Chapter 25

Z A R A

"I'm sure you've been introduced to the five bosses?" Elijah asks.

I nod, "Except for one... something Gambino, I think?"

"Ah, Carlo Gambino. He's the main character of this story," Elijah sighs. "Your high school was around the Toronto area in Canada, right?"

I nod again, "Correct."

"Well, Alejandro enrolled into the school to get closer to one of your classmates, who was the son of Gambino's brother," he explains. "We needed to kill off his brother because he betrayed the omertà."

"He betrayed the what?" I raise a brow.

"Omertà is the code of silence and honor that we uphold as members of this organization. Betraying the omertà is one of the most shameful things you can do as a made man," he continues.

"And how does one betray this code?" I ask out of curiosity.

"By having a big mouth and being a pussy," he smirks.

I try to stifle my laughter, "Explain further, please."

"It's by ratting us out to the authorities, the government, or outsiders, especially during a criminal investigation or something of the same level," he explains further.

"Ah, I'll assume this is something very important," I say.

"Very," he emphasizes. "Breaking the code is a guaranteed gruesome death."

"Yikes, I guess telling authorities is off of my checklist," I shiver at the thought of having everyone I love murdered because I snitched.

"It better be because the Cosa nostra will have you, your family, and anyone remotely close to you murdered for it," he warns.

"Oh, then it is definitely off my list," I agree. "Wait," something hits me, "don't tell me Mr. Gambino's nephew is Philip Gambino..."

"Bingo!" Elijah exclaims as if I just won a game or something. "Alejandro had to create a whole new persona to enter into the high school, considering that he was way past the age of a high schooler."

"Back it up," I stand still for a second. I never considered that Alejandro lied about his age too. "How old is Alejandro?"

"He still kept you in the dark about all of this?" He almost gasps. "Unbelievable."

"Is it really unbelievable?" I say sarcastically.

He sighs, "I guess not." Then, he continues, "He's actually four years older than you, I believe. You're what? 21? 22?"

"I'm 21, turning 22 this year," I clarify.

"He turned 26 earlier this year, so about four-ish years older than you," he confirms.

"No wonder he did not look like a freshman back in high school," I'm not even surprised anymore. I'm literally learning about Alejandro from scratch. "Everyone found it so suspicious, yet no one had the guts to question him."

"Of course not. Have you seen how intimidating he can be?" Elijah laughs.

"Yes, Elijah. I know," I roll my eyes.

"Sorry," he mumbles. "Anyways, you were about 13 or 14 and he should've been about 17 or 18."

"Not creepy at all..." I say sarcastically but in reality, Alejandro never made a move on me, not once.

In fact, he barely carried conversations until junior year and finally became comfortable around us in senior year. Plus, it wasn't until the end of my senior year when I finally thought I noticed something between us.

"He didn't go there to fuck anyone. It was supposed to be a quick in and out the type of a situation, which, somehow ended up being a whole four-year-long task," Elijah sighs.

"There's no trusting him, he probably did end up sleeping with a few people," I frown.

"He didn't trust me. He found more... legal means of venting off stress," Elijah chose his words carefully. "He either had Amelia or Marcus fly out or he found people around the area who were... willing."

"Oh, that makes it so much better," there's obvious mockery in my tone.

"Okay, okay. Moving on!" He laughs. "The elders were becoming upset that it was taking Alejandro years, rather than just a mere couple of months. He was the type to finish his tasks quickly and efficiently. However, he was saying that it was necessary for him to stay the four years to complete it in order to not create more trouble."

"Can I guess why?" Charlotte chimes in. I almost forgot she was here because of how quiet she's been.

"Be my guest," Elijah smiles.

"He was infatuated with Ms. Zara and couldn't bear to part with her," Charlotte giggles.

"What?!" My eyes widen.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!" Elijah chuckles. "Of course, no one knows that except me and maybe Marcus because no one knows where you're from or anything."

"Me?" I almost couldn't believe it.

"Yes, Ms. Zara. You had him tied around your finger and you didn't even know it," Charlotte tries to cover her smile.

"There's no way..." I thought maybe Alejandro and I had something but nothing intense, or at least not from his side.

"In reality, the infiltration and assassination could've been completed within a month or two," Elijah tries to explain the situation. "He didn't dispose of Gambino's brother until the end of your senior year of high school."

Then, it suddenly hit me. Out of all the students in our grade, Alejandro was either seen with Yasmeen and me or Philip and his group of friends. He didn't look like he enjoyed being around them very much, it looked almost forced. Suddenly, in the second semester of our senior year, Philip stopped coming to school. Obviously, there was no change in Alejandro's mannerism, probably because he was very used to it all.

I wasn't particularly close to Philip, in fact, we only spoke to each other for nothing other than school-related things when we were in class together. Philip was quite popular, he attracted swarms of people and surprisingly, he was a great kid. He was always genuinely friendly and helpful toward everyone. He always made sure people around him were comfortable and at ease. He radiated good guy energy, unlike the energy I feel tonight.

