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Home / Mafia / TAKEN BY THE DEVIL / Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

All Chapters of TAKEN BY THE DEVIL: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

39 Chapters

21

CLEOPATRA I munched on the food softly. My jaws ground against each other. The house was quiet which isn't unusual. But I feel chills. Valentine hasn't walked out since then. I wondered where he could be. My eyes scanned the stairs. My chest fell flat when I didn't see him coming. Why am I feeling this way? I can't stand staying away from him for a second. "Good morning, Madam,” Margaret greeted warmly, a smile crept up her face."Morning, Margaret,” I returned her smile. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she deepened the smile. She lowered her eyes to my plate. “Would you like a refill?" “I .. I…" I stuttered.“You need to eat, Madam. You have to heal," her voice carried a warm ambiance. I nodded in agreement and she dished more into my plate.“Thank you," I muttered and swallowed hard, staring at the ocean of soup. She stood at my side while I ate. I could feel her old mon

22

VALENTINE I was still in doubt when every pointer was at Margaret. The account details she scribbled out in the piece of paper had exactly the same writing as the one Marcelo picked from the store. The attacker was able to get in through the store so probably she helped him into the house. Now the bigger question that still hung unanswered was: Who gave the order? Margaret had bluntly refused to utter a word. She had claimed she didn't see their faces but they had threatened to hurt her mother if she failed to help them out. I watched Cleopatra's lashes flutter gently. Watching and holding her made my heart skip a beat. I felt crazy emotions come to life. They surged through me and made me want to have her within my space every minute. Each time these crazy emotions which I can't explain rear up, a subtle pinch of fear ignites sending shivers running across my entire system. I would lose her. Fe

23

CLEOPATRA “Stay down,” Valentine's yell rushed into my ear as a quick bullet grazed through my right arm before he pulled me down. I dropped down on his body. I placed my hands over his chest. I felt a sticky substance on his body. It had a thick copper smell.“Valentine?" My eyes widened. He was bleeding profusely from his chest.“Shhh!!" He rasped and pushed himself up with a grunt. He poked his head out through the shattered window. He lowered himself after a while. He was breathing hard as he lifted himself from the ground dragging me alongside.“Valentine, You are bleeding," My voice was hinged with alarm. He chuckled. His eyes lit as he tossed his head backwards."You are bleeding too, Daredevil,” He gestured at the graze on my arm."It was just a graze. Come on, I'll fix this,” I held his arm and dragged him to the bed and pulled out the first aid kit. I took out the cotton wool a

24

VALENTINE His eyes glowered. He pummeled his hands hard on the snooker table. The balls rattled.“A rat huh?" The corner of his lips cracked in a smirk. He strode down to the meeting room. The entire mob was assembled.The made men, soldiers and guards stood with confused looks on their faces. I ran a quick scan across the room. All I saw were hardened faces with bloodshot eyes. “I want reports from every unit. Present the reports of the movement of every member to my desk before noon," Rossetti hollered, the veins on his neck throbbed. His voice echoed through the wall.“You can all go," He dismissed them with a wave. There was heavy shuffling of feet and each one began to troupe out. I sighed out loud. A sigh of dissatisfaction. “Is that it?" I quipped, my eyes boring into his dark eyes. “If there is a rat, then it would be hunted down," He remarked.“That would take a lot of time, Rossetti. T

25

VALENTINE "Speak!! Speak, you snitch,” I picked a few strands of his hair and drew his hair back."Fine. Fine. But you will save me from him…” he spoke with difficulty, his chest rose and fell. Trying to strike a deal with me, huh? His face was covered in blood so I couldn't get a clear reading of his expression."Okay, Go on,” I let his hair go. His chest rose and fell. Blood glided down his nose, dripping on the floor."It…" A sharp sound rang in the air swallowing up his voice and the rest of his words. Another one followed. And then again. And again. The environment became silent. I couldn't hear his ragged breath. Not anymore. His body remained still. His body was now covered in blood which flowed out like water. His head was still bent over his shoulder but he was lifeless. I snapped my head around to see Rossetti blowing off the tip of his short gun, his face had a satisfying

