Chapter Eighteen - Bruised

One Week Later.

I walk down the long hallway towards my father's office. I was just about to leave on another assignment when my dad requested me. I assume he wants to go over the plan and to threaten me again about what he'll do if I fail. The sound of my heeled boots hitting the floor with each step echoes in the otherwise quiet space. His guards don't spare me a glance as they open the doors to let me in. Masking my expression to one of indifference I step inside and stand before him.

"Marcella."

"You called for me?" I ask with a frown of confusion.

"Turns out that despite my many attempts to eliminate Judah Jackson...he's still alive." He drawls but his jaw and fists clenching give away how angry he is.

"Oh?" I reply in a bored tone while fighting to keep my expression schooled.

"You had no idea?" He sneers as he braces his hands on the desk while leaning into my face.

I shake my head with a shrug. "Why would I?"

"Then what the fuck is he doing sneaking into your hotel room?" He roars as he flings a few pictures onto the desk.

I gulp harshly as my eyes flicker to the photos of Judah walking out of an alleyway near the hotel, climbing in through my window on the second floor and another one zoomed in on us hugging. I remember him closing the curtains after that and relief fills me because what followed next was certainly not something I want anybody seeing.

"He took a liking to me when I was caught so I've been playing him. I know I failed you when I couldn't complete that assignment but when I found out I could use him I took my chances." I lie calmly but my poor heart races in trepidation. "I didn't know he was going to be in Mexico so his visit was a surprise even to me."

"Well?" He presses and gestures with his hand for me to go on. "Did you get anything out of him then?"

I curse mentally as I rack my brain for an answer. I never ask Judah where he's going to be next in case I give it away if I'm caught. "They're heading back into Europe. I tried to get the exact location out of him but he didn't budge. He kept saying he'll finally be near his home after months though."

"You've really been trying to eliminate him for us?" He asks softly, which surprises me, and his shoulders sag as he walks over to me. "Marcella...a lot has been going wrong mija. This makes me think you're not on my side and are working against me."

"I am on your side. I've always been papa."

He stares at me before nodding and turning to walk away. My body uncoils from its tense state before shock filters through my system when he whirls around and punches my cheek. It takes me off guard and I fall to the ground nursing it. Reminder number one, Carlos Quintana doesn't have a soft bone in his body. Reminder number two being that his hits are brutal.

He grabs me by the neck but keeps me bowed down before kneeing me in the stomach. I wheeze before shoving him off me but my eyes widen when I see the hair clip in his hands. Fuck! I think to myself in panic. I had turned it off thinking he was just going to brief me again on the assignment. His thick brows furrow in confusion before everything seems to fall in place. Wide hazel eyes identical to mine switch to narrow slits blazing with anger.

He drops it and crushes it with his feet before lunging for me. "You fucking whore! Spreading your legs for him –"

"Oh, save it!" I spit venomously as I deliver a roundhouse kick to his face before kicking his groin. "As if you haven't been cheating on mom these past few years. Like father like daughter eh?"

"Bitch! You deserve what I'm about to do to you!" He snarls as he straightens himself before kicking my legs out from underneath me.

He delivers blow after blow ruthlessly to my face and torso. I thrash underneath him as pained cries escape me. I buck my hips and punch the side of his head hard before shoving him off me with all my strength. He instantly bounces back and grabs me by the throat before slamming me back down onto the ground again.

I grunt as he strangles me and wrap my own hands around his throat to do the same. Black dots appear in my vision at one point before I decide to stab my fingers into his eyes and punch his throat right after. He yells furiously as he staggers back and I take the chance to sprint out of his office.

"Get her! Bring her to me now!" He roars and it only pushes me to run faster as I hear the guards chase me.

I race through the hallways with my heart pounding furiously. I almost lose them a few times but they manage to get back on my tail. Fooling them once more I throw open the doors to the rooftop but before I can get away I feel a searing pain in the back of my thigh. A bloodcurdling scream escapes me as I drop to the floor. I glance behind to see my dad marching over to me with the gun he used to shoot me with.

Then I see Cameron round the corner with several men behind him. His eyes widen when they roam over me before filling with concern. I groan in pain as I heave myself up against the wall using the door. Dad gets to me first and yanks me up by my hair. I feel myself resign to the fact that I'm not going to make it out of this alive. Tears stream down my cheeks as I look up at Cameron in defeat.

"Mar?! Dad! Let her go!" Cameron yells angrily as he tries to pull me away.

Dad shoves him back and points the gun to his head which makes me gasp. "Don't test me right now Cameron."

"What the fuck are you doing?! Let her go right now!" He roars as he bats the gun away from his face before tugging on my arms to pull me closer.

"Take care of him." Dad orders his men gruffly who don't waste a second in restraining Cam.

"No! Marcie!" He yells as he almost breaks free of their grip.