"So... is that why Philip stopped coming to school in our senior year?" I ask the obvious.

Elijah nods, "The job was done and it was done very well if I say so myself. And I'm usually not the one to hand out Alejandro compliments."

I look at him in a confused manner.

"It was so well done that not one person suspected Alejandro because of how well he had executed the task. I mean, Gambino's brother didn't know what Alejandro looked like so that helped," he says. "But, I guess the four years of building up the plan also really played a favor in his part. Even the Commission thought Gambino's brother might've died on accident until Alejandro came back with proof."

"What proof?" I'm sure I would regret asking.

"A recording of the execution and the man's decapitated head," Elijah answers casually.

I really referred to Alejandro as the executioner as a joke but now... I don't know how much of a joke it is.

"I shouldn't have asked," I sigh regretfully.

He chuckles, "You really shouldn't have."

"It's unfair, really. Philip was a really good guy..." I sigh. "He seemed like he was raised with lots of love and respect."

"If it makes you feel any better, the family was thought to believe that the man did die in a freak accident," Elijah tries to make this more bearable. "Philip and his mother grieved normally, without having a clue about what happened."

"Ya Allah..." I shake my head in sorrow.

"Honestly, I think Philip might've grown on Alejandro because he usually disposes of people with no stretch but he went out of his way to make sure Philip thought this was just a horrible accident," Elijah says.

"That's pleasant... I suppose..." I think about cruel fate can be.

"Carlo Gambino tends to avoid Alejandro as much as he possibly can," he says.

"For good reasons," Charlotte whispers.

"Yes, but also because Alejandro refuses to trust him after what the other Gambino brother did. Carlo thinks he might end up in a 'freak accident' too if he makes one wrong move."

"Understandable, to be honest," Charlotte says. "I wouldn't want someone to take around my decapitated head as a trophy."

"I wouldn't mind as long as I'm dead," I shrug.

"Ma'am! Don't say such things!" Charlotte pouts.

"Dying in this line of work is never easy. You have to be tortured to death," Elijah tries to get me to stop thinking about death.

"But the end goal is death, no?" I raise a brow.

"God, you're really losing your mind aren't you?" He sighs.

"Wouldn't you if you had to live with Mr. Executioner?" I ask.

"I'm literally related to him. I've been around him my whole life. He's my boss!" Elijah frowns.

"Oh, damn. You actually did have it worst," I burst into laughter. "Poor thing."

• • •

A L E J A N D R O

"Isn't that your woman giggling off like a schoolgirl with Elijah?" Joseph Colombo's sickening smirk is plastered across his face.

"It looks like you don't have any control over your bitch. She looks like she's ready to get on her knees for him."

I look over to see Zara laughing wholeheartedly as Elijah stands there, watching her with admiration. Her eyes are so bright and full of life, compared to the dull, sad expression she always gives me.

"Joseph, friends can enjoy each other's company. There's no need to create a scene," Tommy Lucchese warns Colombo.

"Friends? She looks like she's just about ready to give him a blowjob," Colombo mutters.

My knuckles turn white from clenching my fists too hard, I grit my teeth trying to suppress my words to remain silent. It feels as if acid is trickling down my throat–burning, slicing, and eating away at my body.

I want nothing more than to pull out my pistol and dispose of Colombo on sight while I bash Elijah's head in with my bare hands.

But Zara... I warned her to act the part tonight. I fucking warned her. My patience is running thin as I watch her get closer and closer to Elijah without any hesitation on her part.

It seems like I haven't broken her enough, she hasn't learned her place yet. I have to teach her until she's molded into the perfect wife for me. The punishments would have to get much more... creative.

"Relax, Joseph," Joe Bonanno says. "She's just enjoying herself. This is a social gathering after all. I'm sure Ms. Zara knows better than to do anything against Alejandro's liking."

"I'm just sayin'. If my woman were to look at another man with heart eyes, I would've to beat her ass up right in front of everyone," Colombo grunts.

"Your woman changes every week, it doesn't matter what she does," Bonanno rolls his eyes.

Just as I was about to swing at the pig, Colombo, Lucchese places a hand on my shoulder, stopping me, "That's enough, Joseph. Alejandro can only have so much patience. Don't test that patience of his."

"I was only giving advice," Colombo mumbles.

"I would appreciate it if you were to keep that advice to yourself. I wouldn't want to send your head to your family for disrespecting me or my fiancée, now would I?" I give him a daunting smile.

Colombo visibly gulps and steps back, "Do whatever you want. That's not my woman anyways."

"Now, excuse me, gentlemen, I think it's time I make an announcement," I excuse myself from the group. I look over at Zara one more time and she's just as lively as she was minutes ago. It will only take me seconds to bring her down back to Earth.

Starting with, "Ladies and gentlemen. May I please have your attention?"

The crowd instantaneously quiets down upon hearing my voice. "Thank you all for attending La Notte Drago charity ball tonight. Your generous donations and contributions have been outstanding."

