Category: STORIES

Till Death Do us Apart – Episode 59&60

(The•Devil•I•Loved)

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2025

Naomi Cindy B.

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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Leonardo didn’t flinch, he even kept his eyes on the stones, calculating the seconds left before they’d get to him as they flew, and as he did, everyone on the assembly held their breaths especially the ones who just threw the stones.

The stones finally met him like wicked curses, the sounds as ominous as the hymn of the condemned.

The effects scattered on all parts of his body. His tummy, sides, ribs, legs, knees, neck, arms. Every part.

A few met his face too, and the last one that met his throat made blood spill from his mouth.

Blood oozed from every part of him, and he gave the mobsters another glare that says they should continue the stoning right now.

Don Anthony was too shocked to make any move, even Felicia looks like she got robbed of her mind.

Thaddeus is the only blank person in this assembly. He’s enjoying what’s going on.

Ivanna’s blank look has disappeared, now replaced with confusion as more of his blood dropped on her head since she’s still standing below his spiralling body. Even as the stones hit him and fell, some hit her too.

She didn’t move.

“Fûck y’all! Including you, dad!” Lissa suddenly stood, taking the bowl of black shinny stones in front of Thaddeus. She hurled it away, scattering stones in the passageway.

Then, she began stalking to the faces of the mobsters with the bowl of stones, picking out her sword and beheading one, two, three….

Heads rolled on the ground, and blood sprayed her face from their neck pipes as it flowed up.

Those with bowls of stones started throwing them away before she could reach them with that insane furiousness.

“How dare y’all throw the stones at him! Losers!!! How dare y’all!!”

She beheaded the fourth mobster, and Penny rushed down the passageway to hold her.

Even Penny’s grip did nothing. She pushed Penny away and pointed her bloody sword at the woman.

“Try to hold me, and I’ll hurt you mum!” 

“Killing mobsters without a reason is another sin! You’re commiting a sin!” Penny cautioned.

“Without a reason?” Lissa gasped. “Did you just say without a reason? They stoned him when he told them to! What right do they have to do that? He ordered them? So f+kin what!!!” Lissa howled.

Now, every mobster holding stone bowls already threw them away for the fear of Lissa’s sword.

Thaddeus sat back in the passageway, behind his desk. His hand is on that desk, and his two fingers are drumming silently as he watched the ongoing saga by his daughter.

He likes it, obviously. 

He can’t even hide his thrill. Can’t hide his satisfaction.

“Drop the sword, Lissa. One more death, you’ll be imprisoned.” Don Anthony said calmly after he regained his voice.

“I don’t care!!” Lissa screamed, facing the Don. “I’m not scared of imprisonment, but no stone is touching Leo here again!” 

On the spiral, Leonardo looks blank in the face. The blood on his lips and the one crawling down his body made him look like a unforgivable sinner, but inside him, he knew this would happen.

He expected this.

He looked into the cameras again, communicating with Padrino with his eyes.

“Pick up the stone bowls, and throw! My words hasn’t changed. If I get down from this place alive, I’ll stone everyone to death myself!” He spat.

“No!!” Lissa yelled, rushing to the center where Ivanna stood.

Her sword went to her neck, and Ivanna froze.

The sword is a very cold one, but with the blood of the mobsters on it, it’s even colder. She could the smell metallic tang from it.

“He’s doing all of this for you! Speak up and tell him to stop it!!” Lissa demanded impatiently.

“And you think he’d listen to me?” Ivanna muttered.

Before Lissa could form a reply for that, Don Anthony’s phone rang on the desk, and Felicia passed it to him.

He picked up. It’s the Padrino.

As he brought the phone to his ear, he could already hear the old man’s harsh breathings.

“One more stone to him, and I’ll have to step you down as the Don.” Padrino Marko said.

“Now it’s also my fault that he decided to take the stones on his own?” Don Anthony scoffed.

“I said what I said, and about the girl, keep her safe till I land in Chicago next week. Not even Leo himself would stop me from chewing out her heart, he knows he can’t go against me, which is why he intentionally wanted to take the stoning, but let’s see how far he’s willing to go next week.” Marko replied with a finality tone, hanging up on the Don directly.

Don Anthony dropped the phone, and with a wave of his hand, the ceiling spirals uncuffed from Leonardo’s wrists.

He dropped from the ceiling, landing on his two feet on the ground. He cracked his neck, sweeping his hair away from his face.

He didn’t exchange looks or words with anyone as he walked out of the assembly, taking his heavy presence along with him.

Lissa followed him fast.

It’s like he was sitting on everyone’s throat, cos the words started coming out immediately.

“What the hell??”

“I was hyperventilating.”

“No, for real. A thriller movie scene wouldn’t have this much effect.”

“Taking the stones for her? Why?”

“Ghost probably didn’t want his favorite puxxy to die.”

All attention was diverted to Ivanna who’s still standing there. Her eyes are on the heads of the mobsters on the ground, and their headless bodies that’s still bleeding out redness.

She held to the right sleeve of her gear, and her nails almost dug into her skin in the process.

Robert and Hilda came to get her, and she didn’t even say a word to them as they led her out of the assembly.

Hilda signalled at the junior cleaners, telling them to start cleaning the blood and beheaded bodies.

Nino was watching, unable to follow till Island came to meet him.

“Hey, want me to go to the kitchen and heat some chicken marsala for just the two of us?” She stroked his cheek, but Nino slapped her hand away, and it resounded.

Giving her a sour look, he started walking out of the assembly, but Island quickly followed with a dark squint. She pulled him back and leaned into his ear to whisper…

“You were feeling on top of the world when you were drilling the f+k out of me in my bed, right? Now you don’t wanna own up to the responsibility after taking my v+rgin¡ty? I can ruin you with the snap of my finger and you know it. I only have to say things to the Don.” 

Nino tensed, and she smiled when she felt his tension. Her hand went to his shoulder to rest.

“So…let’s go get some chicken marsala.” She said, pulling him out of the assembly.

Sandra appeared from behind a pillar, her arms crossed on her chest.

She witnessed it, especially how Nino’s body tensed after Island whispered into his ear.

“He’s under pressure?” She mumbled. “What could that be?”

—

Lissa followed Leonardo till he got to his Citadel door, and that was when he faced her. Their eyes met, but it’s all coldness. 

Leonardo has never been warm, but at least he looked at her with eyes that says “she’s my best friend.”

Now it’s all gone. It’s the first time she got close to him after he disqualified her like he said, and it’s the first time she got to see this coldness directed towards herself.

It hurts.

She folded her arms behind herself, tightly.

“I’ll follow you in to get your wounds treated. Apart from me and the estate doctor, you never allow anyone to touch your wounds remember? And the estate doctor is probably busy treating wounds of the mobsters who got wounded in Hydra forest.” She spoke with confidence.

“You don’t have ears malfunction, do you?” Leonardo replied, eyes turning colder she could feel the Atlanta inside the two balls.

“When I pronounced you as disqualified, you should know even coming near my Citadel is iniquitous. You’re gone from my dictionary, Lalissa.” He muttered.

His voice is even frostier than his eyes, but before she could process what to say next, he already entered the elevator, leaving her there.

