Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter 14

"Change before you have to."

Astralea's POV

5 years ago

We decided to stay in tonight. Matteo let most of his men go, well he sent them outside to be more specific. We, on the other hand, are having a beautiful dinner.

Candles are lit, wine is poured and food prepared.

What more can a girl wish for?

Well maybe for an easier life. A life without a lie and betrayal.

God I had to catch feelings for him. I just had to. I had to make things so complicated.

I want to tell him the truth so much. But I know what will happen. He will kill me on the spot. That's what we do. That's what I would have done. So here I am, stuck in this predicament, thanks to daddy dearest.

But lying to him is getting harder and harder each day.

But maybe I will let myself worry about it tomorrow, and today I'll just enjoy this, enjoy us.

Obviously my wish cannot be fulfilled because something is wrong. It's quiet, too quiet. Shit. Never a good sign.

Okay Nymeria... I mean Astra...

What the fuck, did I just forget my name?

Anyways, Astra, play it cool. Don't bring any suspicion.

"Babe, I think I heard something outside." Okay, yeah, that's good.

Any man who isn't in our business will say something like, oh it's nothing, or oh it's security. But we aren't taking any chances.

"I'm sure it's nothing, my men are out there, but let me check. Marco!"

Silence.

Shit.

"Marco?!"

Silence.

"Shit." He pulled a gun from his holster. "Princess go in the bedroom and lock the door."

Oh hell no. I get up from my chair just like he does. "I'm not leaving you. Not happening."

"It's not safe-" his sentence was interrupted by a broken door and a bunch of gunshots. Mattheo immediately got me to the side behind the couch. "Shit!"

"Who are they?" I say while taking out my gun. Thank God he gave me one and 'taught me how to shoot'.

"Rivales. They have been meaning to take me down. You know what that means?"

"Shoot first, no need to ask questions?"

"Good girl." He gives me a deep kiss and we start shooting.

Thankfully he has been teaching me how to shoot, and I'm a 'very fast' learner. I'm still holding back a little, if I start hitting bullseye, he will know something is up.

But there are so many of them, I'm not so sure I can hold back.

Before I could even finish the inner debate in my heart, Mattheo falls.

Blood.

Blood everywhere.

He is bleeding.

Oh my god, he got shot.

I get us into the bathroom and lock the door. It's not going to hold.