"We're a mess

You and I,

But the truth is...

I don't care.

As long as you're mine."

•

•

•

I strode away, as fast as my feet can take me, I realized that all along I was doing nothing except lying to myself, thinking I could kill her on sight when my heart felt like it could burst right out of my chest at the presence of her single tear, my knees felt wobbly while descending the stairs and I tried my f*cking best to convince myself otherwise.

"I will rip her apart, she would wish she never met me, she would crawl and beg me for death when I will be finally done with her and... non-mostrerei pietà (I wouldn't show mercy)" I had said but what the f*ck was I doing?

Compelling her to marry me, again, when I swore that she meant absolutely nothing to me and here I was, rubbing my nose on her blood-stained body, begging her to tell me what the hell I did wrong to deserve her betrayal.

I forced myself to straighten when I reached my floor, my men guarding the hallway as I made my way to my room, my eyes subconsciously diverting towards the only other room on this floor, and I felt bothered in a very long time.

Avoiding any more frustration and confrontations I shut myself into my room, eyeing the darkness as I slid down to the floor my back to the locked door, elbows on my knees as I rubbed my hands on my face.

"Fanculo.(f*ck)" I was neck-deep in shit, and I needed to set things right, fast, my mind kept wandering back to the devasted state I left Ivo-Shana on the terrace, flinching at her condition that kept flickering back into my mind even when I tried to shove it back.

Huffing in frustration I stood to walk in the direction of the bathroom, my mind very much muddled with many possibilities, stripping out of my bloodied clothes, her blood, I stepped under the shower, deciphering and deciding what I needed to do from here.

One sure thing was that I will kill Xavier, even if it is the last thing that I do.

Eventually, time passed, and after showering and attending to some work it was already evening, morning had come and gone, followed by darkness once again, veiling its power to strengthen mine, when I left her there it was about 4 in the early morning, which meant that it was over 12 hours since our talk.

Maybe I should go and check, what if her bleeding didn't stop on her own? What if she died? The thought made me stand abruptly in between an ongoing meeting, my new second in command, Rico glanced at me in confusion, I eyed my other subordinates, "finish the meeting, report to me tomorrow," everyone nodded while I swiftly left the conference room.

The building was refurbished under the noses of the feds, no one knew about the place being much more than an abandoned building, men nodded in my direction as I made my way to the terrace, my hands filled with the first aid kit I picked in between.

The cold breeze hit me as I reached the terrace, entirely expecting Shana to be passed out but what I wasn't expecting was to find two of my f*cking b*tches to be conversing.

Their attention was drawn by me throwing the kit somewhere, I felt anger so deep that I started losing myself, I gave both of them second chances and this is how they repay me? My and Shana's expressionless gaze clashed in a heated challenge and I knew she hated me with everything in her, I found Angelina's scared wide gaze from the corner of my eyes as I refused to let them think that they could do anything other than silently accepting their fate, that was me.

I knew at that moment I was going to kill someone, and I didn't care about the consequences.

•

•

•

My eyes slowly peeled open to the darkness gliding over my pupils as I let out a tired groan from my lips, my throat was parched while my whole weight dangled on the chains affixed on my wrists felt like it could snap them in half.

I looked around to find myself in the same condition as yesterday, my wound has stopped bleeding, so that's a relief, but I still struggled to wet my throat, I had gone over 36 hours without food or any proper medication, it was a wonder that I gained consciousness somehow, my mind wandered back to our confrontation as I slowly remembered that I was left here till tonight, Arcadius was going to come back for me and I didn't have it in me to face him once more.

Sighing I gulped again, my eye trailing down my leg to see the knife wound on my thigh then to the bullet hole on my calf, it was partially healed and didn't hurt as much, I didn't want to go with his plans but I didn't have any choice other than waiting and begging him to just keep his revenge onto me, I didn't want anyone else dragged anymore, it took everything in me not to think about how Xavier had suffered because of my past.

I knew from here my life wasn't mine at all, if he really went through with his plans of marrying me, then it would be impossible for me to ever get away from him again, not to mention he had the f*cking feds thinking that I was actually someone important to him and somehow involved in all the messes he created, so the best option for me at this point was either to fled and remove any trace of my presence from the face of the earth or simply marry and bore him a child.

My mind was numb, not in any state of panic, I knew the threats and I knew the consequences, I knew all the facts, now what left was my move, my move was what's remaining from deciding my fate, it would be impossible for me to just try to escape from here when most of my body was injured and I was weak, so the only best next option was to wait for Arcadius, leave America with him to keep myself safe from feds and then think about escaping before he could trap us together for forever.

