IV

"𝐈 wanted to shoot him." I complain, releasing my balled fists and relaxing my hands. "He pissed me off." Marco replies, handing me the gun.

I flinch at the sound of police sirens wailing in the distance while Marco curses colourfully and looks out the window. We exit the building right when an unmarked police car screeches to a stop in the middle of the street. A policeman gets out the car and points his gun at me.

"Freeze! Don't move." The policeman yells, slowly taking footsteps towards me.

I point the gun Marco handed me at the policeman, but before I can pull the trigger, Marco grabs me by the throat and launches me behind a parked car. The force of the impact is enough to make me plunge to the ground, dropping the gun in the process. He storms up to me and grips my throat again, squeezing so tightly that he is beginning to choke me.

"Are you fucking crazy! Pulling a gun out in the middle of the street. The police aren't on our side, Lana, they are on Tony's." He yells, tightening his grip on my neck. My breathing becomes ragged and I just about manage to spit out some words.

"He pissed me off." I voice, mocking what Marco said earlier.

Out of anger, I use all of my strength to spin Marco around and throw him into the car, setting of the safety alarm. I point the gun at his temple but am immediately kicked in the stomach, causing me to stumble backwards. He snatches the gun from me and points it at my heart, digging the nozzle into my skin. I surrender and raise my arms up to tease him, but this only encourages him to press the gun deeper into my aching skin.

"You wont kill me." I assume through gritted teeth. "Yet." He replies, slowly pulling the gun away from me.

"Pussy" I mutter.

Marco eyes turn cold, radiating danger and power from them. He opens his mouth to argue back but is interrupted by several more police cars surrounding us.

"Shit." I whisper.

Marco smirks and brings his lips closer to my ear. I wiggle my ass backwards into his groin to push him away but he doesn't budge.

"Don't act like you know me, Lana. Too much time has passed." He whispers before winking at me and stepping out from behind the car, his arms raised to the sky. I follow his lead and do the same.

One of the policemen's eyes dart to me instantly.

"Milana?" He calls out.

Fuck.

"David?" I question the familiar policeman stood before me. Marco shifts his eyes suspiciously between me and the policeman, then he takes a step towards the man.

"You didn't see us, is that clear?" He asks the officer, drawing out several hundred dollar bills from his pocket. The policeman exchange a few glances with each other and eventually nod.

"Wait-"

Before I get a chance to protest, Marco grabs me by the wrist and drags me into the night. We lead down a maze of shadowy alleys and quiet backstreets until we arrive at the nearest hotel.

"We can't go home, not tonight, too many police. We'll be safe here, I own the place." He informs, shooting me a look but immediately looking away. "Of course you do." I reply sarcastically. Marco rolls his eyes and leads me into one of the many hotel rooms.

There is a knock on the door and a maid enters with fresh clothes for both of us. I thank her as she slips out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind her. With no shame, I strip off my clothes in front of Marco and walk into the bathroom to shower.

I turn on the water, savouring the warmness soothing my skin and making sure to throughly wash my body. After I am done washing, I towel dry my hair and wrap my body in a second towel. I walk out of the bathroom in the towel to grab my clothes. Marco looks at me for a split second but shows little interest as he looks away to focus on his phone call.

After i'm changed I lay on the bed next to Marco. "Listen, after tonight we will go our separate ways until the annual ball. Keep your mouth shut about Tony, got it?" He explains, putting his phone down and finally looking at me.

Oh. Of course, the ball.

The fucking yearly ball. I haven't been to one in ages, but nothing good ever comes out of them. Why should Mafia bosses from all over the planet sit in the same room for a night and pretend to he civil? That's just not how this lifestyle works.

"Do I look fucking stupid!? Why would I tell anyone. I don't trust anyone, including you." I say, looking into his hypnotic chestnut irises. He chuckles and stands up to switch off the light, then walks back over me and leans down at the end of the bed.

"It's late, get some sleep." He whispers. I fall silent for a few moments but then open my mouth to speak. "Why did you betray and kill Uncle Tony for me?" I ask the question that has been playing on my mind the whole night.

