Chapter 5

“An eagle symbol!!”

Vincenzo stared at the bold sculpture the moment he stepped into his therapist’s office. The familiar weight settled over him at once cold, heavy and unchanged just like before and always, the room felt too quiet.

“How are you feeling Vincenzo?” Sandra asked, taking out her notes and pen. He sat on the couch tall and controlled, his cold grey eyes scanning the room as he slowly tapped his index finger against the armrest with his jaw tightened.

“Vincenzo?” She called his name a fourth time before he finally snapped out of his thoughts.

“I’m fine”

“Being bossy again?”

“You know I sound this way”

“I do. Unless you’re having a problem again” She watched him carefully before saying “I canceled all my appointments for you, so you better start talking” For a moment his stare stayed hard and distant. Then he spoke with a voice low and rough.

“It’s May 29th Sandra”

She softened slightly before mouthing “Right” The pain hit harder than any physical wound. He had never spoken about his sister to anyone, not even her, even though he knew holding on to it only made it worse.

“What if Sandra?” His voice dropped “She was scared… and I couldn’t protect her. Instead I ran away like a lost puppy” The words came out quieter and heavier, as if they cost him something. “It feels like it’s happening every May 29th and I can’t get it out of my head”

“It wasn’t your fault” He gave a short humorless laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “Your sister wouldn’t want you to live like this” Sandra said gently. “She would want justice”

Justice? Vincenzo chuckled. He wasn't seeking justice, he was going to end all of them just as they all did to his sister.

No matter how long it takes …he'll have his revenge.

The word stayed with him long after he left the office. Outside, he stood in front of the memorial stone with his eyes fixed on the engraved name.

SOFIA LOMBARDI

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

He placed the same eagle symbol carefully on the grave, stared at it for a long moment then turned and walked back to his car without looking back.

---

“Oh my God, Rose” Isabel raised her hands after hearing about the man from the bar. “Quit working there, you're only twenty”

“It’s hard getting proper work without a degree” Rose muttered, dropping into the chair across from her with her shoulders tensed.

“What are you so furious about?” Isabel asked, studying her face. “The fact that he got to you?”

Rose exhaled slowly trying to push the memory away. The feeling of his mouth on her neck still lingered more than she wanted to admit.

“I don’t have my own place and I barely make money. I hate relying on you and Leo”

Isabel handed her a glass of water. “Relax, okay relax please, we’re talking about today. Are you still going to Victor?”

“of course”

Isabel’s expression tightened with clear worry “Victor and his devil's deals…” Isabel humped feeling a bit worried because victor's is a devils incarnate, he always preys on people's weakness to get to them.

“He found out who killed my parents” Rose started. “That’s why I’m going he’s helping me isabel”

“And the deal?”

“I deliver the man to him. In exchange, I get protection… and answers”

Isabel watched her carefully. She didn’t trust Victor and part of her already suspected he was only using Rose. But she didn’t push further.

Rose kissed her cheek lightly and went upstairs.

In the quiet of the room, she stood in front of the mirror for a long time and traced the old scar on her waist with her fingertips. The memory of that night in the bush returned briefly the trap, the sharp pain, the figure who had appeared and helped her. Then her thoughts shifted this time it was uninvited and it's about the man from the bar.

“Strip.”

His voice.  

The heat of his breath on her shoulder.  

The way he had looked at her like he already owned the reaction in her body.

She tried to ignore the pull but her body remembered too clearly. Her hand moved slowly across her chest then lower. The sensation built faster than she expected when her fingers slipped between her legs she bit down on a soft sound, wincing slightly at the unfamiliar pressure. The memory of his voice and the weight of his presence pushed her over the edge. She came quietly, breath trembling face turned into the pillow as her body tensed and then slowly relaxed.

For a moment she stayed still ashamed and unsettled by how easily he had gotten into her head.

Then her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

One unread message from an unknown number.

She sat up and opened it.

A clear photo of the eagle symbol filled the screen.  

Next to it, a black feather stained with blood.  

And a short message underneath:

“Run!!!!!”