My mind was going thousands of miles per hour, contemplating every single possibility, but the major leverage that I was holding was enough to assure my safety. With everything going through my mind I didn't hear the lock being opened on the terrace, too deep in my thoughts to hear hurried footsteps approaching me, tumbling slightly as long blonde hair caressed in the air, slightly catching the sight from the corner of my eyes I looked in the direction only to be startled by Angelina's unforeseen presence once again.

All the make-up was gone from her face, she was dressed in a crumpled white knee-length dress, her eyes red like she has been constantly crying, a dark bruise on her forehead and similar bruises were scattered all over her pale body, it was clear someone purposely did this to her, dried tears marking her face as her long blonde hair flowed in the air behind her, her moments frantic and panicked as her blue eyes finally settled on me.

"God, I've never been more happier to see you!" She whimpered, her voice breathy and trembling like she has too much adrenaline crossing her veins to comprehend the f*ck that was actually happening, I was shocked seeing her in her condition, the ever-perfect Angelina, who has never had a single hair out of her appearance looked like she had traversed hell and back to get to me.

"What-how-wait! What the hell are you doing?!" I hissed, my voice coming out as a squeak as I tried to make sense of her appearance, she on the other hand completely ignored me, opening the bottle of water that she magically derived from somewhere as she gently made me sip on it, effectively shutting me up and well I wasn't complaining as I chugged down water.

"What the hell does this looks like?! I'm saving you b*tch!" I was rendered speechless by her words, why would she help me when all she ever wanted was to rip my f*cking organs out, yeah I knew she hated me that much.

"Why?" I asked, my voice returning to how it actually was as she frantically looked around in genuine fear before examining my chains all while I dug holes in her being in question.

"I'm not going to let you die, I need you to get me out of here and I mean alive, I can't f*cking stay here anymore, I'll die and I can't die!" She rumbled, not taking any break as she tried to pull the chains with all her might, making strong clanking sounds. I understood at that moment that she really had been through hell, I glanced at her and felt pity, rage and guilt that I buried deep to relieve myself of pain.

"Even if I-" she tried to whisper weakly, her eyes brimmed with tears as blood flowed down her busted lips, her attempt staggered as Arcadius pulled her back by his grip on her hair, she sobbed in result making my heart crumble beneath my chest, still trying to smile for me she tried once again, "Even if I die, I'll still love you,"

"No!! No please, you can't die, I will not let you die," I wailed hard, mocking laughter dreading my senses as I tried to free myself from Rafael's grip, a futile attempt to save her from him, "please, Arcadius, I'd do anything! Just let her go...

But even after how I struggled I couldn't help but see her in Angelina when I never imagined seeing her in anyone, my instinct provoked me to envelope her in a tight hug as she frantically tried to get rid of the chains somehow. Her struggle and frustrated sobs made my heart break like never before, it was like watching her go through the same pain all over again. The next words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Hey, hey-shh....it's ok, .." I whispered, her face was so close to me as tears flowed down her face, she was broken and exhausted from all of this, I could see it in her face that she was more than terrified, I let my forehead touch hers as her eyes slowly closed to stop the tears, "...you're safe....I-I will keep you safe, alright?" She didn't respond, making my weak body shrink with pain, no matter how hard I strived I only saw her in front of me, the same blonde self, the same fear radiating through her as I couldn't do anything to save her, I forced myself back to see Angelina as she kept sobbing silently, "did you hear me? I'll save you, I will get you out of here, look at me," I whispered sternly as Angelina finally opened her eyes to look at me, her blue eyes clashing to mine green ones as she glimpsed for truth in them and I showed it to her, "do you trust me?" I asked, very well knowing the answer could be either, but when she nodded her head I felt relief washing over me.

Nodding my own head I finally separated from her, she was relatively calm now, her breathing deep as she inhaled deeply twice before bringing out a cellphone from her bra, I didn't even wanna know how the hell she managed to escape, not only that she had a f*cking bottle of water and phone with her too, maybe she should quit her modelling and join FBI instead.

"Angelina, I can't believe I'm going to say this but f*ck, I love you," I cried in fervour but it came out as a tired groan as dark spots marked my vision, if I could I would have f*cking kissed her right now, a small smile adorned her busted lip at my words as she switched it on, worriedly glancing at me she questioned.

"Do you know anyone we could call, I mean you're an agent and everything, you must know someone who would help us, right?" She asked expectantly and I nodded my head, glancing at her, her muscles visibly relaxed at my answer.

"But I need to call someone else first Angelina, could you do that for me?" I asked like I was talking to a child, where I was trained for stressful situations she wasn't, she could have a panic attack and pass out, and from the looks of bruises on her body she hadn't realised just how much damage was there on her too, she nodded her head frantically, opening the call log and dialling as I told her the number.

