TOXIC (Dark Mafia Romance)

Chapter 14 (2 of 2/sensitive themes)

warning: scenes containing domestic and child abuse.

sa mga may pinagdadaanang ganitong sitwasyon, maaari po nating i-contact ang mga itinalagang ahensya ng gobyerno para po tayo ay matulungan. 

dswd hotline: The Globe hotline numbers are 09171105686 and 09178272543, and the Smart hotline number is 09199116200.

A muscle pulsated in De Luca's rugged jaw and a shadowed glint hardened his eyes. "And don't ever try to get my men against me, I won't tolerate a second mistake, Principessa."

My head spun at his threat, but I nodded again. I didn't care if he punished me later. All that mattered was that he would help me check on Riza.

"I won't, I promise, I won't. And thank you. I...just thank you, Alessio."

Something dark flickered in his winter gray eyes as I spoke his name, and I froze, too, my blood rushing to my head. That was the first time I ever spoke his name out loud, and it made my pulse race at the base of my throat. I looked away from Alessio. Forcing my breathing to remain even, I stared out the window again.

Hindi rin uli nagsalita ang binata, pero ramdam ko ang matamang titig niya sa akin. I wanted to tell him to stop it, but I couldn't. My heart still thundered so bad against my rib cage.

Sa wakas ay huminto ang sasakyan at pumarada sa gilid ng kalsada.

Tumunog ang intercom sa center console at sinagot iyon ni De Luca.

"We're here, Sir."

Tinapos ng lalaki ang tawag at walang pasabing tumayo at binukas ang pinto ng van. Agad din akong tumayo at sumunod sa kanya.

"Have you been here before?" Alessio's voice was stony as he got down and took the umbrella from one of his men waiting for us outside the van.

"I have." Tinuro ko ang eskinita sa gilid habang bumababa ng van. Alessio's calloused hand gripped my waist as I stepped down on the ground. I ignored the way my skin flushed at the feel of his rough palm grasping my waist. Pilit kong itinuon ang atensyon sa eskinita "They live three doors down–"

Pumailanlang ang sigaw mula sa loob ng masikip na lagusan at napaigtad ako. Agad humarang ang mga tauhan ni De Luca sa amin.

Lalo kumabog ang puso ko at naaninag ko ang ilang mga tao sa bukana ng eskinita.

Napahawak ako kay Alessio. "What's going on?"

Alessio cocked his head to his men and three of them rushed toward the alleyway. Hinagilap din ni Frank ang isa sa mga taong nakatunghay sa may bukana ng eskinita.

"What's going on?" matigas na tanong ni Frank.

Isang binatilyo iyon at gulat na napatitig lang kay Frank. I squeezed Alessio's muscular bicep and stepped forward, but Alessio's hand clasped my waist tighter.

He crooked his head to Frank, and the man quickly dragged the boy to us.

Nakasuot ng dilaw na pang-itaas na jersey at pulang shorts ang binatilyo, at puno ng takot at gulat ang mukha niya. I couldn't blame the kid. All these large men were scary.

Pilit kong pinakalma ang tinig. "Ano'ng nangyari?"

Alangang sumagot ang nakababatang lalaki. "Sina Aling Tessy kasi, mukhang binubugbog na naman ni Mang Kanor."

Parang may sumuntok sa aking sikmura. "Si Aling Tessy? 'Yong mama ni Riza?"

"Opo. Pati si Riza mukhang sinasaktan din. Kanina pa sila nagsisigawan."