— Safe house / Saturday —

~ Antonio

"I thought we were done with this shit!"

I kick couple of boxes on the way while I was pacing around the room in attempt to take the irritation out.

I wasn't into the right mind to think about Ezra again.

I'm starting to regret leaving Ellie. I had to go before I snapped to my cold self and since then the image of her pretty face at the verge of tears is imprinted in my mind.

"You were the one that insisted on leaving Max's body on their doorstep!"
Caterina shouts at me while standing calm and proud. She's a woman in a gang full of men, but she stands her ground.

"What else was I supposed to do!? They did the same to Jessie."

"But he wasn't dead."
She adds and I can't help, but laugh and stop to stare at her in disbelief. Is my cousin thinking straight or did somebody brainwash her?

"Certainly not immediately."
Her lips form a thin line at my response and next to speak is her coward brother, Manuel.

"Maybe we can negotiate—"

"Negotiate your ass."
I brush him off and Nico smirks while I throw daggers at the people trying to make peace with our enemies. Who not to mention are out for blood. They attacked our people at the stock exchange tonight and I bet they're plotting something bigger.

As if on clue a phone rings and I blink out of it. Nico seems surprised when he picks up and I make out two names. Hazel and Ellie.

This can't be good.

"What? She's at the hospital?"

I walk towards him and motion to turn on speaker.

"Yes, she's been stabbed by someone called Ezra."

Nico and I stare at each other before it registers to me what Hazel said and then I flip.

"Motherf*cker!"

"Hello? Nico? Who was that?"

"This girl is going to be the end of the gang, cousin!"

"Stop him before he does something irreversible, Nico!"

"Why don't you just stick your head back in your ass, Manuel?"

All three voices become a blur as I storm out. This time I will make sure Martinez learns his goddamn lesson.

— Hospital / Sunday —

~ Ellie

It's past midnight and instead of laying in bed home, I'm seated on a hospital bed.

Ezra left a threatening message from Jose and the result was blood. I was lucky that Hazel decided to stop by for a hang out and she took me to a hospital.

I got negotiated by a police officer however I knew better than to sing everything. Martinez's person already got into my house and stabbed me. I can't imagine what would follow if I tried to mess in the police. Plus they're not trusted the way most illegal stuff magically slip out of their fingers here.

"I'm going to kill Antonio for leaving you alone."

I shake my head and glance down at my bandaged abdomen. It wasn't a deep wound and the knife didn't damage any organs, but it could have bled a lot if I didn't come here fast.

"He wasn't supposed to stay anyways."
I mask the hurt in my voice as I add a faint smile.

I don't have to be genius to realise Ezra could have killed me. It was a warning to stay out of this.

But how can I when I'm already too involved?

"What's the deal with you two anyways?"

A frown takes up my face when I remember Hazel's weird call an hour ago. I didn't even know Hazel had Nico's phone number when she rang him. I didn't want to make a huge deal and tell Antonio calmly when I had a chance. But this unexpectedly got messier.

"What about you and Nico? How come you have his number?"

She goes silent and fiddles with her fingers, then the realisation hit me.

"You two hit it off!?"
Her eyes widen and she aggressively shakes her head.

"He's been helping me out and that's all!"
I look at her sceptically, but when I try to move I flinch from pain and she shoots up from the chair. I lift my hand to stop her from helping and she nods.

"What could he possibly help you with, Hazel?"
She lowers back on the chair and sighs. She's been hiding something.

"He works with drugs so he offered to help me on mental issues since he has some experience with the subject."
My eyes narrow, but before I say something the door opens and Nico walks in.

She looks relieved however I'm mortified. Where's Antonio if he's not with him?

They surprisingly hug and I'm left staring at my best friend and the close family relative of Antonio.

"If you don't mind I need to have a chat with Ellie?"

"I'm going to get some water."
Hazel taps my shoulder before walking out and leaving me with concerned looking Nico.

"What did you tell the police?"

"It was an accident in one of the alleys." I murmur and he breathes out in relief. I'm not proud of lying, but it's not like I was ever the most honest person.

Firstly it was harmless lies and now I guess it's turned to something worse.

"This is going too far. Next time they appear like that it will be to finish it."
He admits and the words prick my chest like daggers. I didn't think I was actually right about my assumptions.

"So what am I supposed to do?" I ask almost breathless while he walks around the room as if not being able to find a peaceful place.

"You have to get out of the city as fast as possible."

He looks like a complete different person while he speaks. The colour is drained from his face and his usual smile is turned upside down.

"But I—"

"You have no choice, okay? Antonio is out there with our people right now and they might be dying!" He stops and comes closer when I sit up and glance out the window. "This is no game anymore, princesa."

******

— One week later —

I had my finals a day ago and immediately after I had to collect my luggage. It contains small amount of clothes and necessities since I was told not to pack a lot.

Caterina is sitting on the back seat of a car with me while a driver takes us to the destination where I'm supposed to stay for the summer or so she said.

I'm not excited to be away in hiding, but I didn't have any choice unless I wanted a bullet in my head.

"How are you feeling about flying?"

I turn to her to give her a confused look and she smirks. I'm not sure what she talks about until I notice the huge plane to the front.

"Where the hell are we going!" I gasp out in shock and follow her out of the car when she ignores me. I could tell from the start that she's not a fan of me. It seems like she's being forced by someone to be present.

"I'm not getting on this thing!"

"The hell you are. We are landing in Rome and you're going to get into the fucking car and arrive at your hidden destination without any problems!"
She points a manicured finger at me and I feel attacked.

"Rome!? As in Italy?"
At this point my eyes are going to pop out of their sockets and I feel my limbs shaking.

"No. Rome as get into the fucking plane!"
She's basically done with me when I don't obey so she motions with a hand while looking behind me and a pair of hands lift me off the ground.

"This is basically kidnapping!" I scream and struggle against the huge bag of muscles while he climbs the stairs.

"Oh and what are you going to do, sweetie? Call the police?"
She mocks me and I only scream again in frustration.

This took a turn I didn't expect.

******

My hands are tied and rest on my lap after I tried to lunge at Caterina. Her fiery amber eyes are staring back at my own for the past couple of minutes.

I finally give up and sigh.
"I'm not going to try hitting you again."

She gives me a sceptical look and I shrug. But she doesn't speak and raises an eyebrow.

"Neither I will try jumping off the private jet."
I hiss and she snorts at the sarcasm. She does have a lot of similarities with her brother. Manuel is the same heartless monster that likes to see people suffer.

She looks at the buff guy sitting opposite of her and points at me. He stands up and takes out a knife, cutting through the rope.

I straighten up and she gives me a stern look. I lift my hands in surrender and lean back again.

We spend the next half an hour in silence and I'm starting to feel a little bored.

"How much time left?"
She glances up from her phone and then looks at the buff guy who checks his watch and speaks in foreign however familiar language.

She doesn't speak and I frown. "Well?"

"I don't know."
I sigh in frustration and just decide to let her be.

I try to be careful with my healing wound while adjusting in a comfortable sleeping position.

I've been zoning in and out of sleep when I hear Caterina humming to the phone. I don't understand once again and panic kicks in. I want to jerk up and scream at her to take me back home, however I can't make myself move as I daze back into a nap.

"Lei e'al sicuro con noi." (She's safe with us.)

— — — —
{ Hello everyone! I'm joining to announce that the 1ST SEASON of Caputo & One Bella is finished 🎊 I'm not planning to start the second season immediately, but for the ones always following through, thank u and we'll see each other soon! Stay safe 🤍❤️ For more questions dm me or simply write a comment here ~ }

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