The air is refreshing and quiet and I take a moment to silently appreciate the stillness of the night. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to be alone. I sigh, looking up to see Roman at the gazebo, uncharacteristically smoking as he looks at the palm trees decorating surrounding the hotel. He looks normal, if anything he’s quieter than usual, which I didn’t know was possible.

“You need to sign this.” He holds out a contract as I step forward to stand next to him in front of the gazebo. Taking the paper I already know what it is. Omertà. Swearing my loyalty to Reuben and the Stone mafia.

“If I don’t sign this, you’re supposed to kill me, aren’t you?” I have to give my undying loyalty to a man that beat someone important to me. That’s a bit of a problem for me.

“I’ll do the task Reuben assigned to me.”

“What’s that task?” Roman glances at me before adjusting his bowtie, before finally taking it off. I nod, taking the paper before looking at him again.

“Was this all you wanted?”

“No, Reuben has an assignment for you.”

“Well?”

“He wants you to gather information on the Malone’s, anything you can find. He noticed that you and Milo have gotten…close. So-”

“So he wants to exploit my friendship for his own gain. Adding me to his debt.” A substantial debt. Milo didn’t tell me how much but he said others have died for less. I sigh leaning against the gazebo crossing my arms. I’m not doing that, not because I like Milo but because I respect his work.

I’m not trying to wind up on his bad side.

“Roman, be honest with me. Does Reuben have any plan to pay that money? How long do you think the Malone’s will go without paying his debts?”

“He’s a smart man, he knows that he has a time limit.” So that means Roman doesn’t even know.

“I’ll sign this, for Noé, but I can’t give Reuben information on Milo. It wouldn’t work. He’s intuitive and always prepared. For example, the security he has littered around this courtyard.” I’m sure they’ll tell him all of this anyway.

It took me a while to notice them, if it wasn’t for the slight glint of a chrome gun shining in the moonlight I wouldn’t have noticed. Roman looks around, sending a message on his phone before nodding.

“Reuben will be disappointed.”

“I’m protecting my own ass. The Malone’s aren’t stupid.” Roman takes a long hit of whatever he’s smoking before blowing the thick smoke into the air.

“You’re right, all of this has been a damn shit show. The fucking paranoia is getting to him. Alan’s dead and now every little disagreement sets him on edge. He’s being completely irrational.”

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“Wait? Alan is dead, weren’t they best friends?” Roman nods and I silently curse. Reuben is fraying and I’d find it entertaining if it wasn’t affecting me so much.

“Be honest, do you know anything about what the Malone’s are planning?”

“Not at all, aside from talking about his upbringing, he doesn’t mention work. Everything I know is from the research me and Noé did. I told you they’re careful, Roman. Not even you could get past them.”

“I know. You should return, usually we wouldn’t interrupt while you’re on a contract, but Reuben insisted. Sign it and go.” He hands me a pen and I take it before hesitating.

“Milo did bring up…continuing our relationship after tonight. What would that mean if I sign this?” Roman finishes whatever he’s smoking, stomping it on the ground, and buttoning his suit jacket.

“You are Reuben’s eldest daughter. It’s no secret that Milo is due for a wife and if he chooses you, that’d bring an alliance between the two families. An alliance by marriage, old school, but many families follow that tradition. I’m sure Reuben would find a way to benefit from that.”

So anything I do will be to Reuben’s benefit. No, I won’t accept that. I’m not going to let him beat me and use me to get out of his debt too. He put himself in this shit, way before he wanted me, so he can get himself out.

“Roman I…” my words are cut off as the distinct sound of gunshots erupt from the hotel. Everyone is supposed to be disarmed. Roman and I don’t hesitate to run back inside the ballroom as some people run out in panic. Tables are overturned and there is a gunfight between Milo’s security and what looks like some low level thugs.

I don’t think about the how or why taking out the knives I kept strapped under my shirt. Roman and I separate, taking cover under the barrage of gunfire. I slide on the floor to an overturned table next to Noé and Harley.

“Happen to have a spare gun?”

“Unfortunately, no.” Harley says, firing and hitting three guys before ducking again. Her voice is rough and full of agitation, her perfectly arched brows set in a deep frown.

“Milo?” She motions to her left and I look past her shoulder to see Milo, a smirk on his face as he shouts and directs his security like a well seasoned general. It’s attractive, to say the least.

I notice a man sneaking up behind Milo and don’t think twice, throwing a knife with all my strength. It lands in the guy’s neck as he collapses at Milo’s feet. He gives me a grateful nod as his security quickly wipe out the rest of the gang, dragging the few living ones out of the room. Everyone slowly comes out of their hiding spots, checking and searching for their families.

Arthur, Lucia, his grandparents, and Harley go to Milo while Noé excuses herself. She hides her worry and panic well but I know the only person on her mind right now is Emily. I help her search for the family, in the aftermath of chaos.

Smoke bullets bodies and blood litter the once beautiful ballroom, making the scene look like a massacre. Everyone’s rushing around, some receiving medical attention while others quickly leave. Noé finds her crying and shaking like a leaf staring in horror at the dead thugs at her feet.

Noé quickly takes her up in her arms, ushering her away when I notice the arm of a supposedly dead thug, twitch. He points the gun towards Noé and my body reacts before I can fully comprehend what I’m doing.

I run and slide over to his half-dead form, stabbing him in the neck as the sharp, loud bang of his gun fills the ballroom. I feel a sharp pain in my hand as the blade cuts my palm as the guy falls to the floor, dead. Milo’s security quickly rushes over and I sigh, standing and turning to Noé. I’m sure the gun went off, I just hope he missed.

I smile relieved seeing that she’s alright, staring back at me with wide watery eyes. Her and Emily are so damn emotional sometimes. I take a step forward, intent on teasing her but a burning sharp pain overtakes my senses. My vision goes blurry as I look down, seeing and finally registering the warm blood seeping out of my stomach.

Exhaustion and pain tugs at my body as I collapse to the ground, muffled shouts fill my stuffed ears as darkness consumes me.