WARNING:
SENSITIVE CONTENT

If he knew about my asthma could he know about Nova and I's motives to kill him?

I didn't need to hear any other details about Vincent Passaretti because I was ready to strike. My knife was sharp and ready to kill him dead.

He has no right to randomly put needles into people because it was his desire to. He needs to understand that people die because of him. And since he wanted to be just like a god he could die for his own cause like a martyr.

If I could just get off this table that he strapped me down to.

I'd been stripped of my shirt and the steel of the table was sickly uncomfortable and gave me unstoppable chills. My hands were tied to the sides
by leather along with my feet.

I don't even remember blacking out in the bathroom and I was confused as to why I didn't fight back.

I tried to get my fingers to reach the knife that was in the holster under my shorts but I felt nothing. He must've taken it.

Great.

My anger and panic got the best of me to the point where I threw away all that I leaned over the years about calmness and tactics. I began to harshly pull my limbs from the straps not caring how much it hurt when the leather dug into my skin.

My panic escalated and I did the first thing that every horror movie resorted to — screaming.

The muffled sound made me roll my eyes in irritation. He taped my mouth.

Look for exits.

I allowed my breathing to slow and I searched around the unbelievably dark...basement?

I saw a picture on the wall of AKP's members so I assumed that we were still in the frat house.

I glanced around the dark space and saw that the concrete walls were naked of windows. There was only one door and it was too risky since he could emerge from it at any moment.

Weapons. Look for weapons.

From the lack of light in the room I was only able to see a steel tray a few feet away from where I was held down. There were many sharp tools on the tray but none of them resembled my own.

I didn't want to figure out what he planned on doing to me. I didn't want him to torture me any further. I didn't want him to live any longer.

When Nova and I were kids we enjoyed watching spy movies which ultimately birthed our childhood game. Inspired from the show, we created our own versions of watches that had a small blade embedded into them that would often be used in the films. All you had to do was push in the knob.

I was able to lift my left hand a bit so the edge of my wristwatch touched the end of the leather keeping me in bondage. I pushed my hand back and, by luck, the knob clicked and I could feel the coolness of the blade on my forearm.

Channeling my inner Sierra Vol, I kept my breath held as I yanked as hard as I could on the left strap which thankfully broke with a pleasing tear. I couldn't even feel the blood running down my wrist because of the breath of relief that I blew from my mouth along with a laugh.

Although that blade was small it was sharp. I was still surprised that it worked.

With adrenaline coursing through my veins I went on to cut my right hand free.

"What are you?"

Vincent's harsh voice almost made my heart jump out of my chest. He emerged from a dark corner with his arms by his side. I was surprised to see that his hands weren't in the usual fists that he balled when he was angry.

"What?"

"A spy?" He came to my left side and grabbed my free wrist to examine my magic wristwatch. He slipped it off and placed it on the steel tray.

I wouldn't say I'm a spy. An assassin, yes.

"Are you a spy?" He asked again in a calm tone but I could hear his voice heating up like water.

I kept my lips in a tight line and he gave me a disapproving glare when I didn't answer.

"Oh you must think I'm talking to myself. What the fuck are you, Amari?" His voice has finally escalated. "If that's even your real name."

Does he know?

I flinched when his hand encircled my neck and he applied a threatening amount of pressure to the area. However not to the point where I was losing air.

"My name is Amari Taylor. I am the person who took you home when I could've let you wrap your car around a tree, but did I?"

Oh how I wished I let him die that night.

He let out a sour chuckle and tightened his grip on my throat which made me wince a bit.

"Don't go around acting like you're my savior, princess. What were you planning on doing with this?"

He released my neck and pulled my beautiful knife from the front pocket of his slacks.

"Have you never heard of protection? We live in New York for crying out loud."

"So you're going to play that game with me? Where I have to get the answer out of you? I was trying to be nice for a pretty face, but I'm fine with putting a few scratches on it. You wouldn't want to end up like your little friend."

Speaking of wounds, Vincent's left cheek was imprinted by a red circle. Nova never goes down without a fight.

"What did you do to her?" I seethed and tried to move but he kept his hold on my bleeding free arm so tight that I could feel his nails digging into my skin.

