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60
Brinda

I quickened my pace as I made my way to Francesco’s room. He had called for me and I wished to not be in a situation I would not like. When I reached the door, I knocked gently, notifying him of my presence.

“Come in.” He chimed from the inside.

I pushed the door open and for a moment, I stood nailed to the ground.

Francesco was laid on the bed shirtless. My eyes trailed his face down to his lower abdomen before I snapped out of it. His boxers were the only clothing material that covered his body. His head was at the edge of the bed, facing the door as he laid face up. In his right hand, was a bottle of wine.

“Don..” I called when my legs finally moved me into the room.

“Welcome, Brinda. How may I help you?” He asked, his voice low and menacing.

Confusion clouded my face. 

What the hell is on about? He had sent one of his men to call me, right? Why on earth is he asking me how he can help me? Is he suffering from a brain tumor?

“Oh… I forgot. I had asked one of my men to call you.” He said then he rolled and laid on his stomach. He sipped some of the alcohol. When he was done, he told me to move closer and I did. It was right then he pulled me to sit on the bed. “Do you think I will be victorious in this power struggle?”

I took a moment to answer as my mind was filled with a lot of questions. The endless power struggle within the families would not end so soon. At least, not now. I don’t fucking know what is in Francesco’s heart nor mind but I have to give a reply, right? “You… You will be.”

“How sure are you with that?” He questioned, slurring his words for some time.

“Very sure.” I replied.

“You aren't just saying that to make me feel better, right?” He slowly turned my head to face him. His eyes glistened under the dim lit light as he sat upright. “No matter what happens now or in the future, will you be with me?” He carefully wrapped his hands around mine.

It simply felt as though he was trying to share something but he wouldn’t say it. As if there was something eating him up he wouldn’t let it escape his lips because he wants to stay in the painful world he is in. And for what? All in the name of being a man.

“I will.” I patted his palms gently while I assured him. 

“I will take that as a promise.” He smiled wholeheartedly before he rolled to the other side of the bed. “Now, I can get some good night rest.”

I smiled with a little part of my lips then I stood up to exit the room. Just when I reached the door, Francesco’s voice filled the room. “Why do you think I ordered you to kill Vince Khumalo, Purab Chaturvedi, Charles Blackwood, and Liam Parker?”

I turned sharply and replied, “You told me earlier that it was because they were Marshall’s allies and they needed to be killed.”

“You are so smart. However, we have killed his four pillars but he still has a mastermind behind him. The Marshall I know is not that brave. You can testify to that as well. He lived with you as Peter five months ago before I told you to kill him, right?” Francesco bore his eyes into mine.

Fury coursed through me as I realised that he was bringing up the past on purpose. “That’s in the past, Don.”

“Obviously. You are mine now.” He concluded sharply, his voice cold and soft. “I have my doubts on who the mastermind really is. I just need a last minute confirmation.” He said. “And that reminds me, get Bullet here.” 

I walked out of his room after slamming the door as if I had an issue with its existence. Reaching downstairs did not take a lot of time as I ran there to get Bullet to his room so I can retire for the night’s rest.

While I placed my hand on Bullet’s room’s door, Mark’s voice echoed from the inside. “We can’t do that. Are you mad? If Don knows, you would be dead. DEAD!”

“I have been on this path of vengeance for as long as I know. If you do not want to be part of this anymore, please leave me alone and go live like the coward that you are. I can’t stay in Francesco’s clutches anymore. I can’t hide anymore. I want to avenge my father. That’s the plan. I won’t change it.” Bullet roared. She did not even care if Francesco heard her or not. “Now, leave!”

“Bullet…” 

Mark tried to stop her and before I knew it, the door flung open and she pushed Mark right into my arms.

“What are you doing, Bullet? Why do you want to kill Francesco?” I asked her.

“Really?” She scoffed. “I shouldn’t have expected much from you. Weren’t you after his life earlier? Didn’t you say that you would kill him? Or…” She paused then took steps forward, her gaze not leaving mine. “Are you in love with Francesco again?”

My heartbeat unnecessarily raced faster. “What the hell are you saying?” I screamed. “I do not love him. I hate him!”

“Then, what is taking you so long? He should be dead by now. Since you can’t do it, I will. Wait. And. Watch.” Bullet voiced out.

Bullet pulled out a knife from her side pocket. She ran away from where we stood and made her way towards the stairs. Mark and I chased after her but I caught up with her first. We both struggled with the knife — My aim was to stop her from climbing the stairs to kill Francesco while hers was to ensure that I do not stop her from fulfilling her motive.

Elizabeth screamed from the stairs as she descended the stairs rapidly. At that time, Bullet had almost plunged the knife into my left chest. I was only able to stop it by circling my right hand around the knife. 

Blood drained out of my right hand to my face. I couldn’t help but feel the blood flow into my left eye then I shot it.

When Elizabeth reached where we were struggling, she pulled me away from Bullet while Mark, who had been standing all along, dragged Bullet away. Bullet darted towards me and I was ready for it; however, Mark stopped her and the next thing that happened was a slap from Elizabeth to me.

I placed my hands on my hot red cheeks. 

By the time I raised my head, Elizabeth grabbed my hand and made me slap her back on her cheeks. It was not a painful type of slap but it echoed in the living room. She winked at me before she used her fixed nails to scratch her face. She let out a scream filled with anguish which was accompanied by a male’s scream.

The voice was damn familiar.

I tilted my neck upward, saw Francesco with a tightened jaw while his hands were over his head.

What trouble have I fallen into?