CHAPTER 47

Lucius POV.

It was a few minutes to the trial time and I put my shirt back on feeling a lot better especially since I had gotten the message from the private number and there was finally a way forward concerning getting the truth.

Walking away from the gym I met some guards on my way who informed me that my aunt Demicia was looking for me. I dismissed them and got to the trial room, everyone sighed in relief when I arrived.

I took my seat ignoring Matias' itchy presence seated next to me, my aunt Demicia nodded at the guard at the door and immediately Anna was brought in.

The sight of her broke my heart especially since I knew I was the cause of how frail and exhausted she looked.

She still looked beautiful but the fire in her eyes looked dim. I desperately wanted to run to her and do anything to make her feel better but I knew I couldn't. I only watched as  she stood there bravely

My aunt Demicia called on Dominick who read out the accusations and Anna's reaction to them was pure shock and surprise. I noticed her resolve started to weaken like the extent of the accusations had drawn out her last strength.

I felt sick watching the whole ordeal. The only time I remember feeling this helpless was when my parents and siblings were killed right before me and I could do nothing.

I saw her shaking and knew she'd hit the ground soon at any moment as I had predicted she fell to the ground with a slight thud in the nearly quiet hall.

I couldn't contain myself. I stood up and our eyes met, the tiredness and lack of willpower I saw broke me even further. But my aunt held my hand looking at me sternly as though to tell me to control my emotions.

Shaking in anger and disgust for myself for letting this happen I sat down clenching my fists tightly but I knew I had no other person to blame for all this but myself. If only I had handled this better Anna wouldn't be in this position.

Dominick continued talking the words I vaguely heard, all I could see was how I let Anna down, she looked like she was about to pass out. I silently hoped she wouldn't else I knew I wouldn't care for decorum or anything.

I would not be able to stop myself from running to her, I saw her sway a bit and she fell backwards to the ground completely from her sitting position.

That did it for me. Time seemed to be on pause at this moment. I didn't see or hear anything or anyone else. As though my body had a mind and will of its own I don't even know how I fouñd myself on the ground picking her up in my arms.

I only realized myself when she was finally in my arms, everyone stood up in awe and confusion they apparently couldn't believe me the heartless Mafia king could care so much.

But at this didn't give a shit what any of them thought, I saw Bruno rushing in with an ambulance bed which I gratefully put her on before pushing myself quickly to the waiting ambulance van.

Leaving the whole trial and everyone in attendance in absolute shock, Aunt Demicia should find a way to deal with it and whatever the consequences I'd be damned if I cared.

Now in the van, Anna stirred slightly but still didn't wake up, I held her hands almost hating myself. It was all my fault.

“Can this van move any faster?” Bruno screamed in annoyance, seeing my near state of confusion and panic as the man driving afraid increased the pace.

We got to the hospital in no time and attendants quickly came out wheeling Anna into a ward. I wanted to follow till the end but the doctor stopped me.

If not for Bruno who called me down with my emotions all over the place I raised the smaller man ( the doctor ) saying “Look you can't tell me what to do or what not to do I don't care for your medical rules that's my wife in there”

It was Bruno who held my hand. “Boss, please let him do his job, it's all for Anna, please.” I decided to listen to his reasoning and put my hand down.

Bruno held him back for a second and looked him squarely in the eye “ If any harm comes to her, just know I will personally burn this hospital to the ground with everyone in it and if anyone escapes I will hunt them down and kill them each one by one."

He released the man's hand with a jerk. The man swallowed hard, shaking “I …I promise I'll do my best” before he disappeared into the ward.

I couldn't get myself to calm down or relax. I knew I had to do something to put an end to this nonsense. I couldn't bear to see her get hurt like this or even sleep in that terrible dungeon.

Annoyed and restless I checked my phone and atlas new hope, the private number sent a text. 'I'm there waiting for you right now.'

“ Good ” I muttered, getting Bruno's attention,  "Boss, do you need me to go somewhere with you? You have that look on your face you get when there's a battle brewing.”

I looked at Bruno smiling darkly “You can it this one out, it's very personal, I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Anna to make sure no harm comes to her.”

Although he didn't look thoroughly satisfied with my answer he nodded “Yes Boss' '.

I stood up adjusted my shirt and walked out of the hospital, the nurses I passed blushed as I stepped out of the hospital.

I don't think I've ever driven as madly as I did to get to the address, in anticipation I almost threw caution to the wind but I had to calm myself down and put on my bulletproof vest before getting out of the car just in case it was an ambush.

The area seemed fairly quiet, not the suspicious kind of quiet that made the silence deafening. I walked to the alley in long strides and I noticed a dark figure clad in a black, long leather coat and a hat.

I stood just a few feet from the individual who was yet to raise his head “I guess you're the one who has been sending me messages, Chase Lancaster Monterio.”

“Yes, I am.”

Although he tried to make his voice sound confident and secure I could detect the slight fear and shakiness.

“Take off your hat and coat so I can tell if it's you and know you're unarmed.”

The boy obliged and slowly took off the hat. I noted he was the one indeed. I had to give it to the guy he was good at hiding.

The coat followed and I could see the boy was indeed unharmed which surprised me being the son of his father. I expected him to try and double-cross me but here he was seemingly keeping to his words.

“So cut to the point what exactly do you have to say to me and what do you want in return,” I asked, looking him squarely in the eye.

The boy's green eyes looked afraid but he cleared his throat slightly and said: “I  heard about what Anna is being accused of and I thought as a last favour I'll clear it up also I know you're looking for me I want to renew the agreement my father had with you.”

I arched my brow in amusement. What kind of mafia breed is he? I killed his father and he wanted to make an agreement with me instead of avenging him, but that didn't take my first order of importance as I asked.

“I'll come back to your request, tell me did Anna ever know you were in the mafia and you've heard the rumours of the accusations, how true are they ?”

“No she never knew I've always used my mother's maiden name which is Murphy and not Lancaster Monterio and I've never been too involved in the mafia world. My mother was raped by my father and ended up pregnant, she decided to keep the baby and we've lived our lives in peace away from him and his life of violence and crime. Till now I'm involuntarily getting dragged into your world.”

I felt some kind of pity for the boy, being a man in the mafia, especially an heir to the clan leader was no child's play.

“So you're saying the accusations are all a lie?”

“They are and I'm willing to help clear them up in exchange for a peace treaty and peace between our clans.”

As tempting as it all sounded I had to verify all he had said and if found to be true I'd be open to it but I had to ask him first

“Why exactly don't you want to avenge your father?”

The look in the boy's eyes changed to one of disgust and hate “I hated him, he was despicable and if you hadn't killed him I'm sure I'd have done it myself eventually.”

The hardness in the boy's tone surprised me and the look in his eyes let me know he meant every single word of what he had just said. I laughed darkly “Now that you'll take his position you'll soon find out how easy it is to become the monster you hate. Our world is ruthless.”

He seemed surprised by my reaction, I turned to leave but halfway I turned to talk to him “Text me with your real line I'm not interested in killing you anymore, we'll be in contact very soon.”