Aces & Spades

Gunshot

Bella:

He kills the engine outside of a three-story warehouse, the cage like exterior causes a shiver to run down my spine.

I feel my palms begin to sweat as my heart beats out of my chest. Maybe I shouldn't have trusted Daniele this quickly. His hand engulfs mine as I turn to look at him, a look of worry casting over his perfect face.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." It barely comes out as a whisper, causing him to turn my head to face him.

"Bella if you want me to take you back, you know I can do that. But what's worrying you so much?"

"N-nothing I just miss my family."

"I'm sorry Bella. If you want, I can show you the office your father worked in. It has been locked up for the last couple of years and I haven't let anyone touch it."

The sweet gesture tugs at my heart strings. "Thank you."

He walks over to my side of the car and opens the door, holding out his hand which I cling onto. As he unlocks the bolted steel front door, we are faced with some men in suits, then another door which he uses his fingerprint to get passed. The further we went into the warehouse, the colder and darker it became, cages surround my sides as I walked, boxes of ammunition and weapons lingered around, as I clung harder onto Daniele's arm.

We finally reached another door, which needed to be unlocked by several keys, before leading into a small office. The birch wood table was organized perfectly, a collection of dust encasing everything in the room. The walls, a maroon color, with dim yellow light passing through the small chandelier. The small details of the room don't go unnoticed, such as the framed drawings I made when I was young, hung onto the wall, and the small bookshelf stacked with all my father's favorite novels.

I walk around the amethyst-colored seats to the desk. A framed picture of me and my family from when we went on a day out to the zoo, was placed on the corner of the desk. I grab it, gently caressing the glass which covered the preserved memory. As far as I know, that was the last time that I was happy. Really happy.

"You can take it with you if you like."

I turn to look up at him, watching him come round to stand next to me. His arms wrap around my waist as I lean my head back against his chest, inhaling the scent of his aftershave.

"We were so happy." I choke out as he hugs me tighter.

"I know." He whispers against my head.

A small knock on the door disturbs out moment, as a small dark-haired man enters the room.

"Boss, there is some more paperwork for you to sign."

"I'll be there in a minute."

I watch as he nods his head and leaves, leaving me and Daniele alone again.

"Now, you can either stay here or you can come with me and stay in one of our other offices."

"Can't I look around?"

"No Isabella." He says as he plays with a strand of my hair.

"Why?"

He sighs, stepping away from me. "I need you to stay by my side okay? it's not safe in here."

"Is anyone going to try and kill me?"

"No-"

"So I will be fine." I say. 

"Please Isabella. I don't want to lose you again. Just stay in here okay? I'll only take an hour." 

I nod my head in disbelief. What was he hiding from me?

"I'll stay here." I whisper as I hang my head low. I feel the heat of his body radiate off as he comes closer to me.

"I'll be back soon?" He says as he tilts my head up, placing a soft kiss on my lips. I watch as he turns on his heel and walks out, shutting the door quietly behind him.

I let out a deep sigh, slumping down into my father's old chair. Was I really going to be stuck in this room full of desperate memories?

No.

I get up from the seat, walking towards the antique oak door, I press my ear against it, listening out for any signs of life beyond the room. As soon as I felt like the coast was clear, I pushed down onto the cold silver handle, pulling the door open.

I tiptoe out, not paying attention to which direction I was going. I turn left near some old boxes, and right when I reach the stack of unloaded guns and rifles.

The sound of muffled screams catches my attention, luring me down the corridor towards the door at the end.

"Please Mr Romano I didn't do it! I swear!"

I crack open the door by a centimeter, to see a bloodied man in his early thirties, chained up to metal chair, similar to the one that I was in.

"And you think I believe you?" I watch as Daniele pulls out his gun from the waistband of his pants, aiming it towards his head.

"Admit that you did it and I won't kill your wife and kids." He says pressing the muzzle of the gun against the man's forehead.

"You sick son of a bitch. You won't do that!"

Daniele's laugh- which I once thought was beautiful, was filled with hatred.

"But I can. And I will."

The sound of the gunshot shakes me to the core as I scream, causing Daniele to turn around to face me. Tears stream down my face as I look at the lifeless body of the man that was once breathing in front of me.

"Y-you-"

"Isabella it's not what it looks like-"

"You killed him. You're a murderer."

"No Isabella  he-"

"I-I don't want to hear anything I-I-" I look back down at the mess on the floor, before looking back up into his concerned eyes. I feel the lightheadedness gnaw at me, the result of my trauma. Before he could say anything I'm dragged into the darkness.

Massimo:

"Get the tables ready by tomorrow, I don't want any mistakes. Understood?." I say to the decorator who was following me around like a lost puppy all day. I stop abruptly, causing her to slam into me as a threatening growl escapes my lips.

"S-sorry boss."

I dismiss her with the wave of my hand as I walk across the stone-colored marble floor, towards Luca.

"Did they RSVP?"

He holds out one of the thousand invites with the initials signed as Daniele Romano.

I feel a grin take over my face. "Make sure that they sit close to the balcony so that I can get Isabella out without making a scene."

"I'll tell them to change the seating plan now." He says as he walks off.

I finally release a breath of relief. This will all be over soon. I will be able to see her face again, and tell her how I l-

"Boss, the florist said that the roses are coming a little later tomorrow."

"As long as they are red, and there are enough for each table, I don't give a fuck."

ciao my loves I hope you are all safe and well! I'm sorry for literally taking forever to update I have a lot of school work and exams to focus on but I will still try to upload at least once a week.
I love you all so much stay safe!