"Mom, why did you marry daddy?" Mira was sitting out on the balcony with her mother as they did almost nightly, talking as they watched the stars. Her mom let out a soft chuckle.

"Because I love him, honey." She replied simply. Mira rolled her eyes.

"Yeah I know that, but was it love at first sight?" She questioned, her young blue eyes looking up curiously at her mom. Her mother scrunched her nose up as she thought.

"It definitely wasn't love at first sight. I actually didn't really even like him when we first met. But, as I got to know him, I realized that I had misjudged him. I think a lot of people misjudge your father. You could say he hasn't exactly had an easy life. He's made mistakes, but his heart is good. I told myself that he's a good man set on the wrong path. And now he's finally found the right one. He's making changes for himself, and for us. All he needed was someone who believed in him."

Mira made a weird face. "Ok . . ." She drawled, too bored by her mother's answer. Maybe she was just too young to understand love.

***

Mira didn't fight the tears. She had broken down completely once she got back to her room, sobbing as she fell to the floor.

All these years, she'd wondered why her mom would leave her, why she wasn't good enough . . .just to find out that she never meant to leave her. She couldn't help the guilt that clawed at her chest for ever doubting her, for thinking that her mother would actually abandon her. No, she had a heart that could see the good in a man who'd been trapped into doing bad, and she fought for him, fought to save him, and she paid for it with her life.

She managed to crawl into bed, clinging to the sheets as she cried. She couldn't help but imagine the absolute horror her mother had felt in her final moments, to wonder what it must have felt like to know you're going to die and not be able to do anything about it.

She cried herself to sleep, grieving the loss of her mother for the second time, for her true death.

***

Her father said the preparations would take two days, and then she'd be free to go. A day had already passed and she'd yet to leave her room. Every time she thought she'd finally cried the last of her tears, more would come flowing out.

She ended up leaving her room once to get some fresh air, but otherwise, she remained cocooned in her bed, staring blankly at the walls.

She reminded herself that tomorrow it would all be over. She'd leave this place behind along with her father.

Mira closed her eyes, tired despite doing nothing all day, only for them to shoot back open at the knock that came from the door. She lazily slipped out of bed, walking over and opening the door. She nearly slammed it back shut when she saw Leo standing at the other side, but he managed to catch it with his foot.

"Hey, you're father would like a word with you." He said in a annoyed tone. Her brows furrowed as she glanced down at the time. It was 10:30 at night, could he have not called for her any earlier. She let out a sigh and slipped out into the hall with Leo.

They walked together to the elevator, riding up to the penthouse together.

"I can get to the penthouse on my own, you know," She stated, folding her arms over her chest.

"Your father requested a word with both of us, so you're stuck with me."

Mira groaned. Tomorrow she would be gone, she reminded herself.

They got out of the elevator and walked over to the door to his suite, the security guard unlocking the door and stepping to the side to let them in.

Her dad was sitting on the couch with his computer resting on his lip. He looked up, features contorting in surprise.

"You wanted to talk to us?" Mira questioned.

Her father shook his head in confusion.

"I don't believe I called for you too, who told you two to come here?"

Mira opened her mouth to blame Leo, but froze as she felt him throw his arms around her and pull her against him, something cool and sharp pressed against her neck.

Mira's eyes went wide as she registered the knife pressed against her throat, the blade beginning to slice into her skin, drawing a thin line of blood.

"Leo, what the hell are you doing?" Her father shot to his feet, computer falling to the ground. He made a movement towards the couch, reaching out for something, but Leo's other hand shot up, fingers resting on the trigger of a gun.

Mira's legs trembled beneath her, heart hammering against her chest. Why was he doing this?

Her father grit his teeth, lifting his hands up and stepping away from the couch, Leo's gun following his every move.

"What are you doing?" Her father growled, his eyes locked on Leo.

"What do you mean, I figured we could have a nice little family pow-wow, pops." Mira didn't need to see Leo to know he was wearing a sick and twisted grin on his lips. Her father's eyes widened.

"Or were you planning on not telling her?" The blade cut deeper into her flesh, a hot burning sensation radiating from the wound. She looked at her father with pleading eyes. She didn't know what Leo wanted, but she knew he would have no problem killing her to get it.

