TILL D£ATH DO US APART
(The•Devil•I•Loved)
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Copyright © 2025
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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
The Leo mutter from Ivanna made Sandra turn quickly…her eyes depicting shock.
“My brother is inside?” She gasped. “Leo is inside the damn Citadel?”
Ivanna couldn’t reply, she just took off, running towards the Citadel.
At the same time, Bobby came out of his apartment, eyes going wide.
“Shit! Leonardo!”
He began running in too.
Bacardi was the first to take off, so she’s ahead them all.
The water system is already active too, and the clan extinguishers are already pumping water.
It was so fast.
When Renata came out of the cyber building with Ginny and Tierney, she was too shocked to see all the siblings running towards the burning house, and they’re all determined to enter.
“What the f+k! They can’t be going into the fire. Stop them!!!!”
Ivanna outran Bacardi in no time. She whizzed past her, so she’s leading the rest in the run towards the Citadel with a burning chest.
The fire is still burning at the top part—the Mommy’s Room, so the low part of the Citadel is still fine.
She slapped the elevator button, but it won’t open.
“C’mon,c’mon!” She shouted.
She gave the door her deadly punch, thrice. Then she slapped the button again with her full palms.
The elevator opened, finally.
She almost ran inside, but he was already inside the elevator.
Leonardo.
He’s right there. Befuddled hair, streaked eyes. Overall red face. Burning jacket.
Yeah, the right arm of his leather jacket is burning, and the insane man isn’t even making an effort to put it off at all.
She jumped into the elevator to take off the jacket before the fire would spread, but a rush of water entered the elevator, drenching both of them.
It didn’t even come from the water supply pump. It came from Hilda.
The old woman is standing in front of the elevator right now, holding a large bucket which she poured the water from.
Even after the fire on Leonardo’s jacket went off, she still looks scared, terrified as the bucket dangled from her hands. There’s even thin line of tears below her eyeballs.
When her eyes met with Leonardo’s, she quickly wiped the tears and ran away from there.
Ivanna grabbed Leonardo’s arm, wanting to drag him out of the elevator, but she got pushed off by him, and her body hit the elevator wall violently.
Her elbow cracked.
She looked up, their eyes met, and the hate inside his eyes are far more than what he has ever looked at her with before.
There’s no anger, just hate.
He walked out of the elevator on his own, then Bobby and the rest appeared.
They were asking questions about the cause of the fire, but their questions were like background noise to him. He just walked like a deserted soul.
Renata met him halfway and asked the questions too, but he stayed the same as if on a mission of silence.
Don Anthony who’s just returning from VV’s mausoleum came to the scene in a blind rush too.
His chest was pounding as he checked his son out from head to toe, and when he saw there’s no wound, he drew a relieved breath.
“You’re fine… you’re alive… I’m so glad…” He breathed, grabbing his shoulders tightly.
“Why would you set your own building on fire, why!!!” He suddenly yelled, looking up.
Leonardo’s lifeless eyes looked down at him slowly.
“Yes. You rarely relate with me, and you think I don’t know you, but I do. You’re my son, and I know you love your Citadel so much you won’t ever allow any external agent to harm it, unless you started the fire yourself.” “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” Don Anthony said glaringly.
Bobby and Bacardi took over from there. They stayed at each side of him, eyes still wide.
“You really started the fire?” Bacardi said shockingly.
“It shows. He did start it. Why? Cos of this bîtch???” Bobby snarled.
He pointed at Ivanna who’s still standing not far from the Citadel.
“What do you mean bitch?” Renata muttered.
“Some mobsters sighted them talking in the park, they saw when he suddenly left her in the park and went to his Citadel like a possessed being, then two minutes later, fire erupted. What other evidence is needed?” Bobby snapped.
“Did you really start the fire cos of her?” Sandra asked, still in disbelief.
“Leave your delusions at your places, don’t dare come here to throw it at my face. She’s not enough to start a smoke for.” Leonardo said coldly and faced Renata.
With his eyes, he signalled at her to come with him for a talk.
Renata followed him away.
Don Anthony’s eyes went to Ivanna, but Bobby was already walking to her.
“What are you gonna f+kin do!” Bacardi pushed him back.
“Kill her, what else? He burnt his Citadel cos she probably said something to trigger it. Leo won’t even allow a ant inside that building, it’s like his lifeline, but he did what? For her? Why the heck would he even allow that bîtch into his head this much!” Bobby shoved Bacardi.
“So what? It’s his issue to solve. Not yours!” Bacardi pushed him again.
“Right, Bob. Drop your anger, it’s not in your place.” Anthony said.
Sandra looked at Ivanna, sneering.
