The Mafia's Secret Claim

**VANESSA’S POV**

5 PM

I sprinted through the dense bush, heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Branches snagged at my clothes, tearing at the fabric, and the sounds of shouting behind me sent adrenaline surging through my veins. They were gaining on me. 

" Stop her!” a voice shouted, echoing in the night, cold and relentless.

I couldn’t let them catch me. I glanced back, catching a glimpse of Vincent, his eyes glinting with menace. All that mattered was getting away. 

 The chill of the night air wrapped around me , and I pushed myself to run faster. The sounds of pursuit were close—too close.

" You can't hide forever, sweetheart !”

 Vincent taunted, his voice cutting through the darkness like a knife.

I tripped over a branch and groaned in pain. Will I be able to escape?

** Thirty minutes Earlier**

The atmosphere at Gork Club was electric, a pulsating blend of laughter and music that wrapped around me like a warm embrace for my birthday I was laughing with Marcello, his boyish charm lighting up the bedroom. The dim lighting cast playful shadows across his chiseled features, and for a moment, everything felt right in my chaotic life. 

“Happy birthday, Vanessa,” he said, his voice low and sincere, pulling me from my thoughts as he leaned in closer. 

In his hands was a small blue box, and as he opened it, my breath caught in my throat. Inside lay a beautiful silver necklace, sparkling under the club's dim lights. 

“It’s beautiful!” I exclaimed, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. 

“Put it on,” he urged, his eyes shimmering with warmth. I took the necklace from him, fingers trembling with excitement and nerves. As I fastened it around my neck, I gave him a warm smile which I knew deep down, I was hurting and afraid for my life.

Just as I was admiring my reflection in a nearby mirror, Marcello leaned closer, his breath warm against my skin. “You look amazing.”

The air thickened with high tension, and I felt my heart race. Our eyes locked, and I knew what was coming next. I can't let this happen again. He leaned in, his intentions clear.

“Marcello, wait—” I started, but it was too late. 

Before our lips could meet, Tess burst into the room, her eyes wide with alarm. " Happy birthday , my beautiful sister!”

Marcello stepped back, frustration flashing in his eyes. “ Yay! Way to ruin it” he muttered under his breath.

" What are you doing baby? Were you trying to kiss her? " She asked, her voice shaky. 

This was an awkward moment for me but it meant the right time for me to explain. 

" I was just....."

“Just what? What is going on here? Are you guys making out on your birthday ? ” Tess interrupted, as she glared at him.

I opened my mouth to talk, to explain that it wasn’t like that, but the urgency in Tess’s voice silenced me. The tension in the room thickened, and I could feel the unease creeping in. 

My hands trembled and I closed my eyes ready to tell the truth without hesitation nor thinking twice of the consequences attached,

" Tess... Marcello tried ....

" Hold up! You know ,I thought I could bring my dad here to meet you but I'm just disappointed! "

My eyes widened as I processed what she said, " You told dad where I was? I told you  not to tell him. I can't believe yoou...

She scoffed, paused for a second and threw my cake on the floor.

" Ahhh! "

I glanced at Marcello to see his reaction but he only walked lazily to the bed with his hands in his pockets and satin it lighting a cigarette.

He didn't care one bit.

" I guess the rumours were true. I can't believe you would screw your sister's boyfriend! " She yelled.

I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. She is wrong! There was more to this. 

" Tess, he's a psycho. Please,let me explain! "

" Get your hands off me! "

She ran outside the room and I followed her into the party room where everyone shouted, " Happy birthday, Vanessa! " 

Suddenly, chaos erupted. A group of men stormed into the house, their shouts cutting through the laughter and music like a knife. They were shouting orders, guns drawn, and panic spread like wildfire through the crowd.

“Run!” I yelled, my heart racing as i held Tess by the arm but she flinched it off me. I didn’t know where I was going, but I had to escape. I darted toward the back exit, adrenaline surging through me. 

“Get back here!” one of the men shouted, his voice grating on my nerves as I felt their hands close in around me. I fought against them, my instincts kicking in as I struggled to break free.

" This can't be happening! "I thought, dread settling in my stomach. 

Tess and Marcello were close behind, fighting off their captors, but I could see the fear in their eyes. We were all in danger, and I had to protect them. 

Before I could think, my legs met its body in a bush, the cold air hitting my skin like a slap.  It was beginning to get dark. I turned to see Vincent standing there, his expression twisted with anger. 

Vincent was the owner of the club and I had always feared him from day one. What could he possibly want with me?

“Vincent!” I gasped, stepping back instinctively.

He reached for me, but I was too quick. I ducked beneath his grasp, pushing my way past him and into the shadows. 

" I have to run!" I thought desperately. 

I ran deeper, the sounds of the club fading behind me. My breath came in gasps as I glanced over my shoulder, spotting Vincent following close behind. 

Suddenly, I heard Tess scream. My heart dropped. I spun around, my instincts screaming for me to go back, but it was dark and scary. I had to keep moving.

“Vanessa!” Tess called again, her voice laced with fear. 

I ran back the way I had come, rounding the corner just in time to see Marcello struggling against two men, his face contorted with effort. 

“Get off him!” I shouted, but my voice sounded small against the chaos. 

Before I could reach them, I felt a hand grip my shoulder, yanking me back. I spun around to find Vincent looming over me, a sinister smile on his face. 

“Going somewhere?” he taunted, pulling me closer as I struggled against him.

" Let go of me! Please!"  Panic surged through me, and in a sudden rush of instinct, I kicked his knee. He stumbled back, momentarily caught off guard.

“Vanessa, run!” Marcello yelled.

" Where is Tess? Tess! "

I glanced back at him, heart racing as I took off again. Just as I turned the corner, I spotted my father, his face illuminated by the torchlight he had pointing to his face, counting a large sum of money while his daughter was being chased.

" Dad! " I shouted, but he didn’t even look up.

" Jus go with him, Vanessa! You are too stubborn” my father finally yelled.

Vincent had me in a vice grip, dragging me deeper into the shadows.

“Stop fighting, Vanessa!” he hissed, his breath hot against my ear. 

But I wouldn’t give up. I spotted something glinting on the ground—a gun, discarded but still loaded. My fingers wrapped around it instinctively. 

“Vanessa, don’t!” Vincent warned, his eyes widening in fear.

But it was too late. I pulled the trigger, the deafening bang ringing in my ears as he staggered back, shock etched across his face. 

My world tilted, and I felt weightless for a moment. I couldn’t think; all I knew was that I had to escape. 

“You bitch” my father shouted, panic flooding his voice as he turned to flee. 

But before I could react, another guy shot was heard but not not from my gun. 

Whose gun?