Bound to Break

Chapter 20

1 year ago...

The casket was lowered into the ground. It was almost awe striking how one could remain so composed when their insides had been completely shattered. Torn apart.

How could one still stand tall, hands clasped as if everything were okay? As if they hadn't been stripped of everything till they were raw and bleeding.

My eyes were swollen. Lips sore. I'd been in my bed since the events of last night, when my brother - my protector and light was shot in a drive by. 

I couldn't accept this. I wouldn't, it was too hard to even think that he was gone forever.

He wanted a family. Kids. He wanted to take me to Japan for my birthday. But his existence was cut short, and now all that was left was memories.

Even they grew more distant as the days went by. Rauls hand tightened in mine when they started the burial. He was only 4, and kept asking me what was going on.

That was when I made the promise to protect him and Carlos from facing the same fate Emberto did.

———

Gunshots. Distant but loud, kept sounding from upstairs. Apprehension twisted my stomach. Carlos.

I bolted towards the door, almost getting out before I was suddenly pulled back by Luciano.

His stare was indifferent - too indifferent than usual. Like all of its warmth was replaced by a sharp frost. It was frightening how serious they were, especially right now. "You're staying here."

"What? No I have to get to Carlos." I tried pushing him away, but his hold on me tightened and he dragged me to the other side of the room as I protested.

Desperation filled my heart. I fought to get out of his arms, my heart racing with fear. "Let me go!"

His voice had never been so deadly. I was sure it was the tone he used when ordering his men around. Harsh. Terrifying. "You're staying here, do you fucking understand me?"

"I need to get Carlos- please, I need to make sure he's okay." Another gunshot made me flinch. This one was closer to us. Luciano looked back like it was nothing, before cocking his gun and going to the door.

Tears stung at the back of my eyes. My voice was shaky and pleading. "Luciano please."

"I'll get him."

He walked out. I couldn't do anything other than trust him, and hope that the guard was with Carlos, and that those gunshots didn't harm him. I had to trust him.

I waited, pacing around and trying hard not make myself believe Carlos was hurt, or even dead. My stomach had eaten itself up by now and my lips were bleeding. Papa would have yelled at me if he saw them, it used to get him so irritated.

Dread was chewing at the little bits of hope I had that everything would be okay. It would, wouldn't it?

The gunshots increased. Movement at the door made me stop, and Luciano ran in holding Carlo under his arm.

The first thing I saw, was blood. The next was a bullet shaped hole in his shirt. "Oh my god." I ran towards him and laid him on the cold ground. He was unconscious, and his nose was bleeding.