“I’m really trying so hard to like you, but nah… you’re so unlikable I wanna ruin your face! Now I get why Lissa can’t stand you. If he has died inside that fire, you would have tasted cruelty like tea… bî+ch!”
With that, she left angrily, and Bobby scoffed, huffing.
“You bewitched him, I just can’t prove it. I can’t ever like you, at all.” He said and left too.
He left with Don Anthony.
Now Ivanna is left in the midst of hundreds of mobsters who’re all staring hatefully at her like she caused a pandemic.
“Knew her upliftment would be nothing but trouble.”
“How did she get this far into Ghost’s head?”
“To think I was happy when she defeated the Padrino in the mud fight. A waste”
“Happy? I’ve never been happy. I wanted her to drown in that mud.”
“You know what I hate most? The way Ghost favours her. Bîtch got some grain of attention and she’s already planning a coup”
“I just hope Ghost puts her in her place this time.”
“Ghost wouldn’t start a fire cos of her. He said it himself that she’s not even worthy of starting a fire for, so why the unnecessary commentaries?” Robert said, entering the middle.
He’s with Nino.
“Are you ok?” Nino asked Ivanna.
Ivanna didn’t answer.
“I’ll take her away!” Ginny entered the middle too.
She left with Ivanna, but the mobsters doesn’t even want to make way for them…
Robert had to step in and punch some of them in their faces to make them step away, but the mobsters returned the punches to his face too.
Ivanna nearly retaliated, but Bacardi was faster.
She moved like the air, pounding the heads of the mobsters with a stone.
All-round, the three mobsters fell to their deaths with cracked bleeding heads, and she dropped the bloody stones simply.
Robert didn’t even give her a stare. He simply just left with Ginny and Ivanna. Nino and Tierney followed.
Then…the mobsters started dispersing, back to their spots in the estate. By the time they’re all gone, Bacardi is left alone there.
She stood with the bodies of the three mobsters she just killed.
By now, the Citadel fire is out. The fire didn’t touch any other part of the Citadel except the Mommy’s room, reason it was easy to kill.
Bacardi stared at the bodies on the ground, then at her bloody hands.
She wiped the blood on the clothes of the mobsters, then she called the nearby guards to clear the body.
—
[Sinners Assembly]
Leonardo took Renata here, and judging by the look in his eyes, he’s obviously not here for a soft talk.
They didn’t sit. He just faced her, his eyes communicating his anger.
There’s anger in the orbs now.
“Are you seeing her as your daughter already? Enough to show her my bloated pictures?” He said.
“Huh? What do you—”
“The night of the teaparty! I was watching, and I saw her with your phone! You showed her the damn picture! I told you twice to get those pictures deleted, but you actually kept them?” He yelled.
“That’s because you have no childhood memory, Leo. You never for once lived like a child! You started being an adult right from the day you were born! Your mother ruined your childhood so much you couldn’t even eat sweets like other kids. Even till now, you don’t eat sweet things not because you hate them but because you still aren’t over the trauma! The day you ate ice cream with Lissa in the crypt, my sister nearly killed you with salted wounds!”
“Those chubby three months old pictures is the only evidence that you were once a child, I can’t ever delete them!” She yelled back.
And Leonardo replied with a lock to her coat in the front. His hands knotted around the neckline, and he used it to drag a noose around her neck, choking her.
Renata didn’t fight back, and the choking didn’t take long cos the moment she started coughing, he threw her at the wall, and she fell brutally against it.
Her phone fell from her pocket, and before she could pick it, Leonardo raised it with his leg, catching the phone in the hair.
She smashed the phone to the ground and proceeded to marching it with his shoe, destroying it.
“Leo what the f+k!!!” She cried.
Tears rode out of her eyes in a long slim line as she struggled to gather the phone pieces.
She didn’t do that for long before Leonardo pulled her up again.
“You’re not mum…you didn’t birth me, so quit trying to be one!” He said to her face, his eyes still mad. Still void of calmness.
“I don’t ever wanna be your mum, Leo! I never wanna be Vera! I am Renata, and I’m not a desperate wicked woman like your mother! The earlier you let go of her legacy, the better, and let me tell you… “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” I don’t regret ever telling Ivanna about the picture, cos if there’s any chance of you becoming sane, then she’s the chance, and I know you feel her! You fuckin do no matter how much you try to hide it!” She cried.
Leonardo let her go with a push, and she staggered to the railings, her tears shaking from her face to her coat.
Leonardo stormed out of the building, and Hilda instantly came in. She has been watching in hiding.
“Rena!” She held the lady quickly, and Renata smiled little.
“I’m fine, really fine.”
“But your neck…” Hilda checked it.
