- AZAIL -

There was this intense feeling in my chest. And yes, Mila was the one responsible for it.

She was responsible for my happiness. For my joy.

Looking so peaceful, she was sleeping by my side. Her back to me. I didn't want to move her and cause her any more pain, that she was already feeling.

I didn't even plan to kiss her tonight, but it just happened.

Her soft lips.

I couldn't get them out of my head. After this, i'm not going to be able to stop myself from kissing her every second of the day.

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone. It was Tony. Again.

Why was he calling so late again?

I got up from the bed, covered Mila with the blanket and kissed her hair.

I went to my room and closed the door behind me.

"What?" I answered the call.

"I found Samuel. And i also found out something."

How did he do it so fast? It has been only one day since we last talked.

"Talk." I paced the room and waited for him to spill whatever her learned about Armand.

"I didn't even had to do anything. He just started to talk. He told me about Mila's mom...

So let's start from the beginning. Armand and her met when she was in high school. She was sixteen and he was twenty seven, man. She was just a kid."

What the fuck.

"They started to get to know each other and eventually started dating. After she finished high school she moved in with him. From what Samuel said, he practically made her live with him.

Her parents were not financially stable so Armand bribed them and made Athena live with him. Apparently she was not happy with how things were going. She didn't want to be there. But Armand wouldn't let her leave.

After a year, when she was nineteen she got pregnant. I don't know but it seems like he forced her to have his child."

I was not feeling good. What kind of sick person would do that? She was so young. And her parents. They failed their daughter.

Tony continued. "After Mila was born it was getting harder for Athena to leave."

"Why didn't Samuel do something? Why didn't he helped her?" I asked. He could have done something. He could have stopped all of this.

"He threatened him with his family. He couldn't tell the police. Armand was going to destroy him. So after few years he stopped working for him. He lost a lot after that. But he didn't want to be in touch with Armand anymore. The only way they communicate is through emails. Samuel is paying of his debt to him."

That explains the emails and documents i found in his office. Also it makes sense that he would threaten him. Armand was even worse that i thought.

"Athena wanted to escape but it was hard to do so with a small baby and no one there to help her. Some lady named Maggie tried to convince Armand to let her go but all of that was for nothing. That Maggie stayed in the house just to keep an eye on Mila and not leave her alone.

Armand keeps them all in a choke hold, Az. They can't move without him knowing.

When Mila was about to turn five she got sick and a friend of Armand, a doctor, was visiting them constantly. He tried to help Athena. When she was trying to escape with Mila, Armand found out.

She was packing her stuff when he got into their room and... killed her.

He choked her.

And the saddest thing is that Mila was in the room just next to theirs when all of that happened."

I was going to puke.

My Mila.

Her mom was trying to help her, but now she thinks that she left her, thanks to her dad. That disgusting bastard.

She felt unwanted by her mom for so many years.

My heart broke for her.

"You have to get Mila out of there, man." I know. I knew that so well.

"I will. I just have to tell Dante to give me one more week."

"Also about that. You have to be careful. He's keeping an eye on you. He's suspecting that something's going on." That was the last thing i needed right now.

"You know Valerio, he came by yesterday, asking how you're job was going." I hated Valerio. He was worse than Roberto. Thinking he was way above us. Trying to act like Dante all the time.

"I can arrange new passports for you and Mila. You can get out of the country. Than we'll deal with the rest." Firstly i had to tell Mila everything. From the beginning. That was the thing that bothered me the most.

What is she doesn't believe me. I mean i was here sent to kill her. Of course she would doubt me.

I was in a big mess. And everything was going to get messier once she finds out.

"You have to tell her as fast as you can, Az."

"I will. I'll tell her."

"Take care, man. I'll call you when i get the passports ready."

I thanked him and hung up. I was angry, frustrated and disgusted by Armand.

How could he do that to his only daughter? Did he really thought that he could keep her locker up in this house forever?

He killed Athena in such a cruel way. She was so young when she had Mila. I can't even imagine what she went through all alone.

I went into Mila's room and slowly closed the door not to wake her up.

She was still sleeping in the same position. I laid next to her and hugged her from behind.

I buried my face in her neck and sighed. I'm going to keep you safe, baby. I'm gonna take you out of here. I'm going to make you the happiest girl. I'll give you everything you want.

Even if you hate me after you find out the reason i'm here, i'll be there for you.

"I love you." I whisper to her.

Your mom couldn't save you, but i will.

Who else hates Armand? 🙋‍♀️

I wanted to finish this book before Ramadan but I'm realizing i'm not gonna make it.

Also wanted to read some of the books i have at home cause lately i've been reading only Wattpad.

I can't decide between The Inheritance Games and Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

What's your favorite thriller/mystery book?

Currently my favorites are Lies like Wildfire or Rock Paper Scissors.