Chapter 5 5

I tapped repeatedly on the number, but it went to voicemail every single time. This was a problem, a huge one. I was being targeted for something I had absolutely no idea about. I needed a drink and a clear mind to think.

Ignoring the condition of my room, I grabbed my key from my bag and headed out. I ignored the number of guards in the house. It doesn't help that I still didn't know who my husband was. I hadn't heard his name, not even by mistake, and here I was, a target for something I didn't even know.

"Where are you going?"

"This is not the time, Javier. I have more important things to deal with. Do not come between me and my work. My father tried and failed." To my surprise, he let me pass without saying a single thing.

Seems he was finally accepting his fate with this. I was not leaving my job for anything. I got into the car and dialed the number I never thought I would, gripping the wheel tightly.

"Isa?"

"Never call me that, brother," I growled.

"Calm down with the aggression, even though I know you love it." My body stilled, and a flash of memory crossed my mind, but a horn behind me snapped me out of it. "Are you there?"

"I have a task for you. I don't give a shit whether you and Father choose to keep me away from your business, but I want in."

"Get rid of your job."

"I know Father has something to do with the people trying to kill me, and now I know you knew he auctioned me to Javier Delgado. So you might as well let me in or I'll tell the entire society what you did." Even if he wasn't here, I knew there was deliberation clearly on his face.

"Are we seriously heading that way?"

"Don't tempt me, Matteo," My fingers tightened around the wheel but I wasn't joking, and he knew that too well.

One sentence, and everything they had dreamed about would crumble to the ground in an instant. And it might just be bloody. To make it better, I really didn't give two fucks if they lived or died.

"I'm running out of time."

"Fine! There's a party happening this evening, and I'm certain your darling husband will bring you. I'll tell you what you want." I hung up before he said anything else.

I took a turn toward the downside of town. Even if my father was a well-known man, no one truly knew I was related to him. Dolores and Matteo, yes, they knew. But me? I've always been the shadow of that hellhole of a family.

The car came to a halt as I parked opposite a bar and sat there for ten minutes. I knew there was no way I was getting information if I didn't get in, and it was just a matter of days before I started pushing my husband truly for answers.

I walked into the bar with my hands shoved into my pockets, then took a seat at the bartender's.

"Good to see you again, bela," the bartender grinned before I slammed my hand against his in a tight handshake.

"I do hope you haven't been getting into trouble?"

He passed me a glass of mixed whiskey, and I began to wonder why in the world I'd stopped drinking in the first place.

"You know I wouldn't break the law... or am I under arrest?" He raised his hand in surrender, and I let out a laugh.

"Good to see you again, Deen." I grabbed another glass before downing it without blinking.

Just as I pulled out the pencil, a hand touched my back, I jerked. I immediately turned to meet eyes with a drunk man.

"Hey, pretty face."

"Get your filthy hands off me before I make your face truly pretty," I glared, and he laughed, throwing his head back.

"Feisty. I love her." He trailed his finger to my waist, and without thinking, I reached for it and twisted it so fast.

"You little bitch!" I punched my ring into his face, breaking his nose in the process.

"See? Looking pretty already." The bouncers pulled him away from me before things could escalate but I wanted things to escalate.

"Let go of me!" He struggled with the bouncers, and I held onto my glass, staring down at him.

"Cheers to a new pretty face." I clinked glasses with Deen but refused to take my eyes off him. I could see the clear smoke of anger steaming from his ears.

After five more glasses, I was ready to go back to my murder board. Picking up two bottles, I began heading toward the door when I saw a shadow and in a span of two seconds, the glass windows and door shattered right before me. Just like in the movies, I was in the middle of it.

Gunshots began, and without thinking, I threw both bottles at them.

"There she is!" I heard someone yell, and realized I was the one being pointed out.

Six against one. Or more like four. But I didn't like my chances here.

Without thinking, I pulled a table next to me and blocked three bullets fired at me. That was close. I reached for my gun, and realized it wasn't there....The hell?

My gun is never... Javier. That bastard!

This was bad.

I moved left, and a hand caught me, but I didn't let it pull me back. I stood my ground, grabbed a bottle, smashed it against his head, and punched his face.

My fingers were going to be numb after this.

Screams echoed in the room. I grabbed the gun from the unconscious man before I pulled the trigger on one of them. I looked to make sure there were no civilians in danger, and to my luck... that was too fast.

"Goodness... Deen!" I screamed, and a gun was thrown from the bar. I pulled the trigger on the bastard and pulled the little girl behind me immediately. "...Where's your mother?" I spoke softly without looking at her.

"I don't know."

"Honey, I need you to turn around and head toward that corridor. Do not turn around and run fast!"

She ran, and I blocked any path to her. I heard a gunshot and I was too late as the bullet pierced my rib. A grunt left my lips.

My vision blurred for a split second, but I blinked it away and ignored the stabbing pain.

"Let's go quietly, and I don't have to put more blood on your hands." I turned to look at the last man standing with a woman and a gun pressed against her head. "...Drop the guns."

I kept them down immediately while putting my hands up in surrender.

"Let go of her, and I'll follow you."

"Drop every weapon." I pulled my dagger and dropped it.

"There's nothing on me."

"Get up." I did as I was told, keeping my eyes trained on the woman who was in tears. Pain stabbed at my ribs, and dizziness hit me, but I stood, I needed to stand. "...Hands behind you and walk to me." I carefully walked, knowing any slight movement could kill her. But I could barely stand.

He grabbed me forcefully, and I watched the woman run for her life. But my heart launched to my throat as he shot her while she ran and she fell to the floor.

"How could-" My head felt dazed from the blood I had already lost, and I couldn't see clearly. But then I heard a crash.

My world began to spin, and I felt my body falling to the floor.

"Who dares to touch my wife?"