There’s a thick line of redness surrounding it as a result of how Leonardo choked her.
“I said I’m fine, Hilda,” Renata’s smile widened, and she caressed Hilda’s blonde hair fondly. “And thanks for the bucket of water.”
Hilda nodded, smiling too.
—
[Don Anthony’s Office]
Bobby followed his father here, and immediately the man sat, Bobby tabled his matter.
“Wendy’s case, I need your help with the investigation. I feel she didn’t really chest on me.”
“You should be at the warehouse, Bob.” Anthony dabbed his face with his palm frustratedly.
“I don’t care about the warehouse for now, dad. If someone really set her up, then I deserve to know the truth!” Bobby slammed his fists on the table.
“You think your Granddad?” Anthony looked up slowly.
“You know something?” Bobby muttered suspiciously.
Anthony’s eyes returned to the table, but Bobby immediately climbed the table, towering above the man.
“Bob!” Anthony stood. “I don’t have the spare time for your hysteria tantrums right now! My wife is locked up, and I don’t even have the authority to release her!”
Bobby squatted on the table, so they’re the same height again.
“I don’t care about your wife, but I care about you enough to help you get your wife out, and that’s only if you help me with Wendy’s investigation.” He muttered.
Don Anthony’s eyes softened.
—
[Cooper Siblings Apartment]
When Ivanna arrived with her siblings some of ago, it was a total mess inside the apartment.
No idea how the mobsters got the key to enter, but they entered and ruined the house completely.
Spray paints everywhere—the walls, ceilings, floors, beds and the clothes in their wardrobes.
Everything was ruined with the spray paints and water color.
It was Island who led the mobsters to do the job, and as she directed them to spray each angle, she was smiling.
“What do you think you’re doing Island!” Nino said.
“It’s obvious, Nino. Unless you’re blind. She at least deserves this much for causing the burn down of the Citadel… The most luxurious building in this estate.” Island shrugged.
Ivanna went to her immediately, landing a slap on her face.
Island wanted to return it immediately, but both Nino and Robert held her.
She was pushed back, but the mobsters behind her held her before she could fall.
She balanced back on her feet then started coming for her again.
Tierney and Ginny attacked her, but she easily pushed the two of them off. They both landed on the ground then they held her legs…one per one.
“Let me go, leeches!” She shouted, kicking them away.
Ginny landed beside a couch and Tierney beside a table.
They both hit their heads and fell unconscious.
“Ginny!” Robert went to her.
“Tierney!” Nino went to him too.
Ivanna followed Island, and Island guided with a twist and hip crash, but Ivanna made a counterattack, raising her leg from the back with a curve on her ankle.
The back of her leg crashed into Island’s eye, and no amount of self-protection could protect her.
She lost vision in that one eye immediately, and she finally fell on the floor, cussing.
“You will not touch Ginny and Tierney, ok? You will not touch them!” Ivanna growled with the rage of a trapped tigress.
Before her second kick from could touch Island, a guard entered to report that Renata wants her.
Island quickly stood, holding her blinded eye. She rushed out with her mobster minions.
Ginny and Tierney are up now, and they’re both receiving fanning from Nino and Robert.
Ivanna went out to meet Renata as requested, and she met your sleek lady waiting outside.
Renata didn’t say a word, she led her to the oak tree, and they both sat on VV bench under the tree.
A thick silence followed. No one talked for the first three minutes as if they’re both weighing their words.
It’s snowing lightly, and the snowflakes still found a way to fall on them through the spaces between the tree leaves.
Renata collected a flake on her palm before breaking the long silence.
“Why did you do it?”
Ivanna looked at her.
“Why did you mention Chubby to him? I warned you not to.”
“I just couldn’t hold it in anymore. He’s an abusive fucker who tries to hit me at any chance. Fine, I know I’m less than his underling cos he’s the boss anyways, but I’ve earned enough merit to get some slack. He’s not just an abuser, but a control freak too who wants everything his way.” Ivanna replied immediately.
“You said everything without actually saying anything.” Renata said.
“I wanted to spend the next three days happy, it’s Christmas period yunno. I’m a lover of free, open clothes. Bum shorts and armless cropped tops…I wore what I liked and I went happily for our missions, but a board about parental love ruined my mood. I suddenly wanted to see my parents, and he has been hiding them without allowing me.”
“Getting back to the estate, the first thing he talked about was my outfit. I answered angrily, and I got choked. He wanted to slap me, I had to say what I had to say.”
“So you called him Chubby?” Renata looked at her.
“Didn’t know it would cause such havoc.” Ivanna replied.
From her second pocket, Renata brought out her spare phone.
