Julius's POV

I drove to the location Ludwick gave me.
It was indeed the correct one.
It was in a deserted part of the city.
I drove close to the building and walked the rest of the way on foot as the path was too narrow for my car.

I walked up to what I saw was a metal door filled with rust.
There were two men standing at the doors.
They looked at me and I raised a brow before they opened the door.
I was led through the metal rooms and finally into a dark, open space.
There was a table and chair situated at the extreme left of the room.
There I saw who sat opposite.
It was Ludwick

"Oh Julius my good friend come in come in.
Take a seat"

I slid my hands into my pants pocket.
I walked over and sat opposite him on a plastic chair.
He was lucky the wood table seperated us or else I would have stabbed him by now.

I kept a straight face as I stared at him

"Don't be all cold with me now Julius "
He smirked at me

"Cut to the chase Ludwick.
Where is she?"

"I get it your in a rush to see if your love is still alive.
Don't worry she is "
He clapped twice and I heard a thud.
I looked into the dark distance and saw Vera.
She was tied up to a chair.
Her red hair was a mess and it covered her face.
When she lifted her head there was a bruise on her cheek and she had a head injury.

"J-julius"

She could barely call out my name and my blood boiled seeing her in such a condition

"I told you not to lay a finger on her!
Why the fuck does she have bruises!!"
I roared standing up sharply and pushing the chair to the floor in the process.

Ludwick was clearly scared at my
outburst

"You said I should not lay a finger on her.
So I didn't"
He stressed the "I"

"My men didn't like her
She was being a nuisance and they didn't like it "
He shrugged and I looked to the two me that stood beside her chair grinning.

"What do you want Ludwick"
I calmed myself down knowing fully well he wasn't going to win this.

I took my seat when a guard brought it

"Good to see you've calmed down Julius"
I kept my eyes trained on Vera. The bruises on her soft and delicate cheeks made my heart ache.
Her tear stained cheeks and messy hair only added to my feeling of guilt.

"Get to the point Wick"
Wick was the signal for Aldonis and the troops to swoop in

"Good.
Now if you want your damsel back it's very easy."

He opened his hands and documents were placed in them.

"All you have to do is give your mafia to me.
Everything"

He dropped the piercer on the table and I stared at him.
He wanted me to make a fucking blood oath

"It's only fair"
He smirked.

I put my hand above the piercer and looked up at him.

"You know why I own the biggest mafia?

Because empty and baseless threats like these don't faze me"

His eyes opened in shock

"So you rather I kill your wife?!"

It was clear my response angered him

"Go ahead"

I stood up and dived forward catching Vera in my arms we rolled on the ground as explosions erupted everywhere. I shielded her and she clutched unto me as the sounds echoed round the room.

Soon the place was engulfed  in flames and I looked down at Vera.
Her dove eyes were staring back at me

I untied her from the chair and we ran out of the building past the dead bodies.

When we got out she hugged me.
I was caught off guard by it.
She hugged me and cried.

She whispered a thankyou and after a while I held her back.
I kissed the top of her head.

"It's okay doll.
Your safe now"

I held her close to me as we walked to where Aldonis and the other men were

"Boss.
They are all dead.

We checked the building.
No one survived"
Lionel came to me when he noticed our presence

"Yes boss"
Aldonis looked down at Vera who clung to me as she still cried  clearly still traumatized.
"I can take her home if you want boss"

"Okay take her home"

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her head before handing her to Aldonis who pampered her as well.

She really brought out the caring side  in all of us.

There was definitely going to be a war between the two mafias now we had killed their leader.
I had to go with Lionel to personally supervise the new security arrangements.
We had to recruit new members and train them.

I had Aldonis keep me updated on Vera's condition.
He had cleaned up her injuries and I did feel bad I wasn't there to help her after she helped me with mine.
But the least I could do was ensure something like this would never happen to her ever again.

A thought still remained in my mind.
How was she able to leave the house when no one got in.
I and Aldonis decided to have cameras installed in the house to keep an eye on everyone.
There's a traitor among us and it scares me to think it's someone who we trust that could be planning to put Vera in danger.

I needed to keep her safe.

I got home preety late and I was sure Vera was already asleep but I wanted to see her to put my mind at ease.

Something had changed in me for sure And i couldn't really out my finger on it but I felt something towards Vera.

I walked up to her room door and pushed it open slightly.
I saw her sleeping peacefully in her bed.
I walked in and sat beside her .

Then I noticed a layer of sweat on her forehead.
She looked like she was having a nightmare as she tossed and turned mumbling and hyperventilating

"No!
Please!"

She was shouting as she kicked and wrestled around crying while her eyes were shut.

I didn't know when I pulled her into my chest  and held her .
I stroked her hair trying to calm her down.
Her hair was as soft as I always imagined it to be.
She held unto me like if she let go she would die.
She sobbed into my shirt and I felt horrible.

A knot formed in my chest.
"Shhh
It's okay doll"

She visibly calmed down and her breathing became normal.

Then her eyes flew open and she stared at me.

I could see the crimson colour that covered her cheeks.

Her scent filled my nostrils.
She smelled like jasmine and roses and I just stared down at her beautiful face.

She moved to sit up and I helped her.
She looked away from me as the blush never left her cheeks.

"Are you okay?"

I watched as her eyes met mine but she diverted her gaze soon after

"Yeah.
I'm-im fine.
Thanks to you"
A small smile crawled into her face.

"Do you remember anything .
What happened?"

I saw her bite on her lower lip and it made me go crazy and my Adam's apple bobbed
I cleared my throat and had to look elsewhere.

"I remember I was walking into the house"

She stopped and looked into my eyes.

"Did you put people to spy on me?"

Her question was out of the blue and I was shocked.

Those fools couldn't even hide it.

I sighed

"Yes I did.
But I only did it because I wanted to keep you safe.
Now tell me everything"

She was staring at me and I could see alot of emotion in her eyes.

"W-well
I walked into the house from the garden and I met Cyrus watching TV.
I went to sit with him and-"

She trailed off pursing her lips.

Was this girl trying to kill me!

"W-well
H-he was staring at me all weird. I stood to leave and I don't remember what happened after that"

My jaw clenched and I balled my fists angered
She saw Cyrus last?
That means he left with Vera in his car.

He was the traitor but I wasn't sure so I had to get evidence and not raise suspicion.

"Okay.
Don't repeat this story to anyone"

She nodded

"And be careful around Cyrus"

"Okay"

I stood up to leave but I felt her hold on my wrist.
I turned to see her hold on my wrist.
I looked up to see her face a bright red.

"Are you going to bed?"

Her blush was so cute on her face and I couldn't help the smile that crept on to mine

"No
I don't sleep.
At least not for more than an hour.
Don't worry get some rest.
Goodnight"

I placed a kiss at the tip of her knuckles and looked up to see the blush ran across her nose.

"Good night"

she whispered back before I left the room

.....

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