_cjma Mafia Story

Chapter 12: The Betrayal

CJ's adoptive sister? Wait, then why is she the head of this other mafia and why would she kidnap you? 

"It's a long story" she says, obviously picking up on your confusion. 

You try to word your questions, but nothing seems right. Finally, after what must've been 5 minutes of your mouth opening and closing silently like a goldfish, you manage to get your first question out.

"Does CJ know about this? How did you- Why?" you continue mumbling to yourself. This must be a fever dream, or she's lying. Nope, definitely a dream, so wake up.  

Fash laughs. You had almost forgotten he was in the room. "Gwendo, I think at this point you need to write an autobiography and just hand it to people who ask." 

If looks could kill, Fash would be dead right now. You had a feeling that the nickname "Gwendo" was not one she particularly appreciated. At least not in front of prisoners. You can tell he knew it was wrong, simply by the look of guilt that washed over his face the moment he uttered the name. Her hand comes up, and she swiftly shoos Fash out of the room. He walks off with his tail between his legs, knowing probably that she would have a word with him later on. 

"Now that it's only us girls, let me tell you a story." She sits on the bed. She sits so close to you, you can feel a sort of power emanating from her. It was a power that you hadn't even felt with CJ's dad, and it scared you. You discretely scooted away, trying to gain a little personal space.

"When I was younger, my family was killed. I was too young to remember everything that happened, but I remember hearing gunshots. I was maybe 3 at the time, but I remember this man picking me up, and bringing me to a house. Your family is gone, he told me, but we'll protect you. You'll be a part of a new family. As he said that, a boy walked in, holding some clothes and a blanket. I later found out that that was CJ, my new brother."

She smiles at that last part, almost nostalgically. It had obviously been a good memory, but it was now tinted with sadness. 

"They raised me. I was treated as an equal and when CJ was first introduced to the Mafia life, I was too, despite being younger. It was a good life. I was protected and treated like a princess. I loved CJ, and I considered him my actual brother." 

So why leave? You want to ask, but you're half afraid she'll cut your tongue out for interrupting, so you stay quiet.

"Then one night, I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk around the gardens. That's when I heard shouting. I was curious so I ducked behind a bush, to try and hear what was happening. Even now, those voices ring clear as day in my mind. Paolo's dad was arguing with mine. He kept saying, if she finds out, who knows what she'll do. I remember thinking if who finds out what? Finally I realised they were talking about me."

In her eyes, you see rage and pain. She looks down, trying to hide the feelings that are arising. 

"Gwendo is family. She won't betray us even if she finds out. That's what Father kept repeating. She's family now. But Paolo's dad kept shaking his head. Their voices got louder and louder. I'm surprised no one heard, to be honest. Eventually Paolo's dad snapped. It was obvious they had had this argument before, but he was done. Will you really put the fate of this clan in the hands of a girl whose family you murdered?"

Your blood runs cold at those last words. CJ's dad killed an entire family? You can't help but feel frightened, knowing he knows where your family lives. 

"Not such a nice family after all, huh? So I ran away that night. I didn't even bother to pack anything. Anything they had bought for me, I didn't want it. Of course, I felt bad for leaving CJ, but what was I supposed to do? I ran all the way to the docks, and that's where I found Fash. Since my family's murder, the clan had fallen apart without a female head, so they obviously took me in immediately. I had been trained by their enemies, so I knew their tactics, I knew how they thought. And all I wanted was to exact revenge against the man who kidnapped me and fed me lies for years."