Warning ⚠️: Contains violent situations I encourage to not read if you are sensitive to abuse or highly charged sexual situations

Chapter 25

Camila

July 26th 8pm

Location: Bay's Home in Chino

"You ratted Jose, you fucking ratted now you have to sign my girl's death certificate for something you don't even know to be true." I pushed him.

Bay had left a few hours ago and ever since then I had been yelling Jose's ear off.

"This is just going to give me time to see what the hell is really going on with Athena, don't you think I know that what I did was fucked up, I just needed some time." He yelled.

I was done with this stupid conversation, it really seemed like I was the only one who actually gave a damn about Athena's care, the man she loved was ready to have her ass handled and her supposed 'friend' was the one who put the worm in his fucking ear, it was like the whole world was tallying against her and I was the only who was fighting for her, but you know what that's fucking fine, I know he took her and for what reason, I don't know but I was going to find her and bring her back.

Being in this house was starting to take the breath out of my body so I put on some heels and took the keys to the range rover, "Where are you going Camilla?"

"For a fucking drink," I pointed towards the kitchen, "Because I seen that liquor cabinet, it's fucking depressing, like hace querer morir." (It makes me want to die) Without another word I walked to the car and pulled off. I rolled down the window and let the wind blow in my hair, I rode past several of the bars and none of them looked interesting to me, or in other words dirty as hell, they all looked dirty as hell, I mean I may be a prostitute, but I hated being dirty. I stopped at the red light and I saw another bar and it stuck out like a sore thumb, "El Negro Gato." (The Black Cat) I let it roll off my tongue for second and when the light turned green I pulled into the parking lot.

Getting out of the car I pulled up my pants and grabbed my purse and pushed the door open. The place was nice, but it was almost packed, I walked to the only spot that was at the bar and sat down, I grabbed the bartender's attention, "Can I have a martini, please?"

The bartender smirked, "Anything for you gorgeous."

Since his ass wants to be flirty it wouldn't be too wrong if I flirt back, "I'm Camilla Martinez and what about yours cutie?"

"Juan Lopez, so Camilla do you have an hombre at home?" He made my drink.

I snorted, the only man I had at home was the one who would probably like him, "Do you really think he would let me out alone if I did?"

"Point is made." He slid me my drink and leaned on the bar. "What brings you out tonight?"

"Just looking for a party." I shrugged leaning forward revealing cleavage.

His eyes flicked down before flicking back up, "I think I know what you're looking for."

I raised a brow, "Oh really?"

"Do you know Wark Minnows by any chance?"

I was thrown off a little bit, but then this could be my way to get to Athena or be able to reach him, "I've heard of him."

"Well he is having a black-tie party for his brother coming back, and its invite only but I got you, and I think that you're the perfect girl for it." He looked both ways before going underneath the bar for a few seconds and then coming back up, he slid an envelope towards me and I took it discreetly.

"Why don't you just go?" I sipped the drink.

"I have to work but just say Juan sent you." He winked before going back to what he was doing.

I drunk the rest of the martini before getting up and leaving I was gon bring Athena ass back no matter what.

Athena

July 28th 12:55pm

Location: Wark's Home

"Athena eu esperava tanto de você." Ms. Clark scolded, swatting both of my arms. (Athena, I was expecting so much from you)

I was starting to regret switching tests with that girl, the sad thing was I couldn't remember her name, but I knew that she always failed her test and she was always trapped in the four padded walls, she was exiled from the program and the only thing she had for fun was studying for the next test. I couldn't see her in those walls again.

There was a rule in the program and it was simple, 'A soul is meant to be weakness, rid it of your body like you would rid a disease.'

Her punishment was going to be more worse than mine if I didn't switch that paper, but I broke the most important rule, "Lamento, Ms. Clark." (I am sorry, Ms. Clark)

"Tell me...what if you were under and they ask you," She looked at the paper, "What was your stance on women's politics and you said," She turned back to the paper and giggled, "That women deserved to have the same rights as a man." She kneeled down in front of me and gave a swat to my stomach, "Athena Patética." She spat in my face. (Pathetic Athena), "You never tell the truth Athena, what you do is a task and you do what you have to do to complete that take."

I felt the spit dribble down my face and I looked at my classmates, the girl didn't have a solemn look on her face she had the opposite, she was scolding me, but I didn't care about that what I cared about was that I just couldn't remember her name, and it snapped into place I couldn't remember her name because they wanted me to not know her name, they put her in this class to throw me off, this was the real test.

Ms. Clark grinned at the look on my face, and she knew then that I knew, "You give mercy too easy Athena." She swatted my knees, "It's a shame that your God gave you your brain, there are so many others in this world who work so hard just to only earn half of the brains you have but here you are with a 160 growing IQ and making a mockery of it." She hit my side.

I whimpered and twisted my wrist in the chains, "Eu não sei o que você está falando sobre a Sra. Clark." (I do not know what you're talking about Mrs. Clark)

She narrowed her eyes and swatted me again, "Si pudiera matarte, lo haría." (If I could kill you I would)

"No sé de qué hablas." (I do not know what you are talking about)

I held my head down, it has been three years, over one thousand and ninety-five days, and I still couldn't get it together.

