Locked in chains

Chapter 24

We've been at the training ground for 2 hours, to train for tomorrow's big mission. Lucas and Enzo are at the shooting range, Kyle's in the gym close to me, where I'm practicing my boxing. During training, we often switch places to have a complete and varied workout. We have no room for error, and the pressure's palpable in the room. Everyone's focused on what they need to do, and I expect nothing less from them.

"Leila!"

I turn to face the owner's voice and see my brother behind me.

"When you strike your opponent, you should put your foot forward, putting all your weight into it. Your punch will have more force, and you'll have a better chance at knocking out your opponent."

"Like this?" I say, showing him the technique.

"Yes, perfect! Keep practicing."

He goes back to where Enzo is, to finish their training. He often helps me or corrects me when I need it. It's largely thanks to him that I improved so quickly and why I'm often alone on missions. I quickly proved myself. I didn't want to be the weakest member of the group, I wanted to be on the same level as the guys and most importantly to achieve that as quickly as possible. Lucas has always supported me throughout the process, and I wouldn't be here without him.

8:00 pm

Right now, I'm in my room sending messages to Emma to see each other. Enzo and Kyle are preparing dinner downstairs and Lucas went to see his girlfriend. Yeah, it's serious now between the two of them. Things have definitely changed around here, and it's only the beginning. I was about to put my phone down when a message came in.

Message from Jerk

"Come outside. Now."

Who does he think he is, sending me an order like that? He may be the gang leader, but that doesn't give him all the rights.

As if he had read my thoughts, he sent me another message.

Message from Jerk

"Please, Leila."

It's much better now, that's what I call progress, my friend. I rush downstairs to meet him, I try not to make too much noise, I don't want to alert the two cooks in the kitchen and I don't want to explain myself as to why I need to go outside. I put on my shoes and grab my leather coat before rushing out the door. I close it gently and head towards Cole's car a little further away. Once inside, I'm about to ask him why he asked me here, but he seems in his head like something's bordering him. He doesn't move a centimetre and keeps staring in front of him.

"Are you okay? " I ask.

"I... I have to show you something. "

I'm a little confused, he seemed cold in his message, but in reality, he seems lost.

"Okay. "

He starts the car and doesn't say a word the whole ride. I have no idea where he's taking me, but I let him. I want to be there for him, it's not easy what he's going through right now and I want him to count on me. Whatever he needs, he'll have.

"I don't idealize my father, you know. " He says suddenly.

I stare at him, not quite sure why he's saying that or where he's going with this.

"I never wanted to become like my father, I was forced into it and now I'm caught up in it, like the others too. Today I know there was no way to avoid it, and by taking control of the gang, I can at least fix what my father destroyed. "

I wasn't expecting that. Him, confiding in me, telling me what troubles him right now, he's not used to saying what's really on his mind. Seeing him in this state is almost unreal.

"The guys and I know that you're not like your father. We listen to you and follow you because we believe in you, we all know that you're going to be a great leader. "

He doesn't say anything back, too focused on the road. I'm seeing a new side of him that I never saw before, I still have so much to know about him.

"We're here. " He says.

I look out the window and notice that we're in a field. Why does he want to show me a field? I don't understand. Without saying a word, he gets out of the car and I follow him not long after. He's walking straight ahead without waiting for me, thanks a lot, Cole.

"I don't understand why you brought me here, Cole."

"You'll understand. "

He takes a deep breath before saying what he has to say. "I was only 8 years old when my father brought me here for the first time. I thought I knew what he did for a "living," but it wasn't until that night that I really understood." He takes another breath as if saying that sentence has exhausted him. I haven't looked away from his gaze since he started speaking, and I'm even afraid to speak myself for fear he'll stop.

"We were at the same place we are now, side by side, like you and me. There was a man in front of us, tied up and covered in bruises. He was already pretty beaten up before I got there. That's when he gave me the gun in my hands and asked me to shoot this man in the head."

I lift my eyebrows in shock at what he says, we had completely different childhoods, and he deserved much better.

"He said it would make me a man, that it was a rite of passage for us, the gang. So, I did it. I did it without really thinking twice, I didn't understand what kind of impact it could make. When we got home, my mother asked me where we had gone, and I couldn't answer her. My father just said, "Our boy is grown up now." She knew what that meant, and since that day, she changed. She didn't look at me the same way anymore and rarely talked to me. "

"How did your mom die?"

"My father never really loved her, or maybe he did once I don't know anymore. Anyway, she knew too much, and she didn't want to leave me alone with him either. But she always rejected me, she couldn't stand the fact that I was following in my father's footsteps. One day she snapped at my father for something he did, and he didn't like it, so he killed her."

I gasped, I had no idea his mother died like that, especially at his father's hands.

"That man will never change," I say.

He turns to face me and locks his eyes in mine.

"That's why he must die."

I put my hand on him, to show that I'll be there for him through the whole process, I won't let him down. I feel him tighten his grip on my hand as I move closer to him putting my back against his chest. 

"I brought you here so you could understand and also because I had to say goodbye to him in my own way. I didn't want to be alone for that."

"You don't have to explain yourself, I'm here for you."

He puts his chin on my head and holds me a little closer. Feeling him near me and so vulnerable shows me that he's not just an idiot. Although I tease him with that nickname, I don't think he really is one.

"Thank you for being here, Leila."

In response, I place my lips on his arm, giving him a little kiss. I didn't think my evening would turn out like this, but I'm not disappointed.