It ringed as we both silently waited for someone to receive it, her nervous eyes peeking at me as I glared at the phone, she bit her lower lip in silence to stop it from tremoring, suddenly the ring was gone and a deep voice came through,

"Yes?"

I deeply breathed in relief, before squeaking out the order,

"Destroy it," the same voice came through again after a moment of silence.

"Password?"

"Eleanora."

"Done." And just like that he hanged up, I knew that there would not be a single trace of dominion and USB Arcadius was looking for, my mind numbed further as for the first time in two years her name slipped past my lips, leaving a sweet taste in place as soft breeze fluttered by my hair, I felt her presence in me, she was with me in my memories, forever.

Getting myself together I glanced back at Angelina as she confusedly glanced at me, I tried to smile but failed miserably as emotions flushed themselves in, I told her another number which she dialled hastily, this one was picked up fast, an angry Italian voice coming through.

"dove cazzo sei?! (Where the f*ck are you)" I ignored him as I glanced at Angelina.

"I need you to track my location and come pick me up, make sure you do it fast, I don't have time,"

"What the actual f*ck?! Yo-" the call ended abruptly, causing a brisk reaction from Angelina as she tapped the phone to get it working but it just switched back off, "damnit!" She hissed frustrated before peering at me when once she noticed that I wasn't paying attention anymore.

"They- they'd come, right?" Her voice was a mere whisper as she tried to calm herself. I nodded in answer, I already knew that feds were looking for us, even if the guy I called showed up late we would still be found by someone, at least Angelina would be safe.

Silence draped around as we stood facing each other, she gently passed her fingers through her hair before starting, "how much time do you think they'd take to get here, I really can't die-" her words were cut short when a harsh sound pierced through the surrounding, claiming out attention instantly towards the gates of the terrace.

Angelina visibly strumbled to me after taking in the person standing in front, I couldn't help but glare at him with all that was left in me but she meekly stood beside me, I didn't let my gaze waver from him even when I could feel fear radiating from beside me, I could tell by the sound of whimper that left her lips that she was petrified of him.

Arcadia's grey eyes were surrounded by red rims as he eyed both of us, murderous intent clear as night as he continued glaring at me in retrieval.

His upper lip twitched showing the clear outrage on his features, he slowly moved his face to Angelina who was literally flickering like a leaf underneath his stare, and his lips moved to form words that slipped to us, "I gave you both second chances and this is how you repay me?"

"F*ck you!!"

That felt nice.

I couldn't help myself from using my voice to get on his nerves, he f*cking snatched it from me too, but I wasn't the one to let him control me, he was going to beg me, just like he always did. But Angelina, she stuttered.

"I-I wo-won't go b-back with you" Arcadius smirked at her prominent fear and I felt like ripping his eyes out for taking pleasure in someone else's pain once again.

"Ah, I see you both need some more persuasion from me," his thick voice sounded as dark as night, consuming the moon whole, with no stars in sight.

"What did I tell you about not leaving your room at any cost sl*t?" He asked Angelina and I answered for her, not able to control hearing him degrading her.

"Arcadius I swear, if you utter another word to her I'll make you pay, " I whispered grimly, my words making an amusing smile to glimmer on his face.

"What are you talking about Mio amore? I'm merely conversing with my property, can't I claim over what is already mine?" He asked curiously making my brain stop, I visibly glitched, unable to think after his words as I slowly turned to look at Angelina, her face smeared with her tears.

"Oh, she didn't tell you?" He continued.

Please God, not again.

"She is my first purchase after being back in trafficking, and before you get angry, she's actually free of cost, she signed her ownership to me herself, right sl*t?".

Angelina kept her mouth shut as her head slowly hung in humiliation and fear the more Arcadius spoke, the silence suddenly charged with anger flowing through the two of us, while Angelina was cowering in fear, her arms around her protectively my rage was ever consuming and I knew Arcadius was inning closer to either killing me or Angelina.

I couldn't stop myself when I tooted at him.

"you remember her, don't you?" His face changed as realisation finally dawned upon him when he remembered her, his fists clenching beside him in resistance to stop himself from stalking over to me and ripping her name off my lips forever, I smirked tauntingly at the effect just her mere name has on him, my bruised face aching from the expression, lovingly the face of betrayal flashing over him.

"My Eleanora,"

"Shut up."

"The girl with long blonde hair, beautiful brown eyes, petite, the girl you kept in that hellhole for all of your subordinates and your pleasure...." I stopped, hearing him harshly inhaling and exhaling, merely keeping himself from shooting me in the head, "...the girl I loved, the girl you hated."

"Amore I swear I'll shoot someone, just-just shut the f*ck up,"