Chapter ten

Chapter ten


Chapter ten

Astrid

I've always wondered how I would die. For someone who got in trouble all the time, I knew it was only a matter of time before my luck ran out. All it would take was one mistake and I'd get caught and wound up dead.

I've pictured different scenarios in my head several times in the past. None, and I mean none, of those scenarios included being chased by unknown gunmen on my mother's wedding day.

Leon stopped the car after what seem like ages. I stepped down and my gaze darted around, taking in my surrounding. My eyes landed on a private jet a few meters away. I concluded this was an airport.

“We have to go now. Father and Ace will join us at home.” Leon said.

My mum nodded and headed towards the private jet without sparing me a glance. Leon seem to notice as he offered me a gentle smile. I couldn't muster the energy to return it so I just walked after my mum.

I didn't care if he thought I was rude. After everything I just witnessed today, proper manners were the last thing on my mind. I heard him sigh and mutter something about how awkward this journey would be.

I couldn't even admire the interior of the jet as I sat down, my mind too heavy. The jet took off not long after. I stared out the window as my entire life was left behind.



Few hours later, we were in a car driving towards somewhere. I had no idea where and I didn't bother asking. Neither of my two companions seem inclined to provide me with information of our destination.

The car went on for a few minutes before stopping in front of a huge manor. Leon led us in, or he was trying to, my mum was the one at the head of our group. She seem to know exactly where to go.

Shocking.

Mum finally stopped when we got to a living room. Sure enough, my mother's new husband was in there with Cornelius. The former was pacing to and fro, clear lines of frustration marred his face, while the latter was casually sprawled on the couch, a stick of cigarette between his lips.

“You promised me, Arthur!” Mum yelled so loudly that I flinched.

I whirled towards her and I almost gasped at the expression on her face. I have never seen my mum look so mad. She was practically vibrating with anger and I could see the smoke emitting from her.

“You said she would be safe with you! How did they find us?!”

“Don't talk to me like that, Caroline. I'm your leader.” Arthur groaned.

My brows shot up as I heard the word ‘leader’. Leader of what?

“I'm no longer a Shadow. I'll speak to you anyhow I damn please, Arthur. Now, answer my fucking question?!”

Arthur seem like he would argue further before shaking his head. His voice was softer as he spoke his next words.

“It's a wedding, Caroline. They probably snuck in somehow. Carter and I caught one of them for interrogation. Do you want to see?”

Mum shook her head.
“You and Carter can do that. I don't want to go anywhere near them.”

Oh, so his name was Carter, not Cornelius. Right.

Silence descended in the living room and everyone stared at me like they were expecting me to say something.

“Ask your boring questions, little heir.” Carter groaned from where he sat.

Mum whirled towards him, her eyes red with anger.

“She is not your heir.” she snapped at him.

I had millions of questions running through my mind right now that I didn't know what to ask. So I decided to ask the most recent one.

“Why would you call me an Heir?”

“Because you are.” Leon chuckled dryly. He'd been quiet since we entered this manor, but he was no doubt observing everything.

“But I'm not.” I insisted, confusion evident on my face.

I turned to my mum and arched an eyebrow in question, but she avoided my gaze again and went to sit on the couch in a clear dismissal.

Yeah, she wouldn't be answering any of my questions today. I turned to the only nice face in this room, seeking answers. Leon glanced at my mother and she gave him a subtle nod.

“Your father was the leader of The Shadows which makes you the next in line to rule.” He said.

“Do you mean actual shadows? How can anyone rule those?” I asked, my brows furrowed in confusion.

Nothing made sense to me right now. I heard someone snorted behind me. I didn't need to turn to know it was dickface Carter.

“No, uhm…” Leon scratched his ears. He seemed to be searching for a way to explain it to me. He glanced at my mother again but she turned her face away, her gaze fixed on the entrance.

“Think of them as a group of people upholding justice whenever the law fails to. It's not exactly legal so we try to keep a low profile at all time. The Shadows are what you might call a mafia group, but with more guns and testosterones.” He explained.

My lips parted slightly in surprise. My father had been the leader of a mafia group. In all my memories of him, I couldn't recall seeing him with a gun and dressed like a gangster. The wildest thing I recall him doing was riding bikes.

“Don't sugarcoat it for her, Leo.” Carter's gruff voice came from behind me.

I whirled towards him, anger slowly rising in me and stomping its feet all over the shock of the information I just received.

“Oh yeah? How would you explain it then, genius?” I snapped.

His smirk widened to an evil grin I almost took my words back, but I didn't. He could fuck right off.

“The Shadows are a group of assassins who kill without remorse, with no moral conscience, who would do anything and everything for the group. So do you think you're up for it, little princess?” He took a drag of his cigarette.

I stared at him unsure what to say before turning my back on him in a clear insult. His furious snarl was evident that he took it exactly as I intended.

“So why were those guys after me? Are they like rogue Shadows or what?”

“No, those are Serpents, or that's what they call themselves. Let's just say, they're wannabes. No one knows when it was created, but they haven't been around as long as the Shadows. They haven't been much of a threat to us until…” Leon trailed off.

His eyes darted back to my mother's but she wasn't looking at him this time, she'd gone so stiff that I wasn't even sure she was breathing. Then it suddenly hit me then. The only topic that could have made her this standoffish was my father.

“Dad's death wasn't just a bike accident, right?” I asked.

The silence after I said those words were deafening. It was like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for me to figure it out on my own.

My mind whirled as everything came rushing and I began connecting the dots.

“So the bike accident I had that day wasn't just an accident?”

Leon gave me a sympathetic look, but he didn't say anything against it because it was true. I thought of how I had suddenly felt dizzy before I lost control of the bike entirely.

“Now they want to kill me too.” I breathed the last piece of the puzzle.

“They won't get to you.” My mum hissed
with rage.

“The Shadows will protect their Heir with their lives.” Arthur said firmly.

Carter seem to flinch at his father's words. But his eyes held the same firmness as his father's and Leon's. He would protect me too.

“But why were they coming after me now? It's been more than a decade since Dad died.”

“Because no one knew you were alive. We all thought you and your parents died that night. Caroline hid you well.” Arthur smiled at my mother, but she didn't even look at him.

“I was your father's second-in-command when he was alive, and also a long time friend of the Wolfe family. Your father and I grew up together. So I took on leadership after his passing.” He explained.

“If Mum hid us well, how did they find us now? And why now?”

“That's what we're about to go find out.” Arthur said and rose from his seat. “Son?”

Carter raised his head and met his father's gaze. A silent conversation passed on between them and Carter nodded. Arthur strode out of the living room with Carter following suit.

My mother stood up and walked in the opposite direction. She didn't even spare me a glance.

Leon sighed heavily, his eyes darting between the directions where the rest of our family exited from.

“Come on, I'll take you to your room.” He said and I nodded.

As I headed up the stairs with Leon, my mind swirled with all the information I just received. Few weeks ago, I was just a regular girl trying to make ends meet. Until I found out I was actually a mafia princess whose life is in grave danger.

One thing became certain. Going forward, my life would never be the same.