Page 15 of The Diávolos: Part Two
He remembered that it’s been a year.
I thought he’d forgotten, disappointed that he hadn’t made an appearance. Even though I shouldn’t wish to see him, receiving this gift makes me feel like he’s with me.
My worries and memories keep me up most nights. The only ones I sleep through are when I’m visited by him.
When he creeps into my apartment and nestles himself behind me, his warmth and woodsy and smokey smell invade my senses. His arms a cocoon keeping me safe from my inner demons.
He’s always gone when I wake up, only his scent left behind, but those are the nights I'm the most at peace.
With the devil by my side.
5
EVANDER
"Into each life some rain must fall, some days must be dark and dreary." —Henry Wadsworth
Metropolis of Cebrene
TheDiávolosis back in town. Though only for a short period.
I have to meet with the godfathers of the head families. And before that, I must figure out the culprit for yet more missing crates.
Twelve months ago, I left Cebrene to follow Angelica and vowed not to come back unless she was by my side. Unfortunately, that’s not the case and I’m back in Cebrene, the City of Brotherly Love without my angel. The gap in my heart is one I cannot fathom to close. There’s no replacing my sweet, fiery girl, and I will not rest until she is home with me.
I tried hard not to break my own promise, but there is war in Cebrene. Ever since I decided to take Jurian’s life, the streets of the city have not been the same. They are full of violence, malice, and theft. The Kouvalakis’s retaliated, using any way possible toget back at us for taking one of their men, but our forces are stronger, smarter, and faster.
Dion took charge of everything in my absence and has done an excellent job so far, no complaints. But our shipments have been damaged and stolen, some rerouted. And as much as Dion and Xander have a hold on things, I still need to show face.
I look out of the helicopter window and see the aerial landscape of Cebrene under my nose.My city. Soon, I will control the entire East coast, and anyone against me will burn.
My thoughts are interrupted by Xan’s voice in my headset.
“We’re ten minutes from landing, boss.”
I nod. When I was told about the severity of the situation back home, he flew to Antium to pick me up in my helicopter. I’d never owned one before but decided to make the purchase to facilitate the transport of my men back and forth between Antium and Cebrene.
I look back outside and see the rooftop of my building, The Saintville. The helicopter starts its slow descent onto the pad, and I take a deep breath. I’ve been in constant fight or flight mode for the past year, but being home isn’t making me feel any better.
The aircraft lands smoothly and we’re ushered out. Sebastian and Gregory, my bodyguards, wait near the rooftop door, and I shake both their hands. “Welcome back, boss.”
They stayed back with Dion to ensure his safety. I trust these men with my life, so it felt only fair to leave them with my brother.
Back in Antium, I employed two new bodyguards who were vetted by my counterpart, Hendrick, the head of the Puerto Rican mob in Anzio, which runs the Upper East side of the city.
Hen and I go way back. We met as kids when my uncle took me to The Big A to meet with Hendrick’s father. Though we never kept in touch as children, when we were teenagers,both being groomed to take over as respective leaders of our family, we developed a friendship and partnership that only got stronger over the years.
I was so blinded by anger when I learned he was responsible for drugging and kidnapping Angelica right before she moved back to Cebrene, I’d almost ripped his head off. The motherfucker harmed my angel. I promised him death if he touched what was mine again.
“You fucking cunt.” I seethed into his face. “No women or children, Hendrick. You know this.”
He laughed, not intimidated by my reaction whatsoever. He’s one of a handful of men I know who’d face the devil and not flinch.
“The girl was barely harmed,pendejo. She just took a little nap. She was well-fed and held in this very room in which you stand. No harm, no foul,amigo.” Hendrick shrugged. “And don’t worry, if she was mistreated, your best friend, Gianis, would’ve had my throat first,” he teased.
“Motherfucker.”Hearing Gianis’s name sent an immediate pang of jealousy down my spine. I punched Hen in the gut, but he only laughed in return. And I thoughtIwas crazy.
That day, I'd visited him to go over expansion plans for his business in Anzio, which ultimately feeds into mine in Cebrene. I traffic weapons and ammo, whereas the six Puerto Rican crime families in Antium are experts in counterfeiting, which is handy when I want to make new partnerships overseas.