"Leonardo," Her father growled. "Let her go and lets talk about this like adults."

Leo laughed.

"Eh, I actually like what we've got going on here. Wouldn't you agree, Mira?" He cocked his head to spare a glance at her horrified expression, a look of content on his face. "You see, if this was the other way around, you wouldn't be acting like this. In fact, you'd probably be glad to watch your son shot dead."

Son?

Mira tried to wrap her head around things, but nothing made sense. She didn't have a brother, she knew that was a fact.

"You see Mira, our dear father here likes to pick favorites. You got to live a easy, normal life, while I had to spend my life doing all the dirty work, just to be kicked to the side. Pretty fucked up don't you think?" Leo spoke through gritted teeth, his words filled with pent up rage.

Mira opened her mouth, knowing he was waiting for her response, but nothing came out. What was she supposed to say? God, she was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that he was claiming to be her brother. Instead, an unwilling tear streamed down her cheek, it's salty taste creeping into the edge of her lips.

"Leo, whatever you want, you can have it, please just let your sister go. She has nothing to do with this." She'd never heard her father beg, and although he wasn't on his knees, his eyes were pleading.

"Oh, bullshit," Leo hissed. "It has everything to do with her and Marianna. You replaced my mother and I, tried to leave the Bonnano family to fend for ourselves. You were selfish, father, and now you'll have to reap the consequences." Leo reached down towards his waist with his free hand while the other held the blade pressed against Mira's neck.

He raised a gun in front of them, leaning down so that his breath was hot against her ear.

"Take the gun, Mira." His blood thirsty voice commanded in her ear.

"Leo I-," She began to protest but stopped as he pressed the blade harder into her skin, a cry escaping her lips.

"Just do it, honey." Her father said from across the room, his eyes clouded with fear and sorrow. Mira slowly wrapped her hand around the hilt of the gun, finger resting on the trigger. She knew what Leo was planning and prayed to God for some sort of divine intervention.

More tears escaped as her teeth chattered in fear.

"Please don't make me do this Leo, please," She begged. She searched for any ounce of sympathy Leo might've had, but there was none. It was clear that nothing would get between him and his sick intentions.

He moved his hand from holding the barrel of the gun to wrap around hers, his finger adding tension against the trigger.

"I told you to get out while you still could Mira, I'm not the bad guy here." He breathed, lifting his face to meet their fathers.

"You were a great leader once, dad. But you've changed, become weak. It's time to hand over the family to more capable hands." His finger began pushing against hers, the trigger shifting against the added pressure.

No, no, no.

Mira resisted against his touch, but she could do nothing against him as he forced them to pull the trigger, the sound of the gunshot bouncing off the walls.

Mira let out a scream as her father collapsed to the ground, crimson beginning to deep through his white dress shirt, trembling hand reaching towards the wound in his abdomen.

Leo released her, and she ran over to her dying father's side, raking her fingers through her hair as she tried to think of a way to save him.

"A pity. Your own daughter was so disgusted by the man you really are, she killed you herself. Now that's a story that will fuel fire into your men." Leo stared coldly at the two of them before turning away and walking towards the door. He spared one last look over his shoulder, his hand on the doorknob.

"There's no escaping your fate now Amira." And with that, he exited the room, the door clicking locked behind him.

Mira turned her attention back to her father as she applied pressure against his oozing wound, blood staining her hands.

"I-it's going to be ok, we'll figure this out," she rambled, voice trembling. Her father shook his head, lifting a weak hand to wrap around hers.

"My sweet girl," he winced. "There's nothing you can do for me now. I'm going to give you very specific instructions and I need you to follow them, ok?"

Mira shook her head, vision blurring as tears came cascading down her cheeks. She didn't want to give up. She'd already lost her mom, and despite everything, she didn't want to lose her dad too.

"You have to, because whoever walks through that door will not be an ally. He's going to manipulate this into your doing, and only god knows the horrible things they'll do to you before they kill you. So you're going to get my phone off the couch and take it with you. You should have some time before they realize it's gone and restrict any access I have. There's plenty of useful information. Then, you're going to go into my room and push my bed frame to the opposite room. The code is 7836." He choked, blood trickling from his lips. "There's a go bag, and a secret latch that will drop down to an elevator. It will take you down to the ground level and open up to the back of the building. There shouldn't be anyone there patrolling, so as soon as you get down, run as fast and hard as you can and get as far away as possible. And whatever you do, don't go home. A man not affiliated with the family should get in contact with you upon hearing about my death. Find a place to wait things out until then. He'll find you and take care of you." He clutched his wound in pain, his breaths growing labored.

