//I've been listening to X Ambassadors for a while and just discovered this great song. This was the only one out of the 2 videos I found that would attach. I personally thinks it goes well with the chapter and represents Ella in a way, but feel free to read it without playing it//

"There's been a gradual increase in the number of women going missing in Harlem over the course of the past few months " Ivan said handing me a file.

I flipped through the pages. Each one had a photograph of a female. Her name, date of birth, date gone missing etc.

"Rumor is that the Colombian Gangsters are back in business" he added carefully and I clenched my jaw.
"Where are the rumors coming from?" I asked looking through the file.
"The FBI" Ivan added leaning back in his chair.
"Because the FBI is so reliable" I drawled out
"They have a lead apparently " Ivan shrugged.
"Yea if the lead was right we wouldn't need to do anything."

"I'm just bringing this to your attention so you know we're not done after the current project" Ivan said flipping his file shut.

"I'm always prepared " I countered
"It isn't an on switch that you could just flip on and off" he said "I've seen you at your darkest and I know you're strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever met- but you need to let loose. You don't have to be this strong and hard closed off person all the time"

"If I was stronger back then...None of that would've happened Ivan. "

He shook his head and rubbed his face knowing well enough that it was useless to argue with me.

"Have you talked to Raimondo yet?" He asked changing the topic.
"No"
"Why not? It's been 4 days" Ivan pestered leaning forward.
"Because I don't want to?"
"Has he tried to contact you"
I showed him my phone

8 missed calls.

"According to his phone history he rarely calls people " Ivan said raising his eyebrows "This has got to be driving him insane " he muttered and I shrugged.

"What else did he do?"
"Sent me a bouquet of roses" I said
"Damn-"
"Everyday "

"Talk about making a statement " he whistled.

"He claimed me like I was some kind of rabid dog" I said annoyed
"Well..." Ivan stretched
"Well what?"
"You are a bitch " he said quickly as I threw the thick file at him.
"Are you crazy woman! I could get a paper cut"
"I hope you step on your kid's Legos when you go home."
"You're so evil" he said
"I learned from you" I said and he shook his head.

"Are you done with your classes?" He asked
"Yea. Finally "
"You going to graduation?" He asked and I shrugged.
"I know you're thinking about your parents..
but if you want I'll be there " he said softly and I nodded "I'll think about it "

"Alright let's get to work " Ivan smiled cracking his knuckles.
"Bring it on old man" I smirked
*

By the time I got home I was sore and exhausted.

I eased myself into the bathtub full of warm water, essential oils and fresh rose petals.
Closing my eyes I leaned back and sank down until my chin hovered over the water.

I felt at ease. Everything was quiet and calm.

Just like before a great storm.

A faint thump made my eyes snap open. I quickly rinsed myself off before slipping into a silky shirt and shorts.

I went into the kitchen and grabbed the first thing I saw. Which happened to be the fry pan hanging above the stove.

I stood by the window in my living room. There was a string of words uttered but I couldn't make it out. And then a hand clamped down on the edge.

A masculine hand.

Then the other hand clamped down on the edge. Something shinning caught my eye.
A ring on his pinky finger.
A ring I've seen before.

Alessandro.

He grunted and pulled himself up and tumbled into my apartment groaning.

Seriously?

I put the fry pan down and haul Alessandro up onto the couch.

"Alessandro?" I call out and he lazily stares at me. Great. He's drunk.

"Ella?" He said squinting
"Yes it's me" I answer staring at him.
"Nah. She doesn't want to see me. Feisty thing she is"
I rubbed my temples and got some water.
"Here drink. Sober up" I said placing the glass in his lips. He drank it with ease and he groaned and fell back.
"Shit burns" he mumbled
"What burns?"
"Shoulder"

I peeled back his coat and when I pulled it off of his left shoulder he groaned in pain and shot up straight. "Shit what the fuck!" He cried out staring at me. "Ella!" That sobered him up.
"How you get here?" He questioned. "I live here" I deadpan "What the fuck am I doing here?" He asked scrunching his eyebrows. "You broke into my apartment drunk" The smell of blood became prominent and I saw his dress shirt was damp. "I what
"Shhh... what happened to your arm?" I questioned going to the bathroom and getting the first aid kit.

"My arm?" I gave him some more water to drink and he sat up only to grunt in pain. "That" I said. "Can you get your shirt off or do I need to cut it off"

" I can get it off" he unbuttoned his shirt and peeled it off of his arms. His undershirt was blood stained and the bandage was destroyed.