As the door closed, she placed her palm on the scanner, but the door won’t open. She tried using the face scanner, but it still won’t open.

Then… realization hit her harder.

He really got rid of her biometrics.

Her sword fell from her, and she bit her own tongue, trying to pull it out of her mouth.

“Miss!” Emma came over, getting a hold of her and forcing her mouth open. “You can’t bite your own tongue off! I told you you can’t be irrational at times like this! You have things set in place, you only have to wait for the arrival of the Padrino to start acting! Miss!”

Lissa looked at her, and Emma nodded. “Sir Leo is still coming back to you, but for now… know that you have me, you have me.”

She picked up her sword, and Lissa quietly followed her to the park.

—

[Inside The Citadel]

Of all part of Leonardo’s affected body, his wrist got the biggest one. 

He cut it to get rid of the tattoo.

Ivanna gave it a brutal bite in the cabin.

In the Sinners Assembly, he tied the spiral cuffs to it, and he was suspended off the ceiling with that same wrist.

So… it’s bleeding profusely.

He entered the washroom first, opening cold water on the wrist.

As the water washed the blood, it bled, and in no time, red stained the zinc bowl so much.

He watched the beautiful sight with a sick smile, his dark hair sprawling over his face.

Darn, he needs an haircut, but he doesn’t want to. There’s something about his excessively full hair that he likes. He loves the shadow it creates for his eyes. The silhouette it carves for his face. The darkness.

He looked at the mirror as the water kept pounding his wrist, and the view he met was much more beautiful.

The stone wounds all-over his face, the patterns. The red.

He laughed crazily, the horror of it filled the washroom, the sound so foreboding, so creepy.

Remembering when he was on that ceiling spiral made him laugh more.

Vera once said facing dangers is the most beautiful thing existing.

Danger is Beauty.

But he won’t experience this beauty for free. He didn’t allow Ivanna experience the stoning doesn’t mean she’s gonna go scot free.

She dared try to run away with Hayden?

She dared point a gun at him?

She dared even try?

His laughter stopped when he felt pain on that wrist again, and he looked down at it.

His veins are almost out.

He almost pressed for more pain, but Bobby bursted into the room.

“I knew it! I knew you’d be here, exhibiting your signs of mental instability again after what you did at the Sinners Assembly! I’m only just hearing about your stunt!” He shouted, heated.

But when he saw the zinc bowl and the blood in the water, his eyes widened so f+kin much.

“The f+k!!!??”

“No no no. Shit!!” He yelled, dialling the estate doctor’s line.

“Get my bro’s blood group and get your transfusion tools here in one minute! Fly here!” He ordered.

It’s as if his scream made Leonardo conscious of what’s going on. 

He suddenly felt fuzzy, felt dizzy.

He was still able to get to the relaxing room on his own, but he was unaware of when the doctor arrived. 

He only regained a little consciousness after receiving a few ampoule of blood.

“Get him food, he needs it.” The doctor said.

“Don’t talk like you don’t know this m0therf+ker. He still believes that eating too much is miserable. Mum made him believe that shit so he never eats more than ten or nine  spoons from a meal.” Bobby said.

“It doesn’t matter, Mister Bob. He just needs to eat something. He lost a lotta blood this time, and he needs to stay here at least till tomorrow morning. I’ll keep saying this: he doesn’t feel pain, but he can die. He loves danger too much.” The doctor replied.

“Fine, I’ll make sure of he stays inside even if I have to engage in a fight with him.” Bobby sighed, dialling the kitchen to order for a meal.

—

[Cooper Siblings Apartment]

Ivanna sat on the couch, face forlorn and eyes looking forward to nothing. Her palms are on her laps, and her eyes are coloured red. She had cried shortly some minutes ago, and her nose is even wet. She’s sniffling.

Hilda and Robert are with her, but their words aren’t doing anything to her at the moment.

“You won’t know how shocked I was to see him in the forest too, or how more shocked I was to see his Crimson tattoo. It all just came like a whirlwind and I couldn’t process it, then she got arrested for siding with the enemy, and I nearly ran mad when they started stripping her in the Sinners Assembly.” Robert said.

Hilda got them two plates of breakfast burrito from the kitchen, and she placed them on a table tray, but none is even looking at the food.

She shifted the tray closer to Ivanna, then she smiled and touched her hands gently.

“You’re just like my lost child. Stubborn, headstrong, and you love too much that once you fall, there’s no going back.” She said.

“I can’t give up on Hayden. He did too much for me and right now all I can think about is his well-being. He got two bullets, Hilda. This is the same boy who payed my college tuition for a year after my parents were arrested and our restaurant was ruined. Hayden payed for me from his dead parents trust fund, and I know he’s an enemy now… I know I shouldn’t even think about it, but I’m human…I’m not immune to emotions like everyone else here. I know I shouldn’t have sided with him but I just couldn’t…”

Ivanna sniffled again, trying to keep her tears controlled.

“But we’re a part of the mob now, we took the oath, and I know it’s hard, but this is the path we choose. Hayden is now different from before, and we’re different too… We lost Ginny, we can’t lose any of us again… please.” Robert stroked her hair.

Ivanna hiccuped.

“It won’t be easy, I know…” Hilda started, stroking her cheek. “But you should just try, cos you escaped death today doesn’t mean you will again tomorrow. You’ve been escaping death too much and it feels like you’re drawing closer to it at this point. For now, just focus on your trainings… Don’t you wanna climb high and punish those who made your family end up this way?”

“I do.” Ivanna sniffled again, wiping her nose and eyelids.

“Then work towards it. Next week, you’ll have to prove your worth to the Padrino too, and he’s a scary man with his intimidating brigadiers. Earn merits, get to know your parents conditions. You have a lot to do, don’t slack.” Hilda adviced gently.

“Thank you… Hilda.” Ivanna muttered, her voice cracking.

“It’s fine, you know you’re like my beautiful daughter.” Hilda smiled, urging her to smile too.

Ivanna hugged her, finding comfort and warmth in her arms.

Robert continued stroking her hair like a caring brother that he is.

They were still in the middle of that when a knock sounded on the door, loud enough to jerk them.

They all went to the door, meeting a guard there.

“To the Citadel, Sir Leo wants you.” He reported and left.

Ivanna looked at Robert, then at Hilda. “I’ll be right back.” She said.

Next, she’s already walking down the front steps, and she disappeared down the pavement in two minutes.

Hilda got a text from the cleaners at the assembly that they need help, so she left for the assembly.

Left alone, Robert entered the house, but before he could close the door, a figure pushed between it, forcing it open before entering.

It’s Bacardi.

“Miss Bacardi?” Robert frowned.

Bacardi went closer, he backed up.

Again, she went closer, her eyes on his face as her steps aligned with her breaths. Robert backed up again.

He kept backing up, and she kept coming closer, till he felt the wall behind himself and stopped.

Bacardi pushed his chest with an hand, making sure he’s glued to that wall before she spoke.

“The helpless look is gone, now that your sister is fine…for now.”

“Obviously, Miss Bacardi” he said.

“That’s odd.” She frowned.

“What’s odd, Miss Bacardi?” He replied.

