Dollface

Part 84

S: I love you... baby, don't listen to that damn bastar-

He receives another punch to the face from one of the man's companions, silencing him and causing a scream to escape his blood-red lips.

I look desperately at my father and feel the boiling anger coursing through the cold blood of my veins.

D: The right to speak was not granted.

I suddenly have the courage and anger to pull the gun from my thigh and take the initiative like I should have all these damn years. This is what I get from not knowing this in the past. My jaw clenched and a few men raised their guns at me when they saw me pointing my own loaded and ready gun at my father.

Slightly surprised, my father sits up and snaps.

D: Isabell.
I: WHAT?!

I scream angrily, feeling my throat burn from the volume I've used.

I: What?! Do you think because you've always had this leash on me that you're going to keep holding it now?! Even though I've been through so damn much and you were just there to make sure I was okay and then threw me in a room?! Lock me up because you're afraid you'll lose what everyone else wants! My LIFE was worth nothing to you, it kept me alive for the things I was worth and that were necessary for you!

He raises his hands, but I take a step closer and the tension grows.

G: Isabell. Put down the weapon.
I: Let him go!! Let Simon go now or I'll shoot and I won't regret it or care!
D: You are very disturbed, right no-
I: Disturbed?!

I spit, gripping the gun tighter to hide the shaking in my hands.

I: Disturbed isn't even a word big enough to describe the state everything left me in, or the feelings I had to swallow because your greed got the best of you. First you separate me from my mother! And then you treat Emily so unfairly compared to me that she hates me!!

I keep the gun pointed at my father, pure rage pulsing through my veins as I lie wide-eyed. I can't believe him. I can't believe my father right now. He's so arrogant. It makes me fucking angry.

I: Then you want to kill the man who almost died countless times to protect me under your orders because he really cares about me!!!

Hot tears stream down my toned cheeks as I sob uncontrollably, swallowing slowly to suppress the words begging to leave my mouth. But of course I had to keep her down because I knew I would probably kill myself and Simon.

I: YOU PUT ME INTO THE HANDS OF ALL YOUR DAMN PROBLEMS... and act like I'm in the wrong place?!

This time my father, who is now completely quiet, doesn't say a word. All of this has brought a depressing, sadistic reality to my life due to the adrenaline and rush I've always experienced, there's nothing really attractive about it.

Simon watches, blinking and gasping in pain. He lets his tired eyes wander between my ravaged face and the trigger over which my index finger hovers hesitantly.

I don't think I can do this, can I pull the trigger?

G: Shoot him.
I: NO!!

An echoing scream leaves my mouth as soon as a bullet is fired, all I can think about is the pain that courses through me and strikes deep into my temples, which I feel are throbbing with madness.

My eyes widen, even though it's not meant for Simon. The bullet shoots not from the gun in my hand or from one of the men in the room, but from outside, shattering a window and piercing my father's skull.

My face immediately turns pale and I scream in horror, ducking to shield my head from the shards of glass flying through the air. The gun in my hand falls to the floor with a loud bang and within seconds all the guards in the room surround my lifeless father.

The first thing that escapes my lips is a scream. Stunned and disgusted by my father's corpse. I fall to the ground just after looking out the window and a short distance away I see a tall, dark blonde man storming off a balcony. Johnny.

But I don't think about it as I kneel on the ground, my body so weak, the sight of my father covered in dripping blood makes me scream and sob in fear, soon I fall off my knees and crawl backwards from the Body away until my back hits a wall.

I'm completely petrified, but then I see something to my left and frantically turn my head to Simon, who was lying on the floor unable to move.

I: Simon...

I exhale, voice full of emotion as I sniffle loudly, his eyes fluttering a little, staring lazily at me before his eyes try to roll back. I desperately reach for him, gently grabbing his face and placing his head in my lap.

I: Please, please.

I repeat quietly, my voice faltering, to encourage him to stay awake, without even thinking twice, I order one of the men to call the ambulance. At first he stares at me, unsure if he should comply with my demands. Until I raise my gun and he pulls his phone to his ear and quickly storms out of the room.

Simon stretches his neck and moans slightly, reaching for my hand that is cupping his cheek.

S: Stop... stop crying. Please. I-

He takes a shaky breath and gives me a look that was as playful as possible given his state.

S: -Don't like it.

I sniffle again, shake my head and smile.

I: I'm so sorry.
S: I'll be fine, this isn't the first time I've taken a hit for you.

He insists, referring to the time my father used to hit him every time he saved me from falling out of a tree.

My fingers gently glide through his brown, messy locks, the evidence of his pain remaining in marks and bruises on his face. I grimace and use my free hand to wipe away my tears.

I: I'm sorry you had to go through that.
S: Me too, damn it hurts.

Through the crying mess I was in, I manage to let out a short laugh at his dullness. I then bite my lip as a makeshift, the amusement giving way to worry again.

A few minutes pass and finally an ambulance is waiting for Simon outside. I allow the paramedics to escort him there while I take a moment to look at my father's body.

M: What are you going to do with the body, Miss Gates?

Marco asks, waiting for me to give him an order.

I: I don't know, you don't take orders from me or anyone else anymore.

Marco's lips part, waiting to say something, and I watch him expectantly, he closes them tightly, seeming to consider his words. I focus on the paramedics helping Simon to the ambulance as Marco stares intently at me.

M: We have no orders, we have no purpose...Isabell, your father is Dea-
I: I know that. I can see it clearly.

I break out of defense.

I: Organize a funeral. Anything. As a favor. No order.
M: You won't take it over? You won't take your father's place and run the mafia?
Me: No.

I remark firmly.

I: Never. I stay away from this and everything related to it. It's over, whoever takes my father's place should be aware of the consequences, I'm leaving and never coming back.

With a final nod of understanding, Marco murmurs.

M: It was nice to meet you, Isabell.
I: You too, Marco.