"Don't worry about her right now. Oh look, I see you're not bleeding anymore."

I furrowed my brows when he wiped his hand across the scratch on my arm that wasn't a scratch anymore.

"What," I whispered in confusion.

He grabbed my wristwatch off the silver tray and gingerly dragged the cold blade down my bare chest in an agonizingly slow pace.

My breathing stopped and a gasp escaped my lips when he sunk the blade above my bellybutton and swiped across. My vision went sideways when I saw how much blood was escaping my stomach.

"Have you ever heard about the practice of seppuku, Amari?" Vincent asked lowly while keeping the weapon lodged into my stomach while I choked on my blood. "It's a suicide ritual that used to be performed by ancient samurai warriors in Japan."

He dragged the blade to the other side of my stomach and my cries became louder. I hated that I couldn't move.

"The ritual would consist of stabbing oneself with a short sword," he dug the weapon deeper. "And slicing open the stomach. Then they would simply turn the blade upward," which he did. "To ensure a fatal wound."

My face was burning as tears ran down my cheeks and I bit my lip to the point where I tasted blood. I balled my hands into fists and could feel my nails tear through my palms as the pain continued to overwhelm me.

I know I haven't talked to you since Mom died but, God please get me out of here. I will do anything. I will get as far away from this man as possible and I won't ever try to kill him again. Please, just please get me out of here.

I opened my eyes just in time to see the regretful look that crossed his face. He threw my watch across the room and loosened his grip on my badly bruised arm painted by his handprint.

"I'm so sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to—fuck!"

My eyes felt weak and I could hear my heart slow. Maybe this was a good thing.

I would be able to join Mom. She was the reason why I lived. She was the reason why I held onto hope that I could save Dad and avenge any other victims who'd gotten mixed up in drugs made by the Passaretti's.

If I died I could finally have peace. I could finally have no worries and no drama.

No more dying and no more crying.

Was that what I wanted? Did I want to die?

I felt a pair of soft lips touch mine to blow air through my mouth and I was too weak to push my attacker off me. The feeling that ran through my body was warmth.

Even with my intestines torn in my body and my breath becoming silent puffs, I allowed myself to be succumbed by the mouth against mine. Even if the lips belonged to the person I hated the most, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the moment of feeling someone next to me as I lost even more breath.

No one wants to die alone. No one should die alone.

When he released my lips I found myself pulling him back down so I could feel his lips on mine once again. Instead of going with my head I went with my emotions and I didn't want to feel any of them. I felt not pain. It was like my wound never existed and it was just me and him. Two people healing one other with one simple touch. And it changes everything.

With our lips lingering on one another's, I slowly opened my eyes to stare into the peaceful green ones that swirled like a dark sea. His eyes were troubled waters and he looked like he needed saving.

Then it all came back to me.

I was right. But how can that kiss change everything but nothing.

As he softly ran his finger over my cheek, my eyes widened and my fist quickly punched him in his gut which he let out a pained groan to.

I successfully undid the leather restraint holding my other hand down and went on to untie my feet.

"Amari."

Left foot out.

"Amari."

Right foot out.

"Princess."

I paused. I had a weird feeling in my heart when he referred to me by the nickname.

I didn't like to be referred to anything near inferior, but his words were sweet honey in my ears.

"Where is Nova?"

"I will take you to her. After we talk."

"Talk? You tried to kill me!"

It wouldn't be the first time.

At the mention of me dying, I remembered...shouldn't I be dead?

Vincent pointed at my stomach as I sat on the edge of the metal table I was strapped to seconds ago. I looked down to see my chestnut skin perfectly in tact.

If I thought getting butchered was crazy, well healing super quick was insane.

"What...the fuck?!!"

"Calm down-"

"What the fuck!"

"Princess-"

"What the fuck did you do to me?" I screamed and dug my fingers into my curls. I couldn't even look at him. My gaze was still on my stomach that didn't have a single scratch on it.

"I have...a strong tendency to keep  you safe. I wanted to insure that by giving you my latest substance. It works pretty well if I do say so myself." He smiled to himself but dropped it when I lifted my frightened eyes to him.

Oh no, this is how it starts. Once you're on a drug it's hard to get off. I've seen too many people suffer. No more.

