The Diabolical Mafia Lord: The Crimson Vendetta

Episode#2( In A dangerous Game )

A gasp tore from my throat, freezing in my chest as my eyes locked onto the last person I ever wanted to see my brother Jaxon. He sat at the bar, a half-empty glass of whiskey clenched loosely in his hand, and his fingers tapping against the counter.

Panic surged through me like a tidal wave, crashing into my body and leaving me paralyzed. My stomach twisted into knots, and my pulse thundered in my ears. My vision tunneled as I stood rooted to the spot, every muscle locking in place.

"What is he doing here?" My mind screamed, a thousand horrifying scenarios flashing through my head. "What do I do?" The thought repeated like a broken record, drowning out everything else.

"If Jaxon saw me... Oh God, he’d drag me out by my hair. Or worse."

As if sensing the suffocating fear radiating off me, Jaxon shifted in his seat. His head started to turn in my direction. The world tilted beneath my feet, and without thinking, I hide behind the nearest pillar, pressing my back against the cold surface as if it could swallow me whole.

I clung to the pillar, my heart hammering so hard I swore he could hear it. My lungs felt tight, struggling for air. "Please don’t find me. Please, please don’t look me." The words became a silent mantra, a desperate prayer to whatever higher power might still care.

I peeked around the edge, my breath caught in my throat, and time seemed to slow. Jaxon’s gaze hovered over the crowd, but he didn't look at me or in my direction. Another long second past, and then mercifully he turned back to his drink.

I sigh relief but I couldn’t stay there, not for another second. My legs trembled, but I forced them into motion, slipping from the pillar and heading toward the hallway. My body moved on autopilot, I couldn’t risk even a glance back, terrified that if I did, I’d find his eyes on me.

I walked through the narrow dim corridor towards the ladies restroom but suddenly I heard a voice for help and the first thing which came to mind, " Maybe it's just in my head" I moved forward but then I again heard it. I pause and twirl on my heels." Where is the voice coming from?

I moved towards the end of the corridor and saw a door and there was a sign hanging on the door which read “ VIP LOUNGE" I drew my ear closer to the door... I heard…

“ HELP ME!! SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!” I heard a bone chilling cry for help from the other side of the door. But before I could open the door I heard another voice, a deep and husky voice.

“ Don't waste your energy Paul, I know what you did? There is no point in hiding.” he said.

"Please... no... I'm innocent! I swear, I didn’t do anything!" the man cried, his voice cracking through the door.

“If you are innocent then," the husky voice replied, “ Why are you hiding from me?”

“ My life was in danger, that's why I was hiding. I swear in my life I got nothing to do with telling Miguel about Martin dudgeon…?” the word left his mouth like a bolt of electricity. My body went on pause like someone just pulled the plug out of my body. I was completely numb, hearing my father's name and what are they talking about? And what did they have to do with my father? But the most important question was who are they?

I, again pressed my ear on the door to hear what they are talking about my father.

There was a brutal crack, followed by a guttural scream. "Please... I beg you! I swear I didn't mean for this to happen!"

"THEN WHO THE HELL TOLD MIGUEL ABOUT IT?" The voice was suddenly filled with rage. "ONLY YOU AND I KNOW ABOUT IT! I trusted you, Paul, and you broke that trust. There's no forgiveness for this."

"Please, no... I didn’t tell him anything!" Paul sobbed. "I swear on my life! I’ll do anything to find who is behind it…just please, don’t kill me!"

The husky voice laughed “You think you can fix this? You’re already in too deep, Paul. You’re nothing but a liability now. You think you can just talk your way out of this?”

“Please... don’t do this! I’m begging you!” Paul cried, and I could hear the sound of his body hitting the floor, the sickening thud echoing through the door like a death knell.

“Pathetic,” the voice said, “You brought this on yourself. You should have thought twice before getting involved.”

I could hear Paul gasping, “Please! I’ll make it right!”

“Make it right?” The voice mocked, “You’ve lost your chance. Now, it’s time to pay the price for your mistakes.”

I felt my stomach twist in knots. The terror of being discovered gripped me, and I instinctively glanced around the dim corridor.

“Please... I swear, I’ll do anything!” Paul’s begged him.

“Too late for that. You should have thought of your actions before. Now, this is what happens when you betray me.”

The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the door again, and I covered my mouth to stifle a gasp.

“No! Don’t!” Paul’s voice rose in pitch, “I’ll tell you everything! Just don’t hurt me! I promise I’ll cooperate!”

But the only response was silence, before the husky voice returned . “You’re done, Paul…”

Suddenly, I felt a weight on my shoulder and looked at my right side and saw a hand on my shoulder which immediately jolted me and spun around to see who it was.

My breath caught in my throat as I spun around, my heart racing. A six feet tall man, towering over me.

I panicked and stumbled backward, "Who are you?" he demanded, that sent a shiver down my spine. "And what are you doing here?”

My mind raced, panic threatening to overwhelm me. I needed an answer a convincing one.

"I..." My voice faltered. "I'm just passing through. Lost, perhaps." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I clung to it. "I wasn't doing anything,"

He tilted his head, studying me with suspicion. "Lost, you say? Don't lie to me I saw you being sneaky.”

The adrenaline surged through my veins as I tried to not make any kind of eye contact with him. "I swear," I blurted out, "I was looking for the bathroom"

" Being sneaky isn't exactly innocent," he said.

Before I could respond, a second man appeared from behind him and he was a hulky looking man. He scowled at me, "What's going on here?" he demanded.

The first man gestured toward me. "Caught her snooping around the boss's room," he explained. "She looked suspicious."

The second man scratched his chin, "We can't just let her go," he said. "Who knows what she's after? I think, we should take her to boss. He would decide what to do with her."

My heart pounded. I had to think fast. "Please," I pleaded, "I promise, I am not lying and I am telling you the truth. My boyfriend must be looking for me. I better go back.”

I try to move forward but they block my way with their silhouette, they each grabbed one of my shoulders.

“ HEY! DON'T TOUCH ME!! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!!” I scream on top of my lungs.

I fight against their grip, but their hold was stiff. My struggles only seemed to amuse them, a cruel smirk playing on the first man's lips. He raised his fist and knocked on the door.

The door creaked open, and without a moment's hesitation, the first man shoved me inside. I stumbled forward, losing my balance and crashing face-first onto the floor. Pain shot through my body as I lay there, gasping for breath, my forehead pressed against the hard surface.

"Boss," the first man called out, "We are apologizing for disturbing you but it's urgent,"

I could hear footsteps approaching, each one sending a jolt of fear through me. I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt like lead. As I struggled to regain my composure.

I raised my gaze, my vision was still blurry from the fall, and found myself staring at a pair of shiny black boots.