26

CLEOPATRA My heart sank.I was supposed to be happy. I searched for that joy and excitement that should have come with hearing this wonderful news.“We are leaving in six minutes,” He glanced at his wristwatch, with a fixed grim look on his face he turned. Scream Cleopatra. Jump Cleopatra. Yell out loudly Cleopatra. Instead, I asked, "Why?” My voice was strained with tears. He halted. Time flowed through us. He didn't utter a word. My chest raced.Over time, staying with him has made me love his presence. And just when I had loved him and everything he represented he wanted to drive me away.“I don't want you to get hurt.." came his terse reply and he walked away. I fell back on the bed, tears clogged my throat. I gathered myself up and left to freshen up. I took my bath, picked the bag and strode out of the room. I met him in the living room, he was having a phone call.“

27

CLEOPATRA The voice sounded familiar. Time stood still. I lifted my head. “Aunt?" My voice came out light and bubbly. My eyes danced. My hands clasped on my chest. It was her. Flesh and blood. Standing right before me. She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head slightly."Is that you? Cleopatra?” she squinted, pointing her hands at my face. Her face was wrinkled with creases. Her hair had turned salt and peppered. Her hands were callous and crooked. My mouth fell open."Aunt!!!” I mumbled and pulled her into my embrace. Her body felt warm in my hands.“Aunt, How have you been?" I asked and held her face in my hands. My eyes scrutinized her slowly, taking in the new form before me. She was getting old. Her eyes had turned brown and her lashes were white. It was just a few months. I have stayed away from her for just a few months and she has become too old.“Aunt, What happened?"

28

VALENTINE Rather than go to Rosetti, I trailed after Marcelo. I parked my Harley away from her house. I stood there and kept a close watch on the environment. Nothing suspicious was happening. Everywhere was calm. There was no uproar or tension. I turned the Harley around and drove away. I remember my words to her. Thinking about it stung my heart. I shouldn't have said those words. My fingers curled tightly. I loved the beautiful moments between us. I loved to watch her sleep peacefully. I loved the serene laughter she owned. I loved to watch her pout each time she got angry. I loved her. But I didn't want to hurt her. She was obstinate. Resilient. Strong-willed and Daring. She was everything I hated. But one thing I loved about her was how she trusted me and depended on me. I could see the love flickering in her eyes each time I looked into them. I stepped on the brakes. Cars lined up on the road obstructing my passage. I had turned through the highway, a path no one

29

I missed him. His scent. His cold smile. His dangerous touch. I know I look really stupid for missing him so much. He had seen me as nothing but a pastime. And I had to fall fast for him. I walked around the house carrying with me an image of his face."Care to share?” Aunt's voice broke into my thoughts. My hands had been soaked in water and I was lost."Aunt, How are you doing?” I feigned a smile, my chest pummeled hard.She nodded and waltzed across the kitchen, she turned on the cooker and set the pot on fire."How would I be fine when you are worried? Tell me my dear, What's bothering you?” She asked with that familiar concerned tone."Aunt?” I whined softly and wiped my hands clean on a towel. I embraced her tightly from behind and rested my head in the crook of her neck."Is this about him?”"Him?” My eyes darted confusedly."Andrew told me everything,” She held my hands, "Do you love him?” Her question threw me off guard. I can't explain my feelings. Sometimes I love him,

30

CLEOPATRA It was quick and unexpected. The knife which I was using to chop onions snapped through my finger. I dropped the knife and moved away from the chop board. Thick crimson spewed out. I placed my hands under the sink and gently washed off the blood. My chest beat hard as though it was trying to rip out of my body. "Cleo?” Aunt scurried in, her eyes widened in alarm when she saw the huge cut on my finger, "What happened to you?" “It's nothing, Aunt," I flashed her a smile. She drew out the first aid kit and began to dab my finger with a cotton soaked in methylated spirit. Hot pain charged through me. I winced softly. She looked at me tenderly, "You have to be careful, child. I don't want to have your blood in my food,” she said teasingly and rubbed my cheek. We shared each other's smile. "Have some rest. I'll take care of the kitchen.” I nodded and dragged my feet to the chair. I sat there and watched my aunt as she cooked. I engaged her in small talks which led t

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