Different Worlds (wlw) Editing

T W E N T Y

I woke up to a noise, emanating outside the walls of Raye's bedroom, it sounded as if an object fell to the floor or something and it startled me out of my sleep. Quickly I flung my hand over to Raye with intentions of waking her up to go check where the noise came from but much to my surprise her side of the bed was cold and empty. My eyes darted open and immediately I sat up in bed.

Rubbing my eyes to adjust my vision, I got to my feet and made my way over to the door. It was ajar as I got to it, and straight away I heard whispers. I quietly pushed the door open and trod across the hall, doing my best to go as undetected as possible. I didn't know why I was snooping but I just did.

"What the fuck were you thinking bringing him here?"

I recognized Raye's voice, but it was filled with annoyance, her tone was somewhat grating. From my position in the hallway, I saw a bit of everything. There were four men along with Raye surrounding someone laid lifeless across the floor of the living room. The person must've been badly injured because there were spots of blood smeared into the carpet around them and also on their clothing. My eyes widened at the sight and I held my breath strangely while I looked on.

"A few of the boys noticed he was at the bar we were in and we decided to rough him up a bit, no biggie but then he got handsy and started fighting back."

"Why bring him here though, are ya fucking idiots? Jesus Christ Matteo, I was expecting better from you of all people,"

"Sorry boss,"

"Fuck that, do you have any idea what you've started? Now we're going to have those Irish snobs all over our asses even more." Raye stressed, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"We did this for you, for being shot by Junior's boys. Your uncle wouldn't have questioned why, he would've agreed to it."

"I am not my uncle, I don't do things like my uncle. They're better ways of gaining revenge. We don't go around beating up little boys anymore, that's not how we do it," her anger flared and I flinched. I had never seen her like that before, so furious. Her entire demeanour changed, her facial expression was rock hard, she was unrecognizable, a stranger to me.

"What's his name, how old is he?" Her voice lowered now, but you could tell that she was angry from the way the muscles in her jaw worked vigorously.

"We don't know his name or age but we think he may be related to Quinn."

"Fuck!" Raye exclaimed, combing her fingers through her hair again, pacing back and forth looking down at the boy. She shook her head at the sight of him before turning her gaze back to the men standing beside her.

"Get him out my sight, take him to the hospital or whatever I don't care what you do but just make sure that he doesn't die from any of the injuries you fucking idiots inflicted unto him." She said walking up to the one who did all the talking and pointed her fingers directly into his face.

"Fix this before it gets out of hand and fix it fast. Get the fuck out!" She hissed.

I watched as they dragged him up now, what appeared to be a young man, probably eighteen or nineteen with blonde hair. His face was swollen, with injuries to his head and I watched in horror as they left with him, he was being dragged on his feet by two of the men. He groaned a bit as they did which confirmed that he was still alive.

After the room was completely silent, I watched Raye get on her phone and started talking. There wasn't anything for me to eavesdrop on because her conversation was done in Italian, but I figured it consisted of everything that happened a few moments before. It didn't last long and I was still standing there when she came off. Written on her face was a weary expression that pained my heart. Her eyes appeared dull and overall she just looked exhausted.

"Raye," I caught myself calling out and she was startled, swinging around to lock eyes with me.

"Brienna," she whispered in response, and I could see the wild concern in her eyes when she saw me.

"W-what are you doing up?"

"Is everything alright?" I questioned moving from my position at the hall's entrance and over to her.

"Far from that at the moment if I'm going to be honest. How much of it did you see and hear?"

"Most of it,"

"I'm sorry that you had to witness all of that, I promise you it will never happen again. I swear,"

"Who was the guy and why did they bring him here?" I asked to be certain if she'd keep it from me even now that I knew.

"I don't know who he is, he could be anyone but Matteo figured bringing him here to show me what they've done would've appeased to me somehow. They think that he might be related to the man that was responsible for hurting me."

"Junior?" I asked.

"Yes, only his name is Quinn."

"What gang is he from?"

"The Irish mob, he practically runs the whole thing."

"The Irish mob?"

"Yeah and we've been rivals for years,"

"Why?"

"Supremacy, control, fear, we do the same illegal shit." I frowned at how nonchalant she was at saying all that.

"If you guys are practically the same, why are you fighting each other?"

"I don't know, that's how it's always been."

We both got silent for a few, my eyes found the bloodstains on the floor and I grew nervous thinking about what had happened to the guy. Raye said nothing as she studied me, I wanted to know what went through her head at this point.

"Brienna I'm sorry, I didn't know he'd bri-" I interjected before she could finish. "You don't need to explain any of this, it's what you do. I just happen to have been here while something unpredictable occurred,"

"Yes, I know but I'm sorry you had to witness it,"

"I don't care, it's fine. I just don't want to be here if it happens again." I said and she came towards me. She threw her arms around my neck and pulled me closer.

"I swear that you won't. Tonight was just a messy night. A few of the guys have been drinking and when they do they cause a lot of trouble where ever they go."

"What's going to happen though, with the whole thing."

"Honestly I don't know. I hope Matteo was wrong and that boy was just a regular kid who they decided to rough up a bit, because if he's not it may stir up some trouble," she explained and I felt cold at the thought of people dying because of something like this.

"Please be careful," I whispered and she leaned in to kiss me. Our lips brushed slightly for a few seconds before she pulled away. "Come back to bed," She whispered, starting to lead me and I paused. "Why did you do it?" I asked and she frowned.

"Do what, what are you talking about?"

"Christopher, he told me that you found him at his apartment," I said and I could see her eyes turn to stone.

"I wanted him to know."

"Why?"

"I have my reasons," She answered and I looked away.

"When did he tell you?"

"A few days ago, he was acting weird and then he just blurted it out."

"I'm sorry but I have my reasons why I did it. I didn't threaten him, I wasn't rough, I'm sorry if you were upset but he and I go way back."

"I get it," Was all I said, as I didn't feel up to discussing it any further.

"I don't think you do," she said but didn't try to explain herself deeper.

"Who else knows?"

"He didn't tell anyone, at least not that I know of."

"Good, I hope that's true,"