*Vincenzo's POV*
In my line of work,there's very little room for reckless or impulsive behaviour,acting too fast and sometimes too slow could cause an expensive catastrophe.
My father made sure the mantra was drilled too deep into my head to ever escape it,and if practice truly made perfect then I should be the most rational controlled man in the world; however , shooting at that ginger was not something a controlled man would have done,was it now?
The phrase was a lie and If I find the cocky philosophist that made that phrase,I'll be sure to shoot him instead.
I reach into my pocket for a cigarette and I'm greeted with nothing but a memory of me quitting years ago.
I sighed and resolved to get myself a drink later.
It's funny how I never realised cause I needed to smoke until now. On other nights I would have simply gotten a cigarette to relieve my uneasiness,but that would mean I was rattled and I'll be damned if I ever admitted that matters of Evangeline was making me this uneasy.
Robert's voice cuts through my thoughts as he walks beside me.
"So...what do you think?"
I glance down at his face,barely registering his words,if not for the minute physical similarities they share,I wouldn't have believed he and Evangeline actually shared blood.
"About?"
Robert begins his recitation of an alliance again and I use his boring voice to drift myself back into tackling the problem that's trying to make a madman out of me.
That damn phone.
Evangeline held onto it like a lifeline when that man literally harassed her. She cradled it to her chest so protectively you would might have as well thought that's where she kept her virginity.
It's more than just a phone—it's connected to something, or fucking worse someone.
A name ringed in my mind but I decided to push it aside cause if it's who I thought it was-
"What does the ginger's family do for you?" I interrupted, my voice flat.
"Oh Cameron?"despite Robert's initial surprise,he doesn't hesitate,
"They own some nightclubs, a few casinos in Monaco. We've used them to clean money in the past–it was my father who was deeply involved with them."
I nod and let out a gust of air.
"We won't need them once we officially join forces though," he adds, trying to sweeten the deal. "We can cut ties with Cameron's family. He crossed the line with my sister and we simply can't have him on our team.And we have to get even so It's less messy that way."
Amateur bait,but I think I'll rather deal with Cameron personally. Two bullets to the same shoulder blade weren't enough for making me lose my temper and trying to assault my–Evangeline.
I want him to beg for death itself,so I sure hope he enjoys the rest I offered with the ambulance.
"Vincenzo?"
I don't answer, my eyes fixating on the guest house ahead. It sat lonely behind the fountain,far from the other guest houses on the estate. I can't help but feel the location was intentional.
He wanted me and Evangeline alone,basically pimping her out to me,which was fucking disgusting. If he couldn't be good at mob life,at least be a good family man for fuck's sake–his father hasn't even been properly laid to rest yet,and he's already going against everything he ever stood for.
At least Hector put up a fight for her.
He'll drive the family to ruin. Even with me linked to them through Evangeline,I couldn't quite decide what I wanted to play out.
But before all that,I had to figure out what Evangeline was hiding.
My phone buzzed and I groaned.
"Tell you what Roberto,"I said,pulling out my phone to inspect it. It was Zane this time "I'll think about it."
"But Vincenzo-"
I answered the call and walked off the veranda.
"Chyna is being released."Zane informs
I stop in my steps for a while-this was horrible timing. She would definitely try to sabotage my wedding with how unpredictable she was.
I couldn't exactly get rid of her–well,at least not now if I'm going to increase my work load. She was cunning,willing to seduce rivals and a lot of people say they would go to jail on my behalf but she actually just did.
I know,She's insane.
And her playing for the wrong team would be unnecessary trouble.
"Zane,handle it."
"I'm trying but she called asking you to pick her up,she says she's been trying to get to you-"
I blocked her numbers
Just because you volunteered to sacrifice two years of your life on my behalf doesn't mean we were going to be pen pals.
"Just send someone."
"She was very,very insistent."Zane pressed,the man was too much of a pushover sometimes.
"I have business to attend to her."
That's not technically a lie.
"So,don't call me about this again."
"Copied."
The memory of a blonde saint clutching her phone stopped me from hanging up.
"I need to hack into Evangeline's phone."I said clearly. Zane judged--ironic for his line of work but he did,and to a massive degree but it was either this or I would put a bullet in my mouth if I didn't appease my doubt.
"That's–"
I took a look around me, suddenly aware that I was still in enemy territory. They could have planted bugs here.
Fuck it,she's mine anyway.
"And I need it done before tonight,can you get someone to get me a virus–anything?"
An exaggerated sigh came from the other end of the line.
"I'll try"
"Dont fucking try Zane–do."
I hung up and reached into the pocket again but–again…I had quit.
***
I was hoping she'd be asleep when I creeped in.
She was not.
I stared at her like a theif caught,and she sat,elegant and poised kneeling infront the ginormous statue of the Virgin.
Her eyes were heavy but sharp at me.
"You should be sleeping–" I blurted rudely.
I didn't intend to make it sound that way,I genuinely think she should be sleeping–she's had a long day,she looked exhausted and I had to steal her phone.
She says nothing but looks so disappointed in me that I begin to feel like shit,so I quickly search for a bar to go get something to intoxicate me.
I remove my coat and scan the bar for something hopefully strong enough to drown out her own intoxication.
I fail but I do find good scotch.
I pull it out from the shelf and glance at where she was kneeling,she wasnt praying anymore.
She just stared into space.
I would say something but with my last sentence,I'm sure it won't come out right so I remain silent and add more liquor into the glass.
This is bullshit,I could be fucking Chyna right this minute,not making myself small and trying to be serviceable.
I've seen dogs with less enthusiasm for being used.