I hopped off the table swept my foot into Vincent's ankles which made him slam into his back. I straddled his waist and pinned his wrists above his head. I managed to snatch my knife off the floor and hold it to his neck.

"Any last words?" I hovered above him. Ready to see his blood paint my knife.

"Do it." He leaned into the blade that I tried to hold sturdy. "Do it, Princess."

My hand began to become clammy and I keep readjusting my grip on the knife.

You heard him. Do it.

I gritted my teeth together and brought my knife up ready to take his last breath. I've been training and preparing for this for half my life. Just make one clean slice to his neck.

I let out a frustrated groan and my lips began to tremble as I started to bring the blade down, but the loosening of my fingers around the handle and the clang of it against the floor made me crawl away from his body as if he were a rat in my appartement.

"You can't do it? Can you?" He asked giving me a knowing look.

That damn prayer. My damn tendency to save those who need it most.

Why is he looking at me like that? Like he knew I wasn't going to kill him. Why couldn't I kill him?

Then I realized it.

"No, I can't. I'm not like you," I mumbled but he heard me loud and clear. "I'm not a killer."

I was ready to be this ass kicking assassin but here I was being weak.

"Neither am I-"

I got up and flipped the silver tray over in anger. I could no longer contain my emotions. Not after so many years of containing them and Nova telling me to stop being so pigheaded.

"You're a liar!"

A loud cry escaped my mouth as I found myself pounding my fists into one of the four dark cement walls surrounding us.

My rapid punches slowed down and I slid down the wall with my blood covered hands hiding my face.

"You ruined my life!" I hollered in the hollow basement. I'm sure the party upstairs was completely unaware of the happenings going on in this havoc filled basement.

I didn't hear his footsteps but I knew he was kneeled in front of me.

"I'm sorry that I've hurt you this much. If I were aware of what I did to you then I feel that I would be able to apologize better."

Is he serious?

"Your family are wolves. Wolves who feed on fear, money and the pain of others. You've destroyed lives and you can never apologize for that. I want you to die, but I'm afraid death is too good for you!"

I looked up from my hands to look at him scornfully but what I saw made me drop my scowl.

Vincent's eyes were glossy as he stared at me with remorse and guilt. He let out a shaky breath and tried to take my hands in his but I snatched them away. That didn't stop him from doing it again and I didn't put up a fight when he placed my crusted hands on either side of his face.

"I'm a bad man, and I admit that I do terrible things. I don't mean to do it on purpose, but I can't stop the impulses. Do you know what dyssomnia is?"

I lightly nodded my head with my balled fists clenching his face.

"What I told you in the bathroom was all true. I haven't had a full hour of sleep since I was 15. When I do sleep it's a never ending nightmare. I never know if I'm awake sometimes."

Vincent tightly squeezed his eyes as if he was trying to wake up from his own nightmare.

"Half the time I don't know what I'm doing. When I hurt you just a second ago I didn't know it was real. I didn't know I was awake."

"I'm not comprehending. I bet you have an explanation for why Claire is walking around with bruises running along her body. Are you using her as a pincushion also?"

I snatched my hands from his face and tried to ignore my now healed but once ripped knuckles.

"Claire had to have a heart transplant a few years back. She's my best friend and I couldn't let her die. The trial I told you about could cure even the worst diseases. She reacted negatively to the injection so I had to continue running tests." He looked down ashamed.

Vincent Passaretti was way more off the bars than I thought. However, he did have a problem. A problem that didn't excuse him for inflicting abuse on others. But the reason for his problem was what you would least expect for a drug dealer.

Sleep.

"Earlier you said you wanted my dreams, and I want you dead but I can't seem to do that. I'll help you with your trial, but only if you let Nova go and I'm present every time you do experiments on Claire. I'm keeping my dreams though."

His frown curled into a tiny smile and his eyes shown hope. And happiness.

"One more thing. You're coming to Italy with with me."

At least I did one thing Nova and I agreed to do. I'm going to another country.

Hey guys! Thanks for being so patient with me and following the chapters like they're actually good lol. I love you guys and you're the reason I write! Don't forget to vote, comment, and recommend to your friends! I hope you guys are staying safe sweeties!
                       ~Fay_Belle xx