"Cameron! Stop, I'm fine!" I shout worriedly when more guards jump in to prevent him from getting to me. They become more violent and knock him out cold with the back of a gun. I gasp before turning to my dad. "Please stop them! I won't run just please don't hurt him!"

"Shut the fuck up!" He sneers as he drags me downstairs and into the basement.

Rodrigo's eyes widen in confusion and fear when he sees us before dad roars at everyone to get out and to lock the door. He hesitates and I shake my head quickly with a warning look in my eyes. I mouth Cameron to him and he nods back, understanding that I want him to check up on my brother. I watch him leave with teary eyes before they meet my father's enraged gaze once more.

"Now...I'm going to teach you a lesson Marcella." He chuckles darkly as he drags me to the chair. "You're going to regret crossing me after I'm done with you."

In that moment I truly accept death. I know there's no way for me to escape now. Judah's face flashes in my mind followed by my sweet memories of him. I think of Cameron and growing up alongside my protective older brother. I think of Elenora and Rodrigo, my only true friends here. Hot tears race down my cheeks endlessly and I find myself wishing for a different life for the nth time.

Seconds later my first scream of pain echoes in the basement when he slices my arm open.

And so, it begins.

The murder of Marcella Quintana.

***

I drowsily open my eyes sometime later and immediately groan at the pain that overwhelms me again within a matter of seconds. Weak whimpers and harsh breaths escape me as I try to straighten myself from my slumped position. There are no windows down here so I assume it's sometime late at night.

A sharp hiss escapes me when I accidentally move the leg that was shot. Dad had wrapped it up so that I don't lose blood. I had started passing out after all the knife wounds, punches and endless whippings. The last thing I remember is him telling me to get ready for round two as soon as I'm awake. I know it's only going to get worse from here.

The sudden and loud creaking of the door opening makes me become more alert. Rushed footsteps follow downstairs towards my direction and I feel like bawling my eyes out at the thought of my father coming back so soon. But when I see Cameron's face as he steps around the corner I sigh in relief. His eyes frantically search the cells and widen when they land on me. They brim with tears which makes my heart break as he runs to me before falling to his knees.

"Marcie! What has he done to you?!" He whispers brokenly as he gently cradles my face in his hands.

I hiss in pain and he instantly lets me go as if I burned him. He tries holding onto my shoulders but stops himself when he realizes one of them is dislocated. I watch through half opened eyes as he attempts to hold me in a different way but when he realizes that our father has left no area untouched he breaks out into gut wrenching sobs.

"No, please don't cry! I-I'm okay Cam. I promise." I try to smile reassuringly but I think it comes out more like a grimace.

"I'm so sorry!" He cries as his hands hover frantically over my battered body. "I-I didn't even know he had called you to his office! They knocked me out again as soon as I started waking up. What happened Mar?!"

"He found out about me and Judah. He had photographs and didn't believe my lies." I explain tiredly as he begins to untie the rope. "We fought and I ended up running out of his office but didn't get that far. I was going to jump from the rooftop but he shot me before I could get up there."

"I deserve hell! What kind of a brother am I?!" He snarls with a disappointing shake of his head.

"Cameron...stop it please!" I whisper pleadingly as tears that I didn't think I could shed anymore spill out. "I knew what I was getting into! You've protected me so many times! You can't be there every second!"

"I'm going to get you out." He murmurs as he tugs the rope off me as gently as possible. "I won't let him hurt you anymore."

"What – no! How would I even escape in this state?! Where would I go?!" I panic before gritting my teeth when he pops my shoulder back into place without warning me.

"You're going back to Judah and his team." Rodrigo surprises me by entering the room with medical supplies as he kneels by my side. "Lay her down. We need to get the bullet out quickly."

"I won't go without you Cam! Come with me please!" I beg as Rodrigo places a rag between my teeth for me to clench before taking the bullet out easily.

"No. I got in contact with the team and have told them where to go. You stick with them Marcie." He states firmly as he hurries to clean and bandage my wounds. "I'm going to end this once and for all."

"Fuck that! Just come with me! I don't want to leave you here Cam!" I plead desperately as my heart aches at what could happen. "What if you –"

"I won't." He soothes in a gentle tone as he cleans the blood and scrapes on my face. "I'll see you after this is all over but you cannot stay Mar. He's going to kill you if you do."

"What's the plan now?" I ask in defeat knowing he's right.

"I make him believe that I'm on his side...that you betrayed us. I'll provide the Falcon team with intel on where to go once dad sends his men to bring you back." He explains and I groan when Rodrigo finishes bandaging my leg before turning me over. "We were two weeks away before taking him down as planned but fuck that. The time is now."

"We're going to frame his men fucking up the biggest shipments until date of trafficking victims, drugs and weapons." Rodrigo explains as he works on disinfecting and bandaging the rest of my wounds. "That way we'll overpower him with more numbers on our side and distract him as he searches for you."

