The mob leader's best friend is a nerd

Chapter 25

Valerio POV

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I "woke up" facing a burning building.

People are evacuating the building, or searching for their acquaintances in the panicking crowd. Women in high heels has long ago abandoned their heels, and running around in the dirty ground barefoot. Men are either escaping the crowd, or searching for their significant other.

Let the fire burn away tonight event. Let it burn away those bastards corpses, and that hell room. Burn away the blood, and leave no traces left. Don't make it haunt us, and leave us with sleepless nights.

But no matter how much I wish for it, it won't come true.

I received a message from Matteo that Aria, Joaquin, Angela and him are returning home before the rest of us. He told me Aria wasn't capable to wait for me, and needed to get away as fast as possible.

"Boss" Allan says from behind me, but I don't turn around. The fire has me enthralled, like I need to witness hell disappear.

"We better get home, Boss. We shouldn't stay here any longer" Angelo continues, and I notice how he's being careful speaking.

"How was she?" I whisper and tighten my jaw. A moment of silence goes before Allan gathers enough courage to respond.

"At first she wasn't able to comprehend it, but it was when it all fell into place in her head that she went a little...."

"Mad?" I suggest with a smirk on my face, "She went crazy, didn't she?".

"Yes, boss" they respond simultaneously, and I turn around to finally face them. I hasn't order them to, but they are kneeling on one knee while looking at the ground. People are staring at us, but quickly dismisses us and continues running from the fire.

"We are terribly sorry" Allan says while still holding the position. Neither dares to make eye contact with me.

"Why?" I ask, "It wasn't your fault" I continue and turn back towards the fire.

They don't respond.

I take my blood covered leather gloves and throw them in the fire. I watch them burn, then turn and begin walking too my car.

It's mine

******

Everyone are already in Aria's bedroom when we returned. The air in the room is tense and dark. The bright light does nothing to brighten the atmosphere. 

Aria is unconscious in her bed, and she looks so peaceful. Angela has bathed her, and changed her into soft and clean PJ. Her hair are resting over her shoulders, as she sleeps on her back.

I sit down at the edge of the bed and gently stroke her hair. Black like night, and silky and soft. Carefully, I move some hair away from her throat.

Black and blue marks...

"Boss..." Matteo warns me from afar. They're all here circling her bed, but I don't appreciate it.

I want to talk to her, even if she can't hear me. I want to beg for forgiveness, even though I know she will never forgive me.

But I can't do that with them here. Only Aria knows about the human me, and she'll be the only one.

"How long has she slept?" I whisper and cover the marks with her hair again. I can't even imagine how she'll react when she sees them.