She clicked on a picture and gave it to Ivanna. She took it and stared.
It’s a thin picture of Leonardo when he turned three, looking starved with his buzz cut and shaved brows.
“He lost weight..” she muttered.
“Not naturally. He lost it after months of starvation. He was imprisoned by his mum with limited air, water and food. As you can see, his hair was cut too, even his brows.” Renata said.
“Are you joking?” Ivanna gasped.
“Joking? My love, anything I tell you about Vera ain’t no joke. He was really her marionette, and she was his doll master who controlled him with the strings, that’s why Leo is a worse control freak like her.”
“Vera claimed he was too handsome to be a boss, that handsome bosses would only attract women instead of strength, so she did everything—brows shaving, hair shaving, tanning. She claimed powerful men weren’t supposed to taste honey, so she forbade him from eating sweet things. She claimed depending on food for survival was trash, so she limited his food.”
Renata was looking straight at her as she said everything, and Ivanna couldn’t even blink as she listened.
“What If i told you she didn’t even breastfeed Leo and his siblings?” Renata said.
Ivanna frowned, nailing the bench she’s sitting on. Her under-nails bled.
“Hilda wasn’t just a regular maid. She was hired to breastfeed Vera’s babies—she’s like a second mother to them. Once Vera gave birth, Hilda took drugs to make her breast milk run. They’re not even aware of the fact that she breastfed them.” Renata said.
“Why would a mother not breastfeed her kids?” Ivanna asked in a low, pitiful voice.
“Cos they’re the kids she had for Anthony. She never liked Anthony—she liked someone else, but dad’s no-love rule made her let go of the person, then she became Violent Vera and kidnapped Anthony to marry. She terrorized Anthony and the whole of Chicago, but Leo was her biggest victim. She broke him beyond repair.” Renata said.
Ivanna nailed the bench again.
“You’re a lot like Vera, I guess that’s the first thing that attracted him to you.” Renata continued.
“Attracted? I think you’re getting it wrong.” Ivanna said.
“No. I damn know what I’m saying. Let’s start from his Citadel. His father’s biometrics aren’t registered, Bacardi and Sandra’s aren’t registered. Bobby only got registered after he begged for three good years. Lissa has been registered since they were kids cos of their childhood friendship bond, but you…what did you do to make him register your biometrics? Nothing” Renata said.
Ivanna looked ahead speechlessly, and the lady smiled again.
“You’re like a new version of Vera, but I’m glad there are certain differences. She hated sweet things, but you love sugared tea. She hated white, but you wear it. She hated revealing clothes, but you love them.”
Ivanna’s nails stopped moving under the bench.
“And for the choking he did, I’m very sorry. He’s—”
“No, Nata. You don’t have to say sorry. I get it.” Ivanna said, looking at Renata’s red neck.
She figured out Leonardo probably chocked her too.
Renata received a call from the valley, and she eventually left.
Ivanna continued sitting there, lost in thoughts till Nino came to meet her.
He settled beside her, but Ivanna didn’t talk to him.
“I guess aunt Renata told you the story.” He said.
“How long have you been here?” Ivanna asked gently.
“I was brought here as a newborn baby when Sir Leo was four, Mister Bob was two, Miss Bacardi was still in VV’s womb.” Nino replied.
“Who are you exactly?” Ivanna asked.
“My parents worked in Don Anthony’s parents sheepfold as their hardworking labourers. After Vera destroyed the fold and forcefully married Don Anthony, my parents were left with nothing.”
“They started coconut farming, and my mother got pregnant with me, but then my father died after he fell from a coconut tree. My mother died after she gave birth to me, and Don Anthony was kind enough to bring me into the clan. I was handed to Hilda, she took care of me too. When I turned four, I started receiving racing classes from VV.” Nino narrated slowly.
“Hilda is like your second mother too…” Ivanna said.
Nino nodded, then he saw her bleeding under-nails. He wanted to take the hand and check it out, but she was already up.
She left him under the tree, and Nino stood, folding his hand.
His heart was beating fast. Very fast.
..
Ivanna went to Hilda’s apartment straight.
She didn’t meet the woman in the living room or bedroom, but she heard running water in the bathroom.
She must be having her late night bath, so she waited.
A minute later, Hilda came out of the bathroom in her long towel.
“Eh… Ivanna?” She blinked.
Not minding her wet body, Ivanna went to the woman and gave her a large f+kin hug.
“Ivanna, are you ok?”
“How many kids did you feed, huh? How many? Vera is such a c+nt.” Ivanna sniffled.
Hilda relaxed.
“Renata told you the story?”
“It’s just so sad that your own kid is gone…so f+kin sad.” Ivanna replied.
