I had a I actually finished my degree and AND updated of the book, but then I woke up and none really happened, soooo... yeah.

But at least this Chapter is done. And that's all that matters! ^_^

In the meantime, I should be at the in a few hours, but I decided to post this, before getting my luggage ready... *pls pray for me*

Now go ahead. Read and enjoy!

Fari vagnari a pizzu.

In other words; Pay or Burn.

But letting the mafiosi 'wet' their beak, was never the end of it.

I remember my nonna telling me stories back in the day about the mafia, trying to extort our family's restaurant for protection money, until the government interfered, only to pay protection money in other ways.

It wasn't a surprise. After all, the mafia and the government were like cousins.

It was one of the reasons my parents felt comfortable to send us away. But at mere seventeen, I wasn't ready... yet.

It was our last school trip after senior year. All our classmates were eighteen, but we were still seventeen since our birthdays were later in the year; in Autumn. But back then, it was still Summer, and we visited Palermo.

Norman palaces, beautiful cathedrals and picturesque city walls surviving a whole millennium adorned the seaside city. Everything around us was alive, like an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often felt conflicted. We could feel its pulse with every step we took, discovering an intriguing range of architectural styles, from religious domes to baroque buildings, enjoying delicious cuisine that spanned a variety of origins.

At the time, the locals were celebrating St. Rosalia, their Patron Saint. It was believed that she freed the city from the Black Death almost four-hundred years ago; the most important religious event of the year.

It was the middle of July, the heat sticking on our skin, like the pleasant veil of youth, while our stubborn feet followed the procession that drove through the main streets of Palermo to commemorate the miracle attributed to Saint Rosalia.

It was like a dream.

"Come on, Eri, it's our last night. You promised, you'd join us on this." Markus' pleading eyes met mine, while Stella tried to persuade me to join them on their 'maze-running' expedition.

"What about Matteo?"

"Matteo can find us later. Maybe he's still by the shore with the other guys."

The plan was, to do the maze in two groups; me and Matteo, vs. Stella and Markus. But Matteo was nowhere to be found. In fact, looking back at all the moments we shared together, he was barely there.

Instead of letting disappointment wash over me, I took Stella's hand, rushing me in beside her, our flip-flops scraping against the dirt-path, with every step through the dark maze.

It was after hours, almost midnight, and we were the last ones to enter. We rushed over here after we heard they were taking the maze down the next day, since the festival was over. We couldn't let that happen. So instead, with saltwater still drying on our skin after our night-swim, we took it upon ourselves to finish this final challenge.

With or without Matteo.

I didn't know if it was the leaves casting dark shadows around us, or the ominous sound of the wind howling through the branches, but with every step I took, a heavy feeling was settling inside my gut.

Maybe it was the guilt, that I did this without him, like all the things I proceeded on doing when he was not present.

Like all the things he wanted me to do, the things he wanted from me, and I still couldn't give him.

The guilt settled like a heavy stone, crushing me from the inside.

I hated this.

I hated this so much. I hated the feeling of being trapped so deep inside my head, hated knowing his reaction would be unforgiving and all too consuming.

I hated this maze.

But just after another turn, everything became clearer.

Because after that step, there he was; Matteo, in the flesh, pressing his skin against another's.

Another step was all I needed to be broken down, into a million tiny pieces, but ultimately freed.

What followed was still a blur. I remember Markus landing punches on Matteo, and Stella trying to pull him away from him. But I was still frozen in place.

It was only when his eyes found mine, that I run as fast as I could. That last look was my goodbye to him, and after that I fled.

I didn't know how I managed to get out of that maze, but after scraping my arms on branches a couple of times, I fell to my knees relieved I was finally out of that nightmare. I still had the scars on my knees to prove it.

The fact still remained, though.

I hated anything depicting a maze.

And I fucking hated whatever this club-maze was trying to prove.

Because the moment I was distracted, I lost Viviana King, and with her, my only way out.

I had no idea where I was.

Back at seventeen, I felt hopeless and alone, in need of saving. Stella and Markus rushed to be my shining knights, stopping me from only ever eating pasta, avoiding the rest of the world as I hid behind piles and piles of med-books.

I was grateful for their interventions as I worked hard during that first year of med-school, while still healing myself. Baking my sorrows away helped immensely as well.

But tonight, I was damn thankful they were nowhere near this place.

Because here I was, walking right inside the lion's den.

The red lights reflected on the mirrors around me were making my head spin, while only seeing my own reflection felt maddening. I turned around myself a couple of times, only to realize everywhere I looked I was met with my own two eyes watching me.

