Blood And Roses

Chapter Thirty-Two

SNOW'S POV

I know my brother deals with a lot of demons.
Demons from his past.
Despite being the strongest person I've known all my life,I saw just how much shit he's been dealing with on the inside today.

Royce Jackson

I knew deep down in my heart that I had heard the name somewhere. When his sister told me about her identity that night, it struck a cord but I just didn't know how to pull those strings in the right direction. Ten years ago, when my father jian Carlo De Luca brought Ace home, he looked so conflicted and perturbed. I remember I overheard him talking to my mother that night. He had told her that he broke his promise to some man named Jackson.

Apparently he had received information from Jackson that could cost him his and the life of his family but my father had assured him full protection from Dimitri. When news got to my father that the Russians had found out about Jackson's betrayal and that they were planning to assassinate his whole family, he'd tracked down the Jacksons to their home but they weren't there.
He was told that they'd gone to a restaurant for a family dinner.When papa and his men got to the restaurant, it was already too late. The Russians had gotten there first.
His men had searched the whole restaurant until Jackson's body was found with three bullet holes. His wife was killed with a straight shot to the chest and his son; he was shot in the chest like his parents.

That same night, my father returned with a boy. The boy was on the brink of death and everyone thought he was going to die.
He was unconscious for months, the doctor had suggested that my father let the boy go but he was adamant on giving his all to save the child.
When the boy finally regained consciousness, it was a miracle. He'd  refused to talk or eat for days nor tell anyone his name or identity, he just laid on his bed staring at the ceiling barely blinking.
I was mad at him for refusing to talk to anyone, he was being an ungrateful brat towards my father.

Papa had called me into his study a few days later and made me promise to look after the boy like my brother.
I had asked him why he wanted me to do that and why he wasn't sending the boy back since he'd regained consciousness but he told me that the boy wasn't going anywhere because he had no where to go to.
Since then I have kept my word to my father and taken care of the boy.

With time, the boy loosened up a bit and we became very close just like I had promised; we became brothers. He was the only one who had seen all the facets of the Italian mafia Don. He never told me anything about his past or even his real name. I tried finding out the truth from my father but he warned me that my curiosity would only hurt Ace.

I remember when we used to hide in the cinema room to escape from training. I would guess different names, sometimes feminine names just to rile him up and make him spill his secrets but he would smile coldly and ignore me. He was a very cold kid, very mature and hot headed, sometimes I feel he was born to be a De Luca because of his hatred for our rivals but after hearing the truth from him, I understood why he was always hostile towards the Russian mafia.

I sat still, staring at the man I've known since I was 14. I looked at his auburn curls. It looked exactly like Roselle's, but his grey eyes look nothing like her bright blue eyes.

"I know, she took our mother's eyes" he said, reading my thoughts.

"Are you sure she's your sister?? it could be a terrible misunderstanding maybe just your imaginations playing with you.." I said trying to use the right tune.

"You don't believe me?? I felt the scar bro. It's on her arm!!! She got that when she fell off a bike!!" he screamed running his fingers through his hair.

"Fine. I believe you. So are you going to tell her the truth?? she has to know. The only reason why she's been killing those people is because they killed your parents and you" I said in a calm voice.

"I don't know Snow. I don't know what to do. How do I tell her??? How do I start?? What if she gets mad at me for not looking for her??" he asked pacing to and fro like a pendulum.

"Calm down. I know you looked for her. I mean...it all finally makes perfect sense why you've been obsessed with blue eyed girls."

"I know but she doesn't know all that"

"Look. I need you to calm down ok. Just think of a special moment or something you've shared before, maybe a birthday or something, you can use that." I suggested and started to feel stupid as soon the words left my mouth.

"Look. I don't know shit about emotions or sentiments but I know you'll come up with better ideas. You should go grab some sleep,you look terrible" I added.

"I think you're right."

"Do you want to sleep in my room, I could give you nice cuddles you know??" I asked, wriggling my eye brows jokingly like a clown.

He froze staring at me then the bed and then he threw his arms protectively around his front.

"Ewww...Not in you dreams. Are you ok man?? That's some serious gay shit!!" he replied with a horrified look.

I laughed at his facial expression and he smiled back, shaking his head disapprovingly then swatted me on the arm and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry for not telling you all this sooner. Trust me I wanted to but telling someone would be like reliving everything again.
You've been the best brother and friend. I couldn't have survived without you. I love you"

"I understand. It's ok. I would have done the same if I was in your position. Just go get some sleep, we'll both be here when you wake up and I promise you, she will be treated as a De Luca" I assured.

"Hold on a second. She'll be treated as a De Luca??. I need to give my blessings man. You have to prove you're worthy enough to court my baby sister!!"

"I sincerely have no idea what you mean." I said pushing him away and sitting on my bed.

"I know you know just right what I'm talking about De Luca" he warned.

"Stop being overly dramatic and go to bed!! You're not thinking straight.. look at your red ringed eyes man!! You look like a dracula!!" I insulted, letting my Italian accent lace every word.

Ace widened his eyes then flashed his perfect white teeth in a scary manner  with outstretched fingers position like claws and started dragging his feet close to the bed.

"Hrrrgghhhh...Hrrrgghhhh... blah... blahhh....blah..." he said, mimicking a zombie.

I grabbed a pillow sitting beside me and tossed it harshly at his head

"Draculas don't walk like zombies dummy. Now go to bed!!" 

"Fine. Goodnight!!" he said with his hands in the air.

"Goodnight"

He closed the door gently behind him and I exhaled trying to process what happened today. I've seen him try to cheer me up sometimes by acting funny but today, he was different. If I didn't know better I would have thought he hit his head hard or he was going insane.
On a second thought, I felt happy they were related, my possessive inner beast jubilated at the fact that there wasn't going to be a contender.

My phone beeped beside me and i pulled up the device. It was another message. Could it be from Dimitri??
I tapped on the inbox icon and it was a message from Vincenzo.

"The agency now!! It's an attack!!"