One year later...

A sudden pop has me jumping in my skin. I'm rooted to the couch in the library, unlike the book which slides off my lap and falls to the floor with a thud. My heart thumps in my chest as a rush of fear and panic tingles through my body.

My brother's dealing always ended with a bang. And tonight is no different.

Everything is fine.

I close my eyes and take deep breaths, trying to ease my nerves but it doesn't help. My legs are spread out on the cushions while my back leans against the armrest. I turn my head slightly, focusing on the door.

Ricardo will show. It's just a matter of time.

He always does to reassure me everything is ok, he's perfectly alive, and that I have not lost another family member or friend. So I wait... I wait for those footsteps but the ones on the other side of the door are different. They're heavy and hasty.

Adrenaline shoots through my system as the door springs open. I panic and do the only thing I can, roll to the floor. My heart bangs against its cage and my hand flies to my mouth. Peering over the side of the couch, I catch a man standing at the door. His legs are spread out, feet planted to the ground. A silver revolver rests in his palms as he quickly shoves bullets in. My gaze drifts higher. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and splatters of crimson adorn his shit button-up. Inked olive leaves climb up his neck and disappear under a black mask. He scans the library before making a motion with his head.

Another takes a step inside, gun in hand as the first turns and leaves. Unlike the other man, I recognize the knife tattoo on his forearm. It's the only one I've seen with a rose on both sides of the blade. He rolls his sleeves down and lets out a sigh. He reaches up, running his tatted fingers through his dirty blonde hair. It doesn't make any sense.

Vincenzo is my brother's bodyguard. Has been for the past six months. Why would he be searching around as if... No.

He looks down, his emerald eyes meet mine.

A squeal slips out from between my lips. I scurry to my feet but he's quick, reaching me before I even have a chance to run away. His fingers grip my arm while his other hand covers my mouth, muffling my scream

"Keep your mouth shut, Aria," he grits through his teeth. Tears sting my eyes as I try to escape from his grasp. His fingers dig into my cheek, but I break free.

He spins me, pulling my back to his hard chest and covering my mouth once more. "Unless you want to die alongside your brother."

The words spin in my head.

No... I can't lose my brother. Not when he's the only person I have left in this cruel world we're forced to be in.

Even though Vincenzo's grip loosens it still takes everything in me to push and kick against his hold. "Aria cut the shit."

I take my chances and move my face, digging my teeth into his hand. He lets me go and I manage to escape. I bolt out of the library and rush down the wide hallways. The paintings and designer pieces are stained red. They don't stop me though, nor do the dead bodies lying in my path. I pass the entertainment room, the entrance to the pool, and the gym before I finally reach my brother's office.

"I did what I had to," my brother spits out. Their conversation trickles from the cracked door. I move closer and try to peek inside but A tall man covers my view.

"Tell me something, Salvatori, was the betrayal worth it?" The deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

"To help destroy the Accardi line and save my family?" My brother lets out a dark chuckle. "You have no idea."

Click. Click. Click.

I dash into the room at the sound of the revolver, sliding into the space between my brother and the man standing above him.

"Don't kill him." I try to keep my lips from trembling.

My brother grunts behind me like he's trying to move, but I don't look back. I can't. Not with the way this man's piercing gaze meets mine. I don't get a glimpse at anything else. His face is still covered by the black mask. He greedily takes in my appearance and I suddenly feel exposed. My arms wrap around my body.

"Get out of the way," my brother calls, snapping me and the man in front out of a trance.

The man narrows his gaze. There's no sympathy in them, only a hint of annoyance. "Why shouldn't I?" he asks, still holding on to his gun. "He wanted me dead. In fact, he helped killed my entire family."

I look over my shoulder. My brother sits on the ground, his arm over his stomach. His face is bruised and his lip is busted. He groans as he tries to move.

"H-he's the only family I have left." I plead. but I know men like him, men like those in my family. There's no changing their minds. They need some sort of compensation. I might not have much, but I do have one thing. "Take my life instead."

"Yours?" He scoffs, moving his attention back to my brother. "You're not worth his blood."

He points the gun lower, trying to get a better aim at my brother. I take a step toward him, letting the barrel of the gun press against my chest.

"We are tied by blood. That makes it the same worth." I swallow hard and stare up at him, matching his hard gaze. "I won't let you kill my brother."

He smirks, raises his gun to the ceiling, and shoots. "That's a warning. If you don't get out of the way I will shoot you both."

I don't flinch, but my insides shake. He means it. That look in his eyes says so. Still, I take a deep breath, putting on a brave face. "I'm not moving."

"Well then... That's a shame." He aims the gun at my head. "Turn around."

I turn away as he demands. My heart hammers in my chest. Tears flood my vision. My brother sits there, clenching his jaw. He's angry and unable to move, but his hands shake. As do mine, but I'm ready.

If I have to die, I'll gladly bleed to protect my family.

❤︎❤︎❤︎

A/N

total ONC word count: 2,299

Who here has a thing for men in masks? Because... I'm slowly beginning to understand the fascination for it.

The next chapter will be in Sergio's POV so stay tuned for that.

thank you so much for reading along!  ❤︎