Red

CHAPTER 49.

7 months later....

Eyes on target

"I've noticed that you're becoming a bit more comfortable with sharing your feelings," he said, voice calm and steady. "When you're ready, I want you to walk me through everything. From the beginning, start to finish. No skipping over anything."

I kept my eyes locked on Artem's drug dealer, he was not what I expected. Xavi Valentino had wide broad shoulders which curved down to ripped arms, large chest and thick thighs which was suited in a dark blue navy Italian suit.

His light blonde hair sweeps over the front of his forehead and toss slightly back from a shaved-in at both sides of his head, with three lines cut at the back neatly.

He was neat I'll give him that. His dark blue eyes were cold and mysterious as he stepped out of the black limousine, flashes of the cameras from news reporters overtook his tall frame as he bring his hands around to unbutton his blue jacket which parted and showed his inside piece.

I narrowed my eyes at the three earrings which were in his ear along with the tatted marking of his ties to Artem's family.

Xavi Valentino was hosting a gala event in his ballroom tonight, to celebrate his milestone which he was newly pronounced world-wide as the youngest billionaire. He is the face of Artem's money laundering, host gala events to maintain appearances, to hide his drug network, giving Artem a "respectable" face.

When I left New York that night, I left as a broken mourning woman but now, the changes were made.

I have spent the last six and a half months, formulating a plan to destroy Artem and Nava for what they did to me, which they...

Those fuckers were now basically off the grid.

Ever since Nava took the thumb drive from me, I haven't seen, heard anything from him nor Artem.

It was only a matter of time.

I took their silence as a way to rebuild myself.

Thank God for Rafael, that man stood by me as I made an acceptance and went to River's grave in a way of matureness, apologizing to him even though I knew he couldn't hear me.

Rafael has become my day one, someone who stood by me when I thought I would sink.

A long sigh left my ear piece as my therapist let out. "You know our sessions are strictly confidential, just reminding you for emphasis."

I lift a hand, pop a blunt into my mouth and lit up the bud. My eyes still watching through the window, the soft flicker of the orange-red flames at the end of my blunt, dances across the surface.

"If you didn't, I would not have to think twice to pull the trigger. We've never met but be reminded that I know every single details there is about you."

He sighed. "Don't I know it, you've never failed to remind me. How about we do this your way then, I'm all ears."

I pursed my lips and made a cloud of smoke in the form of an 'o'. My eyes drifted from Xavi as he disappeared behind the double doors from the red-carpet.

Without question, I unlock the very part of my mind as I went back to the night in Lorenzo's office.

Closing my eyes as the very memory became vivid.

Flashback..

The taste of metal was the first thing I remembered. It was cold and bitter. Pressed so deep into my tongue I could feel the muzzle at the back of my throat.

Lorenzo didn't say a word at first. He didn't need to.

He dragged the gun from inside my mouth slowly, letting the barrel scrape against my bottom lip as if he wanted to peel the truth from me.