Desire lingered in the silence, but some lines once crossed could never be uncrossed.
*****
Enrico sat at his dressing table, eyes locked on the mirror. He stared at his bare body tattoos stretching across his chest and scars that whispered stories from the past.
The thought of Alessia kept popping into his head.
"Because I know that no matter how much you hate me, you can't resist me."
He stood up, walking slowly to the bed when he heard footsteps outside. He stopped.
Quietly, he opened his drawer and pulled out a gun. He threw on a shirt without buttoning it, then moved to the window and slipped behind the curtain, waiting.
The door flew open. Xavier rushed in, gun in hand, breathing heavily.
"Boss, someone sent an assassin after you."
Enrico stepped out from behind the curtain and strode toward him.
"Where is he?"
"Underground. Tied up."
Enrico walked back to his drawer, pulled out a black leather glove and a tiny, sharp knife. It glinted under the light as he dropped it into a small bag and handed it to Xavier.
"Is Alessia safe?" he asked.
"Yes, boss. She's fast asleep."
"Keep it that way. Watch her closely. I'll handle this."
Enrico slid into his boots and walked out, the bag now in his hand.
*****
The underground room was dim, lit only by a thin stream of light from a cracked ceiling vent. The air smelled like rust, sweat… and blood. The walls were cold and damp, whispering fear.
A low groan echoed.
Enrico stepped in and sat on a wooden chair near the bound young man. He placed one foot up on a table beside him.
"Who sent you?" Enrico asked, voice cold.
The young man looked up, a bloody smile on his face.
"I hate to repeat myself. And I don't want to hurt you," Enrico added.
The man started laughing, then suddenly spat on Enrico's shirt.
"You're lucky I didn't kill you. I would have given you a death you wouldn't forget in a hurry," he hissed.
Enrico lit a cigarette, then without warning, pressed it hard into the man's forehead.
He screamed, jerking in pain.
"Don't play with me," Enrico warned. "Who sent you?"
Still screaming, the man didn't say a word. Then he whispered, laughing, "Kill me if you want."
Enrico smiled. "I love people like you in this business. But I hate people like you because you die miserably in my hands."
He stood, grabbed the man's throat, and lifted him slightly off the ground.
"I live by the sword with a rule death for death. Don't test me. Speak, unless you want to die like your miserable mother… the one you think I killed."
At that name, the young man struggled fiercely. His rage flared.
Enrico released him, and he dropped like a stone to the floor.
"Don't you ever mention her again with your filthy mouth," the man gasped.
"You know your mother didn't deserve to die," the man said between breaths, "and neither did mine… Cora."
"How do you know me?" Cora shouted, eyes wide.
Enrico pulled a gun from his waistband and placed it gently on Cora's head.
"I know you've been following me for two months. I checked who you are. You think I killed your mother. I didn't. That's why I'm asking you again… who sent you?"
"If you didn't, then tell me who did! I saw you take her. How am I supposed to believe you?" Cora's voice cracked.
"I was trying to protect her," Enrico said quietly. "They wanted her as an organ donor. I took her to keep her safe. But by the time I got there… she was already gone."
Tears streamed down Cora's face.
"She was all I had," he said, sobbing. "I wanted to give her a better life."
He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it over.
"I've never met the man who sent me to kill you. He dropped this near a box at 3 Millhall."
Enrico's eyes narrowed. "3 Millhall... Shit." He whispered under his breath.
"The target is Alessia."
Enrico knelt and untied the rope on Cora's hands.
"Tell whoever sent you not to touch her. I'm ready to wipe out a country for her. She's mine. And whoever touches what's mine… won't see the light of the next day."
Cora dropped to his knees.
"He said if I don't kill you, I'll die. I'm scared to go back."
Enrico gave a small smile, then turned toward the slit of light, shadows covering half his face.
"You were already dead the moment you stepped in here to kill me. No one walks in here… and leaves alive."
Cora trembled.
"What about the message? I'll deliver it, then run far. Somewhere I'll never be found."
"To hell, Cora," Enrico said with a smirk. "If you escape, that's fine."
He turned and walked away, the sharp click of his boots echoing off the walls.
*****
THE NEXT DAY
(BRIGGS HIGH SCHOOL)
"I'm so happy you're back to school after all that chaos." Champagne wrapped her arms tightly around Alessia.
"Happy to see you too. I missed you a lot," Alessia said with a soft smile.
"Let's have a small celebration at your place tonight. My parents are in town. Don't worry about money my treat!"
Alessia froze. She suddenly remembered… she didn't live at her house anymore.
"Umm, I have an appointment tonight," she said quickly.
Champagne gave her a curious look. "Appointment? You're off from your part-time job today. So where…?"
"I applied for a new job at a restaurant. Got an email this morning. I have to go and see if they'll hire me," Alessia lied.
"You're really working double. Enrico is a jerk. I'll go with you."
"No need," Alessia cut in. "I'll go alone."
Champagne studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Okay. If you say so. We'll do a girls' night next time, then."
"Sure," Alessia replied.
The bell rang loudly. Students packed their bags and rushed out. School was over for the day.
"I'll see you around, Alessia. My mum's picking me today. Stay safe!"
"You too, Champ. I love you." Alessia blew her a kiss as Champagne rushed out.
She exhaled deeply, then packed her things and walked toward the hallway.
Girls screamed and ran toward the school gate.
Alessia pulled her hoodie over her head. She ignored the noise and walked toward the vending fridge. She slipped a coin in and pressed the button. A cold soda dropped into the tray.
She picked it up, cracked it open, and took a long sip as she headed toward the gate, curious about the crowd.
She began slipping through people, squeezing past shoulders and elbows until she reached the gate.
Her eyes landed on a tall man dressed in a black suit and dark sunglasses.
He turned catching a glimpse of her from the side mirror of a car.
Alessia kept walking toward the bus stop. But then she heard her name.
"Alessia Rivera."
She froze.
Turning around slowly, she saw him a tall, handsome man waving at her.
"Can we talk, love?" he said, smiling softly.