Chapter 33

Maisie remembered a while ago she had heard over the radio that the Labrato family's remains were found in a lake house, allegedly a wire short-circuit, caught fire in the middle of the night. The family was misfortune and died in the fire. Maisie had thought at that time that something didn't add up and there had to be more to the story. Having a possible cause, the police had no choice further cause to keep the case open and the case was closed on that report. Snapping back to reality, Maisie continued,

“What do I have to do with this?” Maisie could not think of why she was implicated in this matter.

“What do you have to do with this?” Leo repeated her question in a sarcastic tone, “You, my dear are just unfortunate to have been born in the Rodriquez family. Through you, I get to take my revenge.”

Maisie felt her inside turning upside down upon hearing his words.

“What- What do you,” She stopped and swallowed, as though she was preparing herself to say the next words, “want to do with me?”

Seeing him smirking for the very first time, Maisie felt a chill run down her spine. Whatever was going to happen next was not going to be good. Maisie silently cursed herself for not telling her brother about Luca. Now she understood why her brother would spoil her but would never compromise on her dating anyone or going out without his knowledge.

Maisie’s head jerks to Luca’s. She wanted to see what his reaction was to this, but he did not even look at her once. He kept staring down at the floor.

Maisie tasted blood. She did not even notice she had bitten into the flesh on the inside of her lip.

“Oh dear,” Leo continued, “I will treat you as they treated my family, and don’t worry we will not kill you just yet.”

Maisie felt herself tremble from his word.

“If - If you kill me my brother will kill every last one of your men until he gets his hands on you.” Maisie felt herself tremble as she said those words. To her astonishment, her words came out stronger than she anticipated. She knew she had to put up a strong front and could not let him see her being weak.

“Do you think I care? Do you think I care for death? The only reason I am still living is to take revenge. After I am done with you, I will send all the recordings of your suffering to Kevin. I want him to watch and die inside as I did when I watch my family being humiliated and die in front of me. Do you know what’s priceless? It’s not even your family’s fault but since your brother is in love with that bitch, you unfortunately have to be the one to suffer. This plan of mine is perfect. When Kevin discovered this, he would hate her and killed her first.

‘Hearing him keep talking about a “bitch” Maisie was even more confused.”

“What bitch? What are you talking about?”

Leo hurried forward and grabbed Maisie by the chin. With his face only an inch away from hers, Maisie closed her eyes. She felt his breath against her skin which sent a cold shiver through her.

“Alice Bernardo.” Leo spat out the words as though they were venomous.

Maisie's eyes shot open upon hearing Alice’s name. His grip on her chin tightened. She thought if he increased his strength, he would probably break her jaw at once.

“Alice came into my home and shot my sister right in front of us. My father has never begged anyone for anything and that day I had to watch him kneel in front of that bitch, watch my mother being raped in front of me and my father, and then forced to watch as they place the gun against my parents’ heads and pull the trigger. I begged them to kill me, but they only laughed and ignored my pleas. They tied me to a chair and lit the house on fire, everything soon turned into flames. I could not escape and soon felt and smelt my flesh as the flames burned my skin. I screamed for help, but no one came. I gradually lost consciousness thinking that I had died, but somehow when I woke up, I found myself lying in the grass in the fields. The person who rescued me left a note and phone behind. You see,”

Leo released his grip on her chin and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. His eyes were fixated on her lips. “Everyone assumed I was dead. Do you know what they say about assumptions?” Leo asked then licked his lips.

Maisie felt disgusted by his touch. She wanted to peel her skin from every spot he laid his hands on. She kept her eyes closed, refusing to answer.

“Assumptions are the mother of all fuckups,” Leo said then chuckled.

“Luca you can leave. I will take it from here.” Leo suddenly said without taking his eyes off Maisie.

Luca’s head jerked to Leo. His feet could still not move. He felt as though someone was clenching his heart with both hands. Feeling Luca's gaze on him, Leo jerked his head to Luca. “OUT!” Leo shouted.

Luca's eyes darted back and forth from Leo to Maisie. Just then Maisie’s eyes opened and their eyes locked. She screamed through her eyes at him to not leave her behind with Leo. Maisie felt as though her soul had left her body when Luca slowly looked away and walked toward the door. She held her breath as she watched the door close behind him leaving her alone with the devil himself.