WHAT TOXIC LOYALTY??

CAMILLA

Her barefoot padded softly as she approached the balcony, her slender fingers curled tightly around the gold iron of the railing. One hand rubbed the curve of her protruding belly softly, while her eyes gazed down.

Below the courtyard, she could see crates being moved, and a truck pulling into the compound. It was his fifth deal this week, the money wouldn’t stop coming in.

“Rafael, these girls are one of the best I’ve brought so far.” A man’s voice echoed through the courtyard. Camilla’s ear strained, as she tried to get a hearing of what he was saying.

“Las revise yo mismo. Tetas grandes, apretado cono virgin, inocente. El precio que me estas dando no es justo.” His French accent echoed in his frustration,

(I checked them myself. Big tits, tight virgin pussy, innocent. The price you’re giving me isn’t fair.)

Her eyes narrowed as she watched from above. They fell on one of the girls, no older than sixteen, trembling.

Her bound hands twitched as the man gripped her arm tightly, blood stained the corner of her mouth like she had been hit. Another product for him, another business.

Camilla stretched her leg slightly, trying to get a clearer angle.

She could never get used to having his girls around the house, being tossed around like animals while the maids washed them, dressed them , painted over their bruises and fear with powder and lipstick.

But no matter how many times she told herself it was wrong, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him. it wasn’t his fault, it’s just the business passed down to him by his father, he had to do it.

“How much do you want, Rico?” A familiar deep voice rumbled through the courtyard, slow and composed. It was him, her lover, Rafael.

He sat dominantly on a gold plated chair, a cigar burned lazily between his fingers.

One of his eyes, a milky white color from a blade wound long ago. Tattoos inked the length of both forearms, wrapping around bullet wound and scars. His black hair, sleeked back completely, leaving his sharp jaw line.

“Twenty million Euros.” Rico spat, his chin lifted in confidence. Camilla recognized him, it wasn’t his first time dealing with Rafael.

A puff of smoke escaped Rafael’s lips, “When would you like the payment?”

“Now, if possible. So I can release the girls and be on my way. A business man shouldn’t stay too long…” Rico let out a soft chuckle, a small scoff let Rafael’s throat as his gaze held Rico’s with dark intent.

A single brow lifted over Rafael’s good eye, he leaned his head back softly, and used two fingers to signal one of his guards standing behind him.

The guard came close, leaning to his ear. He whispered, and the bodyguard responded with a nod.

“Can’t hear anything…” Camilla said to herself, her hands left the railing and her bare feet thudded softly as she stepped down the stairs, drawn to him like an addict.

“You’ll get your payment,” Rafael grinned, his throat rumbling softly in a low dark chuckle.

Rico nodded positively, his smile curled from ear to ear, as he just sealed another deal. He was making more than most traffickers when it comes to dealing with Rafael,

“You’d be good for Rafael, no?” He teased, his finger dug into the girl’s arm. Soon, tall shadows overwhelmed his short figure and the smile soon wiped off his face.

Rafael’s men seized him by the arm, his grip instinctively left go of the girl’s arm and she crashed to the floor in a sickening thud.

“No, what are you doing?!” His eyes widened in confusion, while Rafael’s men held him in the air.

“You wanted your payment, and you’ll get it.” Rafael took a drag from his tobacco,

“No! Rafael, this is business!” Rico shouted, thrashing against his men, and kicking his legs in the air.

Irritated, a low growl tore from Rafael’s throat and he grabbed the pistol from the table beside him, firing a single bullet into Rico’s skull.

His head jerked, slumped back and his body went limp. Camilla halted in her steps, freezing mid way as her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes wide in terror as she saw Rico’s head dangling lazily on his neck, he was dead.

Placing the gun back on the stool, “Feed him to the tigers.” He commanded.

Rafael turned his head back slowly, his eyes caught Camilla standing at the foot of the stairs by the door entrance, her hand trembled over her belly.

“Mi vida, Come here,” He said gently.

Her feet felt like they were glued to the ground, like her body was being controlled by someone else.

But she forced herself to take a step, walking towards him with each step harder than the last.

On getting to him, he pulled her down gently onto his lap. He killed the tobacco in the ashtray on the stool, and then his hands moved to her face, brushing over her cheeks softly.

His voice dropped to a low affectionate tone, and his hand drifted to her stomach, rubbing on it softly,

“Six months already, it’s growing pretty fast.”

Her eyes beamed with a smile her lips failed to give, she couldn’t find words.

She loved him, or maybe she only believed she did because it was easier than fearing him.

“What you stole from Lucian for me, it’s working wonders.” He murmured, his hand brushed a strand of curls away from her face.

“That chip is the best thing to happen to us, very soon the De Rossi territories would fall like Dominos.

He leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her shoulder,

“Dios bendiga a la traidora, Mi vida.”

(God bless the traitor, My life)

Finally, a small smile curled on her lips but yet her heart thudded painfully.

“You’re not still worrying about your sister, are you?” He asked suddenly, the cold tone returning.

“I never worried about her” Camilla mouthed instantly, almost too quickly.

Her hands caressed his face, “She was always weak, always needed saving. It felt like I owed her something, but I never did.” She chuckled softly,

She saw Aria as a liability, they both lost their parents but yet why was it her responsibility to take care of her.

if she took care of Aria, who would take care of her. She couldn’t lose herself, the world owed Aria nothing and neither did she.

If she had to do it all again, she would.

“I found my strength in you.” Her thumb brushed over the scar under his eye,

But under her eyes, dark circles spoke louder than her words. Sleep had become something she couldn’t afford.

The drugs he fed her kept her floating above the surface, but deep down, she was drowning.

“I heard word that Lucian bought her at an auction,” He leaned back, “That little slut was what you were taking care of?” he scoffed.

“She chose her path,” she breathed, “I’m just happy you found me.”

A soft exhale left his nostrils, his hand returned to her face,

“Maybe we’ll use her as leverage. She’s still got that innocent face, might be good bait for a few pigs in Italy. And you,” His fingers trailed down her stomach,

“You’ll help me catch her, won’t you?”

She nodded slowly, a wide smile on her face

“Anything for you.”

She’d stolen for him, lied for him, she was even wanted but yet, it was for him. Their one night stand had been impulsive, but to her it was fate.

“Good. You better give me a son, Camilla.” His thumb brushed her lower lips, her heart pounded in her ears.

He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear,

“If it’s a girl…” He kissed her stomach,

“I’ll cut it out myself.”