THEA'S POV
After the very awkward ride back home, I just wanted to be alone. I wanted time to process everything. Praying that Lila wasn't home, I entered the apartment and let out a sigh of relief seeing it empty. Walking straight to the bathroom, I removed all my clothes and started the shower.
Even though I just had a shower, I needed another one. My mind needed another one. My thoughts wandered to everything Xander said. Everything that we did and everything that was wrong with what was happening.
Just a few weeks back, my life was just monotonous and now, there is blood, bullets and everything else that shouldn't exist. I just wanted to make sense of everything. Everything that's happened.
After a long shower, I walked back into my room, and without caring about clothes, I slipped into my blanket and let darkness consume. And for the first time in a while the darkness wasn't out of pain or fear.
TIME SKIP
I thought sleep would fix things, mostly fix the whole Xander situation but I was wrong. I woke up with more questions than I had when I went to sleep.
Did Xander like me? There is no way he could. He did hurt the guy who hurt me and wanted me to move to a safer place because he shot someone (which by the way is still a big shock and a question mark in my head) I still couldn't figure him out.
If Xander had a book, the cover would be plain black. No one would actually figure out what is in the book unless they actually open it. And to open the book one would need an immense amount of courage and strength because once you realise who he is, only strength is what will help you survive.
Putting an oversized hoodie on me, I walked to the kitchen only to be freaked out by a shadow looming near the fridge. I felt my heart picking up pace and my hands starting to sweat.
"Li...la?" I was unsure but prayed it was her
"Oh hi honey" LILA. Thank god. Taking in a sigh of relief, I almost ran to her and hugged her as tight as I could.
"What's wrong Thea? I am sorry I wasn't around. We got a major lead in the case and that's why I have been busy" Lila said guilt evident as daylight in her voice. Unwrapping myself from her, I looked at her to see if she was safe. Not seeing any visible signs of pain I felt a huge rock from my shoulder fall. I now wanted to scream,
'No, I am not fine. I almost got raped last night and I am emotionally exhausted' but I settled for
"Yeah I am fine"
"You sure honey. You know you can always tell me anything. I am your best friend right" I simply nodded, not sure if I could control myself from not saying anything.
"Okay then. I saw you sleeping so I didn't want to disturb you but since you are awake, I am making myself some pasta, you want some?" I again just nodded.
After the pasta was cooked and served, Lila and I sat in a comfortable silence. However my mind was far from quiet. It was chaos. I had a million questions. Who was the guy Xander asked Lila to leave and what was this case that her and Xander both seemed to have tangled themselves with.
"Something is bothering you, Thea. I know that look. So why don't you tell me what it is?" Lila nudged.
"I don't want you to be mad at me" I whispered, scared that if I asked about her case which she very clearly told me was confidential she would be mad. I asked her the week after Lila picked me up from that restaurant Xander dropped me at. She said she can't say and I should not ask anything else. It doesn't concern me and I should just forget about it.
I wanted to scream, ' How can I forget about it. I was beaten, kidnapped and almost raped because of this case. How do you expect me to forget about it?' But then again, I settled for a simple nod. I have never stood up for myself. Not one day. Not when my parents kicked me out, not when people bullied me in middle school. I was pathetic and I just learnt to live with it.
"You know I would never be mad at you. You are like my baby sister Thea. So please never think that, okay? Now tell me what's bothering you"
Please don't be mad, I prayed as I crossed my fingers and let out a deep breath
"I want to know about this case. I don't want details but please just give me something. I know it's confidential but it's safe to say that I am a part of it. I got involved the day those men knocked on the door and took me with them. Please Lila just give me something. Please" I managed to mumble out whatever I could with as much courage as I could gather.
"I couldn't get into the details even if I wanted to so I will just sum it up for you. Rouge runs a mafia. He is better than the rest of the mafia families but he is still a criminal. A boy was drugged and found dead and one of Rouge's men was involved. He kidnapped you because of me. He needed me to get that man out because he believed that his man had nothing to do with it"
"So you arrested the wrong guy?" I probed
"No. Yes. I mean it's complicated. Everyone knows that Rouge doesn't involve his mafia in drugs, human trafficking or whore houses"
"By whore houses you mean prostitutes"
"Mostly. So mafia families kidnap women and then force them into prostitution. It is a major source of money for them to buy weapons. However Rouge refuses to get his hands in that pot. So the man that we arrested was involved however the charges we pressed were Not based on evidence. That man only kidnapped the boy. Therefore Rouge wanted me to let that man out of prison. A charge of drugs when his mafia promised otherwise is scarring his image. He needs the man out of the drug case"
"Oh. So have you left him?"
