07

VALENTINE

I was feeling troubled a few meters away from the mansion. I had this grave feeling that Rossetti would try to harm her.

Thankfully, I told Marie to keep a watch over her.

Adelina stretched her hands towards mine, she covered my hands and flashed a concerned beam, “A penny for your thoughts?"

“I'm fine." I retracted my hands.

Her smile went dead. She withdrew her hands and sucked in her breath.

“The boss wants this to be massive. Remember this is for Don and Donna. Give it your all,” I gave a small morale talk to boost their morale.

The car stopped a few distance away from the casino we were supposed to hit.

But something was fishy. There were no lights and no sound.

I raised my hands and everyone remained still in their positions. I ordered every car to turn off the headlights and taillights. I could see figures lurking around in the shadows.

"Willy old fool,” I muttered to myself with a chagrin.

"I will go in first. You come in five minutes later.” I commanded and jumped out of the car.

Marcelo followed suit.

"No, Marcelo stay back and direct the crew,” I held his shoulders.

"Boss, You can't go in there alone.”

"I will go with him,” Adelina stepped out of the car, cracking her knuckles and swinging a dagger.

"Fine. Remember five minutes you come in,” I said to Marcelo and trudged towards the casino.

Adelina took the front door. I walked around. Don Rossini doesn't erect a casino without constructing a secret passageway. I walked around till I found a small door stashed at the other part of the building. I walked in. It was quiet but then I heard voices. There wasn't loud.

There were gamblers and Don Rossini's men. I noticed their movement. I caught a glimpse of Adelina stealthily making her way into the room. She caught one of his men, closing his lips with her plans she slashed his throat open with the dagger. The red substance rolling off his throat was appealing.

My target wasn't around. I wanted to see Don Rossini. I have some questions for him. When Cleopatra told me she was a collateral for a loan, I knew at once she was talking about Don Rossini.

I walked back to the way I came through. I found a room. He could be there. I kicked the door open. His men came after me. I was quick to duck and avoid their blows.

I caught the arms of the two men. A small twist leaves their arms dislocated and earns a yelp from them.

Two others came after me brandishing their weapons. I wrapped my arms around the torso of one. I carried him above my shoulders and flung him across the wall. He rolled down the wall with a groan. The other threw a scissors kick. A little tilt of my head away from his leg, I caught his leg mid air. I gave it a twist. I heard a snap and then he yelled in pain loudly.

I took his knife and drove it right through his neck. His blood splattered around and on my face and body.

I got to Don Rossini. And there the old man is receiving it hot from two belles. Once they saw me, they scampered away in fear.

“Diego, What is going…” the rest of his words remained stuck at the end of his throat when he saw me.

His lips raised in a smirk. I saw how hard he was trying to mask his fear, “Old man, We meet again."

We met the other time before my family was struck. It was at a party for Don Arminius.

“What do you want, little boy?"

A dry chuckle fell off my lips, “Just answer a few questions and I will be on my way."

“I don't answer to anyone, not even you."

He tried to stand from the bed. I caught his legs and held them down on the bed, keeping him in place.

His eyes widened with terror.

“Are you ready?"

He swallowed hard and said nothing.

“Fine. First, Who is Cleopatra?" I started slowly and steadily making sure each question drifted through his head.

“Cleopatra? I don't know her."

I flashed him a grin and cut his big toe off.

He yelled in fear and pain. His shoulder rose and fell the same as his breath.

“Let's go again. Why do you have her with you?"

“She isn't with me.."

“I know. Why do you have her in your possession?"

He looked at me. His eyes danced with fear.

“I.."

I pressed the sharp blades of the knife on his other big toe.

“Her uncle. Her uncle gave her off as collateral."

“Hmm." I moved away from him.

I wiped off the blood on the knife on his chest.

“I will pay off the debts and you let the girl go, Agreed?"

His lips shuddered, “I want the girl, Valentine. The girl or nothing."

I chuckled.

“You had a choice of getting richer."

I took his hand and placed the ends of the blade on it, “I don't want to ever find you troubling her again. She is no more your property,” I warned sternly.

Marcelo trotted in, "Boss,” He handed a bag filled with a stash of notes.

"Here. Stay away from her and her family,” I threw the bag on his body and rose to full length.

"I think we are done,” I cracked my neck bone and left.

I exhaled once outside the casino. We got into the car and rode back to the mansion.

I literally jumped out of the car. My chest raced as my feet scrunched deep into the hard floor and I walked into the mansion.

I heard someone sob painfully. My stomach dropped when I saw Cleopatra tied against the wall.

There was fresh blood on her forehead. Her hands were tied around the large pillar. Her eyes were swollen and puffy.

"Cleopatra?!” I mumbled shakily. Charged with adrenaline I ran towards her. I have never been afraid since twenty six years ago. My father turned me from a soft little boy to a hard man that could withstand blood and war at the age of four. But seeing Cleopatra tied to the wall sent my heart rising in fear.

A gunshot boomerang in the air. Everywhere became silent. One beat. Two. Three. Four.

Rossetti walked down the stairs.

“Guess what I caught her doing today?" Rossetti's voice echoed across the room. It was just me, him and Cleopatra.

My gaze flickered from Cleopatra to him where he stood at the end of the staircase.

"Cleopatra, What did you do?” I demanded in rage. I didn't want to believe that Rossetti was right all along.

She shook her head. Her mouth was sealed off with a tape. She made muffled sounds.

"What else? Trying to gather intels for whoever sent her,” Rossetti blurted.