Roxana

Kary looks at us for a few long seconds before she is able to say something.

"Rox. You are here, and alive," she voices in the end and hugs me almost tearing up.

"I... am. Seemingly."

Then she turns to Marco raising an eyebrow and stretching out her hand smirking.

"And you are ...? Let me guess. Spiderman?"

"I mostly go by Marco. Nice to meet you, Karyme."

I frown a bit, knowing exactly that I never told him her full name and Karyme is not quite the go-to one that shortens in Kary.

"Welcome, Marco without a surname. Your reputation precedes you. I really thought we would never meet."

"Does it now?"

"Yes, and you are even hotter in real life. I can hardly forget the subject of the most interesting assignment I had lately."

This is weird. It's like watching a lion and a cheetah circling each other in the savannah, not being sure who is what. They seem to find some strange pleasure in this.

If I didn't know better I would say they are flirting.

"This goes both ways. Karyme, the disgraced daughter of Mohamad Karym bin Husein Abadi. I am a fan; I must admit."

For the first time in a long while Kary doesn't know what to say, just stares wide-eyed.

"Bitch, you just brought the devil into our home."

"The son of Mefisto. You should see Grampa Medici," I tell Kary and notice how happy I am to be in her presence once again.

"Well come in. Just promise me you won't bite."

"Nah, Roxi is not there yet," he says and seems to be in a strangely good mood.

"Uh, burn. Likely not, but she didn't get laid for centuries unless something that I am not aware of happened. Anyway, come in; the neighbours start staring. I don't have anything to eat or drink because I am broke but I suppose his highness can provide us with some take-out, or we can hit McDonald's, " says Kary looking at Marco.

His expression is just precious when he hears takeout and McDonald's and I can't help grinning, trying to distract myself from the first things Kary mentioned.

"He.... is a picky eater."

"Oh yeah, I forgot he's Italian. Well then, five stars it is, since I am not paying," answers Kary amused, but I can sense her nervousness.

At the end of the day, she is playing cool but I brought an actual murderer into our house.

"I will go get changed. Come on Roxi, help me pick an outfit."

In other words, tag along I want to tell you stuff in private.

"I uh, will be right back," I tell Marco still feeling weird that he is here, in Switzerland, in my apartment, where I used to be normal and live normally.

After she closes the door to her room, Kary looks me up and down with arms folded over her chest.

"I am really sorry. I didn't know he wanted to come here until it was too late and... I understand you are afraid but he will not hurt you. I will never let anyone hurt you ever again," I say and feel tears pouring from my eyes. "I am sorry that you had to see Ivan. I am sorry for what he did to you. I am sorry for this whole mess."

"That is not precisely what I am concerned about. I mean... It was no delight meeting Ivan. The guy is really gross. I cannot even imagine how you could... Ugh, it makes me feel like puking only thinking about that. But! I am a journalist. I am chasing stories and adventures. I am a fighter and I am not traumatized. Don't worry about me, Roxi. You have enough to worry about."

"But... Your life was okay before I stepped into it," I say and feel the guilt panging intensely at my insides.

She smiles. Kary is extremely beautiful when she smiles in this particular way.

"You think? I am the daughter of a shady petroleum Moghul. My life was shitty before you. Now at least I have a friend. Plus, I have a thing for troublemakers, and apparently so does he. He is sooo cute..." she says snickering.

"He kills people for a living. Or used to or whatever," I answer straight-faced.

"Well nobody says you should marry him but since you are kind of involved with each other for the time being..."

"Stop it and get dressed; it takes forever. He doesn't want to," I chip in, a bit frustrated.

"Really? Then we should have some drinks tonight. Uuh, cocktails."

"No. He will only get pissed again. Not trying anymore."

"So you did try. Ha! I am sorry for you girl, every time you seem to like a guy there is something majorly wrong with him. Sad, sad. Maybe the next one after you settle your mob issues will be the one."

"Yeah... " I answer and feel the sad tremor in my own voice.

Kary voices her wish to go to a fancy Thai restaurant and I am conflicted. On the one hand I feel bad for Kary and want to treat her to something but I am still broke as can be, on the other hand, I don't see any reason why Marco should pay for any of this. But then again what are a few hundred on top of a million and a dead body?

Marco seems very lighthearted and not affected at all. He keeps joking around with Kary to the extent that she whispers to me, "Give or take the few bodies he supposedly is responsible for, he is the coolest boyfriend you had."

"Not funny," I whisper back. Though, it is funny, macabre but funny. "He is not my boyfriend and the bar was not set pretty high beforehand."

"Now it is. And that is not really good," she concludes in the end.

