Devil May Cry Chronicles
Melanie stepped out of the hospital gates in her own clothes at last. The late afternoon air was cool,the sun low against the skyline. She wrapped her arms around herself as she walked,not caring where her feet carried her.
She drifted until she reached a small park a few blocks away. The swings were empty,the place quiet except for the rustling of leaves. She sat down slowly, pushing herself back and forth with the tips of her shoes.
Her chest felt heavy.. Five years…and it still feels like yesterday.
Her mind slipped back to her father's last words,her mother's decline,the night everything had been stolen from her and her throat tightened. She gripped the cold chains of the swing harder, feeling the need to cry
"Pretty girl out here alone?"
The voice behind her snapped her out of her daze. She turned quickly. Two men stood there,some street thugs,their eyes roaming over her like she was a prey.
She stood,ready to walk away,but one of them stepped in front of her, the other circling behind. A rough hand grabbed her arm.
"Don't touch me," she said sharply, trying to twist free.
The man laughed. "Feisty..I like that."
The second one tugged at her sleeve. "Let's see what else she's hiding."
Her breath stuttered in her chest. For a second the park blurred and in its place that night from five years ago flashed right into her vision.. River's cruel smirk, Ezra's mocking laugh and her own screams that stuck in her throat.
"Get away from me!" She screamed,panic settling in her chest. She struggled,kicking,clawing,her voice cracking. "Don't touch me! Let go! Don't touch me!"
They shoved her back towards the swing,their hands clawing at her clothes. Her vision tunneled,tears streaming down her face as she thrashed stubbornly. "Please stop! Stop! Please stop!"
Then a voice suddenly cut through the commotion.
"Touch her again and you die here."
A shadow lunged forward. It was Zade.
His fist connected with the first man's jaw, sending the man crashing to the ground. The second tried to take a swing at him but Zade slammed him against the pole of the swing set,his knuckles pounding into his ribs until he crumpled down to the ground.
Marcus appeared out of nowhere, yanking both men up by their collars. "Out of here before I put your skulls in the ground myself." He shoved them away, sending them staggering into the street.
Melanie froze,her eyes wide,her chest heaving. When Zade turned to her and reached out,she stumbled back.
."
"Stay away," she whispered, trembling violently. "Don't touch me,stay away from me."
She broke down into tears, repeating it again and again as though she wasn't even speaking to him but to the ghosts in her head.
Zade's chest tightened. He stepped closer anyway, ignoring her resistance. His arms wrapped around her,firm and steady. "You're safe," he murmured,his voice low and insistent. "You're safe. Nobody's touching you I promise. You're safe now."
Her body shook against him. The words broke her last defense. A sob tore out of her,raw and broken and she clutched at his coat, burying her face into his chest.
He held her tighter, repeating the words like a vow. "Safe. You're safe."
Her tears soaked through the fabric,her hands gripping him desperately.
Zade's thoughts burned as he looked down at her trembling frame.
This isn't an act. She couldn't have faked this,that fear looked real. Those eyes, someone hurt her badly long before today.
He bent down, scooping her up and carrying her in his arms with ease. She didn't fight him this time. She clung to his coat, sobbing quietly.
He carried her to where the car was parked. Marcus opened the back door, worry flickering across his face but he said nothing.
Zade settled her into the seat gently. She turned away from him,curling against the door,her body still trembling.
He stood outside for a moment staring at her through the glass.
What did they do to you? Who did it? Why do you look so breakable and terrified?
The questions echoed in his mind as he closed the door and circled to the other side.
The car rolled to a stop before the Falcon estate. The place had high walls,iron gates and glass windows that caught the last of the evening light. Inside the car, Melanie hand t moved. She was still curled against the door,her arms tight around herself, her lashes damp with tears.
Zade sat for a moment, watching her. Then he stepped out,circled to her side of the car and opened her door. Without hesitation,he bent and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. She stirred faintly but didn't wake,her head falling against his chest.
As he carried her towards the front door,a voice called out.
"Well,well."
Tristan leaned casually against the doorframe,a sly grin tugging at his mouth. "Zade? With a woman? Now that's a sight. When did you start letting anyone close enough to touch you?"
He gave a low whistle,his eyes glinting with amusement.
Zade didn't even spare him a look. His stride didn't falter. He walked past his brother without a word with Melanie secure in his arms.
Tristan arched a brow, curiosity sparking in his eyes and fell into step behind them.
Up the grand staircase,down the quiet hall, Zade took her straight into this room. He laid her gently on the bed,pulling the covers over her.
She didn't stir. Her breaths came out slow and steady,her brows furrowed even in her sleep. Zade crouched beside her, studying her face. The soft pout of her lips,the shadows beneath her eyes. The rise and fall of her chest.
Something twisted low in his chest,sharp and unfamiliar.
Behind him,Tristan leaned on the doorframe, unusually silent. His eyes flicked from the sleeping woman to his brother.
Finally,Zade straightened and turned. He walked past Tristan out into the hallway.
Tristan followed him,his footsteps light. "So what's this then?" he asked again last,voice low with curiosity. "Did you pick up a stray? Or did my stoic elder brother finally get himself a lover?"
Zade's glare could cut into him like a blade.
Tristan smirked but raised both hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright just asking"
Zade's voice came out cold after a moment of silence. "Why are you here?"
Tristan's grin faded,his expression sobering up. "Our parents are returning to the country soon. Father asked for you. He wants to see you in a few days."
The hall went quiet again.
Everyone else called him The Big Don. But to them,he was just Father. A cruel man who commanded the Falcon empire and everything and everyone under it with just a word.
Zade's jaw tightened and he gave a short nod,turned around and kept walking. Tristan's curious eyes stayed on his retreating back.