CHAPTER 52

KANE WAS WOUNDED. He took a bullet for Lyf. Ayaw ni Kane na magpadala sa ospital kaya naman nagpadala sa kanya si Yrozz ng mensahe kasi sa kanya nga lang daw ito makikinig. But when Blaze saw Kane's state, he immediately get to work since they have medical equipment in the house.

Kane was losing blood but Blaze was there and he was quick.

As Happy looked at his husband worked with Kane's wound, she couldn't help admiring him. It was like no one or nothing could break his concentration. So, this was what he looked like in the operating room—maybe more badass looking than he was now.

Blaze was so focussed, emotionless and his hands moved with precision and grace.

My husband. The hot and dirty doctor.

Happy felt proud that Blaze was hers.

Huminga siya nang malalim, saka bumaling ang tingin kay Kane na walang malay dahil sa dugong nawala rito. He was so stubborn not to go to the hospital. Siguro dahil hindi naman ito sanay.

Looking at Kane's bare upper body, he was full of cuts and so many scars.

My baby Kane.

Just like Blaze's. Natatago nga lang ang mga pilat ni Blaze sa katawan gamit ang tattoo nito dahil umaayon ang disenyo ng tattoo sa mga sugat nito kaya hindi halatang naroon.

"I'm sorry," sabi ni Lyf sa kanya. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Tipid niya itong nginitian. "It's okay. He'll be okay. My husband is an amazing doctor. He can save Kane."

Tumango si Lyf, saka umupo sa tabi ni Deth na panay tagis ng mga bagang habang nag-aalalang nakatingin kay Kane. King was pacing back and forth while Yrozz—for the first time—was not in front of his laptop. He was just starting at Kane. Emotionless.

It was not just her who cared for Kane. All of them did. Siya nga lang ang nagpapakita n'on kay King pero itong mga isip-batang kasamahan niya, hindi ipinapahalata pero napamahal na rin sa mga ito si Kane.

Umalis siya sa kinauupuan at kinuha ang panyo sa clutch bag niya, saka lumapit sa asawa at pinunasan ang pawis nito.

She felt proud when Blaze's concentration didn't break. He continued working with Kane's wound while she dried his sweat from time to time.

At nang matapos ito kay Kane, awtomatikong pumalibot ang mga braso nito sa kanya at isinubsob ang mukha sa leeg niya.

"I did everything I can, baby," he whispered.

Hinagod niya ang likod ng asawa. "I know. He'll be okay. Magaling ang doktor niya, eh."

Ilang segundo pa siyang niyakap ni Blaze bago ito humugot ng malalim na hininga at pinakawalan siya para tingnan si Kane.

"Thank God your house has medical equipment," sabi ni Blaze.

Tumango siya. "Dad always wants to be ready. Hindi ko 'yon maintindihan noon pero ngayon, gets ko na."

Blaze softly tapped Kane's shoulder. "Fight, buddy, okay? Magiging kuya ka pa ng anak namin ng Mommy Happy mo."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Blaze, saka masuyong pinisil 'yon para maramdaman nitong nasa tabi lang siya nito.

He was like this as well when King was in the hospital. He was reserved but emotional. Kahit anong tago nito niyon, nakikita niya.

"He'll be okay," she said, trying to make everyone feel better.

Si Lyf ay humigpit ang hawak sa baril na dala. "I will kill them all. How dare they hurt our bratishka."

Bratishka was Russian for "little brother."

"Boss..." Yrozz stood up, his jaw tightening. "Let's continue the clean up. We'll show them."

Tumango siya. "Take Lyf and Deth with you. Utilize our men in NA Headquarters. As much as possible, I don't want casualties on our side so please be careful."

"I'll go with them," sabi ni Blaze na nagpatigil sa kanya. "I can't stay here and do nothing, baby. Not after what happened to Kane. I have to make them pay."

Happy was scared and worried but she managed to nod. "Mag-ingat ka. Please... please... be very careful. I don't wanna lose you. I don't want to lose my husband."

Blaze kissed her forehead. "You won't lose me. I promise."