Hilda hugged her back, smiling.
“I told you, you’re like my gone daughter. Also, feeding helpless kids has never been a problem to me. I love kids.” She said.
“You’re so precious…” Ivanna said.
“You too…” Hilda broke the hug to hold Ivanna’s face.
“Look, i know Leo is a intolerable control freak, but you’re a smart girl. I’m sure you know what to do. His inner child is still unhealed, he’s still trapped in the starvation prison, you just have to pull him out.” She said.
Ivanna nodded.
—
[Phoenix Valley]
Lissa came for a visit alone.
She’s in the guestroom with the Padrino who’s drinking from a cup of bitter sugarless coffee.
Time just clocked 10pm.
Lissa sat respectfully in front of the man, smiling like a Cheshire cat.
Emma is by the door, waiting on them.
As Marko sipped coffee, a guard entered to report the clan estate issue to him… Leonardo’s burnt Citadel.
“That foolish boy will do anything to showcase his vulnerability these days. Unscrupulous.” He muttered.
He dropped his cup, and Lissa shifted forward on her chair.
She snapped her fingers.
Emma brought a wrapped gift box, rectangular in shape.
“I didn’t want to come empty-handed,” she said.
Marko took it and opened it. It contains a black brooch with silver pins. So expensive and fresh.
“I didn’t know what you liked, but dad said you might like this, so I brought it.” Lissa said.
“Why are you here exactly, Lissa?” Marko replied, covering the box like the brooch meant nothing.
“Island. I want Island as my personal maid with Emma. Now that Felicia is dying, I want—”
“Take whatever you want from the clan, you don’t have to ask. You’re the top brigadier’s daughter, act like one.” Marko cut her off.
Lissa’s smile diminished.
“Are you… perhaps mad at me?”
“I expected more from you regarding the Coopers, but you’re barely acting. Of course disappointment would kick in.” Padrino Marko said, sipping bitter coffee again.
“I was trained to fight alongside Leo, not attack him. You know I can’t even beat Leo in a fight.” She replied.
Marko was silent.
“But…I have an ace,” Lissa continued, shifting closer to Marko’s ears. “Erica and Leroy are with me. Ivanna’s parents.” She whispered.
Marko smiled.
“Is that a lie to buy me?”
“Here,” Lissa showed him a picture of Erica and Leroy in the the sheepfold.
Marko didn’t even look at it twice before detecting the realness.
“Since my arrival, I’ve been searching, but no lead. I’m sure Leo is searching too without success. Even your parents are searching, but you actually have them? How?”
“I’m heavily arrogant , and I don’t know how to hide my aces. Before, if I had something under my sleeves, my attitude would give it away, but now… I’ve been losing my shit publicly, acting tactless and pitiful and powerless. Of course I’m not suspected.” Lissa smiled darkly.
“You’re a player after all.” Marko took off his glasses to give her a evil smile, and she returned it.
“Take Island as your additional servant If you want, and drop the address of where you’re keeping the couple, I’d like to go visit them after I return from my trip.” Marko said.
“What trip?” Lissa asked.
“You’ll hear about it if you’re meant to, and this brooch…”
He took the brooch box. “I’ll be wearing it to your wedding with Leonardo.”
Lissa said goodbye to the valley with a smile intact on her face, and after she left, Renata entered.
“Pack me a small bag for a trip tomorrow.” He said.
“You’re going on a trip? Where” Renata frowned.
“Are you going to go pack the bag? Or you need a urging push?” Marko gave her a side-eye.
Renata entered, restlessly.
—
[Next Day, House Of Esposito]
As early as 6pm, Leonardo set out.
The rebuilding of the burnt part of the Citadel will start today, but he still had his shower and dressed inside despite the current state of it.
So far the fire didn’t burn the bedroom and bathroom, he was fine.
He looks different as he stepped into the private park—his hair is low, he finally got it trimmed.
He threw his little duffel into the car trunk, then he was driven out of the estate compound immediately.
He received a call from his spies.
“You talked about setting a trap to lure out the Cooper parents captor, and I studied the trap guide you sent two nights ago… let’s go with number one. We’ll spread a rumour of another Cooper family member, found in the suburbs. Leroy had a junior brother who has been missing, we could use that one. The news will surely pique the interest of the captor, and he’s gonna want to come check the factuality of it.” The spy explained.
“Stop the investigation.” Leonardo replied uninterested.
“Why the sudden abortion, Ghost? Is it cos of the occurrence at the clan estate? Is she really the reason for the fire outbreak?”
Leonardo hung up, staying mute as the car entered the streets.
After he left the estate, Ivanna left their apartment too, holding a small black backpack.
