Created by the devil

In their shadow lurked the devil.

"Your cousin has been found dead" Naomi informed Gia. It would be normal for most people to freak out and yell or cry, but Gia's facial expression didn't change one bit. She sighed and nodded, which Naomi took as a sign to go. She rubbed her eyes as she couldn't stop picturing him.

She still heard his voice beg her, 'don't shoot!'. She saw his face in distress after she pulled her gun out. She heard his screams for mercy go from one ear to the other. She questioned her actions. No matter which answers she found for her own actions, they were all not enough to ease the little innocence she had left in her.

She had sent a team of men out to find him. With all the attention focused on them, she had the time to sneak out herself. She didn't need people to find him cause she knew where he was all along. It was their grandmothers home. The killing was fast, practically pain-free. She stood far enough for no blood to spatter on her blouse but close enough to hear his breathing hitch.She was right on track with her plan. She sent a message, she showed her presence, she showed her loyalty. But what did she wish that she misfired that gun.

It now being around eight am, it was time to go meet her family for breakfast. When she walked into the room, everybody was already sitting but waiting for her to start eating. The moment she took a step into the room her whole attitude changed. She didn't want anybody to see the change in her posture. She was going to make sure nobody knew what happened.

Tommy had been giving her side-eye during the whole breakfast. She knew she might not be able to hide it from him. She sure wanted to, but it was like he could read her mind. Once she was safe to take a deep breath far from anyone she sat down on her bed. The silence didn't last long though, as she heard the wooden door creak.

She recognised his way of breathing, and when he was close enough even his smell. He cleared his throat and asked, "Where were you?" She turned her head and smiled at her husband. "There were just some things that needed to be fixed." She answered innocently.

He walked up to her and put the hair that fell out of her coiffure back in place. His hand slid down to her chin which he lifted for her to meet his eye level. "You can lie all you want to me, but I'll get what I want. I always do. Don't get me wrong, you're strong-willed but not as strong as me, though."

She grinned and changed the subject "We'll see about that. Do you have any idea if Arthur, John and Michael have arrived yet?" He went into their shared closet to choose a vest as he answered, "They should be here any moment. Finn is coming too." He put his vest on and saw the look on her face. "Finn is not coming at all cause you made sure to hide his information papers." He realised.

"He's too young for all of this, Tommy." She sighed as she stood up to fix her make-up. "He has to start acting like a fucking man, Gia." Tommy responded. "He grows one hair in his armpit and is called a man. We give our today so that they can have a tomorrow. He should not go through what you went through to get where you are today." She told him.

He sighed and walked up to her. He placed his forehead against hers and promised, "I'll give him as little work as I can, but one day it might be his turn so, I won't hold back on showing him the leads." This might be the best she could get out of Tommy. He kissed her and left the room.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She knew her plan was as solid as iron, but in this life, you never know. That's when she heard cries. They weren't real, but they were there. They were in her head. His cries were screaming for mercy. She didn't even notice her face getting wet by her tears.

"Gigi?" Mario's voice sounded. He luckily hadn't opened the door yet. For no gold on earth would she have shown her tears. "Yes?" She replied unsurely. He opened the door and leaned against the door frame. "What's troubling you?" She asked when he didn't speak up. The way Gia could change her entire personality in seconds will leave everyone questioning.

He sighed and closed the door. He walked up to her and placed his hands in his pockets. "Are you sure we're doing the right thing?" He asked. "It doesn't matter if we're doing 'the right thing'. What matters is that they think we did. In the end, we'll have everything back. Now, stop your whining and get ready to leave." She answered.

He furrowed his brows and questioned, "The meeting is tomorrow." She showed a little smile and said, "How would you like it if we went tornare in tempo?" It had been a long time, since he recognised the old Gia, but here she was. For a fraction of a second, he saw the young girl in her who left New York to have a more promising future.

It wasn't long, or they were out on the streets. Hanging around the same corners that they would as children. Of course, it wasn't the same anymore because in their shadow lurked the devil. They decided to enter the shop of an elderly man. They would go every day if they could as children.

Their long coats fluttered in the wind of the early summer. As the bell of the door alerted the clients of their presence. Of course, her brothers were aware of their presence, but the people weren't. The shop was silent, too astonished for words. The only voice that could be heard was that of Mr Johnson.

"Come over 'ere. I've missed you two!" He laughed as he hugged both of them. "I think the whole of New York did." Gia recognised a voice from behind him. He stepped from behind the counter and shook Mario's hand. Before turning his attention towards Gia. Darius didn't mind the awkwardness Gia projected onto him.

"Hi, Gia." He said with a small smile. Gia just nodded back. The truth is, she had left him. They were friends since the day she arrived here. With their growing bond grew love. At least for Darius more than Gia. Of course, he wasn't the sole reason she left but was one of the many.

"Are you guy's staying?" Mr Johnson asked to get the awkward attention of the girl he loved as his own daughter. "Unfortunately, we're just here for some business." Mario answered. "Right, you guys settled well in Birmingham, I see." Mr Johnson smiled. "We did indeed." Gia smiled thinking about her son and Tommy.

"We'll try to pass by once again before we leave." Mario informed them before they both bid them goodbye. Before Gia could walk out of the door Mario was keeping open for her, she felt someone take her hand. She turned around with her hand already going into her jacket to take her gun out. She softens as she saw a mother and a daughter, she assumed.

"Please, save us." The mother got out past her trembling lips. Gia who normally had a stern look on her face, looked amazed for once. "What do you mean?" She softly asked. "He killed them all. My children and my husband. They're all dead because of him. Will you speak for those who can't? Will you save us?" The mother questioned loudly.

At this very moment, Gia realised, that over the past few months she became just like her brother. People in Birmingham wouldn't dare to look her in the eye. Never would they use the word God-given and her name in the same sentence but here it was all different. These people were counting on her to take over and rule their city so they could live in peace, just like with her father.

"I'll do everything I can to get him off his throne." She voiced.

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I know this chapter is all over the place.