Gabriel

The Don has become more cold If that was even possible, the only person ever deserving of his attention and smile was nowhere to be found, as his right hand man I am not proud that I haven't been able to find his daughter, she really was doing a great job at hiding, or perhaps could it be that someone was helping her hide? Could her friend know something about her where about but refused to tell me? Maybe they've even been in contact with each other but in secret.

These past few weeks I've been avoiding the boss in whatever way I could, only coming to his presence when he demanded I see him, because I knew that who ever I was to him wasn't as important as his daughter, I knew that any of these days his restraint would break and I or anyone could be at the receiving end.

We had checked everything we could, and all traces and records of her ended in London, it felt like there had never existed a Cara Elena Santiago. I wonder where she was hiding, could it possibly be that she was still in London, living under a fake identity? That could happen, or maybe in another country but still with a fake identity.

I still haven't been able to find where she had the camera hidden, which reminds me, I had to look for it, where could she have hidden it that the last time I checked I came up with, absolutely nothing? I have a feeling that she could still be able to watch us if she wanted to, and if that happens, it would make it harder for us to find her, because she'll always know our next move when it comes to finding her.

With that in mind, I made my way to the Don's office, I looked left and right to make sure no one was watching before I entered.

As I entered the office, I immediately began my search, I searched even the previous places that I had checked the last time, I was here for the same purpose, in case there was something I missed. I checked everywhere, looking up, down, hidden edges around the office still I came up with nothing, I combed through the office thoroughly but found nothing.

Feeling frustrated I hit the wall in anger leaning against it, because of my anger I didn't mind when I heard something shift, but when I looked up, Cara's picture was staring at me and I looked at the picture as if asking her why she was putting me through hell.

I noticed something at the upper end of the picture frame, I had to look closely at what it was as I picked it and closely examined it, it looked like a black button, I'll be a fool not to know that it wasn't any button but in fact the camera I've been going crazy looking for.

I was still examining the button when I heard a click and then a voice spoke,.... fuck I'm dead.

"What the hell are you doing sneaking around in my office?" the Don ask as I slowly turned around after slipping the camera into my pocket, I faced him as he had a gun directly pointed to my face, how the hell am I going to escape this? I'm done for, how do I explain it?

Just explain it to him he'll understand, my inner mind whispered to me, but I shut it down immediately, like how do I start.

'Hey Don your daughter had a camera in your office and as your right hand man I didn't notice a thing and she had been watching us for months, I happen to know about this when I sneaked in her room and took her laptop, and now I had to sneak into your office too,' I just can't imagine how that would go, I don't think I'll live to find out,

"I am going to ask you this one more time and I swear if you give me an answer that annoys me, I'll remind you that anyone can be replaced, so answer carefully," he said with a very menacing voice.

I knew I had to tell him the truth even if I plan on telling him half of it, I couldn't give the Don a reason to mistrust me again, I knew if he had any form of doubt again towards me, I was done for, like he said, I could easily be replaced, the fact that I'm one of his best cannot change that fact, I had to be careful with my words.

"Don, I promise you I was only curious as to how Cara must have been able to know every detail of our plans, I got the idea that a camera was hidden somewhere in this office that's why I decided to check," I said to him as I waited for his reaction, he still had his gun pointed at me as he looked at me with narrowed eyes then he asked .

"Did you find anything?"...

" Yes Don, there was a camera hanging on the picture frame," I said as I pointed to Cara's picture on the wall, I still had my eyes on the Don even though I was pointing at the picture.

"Show me," he said...I took out the camera from my pocket and handed it to him, he looked at it as he muttered under his breath "dammit," he finally brought his gun down and I breath in relief.

Like I said half of the truth, he didn't need to know that the only way I found out a camera was hidden in this office was because I sneaked into his daughter's room and went through her laptop without anyone's notice. I wouldn't hear the end of it.

"I thought you were trying to betray me by planting something in my office for my enemies to watch me, I was one way away from blowing your head, if you ever think of betraying me, I'll send you to hell," he said waving his gun in front of me for emphasis.

"I already made my promise to you Don, my loyalty stands with you and you alone, I will never betray you," I said showing all the truth I could through my eyes, I think he must have read the truth in my eyes because he gave a nod and made his way out of the office. It seems that each day I dragged myself closer to the grave, maybe I don't value my life, I had to be careful because I know the Don would be watching me.

I stood from where I was was squatting with my head down as I went out of the office, I had to check the latest update our trackers have on Cara and apart from Cara I had other things that didn't involve her to take care of.

