GIN

Seven Years Old

“The world for the concealed is changing. Danger leers from every corner for our kind. The ones meant to help protect us seem to be turning on us and further intel is needed. Intel that unfortunately only you and Ali can aquire.” The man before me pauses as a look of regret and concern passes across his harsh eyes that even a seven year old like myself can see. “She must be protected at all costs Gin. Nothing can harm her in any way, physical or emotional. She is the heir to the Bratva. It’s your job to make sure she is safe from all things while also making sure she follows our plans. She is needed more than you know. The future of the family will depend on it.” I watch him as we sit side by side on the iron bench overlooking the lake. The fog rolls in covering the lake like a thick blanket.

I have known Agni Nikolaev since birth, my father’s boss as my godfather. Everyone respected him and in our world even I knew that meant everything. He is our leader and the syndicates made him the protector long ago. So long in fact no one really knows how old he truly is.  “His words are always strong and his orders clear”, is what my father tells me when I ask him about our leader.

“You have one job and only one rule. Protect my daughter with your life Gin, and do not fall in love with her.”

“I thought husbands were supposed to love their wives?”

“ For most, yes. However you are her Imani and future husband. Your job will always be to protect her. Love is not in the picture. It will only distract you. Do. Not. Break. This. Rule.”

He squeezes my knee and stands saying nothing more as he walks away, leaving me alone on that bench with my own internal thoughts. All I can think about is the little girl with blonde curls who likes to  make spitballs at me and play hide in go seek. She is my best friend and even if she wasn’t his daughter, I would protect her with my life.

***

Gin

Twenty Years Old

Loyalty. Family. Fearless. That is the Bravata’s daily devotional vow. I was raised to live these principles daily. Those principles are why I have to make the one call I never wanted to have to make. My father is a loyal advisor to our current leader and I am the Imani to the Don's daughter which is both a blessing and a curse. She has grown into an fierce woman and as she grew up she became even more beautiful than words could say. Her personality and her protective instincts were just one of the reasons I faltered and broke the one rule her father gave me.

“Father, I have broken his one rule.” I shudder when I hear the fear in my own voice.

“How could you?”

“How could I not? She is everything.”

“I see. There is only one thing you can do now.”

“I can’t. It will leave her unprotected.”

“You must. She has the other females and you are of no good to her if you are unfocused. I will contact her father and we will dispatch notice to Reginald right away.”

“She won’t be happy father. I believe she shares the same feelings for me.” 

“If she feels what you think she does she will not let you go easy.Leave without a word to her. Her father will get word to her.”

“Father, that is a cowardly thing to do.”

“It must be done.”

“I will leave today.”

***