Secrets Untold

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 36

𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐃 messaged me to meet him.

I was on my way to meet him.

Was I going by myself in the dead of night? Yes. Was I stupid? Definitely.

This was not going to age well with the rest of my friends once they found out I was gone.

I folded my arms against my chest as I walked down the street, keeping watch for anyone who might want to attack me. When I reached the destination Victor had sent me, I frowned. A children's park?

Cautiously, I walked further in, noticing several figures whispering amongst each other. When they noticed me, they stopped murmuring, regarding me in solemn silence. I gave a little awkward wave.

Victor stepped forward, unshaven stubble on his face, dark circles under his eyes. All in all, he was extremely disheveled and looked like he hadn't slept for a month.

As he opened his mouth, I held up a hand to stop him. "Hear me out first."

His mouth snapped shut as he regarded me patiently, ready to hear my demands. I exhaled, steeling myself, "I'm not coming back with you. No matter how much you beg me to. I love you guys, I really do, but I can't do this to myself. I hope we can keep the relationship that we had before all this went down."

Someone stepped out from behind Archer. My eyes snapped to her in surprise. Lila pursed her lips together, "Akira. Please. Just stay with us until we turn 18. Victor is our legal guardian, don't cause any more problems than you have already."

I gave a disbelieving scoff.

Victor nodded his head with Lila, "Don't make me drag you back home, Akira."

"I can't believe this," I shook my head as I addressed Lila. "Where is the sister I know and love? Why are you acting like such a bitch all the time now? Why do you choose to stay with them again and again?"

"Because they're our brothers." Lila's voice remained steady even as she winced. "Because I love them, and you should too. We're all we have left now. Please come back."

"They're lying to you. It's not my place to say, but really, you should ask them, then maybe you'll understand why I'm this way," I argued.

As Lila opened her mouth to respond, Victor shook his head, "I'm assuming you've made up your mind. Very well. Lila head back to the car, we're going."

Wordlessly, Lila shot me a look, a mixture of pleading and unhappiness. Subtly, I shook my head. I wasn't going back.

Once she had disappeared, Victor spoke to me once more, "Since you have chosen not to be a part of this mafia family, we cannot protect you from enemies who wish to hurt you. You're on your own."

"I can handle myself just fine," I replied coolly. "I tried to love you guys, and I did. I do, but you've gone too far, restricting me. Please, don't do the same to her."

Victor's jaw flexed as his gaze remained steadily on mine. I barreled on. "You have to tell her. Trust me, she'll disapprove, but she won't hate you. I don't hate you, regardless, you're still my brothers."

Diego dipped his head, acknowledging my words, Archer nodding beside him. Victor crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring Diego and Archer as they left for the car. I scuffed my feet on the ground, waiting for him to speak.

"Victor, I'm sorry."

Our heads snapped towards the speaker who stepped forward. Cameron started forward, unsure if he should stop him as he crossed to my side where I faced my remaining brothers.