SPARROWED

"Leave Jeremy and hurry back now, Boss wants to see you.’

My heart hammered in my chest. I tried to think of every possible reason Vincenzo Greco could have to make me halt my mission. Did I mess up somewhere or did he know I was still smoking while on errands?.

I ran my fingers through my hair and someone bumped into me, apologizing before scurrying away. I knew what happened and immediately grabbed him by the collar before he went far.

As if he predicted my actions, he threw a punch which caught the left side of my eye, I returned it, punching him hard in the face. He wheezed and staggered back, the cash that was in my pocket seconds ago fell from his hands.

I've been in this game before, I could tell when someone is trying to play my own tricks on me.

“Did Sparrow send you huh?” I asked straddling him on the floor as I delivered another punch to his face. The spot where his fist connected to my face stung badly and I didn't stop hitting him.

I finally got satisfied when he stopped struggling beneath me and just layed there, breathing heavily, his face bloody and all battered up. His fingers twitched after I snatched up the bundle of cash. I was tempted to go back inside and face Sparrow but he was probably playing his match now, completely stoned like a bull on steroids.

I pocketed the money, my pocket bulging as I scurried away from the alley to where I parked my bike. It was far, but increased my pace anyways, my cheek throbbing as I glanced at my fist in the dark. My mind was also on the text message I received from Slade.

I ran my bloodied fists through my hair again as I realized I might not have to be scared after all. I have messed up a couple of times and Vincenzo had never lost his shit. My mind went back to the conversation I had with the bartender.

I wouldn't want to say I was Vincenzo's favorite but I'm hoping whatever happens today won't be something that'll make him disappointed in me. I finally sighted my bike where I parked it and I mounted it. The engine roared as I brought it to life. I put on my helmet and let out a sigh.

Without hesitating, I zoomed out onto the road. The cold wind blew against my face as I made my way back to the huge mansion Vincenzo Greco owned.

The gate that was sealed shut automatically opened for me, I made my way in, bodyguards waiting outside the mansion, their faces stone cold and expressionless. I parked the bike and took off my helmet.

Walking in-between the guards standing alert I made my way inside. Slade, Vincenzo's right hand man was already waiting for me

“Things got rough huh?” He asked as we both walked up to Vincenzo's private lounge.

“What?”

'You have a bruise on your cheek, Nova.”

“Sparrow sent one dumb fuck to steal from me.”

“He never learns doesn't he?”

“Why does the boss keep supplying these thugs when he has other influential people buying in bulk?” I genuinely asked. Someone as big as Vincenzo shouldn't be selling to roadside gamblers but for one reason or the other he seems to keep sending me to deliver drugs to them.

“He has his reasons. I think it's healthy that you don't question him,”Slade said as we got into the elevator. I held my breath. With each passing second, we were getting closer.

“Did I get into trouble?” I summoned the courage to ask Slade. He was quiet and didn't reply to me. Immediately I could feel sweat on my temples

“I doubt if you can ever get into trouble with Vincenzo if I didn't know better I'll say he's romantically interested in you, you're basically like the most perfect person to him ,’’ Slade finally replied and I could feel my chest warm up with pride.

“C'mon you know he sees me as his younger sister,” I chuckled as the elevator doors slid open and we walked up. Slade adjusted his tie and I tried to comb my hair properly with my fingers.

Slade knocked on the door and pushed it open. Someone was lying on the floor, blood splatter around his head while Vincenzo sipped cooly from a cup and someone else was cleaning a gun.

Was that the Jeremy I was supposed to handle?

“Clean this mess before I return,” Vincenzo ordered, picking up his wine cup as gestured to me and Slade. We followed him outside to the terrace.

“I called for you because I have a more important job for you.”

My mind relaxed a bit knowing I didn't get into trouble. I smiled a little as I listened.

“I'm going to be sending you away from here, you're no longer going to be running those errands for me.”

The smile on my face drained.

What was he saying?

“I'm sending you to spy on someone and I'll need your full focus on the job because this person is actually pretty dangerous and we wouldn't want you to get caught because you were running another errand for me.” Slade reached into his pocket and brought out a phone to show me a picture.

The familiar handsome face that was displayed on the screen made my blood run cold.

Zayn Di Laurentiis. The man that killed Vincenzo's wife 3 years ago.

“You’re going to be spying on Zayn for me Nova. It's a very simple yet complex job.”

My heart hammered in my chest as the gravity of the situation weighed down on me.

Vincenzo was sending me to one of the most dangerous man on earth.