Wed or Dead

XLV ⚜️

Eliana ended up visiting the last and only person she could still count on. Axel.

"Eliana, what are you doing here?" He was still in his pajamas and looked very surprised to see me. Well, she couldn't blame him.

"Was my father involved with mafia?" Eliana asked rudely as soon as she entered his apartment. She needed to confirm it. She needed to know.

Axel's eyes widened, he was shocked. The shock, however, quickly disappeared from his eyes. He seemed resigned.

"Let's sit," he said tiredly.

"Answer me," Eliana said firmly. She wasn't about to just sit and talk calmly. She needed answers, now.

"Everything would be explained to you after the court hearing" he started speaking, seeing she's not planning to sit down any time soon. "Yes, your father was involved. The SFM company is distributing firearms by legal and illegal routes"

"What the fuck" she whispered covering her face, "No. No, this is not happening. Everything was supposed to be over soon. How is this my fucking life?!" She could feel Axel patting my arm in something that was supposed to resemble a reassuring gesture.

"I'm sorry this is not how I imagined this conversation," Axel said awkwardly. "Can you sit now?" Eliana nodded wordlessly and took a seat at the kitchen table. Axel sat right in front of her. "What exactly happened to you? Why is your face bruised?" His eyes were shining with concern. "Should I call a doctor?"

"No. You can't. There's no time" she said sniffling. "Harvey happened. I was forced to meet with him at my parents' house"

"How did you escape?" Axel asked in a more and more anxious voice.

"I didn't. He let me go"

"Why?" The confusion appeared on Axel's face.

"Because he told me everything he wanted me to know"

"Listen Eliana I know the knowledge about your family's business is a heavy burden-" Axel started but Eliana interrupted him.

"Heavy burden? It's more than that. I wanted my family's money because they meant I can keep Casey's safe and happy. But now? I just learned they will put her in more danger than it's comprehensible!" Eliana stood up from the chair and started pacing around the room.

"You fear is understandable, but you have people around you who will help you. You will find a way to protect Casey with what you have" Axel assured. "How did your uncle even manage to get to you? You're so well protected" he asked.

"The police officer that was in charge of Ethan's case told me he needs to take me to a police station, but instead he took me to Harvey's place" Eliana responded dryly.

"That son of the bitch... And Harvey arranged all that just to inform you about family business?"

"Not only that... Harvey told me he killed Rafael's sister and that Rafael from the beginning wanted to avenge her" Eliana said with a gaze cast down on the floor. She stopped moving and just stood in the middle of the room, trying to figure out what to do next.

Axel stood up as well and came closer to her. "How do you know he's telling the truth?"

"Why would he lie about this?" Eliana asked.

"To make you give up. Scare you. You know what he's capable of already" Axel tried to give her an idea.

"I can't just assume that" Eliana responded.

"What are you planning to do exactly?" Axel asked.

"I need to leave the country. As soon as possible. You mentioned the safe house at our first meeting... Can I go there?" Eliana lifted her gaze up to look at Axel in a pleading expression.