J e y r i

*hours later*

"She was my mother." He mumbled, tossing a ring up in his hand and catching it. "Viviana De Rosa..." He set the ring down and poured another glass of alcohol before drinking it. "She kept her last name because she wanted to carry on her family name, it was an honor for them to marry their daughter off to Dino. Se solo sapessero..." (If only they knew)

"She wanted me to have her last name as well but, as the only child and son, it was a given that I'd take his instead. But before any of that... They were in love and he took care of her, Dino I mean. He'd give her flowers every other day and protect her from whatever came their way, it was that type of romance."

"What happened then...?" It didn't sound like he liked his father.

"She gave birth to me." He stated simply, pouring himself another glass.

"Is that so bad?"

"They'd been trying for quite some time, but every time they'd fail. They thought it was my mother but it turned out, my father wasn't able to get her pregnant. He couldn't, but shortly after receiving that news, it was announced that she was pregnant so of course it was natural of him to assume that she cheated. I mean, wouldn't you think the same in that situation?"

I nodded slowly and he nodded as well.

"They did tests and everything and it was confirmed that the baby was his but he couldn't come to terms with it. Rather than trust my mom and take her word and the doctor's word, there was this sort of distrust between them and it just kept growing more and more. He loved her still, yes, but it made him feel insecure."

"He kept her locked away, hidden from everyone. He didn't want her going around other men- not even her own family. Why? Because he was scared she'd leave him. He became so possessive over her to the point where he started slipping drugs into her food so she'd become weak and reliant on him. She nearly died giving birth to me and I nearly didn't make it."

I covered my mouth with my hand and frowned, "That's horrible..."

"Yes, but she forgave him, over and over. Every time he'd hurt her and apologize she just smiled and let it go. I grew up watching it all happen... And I thought it was normal- that we were a happy family but I didn't know until I got older. The reason she was always so tired... she could never leave out with us... she was always puking... doctors were always around... she'd cry for my dad in the days where he'd left for long times. She would hallucinate things in her head and only he could calm her down, it sounds romantic if you think it's all because of her love for him- it was just the drugs."

"Even after he died, she almost went with him but I tried so hard to keep her living. That might've been selfish of me because I know she was suffering but I never got to have a normal bond with her. I had doctors from all over trying to help her- trying to ease her pain but she was already dying." He caressed her face with her hand and let out a chuckle, "She died with a smile on her face. Ha... She's at ease now, finally. He can no longer haunt her mind, she's free of him. But I..."

His voice trailed off and he nodded, "Do you blame me, Jeyri?" He asked looking up at me. The normal unfazed expression I'm used to seeing on his face was gone, replaced with a more pained one.

"Was I wrong for letting her suffer for this long?"

It felt like I had something stuck in my throat, I could barely make my words out. I held back the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes and I shook my head.

He stayed quiet for a while then pulled the bed sheet over her face before walking toward me. He took his jacket off and placed it over my shoulders before wiping the tears from my eyes. "Mi dispiace, non piangere tesoro." (I'm sorry, don't cry sweetheart.)

"I'm sorry." I said, looking up at him, "About your mom..." His eyes widened slightly but he cracked a small smile, it seemed somewhat forced. "You didn't kill her."

"Gio! Jeyri! Oh, thank God... I've been looking everywhere." I turned to see Matteo and Melanie rushing into the room and Giovanni let go of me when they came in.

He opened his mouth to say something but closed it when two other people walked in that I couldn't recognize. It was a guy and a girl, both wearing all black. Unlike Matteo, this guy was holding a long blade in his hand that was covered in blood. The girl had two guns in her hand though... and a little blood on her face.

Giovanni frowned, "What's he doing here?"

"He and his men came in the midst of everything..." Matteo explained, "They helped settle everything."

"Ha, you see Gio? Didn't your mother ever teach you to say thank you when someone helps you out?"

Oof, this guy should not have said that...

"I don't recall being on friendly terms with you, Lucifer. Neither do I recall asking you for your help. Our deal was that we'd protect you and your gang in exchange for the guns-"

Wait, wait wait, did he just say Lucifer?

"Hey, our deal is a two way street. You help me out, I help you."

The girl and I made eye contact and she smiled my way. She seems nice.

"Gio, some of the guys got away... we killed off most of the people that turned against us but..." Matteo started, "I contacted Sebastian, apparently he's wrapped up in something as well so he couldn't come immediately, they attacked him because he was alone possibly."

"Where's he now?"

"On his way."

He nodded and looked toward me before looking back toward the Lucifer guy, "You. You're coming with me." He said pointing to him and the guy smirked, "Sure, where to?"

"We'll follow the one's that got away."

"Alright-"

"The girl stays." Giovanni said, cutting him off, "Matteo if I don't come back, shoot her." My eyes widened when he said that but she didn't give off any reaction. Lucifer laughed out loud and patted her shoulder, "Looks like you'll stay here then, Astarte. Don't trust me, huh Gio?"

"Chi diavolo si fiderebbe del diavolo?" (Who the hell would trust the devil?) He muttered under his breath. "Let's go."

Giovanni paused before leaving out the room with him and looked back toward us, "Matteo, keep her safe. I suppose I don't have to tell you that though... you know what to do." He looked at me and nodded, "Take care, Jeyri."

"Oh...ok."

The room went quiet after the two of them left and Melanie rushed up to me before pulling me into a hug, "I'm glad you're okay, I was so worried."

"Yeah... I'm fine." I'm not. Not okay at all... but it doesn't feel right complaining to them. Especially not after what Giovanni told me- Though my hands were still shaking and the blood on my clothes made me feel nauseous.

I paused as I saw the other girl reach her hand out toward me and I slowly took it. "You're shaking." She stated and I hid my other one behind my back, "Sorry..."

She shook her head, "The name's Astarte, and you?"

"Jeyri..."

She looked toward Melanie and her head perked up, "My name's Melanie..."

She nodded and let go of my hand, "Nice to meet you two."

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