Catrina POV

The next day, the Don held a meeting to speak with all of the leaders of the family to discuss Vanessa's punishment. I refused to call him daddy. If he wasn't going to call this off then I wanted nothing to do with him.

"As I am sure you are all aware, yesterday I disowned my Niece Vanessa removing her status of being known as my niece until said time, that she could prove her loyalty."

"However, my decision for her punishment has been challenged."

"By who?"

"That does not concern you. Your job is to decide if she is guilty of the crime for which she is being charged and to choose her fate. Keep in mind that she is only a child. That being said, I leave it to you collectively decide her fate."

"I'd like to say something if you don't mind." I reply stepping forward.

"And who are you?"

"I am the one who challenged his original decision. I want it known, that as far as I'm concerned, this trial is a not required and I request that it be disbanded."

Suddenly the room was filled with murmurs.
"Request denied. Based on your attitude and your audacity to challenge the Don's authority, I'm surprised that you also aren't on trial for treason alongside this brat..."

"If you wish to try me for treason go right ahead. I have no objections. However, I can promise you, that you will suffer the consequences of sentencing either one of us to death. Consequences that I can assure you none of you will be happy with."

"Catrina what are you doing? They will kill both of us." Vanessa whispered.

"There is no way they would dare sentence the daughter of their Don to death...."

At this, Vanessa giggled "you've got a point. However, there's only one problem with that strategy. They don't know who you are..."

"By the time this trial is over with, they will."

"Excuse me Don, but might I ask what crime the accused has committed?"

"She deliberately and knowingly disrespected me and committed an act of treason."

"Can you elaborate sir?"

"She made derogatory comments about my daughter, and her mother, and made my daughter doubt her value to me."

"What kind of derogatory comments?"

"I do not wish to repeat them."

"With all due respect Sir, how can we judge her fairly if we are not aware of the content of the comments that the accused made?"

I glanced up at the Don pleadingly. "Please don't." Knowing that what he would say would ultimately, put the nail in my cousin's coffin so to speak.

The Don sighed in defeat and he gave me an apologetic look. "She referred to both my daughter and her mother as white trash. She went on to call my daughter's mother a filthy gold digging wh*ore and gutter trash and she called my daughter a gutter snipe."

"She also told her to do her, the family and the world a favor and  throw herself off the balcony. Because as far as she was concerned, the world would be better off without her in it. Based on this information, what is your judgement?"

At this, I tugged on my Uncle Dan's sleeve."What is it?"

Uncle Dan gave a nod of understanding and whispered something to the Don who also nodded. "Humm. Interesting. I want it known for the record that Vanessa was coerced into participating in the activities for which she has been accused."

"I also want it known that the child who spoke on Vanessa's behalf is right, any decisions you make here today will have consequences. Who will be the one to suffer those consequences, well, that will be entirely up to you. Knowing this, do you still wish to proceed in charging these two children with treason?"

Everyone nodded their heads and the Don sighed. "Very well... After being given all of the facts what is your judgement?"

"We find the accused Vanessa B to be guilty of the charges for which she has been accused. Not only is she guilty, but she committed multiple acts of treason and as such She deserves to die."

At this, I began to laugh causing everyone to look at me in confusion. Removing the Don's gun from its holster I pointed it at the man who had given the sentence. "Um, sweetheart, what are you doing?"

"As I said before the meeting if you want to kill Vanessa, then you had better be prepared to kill me."

"Don't be foolish little girl, put the gun down, it isn't a toy."

"Stay back or I'll shoot you, I promise you."

"Child, You and I both know that you are bluffing. You don't have what it takes to pull the trigger." The man replies in a condescending tone.

However, I decided to prove Him wrong and I pulled the trigger shooting him in his arm. With a snarl he grabbed ahold of my wrist twisting it causing me to drop the gun.

"Let go! Your hurting me." I whimpered.

The man let go and I rubbed my wrist a a bruise now forming where his hand had been. "Perhaps, this will make you think twice before you pull a gun out on an adult."

With that the man backhanded me causing me to fall to the floor a large bruise forming on my face. I noticed that my father had to hold Uncle Daniel back shaking his head no.

"As for this brat, she too is guilty of treason not only against the Don, but against a member of this council. Therefore, she too must be given the same punishment as Vanessa."

"All those in agreement raise your hand. All those opposed to this decision raise their hands. The motion passes. Punishment shall be carried out upon the dismal of this meeting."

Vanessa gasped as several hands were raised. "You can't kill her... She's..." I placed my hand over her mouth.

I shook my head at her "shh. If they wish to kill me then so be it."

Vanessa however, refused to listen to me. "You can't, kill her it would be treason."

At this, the room began to murmur as looks of confusion crossed their faces. I glance over in the Don's direction and he didn't look happy. In fact, he looked absolutely livid. I smiled slightly, until I realized that his gaze was directed at me not the man who had hit me.

I watched as the Don rose from his seat stood directly in front of me. I knew by the look on his face that I was in big trouble. Before I knew it, I being picked up and carried to the front of the room and having my pants pulled down.

"Excuse me Don, but what are you doing? He didn't respond but continued to pull my pants down. I attempted to pull my pants back up. However, he was too strong and within seconds, despite my age, I was over his knee and he began spanking me in front of the entire room causing everyone in the room to snicker except Vanessa.

"Guns are NOT (smack) toys! They are dangerous weapons! (Smack). Especially for those who have not been properly trained with them." (smack).

