~B.~

I hummed loudly as I searched for Lily. We had been playing hide and seek and I had zeroed in on her hiding spot.

She was definitely in Marcello's office and I wandered out loud where she could be hiding.

A soft giggle sounded by his bookshelf and I swiveled towards it.

"Okay. I give. You win Lils," I huffed and suddenly she crawled out of a little wooden part. I crouched and looked at the hidden part of the wall.

"Uncle Marcello says it's like my own bat cave." I nodded as I took that in, I grabbed her hand and brought her into the living room. I promised I would braid her hair.

My thoughts drifted to Marcello and I grew worried. Not only because of his 'mission' but because of his behavior this morning.

While my thoughts churned out the worst possibilities I sat Lily down and started this intricate braid I probably wouldn't be able to finish.

I pushed the hair behind her ear as a loud thump sounded from outside. I was suddenly alert. I was about to blow it over as nothing when multiple gunshots sounded.

I went still and quickly formulated a half assed plan.

I took a shaky breath before kneeling in front Lily, "baby why don't we go hide again? Yea?"

She glanced around as noises continued and we stood.

We quickly made our way to the stairs, Lily walked ahead of me. When silence fell over the house my heart dropped.

Low humming sounded from the entrance and I halted abruptly. I tried to calm myself and I held a finger over my mouth, signaling for Lily to be quiet.

A glinting in the corner of my eye caught my attention and I screamed as I ducked from the knife aimed for my head. I felt it knick my cheek as I dove.

I whipped my head up to see a woman with short, pitch black hair marching towards me. Her lips matched her hair as she walked with a mission.

I released a growl while leaping to grab the knife aimed for my head, "Lily go to the cave!"

The woman's eyes snapped to her as she raced upstairs. Before she could make a move I blocked her path and held the knife by my head and used my other fist to block my face.

She rolled her eyes and drew her gun, as she pointed it at my face I quickly aimed it to the ceiling and covered her trigger finger. I attempted to empty the clip into the walls while I lodged my foot into her ribs.

She grunted, "fuckin' pest."

She was fairly larger than me, probably close to 5'10. I counted off the rounds fired and realized two bullets should be left.

I tackled her down and gripped the barrel of the gun. I slid it back and watched one bullet fly out and released the magazine altogether.

Just as I had finished a fist slammed against my jaw. I flew back as she kicked me off. I cursed as my head bounced off the wall.

I leaned down and gripped the knife once again and crouched lowly. She mimicked me while grinning.

"You're just as cute as that little girl, this isn't a place for you." She sounded Italian and spoke mockingly.

I wiped my nose of any blood, "I think I'm holding up pretty fine."

"Is that what you think?"

I stood to my full height and slashed strategically at her.

"Fuck!" She kicked my legs out from underneath me and I gasped as the air was knocked out of me.

I groaned but rolled over quickly as she stomped where my head was. I grabbed her ankle and pulled her down. She yelled and grabbed at my hair.

I didn't hesitate to bite down on her wrist and cringed as her blood flooded into my mouth.

She screamed and yanked away from me.

"Gross. Gross. Gross." I spit out any blood or flesh I had taken from her and wiped at my mouth.

She bolted to the steps but I gripped her shirt in one hand and hair in the other.

I used the leverage from the steps and threw her down them. I scrambled to find a knife or anything to incapacitate her.

I grabbed the emptied gun quickly and just as she tried to stand I bashed it over her head.

She collapsed on the floor but was still attempting to get up. I straddled her chest and whacked her once again with the butt of the gun.

I released a breath when her chest stopped moving. I pushed myself off of her and scrambled to find Lily. I had no idea if they sent someone else.

I scrambled up the steps, ignoring my currently aching body. I raced to the office and dropped to my knees as I knocked frantically and tried to open the little cupboard.

Lily popped out and I cried out in relief. I grabbed her and hugged her tightly. I searched for my phone and carried her to the desk. I gripped my phone and growled when I saw I had no signal.

Fucking pricks.

Lily stayed silent as I attempted to decide what was the right move. I didn't know what happened to Marcello or the guys. I didn't know if there were more people coming. Or if it was best to hide in the house.

"Bella!" A voice yelled from downstairs and I immediately recognized it as Marcello's.

I wrapped my arms around Lily before running down to meet him. The closer I got to him the more tears gathered in my eyes.

I sobbed when I saw them flooding the entrance and was gathered into Cello's arms.

I quickly let Lily run to her father before completely attaching myself to him. He picked my up and buried his face in my neck as I wrapped my legs around him.

"I-I didn't know what h-happened to you," I was ugly crying and I was sure blood covered my face from the whole biting fiasco.

Marcello pulled back and cradled my face as he scanned his eyes over it.

"Who's blood? What happened?" My breath hitched as I slowly set my feet down. Caesar held onto Lily tightly before gripping my shoulder and pulling me into a hug.

He held me with one arm and whispered how grateful he was.

I nodded and wiped the tears away quickly and tugged Marcello towards the body by the stairs.

They circled the woman and I debated going back with Caesar and Lilliana.

Leo grabbed my shoulder and turned me towards him and Mathew. They looked at the blood around my mouth and the chunk taken out of her arm.

I turned away and gripped my stomach. I bolted to the nearest bathroom and bent over the toilet as I threw up the contents of my stomach.

Foot steps rushed after me and pulled my hair back. I coughed and wiped the back of my mouth. I saw Marcello sitting beside me and rubbing my back. I pulled myself up and started scrubbing at my face to rid myself of the blood.

I washed my mouth out as well before standing up completely. I sniffled and looked in the mirror.

A large bruise formed on my jaw and there was a cut on the bridge of my nose. Marcello turned towards me to face him.

He tilted my face as he examined me once again he narrowed his eyes at my arm protecting my torso.

He slowly lifted my shirt and cussed at the bruising. It wasn't terrible, I could move with just an ache. But it definitely didn't look pretty.

I grabbed his hands and laced my fingers with his.

"I was so worried," I whimpered.

"Breathe Bambina," Marcello rested his forehead against mine.

"There was one fucking guy there. And he taunted me with you, we got here as quick as possible baby. I'm so sorry, Bella."

I shook my head, "it's not your fault."

Marcello didn't respond for a few seconds before speaking, "we're leaving. There's a safe house. We're not safe here right now."

I nodded slowly and stood on my toes to press my lips against his. He sighed and held the back of my head. 

Once again he grabbed the back of my thighs and placed me on the counter. His hand tightened around the back of my neck.

He was gentler than usual but still managed to kiss the ever loving shit out of me.

I moaned as he continued down my neck.
Marcello sucked on the underside of my jaw greedily.

A knocking at the door sounded and I jumped. Marcello lapped over his mark before kissing me again. I nudged his nose playfully.

"I'll protect you," Marcello promised before opening the door and leading me out.