Mafia's Assassin

Chapter 10

I stand by the fire, a bottle of whiskey to hand as the blur of the Italian mafia and their clean up crew cover up the murders behind me. Angelo was the one to give me the whiskey and Leonardo tried to reach me, but when it failed settled on lighting the fire to keep me warm. This is where Luka finds me

"Emilie, are you okay ? Here let me have a look" I raise my hand for him to stop, taking a large swig to feel the burn. We stand for a few moments

"You know, my family was once one of power" his eyes starring into the flames with mine

"We were a threat, a real one until it came crashing down at my feet .." from the side I could feel his mind had wondered, for once his face didn't contain a smile but one of strain

"My mother.. father they were murdered, massacred actually all to make a point" his laugh dry "my assassin took everything from me and left me with nothing but this scar" his fingers running above his brow "a branding so I didn't forget. It was suppposed to cover half my face but the Giovarni's found me, saved me..."

Our eyes connect for the first time and I pass him the bottle. "Care to share what made you see red ?" He swigs with a small cough, wiping his lips. My eyes return to the flames

"Viktar happened" my nails biting into my palm "I was eighteen years old when a man was sent to rape me" Now taking another swig

"What happened to the man ?" The sound of his neck cracking, the popping of his bones beneath my fingers resurfaces as if it was just yesterday and I feel the tears building

"I snapped his neck .." I blink as I welcome the burning liquid "I found a maid, same age as me suffer a faite I had escaped and I.. I can't get her cries or stained eyes out of my head" I mutter back to him my chest beginning to quicken

"I saw red and before I knew it I was covered in red .. so much blood" my eyes burn as a single tear rolls free "my brother Jorge .. I was to late" I look to Luka who silently listens holding my stare

"Viktar had gutted my Jorge" my tears rolled freely and fast "he'd shot him between the eyes .. my eight year old brother, he died alone because I.." my voice faulters as I poke my chest "because I was a few seconds late" Rubbing my nose I continue to drink from the bottle. My eyes look down to the gouges in my palm.

"Emilie.." I shake my head to Luka and he stands silent, taking the bottle

"We both have something in common" I glance for him to continue "the Giovarni's saved me and I'm sure they will save you to" my eyes glance back to the flames

"To jorge" he raises the bottle to the flames and swigs the bottle passing it back to me

"To Jorge" I sniffle taking my turn

************
I stand in my bathroom looking at the bruising on my shoulder, forearms and glance down to my grazed, bruised knees. Tucking my hair behind my sticky, bloodied ear, I see a small gash where my ear will need a few stitches. Hearing heavy footfalls, I quickly dress in my joggers, socks and of the shoulder baggy cropped jumper.

Running to the doorway on light feet, I see Nico making his way to his room. My fingers gently grip around his wrist, tugging him into my room.

"Emilie, I didn't realise you were still awake" his tired eyes taking in the watch stating 2am, I shrug

"You look beat" Rubbing his neck, he sits on the edge of my bed. Fetching a bowl of warm water and cotton wool, I lead Nico to my dressing table

"Sit" gently pushing his shoulder. Nico falls into the chair exhaling as I go to work on cleaning his face, sucking air through his teeth