Song: The Cult Of Dionysus - The Orion Experience

(edited)

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Adelaide

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I looked at the building in front of us, exactly like the blueprint I had gotten my hands on days before.

A sinister smile grew on my face.

The real fun was about to begin.

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A house was always easier to break into than a penthouse suite, maybe that's why we were having such difficulty with the task.

Or, it could be that a 6-foot bulky Italian mafia boss was having trouble keeping his footsteps muted and his breathing silent.

When he accidentally kicked the metal railing with his big foot, I shot him a glare and lifted my pointer finger to my lips as if to say, shut up you massive meatball.

He only shrugged his shoulders, a smug smirk plastered on his face.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the railings of the fire escape, stealthily making my way higher.

Looking up, I spotted the target entranceway that led straight to the penthouse suite, currently empty, soon to be occupied by unwanted guests.

My gaze wandered to Mano who was only just making it to the landing that I was on.

"Tata, we have to hurry up if we want to get there in time," I said, taking notice of how his hands held the railing in a death grip.

"Si, si, cavolo, don't worry about me, you go on ahead and I'll catch up." He said, refusing to look in my direction, his line of sight facing upwards.

I sighed.

"Would you feel better if I held your hand?"

His head whipped around so fast that his body swayed a little and I rushed to his side, placing my hands on his sides in an attempt to try and steady him.

"It's okay to be scared." I tried my best at soothing him, prying his white-knuckled hands away from the railing and into my palm.

He didn't say anything, his mind too occupied by the fact that we were several stories high in the cool night sky and the wind getting rougher the higher we climbed.

I gently guided his left hand to the inside railing and took his right hand in mine, staying by his side so that I would be by the railing overlooking the city.

It was a pity that we didn't get to explore Lisbon, it was supposed to be a beautiful.

I started to pull Mano up the steps but he seemed to be going even slower than before.

"Mano, can't you hurry up just a little bit more?"

He looked down at me the fear still present in his eyes, a self-satisfied smirk was trying it's best to break through but failing miserably.

I wound my left arm around his waist, his body tensing up as I did so.

I paid no notice to it, continuing the journey up the stairs.

After a few steps, I could feel his body start to relax into mine and after a flight or two, he was leaning against me for support.

"Only one more," I whispered in his ear.

His only response was a small nod and I sneaked a look at him.

He didn't look confident, cheeky, smug or self-assured, instead, he looked vulnerable and scared, making him seem much younger than he was.

I smiled, I guess even the toughest people had their weaknesses.

Who know a mafia don could be scared of heights?

Reaching the final landing, I unwound my arm from his waist but was abruptly stopped when his right hand gripped mine before I could completely detach myself from him.

"I'm just going to pick the lock, Mano," I said, not missing the slight  blush that crept up his neck as he loosened his grip on my arm.

I crouched down to the lock and found the tools I brought for this out of my pocket. I only needed one minute to pick the lock before I gestured to Romano to enter the safety of the room.

I guided him in and reached slid out the torch that I had strapped onto my leg. 

Precautions were necessary and just to throw the police off the scent, both Mano and I were wearing shoes that were two sizes too big so that they couldn't track the sizes back to us.

A stroke of genius on my part.

I glanced at my watch internally reprimanding myself for taking so long to get up the fire escape.

We only had five minutes before he would burst through the front door, depending on the fact that he was punctual.

Mano made his way to a chair in the living room so that he could sit comfortably while we waited for the target to show up.

I took my place beside the door, my hand gravitating to my Benchmade Nimravus Tanto fixed blade knife that was securely strapped to my thigh.

Silence overtook the room, Mano's heavy breathing being the only thing that could be heard.

I tried not to let my mind wander to Jamie's cryptic words, Mano's vulnerability or even Jaekyung's new friend.

They were all distractions from the task at hand.

I focused on my breathing, making sure they were even and controlled.

Making sure that I was in control.

I looked at my watch, two more minutes.

I slid the knife out of its sheath.

The clearing of Romano's throat jolted me out of my calm and focused state.

"Thank you."

I glanced over to his shadow, sitting in the plush chair.

"No need."

If Mano wanted to say something else, I would never know as just as he took a breath to speak, the doorknob started to turn and the target walked into the room, whistling a show tune.

He was early.

I didn't strike right away, instead, I patiently waited for the target to assume the perfect position.

When the door clicked shut behind him, I skillfully pressed my knife to his neck, my front pressed against his back.

Just as I had done with Mano, I moved onto my tiptoes to gain access to his ear.

"Don't make a sound, cooperate, and you may get out of here alive, do you understand me?"

"Y-yes." He stuttered, making me press my knife further into his neck, warm blood starting to drip down my fingers.

"What did I say about making noise? Don't speak unless you are told, understand?"

This time he only nodded.

"Good, now if I move this knife, will you run?"

He shook his head.

I slowly moved the knife away, still keeping it in my palm and wrapping my free hand around his wrists, bringing them together behind his back.

I expertly tied his hand back with rope previously strung on my leg and guided him to where Mano was sitting.

I was surprised he didn't make any move to run or struggle, he probably had experience in these situations.

I threw the guy on the sofa and went to turn the light on.

When the man's eyes had adjusted to the blinding light, the look of horror on his face was hard to miss.

Mano, on the other hand, looked more dangerous than I had ever seen him before.

"Gabriel, so nice of you to join me."

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Also we're so close to 2k reads and 500 votes, I wanna explode w happiness. 

okay bye ly