"No. He still kidnapped the boy. So we did find who is actually involved and we were trying to arrest some of the involved people, but Rouge beat us to it. We do have the other men in custody but we really haven't gotten much. Its almost a dead end" Lila almost sighed out the last part.
"Is that why you are home?"
"Yes. Boss told us to take a break and rest. Is there anything else that's bothering you?" Yes there was but I don't think I was bold enough to ask it.
"Come on Thea. It's me. We have been friends since forever. I know I am not around these days but you always confided in me. So please tell me if something is bothering you. I will love you regardless. Okay?"
I nodded and prayed that my question doesn't come out wrong
"That day when those guys came, you left..." I just left the rest of the sentence hanging ans dropped my head down embarrassed of even pointing it out. I didn't have the courage to ask her why she left me. The house was silent and I waited for her to lash out and tell me that I was insignificant and that I wasn't worth the trouble. But nothing. Looking up I saw her staring at me
"Nevermind. You of course had to protect yourself first. I will wash the dishes, why don't you go rest" I stood up to pick up our plates but Lila held my hand and told me to sit down. Sitting down, I looked at her waiting for her to speak. After a few seconds she finally said,
"I will start by apologizing first. I am sorry that my actions made you feel like I abandoned you and even though I do not want to justify it because looking at it from your view, I know it would look like I did abandon you, I still wish to clear this out. The night before, I went to the club owned by Rouge. I simply went there to find information. It was almost three in the morning, and I had to drink to not raise any suspicion and eventually I saw the guy who kidnapped the boy.
He was drunk and almost passed out. I knew I was not sober entirely. So I called my team and asked them to arrest the guy. I then took a cab and came home. The next morning when I woke up to you screaming for me to open the door, I was about to leave the bed when I heard those men. I knew that if I got caught I would not be able to help you. So I went out the window to the precinct and we figured out a plan"
"But you got caught didn't you?" I asked, confusion clearly laced in my voice.
"The plan was going fine until Rouge's right hand got involved in the picture. Anyways now that's all you need to know. And Thea don't ever think I will abandon you. Remember when I offered you to come to Russia with me I promised you that no matter what happens, I would never abandon you? I will keep the promise till the end of my time" I nodded and wiped the tears off my face.
Remembering the day that Lila asked me to come to Russia with her.
It was the worst and the best day of my life. I had just turned 18 and after school I was going home. My parents weren't actually the ideal parents but they were all I had. Ever since I was 15 they always told me, we can't wait till you turn 18. I never really thought anything because they always said it with a smile, but I was stupid enough to think that demons could actually smile for the happiness of others .
When I stepped inside the house, I saw my things near the sofa and my parents standing next to it.
"Finally you are here. Come here darling" my mother said with a huge smile on her face. I finally thought things were going to get better but well we have already established that I am a naive and stupid.
I walked closer to her, wanting to embrace my mother and finally feel the love of a mother. However I felt my heart shatter with my father's next words
"These are all your things. Take them and leave. You are finally 18 and that means you can now fend for yourself"
"Father, I don't get it. What is going on?" I had tears streaming down my face before I could even stop them
"You are a disgrace to the family name. We don't want a weakling. The Gracias family deserved a boy who could carry our name or a strong daughter who could fight for herself and her family. You disgust us. "
Hearing him say those words and literally throwing me and my things out of the house, I felt like the world was caving in. I felt so small and I just wanted to hide somewhere. I stood in front of the door for hours, begging but nothing seemed to move their hearts.
Some time later I heard my phone ring and it was Lila. I told her everything and she came and picked me up and took me to her place. That night she asked me to come to Russia with her; her hometown. And I very willingly said a yes. There was nothing left for me here. I was scared and I told her that I wouldn't know what to do if she left me in that country all by myself and that's when she promised me that no matter what happens she would never abandon me. She sealed the promise with the words, 'the day I break my promise, will be the last second I live'.
Next thing I know, I am on a flight to Russia and well rest is history. Thinking about it now, I just wonder what I would have done if Lila wasn't by my side. I don't think I would have the strength to continue living. Being abandoned by the people that have birth to you really does break your soul.