The crowd has an approvingly prideful smile on their faces.

"Being the sponsor of this event, I thought I'd use this opportunity to announce something important," I continue. "Zara, my love, please join me."

I see that smile of hers drop quicker than one can imagine. Her carefree motions are frozen in place, her hands shaking ever so slightly. The instant fear clouding her eyes proves that she still belongs to me.7L

I extend out my hand as she slowly makes her way up to me and as she takes my hand to climb up onto the stage, I bring myself closer to her ear, "Did you enjoy yourself with Elijah tonight?"

Her response to my question is visible in the way she grips my hand tighter in absolute fear.

"Did I say something wrong?" My poisonous tone clouds her eyes even further.

"It's nothing like that, Alejandro. He was just telling me—"

"Would you rather it be him than me right now?" I grit my teeth in irritation.

Her silence was enough to make me snap for a split second. I pull her towards me in an aggressive manner and she trips. But before she can reach the ground, I catch her resulting in an awe-struck response from the guests.

Oh, but little do they know...

I lean down, closing the space between us, our noses inches apart. "I'll make sure I make you very comfortable once we're home," venom seems through my tone. "I'll make sure you only remember pain and terror whenever he crosses your mind."

• • •

Z A R A

When Alejandro called for me to get up on stage in front of all these people, I almost pass out. He knows... he knows I don't like being the center of attention.

From his expression, it's clear he's doing this on purpose. He's doing this to make me uncomfortable, to push me to the brink.

He even went an extra step to make sure I trip–or, almost trip. My anxiety is pumping through my veins. Instead of building up to the feeling, it feels like someone injected the anxiety directly into my body, throwing me off course.

"I'll make sure I make you very comfortable once we're home," his tone holds no hint of comfort. "I'll make sure you only remember pain and terror whenever he crosses your mind."

My body freezes at his words as I think of every horrible possibility. What is he going to do this time? Break more of my bones? Violate my body? Threaten to hurt my family? My friends?

What will he do? And for what reason? Because I was finally enjoying myself just for a few minutes?

Why can't he trust me? Why can't he just see that I won't dare to look at someone else–not out of love but out of fear? I know my place in this relationship, I know what he's capable of, then, why? Why hasn't he figured out that I would never—

"I'm very pleased to announce that I am engaged and will be getting married very soon to my love, Zara Khan," he looks down at me with a fake, million-dollar smile.

I force myself to smile as the crowd cheers and cameras go off. Alejandro takes my left hand and extends it toward the photographer. The cursed ring reminds me of my horrid situation every single day.

Alejandro leans down and reminds me to give them my best smile or else it wouldn't do me any good. I try even harder to look happier but after all the threatening he just did, it's a pretty tough task.

As I try to focus my eyes after the hoard of flashing cameras, my eyes spot someone in the front row who makes me freeze up.

I must be hallucinating. This has to be side effects from all the flashing cameras and added trauma. This has to be a coping mechanism or something, I'm delusional.

I blink a couple more times to clear my sight of vision but nothing changes.

The face looking back at me is in shock as much as I am except her expression is much more tearful than mine.

It's real. It's her. It's Yasmeen.

My grip on Alejandro's arm tightens as tears start welling up in my eyes. It's taking everything in me to not sprint into a run right at this moment.

"Alejandro..." I whisper, interrupting his conversation with a reporter or something.

"Yes, my love?" He keeps up the act of a sweet lover.

"Is that..." I couldn't finish my sentence.

He follows my gaze and sighs, he's not even surprised.

"Go," he states.

"What?" I almost gasp.

"Go see her. I'll join you two in a couple of minutes," he says calmly.

I stare at him, trying to pull apart his true expression, his real reasoning for letting me see her but just as always, his expression is blank. There's no way I can read him.

"Are you serious?" I blink, trying to figure out what's happening.

"Yes," he states plainly.

"You won't hurt me if I choose to go?" I whisper, my voice cracking.

"No, I won't," he sighs, almost as if everything is irritating him. "But if you mention anything unpleasant, just remember that it will not play in your favor."

"Promise me you won't hurt me or her, please," there's desperation in my voice as I try to hold in my tears in front of all the news outlets.

There's a flash of concern on Alejandro's face, he places a soft kiss on my forehead and gently pushes me towards Yasmeen's direction, "I promise you nothing will happen as long as you don't let it."

"Thank you," I whisper and bolt into a half walk-half jog.

Yasmeen! Yasmeen! Yasmeen! My heart is beating out of my chest, my tears free falling at their own pace. I push through the crowds of people, who are trying to listen in on Alejandro's interview, they don't even notice me.

Just as I reach Yasmeen, she doesn't give me a chance to say a single word. She practically jumps into my arms, bursting into tears, sobbing loud enough to have a few passersby give us concerned looks.

"Z-Zara! You're a-alive! You're h-here!" She cries even harder.

I stroke her back, hugging her even tighter, afraid that if I let go, she'll disappear right from my arms.

- - -

• Zara and Yasmeen finally reunite.