ILARIA (book 3)

38. ASAHI

I'm doing stupid things.

I broke into every building Arturo owned in the state of Illinois and not a single trace of my sister was found.

The only one I didn't break into was his main warehouse in Chicago.

While I would like to believe Ilaria's word. I don't think I can get peace until I see for myself that Hana is not in there.

I watch as they begin to switch. The 5 men outside of the warehouse get in a car and drive off.

I walk in, not expecting to see a normal layout of a house.

Hostages are kept in the basement. I learnt that from the Reigns.

So I walk down the stairs, gun ready.

It smelled horrible down here, and it was just a row of cages.

3 more minutes to check down here.

I walk up, checking inside these cages but most of them were men, and the women here were all already dead, and none of them were Akahana.

I turn, walk back up and peer out of the door before taking long strides up the stairs.

There's an attic. She could be in there.

I check the first room on here, a man was staring out if the window, but the room was empty. So I move onto the next room.

Another empty room.

The next room was bigger, and had another door attached.

I walk in, my back immediately presses up against the wall and I hold my breath when someone walks past.

I keep vigilant, walking around the outside of this room when my watch buzzes.

Time is up.

I can get out. I know I can.

I'll just check the inside first.

I hear footsteps across the landing again, and didn't expect this door to push open fully.

With limited options to hide, I stand in the cupboard full of guns and close it gently.

This cupboard is not the best.

The gaps between wood are quite large.

I look betwee the wooden slats in the cupboard at Arturo and Ilaria walking in.

"My work in Italy shouldn't take too long." Arturo looks at her. "Will you be okay here by your own?"

"I can handle myself." She nods her head, but she was facing this cupboard and her eyes focus in directly on mine.

I think she realised what she was seeing because her face dropped.

Arturo looks behind him, but then looks back at her. "What, you look like you've just seen a ghost."

"No. No ghost." She laughs nervously. "How long will you be in Italy for?"

"3 days."

"Will all your men go?"

"It's my fathers funeral, Ilaria. You should be coming too."

"I can't. I'm not allowed to leave the country until Romeo deems me fit." she keeps her attention solely on him.

"I need to take a few guns-"

"Can I have a look at your collection?" Ilaria grabs his face. "Which guns do you need? I'll get it."

"Just the berettas." He kisses her. "Do you know what that is?"

"I have three dads and four brothers. Yes, I know what a beretta is." She walks up to the cupboard. "Speaking of which, text Romeo for me and tell him I'll be home sooner than expected." She looks over her shoulder, waiting for him to look down at his phone before she opens the cupboard.

She gives me her cute little warning eyes and reaches for the three guns beside my head, then slams the chobaods shut. "Quite the collection." She hands them to him

"I have even more at my house." He kisses her. "Romeo said he'll wait for you at the airport."

"Great. I'll see you in 3 days?" She smiles.

He kisses her though, practically shoving his tongue down her throat and groping her.

Felt like shooting him with one of his own guns.

But he leaves, and she closes the door after him.

"Stay in there. I'll tell you when to get out." She walks to the seat.

And for the next hour, people were walking in and out of the room.

Finally, she locks the door. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Asahi?"

"Can I come out now?" I ask.

"Yes." She sighs.

I open the cupboard doors and she just stared at me like a disappointed mom. "Do you have any idea how hard it is going to be to get you out of here?" She raises an eyebrow. "He's gone so security have tripled."

"I think I've-"

"You're not funny. You're not invincible." She stands up. "You're a fucking idiot."

"I was just-"

"She isn't here. I have searched this house from top to bottom, Asahi." She shakes her head. "You are a joke."

"I won't believe it until I see it for myself."

"Well tough luck." She opens the window, grabbing a gun and shooting two people. "There is your escape. Go."

"You still like me." I smile, opening the window fully.

"You should be happy I don't shoot you too." She waits until I'm out of the window, then slams it shut.

I jump over these two bodies and exit through a hedge, then make my way to my car.

I drive home, only to find my father, mother and uncle waiting for me.

"Have you lost your damn mind, Asahi?" Dad shouts.

"Apparently so." I mumble.

"You could have got yourself killed."

"Hey!" I smile. "I didn't. I'm still alive."

"You're not funny. Get inside now."

Ace fist bumps me though, and we both earn a smack around the head from my father.

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no bc she devours him

word count: 950