"So...we just keep running?" I question but cry out in pain when they pull me up.

"Exactly." Cameron nods as he hands me new clothes to change into before him and Rodrigo turn around to give me privacy. "I've been buying safe houses for when we needed to run but they'll come in use now. Griffin has the co-ordinates of them all so you guys will be moving constantly. Don't step foot in Mexico and Venezuela again Marcie, that's an order."

"Understood." I mutter as I get my shoes on with some difficulty. "You can turn now."

Rodrigo immediately helps me with my shoes before braiding my hair loosely. "We have a car waiting for you underground. It'll take you to a private jet straight to Manitoba, Canada. From there you'll take a helicopter straight to the safe house. The team will either be there already or be a few minutes behind you."

"O-Okay." I breathe shakily as Cameron holds up a backpack with what I assume are my essentials.

"Your things are already packed and in the jet. This backpack contains all your necessary items as well as food and medicine. The key to the safehouse is in the front pocket." He throws it to Rodrigo who puts it on before Cameron holds out his arms. "Ready to go? We don't have much time."

"Cam..." I trail off unsurely as tears brim my eyes once more.

"This is the only option Marcie. I won't let him hurt you any longer." He clenches his jaw before moving forward and I hop onto his back since mine is heavily wounded.

I nod to signal that I'm okay before they start walking out of the basement. I frown when we end up in Rodrigo's office before my eyes widen in surprise when he flips open half of a light switch to reveal a fingerprint scanner. I hear a click before he pulls the side of his bookcase so that it opens like a door and we walk through. We're instantly standing in the middle of the underground tunnels where a car waits for us.

"Y-You can't come to drop me off?" I whisper as I clutch onto Cameron's sleeve once he sets me back on my feet.

"I need to be here while Ben and Rod make sure you take off safely." He sighs heavily as he hugs me gently. "I'm sorry Marcie. I wish I could go with you. Just be safe and stick with the team. Don't make any stupid decisions. I'll be fine here and we'll see each other soon."

"Okay." I croak as tears spill down my cheeks. I don't know if this is our last goodbye.

"Nothing will happen to me. I'll be safe too." He smiles reassuringly before kissing my forehead. "I love you Mar."

"I love you too Cam." I sob as I hug him tightly without caring about the pain. "Please come back safe."

He only nods in response before helping me into the back seat where Rodrigo sits. I'm buckled in before he takes a moment to stare at me with concern. Then he proceeds to threaten both Ben and Rodrigo if anything happens to me which makes me laugh through my tears.

"Drive quickly." Cameron orders Ben who gives me a sad smile before nodding at him.

"Bye Cam. See you later." I murmur quietly with a wave.

"Later Marcie." He grins boyishly before closing my door.

I turn slightly, even though it pains me, to see him grow smaller in the distance from the back. My heart aches at the thought of anything happening to my brother, the only person I consider true family.

"Elenora." I mumble as panic seizes me over the thought of her coming back from her assignment. "What if she...I didn't get to say goodbye."

"I got her to go on another assignment that will last around two weeks." Ben explains which calms me slightly. "She won't be caught in the midst of this so don't worry Marcie."

"Thank you both. This means a lot." I smile but wince when the cut on my lip stretches. "Please stay safe as well. I don't want you guys getting hurt either."

"We will and we'll take care of Cam too so don't stress about us here." Rodrigo reassures me as he shines his phone's torch on my lip to check if it's bleeding. "Just lay low and it should all be over soon."

I nod and try to relax in my seat. We eventually make it to the secluded strip where the jet is ready to go and I hug them both tightly before boarding with a sad wave. I send up a prayer for their safety before we take off, disappearing above the clouds hanging over Venezuela.

I don't sleep a wink the entire ride as thoughts of my father hurting Cameron run free in my mind. I remind myself repeatedly to believe in his plan but the negative thoughts win. By the time I land in Canada I'm exhausted so I end up falling asleep during the helicopter ride before taking a car organized by Cameron to the safe house.

I barely look at the house but I do notice the cameras straight away. I take out the key to the door and unlock it before stepping inside cautiously. My shoulders sag in relief when I find nobody and I slump onto the couch with a pained cry. Now that I'm safe my body begins to remind me of how much it hurts.

But I have no time to dwell on it further because I hear a car enter the driveway. Peeking through the curtains I see the familiar faces of Griffin and Cole in the front. I catch sight of Judah in the middle and my heart races. He's going to be furious once he sees me, I think to myself before feeling intense pain in my leg. Fuck! Leg cramp! Oh, fuck – sit down!

I hop over to the couch and throw myself on it as gently as possible...which doesn't end up being gentle at all. The door opens right after I've dealt with my cramp and I hear the sharp inhales. I wave sheepishly with my good arm.

"What the fuck?!"

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