“Stop it!” She suddenly held his neck, her frown turning into a glare.

You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng 

“You told me to address you as Miss, and now that I followed the instructions, I’m getting choked?” Robert said with difficulty.

She let go of him quickly, folding that palm tight.

“I was on my period, still on my period. I tend to get cranky.” She said.

“No. You were embarrassed. I saw it in your eyes. You were embarrassed that a mere low member of the mob made you cûm with his fingers…”

“Rob!” She snapped.

Robert recoiled, blinking. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t wrong though.”

“Gawd, you’re blunt like this?” Bacardi held her forehead, going to the couch to sit.

The tattered state of the couch disgusted her, and she couldn’t stop staring. “F+k, why the hell is this apartment so-so.” 

“I gave you my card, right? You could order for new couches.” She muttered.

Robert said nothing.

She relaxed anyways, and she frowned again, feeling so hot in the tummy. Very hot.

Robert sat on the table in front of her, dragging it close to her too.

Without asking, he brought an hand to her tummy, touching.

“Does it hurt? Whenever you’re on your period?” He asked.

“Yesterday was my first day, and it’s only supposed to hurt for that one day, but today’s came worse.” She replied, biting down on her lip.

“Have you tried icepack before?” He asked genuinely.

“You did this for your rich ex a lot, I guess…” She replied.

“Cardi, just answer.” He said seriously, and she smiled.

“Haven’t tried icepack before, never knew it worked…” She shrugged.

“I’ll get some from the kitchen, will be right back!” He stood and rushed out.

Instantly, Bacardi picked her phone, calling the kitchen staffs.

“Give Robert whatever he asks. Even if it’s your heads.” She said.

“Y…yes Miss.” The staffs chorused in a synchronized stutter.

—

[Don Anthony’s Office]

“This isn’t the right time to visit the outside store, Felly. There’s a store inside the estate, I had it installed in here just for you. Why would you visit the outside store?” Don Anthony complained, looking stressed.

Felicia is right in front of him, trying to get his permission with sweetness as usual, but he’s being reluctant this time, and time’s running out.

“I got bored of the estate store. Is it such a taboo to try outside? I want outside air too, it’s been a while. Also, I need to visit the roses shop. Thaddeus celebration is next week, the Padrino will also be here…I need new fits… today’s Friday it’s almost due time.” She said in a rush.

“Also, after the stunt Leo pulled, I need shopping to clear my head and—”

“Fine, Felly. Fine. Don’t take too long.” Anthony cut her off.

“Of course, you’re the best!” She smiled, kissing his cheeks.

She rushed out of the office, and Anthony rubbed his temples, sighing.

Remembering how Leonardo willingly cuffed himself to the ceiling spiral and asked to be stoned made his mind go to Vera.

Vera had several mental illness tendencies, but proneness to danger was one of the most frequent ones.

One time, she even attempted jumping down the penthouse, and she was so sure she wouldn’t die.

“I’d just be in coma for a year or so, I’d be fine. My death can’t come from what I do to myself.” She would say.

She ruined Leonardo mentally, and now he’s blaming himself for not taking him away from her when she decided to start training him back then. He regrets.

A new contact job flashed on his wall screen, and he stood to check thoroughly.

~ Body Disposal, in New Orleans.

One of the illegal works of the clan is disposal. They help criminals dispose bodies illegally, but their rate is enough to buy a few skyscrapers, starting from a billion upwards.

Since it’s in New Orleans and will require flight, Anthony clicked 1.5B on screen and sent it to the person who accepted almost immediately.

His whole life information appeared on screen immediately, plus the body they’re supposed to go clear.

It’s a man, and his bowels are gone from his body. The body is in a cellar, and his blood turned black already.

He probably died of poisoning.

As Don Anthony read the info, he made a call to Sandra.

“Yes, dad?”

“Arrange two mobsters for a journey to New Orleans tommorow. Body clearance.” He ordered.

—

[Estate Kitchen]

Nino and Island are in the kitchen, in the middle of the staffs, and Nino is just eating everything Island shoved into his mouth from the chicken marsala bowl.

He’s not complaining. He wouldn’t.

The confusion in the eyes of the staffs is palpable. 

They couldn’t talk though, till Robert entered.

“An icepack please!” He said.

A staff quickly went to get it, and that was when Robert saw Nino, but seeing that Island is feeding him is even more concerning.

“Nino?” He called.

No reply.

“Nino?” Again.

“He doesn’t wanna roll with you, read the room, he’s eating!” Island snapped at him, and he blinked.

When the icepack was brought, he took it but still couldn’t leave.

Tierney entered the kitchen.

“A full tray of breakfast burrito please! Put everything you have in this kitchen on it including sausage roll! I love sausage roll! I’ve been watching over a dead body since hours ago and nothing could be more exhausting!” He said all at once.

He has the tattoo already, meaning he already git initiated.

As the staffs prepared his orders, his eyes caught Robert, and he moved to him immediately.

“Oh…the brother of the runaway girl?’ he touched his shoulder.

Robert shook him off and left the kitchen. 

Tierney blinked. “Cold-shoulder huh?”

He made faces, settling his eyes on Nino who’s still getting fed by Island.

“Feels like he’s in a cage… like a bird.” He muttered, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, when Robert stepped outside with the icepack, he received a text on his phone.

Tommorow, he’s on the roster with Bobby at the warehouse. They’ll be in charge of the new drug sales, and at the same time… Bobby will be his training boss tomorrow too.

According to the text, he’s to dress chic when coming cos they won’t only do drugs and trainings, they’d also club as hell.

“Not bad…” He muttered, continuing his journey to the apartment.

—

[Citadel]

Leonardo ate just one pie from what was brought, and he’s still on blood transfusion. He’s just wheeling the pole around the Citadel cos it has small tyres at the base.

He has been sedated, but the sedative won’t start work till he sits, so he has been avoiding sitting down.

Now, he’s inside the computer room, staring at the screen message that says the Cooper couple clothes were found in a shallow grave.

“Looks like a ploy. Whoever is behind this isn’t so smart. They’re obviously still alive.” Bobby said.

Leonardo made a spy call immediately, ordering for the general search of the Cooper siblings location. 

At the same time, the spies he sent to investigate Ferrari’s death in Italy has reported, saying they can’t find anything suspicious.

“I underestimated Thaddeus. He’s playing his cards too well. Too clean” Leonardo muttered, his lips too pale.

His eyes are slightly red, lifeless. He picked a tab from a table.

“Next move?” Bobby asked as they walked out together.

“Things would go chaotic next week, and before then, I’ll find evidence against Thaddeus myself.” Leonardo replied dryly.

“More reason why you should rest for all today.” Bobby replied, checking his phone.

“Robert is on the roster with me tomorrow, at the warehouse.” He smiled, too wide.

When they arrived at the relaxation room, they met Ivanna waiting there.

She has been waiting for minutes.

Leonardo threw the tab at her, and she caught it.

“Open it, and watch what’s waiting for you.” He said crisply, still standing.

Bobby is beside him, backing the wall with crossed arms.

She opened the tab, and the first thing that greeted her eyes was a video, featuring her parents.

They’re in the middle of something that looks like a canal.

