Love Shot

Chapter 17: Uncovered Secrets

ASTRAEA'S POV

Nadia: Hey Astraea. Glad to see you're back. From what I heard, everyone was in a frantic state trying to find you after your mom died. Is it true that you killed her?

I clenched my hand around the metal in my hands and took a deep breath.

Astraea: What were you doing here?
Nadia: Straight to the point, I see. It's kinda boring though, I thought you'd be a bit more fun.
Astraea: You said you wanted to speak to me so you better start answering my questions. And don't even consider lying to me because it won't end well.

She shrugged and the smirk dropped from her face.

Nadia: I guess I should start from the beginning. Valeska was put in jail, along with your uncle, for abusing you. Your uncle was bailed out by one of his friends and then he kidnapped you and Carmella on your birthday. Carlos obviously killed him so he's out of the picture. She sent an anonymous letter to me begging me to see her, so I did. She spoke to me about how she wanted revenge on you and Carlos, and I guess I wanted the same. I have nothing against you though, but Carlos is in no way a good person. I agreed to help her and I convinced Justin to help me bail her out of jail. Of course I didn't tell Justin that. I stole the money from his account. Anyway, she was released and and we planned to sneak into the house after the engagement party. We were sure everyone would be exhausted and dead asleep. I bribed one of the soldiers to show me the blueprints and schedules of the bodyguards. Carlos already disposed of him.

She paused for a moment, analysing me for any flaws in my stance. I gave her none to search for, so she continued.

Nadia: I got the blueprints and helped Valeska sneak in. My job was to keep watch while she finished the job. She snuck into your room and I heard a gunshot. I was surprised since she said she planned to stab Carlos with a huge butcher knife. I tried to run upstairs but then your friend Matteo caught me and detained me in here. Lexi then told me that you shot her right in the chest. I must admit, for a rookie that's impressive, especially considering that the room was dark.
Astraea: Why would you do that? You were so friendly to me at the party-
Nadia: See, that's where you made your first mistake! You're naive and gullible. I saw the way you fawned over me when you saw me. I could sense the inferiority you were feeling, and you were right to feel that way. The second mistake was where Carlos decided not to kill Valeska in the first place. You've made him soft. You're the reason he's started doing a sloppy job.

I tried my best not to show how much Nadia's words hurt me. It was like Mom and Uncle Levi all over again.

Astraea: Earlier you said you wanted revenge on Carlos. Why?

Nadia laughed. It was a sarcastic and evil laugh.

Nadia: You really are pathetic! Did you think Carlos was a good person? Or is that the only side he let you see?

My chest tightened. Nadia has a point. I've only ever seen the sweet, caring, protective side of him that would kill for those he loves.

Nadia: Do you know why his codename is "Angel"? It's not because he is one, it's because he's the opposite. He's a devil disguised in angel wings and a halo. He's torn families apart and then planned the funerals. He's destroyed mafias and then tried to rebuild them. He's used people like toys and then apologised with no sense of remorse. He's left people for dead just to torture them again and again after they've healed each time.

That all felt worse than the comments she made about me. I knew Carlos was bad but now that I'm picturing this, it all sounds inhumane. Nadia's voice cracked and I could sense the heartbreak in her voice.

Nadia: He used me. Fucked me like a toy. Told me he loved me. He even proposed to me. Then one day, when my parents were out of town, he tied me to a chair and made me watch as he tortured my best friend to death. He cut me all over and called my parents to tell them I was attacked by my best friend. He sedated me and took me to the hospital. I mean, what kind of psychopath does that to someone?! His reason was even more psychotic. He told me that he overheard my parents' plan to betray him using the marriage, so he showed them how easy it was to get rid of them like he did my best friend.