"Espero que tengas la misma energía sin cenar." (I hope you have the same energy without dinner.)

My heart dropped, I had to stay the night...

I woke up immediately and I saw her standing the corner.

"I guess we can speak Portuguese and Spanish now."

I shook my head it was a dream, I don't remember none of that happening, so it couldn't have happened, right?

"No... try to speak it."

"Não posso falar português." I snapped, and I immediately covered my hand over my mouth, I had never even heard the language spoken until now. "Que diabos?" I cover my hand over my mouth again, was this real, did this actually happen, or is it some type of dream that crossed over to reality and my brain couldn't distinguish what the two was, there had to be a logical answer.

"Or that this actually happened because we both know that so much shit went down at that hell hole, that your brain blocked out the worst traumatic events."

I got out the bed and walked out of the room, Wark had not come home again, and I was happy about that, my body had time to heal from all the beating. Walking downstairs it looked like all hell broke loose but it was just the people were running around trying to put everything together for the party tonight. I walked into the dining room and saw that James was having a heated discussion with Nathan the Nark.

"Did you really fucking think I wasn't going to know?" James jaw clenched.

"It's not what you-"

James interrupted the conversation when he saw me, and bumped shoulders with Nathan to get to me, and just barely heard him mutter underneath his breath, "This isn't over."

Nathan looked like he wanted to say something but gave up and left the room, James gestured for me to follow him. We walked back upstairs and to a place where I have been before, Wark's office, he unlocked the door and looked around before walking in, I followed behind him and shut it.

Pulling me on to his lap he rested his hand on my hip, "We're leaving tonight."

"We are?" I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, my feelings hadn't changed since James' proposal of me going to New York with him, I wanted to be with him.

Do you really?

He was everything for me that Bay couldn't be, I was doing this because he was my escape from everything that had been causing me pain.

You're convincing yourself Athena.

"Yes, Wark is fucking everything up over here and I know it's going to come back on you, I just don't understand why Bay just don't take over already."

"Bay..."

And there it was the mention of his name tore off the band aid that I placed over my heart damn near a month ago, I didn't want for him to be brought up, because it just opened up a fuck can of worms that were not meant to opened.

"You really don't like him." I changed the subject.

He chuckled and kissed me, "He was always the kid on the playground that started the fight with the biggest kid and when he found out he was in over his head I had to handle it, I was the big brother that took care of any problems he couldn't finish. While my father nurtured Wark, he groomed me to take over New York and when Wark found out what my father was doing with me he got pissed and my father had to stroke Wark's pride like he always did before, saying that he really wanted him to takeover New York, but that didn't work so he sent me out here t-"

"Handle it." I cut off.

He nodded, "Yes, while I should be handling business, but I am taking care of a grown ass baby."

"So that's why we're leaving?" I placed a hand on his chest.

"Yeah and hopefully when we do he can let this bitch burn." He muttered kissing me, I let my thoughts wondered as I deepened the kiss, was this the good guy I had been looking for I mean he had to be he was willing to risk it all for me.

Pulling away I said, "We can't hide in here, Wark is planning this party for you."

"This party is just for him, and plus I would like to do so many other things." He grinned.

----

July 28th 9pm

Location: James's Black-Tie Party

This dress was incredibly short, but Wark insisted that this was what I needed to wear. I had come to the conclusion that the reason Wark had been 'avoiding', me was because of this party he wanted me to have time to let my bruises heal and he couldn't be around me because every time he would see me he just couldn't hold back the urge to hit me.

I pulled the dress down and left the room, Wark already had the party started and the music could probably be heard from down the street, I always thought that the black-tie party was supposed to be classy but what did I expect from white people who had gotten everything in life, so I am guessing that classiness is boring for them after living with the one percent all their lives.

I brushed past people and walked over to Wark's section, the security guard let me pass and I sat next to Wark quietly not saying anything and ignoring their ignorant ass conversation, I looked around the room for James, but I didn't see him, but I did see...Camilla?

I recognized her from anywhere, especially that necklace, mostly because I had the exact same one to match. It was the necklace that could buy me a very nice high-end apartment, I had to find a way to get to her.

"The oldest trick in the book."

"I'm going to the bathroom, I will be back soon." I smiled before getting up, I felt Nathan's stare on the side of my face, but I didn't bother to look at him. I moved people out of my way and as soon as I was in arm's length of her I grabbed her arm and walked quickly to the bathroom.

I busted through the door and she kept saying, "Athena, yo estaba tan preocupado por ti." (Athena, I was so worried about you)

"Silencio." I shushed her, I checked underneath the stalls and opened each and every one of them. (Hush) "Tengo que asegurarme de que nadie está escuchando." (I have to make sure no one is listening)

Camilla mouth snapped shut and she frowned, "I know it's been a month but...damn."

My eyes lit up in realization, last time I seen her I didn't even know how to say a sentence in Spanish now I am speaking like I am native to the language.

