|3|

Talia's POV:

Sweet baby Jesus.

Was that a threat? Did he just threaten me?

Okay, that was definitely a threat.

I'll be fine, I'm okay with it. We were one of the best hospitals for a reason, our surgeons are world-class, plus lung surgeries occur every day and most people are fine. His father didn't seem to have any other complications, so he'll be good. Inhaling and exhaling, I made my way to the incoming ambulance, the paramedics on sight alerted me that a massive car crash had occurred on the highway, and so we should expect incoming patients.

Today was going to be a long-ass day.

~***~

Six hours into my shift, Alexa and I were sitting in a canteen eating pasta. The hospital had many restaurants on the bottom floor so luckily we didn't have to bother looking for some other place in town. 

"Girl I am so hungry, I feel like my stomach might eat itself", she whined at me. "Also, tell me why I had to deal with the rudest patient today, like Sir! I'm trying to help you!"

I couldn't pay attention to Alexa's rant. All I could think about was that man- what was his name? 

Matteo.

Shit, how could I forget a man like that? Not to be creepy but I would gladly stare at his face for hours. Is it weird to say I kind of liked it when he grabbed me?

"Yes, it is weird!" My conscience chirped in, "Stop being weird and think about your consequences."

The logical part of me was right. I mean he literally grabbed me, that's like - illegal.

He looked dangerous though.

The type of guy that would break your heart, just because he felt like it. The type of guy who had a fire that scared even the inhabitants of Hell and consumed everything whole, until its ashes had ashes.

My train of thought was interrupted by Alexa, "Are you even listening to me? Is everything okay- you look.... tense?"

"Yeah I'm fine", I replied. "Hey, you know that man who got shot this morning, is he out from surgery? Did he make it?"

"Ah shit Talia, didn't you hear? When the surgeons were about to operate they discovered he had a massive lung tumor, along with the bullet, there was nothing they could do."

"Poor guy didn't stand a chance!" she sadly finished off.

"Oh my God..." I murmured to nobody in particular.

He's going to kill me. Okay, maybe not kill me. That's a bit much.

Right?

"Talia, are you sure you're alright?" Alexa said while taking a hold of my hand.

"Yeah I'm fine, I just feel bad for his son that's all," I said while smiling at her. "I should probably go give him the call," I muttered.

Here we go.

~***~

Matteo's POV:

"So what did they say?" Jonathan asked.

I slid into the passenger seat and rolled down the window. Looking at the hospital, I felt a pinch of guilt leaving my Padre there.

But I needed answers. I was going to get them.

"They said he'll be fine. Take me to that Puttana." I ordered.

"Oh, shit..." Angelo started. "So

cugino, what's going on inside that creative head of yours huh? I'm just curious because you really have a way with prisoners. You know I would aspire to be as, what's the word, innovative as you are but I don't think I have the stomach for that" he groaned out. (Cousin)

Rolling my eyes while smirking I replied, "Why don't we see, this is the place, sí?" Jonathan nodded in response. It was located in what looked like a brothel, but once you carried on walking downstairs, to what I like to refer to as the Underground, you would start to smell it. 

You know, that pungent smell that made your insides turn and your nostrils flare in distaste, wondering why on Earth you would leave them exposed to such a smell.

The smell that cautioned you that something or someone, was withering away in pain. That Thanatos would be awaiting at the back of the room.

Waiting.

And waiting.

Until I decided to stop their sorrow and finally show mercy. 

You know, the smell of Death.

Pushing open the locked door, the two men standing in front of it nodded to me in respect.

And there she sat.

Her feet were chained to the legs of the table and her head was hung low. The room was barely lit.

When I slammed the door shut, she sat up abruptly. Circling around the table a few times, I finally stopped, standing right opposite her. Maintaining unnerving eye contact with her, I tilted my head and smiled at her.

You should've seen the tremor in her eyes - but only for a moment - before she pulled herself together. She was ready for me.

She thought she was ready for me.

Bless her poor soul.

Circling around the table two more times I stopped directly behind her. I stepped closer to her and she shuddered.

Good, she should fear me.

"Cold?" I asked while rolling my sleeves up.

She made no attempt to answer me.

"Ever so quiet", I mocked.

Silence.

Leaning closer to her, I moved her brown hair to the left side of her face and whispered in her ear.

"Look like thy' innocent flower but be the serpent under't- William Shakespeare. He was such a genius, don't you think?" Wrapping her hair around my arm, I yanked her head closer to my lips and smirked when I heard her whimper in pain, "I think you took that a bit too literal sí?"

"Do you know what my favorite thing about Shakespeare is?" I mused. "It's his love for tragedy, for beautiful mistakes."

"His love for hamartia. A character's fatal flaw." Moving to the seat placed on the opposite side of the table, I leaned back into the chair and tilted my head.

"Humour me. What do you think your fatal flaw is?"

"What are you-" Raising my hand, I interrupted her, continuing by saying, "l think your fatal flaw is your motherly instinct. How's your son, Alina?"

"Matteo please," she begged.

Ahhh... Music to my ears. Begging.

"Or did you think we didn't know?" I paused for dramatic effect. "Do you know about his little drug addiction? He owes my family quite a lot of money. Or let me guess he's working with Alexai as well?"

"No, he didn't know! He doesn't know anything! I hadn't even told him that I was engaged." She cried.

Before I could reply, my phone ringing stopped me. It was an unknown number, probably the hospital.

"Speak", I ordered.

"Um hi, this is Nurse Cruz from the hospital", she replied.

"I assume you have some good news for me", I said.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Russo" No. "We did everything we could, you see, your father had a significantly large tumor in his lung, that complicated the surgery I-" before she could finish what she said I hung up the phone.

Breathe in and then out.

How dare she.

How dare this traitorsit across from me, breathing and living. The thought that my father's last memory would be being betrayed by somebody he thought loved him, pained me.

It pained me deeply.

Chuckling darkly I lifted my head up and said, "I am going to ruin you so bad you'll question if you're alive or not... " Finally standing and leaning over the table, I continued, "... and just when you think you can't take it anymore, just when you think that I'll finally put you out of your fucking misery, I'll laugh."

"And start the whole fucking cycle again."

"So remember this day. Because this is the day your life ended."

She was shaking by the time I had finished speaking.

"Matteo please, I can make it up to you", she sobbed.

Reaching across the table I grabbed her neck and barked at her, "Shut the fuck up! Because your tears only fuel my fucking anger, my father is dead and you think you can cry and all is forgiven. Are you out of your fucking mind?"

Cracking my neck, I walked out of the room reminding her...

"Un occhio per occhio."

(An eye for an eye)

"Boss?" Alessio said, "What's the plan?"

"Get a car ready, we are gonna pay her little dope-head son a visit."

È tempo di vendicare mio padre.

(Its time to avenge my father)