I shook my head and sat down next to him. "You shouldn't have climbed 7 stories. " I said peeling off the bandage. "You could've died. Actually you probably would have" I wiped down his arm with a wet wipe to see the actual damage. Whatever stitches he had were torn.

I took out two tongue depressors "bite on these" I said handing it to him.
"I can handle the pain Ella" he said staring at me. "Okay" I poured straight peroxide on his arm and he screamed in pain squeezing my bare knee. "Fuck!" He breathed out.
"I can handle the pain" I muttered taking out the needle and thread. " I'm going to stitch it up now " I said and he nodded.

I pushed the needle into his skin and pulled the skin together. His rough hand squeezed my leg and his jaw remained clenched. I did it again and tied it off at the eighth stitch and placed a bandage over it. " try not to rip these stitches" I said pulling out more wipes. I got up and stood between his legs and cut his blood stained undershirt off. He silently stared at me as I wiped the dirt off of his face and the remaining blood from arms and chest.

"When did you get shot at?" I question wiping his arm. "After our date " he truthfully answered. "Why?" I continued getting the blood off his chest.
"I had a meeting with one of my associates "
"So he shot you because you didn't agree with him?" I said shaking my head. "He shot me because I didn't go to the meeting." I stared at him. "Did you know he would do that?" I asked
Alessandro nodded his head.
"You could've taken me out later" I said shaking my head. "The meeting was in Italy" I sighed. "Did you know about this meeting before asking me out?" I pressed. He stared at me for a moment before nodding his head.

I breathed out and put away the first aid and brought out some of Ivan's clothes he left here.
"Do you need help with the shirt?" I asked. "Whose clothes are these?" He asked taking the  sweats. "Sanchez " I said waiting for him to explode.

"I'm really trying here Ella. But when you... What am I supposed to think of this?" He breathed out.

"Nothing" I said. "You shouldn't think anything of it. He will always be a large part of my life and I need you to understand that."

"Were you ever involved with him? Romantically?" Alessandro asked.

"Never" I answered and he visibly relaxed.
"Alright " he nodded and I left him to change, taking his dirty clothes with me.

"Do you need help with the shirt?" I asked again  and he nodded his head. I helped it up his injured arm first then eased it over his head and then his right arm.

"Are you hungry?" I asked him. "A little bit" he answered running his hand through his hair.
"Come I haven't eaten either" I said.

"What do you like on your sandwich?" I asked him and he looked at me confused.
"You've never had a sandwich?" I deadpan
"Not really " he chuckled.

"Okay. Have you had Nutella?" I asked warily
"Yes that I have." He smiled
"Are you allergic to anything?" I asked recalling the time he asked me that.
"Nothing at all " he grinned

I fixed up two Nutella and peanut butter sandwiches with bananas and poured two glasses of milk.
Alessandro stared at it. "What is this?"
"Food " I chuckled " it's ok I thought it was weird too when Sanchez showed me it. He's into trying odd foods" I said shaking my head.
"Go on" I said urging him taking a triangle slice of my own.

Alessandro carefully bit it into it and slowly chewed it.
"So what do you think?" I asked sipping milk
"It's good" he nodded taking another bite. "Really good"

After we finished eating I cleared up everything and gave him two painkillers. " if it hurts let me know " I said leading him to my room. He yawned and looked completely shattered.

"Go to sleep you'll feel better" I said walking out. "Where are you going?" He asked me settling in. " I have some calls to make because of time zone differences. I'll be right back " I said walking out of the room.

The phone rang for a bit before he answered
"Why are you just answering? I was about to call in a Total Wipe Out"
"He's here"
"How?"
"Completely drunk with a grazed bullet wounded. Climbed up 7 stories "
"Jesus " Ivan muttered.
"Gave him pain killers. He should be out for around 12 hours"
"You ready?"
"Yes" I answered
"Stevenson, it is go time "

I went back in the room to see Alessandro fast asleep. His hair flopped on to his face and I pushed it away. I placed a soft kiss on his forehead and carefully left the room , shutting the door behind me.

Changing out of my pjs I hurried to the roof of the building and stood at the edge with the wind whipping in the air. The sky was pitch black and the night was silent.

It's go time.

I closed my eyes.

Took a deep breath,

and jumped off of the edge.

*********
Sooooo that happened.

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-LoveBigBooks