Killing For Ace Hernandez ✓

8 | Brother

There he was. My brother. He was tall, but not as tall as Ace. Ace’s build was bigger, making him hide me away from Dante. I smiled, knowing he wouldn’t be able to see unless Ace steps to the side. I watch Dante shakes Ace’s hands firmly, with a good old nod. Before his eyes attach to my own, Ace turns giving me a god signal that he was all good before stepping to the side.

He looks exactly like me, except for the hair and eye colour. He had heterochromia, one blue and the other green, his skin was fair as was my own. His hair was dark brown infused with black, I could see the resemblance between the both of us as we analysed each other.

“I-I’m sorry Maria-Arabella- don’t really know what to call you?”

“Arabella, I don’t know as well.” I chuckle.

“You look exactly like her.”

“Like who?” I asked.

“Mum, you have her eyes and her nose and the freckles. And-we all failed you M-Arabella.” I shook my head, not wanting to hear what comes out next. Then, then I saw her. She stood by the door, and she was so beautiful.

 Her hair was brown, in small curls, her skin, brown, honey like. Her eyes were the same as Dante’s, but filled with more emotion of shock and her hands linked another, as my eyes travel to another figure. My father. Green eyes, fair skin and dark hair.

It was like a staring competition, but filled with some other feelings. I gulped, tears falling down my eyes. I wanted to run to her, I wanted to hug and allow her to caress my hair but it felt weird. It felt wrong. I was missing for twenty years and they never found me. Did they even try?

“Arabella, if this is too much for you, we can go to another room.” Ace whispers into my ears, I nod my head, taking up his offer. I thought I would be happily reunited with all of them, but it didn’t go that way. Ace presses a hand onto my back as he guides me inside his office. Closing the door behind him before facing me.

“I thought it was going to be different…I thought I would be happier and better but I don’t feel that way, and I don’t know if I am just scared but-” I broke down into tears, and I feel his arms wrap around my head, pushing me against his chest.

“Talk Bella,”

“Where were they? Did they not look for me? Did they not try? Did they give up on me? Do they know what Adrian was doing to me? I, I can’t handle it.” I mutter out,

“I will tell them to leave, you are not ready Arabella…you have to not rush things. I know you have many questions, so ask them before they go.” I nod my head, he smiles, a smile so sincere. We make our way out of the office, back to where my mother stood along with my brother. They watch my every move with a soft grin.

“Mar-Arabella, I know you have many questions you would like to ask,” my mother started.

“I do, actually I have many, but-why did you stop looking for me?”

“We saw the photos of you and Ace being engaged and all and we knew you were in safe hands.”

“Safe hands? What about before? I-I was not in safe hands. Actually, I was hurt.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then how did you mean it? Ace saved me, and that was your responsibility. Parents are supposed to protect you, and I was never protected. This was a mistake, you should leave. Now, please.”

-          A C E ‘S | P O V     -

Arabella made her way up the stairs, I watched her parents crumble away in distress. “Ace, you understand, right? We were distressed.”

“She has been through so much. I am surprised she is handling this very well. Because we both know the truth, and now I suggest you all leave. Mr Deluca, Mrs Deluca.” I showed them out and made sure they had extra security before driving in the day.  

I made my way back up the stairs, passing Arabella door since I know she needs a few minutes alone. I reach my door, noticing it was open. I never leave my door open; I grab the hand gun from the back of my trousers and aim it inside as I step in, only to see her sleeping figure. On my bed. Which is the first or second time more like.

If this was any other girl, I would have shot her dead. But this is not any other girl. This is Arabella. I shut the door carefully behind me, unbuttoning my black dress shirt along with my shoes, I walk towards her. Grabbing the covers as I slide it over her body. The moment I was about to move away, her hands touch my own.

“Bare truth?” I hear her ragged voice.

“Bare truth.”

“Do you think I overexaggerated?” She whispers, I settle down onto the edge of the bed. Grazing the palm of her hand with my finger as I shook my head. Knowing the reality of why they never continued to look for her, they did not deserve her kindness, and to be honest, I was partially shocked on how much Bella has changed since.

“No, you could not handle it Bella, and stress is not helping you or the baby.” She nods her head; I pull away from her allowing her some rest as I make my way out of my bedroom. I shut the door behind me and rub the back of my head.

I make my way towards my office, it was only midday, I make my way back to my office. To see her. “What the f**k are you doing here?” I growl softly.

“Oh, come on Hernández, you never told me you were back in Italia…not even a text…after seven years?” There she sat, the women who demolished me in every way possible. Who used me? For money, power which I partly respected because I did the same to her at the time. “I know you missed me, you missed what I did to you…” she whispers seductively as she jumps of my desk, walking towards me.

“You need to leave, now, Harley.”

“Do you really want that, Ace? Come on, we were kids, we did stupid s**t but you need me.”

“We were eighteen.”

“Exactly, teen. Ace, I know you still love me, you always have and you always will, but we were married. We were the strongest couple in the mafia.”

“What do you want Harley? Money? How much?”

“I don’t want your money Ace, I want you…right here, to f**k me senseless.” Her hands travel down my chest and the unhealthy guilt ripped through me. She knew exactly what she used to do to me, she knew what she did. I push her hand away and pull my gun out before aiming it at the side of her head, “you can’t kill me.”

“And how are you so f*****g sure?”

“Because, our parents agreed on a contract. Marriage. So you are basically my fiancé.”