Chapter Five

The sick idea of visiting La Nostra Terra again has been hell from the very start — the only available private plane that can bring me down here suddenly develops a major fault, so I have to board a flight at the airport. The female flight attendants won't stop trying to get my attention, making the 2-hours flight super irritating. I got swarmed at the airport by the paparazzi, and now the traffic won't let us get through. Can it get any worse than it already has?

"I'm sorry, boss. I didn't know the streets could get this busy…" Marcelo sighs, glancing at me. He's my best friend and my underboss. He's also the only reason I haven't shot at anyone yet, despite how badly they've been getting under my skin.

"Remind me again why I decided to come to this crappy city," I snort, swallowing past a wave of aggressiveness. 

"Well, for starters, you have to meet Leonardo Dante for whatever business offer he has for you."

"Believe me. I didn't take this unpleasant visit for him. I'm the least interested in whatever Leonardo Dante has to say to me."

"But you're going to meet him, right?" Marcelo asks, giving me a pointed look.

"Yeah, I made a promise to Miguel, and I intend to keep it. So yeah, you might as well put a bullet in my head right now." I sigh irritatedly.

It's an honor to be a man of your word, but it sucks just as much. 

When Leonardo Dante reached out to me to propose a business deal, I had every intention of turning him down.

The man is too clean and way too 'prim' to go into any sort of business alliance with me. Everyone knows how crooked and vicious I am at making deals. And you have to be prepared to do the most illegal shit—the type you'll be killed for or sent to lifetime imprisonment for.

Leonardo Dante may be good in legit businesses, but he's no help in my dark world. The old man can't even stand the sight of blood. So having him suggest that we create a pact is the most unrealistic shit.

I told Miguel about him because Miguel hates the man to the brim. I don't know their story, but I'm sensitive enough to know it goes beyond business. 

Miguel suggests that I come over and meet the man, hear him out, and find out what he's up to. and of course, I'll report back to him. That way, he gets to block whatever chances the Dantes have in becoming the top in the business world again.

So here I am, back in La Nostra Terra for a phony meeting with Leonardo Dante and a chit-chat with Miguel later. Then maybe I'll hang around for a day or two, and I'll leave. I've never liked this city anyway—more so after what happened on my last visit.

"Miguel just texted, boss." Marcelo grips my attention again. "He wants to know if you're on your way to him. And if you both can get some drinks later."

"Tell him I'm on my way, but no, I'm not having any drinks here in Nostra Terra anymore," I reply vaguely.

"Because of what happened last time?" Marcelo questions, with his eyes fixed on the screen of the phone, texting Miguel.

"Yes." There's no point denying it. He knows the story. So does Miguel. 

"I was thinking – uh– now that we're back here, do we try looking for her again?" 

"No." I turn my head in his direction so he realizes how serious I am. "That matter died five years ago. I want to leave it dead. Don't search for her anymore. She's probably forgotten we ever shared a bed."

"Well, you can't be so sure. If you don't –"

"Marcelo!" I snap furiously, silencing him. "Do not search for her. I don't want to go through that stress again. How hard is that to understand?"

"I'm sorry, boss." He bows slightly and returns his attention to his phone. "I still think she's got your kind of eyes, boss."

"Who?" My gaze catches the picture of the girl on his phone. It's the little girl at the airport with two women. I couldn't get a good view of what they looked like. Marcelo had been so intrigued by her that he took a picture. 

"So what if she got my kind of eyes? There are a lot of blue-eyed folks around. Nothing special." I brush off the conversation before he turns it into something big.

"Maybe. But yours have a different sparkle. And hers too. I don't know. It just feels like you two…"

"Are siblings?" I complete, throwing him a sarcastic glance. 

"Fuck, no." He laughs and shuts the phone off. "Nevermind. I'd rather stop talking about it."

We arrive at the Galiano building, and we head inside. Everyone scurries out of the way in fear as the men and I walk the hallway.

Behind my tinted glass, I see a little girl heading our way. She's the least aware of our presence as her gaze is completely invested in the cookies in her hands.

We keep walking toward her, and she does the same until she stops right in front of me, bumping her head on my leg.

"Ouch," she sighs softly, looking up. "I'm sorry, mister. I didn't mean to bump into you. Please don't get mad at me."

I take off my glasses, staring down at her, wondering why she looks familiar. 

"It's her. The girl from the airport." Marcelo whispers into my ear.

Right. It's her. And I have to admit; she's a beauty. Quite a charmer, alright. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. She'll make quite an enchantress. I may be a monster, but I've got a soft spot for kids. Female kids, to be exact. Not in that pedophile way, fuck, no. I mercilessly kill pedophiles for the damage they cause these little angels. Yeah, that's what I think of them. Angels.

I go on bended knees so she doesn't have to strain her neck any longer. She gasps, and her face glows instantly.

"Daddy?" With no more words, she hugs me so tightly. "OMG, I can believe you're back. I've missed you so much, Daddy. Mummy did too."

The men try to drag her away, but I signal them to fall back in line. Something about her fragile body affects me, forcing me to submit to her gentle aura.

I want to touch her and pull her away from me, but I get self-conscious about my hands. They are no ordinary hands. A thousand people have died at my hands. They are bloody filthy hands, unfit for an Angel's body.

Just on cue, one of the female secretaries pulls her away from me. 

"I'm so sorry, Sir Benjamin. I was supposed to keep an eye on her–"

"No, it's okay." Flustered by the hug, I reply, calmer than I intend to. 

"He's my Daddy. I'm allowed to hug him." The little girl says with confidence that it is too big for her age. She tries to get away from the secretary's grip.

"Feisty little princess. That's nice." I chuckle. It's weird. I don't ever chuckle in public. Like ever. 

"I just want to hug you again, Daddy. Let me go!" She screams at the secretary. Wow, a little bit of a brat too. Charming.

"Okay, why don't you go get your Mummy and we can hug later?" I smile, lowering slightly to her level. "I'm sure she's worried about you."

"I'm sure she also wants to see you, Daddy. Come with me, please." She breaks away from the secretary's hold and runs to me, hugging me again. 

"Alright. Alright." This time, she lets go of me on her own will. I can't ever touch her. I'm afraid I'll taint her porcelain, smooth skin.

"So you're coming with me?"

"Sure, but right behind you. My men will go with you. I have to make a quick call, and I'll follow."

"You promise?" 

Fuck, no. I'm lying. I just want her to go away and I'll disappear. But right now, she is forcing me to make a promise and I never break a promise.

The more I stay silent, the wetter her eyes get. The tears try to spill so I quickly say the words her little ears want to hear. 

"I promise."

"Thanks, Daddy. Let me go tell Mummy that you returned." She places a quick kiss on my cheek and runs ahead. My men follow her and I'm still standing at a spot, dazed from the wetness on my cheek.

"Are you alright, boss?" Marcello taps my shoulder.

I nod. "Yeah. I'm okay." My voice is low and a bit shaky. I trail my fingers on my cheek, feeling the wetness of her kiss. 

"Do you know the girl?"

"No. But you're right. Our eyes are similar. I wonder why." I say, lost in brief thoughts, also wondering why she insisted that this mystery man is her father.