Light Gathers Darkness | 18+

60.

It all feels too good.

Work's going good, my brothers aren't suspicious of anything and Daisy is just the most perfect girl in the world.

Something has to go wrong. It tastes bittersweet.

I can feel it in my gut as I work through the files. It just-it doesn't feel right.

Someone knocks on my door. I look up just when Easton looks around it. "Hey. Me and Ash are done for today. We're going by Daisy to blackmail her into taking a day off. Wanna join?"

I grin. "Ah, I wish I could. But I got some stacks to do. . . You go and text me if it worked. Do be careful for when she uses the eyelashes trap, though. Gets me every time."

He rolls his eyes. "Yeah, but only with you. Anyways, come home if you're done, yeah?"

I nod. "Alright. Good luck."

He turns. "You too."

A sound comes from my computer. I look up to see I've got a new mail and curse. At this rate I'll never be done early.

I'm sure all blood is drained from my face when I see who sent it.

Hello son.

My eyes roam over the room. I knew something wasn't right, but I'd have rather had that my gutfeeling was wrong.

Since none of my sons have attended my meeting in San Fransisco and have let down their family, I suppose I should go back to the bigger work.

You know, just one head of the mafia.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to kill off your brothers like I used to. That's why you get exactly 24 hours to do it, or else I will use my ultimate card.

And don't worry. I will succeed.

Your father.

The lump in my throat is so large I can't even swallow it down. 24 hours to kill my brothers?

This is my youth all over again.

I stand up, straight up panicking. Easton and Asher have to be protected at all costs. They can't go to Daisy, because Father still doesn't know about her.

What if he threatens to kill her too?

My eyes scan the mail again, and I get a heart attack. It didn't just come in—it came in yesterday at 10:00 am.

I let my gaze drop to the time, but already know what the outcome will be. 2:14 pm.

My head starts spinning. How did I miss all of this? Am I this much of a failure that I can't even check my mails at time?

I try to catch my breath. I have to sort this out. Fast.

Michael is the first person I call. He picks up immediately. "Boss? Aren't you with Easton and Asher, tied to a bed?" My eyes close in frustration.

"Michael, I have absolutely no time for jokes. Get your ass in my office in less than two minutes, or I'm castrating you. Bring Dante and Valery."

"Oh shit," I hear him mutter, right before I hang up. I drag my hands over my face, too panicked to think clear.

I have to warn them. I can't let anything happen to my brothers.

So I dial Easton's number. It rings once, twice. . .  and goes to voicemail.

I try again, fingers trembling as I tap the buttons. This can't be happening. He always, always picks up.

Did they kill him off already?

This time, he hangs up. I breathe out in relief. At least he's still alive.

I call Asher. One of them has to pick up, right?

But he hangs up too, and sends me a message saying, "Playing with Daisy. Join us in the red room."

I groan. Not the fucking time. So I text him back.

Me: Call me. Asap.

But of course, he doesn't read it. I feel like fainting. But I can't give up. Not now. Not ever.

A knock on the door sounds. I look up, thank God Michael and the rest are here.

I open the door, revealing Michael. He lifts his hand. "Yo. What's this emergency? 'Cause dude, I have more important things to do."

A huff of disagreement leaves my mouth while I pull him in. When I look outside my door, neither Dante nor Valery are here. I turn to Michael. "Where are they?"

He shrugs, busy on his phone. "They'll be here any minute. I called them, but they were busy at the shed."

I drag my hands through my hair. "How long will it take? How long, Michael?" I ask when he doesn't answer fast enough.

He raises his hands in surrender. "Woah. Bro, take a chill-pill." 

I grab his shoulders and shake him, a little more aggressive than I intended to. "I can't relax now, Michael. My brothers are this close to being killed. I'm losing my mind."

He frowns. "Sorry, what? You're going really fast now, man."

I turn away from him, trying to catch my rapid breaths. "Wait until Dante and Val are here. They're just—two minutes? Five minutes? How long?"

He blinks. "I don't know. Take a seat, Dom, you look pale."

But I can't hear him well enough anymore. The panic is pulsing between my ears. I turn and walk to my window, trying to concentrate on the view.

It help a little, but I'm still too caught up with my panic to think this through.

When finally, finally a knock sounds, I almost collapse with relief. I push myself off the wall, knowing we'll come to a resolution in less than ten minutes. It'll be okay.

Michael opens the door and says some things, but I can't understand. I clench my fists and loosen them again, but the fog in my head doesn't lessen.

I walk to my computer, putting the mail ready to show to them. They're my best men, it'll all be okay.

Until I feel a painful smack on my head, almost as if someone hit me with a bat?

I fall down, pain present everywhere in my body. I turn around, trying to see what the fuck happened.

A face I don't recognize grins at me. The pain repeats itself, and the darkness engulfing me is the worst thing I've ever felt.

Fuck.