Xavier and Xever faced each other. The former had emotionless look plastered on his face while the latter was grinning- a very sick grin. The two men stood, neglecting the cold winds which attempted to freeze their bones.

"I thought that you were dead." Xavier spoke first. The smile on Xever's face vanished and he snarled.

"So you recognized me?" His hand reached up to his face and he yanked his mask off, revealing the identical facial features as Xavier.

Xavier froze for a moment as the memories which he had buried deep in his chest ages ago, surfaced back in his mind.

He stiffened.

Xever already expecting his reaction grinned and attacked.

His harsh kick would have sent Xavier flying back in the snow or probably broke one of his ribs, if not for Xavier's capability to withstand it.

"HAHAHA! Impressive!" Xever could feel his blood hot and rushing in his veins. The years of hate which burned his heart was finally being let out.

A swift blow of wind hit them as they both lunged at each other.

****************

On the other side, Ace and Carlo were in deep trouble. Dante stood in front of them with his hands behind his back.

"I warned Master multiple times that he should not underestimate both of your families. And, that is exactly what happened. You all managed to reach here unscathed and even rescued the captives. But what about now? You have gotten caught now and I'm sure not letting you out. Only thing that will leave this building would be your deadbodies."

Ace was frowning, unimpressed at his speech.

"Are you done bullshitting now?"

Dante did not seem to mind the insult, instead he just smiled. Before he waved at the guards to put the duo's attention on them, indicating casually who has the upper hand now.

"Let us capture you both and Lucifer Lambordi will live to see the anther day."

Carlo raised his brow at the pathetic attempt to threaten them.

"My father has been dead years ago and I and my family will believe this always. His sudden appearance will not change anything."

Dante was a little startled.

But he regained his focus back on the upcoming battle quickly.

"I pity, Lucifer. This is one of the son for whom he endured all the pain and tortur-"

He did not get to complete his sentence as the duo suddenly rushed at him. Fortunately, the men behind him were instantly on alarm and their quick reflexes slowed down the both heirs.

Dante swallowed but his eyes widened as on the spur of moment, Ace appeared in front of him.

He looked back to see Carlo who had managed to block the group of men into one corner.

Carlo was exceptional just like a one man army. In the blink of an eye, he had swiped the way enough for Ace to pass through.

Dante did not even realize when he was punched across his face, his feet slid back due to the impact and he crashed into the wall.

"YOU-" He sputtered, seeing the remote which was in his hand earlier, now in Ace's hand.

"Worthless! You are in no league for us. Train harder in your next life before coming to challenge me." Ace mocked.

Few seconds later, Ace looked back to see Carlo being almost done.

The so called experimented people were dropping down like flies.

"You are getting slow." Ace made sure to tease Carlo a little before stepping in Lucifer's direction.

The older man was not awake under the influence of drugs. Ace carefully searched his body, coming across the scar of healed stitches just below his collarbone.

Ace swiped a blade out of his pocket and made a cut around the scar.

"Careful with that." Carlo's voice rang through.

Ace looked back to find him leant back against the wall with a cigarette dangling in his lips. Carlo was observing his father's condition thoroughly under his empty gaze.

Ace might not be able to read through Carlo's thoughts but he understood the extent of his happiness and sadness.

He was obviously happy to see his father alive but he was sad, because it was too late. All these years, the Lambordi siblings silently suffered because of their parents' absence. Carlo and his brothers were forced to become mature quickly with unlimited responsibilities falling on Xavier's young shoulders years ago. There were many indifferences created between the brothers and Leila. To the point that she was terrified from them and tried to distant herself from them. If only they found their parents alive then, none of this would have happened.

Carlo's vision blurred. He blamed the smoke of his cigarette.

"It's over. But he needs first aid immediately."

Ace stated in the need of urgency while his fingers fiddled with a foreign chip. He closed his fingers into a fist and stood up.

Carlo did not answer but he approached his father and Ace placed his father's body on his back.

"Let's go. Xavier should be most likely done."

****************

Leila moved her eyes to each of her brothers. She wanted to feel relieved, but there was something in the pit of her stomach which was not making her relax at all.

Her two eldest brothers and her father's absence was worrying her and took too much of her attention but still that horrible feeling gnawing in her chest remained.

When it felt like everything would be fine, that bad feeling abrupty returned making her almost choke on her breath.

Suddenly, a commotion rang outside the barrier.

Leila lifted her head to look as someone entered her vision.

She was relieved to find Carlo along with Lucifer. Ace was also accompanying them.

Her brothers who were present had a look of surprise covering their faces which quickly changed into some different emotions. She did not have the time to observe them as someone else occupied her attention.

Xavier!

Finally, she was wholly relieved.

He was fine.

Everything was fine.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The brothers were still comprehending the fact that their father was alive.

They did not notice as Xavier looked at each of them, observing them in an unusual way.

Only Leila caught him but she was too naive to make sense of it.

Knowing this well, Xavier looked at her too and offered her a gentle smile.

She always felt at ease when he provided her comfort wordlessly like this.

But today!

She did not feel the comfort.

Instead her heartbeat fastened for a weird reason. Maybe, it was the after effect from the previous incidents which was not letting her feel relax.

At last, she decided that it might be true because the sinking and bad feeling in her heart had returned again with full force and Leila could do nothing about it.

Thank you for reading!!!💞 I hope you enjoyed this triple update.

'The Missing Piece' is officially completed on Patreon and you can also get access to some of my exclusive content there. Link to my patreon account is in the profile!

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Until the next update Stay tuned<3

Love Davina❤💞❤