Thanks to Hilda, she was able to get spare clothes from the store cos all her clothes got ruined by Island.
She’s freshly ready as she stepped into Don Anthony’s Office.
Anthony is with Bobby, both working like they didn’t sleep last night.
They really didn’t sleep.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Bobby stood immediately, coming fast to her face.
“Bob…” Anthony cautioned.
“What are you doing here!” Bobby yelled at Ivanna.
“I need to fly…to Britain.” She replied.
Bobby’s face went flat, then he laughed crookedly.
“Are you sick? Fly to where?”
“I heard the clan has more than four bombardiers, can I fly in one, please?” Ivanna faced Anthony.
“You’re going to follow who? Leo?” Bobby cut in.
“You’re not only endangering your life, but also endangering your position as a too mobster, hope you know that?” Anthony said.
“Your have a mission with Nino and Robert to eliminate cartels. Aren’t you guys supposed to start tackling the Toga brothers tonight?”
“Robert and Nino are enough,” Ivanna replied.
“Robert and I will tackle the cartel,” Bacardi said, coming in.
“Is this a planned work? You and Sandra still have that CEO to tackle!” Bobby shouted.
“Sandra and Nino will tackle the CEO.” Bacardi replied.
Ivanna looked at her, and Bacardi gave her a supportive nod.
“Did you just rearrange granddad’s settings? Are you crazy?! I don’t want that madman to come wreck his havoc in this estate anytime soon!” Bobby faced Bacardi.
“The second bombardier is clean. I was supposed to fly to-and-fro New York later today, but take it. Nino will drive you to the airfield.” Don Anthony suddenly said.
Bobby faced him.
“Dad? You’re actually saying yes?”
“I don’t have too much insight on the Britain mission, honestly. I have no idea what Marko has in mind. Though, I trust Leo to always top, but sometimes, extra hands aren’t bad.” Anthony replied.
With twisted smirk, Bobby sat back.
Nino was called on phone, and Ivanna went to the door to meet him.
He’s there with Robert, and the two younglings.
“Iva, I’m so not in support of this decision. What if the Padrino strikes?” Robert said, unsure.
“Have I ever listened?” Ivanna smiled slightly at him.
Robert groaned.
“Promise me you’ll be fine,” Ginny said worriedly.
“Of course I’ll be,” Ivanna stroked her hair.
“I know you’ll be fine, so bring some British snacks along when you’re coming back…” Tierney said.
Ivanna smiled “When Robert and Nino goes for their mission at night, you both should stay with Hilda in her apartment.”
“I get it,” Gibby nodded.
“Let’s leave, the pilot it ready to fly,” Nino said, leading Ivanna away.
Now it’s just Robert and Bacardi with the younglings in the hall.
“Let’s go!” Robert started leading the two out, but Bacardi instantly pulled him back by the sleeve.
“Let’s talk,” she said.
“I don’t want to,” He broke free.
He continued ushering the two out of the hall, and Bacardi followed again, pulling him back for the second time.
Ginny and Tierney left for the kitchen, leaving them.
“We’re going on the same mission tonight, this ain’t the time to gloat,” she said.
“Gloat?” Robert blinked. “I’m simply following your orders. You’re the only one I know you makes rules then break them the second day! You’re so unstable that it’s sickening! You tell me to avoid you, but you start stalking me!”
Bacardi’s eyes widened slightly.
“Yes, I know you’ve been snooping around our apartment since five days ago now. You snooped around the kitchen anytime I followed Ginny and Tierney there, and you snooped around the hood whenever I went for warmups! I’m not some emotional trash bag you can just use and toss off then come back to pickup whenever you like! This time, I’ll stick with your rule till you get sick of it, Miss Bacardi.” He said.
Throughout that long paragraph, there was hurt in his voice which he didn’t even bother to hide, but at the same time, he sounded dead serious.
He left Bacardi on the pavement, and Bacardi pinched herself on the thigh.
Sandra joined her there, smiling mockingly at her sister.
“I never knew he talked this much. Just listen to that long-a$s paragraph. You must have really hurt the poor boy so bad.” She said.
Bacardi pinched herself again.
—
The drive to the airfield was so smooth Ivanna barely felt it. It’s just five minutes drive from the estate, plus Nino drives fast, and the road is only used by the mob—no other cars.
She got down from the passenger seat, and true to Nino’s words, the bombardier is ready.
The clan has four bombardiers, and since the jet fuel is so f+kin expensive, she doesn’t even want to start calculating the expenses. The richness of the clan just gets her mouth wider everyday.
“Must you really go? Did he force you to come meet him?” Nino suddenly said, and he faced the guy.
“What do you mean? No.” She replied.