Actually a canal, but this canal is a muddy one, and the mud is reaching their chests already, nearly sucking them away.

They’re struggling inside, swimming, trying to get out, but the more they tried, the more the drowned. The mud entered their eyes already, so they’re practically blind right now.

They look unrecognizable, dry and haggard like they don’t even know what food is.

Ivanna covered her mouth with her palm, and the tab trembled in her hold. Her throat dried.

“No…”

“I control the canal,” Leonardo said slowly, making her look up. “I only have to move my head, and that canal will drown them completely.”

“No…don’t do that!” She shouted, her eyes going back to the tablet she’s holding. Watching her parents suffer like that for few minutes made her mind shatter to bits.

“Please… please make it stop! Please get them out of the canal! Please get them out!!!! Please I’m begging you! Please please…. make is stop!!! Make it stop!!!” She threw the tab and crawled to him, holding his leg.

“Please…I admit I was wrong! I shouldn’t have sided with Hayden! I’m a bî+ch who deserves your rage! I was wrong to even point a gun at you or attempting to elope and ruin the mission! Please stop! Please….

Leonardo pushed her away with his shoe, but she didn’t go. She held that leg tight, so he let go of his blood bag pole and dragged her up by the collar of her shirt. Her tears made him smirk as their faces mirrored.

“I’m so sorry…” She muttered.

“Your parents will remain in that canal, suffering till you earn merits by getting stronger! I have no use for a stupid, weak let, I might just kill you myself. You want your parents freedom? Follow rules!” He spat.

“I will! I will! I swear to you!” She trembled, nodding.

Roughly, he let go of her, and she landed back on the ground, sniffling.

“Get out.” He ordered, and she immediately rushed out.

Bobby left the wall he has been leaning on, chuckling.

“Brutally wicked, you’re actually using AI videos to hurt people emotionally now? F+ck, she won’t be able to sleep! She’d be scarred, restless, she’d run mad, and I love it.” 

“Exactly my point.” Leonardo muttered, sitting on the nearest couch. The doctor wasn’t bluffing, he really slept off immediately.

Bobby sat with him, watching the blood drip into his system from the blood bag when he received another bulk text via email.

~ New Orleans tommorow. Ivanna and Hilda. Body Clearing.

“I nearly forgot Hilda is the best cleaner here, even better at cleaning bodies.” Bobby muttered.

—

[Dew Hospital]

At 6pm, Penny and Felicia were done with the doctor.

They left the hospital as silently as they came, and when they got back in the car, Felicia let out a sigh.

“You feel better?” Penny asked.

“Yeah, sure. If I take the drugs according to the doctor’s instructions, the fingers should heal soon.” Felicia replied, cooling down.

“So… Your relationship with Island?” Penny asked curiously.

“You never forget,” Felicia muttered.

“Forget what? You promised!” Penny accused.

“Island is like a child to me. I found her when she was young, and I took care of her like a mother. It’s normal that I am overprotective.” Felicia explained.

“And the Don is aware?” Penny asked.

“Of course… Why do you think he allowed me to move into the estate with her after he married me?” Felicia said.

“Whatever, it’s not even that deep.” Penny started the car.

“I told you, so how’s the ceremony thingy going? I’m thinking about rocking the same dress as you. C’mon, your husband is becoming a brigadier!” Felicia hyped.

“Aren’t you worried? When Padrino arrives next week, you’d be stressed. That man dislikes you.” Penny said.

“Can he ever like anyone who’s not his sick daughters? He destroyed his daughters, and his late first daughter destroyed her son. I don’t care about their tantrums though, Thony is there for me.” Felicia shrugged.

“Anthony’s baby,” Penny hyped.

“Of course!” Felicia laughed, and Penny joined in as she drove off.

—

[Armando Mansion]

“You can’t skip work again tomorrow, Miss. Your desk is filled in the office, and you have loads of board meetings to attend. Inspections too, there are about seven new properties to go through.” Emma reported after handing Lissa her night caffeine.

She’s sitting in her father’s gazebo.

Just like Don Anthony has a gazebo, Thaddeus has one too.

“I’m going to work tomorrow, just find a way to split the workload between now and Sunday. Next week is dad’s ceremony, and things would get choky at home yunno?” Lissa replied, returning the paperback report file to her.

“Yes Miss.” Emma bowed.

Lissa drank from her mug again, and by the door, Thaddeus stood with an hand in pocket, second hand to his phone that’s on his ear.

He’s on call with his spy in New Orleans.

“You either kill Ivanna, or kill Hilda and frame her for it.” He instructed.

“Make it clean.” He added, walking down the hallway.

—

[Next Morning, House Of Esposito~ Citadel]

Morning cracked for Leonardo like any other day, but his head didn’t wake up like it does.

It’s in a different state this morning—Chaotic. Noisy.

He feels refreshed, energized, replenished. 

He got transfused with two blood bags during his sedation, so it’s normal for him to feel this good, but his goodness isn’t reaching his head.

He got off bed, and he managed to check his mails first.

First message that caught his eyes was Ivanna and Hilda.

They’re currently on the flight to New Orleans for a Body Clearing mission.

Also, there’s a text from Ivanna herself.

Pet: I promise to be diligent with this mission, I’ll definitely gain some merits before returning. Don’t kill my parents.

He dropped the phone on the ground and entered the bathroom cos that one message only worsened what was going on in his head.

With his clothes on, he stepped under the shower and opened water on himself, but even the water couldn’t help his situation.

He slammed his head on the glass wall, and the glass cracked. Still, her face just won’t leave his head.

“Get out of my head, witch. Get out of my fuckin head!!!! GET OUT!!!!! OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!” He howled, hitting his head again and again till the glass broke completely to the floor.

Craziness. Madness. Insanity.

The three categories merged in his skull.

They were still roaring over there as he walked out of the bathroom wetly, stepping over the glass shards.

He picked his phone from where he dropped it on the bedroom floor, and water was dripping from his hair to the phone screen as he dialled Sandra’s number.

“Hey, brother?”

“Which of the private jets did Hilda and Joy take?” He asked.

“The second bombardier,” Sandra replied immediately.

Leonardo hung up, entered his computer room and only hit few buttons. Since there are cameras in the jet, he just connected.

Ivanna’s face came to view, and the noise in his head stopped like that.

His breaths turned long, deep, reaching his chest and lungs.

He calmed.

—

[Estate Sector V]

Till now, the existence of Sector V is only known to the top members of the clan. It’s a little building close to the estate Crypt, so…little to no attention was payed to it.

This is Tierney’s second trip to the kitchen this morning, and he’s with a custard cup when he came back as a foodie that he is.

Leonardo stationed him here to take care of someone, and as he walked the hallway which led to the only room in the sector, he was muttering things to himself…

“In my next life, I’ll come as a doctor. I mean…look, I’m not even one, but I’m here, taking care of a comatose patient…” He grinned opening the door of the room.

He put on the lights first, eating another spoon from his custard as his eyes darted to the bed.

On the bed, a girl lay unconscious, but her stabilizing machines are beeping healthily by her sides.

It’s Ginny. 

Ginny Cooper.

TBC.

