*Edited

Fear.

Fear is something I've come accustomed to in my life.

It's something that I see come off of people when they see me.

One single look and they're running for the hills.

No one would dare to look me in the eyes and speak to me unless spoken to.

I don't fear, never have.

But now I have something to fear because I let my dead emotions get the best of me.

I now have the fear of losing her.

The fear of anyone or anything even touching her without consent or refuge.

Though no one would dare to, knowing what would be on the line for them.

Except for one person.

One person who didn't fear me, someone who helped build me, made me into who I am today.

Someone far worse than my own father.

He is the one person that would dare to do anything.

I didn't fear him, I feared what he would do.

*

I walked through the dead empty hallways, as students were filled in their classes.

My long strides make way towards the back doors of the school, revealing the green chipped grass and empty tables scattered around.

I spot the two people I was looking for and begin walking towards them.

Their attention turns towards me as I sit down at the table.

I take my lighter and cigarette out of my pocket, placing the cigarette in my mouth and light it up with one hand.

I breathe in the smoke and blow it out as it relaxes my body.

I look towards the boys as they wait patiently as to what I called them here for.

"He's back," I say emotionlessly taking another hit of the stick.

I watch Dante's body tense as his eyes go visibly darker.

Andre drops the water bottle from his hand as his usual friendly nature turns dark.

"What do you mean he's back?" Dante says as his voice grows deeper and darker.

I look at them both blankly as I inhale the smoke again.

"He sent me a message threatening Layla's life," I replied my voice getting deeper and darker as I spoke.

I feel the anger rising again in me.

I take my cigarette to my lips inhaling the smoke into my lungs once again.

They remain in shock.

Andre's fists clench tightly as he sits on the edge of his seat ready to bolt.

Dante's eyes now black from the amount of anger rising in him.

It was obvious they took an immediate liking to her.

Who wouldn't, she was an angel sent from heaven itself.

They love her like a sister, though they haven't spent that much time together they have grown onto nature of protectiveness for her.

Especially seeing how much she's tamed me, has brought them this sense of hope and pride for her.

"What message Angelo?" Andre says as anger starts to take over his features.

I glared up at him silently telling him to calm down.

He backs off slightly, closing his eyes.

"He sent one of his men to my house last night. The man had a package from his 'boss', saying it was for me." I say leaning back on my chair and tilt my head up closing my eyes.

"The package consisted of five images, them all being photographs of Layla in her room last night. He wrote a note too." I tell them as I take out the note sliding it across the table to show them.

They look over and read the note.

Landon,

I hope this message gets to you thoroughly. I've decided that our time apart has been far too long.

Out of all people, I'm sure you know that rejection does not come easy for me.

The power I've given you is something treasurable, and you know I need you a part of this empire Angelo. You join me or she dies.

And I know you know, I won't hesitate to end that bitches life.

You know what I want and I won't stop until I get it.

I'll give you until the end of the year to decide.

I hope to hear from you soon.

- Matteo, Malik.

Andre runs his hands through his hair frustrated and angry, as Dante just stares at the note coldly.

"How the fuck did he even find out!" Andre says frustrated.

"He's got men around everywhere," I say keeping my eyes closed.

"Check for rats." Dante says coldly.

"Already have, found none for now," I reply.

"Fuck man," Andre says aspirated.

"Have you done everything you could to track him down?" Dante asks me.

I open my eyes and look at him.

"I have the best of the best Rodrigo, of fucking course I have," I say coldly, glaring at him.

"He's good at hiding, always has been," I say to them.

I look at my watch and see that the students would be out of classes within 5 minutes.

I took the note back folding it and placing it back into my pocket.

"I'm going to handle this. I'll set up some people to watch Layla's house." I say to them while standing up.

"Meet at the warehouse today, 5 pm." I finish and turn around and stride off.

Matteo Malik, my father's brother.

The only 'family' I have left, though he wasn't family to me neither was my own father.

Matteo was just as ruthless as my father, they both trained me to become who I was today.

They took my innocence and turned it into the opposite.

The difference between my father and Matteo was that my father was loyal.

Matteo was not.

He was a snake in our Mafia, taking our men, weapons, business partners, all behind our backs.

This was to build his own empire.

His own empire built of jealously and revenge.

He knew that when my father got my mother pregnant that I would become the next one in line for this empire.

If my father didn't knock up my mother, Matteo would be next in line for this Mafia.

But since that didn't work out, he decided to build his own.

His is powerful but not as powerful as mine, which is why he wants to join them together.

He thought killing the king would bring him his power, his revenge, his chance, his hope.

But no, it only brought him to want more, more power, more revenge, more hope.

By the age of 16, I had become the leader, he had become the enemy.

It's just how life was, how he chose to live it, instead of being family he chose to be the opposite.

Once he killed my father he ran.

Now he's back and wants more, I would never give in to want he wants but when her life is on the line, I had to be smart.

But I can protect her, I will protect her.

Whatever it takes she comes first, always.

*

Warehouse - 5 pm

I walk into the conference room, my best and most trusted men sit chatting among themselves.

They go quiet once they see I have entered.

