8

Quinn's p o v

" Goddddddamnit! Please, stop! "

Ear cracking groans of agony and frustration from Mario resonated through the walls of the halfway stalked warehouse as Bruno held the pocket knife, firmly embedded in Mario's left breast.

I sip my Tennessee whiskey from the square shaped glass while I listen to his screams, my right hand is tightened around the gun in my pocket.

As his cries continue, I shake what's left in the glass and pour it in my mouth, pushing it down my throat in one gulp.

I had walked in to meet my suited guards trashing poor Mario. Now that I had watched enough, I had his time.

My guards make way for me and I eye Mario, covered in his own blood. One of my guards stretches his hand forward and collects my empty glass before I bend over to stare at Mario's bloody face. He had only one eye slightly opened while the other was completely swollen and bruised.

He had several knife cuts over his body and a few bruises from heavy punches all over his arms which were tightly tied up to the chair he was sitting on. 

He is unclad except for a pair of short knickers around his groin and a pair of multicolored socks left on the feet of his hairy legs. So unclean!

I grimaced as I saw that his feet are deep in his blood that is all over the floor. 

I shake my head and look up at Bruno whose hands are almost as bloody as Mario himself. " Bruno, you could have focused on his fleshy body alone! Look at what you've done to his pretty face! "

Bruno steps forward and pulls the knife from Mario's chest causing another outburst of cry from him and gush of blood.

    " All this can end, Mario, " I whisper to Mario who is now panting. " If only you could just give me a name! Just one. "

He doesn't speak, he is just panting as his mouth flows with bloody saliva. He starts shaking his head and I draw closer to his face. " For the last time, who the fuck ordered the looting of my stash house? "

    " I don't know... " He shakes his head. " I swear, I'm telling the truth jefe. "

I rise up and sigh. I was serious when I said I was asking for the last time. " That's disappointing. " My hand clenches the gun inside my pocket and I'm about to pull it out when I hear his voice. 

    " But I do know who's working with him. It's Diego. " He coughs. He knew better than to prolong his words.

My eyes narrow as he mentions the name. " What did you just say? " I bend over and eye him.

As he is looking at me, he starts shaking. He opens his mouth to talk but only releases a gurgling sound from his throat as he begins to choke on his own blood. 

He spills blood from his mouth as he coughs and I'm forced to draw back instantly. 

    " Jesus Christ! " I pull out a hanky and wipe hard at the blood he had spat over the chest of my blue suit. I turn to Bruno. " Get this fucker to tell you more. I'm getting late for a breakfast meeting with papa! " I pull at my lapels and walk towards the exit. Before leaving, I hear the sound of a punch, followed by Mario's loud cry.

** ** **

    The elevator door opens and I walk in to see that Lucia and my papa are the only ones sitting at the long oval shaped table.

Lucia is sitting opposite him with her head bent low. It had been a little trouble forcing her out of bed to get dressed up. She looks up to see me the moment I walk in.

She is so beautiful. I thought I would never see those beautiful eyes again. That sharp nose that always emitted a soft breathing over my neck. Her thin lips were so soft and supple. She lowers back her head to stare down at her hands. She was very pretty in the blue dress. Her best color.

I know I told her I needed her for the alliance with the contract she was supposed to help me get but deep down I wanted her for myself.

I sit to face my dad and Lucia.

He is in a black robe wearing his favorite black rosary beads around his neck.

    " Sorry I'm late. I hurried to attend to a quick business. "

He only gives me a stern sidelong glance.

" Where's everyone, papa? "

    " They're not coming! " He mumbles with the black cross dangling before his fat chest as he draws near me.

I don't bother to ask why my brother and the rest of the Family aren't here since it was papa's idea to have breakfast with everyone this morning.

" I see you have met. " I pick my fork.

" Yes we have. " He replied ascetically before casting a stare over Lucia who's just sitting there. 

 " We need to chat! "

" Is it about the stash? I already have that in... "

  " It's not about the stash. It's about her! " He throws a nod at Lucia. " I see you have finally gotten yourself another wife! "

" I am not his wife! " Lucia quaked and I was jarred to see her staring directly at papa. My eyes dilate as I wonder at her audacity.

Papa on the other hand, appeared calm as he picked his glass. " A full replica too, I see. " He faces me with a displeased scowl. " Down to the attitude. "

I don't say a word and I only fix my gaze on Lucia who has hers on the table. She was shaking hysterically. Yet she had the guts.

" All I can say is I hope you are planning on standing at the alter before you start fucking her! " He rises up and I don't watch him as he heads for the door. " I don't want anymore of that sinful relationship you were having with the first Lucia! "

Immediately he was out of the room, I lifted myself up the chair and I glared down at her.

She doesn't move until I near her and grab her arm.

    " Let go of me! " She screamed before I lifted her up to myself and she hung her head away from my eyes while my lips dipped into her ear. " That was brave of you. "

She continues to struggle as I draw her towards the elevator. Breakfast is cancelled. 

I throw her to her bed but she redirects herself to stand still in the middle of the room. " You can't do this to me! " She screams. " I'm not becoming a part of your crime family! "

She was smart enough to figure it out already.

I pause and we only gaze at each other. I take a step near her and she moves back. " You are already a part of this wonderful family Lucia. " 

I say while I'm very close to her. The back of her legs hit the bed frame and she falls to a sitting position, bouncing once.

She is glaring back at me but I can tell that she is very much scared of me.

" My name is Jane! " She still barked.

I stretch my hand and seize her jaw, lifting her stubborn eyes up into mine.

A quick smile draws up the corner of my lips as I'm fascinated by how vulnerable she actually is. All I would rather think of is how much restraint I was pulling on myself to not bite at those lips of hers.

 " I know exactly what you need. " My index finger traces down her jawline before letting go of her face but she stubbornly fixes her gaze on me.

    " I know exactly what to do. I am going to hasten up the wedding. “