Next Episode

Previous Episode 

Till Death Do us Apart – Episode 59&60

(The•Devil•I•Loved)

________________________

All rights reserved. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2025

Naomi Cindy B.

___________________

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Leonardo didn’t flinch, he even kept his eyes on the stones, calculating the seconds left before they’d get to him as they flew, and as he did, everyone on the assembly held their breaths especially the ones who just threw the stones.

The stones finally met him like wicked curses, the sounds as ominous as the hymn of the condemned.

The effects scattered on all parts of his body. His tummy, sides, ribs, legs, knees, neck, arms. Every part.

A few met his face too, and the last one that met his throat made blood spill from his mouth.

Blood oozed from every part of him, and he gave the mobsters another glare that says they should continue the stoning right now.

Don Anthony was too shocked to make any move, even Felicia looks like she got robbed of her mind.

Thaddeus is the only blank person in this assembly. He’s enjoying what’s going on.

Ivanna’s blank look has disappeared, now replaced with confusion as more of his blood dropped on her head since she’s still standing below his spiralling body. Even as the stones hit him and fell, some hit her too.

She didn’t move.

“Fûck y’all! Including you, dad!” Lissa suddenly stood, taking the bowl of black shinny stones in front of Thaddeus. She hurled it away, scattering stones in the passageway.

Then, she began stalking to the faces of the mobsters with the bowl of stones, picking out her sword and beheading one, two, three….

Heads rolled on the ground, and blood sprayed her face from their neck pipes as it flowed up.

Those with bowls of stones started throwing them away before she could reach them with that insane furiousness.

“How dare y’all throw the stones at him! Losers!!! How dare y’all!!”

She beheaded the fourth mobster, and Penny rushed down the passageway to hold her.

Even Penny’s grip did nothing. She pushed Penny away and pointed her bloody sword at the woman.

“Try to hold me, and I’ll hurt you mum!” 

“Killing mobsters without a reason is another sin! You’re commiting a sin!” Penny cautioned.

“Without a reason?” Lissa gasped. “Did you just say without a reason? They stoned him when he told them to! What right do they have to do that? He ordered them? So f+kin what!!!” Lissa howled.

Now, every mobster holding stone bowls already threw them away for the fear of Lissa’s sword.

Thaddeus sat back in the passageway, behind his desk. His hand is on that desk, and his two fingers are drumming silently as he watched the ongoing saga by his daughter.

He likes it, obviously. 

He can’t even hide his thrill. Can’t hide his satisfaction.

“Drop the sword, Lissa. One more death, you’ll be imprisoned.” Don Anthony said calmly after he regained his voice.

“I don’t care!!” Lissa screamed, facing the Don. “I’m not scared of imprisonment, but no stone is touching Leo here again!” 

On the spiral, Leonardo looks blank in the face. The blood on his lips and the one crawling down his body made him look like a unforgivable sinner, but inside him, he knew this would happen.

He expected this.

He looked into the cameras again, communicating with Padrino with his eyes.

“Pick up the stone bowls, and throw! My words hasn’t changed. If I get down from this place alive, I’ll stone everyone to death myself!” He spat.

“No!!” Lissa yelled, rushing to the center where Ivanna stood.

Her sword went to her neck, and Ivanna froze.

The sword is a very cold one, but with the blood of the mobsters on it, it’s even colder. She could the smell metallic tang from it.

“He’s doing all of this for you! Speak up and tell him to stop it!!” Lissa demanded impatiently.

“And you think he’d listen to me?” Ivanna muttered.

Before Lissa could form a reply for that, Don Anthony’s phone rang on the desk, and Felicia passed it to him.

He picked up. It’s the Padrino.

As he brought the phone to his ear, he could already hear the old man’s harsh breathings.

“One more stone to him, and I’ll have to step you down as the Don.” Padrino Marko said.

“Now it’s also my fault that he decided to take the stones on his own?” Don Anthony scoffed.

“I said what I said, and about the girl, keep her safe till I land in Chicago next week. Not even Leo himself would stop me from chewing out her heart, he knows he can’t go against me, which is why he intentionally wanted to take the stoning, but let’s see how far he’s willing to go next week.” Marko replied with a finality tone, hanging up on the Don directly.

Don Anthony dropped the phone, and with a wave of his hand, the ceiling spirals uncuffed from Leonardo’s wrists.

He dropped from the ceiling, landing on his two feet on the ground. He cracked his neck, sweeping his hair away from his face.

He didn’t exchange looks or words with anyone as he walked out of the assembly, taking his heavy presence along with him.

Lissa followed him fast.

It’s like he was sitting on everyone’s throat, cos the words started coming out immediately.

“What the hell??”

“I was hyperventilating.”

“No, for real. A thriller movie scene wouldn’t have this much effect.”

“Taking the stones for her? Why?”

“Ghost probably didn’t want his favorite puxxy to die.”

All attention was diverted to Ivanna who’s still standing there. Her eyes are on the heads of the mobsters on the ground, and their headless bodies that’s still bleeding out redness.

She held to the right sleeve of her gear, and her nails almost dug into her skin in the process.

Robert and Hilda came to get her, and she didn’t even say a word to them as they led her out of the assembly.

Hilda signalled at the junior cleaners, telling them to start cleaning the blood and beheaded bodies.

Nino was watching, unable to follow till Island came to meet him.

“Hey, want me to go to the kitchen and heat some chicken marsala for just the two of us?” She stroked his cheek, but Nino slapped her hand away, and it resounded.

Giving her a sour look, he started walking out of the assembly, but Island quickly followed with a dark squint. She pulled him back and leaned into his ear to whisper…

“You were feeling on top of the world when you were drilling the f+k out of me in my bed, right? Now you don’t wanna own up to the responsibility after taking my v+rgin¡ty? I can ruin you with the snap of my finger and you know it. I only have to say things to the Don.” 

Nino tensed, and she smiled when she felt his tension. Her hand went to his shoulder to rest.

“So…let’s go get some chicken marsala.” She said, pulling him out of the assembly.

Sandra appeared from behind a pillar, her arms crossed on her chest.

She witnessed it, especially how Nino’s body tensed after Island whispered into his ear.

“He’s under pressure?” She mumbled. “What could that be?”

—

Lissa followed Leonardo till he got to his Citadel door, and that was when he faced her. Their eyes met, but it’s all coldness. 

Leonardo has never been warm, but at least he looked at her with eyes that says “she’s my best friend.”

Now it’s all gone. It’s the first time she got close to him after he disqualified her like he said, and it’s the first time she got to see this coldness directed towards herself.

It hurts.

She folded her arms behind herself, tightly.

“I’ll follow you in to get your wounds treated. Apart from me and the estate doctor, you never allow anyone to touch your wounds remember? And the estate doctor is probably busy treating wounds of the mobsters who got wounded in Hydra forest.” She spoke with confidence.

“You don’t have ears malfunction, do you?” Leonardo replied, eyes turning colder she could feel the Atlanta inside the two balls.

“When I pronounced you as disqualified, you should know even coming near my Citadel is iniquitous. You’re gone from my dictionary, Lalissa.” He muttered.

His voice is even frostier than his eyes, but before she could process what to say next, he already entered the elevator, leaving her there.

