Ares ; A Mafia Romance ||✓

Chapter 24

Callista Miller

Ares was continuously staring at me, unblinking, whereas me? I cannot bring myself to look at him. I don't know why. Leaning my head on his arm, I pressed my eyes shut, "Please..Ares.." What was it that I was begging for? I fucking don't know! I want my parents safe and back, I want to be happy in a relationship with Ares, and I want Ares to be healthy and unwounded. Was it too much to ask? Wound? His forearm is still bleeding, the bullet is still lodged. And he? He is acting like it doesn't matter. Why does he have to care about me so much? Why doesn't he listen to me and get his arm treated?

"Ares, you need to treat your wound!" Carter sounded frantic and panicked, his voice was hoarse due to how hard Asrael choked him. My hold unconsciously tightened on the bleeding wound. Why wasn't the bleeding slowing down? My heart fell further down the deep anguish. I felt Ares hold my chin, raising my head to meet his electric blue orbs. Through tearful eyes, I gazed at him, reluctantly. How heartless can I be? I should be treating his wound, instead, here he is trying to comfort me. Sobbing, I bit down on my lower lip, feeling worse by the soft and understanding look in his eyes. They were hollow but I could see he was apologetic. He doesn't have to. I am the one at fault. I dragged my parents into this. I took Asrael lightly, thinking selfishly. "Baby.." "No, no.. Carter is right. Let's go to the hospital," I didn't know what I was saying, all that mattered to me was Ares's wound getting treated. I held his arm gently, and carefully, leading him out of the hallway. He didn't move. I glanced at him in question. "There is no need for the hospital, fool! Ares has doctors at his payroll in his house," Carter hissed at me, scowling. He was angry at me, it was valid. I was angry at myself too. It's all because of me. "Carter, mind your fucking tone!" Isaac stood in front of Carter, glaring at him. "The fuck you speaking to, motherfucker!" Carter stepped up to Isaac, sneering.

"Stop! Please, don't f-fight," I pleaded, feeling saddened and defeated deep in my bones. Ares was gazing down at me when I met his eyes. He softly caressed my cheek before saying, "Avery call the doctor." He led me back to his room, others following us behind.

The two doctors were treating Ares and Carter. The bullet was not too deep in his forearm, thankfully. It would heal just fine but Ares needs to be careful to not move his arm. I was sitting beside him on the bed, silently watching the doctor wrap bandages on his wound. Carter was sitting on the couch, doctor was done treating him. Bruises formed on his neck, Asrael almost choked him to death, because of me. Cameron was sitting beside him. Avery and Noah stood behind the couch. And Isaac was leaning against the desk in the corner, his hand folded across his chest. Those aquamarines refused to move from me.

"Don't cry, baby," I shook my head at Ares, sniffing. How can I not cry? I was crying for him, for my parents. Everything right now felt too much to take. I was overwhelmed. "Tsk.." Carter rolled his eyes, scowl as if permanent on his face. I looked down, guilt gnawing at my gut. "Carter, it's enough. Don't blame Calli," I heard Cameron say in a resigned yet understanding tone. "Don't blame Calli? How can I not?! It's all because of her!" Carter yelled, furiously glaring down at me. I cowered further into myself, feeling responsible for everything that had happened. "If it wasn't for her going to Eva's memorial, roaming around with Harrison, jumping in bed with Ares, and her fucking stupidity, Asrael wouldn't have shot Ares!"

"Have you forgotten Asrael abducted her parents because of you people?" Isaac spoke up sharply."Because of us?! Because of you motherfucker!" Carter yelled, eyes boring down on Isaac, "You knew how sacred that place is for Ares yet you fucking leech went there! You have been after Ares since forever motherfucker!"

"Yes, I know how much Ares cherishes that place. It's his. And I also know Callista deserves to know about him. She insisted me to know about--" Carter interrupted Isaac harshly, "Exactly! She poked her nose where she shouldn't have!" He glared down at me so deathly that I cowered into myself. "If only he never abandoned her after sleeping with her, if only he himself told her everything, this wouldn't have happened in the first place," Isaac rebuked firmly, glaring at Carter. "He only knows to think about himself, a selfish bastard!"