Mafia Kingpin: A Dark, Thrilling Organized Crime Romance

77

CHAPTER 9

FORGIVE ME... FOR I HAVE SINNED

§ LOUIS §

It had been two years since I'd gone to Steve's house that day, and Ellie had passed away.

Two whole years.

It was my sixteenth birthday.

I didn't really want a fuss or a massive party - I was happy to spend the day with Steve and Mum.

Me and Keelan had sorted things out since our fight, but we weren't as close anymore.

That's a lot of what I had been doing recently - cutting off close ties with people.

I had my stepdad Steve, and Mum, and that was more than enough.

***

I walked into the living room to see Steve there, with Mum, with a birthday cake laid out on the table along with drinks and some other snacks.

"Happy birthday little man!" Steve exclaimed.

"Little?" I denied. "I'm sixteen now."

Steve chuckled, and then rustled in his pocket, pulling out an envelope from it. "Look what I got you," he signaled, with his hands on his hips.

I took it from him, wondering what it could be if he'd managed to put my present in an envelope. I was hesitant to open it. "Hmm," I murmured.

"Open it!" Steve demanded, a wide grin spread across his face.

So I did... And as I opened the envelope, my jaw dropped in shock.

The envelope revealed two tickets to a Stormzy concert.

"Steve, you legend!" I yelled. "I'm going to a Stormzy concert!"

Steve smiled, and Mum hugged me. "Come on, let's cut the birthday cake," she said, smiling.

I followed her to the kitchen, and saw her take a massive knife from a set of nine knives, long, sharp and glistening. Then she took the chocolate cake from the fridge, and we made our way back to the lounge.

I took the knife in my hand and felt a weird feeling of déjà vu when I held it. I felt a massive surge of power flood my body. With this knife in my hand... I felt invincible. I could do anything that I wanted with it.

I quickly shut off my thoughts as Mum started singing, and I snapped back into reality.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Louis, happy birthday to you!"

I blew the candles and began to cut the cake, as Steve filmed me.

I was sixteen. Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen. I couldn't believe it.

I devoured the cake and hugged my mum. Suddenly, Steve's phone began to ring.

He sighed, looking annoyed and irritated. "Let me just answer my phone, Louis. I'll be right back," he said quickly, and then walked out of the room.

I went on my own phone to check my texts, and lots of people from school had sent me happy birthday messages. I got one text from Keelan asking me if I wanted to hang out tonight, but Steve was meant to be taking me out. I opened Keelan's text to respond and explain why I couldn't chill with him today, until I looked out of the window and saw that Steve's car had gone.

I took a deep breath in, feeling miserable all of a sudden. He'd killed my mood. He'd left me again. Just like he had when I was fourteen playing Grand Theft Auto and eating pizza. He'd left me without telling me where he'd gone... when he promised he'd be right back.

Even after all of these years, Steve continued to disappoint me. Even after how many times I countlessly forgave him for all the times he let me down, and for everything I found out about who he really was. I stayed loyal to him, and kept my word to him... But he wouldn't do the same for me.

Sudden anger rushed over me. I took deep breaths in and out, trying to get myself together. I couldn't let Steve ruin my birthday... You only turn sixteen once, and I needed to make the most of it.

Let's deffo do something tonight, I texted Keelan. How about we throw a last minute party?

Mum came over to me, putting her arm around me. "Steve's gone sweetheart, I'm sorry..." She broke off her sentence, sighing.

I drew in a deep breath, but then shook it off. I tried my best to stay positive. "Don't worry about it Mum," I smiled. "Keelan's throwing a party for me later. It's fine."

Mum smiled at me, looking reassured. "Aww, have fun! Don't stay out too late."

"I'm sixteen now Mum!" I remarked, laughing. "I'm gonna go out now, yeah? I'll text you when I'm coming home."

Mum nodded in approval, and I made my way out of the house.

***