Who's Mellie?

How the fuck does she know about my sister? Or have I just been so blinded to realize she knows more than she shows?

Maybe she isn't as naive as she seems and I've just been fooling myself.

A queen is your ears and eyes.

I need to find out who's her king. Arranged or not, she's loyal to whoever he is. He holds her at his side. He made a deal with her brother and much like her situation now, I'm sure she'll hand him whatever he wants just to keep her brother safe.

I'm refusing.

Yet, her words mean nothing to me, especially since I have no idea how the hell she knows about Mellie when much like herself, Mellie was hidden from the public eye for the most part.

The doors to my office swing open with force and my eyes roam over a blonde bunny with glasses. She has on a white button-up that's a size too big but the belt around her waist makes it look like a stylish dress rather than what it actually is. "Miss Reyes. How can I help you?"

"Are you the real Accardi or just another bodyguard pretending to be him?"

I stifle a laugh. "Are you sure you simply didn't assume he was me?"

She huffs, placing her fists over her hips. "I didn't know Sergio Accardi was afraid to handle his own deals."

My eye twitches. I don't like her bitter tone and I sure as hell don't like her coming into my office uninvited. I crush the pen in my hands and narrow my gaze at her. "Is there a reason you are here other than to grace me with your attitude, Miss Reyes because I can assure you if you continue you won't be leaving here untouched."

"I want a different deal."

A tsk comes from behind her and I look at Vinny. He has his arms crossed as he leans against the doorframe. "You made a fair trade. More time for anything I want. You in my bed every night is all I want."

His eyes are on her as she turns on her heels to face him. A playful grin forms on his lips. Vinny might have made a proposition with her, but knowing him, it's not as bad as it seems. Besides, he seems to be having fun... and if he's getting under her skin, he'll be less inclined to get under mine.

"I gave him full reins to deal with the debt as he pleases. If he wants you in his bed, then you'll be in his bed."

"You can't be serious." She whips her head in my direction. "Aria made it seem like you could be a fair person."

"And you trust a wolf hiding under sheep's clothing?"

"She's a good person." Maya huffs.

"I almost believed she was, but there are only a few who know about my sister. So, since you know Aria so well, it seems, how did she come to find out about Carmeline?"

"How should I know?" Maya crosses her arms. "And frankly, I don't care. You're stupid if you think Aria is out to get you."

My gaze flickers to Vinny. My patience is wearing thin and I know he sees it because he's quick to wrap his fingers around her elbow. He leans down and whispers something to her before he leads her out of the office and closes the door behind her.

"When I said to handle the debt, I didn't mean to bring another woman into this house," I grit out.

"I'll take care of her. Like you said, I'm handling it. Not you." He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "As for Mellie, I might have let it slip when I was bringing her clothes in the beginning."

That's why she seemed so surprised when I said she was my first victim as she put it. And I let my anger and guilt blind me from realizing that before. Fuck. It doesn't matter. I can't take back the words I said to her. And I won't. She should head home. She's not longer of use. Not when she's too much of a distraction for me. I can't let her or the problems she can bring keep me from getting to De Luca. I should have just barged through his doors without trying to schedule a meeting. Sure, it'd be more work, but with everything I've endured so far along the way, it'd just be another fight to get through.

"Go bring me Aria," I tell him.

Vinny nods and leaves the room. It takes him a few minutes to return... only he's empty-handed. "Where is she?"

"She's gone, boss."

My hands slam against the desk as I shoot up from my seat. "What the fuck do you mean she's gone?"

"I looked around the entire place. Even outsides. She's not here."

My hands ball into fists. I reach under my table and grab the gun hidden for rare occasions. I check the revolver, making sure the bullets are securely inside and ready. "Grab the rest of the ammunition and meet outside in five."

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to fucking find her."

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total ONC word count: 20,210

thank you so much for reading along! ❤︎