Blood Ties And Forbidden Love

Chapter 4: Second Chance Meeting

I awoke in the dead of night, my senses heightened by the shrill ring of the telephone. Irritation gnawed at me as I rose from the luxurious bed, ready to confront the disturbance.

"Who the fuck is this?" I growled, my annoyance dripping from every word.

From the other end, I could discern the raspy breathing of Carlos. "River, I'm in dire need of your assistance."

"What's the bloody situation?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued as I swiftly adorned myself in attire befitting the occasion.

Carlos let out a strained sigh. "My mate's taken a bullet, River. I'm terrified. Meet us at the Black Hand Bar"

"I'll be there momentarily," I declared, severing the connection with a decisive click. Grabbing my trusty medical kit, I embarked on my journey, heading towards the Bar.

Upon my arrival, a macabre scene unfolded before my eyes. Blood stained the surrounds, punctuated by bullet holes that marred the premises. I swiftly made my way inside, where I discovered Preston, the man who had saved me a couple of nights ago. He slumped against the bar, a trickle of crimson escaping his side.

Carlos approached, desperation etched across his face. "You've gotta save him," he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

"Step aside," I commanded, my tone brooking no argument, as I moved towards Preston's side to assess his condition.

Preston, smirked as he took a drag from his cigarette. "Fancy seeing you again," he quipped.

"Perhaps it would be better if I arrived under different circumstances, when one of us isn't in peril," I retorted dryly, lifting his shirt to examine the extent of his injury. "Fear not, my friend. I shall have you mended in no time."

"Good," he exhaled, a smirk tugging at his lips as he exhaled a plume of smoke.

Carlos assisted in laying Preston down upon a sturdy table. Donning a pair of surgical gloves, I immersed myself in my work, deftly tending to his wounds. Preston gritted his teeth, using swigs of beer to mask the searing pain. Several arduous hours passed, but eventually, I successfully completed the operation.

Couple hours later.

Preston POV:

As consciousness slowly seeped back into my being, I found myself nestled upon a plush bed. With a grimace, I gingerly rose, the lingering ache in my side serving as a stark reminder of recent events. Confusion clouded my mind as I surveyed my unfamiliar surroundings. Determined to unravel the mystery, I strode towards a nearby chair, where a fresh set of garments awaited me.

Swiftly donning the spare clothes, I descended the staircase, following the melodious hum that resonated through the air. As I entered the living room, a scene unfolded before my eyes. River, poised and confident, held court in the kitchen, orchestrating the culinary symphony. Adjacent to her, sat a man, his presence commanding, a smouldering cigar clasped firmly between his fingers.

"Ah, Preston Marshall, word of your exploits reached my ears through Carlos," the man spoke, gesturing towards the vacant seat opposite him.

I gracefully accepted the offered seat, my eyes fixed on the enigmatic figure before me. "And who might you be?" I inquired, my voice laced with caution.

"Luciano Rossi, though most know me as Luca. I am one of Don Garcia's most trusted lieutenants," he introduced himself, a glimmer of authority dancing in his gaze. "Carlos mentioned that the assailants who pursued you were Robert Marino's boys."

I nodded, confirming his statement. "That's correct."

Luca extended a cigarette towards me, a silent invitation. I accepted the offering, expertly igniting it and drawing in a deep puff. "Robert Marino, a player in the lucrative drinking game. He holds dominion over major distilleries, and I've already secured a stake in three of them."

A sly grin crept across my face as I connected the dots. "And if Marino were to be eliminated from the board, the spoils would fall into your hands."

Luca's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with ambition. "You're not as foolish as you appear. Indeed, the power and profits would flow towards me, benefiting Garcia's empire and propelling me further up the ladder," he chuckled, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "So, are you with us or against us?"

I locked eyes with Luca, my decision made. "I'm in," I declared with conviction, the smoke from my cigarette swirling around me, a symbol of the dangerous alliance we were forging.