I picked my phone as I call our tracker, he picked on the first ring as I spoke, "Any new development on her where about?"

"Boss, I think there's a possibility that she might have changed her identity which is why it is hard to find her," he said and I nod in agreement even though he couldn't see me, I have also thought of that, "keep me posted if anything comes up," I said before hanging up.

It doesn't matter how long she hides, one thing I am certain of is that she would be found, but my fear is that the Italians should not get a hold of her first, that would mean war.

There is an auction we had to attend later tonight, I had to make sure everything went well tonight, no funny business.

***

We were seated in the auction room waiting for the auction to begin, we had men heavily armed standing as guard, anything could happen anyway, I haven't spotted the man I wish to see, or rather wish not to see, because it would only remind me that he should have been dead but somehow still breathing, the auction started as stupid introductions were being made.

A lady came to announce that the first item would be brought soon for the bidding to begin, I was curious to see what it would be. The stage suddenly went dark as the curtains were drawn open with the stage still dark, they do know how to keep someone in suspense.

I could feel everyone curiosity from my seat, suddenly the light came on and was directed to the stage to reveal a shiny necklace covered in gems, loud gasps were being heard and I wasn't surprised it came more from the women, I wonder why someone would want to wear death around their neck.

Wearing that necklaces was like saying, 'oh death come to me,' because you'll always be a target, someone will want it from you and it doesn't matter if they have to cut your neck to get it off. The necklace was worth a fortune.

The bidding began, the first was ten, then someone beat him to it and raised a twenty, Don had other important things in mind than wanting possession of an expensive necklace, not when one of his priceless possession was missing, I know he had his special reason for coming here tonight which I know is to watch out for the reaction of a certain man.

From my seat I could see a woman giving a man death stares as if telling him if they didn't bring the necklace home with them he might as well be dead, that one is wrapped around a woman's finger because he looked determined to get it.

If he had enemies in this room it won't surprise me that some have already notice his affection towards the woman and are planning to use it against him.

"Eighty," I heard someone say, I know that voice. I was so lost in my own world that I turned my attention away from the Italians, I didn't know when they arrived, day by day my carelessness and stupidity increases, maybe Cara didn't just drug me to put me to sleep, she also drugged me to make me stupid, pathetic.

I know very well that, that man didn't give a damn about that jewelry, he only wanted to remind people that he was fucking rich and few notes wouldn't do anything to his account, he was passing a message as if saying I could get what I want, when ever I want and you can't do a thing about it.

The whole place went silent as if nobody dared to contradict him, as if he owned the place, what he wanted was final and if you feel you could argue, then you don't value your life, it was things like this that irks me about him, I wanted nothing more than to go across the room and reap his heart out of his chest, the arrogant bastard.

I turned to where the Don was sitting opposite me and I think we mirrored the same thoughts.

It was finally announced that the bastard would be the one taking the jewelry home. The first auction ended as the second was about to begin, and just like the first time, the stage again became dark, just like everybody, I again wondered what expensive items they plan on showcasing, but as the light came on, I was shocked at what I saw on stage, I was aware that things like this happened in the mafia, but I had never witnessed it first hand.

On the stage stood women of different age in scantily dressed outfit, you couldn't even call that an outfit because everything could be seen and you could see how uncomfortable they looked, they looked like they didn't want to be here, nobody actually wants to, these women were either kidnapped or threatened to do this.

These women are going to be sold to hungry wolfs, from the look of many of these men eyes, the sick bastards were already imagining what they'll put those girls through, don't get me wrong, I'm no saint, I've had my fair share of women, but what I'll never do is force a woman, not to even talk of buying one as a toy.

Well not everyone had the same thought because the stupid bastards were actually bidding for the women, even those that came with a woman, the disrespect.

Suddenly out of nowhere, a gun shot was heard followed by a loud scream, from one shot, bullets started raining out, is there anything as a peaceful night with mafia men inside a room? never.

With my gun in hand we surrounded the Don as we look for an exit, from my side view I notice some men lead the girls away as the shooting continued.

We got to our car safely as we quickly drove away still with the sound of gun shots in the background, we didn't come to the auction for war, we weren't prepared for that, but I knew war was coming soon and before that happens, we would be fully prepared, but one thing I realized tonight which was my aim was that the Italians haven't found out Cara's relationship with us, I would have known if they had.

Soon a war will begin.

..

'''''''''

I want to say a big thank you to everyone, I love you all.