~Leo

Two weeks.

Two fucking weeks.

That's how long I have been without my baby. 

Every time we get close, we lose the trace or they move. Everyone is working overtime to help find her. Gio works 14 hour days trying to track IP adresses, bank cards, number plates, anything to help. 

Killian has been working with the other caporegimes to help with training. Everyone is ready and waiting in case we need to attack. 

Enzo and Theo have been with me for this whole time and I know this is taking its toll, on everyone. Theo's lost his sister, Enzo's lost his best friend, we've all lost something.

I've lost the love of my life. 

I don't sleep in our room anymore, I couldn't knowing that Aria's out there all alone and in pain. I couldn't cope with sleeping in our bed without her, so I got the maids to move my belongings into a spare room on the estate. 

I was currently in my office, re-watching the cctv from that day for what seemed like the thousandth time. When her bodyguards came in and told me what had happened, I was livid. I punched them both and it took Theo, Enzo and Killian to hold me back until I had calmed down. 

I was about to press play again on the video, hoping that I would find anything to help us find her but I was distracted by an email from a random address in my inbox. It had no subject, just and image attached and some text underneath. 

I clicked onto the email and my heart stopped. The picture was of Aria. 

She was on the floor, her hands and feet chained to the wall. Her hair was matted and her clothes were ripped and dirty. But that wasn't what made me stop breathing for a second. 

It was the pool of blood that she was lying in. Her top was stained in blood and her eyes were closed. 

I still had hope, that she was still alive, but the caption that was written underneath the picture crushed that hope into dust.

Such a nice girl she was, Leo, shame she died so quick, I wanted more fun with her :( 

I slammed my laptop screen down and got up from my desk.

I needed air.

She was my air. 

She was my everything. 

I loved her.

I still love her.

And I didn't get to tell her that. 

I stormed out of my office and down the stairs into the kitchen, where I noticed that the guys were standing. 

"Leo? You okay?" Theo asked. 

"She's dead." I whispered, a single tear rolling down my cheek as it finally sank in.

"W-What?" Theo asked, his voice breaking.

"She's fucking dead! They sent me a picture! A picture of her dead body. In a pool of her own blood! She's fucking dead Theo. Aria is dead. And it's my fucking fault. It's my fault that she's dead and I will never forgive myself." I yelled.

I was faced with silence. Everyone was staring at the floor, and I could see that they all had tears in their eyes, even Killian. 

I walked straight past them all and into the garden. I walked past the shed where she was taken and into the walled garden.

Like where we had our first date. 

I don't know how long I was out there for, but I tensed when I felt a hand on my shoulder. 

I looked to my right and saw Theo, who was also staring at the fountain in front of us.

The air was filled with silence for a moment, until he spoke.

"She loved you."

"What?"

"Aria. She loved you. I know she never told you, but I know she did. Call it sibling intuition or whatever crap you want, but she loved you. With everything she had. I know this is fucking shit, and I myself am barely holding it together, but we need to stay strong, Leo, for Aria. To avenge Aria."

"I agree Theo, but not right now. I want us all to have tomorrow to grieve. No work, anything anyone wants, they should do. Because right now, I'm grieving the loss of the love of my life, you're grieving the loss of your sister and the Italian mafia is grieving the loss of their Donna."

"I missed out on so much of her life. All because I was a fucking coward."

"No, you were keeping her safe, something that even I failed at. Don't blame yourself, Theodore. Aria was lucky to have a brother like you."

"She was lucky to have a soulmate like you. I'm so sorry, Leo, I know how much you loved each other."

"She was everything to me, Theo, and honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do without her."

everything was silent for another moment. 

"I'm going to go inside, take as long as you need." I placed my hand on his shoulder and turned to walk back inside. 

I walked into the library. I hadn't been in here since she was taken. In here was the closest I felt to her. Aria loved this place, everything about it; the books, the piano, the stillness of it all.

I sat down at the piano, brushing my fingers over the keys, gently pressing a few. Subconciously, I started playing. 

flashback:

"Come on, Leo, you've been working all day and you need a break!" Aria giggled as she tried to pull me down the hallway towards the library.

"Aria baby, I really need to get back to work." 

"No." she pouted. "We haven't been in here for a few days and I want to spend time with you." 

"okay amore mio, but only for a little, I do need to get back to my work."

"Yay!" She cheered, running over to the piano in the corner of the room. She took a seat and lifted the lid of the piano. Cautiously, she turned around, silently asking for permission. I nodded, and she started playing. I recognised it as 'river flows in you' by Yiruma. 

She played the whole piece with precision almost effortlessly. Once she had finished, she turned towards me, a gentle smile dancing on her lips.

"That's my favourite song, Leo. It reminds me of us, our relationship, our bond." 

~~~

I continued playing her favourite song, tears now streaming down my cheeks. I haven't cried for 8 years, but I couldn't hold back the tears this time. 

I love Aria Remington. 

And I will never be able to say that to her face. 

I slowed down my playing as I neared the end of the piece. I didn't want it to be over though, I wanted the song to last forever, like I wanted my relationship with Aria to last forever. 

I never would have thought that I would love a woman as much as I love Aria. Even her presence could fill me with a sense of peace, and now that that peace has been taken away from me, I don't know if I will ever find it again. 

I ended the piece quietly, my face now covered in tears. I was snapped out of my memories by the sound of the door opening. I looked across and in the doorway were my family. Theo, Enzo, Killian and Gio were there, as well as Bria and Sebastian. i didn't realise that she was here but I was thankful for them all. 

I stood up from the piano and walked towards them, Bria meeting me halfway and wrapping her arms around me, tears covering both of our faces. 

"I'm so, so sorry, Leo." 

"Not your fault, Bria." 

"I know that I only met her once but I can tell how much you loved her." She turned to see the other guys. "How much you all loved her."

She released me from the hug and Enzo walked up to me. it was obvious he had been crying, his eyes were red and puffy and he was sniffing. 

He pulled me in for a hug as well. "There's nothing I can say that will help, Leo. I know that. But believe me when I say that we are going to tear those Russians apart, limb by limb."

"They will regret being born."

~~~

Author's note:

this made me very sad I can't lie 

Thank you for reading!! <3