Bound by my blood

Chapter thirteen

Being both soft and strong
Is a combination very few have mastered
— — —

The car pulls up outside a small, discoloured house. The front window was broken, however, they had tried to fix it up with cardboard.

I feel bad for the people that live in the houses around here. I had always had everything I needed in life and I never understood their struggle.

Mamma and Babbo had worked hard to keep the mafia up to my families standards. They made sure all the members were the best of their specific areas and payed them a decent amount.

I guess that helped with many people's struggles. However, having to murder and steal to make sure your family could have a roof and food must be horrid.

My family had always done it because it is all we've ever known. They did it because they had no choice.

Alceu clambers our the car and I quickly follow his lead. I didn't have any weapons on me but I knew that if I got hurt that Vince would get in trouble so I was fine.

"Alexa wait here, this person just lost her son so she won't want you there" Vincenzo demands. Ignoring him, I skip towards the door and leave the two men behind me.

If she lost her son then she might need a women there to comfort her. Not some big bad mafia man that doesn't have a empathetic bone in his body

I wait by the door as he joins me. He gives me a pointed look before knocking on the door. Behind the door, I hear a bunch of bangs and someones muffled shout.

"What was that?" I whisper as Vince pulls out his gun and pushes me behind him.

"Stay behind me, Alexa" he commands as he kicks the door in. Making it fall to the ground loudly.

If they didn't know that we were here before they do now...

I flinch as I hear someone whimpering and in my panic I rush towards to help the women who was lay on the floor.

Blood was seeping from a large gnash on her head. She sobs and she pushes herself back as I drop to my knees beside her.

"Ma'am I'm not going to hurt you. Can I help you?" I ask, holding my hands up to show her I don't mean any harm.

She nods but her eyes keep flickering between me and the kitchen. Fuck the person who did this was probably still in the house.

Why was I so stupid?

I look over to Vincenzo who was stood in the doorway with his gun in his hand. I subtly gesture towards the kitchen and he nods. I look away quickly so the person in the kitchen wouldn't see me if they look.

Her pupils are enlarged and she was struggling to breathe. Her lips had a grey tinge and she was shaking.

"Ma'am I'm going to need you to lie down and try to elevate your legs" I instruct, my medical training kicking in.

I help her lay down and quickly tell her I'm going to need to take off her tight top. She barely moves but allows me to do such after I explain that it will help.

Covering her with a thin blanket I found on the sofa to prevent chilling before moving onto the bleeding.

I rip some of my shirt and wrap it around her head in attempt to stop the bleeding. Until I can get my hands on a medical kit.

"Ma'am everything is going to be okay. I need you to breathe until I can move you somewhere you can properly be treated".

"I-I can't. My son will be back soon and I need to be here" she stutter croakily and my heart breaks for her.

She has no idea that her son is dead. I don't want to make her situation worse so I just give her a reassuring smile.

I try and distract her by talking to her in an attempt to keep her responsive.

From the kitchen, the quiet thud of the gun due to the silencer rings out and the women sits up abruptly to look in the direction.

"You must leave, he will hurt you" she stampers, trying to get to her feat. I push her down gently and shake my head. She stares at me in confusion and I don't know what to do.

"It's okay ma'am" I reassure her the best I could, I keep my back to the kitchen door and don't notice that Vincenzo is now watching us.

The women sees him before me and once again sits up. She bows her head in respect and he makes his way over to us.

"You really need to stay lay down ma'am" I start but Vince cuts me off by covering my mouth with his rough, callous hands.

"That's enough, Alexa, your smothering her" he chuckles. I bit down on his hand and he immediately pulls away.

"Don't touch my face" I snap, sticking my tongue out at him as I use the sofa to push myself back up to my feet.

"You never seemed to mind it before, my love" he teases and I roll my eyes at him. Fully well aware that he hates it. He lets out a low growl as I turn back to the women.

"The cut is pretty deep, you might need stitches" I inform her but Vince had her undivided attention.

"Mr Lombardo what are you doing here? Is Sammy alright?" She questions, her Sicilian accent heavy as she panics.

"I'm so sorry, Joy" he mutters, passing her a small piece of paper out of his pocket, "these are the rest of his earnings for the five year contract".

"What happened to my baby? Where is he?" She cries hysterically. I move forward and place a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"We found him outside of one of our warehouses along with 5 other members. We are here to help you with whatever you need" He says stiffly but when I look into his brown eyes I can see the brewing storm.

She sobs louder and I whisper gently to her as I rub her back comfortingly.

"We offer our condolences, this is my number if you need help".

I watch as Vince hands her the two pieces of paper; one being the cheque and the other his business card.

Vincenzo gestures to the door and I nod before he walks out. I look down at Joy, who was a mess and grab a pen. Quickly I write down my number on his business card.

"I can't live without my son" she cries and I pull her into an embrace.

"You can call me whenever you want to. Don't give up your son wouldn't want that" I console her before following Vince out.