Huracio
“What did you say?”
I sprung off my seat, unable to believe what I just heard.
“Ms Helena kidnapped Emilia at gunpoint, sir. She is leading her away.”
“Helena kidnapped Emilia? What about Katalina?” I asked, feeling extremely uneasy.
“The Madam has gone to the restroom, sir. She was supposed to meet Ms Helena there, but …”
“I am on my way.”
That damn Helena! What is she up to now?
From the beginning, Helena had been playing me. She knew who I was and intentionally walked into my trap. She controlled everything, making me pursue her. She gave me a tough time for six months, asking me to wait till her daughter clocks eighteen as she had no intention of getting into any relationship until then.
After that, we dated for three good years. Then she proposed, then ran away leaving her daughter behind. The most infuriating part of all this is that she was able to predict my actions and reactions. Knowing that she has psychoanalyzed me to the smallest detail, makes me feel very uncomfortable.
Once we found out that she had beaten us at our game, we decided to change strategy. Though Katalina would still be a bait, my next plan wouldn’t put her in any kind of danger. With her phone, bag, and favorite pullover bugged, I was able to keep an eye on her. All she had to do was drop the file. Once that was done, my men would follow Helena and use her to track down Massimo’s lair which is clearly not in this city.
Who could have expected Helena to suddenly go mad? Even shooting her daughter. Simply unbelievable. She must be very desperate.
I am not surprised that she got desperate though.
After she and her team broke into my office and set fire to Salvatore’s club, the man stopped playing the long game.
Though we couldn’t get breakthroughs here, we knew of other small venture setups that Massimo runs in other states, and countries. After Salvatore returned from crippling Adore, Massimo’s brother, – in Algeria, he set his eyes on those small ventures. Within weeks, more than half has been brought down with nothing to salvage. With court summons piling up, and backstabbers surfacing all around him, Massimo must be pretty pissed. He got more desperate and asked Helena to use Katalina.
But why kidnap Emilia? What has she got to do with this? I don’t give a fuck about Emilia. Her life and death wouldn’t impact me in any way. She is nothing to me. So, why kidnap her?
Not knowing what the enemy is thinking can be very frustrating.
Fortunately, the school is less than 10 minutes to the house. Getting there, I was utterly shocked to see Helena threatening her daughter with a gun. And when she shot her, I felt my heart drop. I got scared. I had no choice. I had to let them leave. I know how much Katalina means to her, but if she can shoot the girl, then she can definitely kill her if need be. She must be going crazy…
I couldn’t keep a close gap between us because I didn’t want to upset Helena into shooting Katalina a second time. I was deeply relieved when the tracker on Katalina showed that they had stopped in front of a hospital. Getting there, Katalina was already in the ER getting first aid while they were trying to find her contact. I presented myself and she was soon wheeled away for surgery.
While that was going on, the doctor told me the most splendid news I have ever heard in a long time. Katalina is pregnant. She is two months pregnant and despite the blood loss and the stress, the baby is in good condition.
“Huracio!” Salvatore’s angry grunt suddenly broke into my thoughts as I waited outside the surgery room.
I stood up and faced him, bracing myself for the dress down that was about to happen. But something completely unexpected happened first.
He swung out and slapped me on the face.
It felt like I was struck with a plank. My ears rang and I saw red.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? How can you let her get away?” He yelled at me.
What the fuck is he talking about…?
With my ears ringing, my brain went blank. For a moment, I couldn’t think. I just saw his mouth moving, I couldn’t process what he was saying.
“I am so disappointed in you. You are such a pussy. I should have known that you can not be trusted. Dante must be rolling in his grave. We should have left you in Italy. Let you be by yourself. How can you do this? I swear, if Helena escapes again, I will make you regret it. I will not let you keep Katalina. I will kill her.”
“No, you won’t.”
I had snapped out of my dazed state and was just going to keep quiet while he did all his ranting. After all, everything he said was the truth. I let my men chase after Helena while I rushed down here to stay by Katalina’s side. We had a good chance of catching Helena. I gave it up just like that. It would be strange if he wasn’t furious. But if he thinks he can threaten my woman and my child, then I need to set him straight.
“What did you say?” He walked forward, looking menacing.
“I said, you won’t do anything to the mother of my child!”
His distorted face went pale instantly. His wild eyes blinked in confusion and shock.
“She…,” he pointed at the theater entrance. “She has your child?” His voice was low and insidious, but the next moment, he was yelling and sneering like an enraged cat again. “How did that happen? How can you let it happen?”
“…”
I had no response, but I wasn’t going to back down either. So I just kept my gaze on him. We glared at each other, unblinking. Our noses were almost touching and our breathing were in sync.
Salvatore was my brother’s life and death brother. They served in the army together.
On his deathbed, Dante made Salvatore promise to take care of me. He also promised to get revenge for us. Since then, he has been dragging me from one chase to the other. While tracking Massimo down, we built an IT and Equity company.
Salvatore is ten good years older than I and very strict. When he gives instructions, he expects them to be followed to the last detail. I learned everything from him and I have always been very obedient and cooperative until he threatened my family.
This is my bottomline. If I back down now, I will never be able to protect them.
Shocked by my defiance, he frowned, then squinted his eyes at me.
“Her father killed your parents and your brother.”
“And I will get my revenge. She is innocent of any crime.”
“What?”
My words seemed to be funny. Salvatore’s rigid face cracked and he started laughing. He gave me an incredulous look that seemed to be calling me stupid.
“You are a finished man.” he snorted disdainfully, turned around, and walked off.
I watched his arrogant back until I couldn’t see him again. The moment I relaxed, cold sweat broke out on my back and forehead. That was the first time I would be having such an intense confrontation with Salvatore. He is too fierce and forceful.
“Boss.” Stone’s voice broke Into my thoughts.
“What is it?” I groaned in annoyance.
“Emilia is here.”
“Huracio, how is she?” Stepping out from behind Stone and looking as pale as a ghost, Emilia asked in a low, cautious voice.
“She is still in surgery. Can you help me stay with her after she wakes up?”
“Of course. You don’t have to ask. I will take care of her.”
“You have to report everything to me.” I said with a warning tone.
She stiffened but nodded. “Yes, s-sure.”
“Good.”