I hear a fuss and I immediately turn to her.
Her hands are grabbing on to the redwood table that now stood as altar to the statue.
It was already laddened with roses,a big scented candle and swan decor--the statue was an overkill and her leaning on it was a horrible idea.
I set my glass down and start careful steps towards her.
"Evangeline–"
It was already too late,the table was collapsing.
I rushed over to her before the statue falls,using my body as sheild between the statue and I.
She crouched under me a the full impact hit me.
The other contents of the table shatter to the ground but the statue,rests on my back,the weight getting heavier by the minute.
But I wait for her to leave from under me before I focus on getting it off me.
She lets out a gasp and stares at me,her hand clutching her chest.
Her scent wraps me in a blanket of delight.
"I'm so sorry–"
"Right."I frown, "Move back."
She obeys and I stand to my full weight and adjust the statue on the ground. I stare down at her and offer my hand without much thought.
Its only when she accepts it I realise my actions and smirk as she raises to her full height.
She willingly touched me.
Her hands leaves mine and she scanned the room solemnly as I did the same to her.
Her perfect blonde bun,in place,a robe over her long white and pink checkered nightgown,smelling like summer tea party in a garden–and all this while grieving.
"The cleaners must already be asleep–let's just get them early in the morning.
"If that's not a sign of the virgjn trying to put you to sleep,I dont know what is-"
She breathed out a chuckle and turned to me,her eyes softening.
"Thank you."
I nodded curtly.
She visually searches notices the anointing oil stained on my forearm momentary relief forms on her features
"Let me go get you something to clean that up.."
"No–"I tried to protest but she's already rushed to the bathroom and shut the door behind her.
She looks like she's trying to get away from me but it's probably my head looking for flaws.
That's when I realise the golden opportunity,the phone was right there.
I stare at it for a useless minute before deciding it was something I had to do.
I had promised myself to ask for Evangeline's full consent on alot of things and even without her knowledge there are lines to her privacy I would never cross.
But this was important.
Necessary in fact.
I stare at the lit bathroom door with no sign of movement and grabbed the phone.
No password-maybe I really shouldn't–
The phone screen lit up in my hands before I could finish the thought.
The message floats mockingly on the screen ending a fuse of rage burning wildfire under my skin.
Its depressing how a few words in a small green bubble can influence moods so much.
"I have secured the safe house,just a few more days and I can get you away from that beast,please try to stay safe."
Beast-I frowned.
I am careful not to bother the message,despite the strong urge for blood I summon calm and still myself enough to plant the virus and clone her phone.
I drop it just in a nick of time before she comes back and hands me a whole tissue roll.
I accept without a word and walk back to the bar.
She reaches for her phone and cradles it,staring at me suspiciously.
"I'm sorry about the mess here–"she says, glancing at the phone. "You could stay in the room and I could sleep here."
"I won't be sleeping here,don't worry."
She doesnt argue and dutifully goes up to the room. Who wouldn't be happy not having to sleep under the same roof with a beast.
"Good night then."
I grunt a reply and go sit at the bar,waiting for another green bubble to tick me off.
It did.
I clicked on the icon and swiped desperately through the chat.
"Okay love." She replied.
Love–how romantic.
"I miss you so much,"she added.
"Me too bunny,when I close my eyes I can still taste your–"
I clicked the phone shut and drowned all the liquor in glass,the liquid slid like magma down my throat,sending the room into a haze but I still felt--keyword,felt…like dog shit.
The phone lights up,despite my better judgement–I allow myself to read it.
"Also,he shot someone."
The series of texts that Luca sent back hailed for barbaric of me that was and constant checks with her to see if she was truly safe and cookie cutter motivation of how he'll save her from me soon.
My fists clench around the glass in my hand until it cracked and dug fast through my gloves and into my skin.
The sensation strikes sharp into my senses and the pain in my chest subsides and redirects to my hand.
Her footsteps slowly return to the living room and I close my hand to hide the glass.
"Vicenzo,"she lowers herself onto the couch farthest from me and sits at the edge. "I wanted to talk to you about something.."
I stare blankly at her,unaware of what I wanted to do to myself.
"Firstly,about Cameron,I think the intention was nice and I do appreciate you looking out for me"she begins carefully.
My chest tightens. Barely a week ago,she called me a defective human and that made me feel far better than this bullshit. She was cherry picking her words as if afraid I would hurt her.
"However,I do think the execution was very wrong–he's still a family friend and I'm sure there's more civil ways to handle–"
"Oh my God,Vicenzo"Her eyes darted to the carpet under me and I already knew I was dripping blood.
"Are you bleeding?"
Fuck. I can't have her near me.
"No." I grunted as I got up from the couch and put my phone in my pocket.
That was the most foolish lie I've ever told.
"You are--my God"she cries,sounding genuine with concern.
She attempts to inspect my hand but I winced at her touch.
"I just wanted to-"
"Don't."
She blinks in confusion,but keeps her hand to herself.
"What even happened?"
I don't know what sting I was feeling but the glass wasn't it.
"Good night Evangeline."
She makes a face and looks around us frantically.
"We need to get that bandaged immediately."she gives it one more concerned glance,probably realising it might be self-inflicted "I will find the first aid kit."
"Don't bother."I say,heading out the door.
I walk briskly into the night. This was the most pathetic thing to have ever been done. This is all Zane's fault,with his idiotic good guy shit and his judgement and his fucking advices.
It's time to switch back to default,I pick up my phone and call the ruthless one of the two.
The line rings once.
"Yes boss?"Arturo's ready voice calls from the end of the phone.