CHIARA
Something was wrong at the Conti mansion. Utterly wrong. Have we been invaded? Since I would be late to reach the mansion on foot and there was no car around. I ran to the stable instead. I didn't even know what I was thinking coming here. My heart was drumming in my chest.
I flung the gate open and ran inside. I stopped on my track when I realized what I was about to do. I haven't ridden a horse for a while. And it was because I couldn't. I stared at Queen, trembling, panting. I gripped the sides of my jeans. "Fuck!" Why was I panicking now? I had to go and help Celia. She was in trouble.
I wiped my tears roughly and opened the stall with my shaky hand. Breathing as though there was no tomorrow. I held Queen's reins and ushered her outside. Each step I took was heavier than boulders.
"Okay." I clenched my hands, tears streaming down. "All I have to do is climb. Yes, I have to climb her." I eyed Queen, raised my foot to the stirrup and my hand gripping the saddle. The moment I tried to raise myself to mount her, the images of Prince flushed on my eyes. The raised sword, the head rolling down and blood gushing on my face. I jerked back. My back hitting the ground hard.
A weird cry left my mouth as I gathered myself up again. While Queen moved around restlessly as if she could understand the turmoil I was in. "I have to go. I have to." I practiced a series of inhales and exhales. And then tried again. I gripped the saddle hard, I raised my leg, but it didn't even touch the stirrup, and I let go. Sobbing. Why couldn't I climb the goddamn horse? I've been through far worse! And those people wouldn't wait for me!
"Prince, you have to let me go. Please release me from this torture." My whole body was shaking. I bent over, my hands gripping my knees. "I have to go." Queen's face came over, nudging me and nuzzling. I lifted my face, "I'm trying, okay?" I wiped my face and stood up again. "Okay. Okay." I took my position again. I clenched my teeth and raised my foot to the stirrup, gripping the saddle. I took a quick burst of breaths and shut my eyes. Tears left my eyes as those haunting images displayed again. I pushed myself up, sobbing audibly and finally landed on something. I hugged Queen quickly, trembling.
I then opened my eyes, taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up and held the reins tight around my knuckles. Tears streamed down my cheeks like a waterfall, but it was like I didn't feel anything anymore. I stared at the front and kicked Queen to go.
The wind hit my face as I sprinted through the dark. The horse's vision was much better at night, so I guided her to the mansion through the back. Where it was much darker. I dismounted Queen a little bit far and silently made my way to the back door that led to the kitchen. The mansion was eerily quiet. I took a knife from the rack and walked inside with light steps, my grip tightening around the hilt.
A hand flew across, wrapped around my mouth and I was dragged into one of the rooms. I drew in breath, swung the knife and slit some skin. "Shit! It's me, Black! It's Black," he whisper-yelled, letting me go. I turned around, holding the knife in place, panting. I stabbed him on the ribs. "I'm alright." He uttered as if he found out about my concern.
"What is going on?" I whispered back. "Were invaded." I frowned deeply, "What? How is that possible?" There were security guards on every fucking corner of this estate. "That's not important right now. They have the family rounded up in the living room." He uttered.
"Fuck! How many are there?"
"Approximately six men. They took down everyone. I don't know how. And there could be more of them out there. I already called Boss, but it would be too late by the time they got here."
"So it's only us." I uttered in realization. He nodded. "Unfortunately."
I looked at his wound, which was bleeding. "Can you fight?" He looked at himself. "Oh, this is nothing. I can fight." I ripped my sleeve and asked him stay still while I examined and tied the piece around him. The wound wasn't deep, but it was bleeding.
I gripped the knife, calculating. Fear engulfed me. How were we going to pull this off without any of the family getting harmed? "We split up, lights out and take them out as quickly as we can. These people are normal people." I said. He nodded, taking out his guns and stretched his hand to me with one. I took the gun and tucked it behind my waist. Six men who took half of the Conti family security team? Definitely assassins. Which was even more dangerous because their job here was clear. They were sent to kill.
"Go and kill the lights. I'll go first." Black looked at me as if I grew another head. "I know how to kill if that's what you're worried about. Look at you." It was a miracle I missed a rib. He'd be long dead by now. I'd been killing since I was eight years old and I hardly missed. He sneaked out of the room while I followed with light steps behind him. Heart thundering in the back of my ears. And then we split up in the halls. What was more terrible than an assassin facing a group of assassins? I swallowed.
I ducked and made my way to the living room, hiding behind the pillar. They were in their full black gears and from their stances... I'd recognize them even in my sleep because I was one of them. All toned and armed. Some were taller than me, which was going to be a very big problem. Shit! Who fucking hired them?
Marcelo, Francesca and Celia were on the floor, in the space between the couches, while the six men surrounded them. I played the worst-case scenarios in my mind and each one of them ended up bloody. Very bloody. Either mine or theirs.