The mafia's bride (On Hold)

Chapter twenty-four: our regrets

"I still don't understand," I say with a raised brow to my three kidnappers. There was not a look of doubt or surprise written across their faces. Something smells fishy around Charlotte and Jonah is the center of it I can feel it inside my heart. But when the leader of the three draws closer to me, I can clearly see the smirk under his hoodie. A lump in my throat blocks out the vive of fear and desperation to know the truth. "So he really hasn't told you anything?" I image a raised eye brow underneath the hoodie. Is it really that difficult to question? It's not like I'm forcing his hand. He doesn't need to explain himself to me or to anybody. Would it be nice if he did share some of his past with me, yes. But I've already gotten a taste of what happens if I pushed my luck too far.

I shake my head and cross my arms. Jonah is probably getting worried about me. He doesn't like leaving me along by myself anymore. I should have asked Lila or Miranda to come with me. What is wrong with me sometimes? "It—it doesn't matter. If he doesn't want to tell me then so be it. I won't pressure him into telling me something that doesn't concern me." For a minute the two boys standing next to their leader stare blankly at me as if expecting a different reaction from me. Their faces twist into amusing smiles after a while, each taking two steps closer off each side of their friend whose head rose. He reaches out to remove his hoodie, showing brown, spiky hair and green eyes that are the same shade as Jonah's. He tilts his head at me, slowly curling his lips into a sly smile before sighing, dramatically.

"No, you're right. It doesn't concern you Pryor. But," he holds a finger to point to the air. I flinch and lower my eyes as he pretends to blow out a flame on the tip of his finger. "If you want to continue to stay alive—listen and take some notes because Jonah ain't the guy you think he is. Courtney, the girl I spoke about early? She was killed. Shot in the chest trying to protect someone who couldn't even protect himself." Where is he going with this story all of a sudden? We circle each other, sun light shining briefly through the alley way. I keep my face blank and study his two friends whose say nothing and let their leader do all the talking. Although occasionally they tend to snicker or add side-comments that aren't really needed.

Finally I stop and keep my hands to my side, arching a brow. "And I'm guessing you're accusing Jonah of being the one who shot her? He would never do something like that! He'd have been arrested if he did."

The guy stopped and stared at me with a grimace. "Oh no, he didn't shoot her. He didn't have to. His carelessness is what got my sister kill in the first place. Because she was stubborn and protective over him. She was willing to put herself in the cross fire to save his ass. He should be the one in the ground. Not Courtney!" He is definitely not a fan of Jonah's and judging by the flames dancing around his eyes, his hate for my boyfriend would run deep no matter how many times he apologized. I don't dare to stare at him and look to the ground, thinking about the reason why Jonah looked so lifeless back at the mansion. This Courtney was his former girlfriend? And the reason he acts like that is because he blames himself for her death? My heart aches, willing tears to my eyes. I never knew he was dealing with this. How long had she been dead for? The question rolls to the back of my mind when a set of hands grip my shoulders, digging sharp nails into my skin.

I bite back a whimper and instead snap my eyes to the leader's whose evil smirk grew. He steps in closer, his breathing tingles my neck. A soft whisper to my ear makes me wince. "He's going to get you killed Pryor, just so you know. This could have all been avoided if you had not met him in the first place. But I'm sure Star had a hand in that." I dip my mouth open and blink. What did he say? What does Star have anything to do with this? "Damn how clueless is this chick?" One of his lackeys asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Anyone with a brain would know Jonah's never been the one to keep a girl without getting them killed somehow."