“Then is it because of what happened yesterday? You want to go makeup for it cos you feel guilty?”
“Nino, why are you suddenly talking like this?” She frowned.
Before he could reply, the pilot signalled at her.
With a wave of her hand, Ivanna left him. She pulled her low-waist jean up to cover her butt crack, and she wore a feather jacket to fight the cold.
She went on board alone, and as the jet staircase rolled in, Nino’s hands went into his pocket.
“Because… I’m in love with you.” He muttered quietly.
—
[Hearthrow Airport (LHR) London]
Leonardo’s flight touched down at exactly 4pm. No layovers or stopovers.
There was no unnecessary body search or bag x-rays at the terminal cos the immigration and custom officers have already been cleared even before he landed.
Thanks to his British spies, he was covered. Everything went sleekly.
He stepped out of the terminal, holding his little duffel cautiously. Only two of his clothes are inside to act as covers, the rest of the bag is all illegal velkrona drugs.
The British air brushed his skin, and he didn’t even have the time to appreciate it when his ride came.
The window went down, and the Londoner spy nodded at him.
No words, Leonardo opened the car and got in the car.
The drive to The Grove – Hertfordshire hotel started.
An hour after his ride departed, Ivanna came out of the private terminal too, staring at the card she’s holding. It contains Leonardo’s lodging details.
Don Anthony must have told the pilot to provide her with the details cos she received it immediately her flight landed on the runway.
“The Grove – Hertfordshire,” she read from the card, looking up.
She stayed beside the road, looking for a ride to wave down, and while standing there, she became conscious of her surrounding.
She’s not in Chicago, she’s in Britain. The great Britain.
Their different mode of dressing here caught her attention first….
Males wore majorly tailored coats or wool trenches in dark tones. Slim trousers, Chelsea boots or polished shoes with their collars up.
Females wore long fitted coats in neutral shades, knit dresses or wide-leg trousers with ankle boots.
Minimal makeup, effortless hair.
She smiled a little as she watched them, the streets is bustling with the Christmas jubilees and the scent of Christmas hung everywhere. Balloons, fireworks, colours…
Tommorow is Christmas, but it already feels like it tonight.
Then their weather… It’s colder in Chicago than this place. Snow isn’t even falling here, just cold air that’s sweet on the skin, so Ivanna took off her feather sweater.
She hung it on her arm, and she immediately got eye-raped by the passing men.
They’re either staring at her navel, her waist, or face.
She didn’t care. She found a ride and told the driver her destination.
The ride started.
Immediately her ride left, Hayden emerged from the public terminal, looking so tired and dehydrated.
He left in a ride to his booked hotel, and as if planned, Moo also came out of that public terminal.
In fact, they were on the same flight, but he didn’t notice her.
She was sent by Monika to secretly help him from the shadows.
As she entered her own ride, she dialled Monika.
“Landed already?” Monika’s strict voice filtered out.
“Yeah, riding to the lodge now. Will Bradshaw be enough to work with the Toga brothers tonight? If Robert is gonna come with The Outfit mobsters, then it might get ugly. Robert is not to be underestimated.” Moo said, checking out her purple coloured nails.
“You’re underestimating Bradshaw too. You have more trust in an enemy than your actual co-gangster?” Monika chastised.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Moo said.
“Leo is meeting the kingpin tommorow,” Monika replied.
“Yes. You don’t have to remind me, Leader. I know what do do.” Moo smiled, hanging up.
—
[The Grove – Hertfordshire Hotel]
Leonardo got a full suite to himself alone, and he settled down real fast.
He’d be spending just two days here, meaning he’d only return to Chicago the day after tomorrow, so he ordered for a few change of formal and informal clothes.
He set the meeting with the kingpin for 8am tomorrow morning already, and the moment he dropped the phone, he checked for the intactness of the drug bag.
Seeing that it’s intact, he entered the bathroom for a shower, and he spent more time than required cos of his arm wound.
When fire caught his jacket arm yesterday, he actually got burned too, and he got a slightly big wound on his arm, so it’s bandaged.
He changed he bandage after the shower, and the hotel room service brought his dinner at 7pm.
He checked on the door intercom to make sure before opening the door.
The female room service pushed in the food trolley containing minced lamb, vegetables and mashed potato pudding.
He expected her to set it on the meal table area and leave, but after she set it,she faced him with a sweet smile, seductive like a harlot’s.
“You can tell me to stay, Sir Leo, and I’ll stay.” She said.
Leonardo remained seated, staring at her with shelled eyes.
She undid the first button of her dress shirt, walking to him.
“I don’t only serve rooms, I can serve body too…” She pressed on.