As the door closed, she placed her palm on the scanner, but the door won’t open. She tried using the face scanner, but it still won’t open.

Then… realization hit her harder.

He really got rid of her biometrics.

Her sword fell from her, and she bit her own tongue, trying to pull it out of her mouth.

“Miss!” Emma came over, getting a hold of her and forcing her mouth open. “You can’t bite your own tongue off! I told you you can’t be irrational at times like this! You have things set in place, you only have to wait for the arrival of the Padrino to start acting! Miss!”

Lissa looked at her, and Emma nodded. “Sir Leo is still coming back to you, but for now… know that you have me, you have me.”

She picked up her sword, and Lissa quietly followed her to the park.

—

[Inside The Citadel]

Of all part of Leonardo’s affected body, his wrist got the biggest one. 

He cut it to get rid of the tattoo.

Ivanna gave it a brutal bite in the cabin.

In the Sinners Assembly, he tied the spiral cuffs to it, and he was suspended off the ceiling with that same wrist.

So… it’s bleeding profusely.

He entered the washroom first, opening cold water on the wrist.

As the water washed the blood, it bled, and in no time, red stained the zinc bowl so much.

He watched the beautiful sight with a sick smile, his dark hair sprawling over his face.

Darn, he needs an haircut, but he doesn’t want to. There’s something about his excessively full hair that he likes. He loves the shadow it creates for his eyes. The silhouette it carves for his face. The darkness.

He looked at the mirror as the water kept pounding his wrist, and the view he met was much more beautiful.

The stone wounds all-over his face, the patterns. The red.

He laughed crazily, the horror of it filled the washroom, the sound so foreboding, so creepy.

Remembering when he was on that ceiling spiral made him laugh more.

Vera once said facing dangers is the most beautiful thing existing.

Danger is Beauty.

But he won’t experience this beauty for free. He didn’t allow Ivanna experience the stoning doesn’t mean she’s gonna go scot free.

She dared try to run away with Hayden?

She dared point a gun at him?

She dared even try?

His laughter stopped when he felt pain on that wrist again, and he looked down at it.

His veins are almost out.

He almost pressed for more pain, but Bobby bursted into the room.

“I knew it! I knew you’d be here, exhibiting your signs of mental instability again after what you did at the Sinners Assembly! I’m only just hearing about your stunt!” He shouted, heated.

But when he saw the zinc bowl and the blood in the water, his eyes widened so f+kin much.

“The f+k!!!??”

“No no no. Shit!!” He yelled, dialling the estate doctor’s line.

“Get my bro’s blood group and get your transfusion tools here in one minute! Fly here!” He ordered.

It’s as if his scream made Leonardo conscious of what’s going on. 

He suddenly felt fuzzy, felt dizzy.

He was still able to get to the relaxing room on his own, but he was unaware of when the doctor arrived. 

He only regained a little consciousness after receiving a few ampoule of blood.

“Get him food, he needs it.” The doctor said.

“Don’t talk like you don’t know this m0therf+ker. He still believes that eating too much is miserable. Mum made him believe that shit so he never eats more than ten or nine  spoons from a meal.” Bobby said.

“It doesn’t matter, Mister Bob. He just needs to eat something. He lost a lotta blood this time, and he needs to stay here at least till tomorrow morning. I’ll keep saying this: he doesn’t feel pain, but he can die. He loves danger too much.” The doctor replied.

“Fine, I’ll make sure of he stays inside even if I have to engage in a fight with him.” Bobby sighed, dialling the kitchen to order for a meal.

—

[Cooper Siblings Apartment]

Ivanna sat on the couch, face forlorn and eyes looking forward to nothing. Her palms are on her laps, and her eyes are coloured red. She had cried shortly some minutes ago, and her nose is even wet. She’s sniffling.

Hilda and Robert are with her, but their words aren’t doing anything to her at the moment.

“You won’t know how shocked I was to see him in the forest too, or how more shocked I was to see his Crimson tattoo. It all just came like a whirlwind and I couldn’t process it, then she got arrested for siding with the enemy, and I nearly ran mad when they started stripping her in the Sinners Assembly.” Robert said.

Hilda got them two plates of breakfast burrito from the kitchen, and she placed them on a table tray, but none is even looking at the food.

She shifted the tray closer to Ivanna, then she smiled and touched her hands gently.

“You’re just like my lost child. Stubborn, headstrong, and you love too much that once you fall, there’s no going back.” She said.

“I can’t give up on Hayden. He did too much for me and right now all I can think about is his well-being. He got two bullets, Hilda. This is the same boy who payed my college tuition for a year after my parents were arrested and our restaurant was ruined. Hayden payed for me from his dead parents trust fund, and I know he’s an enemy now… I know I shouldn’t even think about it, but I’m human…I’m not immune to emotions like everyone else here. I know I shouldn’t have sided with him but I just couldn’t…”

Ivanna sniffled again, trying to keep her tears controlled.

“But we’re a part of the mob now, we took the oath, and I know it’s hard, but this is the path we choose. Hayden is now different from before, and we’re different too… We lost Ginny, we can’t lose any of us again… please.” Robert stroked her hair.

Ivanna hiccuped.

“It won’t be easy, I know…” Hilda started, stroking her cheek. “But you should just try, cos you escaped death today doesn’t mean you will again tomorrow. You’ve been escaping death too much and it feels like you’re drawing closer to it at this point. For now, just focus on your trainings… Don’t you wanna climb high and punish those who made your family end up this way?”

“I do.” Ivanna sniffled again, wiping her nose and eyelids.

“Then work towards it. Next week, you’ll have to prove your worth to the Padrino too, and he’s a scary man with his intimidating brigadiers. Earn merits, get to know your parents conditions. You have a lot to do, don’t slack.” Hilda adviced gently.

“Thank you… Hilda.” Ivanna muttered, her voice cracking.

“It’s fine, you know you’re like my beautiful daughter.” Hilda smiled, urging her to smile too.

Ivanna hugged her, finding comfort and warmth in her arms.

Robert continued stroking her hair like a caring brother that he is.

They were still in the middle of that when a knock sounded on the door, loud enough to jerk them.

They all went to the door, meeting a guard there.

“To the Citadel, Sir Leo wants you.” He reported and left.

Ivanna looked at Robert, then at Hilda. “I’ll be right back.” She said.

Next, she’s already walking down the front steps, and she disappeared down the pavement in two minutes.

Hilda got a text from the cleaners at the assembly that they need help, so she left for the assembly.

Left alone, Robert entered the house, but before he could close the door, a figure pushed between it, forcing it open before entering.

It’s Bacardi.

“Miss Bacardi?” Robert frowned.

Bacardi went closer, he backed up.

Again, she went closer, her eyes on his face as her steps aligned with her breaths. Robert backed up again.

He kept backing up, and she kept coming closer, till he felt the wall behind himself and stopped.

Bacardi pushed his chest with an hand, making sure he’s glued to that wall before she spoke.

“The helpless look is gone, now that your sister is fine…for now.”

“Obviously, Miss Bacardi” he said.

“That’s odd.” She frowned.

“What’s odd, Miss Bacardi?” He replied.

