Chapter Eleven

Andro’s POV

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust", the priest chanted as the earth was poured over the dead men’s coffins that had been lowered into the grave.

When I first became the Mafia boss, my one wish was to protect my family and never recount the death of any and because of that, I became the softest mafia boss in town, who tried to seek for peace with others but where has that led to?

Nowhere in particular!

I ran my hand through my hair, closed my eyes for a while, imagining the breeze would blow away this anger and frustration that was building up in me like a storm. I stepped away from everyone to stay under a tree, and it was only when I got there that I noticed Stanley was with me.

"Were you able to talk to their families?" I asked him.

"I did. The first driver's father is a Muslim, and he was hesitant about burying him the Christian way even though the son was a Christian. I think he's not here because of that and the second family is over there." He pointed to a particular woman and her two kids.

The little ones were crying, and I couldn't forgive myself.

"I'll talk to them after we are done here. Any police issue in sight?"

"For now, Boss—none," Stanley replied, and I nodded.

The funeral service ended, and the little crowd began to disperse little by little. I was about to walk up to our Family priest to thank him for conducting such an impromptu service when a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

When I turned, it was Dimitri.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Anger clouded my senses as soon as I saw him. He was not supposed to be here.

"I came to offer my condolences."

"You should. After you successfully killed them," I told him.

"I don't kill family men, Adonis, and you know this. They've got kids."

I was already walking away but immediately I heard those words, I turned.

"Should we talk about the man you killed in the West inland mall a year ago. He was married, he had three kids, a wife, a side chick and even parents. Or should we make it a recent event and talk about the man you also stabbed at the neck at the bar two months ago, he was a father to seven kids. So, take your motherfucking pathetic soul and go find yourself some stupid things to do," I spat at him.

"I didn't do it, Andro. I didn't kill your men."

"Were you supposed to confess to it in the first instance? I know either Igor or you did that shit and if I find the asshole who killed my men, I'll make sure you fucking teenagers regret every of your actions," I threatened and walked away from him.

After talking to the priest, he volunteered to go with me to the victims' home to see their parents and offer our deepest condolences.

We were able to talk to the first family we visited, the man whose wife and kids came for their burial. I gave her some cash even though I knew it wasn't enough to replace her dead husband, but I just wanted to do something for the family. I could've promised her a top position in my company, but it would be like putting the small kids at risk of possibly losing their mother as well someday.

The second family was difficult to reach through. The father was stubborn, insisting I'd killed his son. Since I was his employer, I was supposed to protect him. Even though he had said it because of his state of mind, he was still right. I never for once thought about my people needing security. I collected the father's number and promised to stay in touch.

Instead of going back home, I asked Stanley to take us to a restaurant, any restaurant. If I go home, I might end up being an asshole to Annika, and hurting her is the last thing I want to do.

"I heard you failed," George, my former boss's son, mocked as he walked into the VIP section of the restaurant where I was relaxing.

"Who told you I was here?" I asked, effortlessly.

"Your men, they have the same obligation to answer my question as much as they do yours."

"Whatever, George." I clicked my tongue.

"I don't know why my father made you the boss when I would have controlled things perfectly. I still don't get what he saw in a coward like you." He took a bite from the food that was in front of me.

"To you, I might be a coward and a pathetic fool but at least, I was not a useless son to my father." I gritted my teeth.

He banged his hand hard on the table while looking murderously.

"Don't you…" I dragged the chair I was sitting on backward as I stood up abruptly.

"I won't waste my time by sitting here and talking to a dimwit like you."

I turned the knob of the door, opened it, and walked out feeling better than earlier. I could hear plates being broken as I walked out.

A grown-ass man throwing a tantrum.

I got into the car and relaxed my head a little. The day's events were emotionally draining, and I don't think I'll survive another.

"I think you should see this, Boss," Stanley announced from the front seat of the car.

"What's that?" He passed his iPad to me.

I collected it and the next thing I saw was Annika on the screen, it was a police record profile of a missing person. She had been reported missing by two people just on the same day.

"Where did you get this?"

"It was announced on TV, and I asked a police friend to send me the full details."

I gave him back the iPad and rubbed my face with my hand. I was going through an internal turmoil of either letting her go or not.

I've waited all my life for my Emerthus. I'd searched for her after I saw her in my dreams to no avail and now that she's right beside me, I don't think I'll survive letting her go.

"A missing person was announced on TV this afternoon and a lot of people saw you here this morning, so before a bunch of stupid police officers comes running through my door to arrest me for kidnapping and probably rape and every other unthinkable crime, I think I deserve to know what happened before I decide if I should let you return home or take you to the police station myself."

I didn't mean to, but I ended up yelling at her. The thoughts of letting her go back home drove me mad. It made me lose control of myself.

I could feel my fangs coming out. I swallowed hard before I lost control.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"I don't want your apol…" I stopped once I noticed the tears. "Why the heck are you crying?"

Hurriedly, I moved closer to her. My hands were shaking as I was scared that I'd hurt her. I held her face in my hand and kissed her forehead before I kissed both of her cheeks. I wanted to kiss her lips so badly, but I hesitated, knowing she might not like the idea.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it now. I understand it might be hard for you to do but promise me you'll tell me someday," I assured her.

"I promise, Andro. Please don't get mad at me like that again. I don't know why but my heart stopped beating at that moment and it felt so heavy, and I felt suffocated."

Shit!

The soulmate bond!

I was so stupid to not realize that her emotions will get messed up if I get angry. Since she unknowingly sealed the mate bond, I knew things wouldn't stay the same. I might have control over both of our emotions but she's a newborn vampire, control isn't her best fort.

"I'm sorry I did that to you. I'm so sorry, malyshl, I should have known that would happen. It's the soulmate bond." I kissed her hair and pulled her closer into my body.

"The what?" she asked.

"Don't worry about it, lyubov. What do you want to do? Tell me."

"I want to go back home."

I wasn't taken aback by her response. In fact, I was expecting it. I knew that's what she would ask for and I don't think I should keep denying her of her wants. If I want her to trust me, then I should learn to trust her as well.

"Just for two days, Annika. You'll return home for just two days."

Taking me by surprise this time, she pulled her hands around me and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you."

I kissed her hair and held her close.