"I'm not going to leave you," She sobbed, shaking her head in protest. He grabbed her hand and pulled it against her chest.

"You have to, I'm telling you to. Do it for me and your mother. This is my fault, and I will bare the responsibility of my actions alone." He pushed her hand away, motioning towards the couch.

Mira stared down at her father for a moment, before pushing herself shakily to her feet and making her way to the couch. She picked up his phone, the blood from her hands smearing across its smooth surface.

"And Amira," her dad spoke weakly as she stood with the phone in her hands.

"There was never a moment that your mother and I ever stopped loving you. Don't forget that." His words faded out as he closed his eyes, the rise and fall of his chest slowing.

Mira covered her mouth with her hand to stifle the cry that threatened to escape her lips. She wiped the tears from her eyes and forced herself down the hall, struggling to breath between sobs.

She shakily pressed the code into the lock and burst into his room. She moved on pure instinct as she pushed the bed frame to reveal a small black duffel and latch door.

She sling the bag over her shoulder and reached for the door, sparing one last look at her father's still body before pulling it open and jumping down into the elevator. She landed with a thud, struggling to get her bearings in the small and dark enclosure.

She pressed her palms against the walls, feeling for some sort of button or switch. Finally, her hands came across a lever, which she pulled, the elevator letting out a groan as it began to shift. She braced herself with both hands as the enclosure began to move downwards, squeezing her eyes shut to remain calm. Finally, the elevator came to a stop, the doors sliding open to reveal the back of the building.

It was dark outside, but from the looks of it, there was no one back there. She shakily stepped out of the elevator, jumping as it closed behind her.

Her eyes scanned the surroundings, her mind racing. Her dad had told her to run, but to where? She couldn't go home, and his men would be sweeping the streets in no time looking for the girl who killed their boss.

She sucked in a deep breath as she pulled her hood over her head, beginning down an alleyway in hopes it would lead her onto a street she recognized.

14th Ave. She read the road sign as she emerged back onto one of the main streets. At least she had a good idea of where she was now, but that still left the question: where did she go now?

Suddenly, she was moving again, her mind taking her to the only place she could think of where she'd be safe.

She kept her head down, trying not to draw any attention to herself as she crossed half of the city by foot, her feet aching.

Finally, she arrived at her destination nearly an hour later, her eyes taking in an apartment complex she recognized.

She walked towards the entrance, the two security guards eyeing her suspiciously before blocking her path.

"This area is for residents only, miss," one of them stated firmly.

"I need to see Adrian," she rasped, her voice cracking. The two security guards looked at one another before turning their attention back towards her.

"Like we said miss, this is for residents only." He stated again.

"Please, tell him it's Mira, I need to see him." She pleaded the guard, who after a moment of contemplation, reached up and pressed against his earpiece.

"I have a young woman who says her name is Mira who's like to speak with Mr. Genovese." There was a pause, Mira watching the guard anxiously as he said nothing.

Suddenly, the entrance doors flew open, Adrian huffing and puffing as his eyes met hers.

"Mira, what happened, are you ok?" He rushed over to her, taking her hands into his. His eyes went wide as he took in the crimson that stained them.

"I-I," Mira stuttered, but Adrian hushed her soothingly, wrapping his arm around his shoulder as he began leading her inside.

"Sir-," one of the security guards began, but Adrian cut him off.

"She's with me. Now tighten security for tonight." The guards gave Adrian a nod and did as they were told.

They were silent as they rode up in the elevator, Mira staring at the ground as she pressed herself against Adrian's side.

Once they arrived on his floor he lead her to his apartment, sitting her down on the couch and taking a seat across from her.

"Now Mira, I need you to tell me what's going on." His voice was soft, yet commanding. Mira met his gaze with watery eyes, horrified of the words that were about to leave his lips.

"I-I killed my dad."

They were true. Even if she had been forced to do so, Mira has been the one to pull the trigger. Her father had died at her very own hands.