“Stop it!” She suddenly held his neck, her frown turning into a glare.

You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng 

“You told me to address you as Miss, and now that I followed the instructions, I’m getting choked?” Robert said with difficulty.

She let go of him quickly, folding that palm tight.

“I was on my period, still on my period. I tend to get cranky.” She said.

“No. You were embarrassed. I saw it in your eyes. You were embarrassed that a mere low member of the mob made you cûm with his fingers…”

“Rob!” She snapped.

Robert recoiled, blinking. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t wrong though.”

“Gawd, you’re blunt like this?” Bacardi held her forehead, going to the couch to sit.

The tattered state of the couch disgusted her, and she couldn’t stop staring. “F+k, why the hell is this apartment so-so.” 

“I gave you my card, right? You could order for new couches.” She muttered.

Robert said nothing.

She relaxed anyways, and she frowned again, feeling so hot in the tummy. Very hot.

Robert sat on the table in front of her, dragging it close to her too.

Without asking, he brought an hand to her tummy, touching.

“Does it hurt? Whenever you’re on your period?” He asked.

“Yesterday was my first day, and it’s only supposed to hurt for that one day, but today’s came worse.” She replied, biting down on her lip.

“Have you tried icepack before?” He asked genuinely.

“You did this for your rich ex a lot, I guess…” She replied.

“Cardi, just answer.” He said seriously, and she smiled.

“Haven’t tried icepack before, never knew it worked…” She shrugged.

“I’ll get some from the kitchen, will be right back!” He stood and rushed out.

Instantly, Bacardi picked her phone, calling the kitchen staffs.

“Give Robert whatever he asks. Even if it’s your heads.” She said.

“Y…yes Miss.” The staffs chorused in a synchronized stutter.

—

[Don Anthony’s Office]

“This isn’t the right time to visit the outside store, Felly. There’s a store inside the estate, I had it installed in here just for you. Why would you visit the outside store?” Don Anthony complained, looking stressed.

Felicia is right in front of him, trying to get his permission with sweetness as usual, but he’s being reluctant this time, and time’s running out.

“I got bored of the estate store. Is it such a taboo to try outside? I want outside air too, it’s been a while. Also, I need to visit the roses shop. Thaddeus celebration is next week, the Padrino will also be here…I need new fits… today’s Friday it’s almost due time.” She said in a rush.

“Also, after the stunt Leo pulled, I need shopping to clear my head and—”

“Fine, Felly. Fine. Don’t take too long.” Anthony cut her off.

“Of course, you’re the best!” She smiled, kissing his cheeks.

She rushed out of the office, and Anthony rubbed his temples, sighing.

Remembering how Leonardo willingly cuffed himself to the ceiling spiral and asked to be stoned made his mind go to Vera.

Vera had several mental illness tendencies, but proneness to danger was one of the most frequent ones.

One time, she even attempted jumping down the penthouse, and she was so sure she wouldn’t die.

“I’d just be in coma for a year or so, I’d be fine. My death can’t come from what I do to myself.” She would say.

She ruined Leonardo mentally, and now he’s blaming himself for not taking him away from her when she decided to start training him back then. He regrets.

A new contact job flashed on his wall screen, and he stood to check thoroughly.

~ Body Disposal, in New Orleans.

One of the illegal works of the clan is disposal. They help criminals dispose bodies illegally, but their rate is enough to buy a few skyscrapers, starting from a billion upwards.

Since it’s in New Orleans and will require flight, Anthony clicked 1.5B on screen and sent it to the person who accepted almost immediately.

His whole life information appeared on screen immediately, plus the body they’re supposed to go clear.

It’s a man, and his bowels are gone from his body. The body is in a cellar, and his blood turned black already.

He probably died of poisoning.

As Don Anthony read the info, he made a call to Sandra.

“Yes, dad?”

“Arrange two mobsters for a journey to New Orleans tommorow. Body clearance.” He ordered.

—

[Estate Kitchen]

Nino and Island are in the kitchen, in the middle of the staffs, and Nino is just eating everything Island shoved into his mouth from the chicken marsala bowl.

He’s not complaining. He wouldn’t.

The confusion in the eyes of the staffs is palpable. 

They couldn’t talk though, till Robert entered.

“An icepack please!” He said.

A staff quickly went to get it, and that was when Robert saw Nino, but seeing that Island is feeding him is even more concerning.

“Nino?” He called.

No reply.

“Nino?” Again.

“He doesn’t wanna roll with you, read the room, he’s eating!” Island snapped at him, and he blinked.

When the icepack was brought, he took it but still couldn’t leave.

Tierney entered the kitchen.

“A full tray of breakfast burrito please! Put everything you have in this kitchen on it including sausage roll! I love sausage roll! I’ve been watching over a dead body since hours ago and nothing could be more exhausting!” He said all at once.

He has the tattoo already, meaning he already git initiated.

As the staffs prepared his orders, his eyes caught Robert, and he moved to him immediately.

“Oh…the brother of the runaway girl?’ he touched his shoulder.

Robert shook him off and left the kitchen. 

Tierney blinked. “Cold-shoulder huh?”

He made faces, settling his eyes on Nino who’s still getting fed by Island.

“Feels like he’s in a cage… like a bird.” He muttered, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, when Robert stepped outside with the icepack, he received a text on his phone.

Tommorow, he’s on the roster with Bobby at the warehouse. They’ll be in charge of the new drug sales, and at the same time… Bobby will be his training boss tomorrow too.

According to the text, he’s to dress chic when coming cos they won’t only do drugs and trainings, they’d also club as hell.

“Not bad…” He muttered, continuing his journey to the apartment.

—

[Citadel]

Leonardo ate just one pie from what was brought, and he’s still on blood transfusion. He’s just wheeling the pole around the Citadel cos it has small tyres at the base.

He has been sedated, but the sedative won’t start work till he sits, so he has been avoiding sitting down.

Now, he’s inside the computer room, staring at the screen message that says the Cooper couple clothes were found in a shallow grave.

“Looks like a ploy. Whoever is behind this isn’t so smart. They’re obviously still alive.” Bobby said.

Leonardo made a spy call immediately, ordering for the general search of the Cooper siblings location. 

At the same time, the spies he sent to investigate Ferrari’s death in Italy has reported, saying they can’t find anything suspicious.

“I underestimated Thaddeus. He’s playing his cards too well. Too clean” Leonardo muttered, his lips too pale.

His eyes are slightly red, lifeless. He picked a tab from a table.

“Next move?” Bobby asked as they walked out together.

“Things would go chaotic next week, and before then, I’ll find evidence against Thaddeus myself.” Leonardo replied dryly.

“More reason why you should rest for all today.” Bobby replied, checking his phone.

“Robert is on the roster with me tomorrow, at the warehouse.” He smiled, too wide.

When they arrived at the relaxation room, they met Ivanna waiting there.

She has been waiting for minutes.

Leonardo threw the tab at her, and she caught it.

“Open it, and watch what’s waiting for you.” He said crisply, still standing.

Bobby is beside him, backing the wall with crossed arms.

She opened the tab, and the first thing that greeted her eyes was a video, featuring her parents.

