From Heart With Hate

Cold Blood

Tristano

"So you're telling me that the assassination of my right hand and your arrival in the city yesterday is just a coincidence ?"

Niccolò looked at me with no emotion on his face making him 100 times dangerous. He fidgeted the golden lighter between his fingers, producing a metallic sound; his eyes still focused on me as he blew thick air through his nostrils in frustration.

I had been in Bulgaria for the past eight months, and the first news I heard when I reached here was about Luigi's death.

"Are you accusing me of murdering our childhood friend? For god's sake, Niccolò, we all have grown up together. I could - I can't even imagine doing that to my brothers."

He raised his head as he lighted the cigarette, looking dead into my eyes. My palms were sweating as I gulped in nervousness. He was in the "Boss" mode, and we all knew what happens when Niccolò does that. When he loses his cool, people lose their lives. As I looked at him exhaling the smoke, I feared the future, for I knew someone's life was in grave danger.
I was standing near the door with my hands behind my back when he suddenly stood up, making me gulp in nervousness. He patted my chest lightly as he looked at me over his shoulder. I tried to keep my face straight. Letting out a sigh as he went out before throwing the remaining piece of cigarette in the corner of the room.

Jesus Christ. That was scary.

Niccolò

"Luigi Vinci will be remembered as a man with immense courage; he was a cheerful person and my brother who stood by me from thick and thin ---"

It was almost the time of burial, and I still hadn't figured out the person behind it. Sitting in the back row at the church, I could feel anger boiling up in my veins as people continued to speak good about the deceased, huh, as they cared. Most of the people over here hated him. I wonder if I'll be surrounded by people who will also be happy to see my body in a casket.

I was lost in my thoughts when I saw Sofia, Luigi's younger sister walking in my direction. It's been ages since I last saw her. Well, I did sleep with her once or twice when I was 17, but I never really "dated" her.

She sniffled lightly as she sat beside me. Her cheeks were stained with tears. I never realised she was this close to Luigi. She was crying, and I didn't know what to do.

"I'm sorry, Sofia, I couldn't do anything." I finally spoke up as I rubbed her back lightly, hoping she would stop being all pathetic.

"You can do something now." Her expressions were stern.

"What ?" My eyebrows frowned.

"The girl in your house, Why don't you try questioning her?"

My eyes widened. Why does she want me to interrogate Caterina?

"That woman, you know there are rumours she killed a stripper at that club."

"She didn't do anything. She wasn't in a state to throw someone off the terrace, Sofia." I gritted.

"How can you be so sure, Niccolò ?"

"Because I was there that night, she was too drunk to even move an inch without tripping."
I closed my eyes in frustration as I threw my head back, trying to calm myself.
I didn't want anyone to know this. I didn't want to go there either. But I couldn't win against the strong desire to touch her body again, even if it was for 5 minutes.

"I am the one who has lost a brother Niccolò, and the only person I suspect is your girlfriend."

"You want me to believe that a weak woman like Caterina took over a man twice her height and left him in cold blood? Does that even make any sense to you ?! "

I didn't realise I was being too loud for a place like a church until I saw people around looking in our direction. Sofia stood up and moved outside as the priest announced the burial.

I agree Caterina has changed. Whenever she looks into my eyes, it seems she has nothing to lose. She isn't scared of anyone here anymore. But I still can't imagine her with a dagger slicing into a man like Luigi. It's not as easy as it sounds.

But for Tristano ... it would have been so so easy. He knows the camera points, and Luigi would never doubt his existence in his room.

We all grew up together, Niccolò; you are brothers to me.

______

She looked so peaceful as she played the piano; her eyes were closed as she played the tune, she plays it a lot, and I love it. I coughed a little as I stepped inside the room. Her fingers fell off the keys, and she looked at me with no emotions in her eyes. Sometimes when I look at her, I regret sending her off to the club. She isn't the woman I used to know anymore. I can't see the brightness in her blue orbs; I fell the first time I brought her here.

"You look tired," I said as I caressed her blonde shoulders length hair. Her long hair used to look so beautiful; I don't know from where she got the idea to cut them short.

She hummed and continued to play it.

"Didn't sleep enough last night ?"

She shook her head and yawned. "I did."
I raised my eye curiously.

"So you were inside your room all the time, right ?" I asked, my eyes focused on her lips. Her actions paused, making the music stop. She nodded.

"Didn't come out? Not even once ?"

She chuckled. "What are you suggesting Niccolò DeVille ?"

She stood up and moved towards the window, adjusting the veils and avoiding my gaze.

"Let's get to the point, shall we ?" I turned her around as her eyebrows frowned in confusion.

"Who killed Luigi, Princess ?" I said calmly.

"Tristano came the same night, didn't he? If I were you, I would have doubted him." She pushed me lightly and began to move towards the bed. But I held her wrist as I pulled her into my chest.

"Mhm, people here think I am being too easy on you considering your reputation at the club?"

She grins.

I held her shoulders and slammed her back on the window behind, making her flinch in surprise.

"Do you also think I killed him?" Her voice was shaky. I looked up to meet her glossy eyes. She was crying. Oh no.

"I-I am-"

Before speaking further, she rushed past me and entered the bathroom before locking it from inside. I could hear her sobbing, making my heart clench.
I slicked my hand through my hair, pulling them out in frustration, wondering if I was being an asshole again.

God. Everything's so fucked up.

A/N

Family Line- Conan Gray 🥺🥺