Leonardo still just stared, the black singlet on his body seeming to glue more. It’s irritation.
“They didn’t tell you to run whenever you’re alone with me?” He muttered, interlocking his fingers.
“Of course I was told, but even the greatest men need women to cool their tempers.” She placed an hand on his shoulder, and the irritation multiplied, spreading faster than he could control.
He lost control, again.
He picked the food trolley like it weighed nothing, raised it up and brought it down on her head.
He broke her head, and the several cracks began bleeding.
Her eyes were wide as she went down, but before she could land, he dragged her to the balcony of his suite, throwing her down from there.
He watched as her body landed on the far ground, then he looked up at the balcony above his own.
The spy who brought him to this hotel is right there, watching.
“I pushed the server, not you. I’ll take care of it, Ghost.” He communicated through the earbud.
“Come here to clean her blood off my floor afterwards.” Leonardo replied.
“I understand.” The spy replied.
Leonardo returned inside to start eating his meal.
But he hasn’t even started eating when the doorbell rang again.
He looked at the door, then he picked his fork, ignoring the sound.
It rang again.
His eyes stilled.
He might not have encountered any problem in the airport, but of course problems are coming.
He’s aware that old granddad of his would never send him here without plans, and that’s why he has been laying low since he arrived, but the slutty room service had to ruin it.
Now he killed her, and the doorbell is sounding again?
Wasn’t the spy supposed to take care of the body?
He picked up his gun this time, getting his senses ready too as he went to the door.
He checked the intercom, but there’s no one on the screen.
He waited one more sec.
The bell came adain, and he swiftly pulled the door open.
His gun stretched, and his finger ess already under the trigger to pull when he saw the face.
He moved the gun to a side, so he could view the face better, and his face remained same after he saw her.
No shock. No sense of recognition.
He lowered the gun, and Ivanna’s face came to view completely.
Her backpack slung on one shoulder, and her sweater on the second hand, her hair down, reaching her back.
“He wanted to shut the door, but she placed her boot between it quickly.
“Now don’t be a d+k, again. I didn’t come here to fight.” She said.
“Anthony was unthoughtful enough to let you use the bombardier, and now you think you’re welcome here? Never seen such unwanted face on a Christmas Eve before.” He muttered, his voice so frosty.
“Nardo…” She started.
“No. Chubby is more preferable.” He cut her off with clustered brows.
“I’m trying to make sense here! I came all the way from Chicago to join you not because I wanted to, but because fine…I knew I did wrong, I shouldn’t have called you that! I shouldn’t have—”
“Get out! I work alone.” He cut her off again, his breaths heavy.
“Stop being a blockhead, Nardo. You choked me first, and you even wanted to slap me! I admit I’m a domineering type, but I am still a female! That should give you a—”
“The devil won’t even want to listen to your sad news, Ivanna. Get the hell out or you become the second female I push down the balcony!!” He yelled, and she instantly felt her throat closing on nothing as she took her boot away from the door middle.
She stepped back, and he shut the door at her face.
She stood there, wanting to bang the door or kick it or headbutt it, but those thoughts were just fragments.
She diffused them as they formed, then she raised her palm to the door, placing it there flatly.
“I’m……….sorry.” She said, with difficulty.
“I’m sorry,” she said again, more sharply this time.
“I badly wanted to annoy you cos you were keeping my parents from me, and cos you were being controlling again, but no matter how much I wanted to do that, if I knew calling you Chubby would trigger you, I wouldn’t say it.” She muttered.
Nothing came from inside.
“I….. Came, not only because I wanted to stay with you and work with you, but because… maybe I also… Missed you, ok? You know even before what happened yesterday, we haven’t really talked since five days ago cos I’ve been caught up in my cartel missions and it’s just…….”
At this point, the door opened, and his face popped out again.
“You….what??”
“I know it’s crazy, but maybe I’m crazy,…I… missed you….the way you touch me…” She repeated.
Leonardo left the door open, and the electronic door began slipping free little by little till it was wide again, holding each of them at either side.
Leonardo’s eyes has a dash of softness at the edges now, but he didn’t move.
He kept their eye lock intact without blinking, till Ivanna made the first move on him.
She entered, slumped off her back from her shoulder. The bag hit the floor plus her sweater.
She pushed him to the wall, inched up her face, and her toes. She took the initiative and clipped his lips into her mouth, kissing him hard.
Leonardo pushed himself away from the wall, bending his figure to her height so she won’t have to stand on her toes anymore.
She wrapped her arms on him—not just with a sense of pleasure from the kiss, but with a sense of possessiveness.
When he m0aned throatily, he bit her lip…
His warm hand entered her panty, and her p+xy watered.
TBC.
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