I take a seat on the chair facing everyone.

I take out my lighter and cigarette placing them between my lips and light it up.

"Matteo is back." I say breathing in the smoke.

I blow it out carelessly and relax in my seat.

I stare at everyone emotionlessly and continue.

"He wants this Mafia, I've got 5 months max," I say to them running a hand through my hair.

"I want him found. Get everyone on this, do whatever you have to do to get his location." I order them.

"Kill whoever, I don't care, just find him," I say finishing.

I stare them all down looking for any sign of weakness.

"Capire?" I say.

Translation; Understand?

They all nod, and I single for them all to leave besides Andre and Dante.

Once they were all out I continue to smoke.

"Do you need us to do anything?" Dante asks me.

I shake my head no.

"I need to do some things, just keep an eye on Layla during school." I say to them.

They nod and start to get up.

"Are you going to tell her?" Andre says before leaving.

"No. I don't want her involved in this." I say to him.

He just nods, hesitating but leaves.

She doesn't deserve this, my cruel world.

But I could never bring myself to let her go.

Not now, I'm in too deep.

I'm not stupid though, I know I'm somewhat falling in love with her.

My father would have disowned me by now.

"Never have a weakness." My father circles me, like a lion to its prey.

"Weakness is for little boys, emotions are for little boys." He continues as he takes the blade out of his pocket.

"Do you understand Angelo?" He asks me as he takes the blade to my neck.

"Yes sir."

I clench my jaw and shake my head at the memory.

I called a few bodyguards to watch Layla's home from across the street in their cars.

I know Matteo wouldn't risk sending anyone now, knowing I'll have men everywhere, wherever she was.

He knows that if he did send people, they would be dead but not before spilling all the information needed.

He wouldn't risk it.

I step out of the warehouse and make my way to my car.

I get in and turn it on before speeding out of the gates.

I drive straight to her house.

She went out with her friends this afternoon so she didn't need a ride home.

I made my way to her house and parked my car.

I had plenty of things to do but I had to see her first.

I knock on her door twice and wait patiently for her.

The door opens, revealing Layla in her pyjamas.

Her face lights up as she sees me, making my dead heart beat a little faster.

She opens the door for me to come in as she moves to the side.

I walk in and she closes the door, and then opens her arms for me.

I walk closer to her and wrap my arms around her small body.

She wraps her arms around my neck and she buries her face in my shoulder.

Her body pressed against mine relives me.

Knowing she's here with me, brings me at ease.

"Are you okay now?" She mumbles into my shoulder.

I tilt my head back and look her in the eyes.

Those big green eyes.

I let a small smile come onto my lips and nod.

Her emerald eyes brighten at the sight of it.

She pulls away from me fully and takes my hand in hers, pulling me towards the kitchen.

I take a seat on the stool, and she goes around to the fridge grabbing two bottles of water.

"I just ordered some pizza, do you wanna stay for a bit?" She asks me as she hands me the bottle.

I look at her and nod my head taking a sip of the water.

She smiles at me softly and turns towards the living room with me following her.

She sits down on the couch and pats the spot beside her.

I take a seat next to her and watch as she scrolls through some movies before picking one.

"I'm starting my dance lessons again." She says turning to me.

"That's good," I say to her while pulling her towards me.

She lays her head against my chest while I put my arm over her shoulders.

"Mhm, I decided to start again, talking to you about it reminded me of how much I missed it. I've got my first lesson tomorrow after school." She says softly.

"I'm glad love," I say to her placing a kiss on her temple.

"I need to ask you a serious question." She says suddenly and turns her face to me.

My face remains blank and I nod at her telling her to continue.

"Okay, you have to answer seriously and honestly." She says attempting a deadpanned face.

Like I said attempting.

I roll my eyes at her playfully.

"Do you like dogs or cats better?" She asks me in a serious voice.

Amused at her question I let out a chuckle.

Her lips tip up before she places them back onto her 'serious' face.

"Dogs." I reply honestly.

She lets out a smile and laughs.

So fucking angelic.

"Really? You seem like a cat person." She says tilting her head inspecting me with her eyes.

I scoff at her and she just shakes her head at me.

"Oh I forgot to tell you, I got patterned up with you for a project for history." She tells me while she takes my hand and starts tracing my tattoos.

I look at her and tilt my head.

She glances up at me and giggles.

"Yeah I know, how ironic. I know you're secretly smart at everything so I'm gonna leave it for you to do." She says smiling at me cheekily.

I smirk at her and look into her eyes.

She looks down at my hand focusing on the tattoos as she traces them with her delicate finger.

I notice she still has my ring on.

Good, It'll keep her safe.

"Really? and how do you know exactly hm?" I say while tilting her head up to me.

She just smiles at me and shrugs.

"I have my ways." She says.

I shake my head at her amused and was about to reply before getting cut off by the doorbell.

She stands up and walks to the door.

I lean back in my seat waiting for her to come back.

I look towards the tv emotionlessly as I run a hand through my hair.

I realise that it's been nearly a minute and I decide to go check on her.

I walk towards the door and see her being held at gunpoint by the pizza guy.

And then the sound of a gunshot goes off.