"I told you there is something more to this, that you don't want to listen to."

"Never mind that." I waved a dismissive hand and pulled her into a hug, "What the fuck are you doing here you could have gotten yourself killed?"

"Girl shit is hitting the fucking fan, Bay came by a few weeks ago asking where the hel-" Camilla was cut off by the door opening and a couple of girls came in giggling.

"Bay llegó hace unas semanas buscando y José terminó diciendo que gira." She whispered looking over her shoulder at the girls. (Bay arrived a few weeks ago looking for you and Jose ended up saying you turned) I shook my head immediately I couldn't believe it and just as I was about to say something Camilla stopped me, "Bay quiere matarte Athena." (Bay wants to kill you Athena)

My breathing slowed and all I could manage to say, "What the hell..." The girls left, and I finished the thought, "What the hell do you mean he wants to kill me, I have done nothing but put my fucking ass on the line for his ass, if this is about me not calling I cou-" Hearing shuffling behind the door I let my paranoia beat me, "Él tomó mi teléfono, pero tengo la tarjeta SIM." (He took my phone, but I have the sim card)

"Do you, have it?"

I nodded and dug into my bra and pulled out the tiny sim card, "No le dé esto a Bay oa José." (Do not give this to Bay or Jose) My trust was gone, I didn't care if they still thought that I fucking flipped, I was not going to give them something this valuable. "Esto tiene casi todo, así que ten cuidado." (This holds almost everything so be careful)

"Ok."

I grabbed her hand and took her out of the bathroom, "We have to go somewhere."

"You're still going to have to explain to me how in the hell do you know Spanish?" She said from behind me.

"That's for another day."

"Or another lifetime..."

We got lost into the crowd of people for a few minutes before we went into the same hallway that I went down during the Blood Party. I had to find that room, it probably held more information than his study room, walking to the end of the hallway I pushed the door open, the room was quiet and dark.

"Fucking jackpot."

She turned her flashlight on her phone on, "What the hell are we looking for chica?"

"The addresses to everything, I know it's in here." I whispered and walked over to the big desk. "This is where they have their meetings, whenever Bean and Dean come to Chino."

I looked through the papers but all of them proved to be useless, I opened up drawers and moved everything to the side to see a latch a small latch, so small that you could have missed it if you weren't looking for something important, pulling it up I saw another phone and a note. "Take a picture of the note," I pulled the back off to the phone and showed the sim number, "And this number, I will be able to run it through a system to transfer everything." She took a picture of both and on cue we heard loud steps coming towards the room, these were undeniable and not my paranoia.

I nodded towards the door and we both ran into the room, it wasn't the biggest, but it gave us enough room to both see what the hell was going on through wooden blinds. Nathan and James both came into the room, "You're out of your fucking mind if you think that I am not going to tell Wark about this!" James pushed Nathan.

Tony came in behind James and Nathan yelled back, "You will put this whole case on the line, now the only people I am coming for is Wark, Bean, and Dean, just stay the hell out of the way and we won't have a problem!"

"Did you remember that this is my fucking brother we're talking about?" He clenched his fist.

Nathan took in a breath before saying, "This is your last chance either go along with the investigation or you get involved as well."

"You know what I told Wark dumb ass about you, and now look at him." James laughed.

"So, did you make your decision?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"That's my brother and you're dumb as hell if you think I will ever change my decision." He turned to Tony, "Take care of him."

Just as James was about to turn around Nathan gave a nod towards Tony and I knew this was a set-up and as I was about to yell, Camilla covered her hand over my mouth and wrapped her other arm around me, "Shh Athena." And I had to watch Tony withdraw his gun and point it at James and proceed to shoot him in the back, it happened so quickly that James couldn't even see it coming.

James crumbled to the floor and I tried to scream as loud as possible, but the soft manicured hand stopped me from doing so, tears flooded my eyes and I collapsed to the ground, with Camilla's arm still wrapped around me.

I heard them leave and I busted through the door and ran over to him, his body was so heavy. I crawled over to him and put his head in my lap. "James are you ok?" Blood dribbled from down the corners of his mouth, he tried to open his mouth to say something, but nothing came out, I smoothed his face, "You're going to be ok, James, ok, you're going to be fine."

"Athena-" Camilla started.

Through blurry eyes I croaked, "Camilla you need to go, ok, I don't want you to be hurt, so go before anyone notices that I'm gone from the bathroom."

She opened and shut her mouth staring at James, before she left she placed a kiss on my forehead. When we were left alone I let out a sob and whispered in his ear, "My name is Athena Aphrodite Luck, I am twenty-two years old and I am from San Francisco, Bay sent me here to take Chino from your brother."

He looked at me and stuttered, "I-I-I s-s-till l-l-ove you."

I cradled his head closer to my chest and kissed his temple, I wiped the blood from his mouth. "I'm so sorry." He grabbed my hand and placed it over his heart, and we stayed like that until I felt his heart stopped beating, no matter how long I waited for the next beat, it still didn't come, James was gone forever.

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