CHAPTER 46

Lucius POV.

The morning of the first trial has finally arrived and today is one of the few times I can admit that I've felt nervous in my life.

Usually, when people are brought from the dungeon to the trial room, they look dirty, tired, and stink but I don't want Anna to appear that way. I didn't care about the rules at this point so I called Dominick.

Dominick had to knock on the door of my bedroom before I realized he was there, usually, I'd have noticed but I've just been so distracted recently.

I let him in, “Good morning Master Lucius” he said bowing slightly.

“Morning, tell the head maiden Constance to announce to the maids that a volunteer should help get Anna ready for trial.”

Dominick looked at me aghast and shocked. “Sir sir please forgive my bravery to say this but it's not ..the custom to…make the accused…look presentable sir.” He said Stuttering.

Looked him squarely in the eye and he took a step back “I apologize sir I'll get right to Master Lucius.”

I didn't respond. I merely jerked my head at him, I determined in my heart that once all this is cleared up I'll call the council to review the mafia clan rules. I didn't care if I'd be seen as growing soft.

Now that I've had someone I deeply care about in this position I've realized how cruel and terrifying it must be. Although I shielded Anna from the custom of being tortured to a confession in the dungeon.

If anyone had tried it and I even heard she broke a nail, I would damn the mafia rules and end the life of those involved with at least that much protection I and be able to offer without rousing too much suspicion of growing soft.

I don't know how a fully grown guy like Chase could disappear into thin air like a lost needle in a gay sack. I sat on my bed rubbing my eyes trying to figure out a way to rescue Alicia when I heard my phone beep. I had a message from a private number.

I get a lot of these often so I felt reluctant to open the message but I did. The message read ‘ I heard about what happened and I don't want her to die either, I can help but I don't want any trouble ’.

My heart skipped at least two solid beats making me feel dizzy with hope. I sat up straighter thinking to myself that it was Chase or at least someone connected to the whole ordeal.

But, how do I even contact the number since it's a private number I could get my best IT guys and hackers on it but I knew by then the sender would have discarded the number.

I stood up feeling fresh adrenaline pump into my veins, I had to act fast and work on it although my heart told me this could be a trap I didn't care. I don't mind risking my life for Anna. She did the same when she almost jumped down the high building to her death, all just to prove herself to me.

This was my jump to prove myself to her. I only hoped she also trusted me now to not let her fall off this cliff. I hoped after all this was over she wouldn't be too scared and become disinterested in me.

If she did I wouldn't blame her. I can remember during our date, she told me she wouldn't want to even raise children or have a family in such a cruel and dangerous environment.

Although my heart feels heavy at the thought it seems the best thing for me to give to her when she gets out of the dungeon is her freedom. I could find her to start a much better life far away from this craziness and pursue her dream of becoming a paediatrician.

It was almost time for the trial, I had to get ready and attend regardless of my emotions and attachment to Anna. I am the mafia boss and that I'll be till I breathe my last.

Sighing heavily I started the task of getting ready.

Now in the trial court building, I took my seat at the head of the panel, all my family had to be in attendance and I could feel each of their judgmental glares at me.

Only Selena seemed to grasp how hard this was for me, I had just settled in my seat when Matias, who designated the seat to my left, walked towards me smiling like this was one of his happiest days.

“ Good morning nephew, quite a rather lovely morning isn't it?”

I ignored him and clenched my fists trying to steady my raging emotions which were already thrown off balance. Seeing I wasn't going to give in to him he smiled darkly and said “You'll come around, this one must be really good in bed to have gone this bad under your skin ”

That was the last straw for me. In a split second, I punched him with the force of all the aggression I had pent up, he flew from his chair to the edge of the podium. But still, I wasn't done. All I could see now was red, and although I could see him backing away in fear I didn't care.

Luckily only the guards and my family were currently in the hall or this would have been too much of an embarrassment for Matias to bear, not that I cared.

Vaguely I could hear my eldest aunt Demicia call for me to stop “Lucius stop that immediately, that's your uncle.” but I was done with their bullshit.

I reached where Matias was and grabbed up against the wall by the collar of his shirt. “I have warned you several times to keep away from everything and anything that concerns myself and my wife but you've been persistent. Today will be your day of reckoning.”

Matias was scared speechless and the only thing he could do to keep his shred of dignity was to put on a brave face, although he is a mafia terror he specializes in assassination and combat wasn't his strongest suit.

“Lucius please, I know how you feel but please high members of the clan just arrived and we don't want them seeing the family in a moment of weakness and using that against us.” Selena's soft voice spoke up, she came beside me pleading.

I was helpless against her pleas and I didn't want anyone taking advantage of this issue against us so I tossed him back harshly against the wall but not without a warning “Let this be a warning, the next time I would throw caution to the wind I promise you that. I'm sick of all of you trying to run my life.”

No one dared utter a word, not even Demicia. She knows what I'm capable of when I get into one of my dark moods. I could be like a wild beast without a master and no one would be spared of my wrath.

I took my seat angrily. Aunt Selena helped Matias up quickly speaking to one of the guards to get some water and the first aid kit.  I didn't give one fuck and if for one thing I still had a little action left in my body that I needed to let out.

Checking the time I realized we still had a good thirty minutes before other non-family members of the mafia clan would be let in and I decided to blow off some steam in the gym.

I stood up to go with my dark angry aura following me. No one asked where I was going as I left my eyes connected with Matias' eyes. I saw the proud look in his eyes.

Even though my warth today was directed at him he loved it when I got into this headspace and zone acting ruthlessly and out of control. It was a sick love he had for me. It's all he ever wanted to see me become a stone-cold killer.

I left the hall through the back door in irritation not wanting to run into anyone I'd have to make small talk with, finally in the solace of the gym I took off my crisp white shirt and put on some punching gloves.

I don't know how many punches I was delivering to the training tool per minute but with each passing second, I could feel the steam of the anger evaporate as beads of sweat trickled down my brow.

As I stopped to clean off the sweat from my body and put my shirt back on, my phone beeped in my pants pocket. I took it out and saw I'd received another message from the private number.

“Meet me at alley nine Alexander Street after the trial COME ALONE. Or I'll run again. There'll be no hope for Anna then.”

Despite the situation, I smiled my chest feeling like a heavy load had been lifted off it. I wasn't scared to go alone, whoever they were should be scared to meet me alone.

And maybe finally I could put this all to an end, and find out who exactly hacked her phone and with what intent.