up?

My head throbbed as I mentally asked myself that question.

I heard a quiet snicker and trailed my eyes ahead.

Wherever I was, I wasn't alone.

A man sat across from me.

He wasn't just any man. He was Don Romano.

I knew him.

Everyone did.It was common knowledge that Don Romano was the head of the Romano family, one of the most powerful men in the Italian Mafia.

He was older, maybe late 40’s, but there was nothing weak about him

 His suit was black and crisp, his red hair slicked back and his expression calm. 

It was so calm that it made me uncomfortable.

M****a

“You've made quite a mess, Violet Fernandez.”

 He said in a silky, smooth voice. 

I swallowed hard.

 How the hell did he know who I am?

“Don't act surprised, love.” 

He smirked now and panic coiled in my gut.

“W — where am I?” 

My voice came out hoarse.

 “Somewhere safe,” 

He leaned forward, clasping both his hands.

 “For now.”

My blood froze. 

“W — why am I here?”

 “Because, you, my dear, have access to secrets.” 

He said simply.

Secrets? 

What's he talking about?“

I don't know anything. 

I don't understand what you're talking about!”

 My heart pounded in my chest as I panicked for the umpteenth time that night.

 A slow, condescending smile spread across Romano's face as he spoke. 

“That's what makes you so dangerous, Violet.” What?“

You have all these secrets but don't know what they contain, but don't worry,” he flashed me a grin. 

“I'll help you retrieve them.” 

No.

 What is he saying?

I tried to wrench it free but the ropes only dug into my wrist and it hurt.

Here I was, trapped in God knows where with no phone, no allies nor way of escape. 

I was alone.

And the scary part was —Don Romano had no plans of letting me go.