Page 4 of Vendetta

She gets up, half stumbles from the stool and my men look round at the sudden movement. I lift my hand slightly to tell them to stay where they are. I won’t have them touch her. I won’t have anyone touch her.

“I am not yours.” She says but she’s trembling. Falling apart.

I want to hold her, to feel as her body crumbles within my grasp, but I don’t. I just watch as her fear takes over.

“Don’t fight me Eleri.” I say narrowing my eyes. But in truth I want her to. I want to see what spirit she has. I want to unleash the monster I know resides in her. That’s why I chose her. That’s why I stalked her.

She is no ordinary girl. The scars, the trauma attests to that.

But she’s not a victim either. She’s a fighter. My fighter. And I want to see how much damage she can do.

Her

Irun out of the bar.

My heart is thumping. My adrenaline is coursing through me. I feel like my whole body is on fire. Aflame. And not in a good way.

I don’t know why he’s decided now of all days to make a move but I know already that I won’t escape this. Won’t escape him.

He’s been watching me too long. Stalking me almost.

For over six months I’ve worked at this bar. The only one that would have me. My face means every other place has literally shut the door on me. Slammed it shut.

My only other option would be the streets and after what happened two years ago I wouldn’t resort to that if my life depended upon it.

Besides no one would want someone like me. No one can even look at me without wincing so why would they pay money to fuck me?

At yet he wants me.

Nico Morelli. The mob king himself.

I gulp at the thought. My pace has slowed. My feet are stilling.

I’m in an alleyway. Not the same as the one I was attacked in but it’s so familiar it sends a chill through me.

It’s late or early depending on how you look at it. If there wasn’t so much light pollution there would be stars above my head.

As the smoke, and the semi-darkness, and the stench of the something rotting fills my nostrils I feel myself transported back to it, back to that moment and I’m dry retching, doubled over, holding onto the brick wall, hearing my heart hammering in my chest and it’s all I can do to not fall on my knees.

When my panic subsides, as I remind myself that I’m not there, I’m not in that moment, I realise someone is behind me.

Watching me.

My heart slams into my chest once more and I turn quickly as their shadow looms over me. It’s him. Nico.

He’s followed me.

“What..?” I begin but I let my words fall. It’s obvious why he’s here. I glance around wondering for a second if he might just take his chances now that we’re alone. If he’s really the monster everyone says he is.

“I wouldn’t let you wander these streets by yourself. It’s not safe.”

I scoff. Like he knows what’s safe. Like he’s even keeping me safe.

“I walk these streets every night.” I say back.

His lips curl. “And who do you think makes sure you get home in one piece each time?”

My heart stops. Freezes. He’s been following me home?

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