Chapter 18

"Scar, I'm glad you're here. Have you heard about Santiago?"

I stopped in my tracks and Griffin came up behind me, nearly knocking me over. They exchange nods and then Antonio repeated his question and then said,

"It's all over the news." He said, pointing to the television hanging on the wall.

I walked over to the television and quickly grabbed the remote, turning the volume up. The headlines read that a homeowner was gunned down in a home invasion. I looked at Griffin and then at Antonio in disbelief.

"We need to go over there," Griffin said while looking at me.

"I'll go with you."

"I can join you guys."

"No shift tonight?" Antonio said with a raised brow.

"I'll call in."

"Maybe a good idea with all those bruises running up and down your neck."

I had forgotten all about the pain that I'd endured from Giovanni because I was only focusing the pain in my chest. I can only see red as I once again am left with the aftermath that the Lucianos have left me with.

"Scar, can I talk to you in private?"

"Let me know if we're going over tonight," Griffin said before walking out the door with his head in his phone.

"I need a shower and a drink."

"How about you come to my place?"

"I'm not in the mood for your games."

"I need to talk to you, Scar. We can do this at your house or somewhere you feel safe."

Impossible because the only place I feel safe is with Gio. I found my heart and mind torn and what better way to cure it than alcohol and bad decisions.

"Fine, I need to get home to change."

"I'll drive you."

"Drop me off down the street, I don't need Giovanni seeing me with you."

"Yeah, we need to discuss him, immediately."

Antonio and I were getting ready to walk out when I heard Jess calling out my name. We both stopped and she froze when she saw Antonio.

"Hey, Jess."

"Antonio, when did you get here?" She said hesitantly.

"Not too long ago. I came by after I heard what happened to Santiago."

Jess was standing there like she'd just seen a ghost. I guess the voicemail got to her just like it had to me.

"Jess?" I said waving my hands to snap her out of her daydream.

"Uh, yeah. I was coming to ask you about maybe joining me for dinner tonight?"

"Actually, I just made plans with Antonio, but maybe another time?"

"Y-Yeah, another time." Jess took in a deep breath before she continued, "Keep your phone on. I'm going to text you when I make the reservations."

"Sounds good, Jess."

"Bye, Jess."

Antonio and I exited the lab, but I couldn't help but look back at Jess. Something wasn't right with her and I couldn't put my finger on it.

Antonio drove me home and let me out a few blocks from my house. I decided to stop and get a cup of Horchata from the woman on the corner.

I sipped my drink as I walked up the stairs to my apartment and quickly remove my clothes. I took my ponytail holder out and left it fitting around my wrist. I walked to the bathroom and turned on the hot water and as the bathroom steamed, I brushed my teeth. I leaned down to spit and as I came up, I saw my mother's reflection standing next to mine.

"No estás a salvo."

"I'm not safe from who?"

"No estás a salvo."

"Mama por favor!"

I'm not safe and I know this, but I'm not going to stop until I get my revenge. If they take my life and I'm reunited with my family, then so be it, but I'm not going alone. I hopped in the shower and the heat slowly soothed my pain. I lathered my sponge and washed my body, wishing I could wash the marks off of me that he'd left. I felt that the marks were his way of claiming me, not only mentally, but physically.

I placed my head under the water and heard loud banging at my front door. I turned the shower water off and a second round of banging came to the door. I hopped out of the shower and grabbed my gun, taking the safety off.

"Who is it?" I said as I inched to the door, but I heard nothing. "Who is it!" I yelled, but this time I cocked my gun.

"It's me, Scar. Open the door!"

I made it to the door and nearly shot him just for disobeying my orders to stay away.

"Are you crazy? Giovanni could have a tail on me!"

"I came up to make sure you were ok."

"What do you mean?"

"You need to get dressed now! I saw some Italians headed this way."

"Giovanni's men?"

"No, Russo's."

"Mierda. Wait here, I'll get dressed quick."

"Hurry, Scar!"

I ran to my room and immediately dressed. I only had enough time to grab panties. I slid on some denim jeans and a white ribbed tank with my combat boots and a leather jacket. Quickly pulling my hair into a wet ponytail, I grabbed what I could, stuffed it into a backpack and headed out.

"Ready!" I said, aiming my gun at the door.

Antonio exited my apartment first. We headed down the back steps and through the back door where his car was waiting. We pulled out down the street and I pulled out my binoculars, looking back at the apartment building. Clear as day, two Italian men were entering my building and I could tell they were both packing heat.

"Those are probably the same people who killed Santiago," I said, turning in my seat to face forward.

"Maybe they think you and Santiago work for the Lucianos?"

"Nowhere is safe, Antonio. I said, taking my hands to my head. "I need to just kill Giovanni and get out of here."

"I'll help you kill him if you're serious."

"I'm very serious. I know he's behind all of this."

"Yet, you're sleeping with him?"

"Because I'm willing to do whatever it takes to complete the mission."