"Owie! Me sowwy. Owie. Don please, stop. Owie." I begged unable to stop myself from slipping into my little space. I attempted to cover my behind with my hands. However, he just gently pulled my hands away and continued his assault on my bare bottom.

"Do you realize (smack) what could have happened? (double Smack) You could have (smack) been killed! (Smack!) What were you thinking? (Smack) pulling a stunt (smack) like that young lady? (Smack) You could have gotten seriously hurt." (Smack).

"Me sowwy. Me sowwy." I sob as he pulls my pants up and pulls me into a hug. As he did I could hear the group whispering to each other.

"What is wrong with this kid?"

"Why is she acting like such a baby?" I tried to hide how much their comments hurt but was unable to do so.

"Shhhh. Hush now little one. It's alright now. Everything is alright..." He replies as he rubs my back in soothing motions.

"But they said they gonna make Nessy and me go bye bye." I whimpered and daddy sighs in frustration. I noticed daddy and Uncle Dan exchange glances Uncle Dan nodded.

"After much consideration I have decided that the death of Vanessa and this young lady is not required in this situation. Nor is any other course of action required."

"You can't do that." The man who had slapped me replies.

"I'm sorry did you just say that I can't do something? I'm the Don I'll do as I please." I could tell that daddy had wanted to use a swear word but had held back for my sake.

I tugged on his sleeve. "What is it little one?"

"Let the twial continue."

"The trial is over little one. The both of  you have been found guilty of treason. The families  have decided upon the death penalty. I cannot over rule this decision."

"Excuse me."

"What is it child?"

"Befowa you make you choice of a punishment can me tell you a stowy?"

"Why is she talking like a toddler? Isn't she 16 or something?"

"Yes she is 16 however, it's called age regression it's a way of dealing with traumatic experiences."

"Well it's pathetic and if she thinks for a moment that this will cause us to be lenient on her she's dead wrong."

"Speak for yourself. Of course you may tell us a story little one."

I smile. "Once there was a King who decided to man who wanted to settle accounts. A man was brought before his Master who owed him ten thousand bags of gold. Since he could not pay his debt the Master ordered that he, his wife and his children be sold to pay the debt."

"The man fell to his knees and begged the king for mercy and more time to pay his debt. He then promised to pay back the entire amount. However, the servant's Master took pity on him canceled the debt and let him go."

"Must we listen to a child's bedtime story?"

"Shut it!" The other members of the family hissed at the man. "Sorry about that, please continue."

I nod. "The servant  being a wicked man with no compassion then went out and found a man who owed him a 100 silver coins. He began to choke the man demanding he pay back what he was owed. The man begged him to be patient with him and he would pay it back. However, the man whose debt had been forgiven refused to show the man any mercy."

"Yeah so?" The man who had interrupted me before replies in a bored tone.

"Would you shut up!" The group hissed at the man. Who rolled his eyes at them.

"As I was saying, the evil man refused to show any mercy and had the man thrown into prison. When the other servants saw what had happened they were outraged. They immediately went and reported his behavior to the wise and good King. The King was furious by what the man had done summoned him."

"I'm sorry but what does this fairy tale have to do with the situation at hand?"

"If you would stop interrupting me I'd be more then happy to explain." I replied somewhat irritatedly.

"The Master called the servant to appear before him. You wicked servant I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me too. Shouldn't you have shown that same mercy to your fellow servant? The Master in anger then had the man turned over to the jailers to be tortured until his entire debt had been paid."

"I still fail to see how this has any thing to do with us."

"Then your dumber then you appear." I reply irritatedly. Fine let me tell you a story that you will understand."

"We don't have time for this foolishness! Let the sentence be carried out so that we may return to our important business."

"No." The others replied. "Please tell us your story."

"There once was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it put a wine press in it and built a watchtower. He then rented the vineyard to some farmers."

"When the time came for the harvest he sent his servants to collect his fruit. The farmers beat one, killed another and stoned another. The owner then sent more servants but they did the same to them. Lastly the owner sent his Son thinking surely they will respect my son."

"However, when the tenants saw the Son coming they said this is the heir. Let us kill him and take his inheritance. So they took him out of the vineyard to kill him. Therefore when the Owner of the vineyard comes what will he do to those tenants?"

"He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and give the vineyard to tenants who will give him his safe of the harvest at harvest time."

"Your point?" The man who had hit me replies with a yawn.

I rolled my eyes. "Here I thought you were suppose to be smart. You are the evil servant who refused to forgive a small debt. As well as the tenants of the vineyard who killed the servants and then ultimately the owner's son. After which the Owner dealt with them severely. You say that Vanessa and I have committed treason."

"Your verdict and sentence death and yet, you have committed the largest act of treason."

"Excuse me? How do you figure that?"

"Because you moron, when the Don decided no punishment was called for you insisted that he had no right to interfere in his decision. That in itself is an act of treason."

"Not to mention that she is the Family's Princess and you not only hit her you sentenced her to death. I'd say your up the river without a paddle." Vanessa replies.

"Well said Nessy. Anyone else want to sentence these children to death?" He demands as he shoots the man who was being disrespectful. The group shakes their heads no.

"Good. Now that I've dealt with him perhaps you should all give me a reason why I should spare you."

"Daddy,"

"Yes Princess?"

"They didn't know who I was. Plus he is the one causing all the trouble. Can't you forgive them just this once? Please?"

Daddy sighs. "I'll consider it however, I need a word alone with these three women. Vanessa, please take Catrina to her room while I discuss things with the heads of the family."

"Yes Don. Come Catrina let's go play."