"What do you mean? You know I always had a soft spot for you, Lana." He whispers.

"Cut the bullshit, Casanova. We didn't play twenty questions because you have a soft spot for me." I say, harshly as I stare at him suspiciously. He holds my gaze before replying.

"We played twenty questions because I don't trust you. I killed Uncle Tony because he's worth more to me dead than alive." He admits, speaking in an intense tone that sends shivers up my spine. The playfulness in his voice fell away like a discarded cloak.

"One more question." He adds. "How did you know that policeman outside the mansion?" He asks.

"He's the officer who offered me the deal five years ago. He was a crooked cop, used to work for my father. David came to me when Tony killed dad, I haven't seen him since then." I explain. He nods and I roll over. Muffled footsteps from the other side of the room tell me that Marco went elsewhere. Soon sleep engulfs me and i melt into a pool of darkness.

Flashback: Sat in the courthouse, I cannot bare to look at the man I sent here. Marco.

"Milana, look at me!" He pleads.

"Be silent, Mr Cortez. Are you sure what you're telling me is accurate, Ms Levine?" He questions. I shift in my seat ready to answer.

"Yes"

"Following your testimony, I have no choice but to find the defendant guilty. Marco Cortez, I hereby sentence you to six years in prison." The judge announces.

"No!" He yells, the death stare he gives me almost pins me in place with how mortal it is.

My heart races with guilt and shame as I watch the witness stand when the guards surround Marco and lead him away.

"Damn it, Lana, I trusted you!" He yells. I keep my eyes on the floor until Marco's been taken out of the room. Then I meet detective David's gaze, and walk over to join him on the bench.

"Good job. You earned your one-way ticket out of this city, a new chance at life" David hands me a few fake documents and cash, all tucked up in an envelope.

"Whatever you do, don't return to New York. It's too dangerous for you here. Your uncle will kill you" I shake my head.

"I'll come back one day" I express.

"Didn't you just hear me? Your uncle will kill you, Milana!" David shouts.

"I don't care. When i'm strong, when i'm ready. I'll take revenge on Tony for killing my father and for taking everything from me" I shout.

"It's your funeral, Milana" He spits, walking away from my quivering body.

I look towards the chair where Marco stood just a minute ago. A tear rolls down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it off.

Maybe when I do come back, I can also find out if it was worth giving up the man I love.

*end of flashback*

***

I wake up from my dream, covered in sweat. It's the next morning now. I look around and notice an empty spot in the bed next to me. Marco is no where to be seen.

So he really did leave last night.

I roll my eyes in frustration and get up. I attempt to squash my things into my compact handbag but it is a struggle. After finally doing so, I immediately exit the room. As I step outside of the hotel, a cool breeze hits my face and cools my body. I reach for my phone in my pocket and call Elliot to take me home so I can finally see my family.

I am exhausted the entirety of the ride home. I notice a few police cars still roaming about on the streets surrounding the location of the mansion. The car ride has felt like it has been going on for hours when I finally come to a stop outside the famous Levine mansion. I slowly walk up to the door and am greeted with four heavily armed guards.

I swear the security on this place has increased since I have been gone.

"You're not allowed in." One of them say. I drag a long, slow breath and raise both my eyebrows. "Of course I am." I argue as I attempt to step past them. The guard tilts his head, clutching his gun. I stride in my steps, sheer confidence lacing my voice.

"I'm Milana Levine." I explain.

I can tell my statement has made the guards think a multitude of things all at once as they fall completely silent.

"Milana Levine disappeared years ago without a trace." The same guard says. I look between each of the men and they all share the same puzzled looks on their faces. "I'm back now and I demand to be let inside!" I vociferate, my words cutting through the morning air.

My order is met with puzzled looks.

"Where is Nico? He'll be able to identify me. Call him at once." I demand.

The men exchange quick glances, then collectively nod and rush into the house. I use this moment to take in the full sight of the house.

My house.

-------------------------------------------------------- Home sweet home. Or is it?

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