Getting out of my seat I went behind Lilas chair and hugged her as hard as I could, whispering apologies and thank yous.
"Come on now. Let's go watch some movies. How about Taarzan. You love that movie don't you?" She asked with a smile. I eagerly nodded my head, loving the idea of watching my favourite movie.
"Okay then. Why don't you put it on while I clear the table" Lila offered. I squealed and ran towards the tv, putting the movie on. I settled on the couch and soon Lila joined me. I finally felt like things could go back to normal soon but boy I was so wrong.
XANDER'S POV
This wasn't supposed to affect me so much. I barely know this woman. I don't care if she gets herself killed. I offered to help and she refused to take it. There is nothing else I can do. I tried to reason with myself but even my monsters weren't okay with leaving there new toy unattended.
GOD DAMMIT. I needed to let her out of my system. Or atleast pause whatever is going on with Thea because I need to get Pedrova before he does something. Walking down to the basement, I see Pedrova's man beaten and barely breathing. He could have given us the information yesterday but those men had to leave Thea alone.
I lost control when I heard Damien say her name. The look of shock and a ting of fear was all it took for me to lose control. I didn't understand why there was fear in his eyes but when I got to know that Thea was hurt, I knew exactly why.
Seeing an unconscious Thea on the sidewalk knowing that someone put his hands on her brought out a violent side of me. Seeing her face filled with tears made me grab my gun and shoot the three fuckers who were supposed to be taking care of her safety. I didn't care if these men had worked for me for years, but this kind of negligence will never be accepted. The Mafia has no place for people who don't follow. I tortured the man who touched her and it was by far the worst I have ever done to someone. At some point I saw Damien close his eyes. I didn't care.
After a very long time, someone has affected me so much. I shut myself out the day I decided to start Rouge. I knew that in this world of blood and pain, there would be no place for emotions and weakness. Ten years and not once did I lose control and all it took was one look at the kitten and I was ready to risk everything for her.
That night she woke up screaming and crying, begging for a savior. Begging for someone to fight away the monsters and keep her safe. I wasn't a knight in shining armour. I was a monster in other peoples stories but that night I became a hero in hers. She held onto me and asked me to stay and protect her. And I did.
I swore to protect her and for the first time my monsters didn't fight back. Asking her to move into the safe house was the only way to ensure her safety. But then she refused and her answers irked my anger. Did she not realize that I was doing this for her. I needed her to listen so I could protect her but she then reminded me that I was no better than the man who touched her on the sidewalk. The only difference between him and I was, I could protect her from him but no one could have protected her from me if I didn't control my insanity that day.
A loud groan broke me out of my chain of thoughts. Looking down I saw the almost dead man wailing in pain. This ends today.
"Where is he?" I asked, running the knife down his already battered face.
"Just ki...ll me" he begged. My monsters chuckled at his weakness.
"I will. Just tell me where Pedrova is"
"I don't kno...w. Last I heard was, he was in the city. Something abo...about a woman. Your woman"
"My woman?" I knew he was talking about Thea but I needed to first confirm it.
"You didn't think people wouldn't find out when you shoot an innocent man for touching a girl did you?" Even being this close to death, the man had the audacity to smirk "Pedrova knows his ti... time is coming to an end but he won't go down without a fight. He doesn't ca...re if he kills people even after knowing that it is a futile attem...pt. He will hurt you where it hurts the most. From where the world is sitting, it is that wo... woman. You won't be able to protect her. Pedrova already set the plan in motion even before you found me"
Fear. My skin crawled with fear.
I lied when I said I didn't care if she got hurt. I fucking lied. Just the thought of Thea getting tortured scared my monsters. She won't survive if they get her.
"You may win Rouge but this victory will cost more than its worth. Run Rouge. Save the girl if you can. Because once Pedrova gets his hands on her, I am not sure he will treat her like a woman. She will be just like another man he needs to kill to get what he wants. Maybe he will have his fun bef..."
Not wanting to hear anything else I grabbed the closest weapon my hands could find; a gun, and shot him right between his eyes.
Nothing will happen to her. Nothing. Loud footsteps echoed in the basement before a very shocked Egor stood on the door.
"Boss we have a problem"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT
ANY VIEWS ON WHERE YOU WANT THE BOOK TO LEAD OR ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE STORY IS APPRECIATED ;)