When we exit the restaurant Kary is all smiles and Marco is... himself, or the self he is in private, meaning oddly fun and charming in his own way. I wish once again we would be just two normal people, no dead family, no mob, no guilt. Oh, the overwhelming guilt.

"Thank you for the threat, Shaitan," she says laughing. "I will hit a club now. Care to join?"

Marco doesn't answer, just looks at me smiling expectantly.

"What? You do not really want to go clubbing?"

"Why not? Could be fun."

Kary laughs wholeheartedly.

"Oh yes, you should definitely take her dancing. She loves dancing and dresses and all those girly things even if she looks misleading. And flowers, buy her flowers. White roses are her favourite."

"And what else does she like and lack?"

"Bro, I could make a long ass list."

"Stop it, you two. Marco we are going home to sleep. Kary, you can have fun but stop poking him. He likes it and it annoys me."

"But of course, Pebbles, whatever you want," he says and kisses my cheek affectionately and I freaking blush and watch Kary giggle.

"Walk!" I answer annoyed and wave Kary goodbye.

We walk in silence on the streets of Bern at eleven in the evening. It's a lovely night; even freaking birds are singing.

"What?" he asks eventually.

"You are so jolly and fun, not gloomy at all."

"So? Is that bad? I think you need some happy times and since you are stuck with me for the time being there is no harm in providing some, don't you think? Or do you like me gloomy more? It might be hotter."

"No. I like you like this and it annoys me. And Kary likes you and it annoys me too. It is frustrating as hell that you are who you are and I still like you a lot. I cannot help liking you and wishing so hard for things to be different."

"Would you prefer me being obnoxious? It wouldn't do any good. Just try to relax, even if doesn't come easily."

I grumble and don't answer. After entering the apartment I stare a few minutes at the room.

"You sleep on the sofa. It's your fault you didn't get a hotel. Now you will have a stiff back tomorrow. That thing is very uncomfortable."

"Yeah, keep torturing me. At least it's an upgrade from the floor where you made me sleep last time. At least then..."

"Stop talking, okay?" I say blushing and enter the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Later, I close the door to my room trying actively not to look at him and sink on the bed. Dani's stuff, which is still scattered all over the place, makes me fall asleep among tears.

It must be the reason why I dream dreadful things. Dani is lying cuffed to a table while a dark figure is stroking his hair and telling him not to make a sound. We both know that is a bad thing, that a bad thing is about to happen and the figure proceeded to cover his mouth while it slices the fingers of his palm off one by one. There is a violin song playing in the background to cover the screams, his and mine.

At this point, I know it's a nightmare but can't stop it, can't stop the screams and the guilt. I know it's a dream but cannot wake up...

Until I hear his voice from nowhere "Roxi, wake up!" I shake my head and open my eyes finally, gasping for air. 

"Calm down. It's all good. It was only a nightmare."

"Yeah, everything is..." I mutter sitting up on the edge of the bed.

He sits to my left and wraps an arm around me, kissing my forehead. Jesus, it's been a lifetime since someone has been this affectionate with me.

"No boyfriend, my ass. If you call it differently it doesn't stop being what it is. But never mind me, kids; do your thing," says Kary from the hallway blowing a kiss and entering her room.

Without having deserved it whatsoever, I punch his shoulder in frustration.

"No good deed goes unpunishable, huh? Do you want me to leave?"

"Yeah," I answer but the hesitation is palpable in my voice.

Around eight I wake up again startled and head to the kitchen where I find Marco sitting fully dressed, talking on the phone and smiling... maliciously? That is a new expression.

"Yes. I would like him to apologize personally. And I might take a token if you don't mind, Anton. Yes, I will send Don Lorenzo your regards and your apologies. And Alexei... Well, I will try to sway him but you know how he is. I assume my trouble will be rewarded with... Obedience? Of course. Arrivederci."

"Was that...?"

"Anton Kuraghin. The boss of the boss of Vitali. We will go see him now. He wants to formally apologize for the inconvenience,  to maybe, maybe stay alive. And after that, we can visit a clock museum in Zürich."

"Okay.... Just let me tell Kary."

"As you wish but she is in the middle of something, I guess."

"She has someone over, doesn't she?" Blood drains from my face.

"Someone very satisfied judging by all the sounds from last night or early morning.

"Oh, Jesus. I apologize. You couldn't sleep properly, right? I know it can be... Loud. And... awkward."

He just smiles mischievously.

"It's okay. It was mildly interesting. Made me want to ask some questions, reconsider some technical aspects..."

"Stop it. Let's go."