They’re in the middle of something that looks like a canal.

Actually a canal, but this canal is a muddy one, and the mud is reaching their chests already, nearly sucking them away.

They’re struggling inside, swimming, trying to get out, but the more they tried, the more the drowned. The mud entered their eyes already, so they’re practically blind right now.

They look unrecognizable, dry and haggard like they don’t even know what food is.

Ivanna covered her mouth with her palm, and the tab trembled in her hold. Her throat dried.

“No…”

“I control the canal,” Leonardo said slowly, making her look up. “I only have to move my head, and that canal will drown them completely.”

“No…don’t do that!” She shouted, her eyes going back to the tablet she’s holding. Watching her parents suffer like that for few minutes made her mind shatter to bits.

“Please… please make it stop! Please get them out of the canal! Please get them out!!!! Please I’m begging you! Please please…. make is stop!!! Make it stop!!!” She threw the tab and crawled to him, holding his leg.

“Please…I admit I was wrong! I shouldn’t have sided with Hayden! I’m a bî+ch who deserves your rage! I was wrong to even point a gun at you or attempting to elope and ruin the mission! Please stop! Please….

Leonardo pushed her away with his shoe, but she didn’t go. She held that leg tight, so he let go of his blood bag pole and dragged her up by the collar of her shirt. Her tears made him smirk as their faces mirrored.

“I’m so sorry…” She muttered.

“Your parents will remain in that canal, suffering till you earn merits by getting stronger! I have no use for a stupid, weak let, I might just kill you myself. You want your parents freedom? Follow rules!” He spat.

“I will! I will! I swear to you!” She trembled, nodding.

Roughly, he let go of her, and she landed back on the ground, sniffling.

“Get out.” He ordered, and she immediately rushed out.

Bobby left the wall he has been leaning on, chuckling.

“Brutally wicked, you’re actually using AI videos to hurt people emotionally now? F+ck, she won’t be able to sleep! She’d be scarred, restless, she’d run mad, and I love it.” 

“Exactly my point.” Leonardo muttered, sitting on the nearest couch. The doctor wasn’t bluffing, he really slept off immediately.

Bobby sat with him, watching the blood drip into his system from the blood bag when he received another bulk text via email.

~ New Orleans tommorow. Ivanna and Hilda. Body Clearing.

“I nearly forgot Hilda is the best cleaner here, even better at cleaning bodies.” Bobby muttered.

—

[Dew Hospital]

At 6pm, Penny and Felicia were done with the doctor.

They left the hospital as silently as they came, and when they got back in the car, Felicia let out a sigh.

“You feel better?” Penny asked.

“Yeah, sure. If I take the drugs according to the doctor’s instructions, the fingers should heal soon.” Felicia replied, cooling down.

“So… Your relationship with Island?” Penny asked curiously.

“You never forget,” Felicia muttered.

“Forget what? You promised!” Penny accused.

“Island is like a child to me. I found her when she was young, and I took care of her like a mother. It’s normal that I am overprotective.” Felicia explained.

“And the Don is aware?” Penny asked.

“Of course… Why do you think he allowed me to move into the estate with her after he married me?” Felicia said.

“Whatever, it’s not even that deep.” Penny started the car.

“I told you, so how’s the ceremony thingy going? I’m thinking about rocking the same dress as you. C’mon, your husband is becoming a brigadier!” Felicia hyped.

“Aren’t you worried? When Padrino arrives next week, you’d be stressed. That man dislikes you.” Penny said.

“Can he ever like anyone who’s not his sick daughters? He destroyed his daughters, and his late first daughter destroyed her son. I don’t care about their tantrums though, Thony is there for me.” Felicia shrugged.

“Anthony’s baby,” Penny hyped.

“Of course!” Felicia laughed, and Penny joined in as she drove off.

—

[Armando Mansion]

“You can’t skip work again tomorrow, Miss. Your desk is filled in the office, and you have loads of board meetings to attend. Inspections too, there are about seven new properties to go through.” Emma reported after handing Lissa her night caffeine.

She’s sitting in her father’s gazebo.

Just like Don Anthony has a gazebo, Thaddeus has one too.

“I’m going to work tomorrow, just find a way to split the workload between now and Sunday. Next week is dad’s ceremony, and things would get choky at home yunno?” Lissa replied, returning the paperback report file to her.

“Yes Miss.” Emma bowed.

Lissa drank from her mug again, and by the door, Thaddeus stood with an hand in pocket, second hand to his phone that’s on his ear.

He’s on call with his spy in New Orleans.

“You either kill Ivanna, or kill Hilda and frame her for it.” He instructed.

“Make it clean.” He added, walking down the hallway.

—

[Next Morning, House Of Esposito~ Citadel]

Morning cracked for Leonardo like any other day, but his head didn’t wake up like it does.

It’s in a different state this morning—Chaotic. Noisy.

He feels refreshed, energized, replenished. 

He got transfused with two blood bags during his sedation, so it’s normal for him to feel this good, but his goodness isn’t reaching his head.

He got off bed, and he managed to check his mails first.

First message that caught his eyes was Ivanna and Hilda.

They’re currently on the flight to New Orleans for a Body Clearing mission.

Also, there’s a text from Ivanna herself.

Pet: I promise to be diligent with this mission, I’ll definitely gain some merits before returning. Don’t kill my parents.

He dropped the phone on the ground and entered the bathroom cos that one message only worsened what was going on in his head.

With his clothes on, he stepped under the shower and opened water on himself, but even the water couldn’t help his situation.

He slammed his head on the glass wall, and the glass cracked. Still, her face just won’t leave his head.

“Get out of my head, witch. Get out of my fuckin head!!!! GET OUT!!!!! OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!” He howled, hitting his head again and again till the glass broke completely to the floor.

Craziness. Madness. Insanity.

The three categories merged in his skull.

They were still roaring over there as he walked out of the bathroom wetly, stepping over the glass shards.

He picked his phone from where he dropped it on the bedroom floor, and water was dripping from his hair to the phone screen as he dialled Sandra’s number.

“Hey, brother?”

“Which of the private jets did Hilda and Joy take?” He asked.

“The second bombardier,” Sandra replied immediately.

Leonardo hung up, entered his computer room and only hit few buttons. Since there are cameras in the jet, he just connected.

Ivanna’s face came to view, and the noise in his head stopped like that.

His breaths turned long, deep, reaching his chest and lungs.

He calmed.

—

[Estate Sector V]

Till now, the existence of Sector V is only known to the top members of the clan. It’s a little building close to the estate Crypt, so…little to no attention was payed to it.

This is Tierney’s second trip to the kitchen this morning, and he’s with a custard cup when he came back as a foodie that he is.

Leonardo stationed him here to take care of someone, and as he walked the hallway which led to the only room in the sector, he was muttering things to himself…

“In my next life, I’ll come as a doctor. I mean…look, I’m not even one, but I’m here, taking care of a comatose patient…” He grinned opening the door of the room.

He put on the lights first, eating another spoon from his custard as his eyes darted to the bed.

On the bed, a girl lay unconscious, but her stabilizing machines are beeping healthily by her sides.

It’s Ginny. 

Ginny Cooper.

TBC.

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