The Mafia's Secret

Chapter 18 ✔️

SCARLETT

        I was angry. Zayn was about to leave me again. Even if I was technically doing the leaving, it broke my heart to hear him trying to pull us apart yet again. Even if it was for the greater good, I would much rather be with him than be with Xavier who had made my life difficult for days. So being as stubborn as I was, I refused to move as Xavier and Zayn stood over me. Their arms crossed and their expressions in no mood for games. Looks I had been used to.
        "I won't go." I had made up my mind. My answer was clearly not what Zayn wanted to hear.
        "You don't have a choice, Scar. I won't risk our father taking you again." Zayn's tone was firm yet it was full of concern.
       "I'm not a little girl anymore, Zayn. I won't cower in fear while you go out facing our father."
        Xavier snickered, shaking his head. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. From what I've witnessed, you tend to like the hard way."
        THWACK. Zayn's hand came crashing down against the back of Xavier's head. Confusion filled my head when Xavier smirked, shrugging off Zayn's assault. Zayn was looking at him angrily as he crossed his arms again.
        "Watch it, Xavier. I won't hesitate to kill you if need be."
        Xavier rolled his eyes, raising a brow. "I'm the one who's saving your asses. Remember that."
        They were challenging each other. Any moron could see it. It was rare to see gangs cooperating with each other willingly. Between these two, it was amusing. One wanted to rule over the other but with the stakes, aka me, it was so frustrating to watch.
        "Would you guys grow the fuck up. I'd rather hand myself over to our father than watch this bullshit." I turned to Zayn. "I get you want to protect me, but we're family. And family sticks together no matter what." I turned to Xavier. "And you. I'm not a possession to be fucked around with. You can either hate me or you can treat me like a princess. Your choice. Now, have you both heard me or shall I continue? Because I have more I can say."
        They exchanged awkward looks with each other. The tension in the air was unnerving but after a few moments of silence, they both nodded, waiting for me to continue. Unfortunately for me, I didn't actually have anything else to add so all there was, was uncomfortable silence and the sharp breathing coming from me since every breath still felt like sandpaper coating my lungs.
        "Well, this was a lovely family reunion but it's time to go. I have little patience for stubbornness. As I'm sure you're well aware of, Scar."
        Xavier's mischievous demeanor had clearly gotten under Zayn's skin because he was clenching his fists, readying to strike. Before he could, I stood in between the two, well aware how painful it was to do so. Grabbing his fist into the palm of my hand, I looked up into his eyes. They were full of hatred towards Xavier but the second he looked down at me, they softened. His body relaxed as he took a step back, shaking off his anger. Turning to Xavier, I pushed him back, wincing at the pain it caused.
        There was a hint of amusement in his dark eyes as he stared down at me. He glanced at Zayn Before he brought his attention back to me, nodding. I was still reluctant to go but I knew I had no choice. Knowing Xavier, he would easily throw me over his shoulder and carry me out unwillingly. He wouldn't care if it hurt me or not since that's all he had done since the beginning of this shit show.
        "Shall we go then?" I finally said, interrupting the tense silence. "I'd rather not have to watch the two of you go at it like cats and dogs when I'm unable to enjoy it without being in immense pain."

*   *   *   *

        There were no words to describe how I felt not being near my brother yet again for gang related things. Watching him stand there on the streets with his hands in his pockets only increased the anger I felt for him. Xavier Was right. I hated him last time for abandoning me. Now I would hate him for willingly siding with the enemy to get the real enemy. It was ironic since I had firmly believed that Zayn would never reconcile with Xavier. I never believed in the saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". But now I had to if we were to take down my father. Something I wasn't looking forward to with Zayn staying in the shadows.
        I hardly noticed Xavier had stopped his car until he had opened the passenger side, impatiently waiting for me to move. The second I put my legs over the  side, I realized we weren't at the gang house. This house was different. It was an actual cabin covered in shrubs and trees. It was a two-story newer model cabin. Something I would never have guessed Xavier to own.
        I unwillingly let him help me into the cabin. Inside was just as shocking as the outside. The inside had an open kitchen with a large island and barstools. It was connected with another area with a six seater dark oak table and chairs. The living room was covered in light brown chesterfield furniture with a matching coffee table and side tables. The stairs spiraled in the center  of the cabin, leading to the second floor.
        "This is one of my safehouses. Only few know about it so there shouldn't be any unexpected company. You'll be safe here." Xavier spoke, snapping me out of my gawking trance.
        "And why should I believe that?" I couldn't help but challenge him.
        "You have no reason to trust me, but I made my deal with Zayn. No harm will come to you. Not while you're here." He gestured up the stairs. "The rooms are upstairs."
       "And how do you expect me to get up there?"
        "You walk up the damn stairs."
        I gave him a blank stare, hoping he'd catch on that I could still barely move around since he had helped me into the cabin in the first place.
        "Right. Here."
        He wasted no time, putting my arm over his shoulder as he helped me up the stairs. Each step felt like thousands of knives were impaling my abdomen. It took all I had not to cry out or collapse in pain in front of him.
        The upstairs was just as beautiful as downstairs with two giant rooms opposite of eachother. Each with the same design of oak wood. Every piece of furniture was made of oak. From the king sized beds, to the nightstands, giant wardrobes and dressers. Even the bathroom was fancy with a hidden oak medicine cabinet mirror and large storage compartment. The large walk-in shower had a large glass door and a big fancy shower head and two seats built in as well as a sauna option. The only odd thing was the bidet toilet option.
        "Clearly fancy is something you're not used to. Now quit gawking. This is your room."
        He gestured to the room on the right. It was only then that I noticed him and Zayn had planned this ahead of time because all my stuff had already been set up like at my apartment. All of my personal belongings from my bedroom were here and I had a feeling Zayn was the main person who had made all the trips.
        "Who's in the other room?" I asked, gulping since it was clear I already had my answer.
        "Who do you think? Like Zayn said, you're safer with me. Not by yourself. With your history, you'll be stealing one of my cars and running back to your brother. I'd really hate to be the one to break it to him that you got yourself killed by being stupid. You both tend to have that trait unfortunately. Now take off your damn clothes and take a shower. You smell of old socks and manure."
        I would have been taken aback by his statement but he was right. I did stink.