I march to Kary's door and knock loudly.

"Kary we are going. Take care, okay?"

Kary opens the door dressed in panties and a tank top and gives me a hug.

"Don't die, okay? I hope to see you again soon. Don't let anything happen to her, okay?"

"Certainly. Bye, Karyme. It was nice meeting you," he answers and takes my hand while we walk away.

Hours later I can't help fidgeting as we approach the building that supposedly contains Vitali's office. Yes, he is posing as a businessman having surprise-surprise a transportation company.

"Don't be nervous. It's okay. You are with me."

"If we both are tortured and killed it is not really making it better. You do not even carry a gun."

"I don't need a gun to kill anybody in that office. Just trust me, okay?"

"Then let me have one. It would make me feel better."

"Do you even know how to shoot?"

"Well, it's pushing a button. How hard can it be?"

"Remind me to show you after this, okay?"

"Promise?"

"Yes. It will be fun," he answers amused.

I knock and surprisingly the one opening the door is Vitali himself.

"Sir. We are awfully sorry for what happened. It was a misunderstanding. But come in, please. Miss Ceban," he says trying really hard to speak English and not tremble.

Okay, this is... unexpected.

Vitali gestures to an armchair where Marco sits smiling a particular type of smile I have seen before but not on him. On Stefano.

He stretches out a hand to me and I grab it letting him pull me into his lap. Oh, we are playing gangster boss.

"Sir we... Didn't know... That you and Miss Ceban..."

"That's unfortunate, isn't it, Roxi darling?" he says smiling sardonically and stroking my cheek. "I mean, she was so frightened. And I was so angry when she told me about it. It caused me major discomfort."

Vitali hides his trembling hands in his pockets.

"But sir, we assumed that since your brother told us where she is, you don't..."

"Well, wrong assumption. Wildly unfortunate but still wrong. You do know stuff has shifted now. However, I would like to ensure your loyalty. How about that?"

"Yes, sir. Whatever you want."

"We have brought you the million my... paramour owes you. I mean we are businessmen after all," he says pointing to the briefcase we brought with us.

Vitali stares at him wide-eyed.

"No, there is absolutely no need to do that. No need whatsoever."

"Ah common'. I want Anton to be happy. He is Alex's cousin after all. He will be impressed with you, if you get the money back after all, isn't it?"

"Y...yes s..sir b...but," he says stammering, looking bleach white.

Marco stands up from the armchair and kisses me on the cheek whispering, "You can look away if you don't like blood."

I nod but I keep staring.

Walking over, smiling the same sort of frightening smile, he takes the silver gun from Vitali's belt.

"Now of course the insolence needs to be punished somehow, right? Kneel, bow and stretch your hands out, palm up."

"Yes, sir, o...of course."

"From now on you owe me, Vitali. Make sure to remember that," he says and shoots both his palms right between the thumb and index finger. "These are just flesh wounds, just meant for you to remember. You know what Don Lorenzo does to people who threaten his property, right? And Alex also asked if he should send Yuri over. Yuri is a bit more sloppy than me so you can count yourself lucky, I think."

He nods not daring to look up. 

"OK, Vitali. We are friends now, right?"

"T...Thank you, sir. Yes, sir."

Surprisingly Vitality is not angry, he is indeed obedient and... grateful.

Marco wipes meticulosity his fingerprints from the weapon and leads me outside.

"Are you frightened? Appalled?" he asks at the end after I haven't said anything for half an hour.

"I don't know what I feel."

"You see, I haven't hurt him more than necessary."

"I know."

"But if you change your mind I can still kill him."

"You say it as if it's buying ice cream."

"I became a bit insensitive to this through the years; I am sorry."

"This was uh... The light version?"

"Most certainly. Lorenzo would have tortured him lengthy and killed him but I think it's good for him to stay alive for the time being though Anton saw him as extremely expendable."

"And now?"

"Now we go see a clock museum and after that, I have to decide if you should go back to Rome or stay with Kary, for the time being, till I go find Ivan. Probably the second option but we will need to wait for some bodyguards to arrive so that Stefano doesn't think it's a good idea to claim his debt."

"If that is not a bad idea, I think I prefer to stay here."

"Should be okay."

"How long are you doing this? The killing..."

"Hmm, my father took me shooting for the first time with six. I think right after that, he decided that was going to be my destiny."

"Didn't he love you?" I ask quite tactless.

"Not sure. I think he did, in his own way. It was the only way to ensure that Stefano would not see me as a threat."

"But you are now one, aren't you?"

"Yeah, the biggest..."

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Some fluff and some violence now here comes some drama and some smut. :D