Before my anxious brain threw me down a spiral, I leaned against the mirror. Sliding slowly to the cold marble floor, I closed my eyes, taking in deep breaths as I tried to think.

Coaxing my breathing to slow down in a more natural pace, I opened my eyes; this time determined to find what the hell I came here for. My phone was also dead, so if I wanted to escape this nightmare, then I'd have to keep going.

With slow steps towards the direction I thought she went, I walked down the long hallway, dragging my fingers along the mirror. Under these lights and the illusions from the mirrors, it didn't come as a surprise, when my fingers were finally met with air to my right. I continued down that path, still gliding my fingers on the wall, as the blinding red turned to a darker shade, creating shadows that felt claustrophobic.

With each step, I was sure I could make up voices conversing, but I wasn't sure. The music's beat never lightened up throughout this nightmare; a constant reminder of my equally fast beating heart.

If it wasn't for my fingers, I would have missed the next turn to the right. But this time, I trusted my gut, and continued straight. Something was telling me I'd be safer down that route.

Unfortunately, as I took another turn, I was forced to make another decision: Take the stairs up, or down?

I walked up the steps, thinking that, if I found myself in trouble, running down the stairs would be faster afterwards.

I hoped this nightmare would end, but after a few minutes of walking down the endless hallway, panic started pulling on my nerves. I was so deep in this labyrinth, I feared, I wouldn't be able to ever get out.

A deep sigh pulled on my lungs as I was ready to give up and turn back, when I heard voices, this time much clearer. I quickly turned to my right, lining my ear on the wall to find their origin. They sounded angry and I cursed myself for not being able to understand a word they were saying.

I pushed my body against the mirror-wall, trying to absorb any sounds, when my weight made it move, and I stumbled to the floor. I pierced my eyes shut, praying I wasn't found, when I realized the voices didn't stop on my account.

With another breath of courage, I opened my eyes and looked around me. I was kneeling on a balcony looking over a spacious room. Making as little noise as possible, I dragged my feet to the edge, watching through the holes of the thick pillar hiding me.

The room wasn't a room at all. At first glance it looked like an opera house, and I found solace on one of the balconies surrounding the huge space. But at further inspection, I knew this was no normal opera house.

In the audience sat powerful people, with fame and power not just in Illinois, expecting what they came here for. In the proscenium, instead of finding polished musical instruments, was a boxing ring, with people already inside.

But what made me almost choke, was right there in front of me. Just behind the stage, was a red veil capturing the whole wall, and right behind that, were the silhouettes of people, of women, moving, dancing, to the rhythm of these spectators' desires.

As the deafening sound of my pulse in my brain quietened down, the other noises around me unfroze.

Punches landing on skin, the sound of bones cracking and the screams of pain of the man in the middle of the makeshift ring. He was being punished tonight.

Everyone else was just watching, spectators to the events, until something, someone, took the reins of this cacophonous symphony.

Finally, the maestro revealed himself, and with a simple gesture of his right hand, everyone stilled. He brought the cigar in his left hand to his lips, inhaling the expensive poison into his lungs, before he exhaled the smoke out of his nose.

As the rest of the spectators awaited his next words, his thumb played with the golden wedding band surrounding his ring finger. Caressing his ring of matrimony should have been soothing, but as he clenched his fist angrily, a sense of terror overcame my whole body.

Everything about him screamed danger.

I shouldn't be here. All my anger towards Viviana King evaporated as I was met with a different world. But somehow, the moment I opened that door, everything changed.

Cold sweat covered my neck, but I made no movement to wipe it away. I had seen enough and, accepting these people were a force to be reckoned with, I decided it was time for me to get out of here.

Still on my knees, I shuffled backwards, when I was met with something that wasn't there a moment ago.

Before I could turn around, strong arms pulled me backwards, trapping me against the chest of the man that found my hiding spot. A warm hand covered my mouth, keeping me quiet in my efforts to escape.

This couldn't be happening. No!

I felt frightened, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes, as I wiggled my body in my attempts to get out of his hold. I wouldn't go down like this; not without a fight.

I refused to let this be the end. Any end.

I bit on the man's hand, making him pull away for a moment. But the small glimpse of freedom was only an illusion, as he maneuvered my body, an attempt to control me while I kept fighting him.

It wasn't until he spoke his breathless words in my ear, that I was left frozen in place.

"Don't make a sound."

To all my readers, welcome and thank you! I see you, I see your enthusiasm and I'm so glad you joined this Angel's story.

To my readers, thank you for staying here, thank you for your love and thank you for your patience with me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I take nothing for granted.

Just happy and grateful for this community and your continued support!

Yours,

~ Joanna