"Every second here without you, I pretend we're skin to skin

Every single breath reminds me that you never, ever left

Every time I think about you, I can feel my hand give in

Cause you're keeping me safe and warm

Even when I'm home alone

Wearing nothing but your cologne"

- Selena Gomez

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CHRISTIAN

"When are we leaving?" Victoria asks sitting next to me. "I've packed both our clothes."

I pick up the strand of hair that escaped her ponytail and tuck it behind her ear.

"Once the arrangements are all done." I pull her to my side kissing her head.

She hums playing with my hand. "You have so many calluses on your hand."

I sigh, "I used to train day and night to be able to take over one day."

I still hate those days.

"You sound like you hated it." Victoria giggles.

I love that sound.

"You got that right." I pull her on my lap burying my face in her chest.

My safe place.

My Haven.

And she smells mighty fine.

"Stop it." She giggles, "That tickles." She runs her hand through my hair.

I pull back and playfully narrow my eyes at her.

"What are you gonna do about it?" I put my hand on her stomach and start tickling her.

She lets out a giggly scream.

"What are you gonna do, huh?"

She giggles instead of replying. She looks so young. So young that I am hating myself for tainting her innocent life.

"C-Christian, please." She tries to swat my arms away. I show mercy on her and stop.

She giggles once more and then takes a deep breath, panting.

"You!" She narrows her eyes at me. "I'm going to get you."

She stands up, glares at me and stomps away. I laugh at her stomping which makes her groan and leave the room, slamming the door shut in her way out.

I stand up from my place and follow her out. When I am halfway through the stairs I catch a glimpse of her white shirt. She's heading to mom's room.

I stand outside the room listening to Ria tell on me. It's so entertaining. My mom laughs and with that, I can hear another laugh.

It's my father.

I can't believe I'm seeing this day. My dad laughing so freely like that.

It's all thanks to Victoria. Her caring, kind and beautiful personality won everyone's heart.

Especially my father's.

I saw the look in my dad's eye the day mom's tumor was removed. The gratitude and respect for Victoria. The day he hugged me after so many years.

All thanks to Victoria.

My beautiful brave girl.

My light.

I knock on the door and enter. The sight in front of me makes me laugh. Victoria is sitting on the bed with arms crossed and an adorable pout on her face.

Dad is sitting next to mom on the edge of the bed. They are both laughing at her.

Dad is laughing.

Once her eyes set on me she gives me what is supposed to be a glare.

"You!" She picks a pillow and throws it on me. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just visiting my mom," I smirk at her.

She smirks right back, "Oh you mean your mom who loves your girlfriend more than she loves you?"

"Excuse you, my mom loves me more. Right, mom?" I look at my mom.

"I mean-" Mom scratches her head, "I don't wanna lie to you or anything Christian." She places her hand on Victoria's with a smile. "I kinda do love her more."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "Are you sure I'm your son, mom?"

Dad laughs, "Yes son we are sure. But like I said, this one's a gem."

Woah.

I don't know what else to say.

Before I can say anything there is a knock on the door. Francis enters the room.

"Everything's ready, Chris." He nods at me. "You should leave as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Francis. Please send someone to collect our bags from our room." I nod at him. He retreats from my room quickly.

I look back at Victoria. Her face is now serious. All the playfulness is long gone. She plays with her fingers. A nervous habit.

Mom places her hand in hers, "Everything will be okay."

Victoria gives her a convincing smile. "Of course. And I'll be back in no time."

"Please, dear." Mom pecks her cheek, "We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

Dad is just sitting watching their exchange.

I walk to the bed and give her my hand. She takes it and is off the bed in a second.

The second her eyes meet mine I can see the fear and uncertainty in them. I try to give her as much reassurance I can with one look.

She squeezes my hand tightly and faces my parents. Dad stands up to say goodbye. Dad pulls me in an unexpected hug while mom pulls Victoria into one.

"Take care son," Dad whispers before releasing me.

I see mom telling something to Victoria and wipes her tear. Victoria smiles and stands up.

I take my turn hugging my mom tightly but not before watching my dad pull Victoria in a big hug.

"I love you, my baby boy." She lovingly strokes my back.

"I love you too Mom." I peck her cheek. "We'll be back soon."

I see Victoria wiping her tears and smile at my dad.

Once we are both standing at the door leaving mom calls us.

"I still want grandchildren soon so you guys better come back."

I turn red while Victoria laughs and brushes it off.

▪️▪️▪️

"Everything set?"

"Yes." She looks so giddy sitting in the Aventador.

"Good." I roar the engine to life.

"You have to let me drive this beast." She claps her hands.

"Okay." I hold her through the console. "Once everything is back to normal. I'll take you on a ride on my motorcycle."

"You have a motorcycle?" Her eyes widen.

"A Harley Davidson," I smirk and drive faster making her laugh in glee.

"You'll have to teach me how to ride that." She says looking out.

We sit in comfortable silence apart from her giggling here and there.

My cell phone rings and I pick it up connecting it to the car.

"Christian." Francis's voice rings through the speakers.

Every hair in my body stands after hearing him. "What is it?"

"You are being followed." I hear Victoria gasp.

"That's fucking impossible." I grit out.

This is not happening.

"Our men are already on our way to you from both sides. But they are closer to you." Francis rushes out. "Somehow they are aware of your route to the safe house. Probably a traitor amongst us."

"Fuck." I hit my steering wheel and look at Victoria.

She's terrified.

"You have to pick up speed Christian. Get there as soon as you can. There was a reason Mr. Vasquez told you to take this car."

"Okay." I look at Victoria. "Baby you need to calm down. Panicking can get you seriously hurt. There is a gun under your seat. Go ahead, reach and take it out."

She looks at me with fear.

"Come on baby. You remember how to shoot right?"

She nods wordlessly.

I can't lose her.

She's too innocent.

I can't lose her.

"Come on." I encourage her. "It's going to be alright."

She tentatively reaches down and pulls out a gun.

"Baby, it's loaded. Be careful with it." I warn her.

"O-okay." She looks up at her with her big doe eyes, "Everything's going to be alright?"

"Yes, Mia dea. Everything will be fine." I caress her beautiful face before stepping hard on the accelerator. It slams us both hard on the seats.

I see nobody behind us.

Thank God.

I spoke too soon.

Two cars are coming from the front with full speed. They skillfully dodge a couple of cars that are present. I try to dodge but fail.

As I try to dodge the one coming directly at us the other one slams into us. Our car flips.

I can hear Victoria's screams. She calls for me.

Everything is spinning. I can't speak.

Our car comes to a stop but we are upside down. There is a loud ringing in my ear.

My eyes are blurry but I manage to see Victoria next to me not moving.

No. No. This can't happen.

"Victoria." I reach out to her.

She's still not moving.

I hear footsteps coming.

"Christian. Christian. Christian." It's Matteo.

No.

"Matteo," I grit out.

"Oh, so you remember." He laughs. "I hope this bitch does too." He is kneeling next to Victoria.

I try to unbuckle my seat belt but it's stuck. It's fucking stuck.

"Matteo don't you dare touch her." I bark out.

"You know this bitch was the reason I wasn't around as much?" He is doing something.

Maybe taking out Victoria.

"I said leave her the fuck alone, Matteo." I try to find my gun but it's nowhere in sight.

"Sorry brother but I gotta take her with me." He pulls her out ignoring me. "It's a shame she's such a beauty." She's limp in his arms. "Things I'd like to do to her."

"Matteo. I swear to God once I get my hands on you, I'll kill you." I take a glass piece and start cutting my belt.

Being upside down is so not helping.

"Victoria." I cut so hard that the glass that it cuts through my palms but I don't fucking care.

"Boss Vasquez's men are coming." A man says. "We have to leave now."

"Well Christian, man. I'll see you soon." He is now out of sight with Victoria.

Fuck. No.

There is a throbbing pain in my head. I try to ignore it but it is difficult to.

I cut through the belt faster. I'm almost done.

My vision blurs. I hear cars staring.

They are leaving.

With Victoria.

When I finally cut it I hold myself up so I don't break my neck and crawl out of my car.

There is no one here. Not even a single car.

I lay on my back in the road clutching my head. It's painful.

But the only thing that is hurting me right now is that Victoria is gone.

They took her and it's my fault.

It's all my fucking fault.

A few minutes pass with me laying there on the road unable to move.

Guilt is eating me.

They took her. They fucking took her.

I can't help the tear that escapes my eye.

I hear cars coming. It's about time they came.

I blink but my blurry vision doesn't settle.

"Holy Fuck!" It's Rico. "Christian!"

He next to me but I can see.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." He taps my cheek. "Christian? Can you hear me, man?"

"They took her." I wheeze out. "They took my Victoria."

"Shh man. We'll find her." He makes me sit up. "We'll find her."

The world turns dark and I can hear anything.

It's all darkness.

My light has been taken away.

I can't believe it.

She's gone.

My Victoria's gone.

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I'm sorry

so much for