Tumango siya, saka hinayaan ang asawa na sumama kina Lyf at Deth. Blaze was not the kind of man who liked idling on the side. He had to be in the action.

Happy closed her eyes. God... please keep my husband safe... keep everyone safe.

When she looked at King, he was angry. "King—"

"I'm useless!" Nagtatagis ang mga bagang nito. "I'm fucking useless."

Umiling siya. "No... you're not useless. Go and coordinate with other headquarters and help Yrozz. Hindi ka makakatulong sa labas pero makakatulong ka rito sa loob. Get in touch with Shun Kim and other trackers of the bosses so we can utilize our two satellites to help the team. The Triad also has smart people working for them. We have to even it up to win."

Mabilis na tumango at umalis si King ng kuwarto at naiwan naman siya kay Kane.

Dahil hindi mapakali, nakipag-conference call siya sa natitira pang aktibong Arkhontes ng Organósi at sa anim na pinuno ng bawat kontinente. Hiningi niya ang tulong ng mga ito.

They formulated a plan.

The fifth Arkhon would focus his attention on Triad's warehouses where they stocked their guns and all that shit. Daemon offered help.

The sixth Arkhon volunteered to take down the Triad's communication line and with the help of the seventh Arkhon who would focus their attention on the Triad's technological support. Draco offered his assistance that was gladly accepted.

While the eight and ninth Arkhon worked together to seize the Triad's transaction on the lower level with the help of Wrath and Chaos.

While she, the second Arkhon, had to focus on targeting and taking down the higher ups of the Triad. She had the list of the names that needed to be taken down. With the help of Count Knight, Racini and Parisi, they would take down the heads down to the mid level to stop the Triad from growing.

The Organòsi were scattered all over the world, only a phone to connect them but it was already enough for them to work together for the greater good.

They might not see each other but they all knew that they could count from one another.

"Zíto." Long live, sabi niya bago tapusin ang conference call.

A knock from the door pulled her from her reverie.

"Come in," sagot niya.

Pumasok doon ang isa sa mga matagal na nilang kasambahay.

"Young Miss, Mr. Lazzaria is in the living room," imporma nito sa kanya. "He wants to talk to you."

My brother? "Can you please inform him to come up here? I'm sorry, I can't leave Kane unattended."

"Yes, Young miss."

She smiled. "Thank you."

Tumango ang kasambahay nila, saka lumabas. Inayos naman niya ang kumot ni Kane at umupo ng sofa habang hinihintay ang kapatid.

Minutes later, her brother stepped in.

"Lady Happy," bati nito sa kanya.

Agad siyang umiling. "Just Happy."

"That's ahm, sorry, that's how everyone calls you at the ten families meeting last night." Tipid itong ngumiti. "By the way, I am Clev Lazzaria, the new head of Lazzaria family. I'm here to talk to you about what can our family do to assist you—"

Pinutol niya ang iba pa nitong sasabihin sa pamamagitan ng pagyakap dito. "It's nice meeting you, little brother."

Clev's tensed shoulder relaxed as he hugged her back. "It's nice meeting you too, Happy."

Nang pakawalan niya sa pagkakayakap ang kapatid, pinakatitigan niya ito. "Have you talked to Dad?"

Clev nodded. "Yeah."

"And?"

"And I told him that I will not accept his surname, not because I don't want to but because I have to continue my family's legacy."

Napatango-tango siya. "Are you and Dad okay?"

Clev stilled before answering. "We'll get there."

That made her smile. "Thank you. Dad is far from perfect but he is a good father. I can assure you that."

"That's what Mom told me."

Iminuwestra niya ang kamay sa sofa para umupo silang dalawa. "Do you know that they're together again?"

Clev puffed a breath. "Yeah. I was against it actually, but Mom is still in love with Dominick Quinn. She didn't marry because of him. That's how much she loves our father. That's why I'm skeptical because our father is clearly a ladies' man."

Tumango si Happy bilang pagsang-ayon. "Yes. Dad is. But I think they're old enough to settle this time."

"I hope so," sabi ni Clev. "Because if our father hurt my mom, he will not like me very much."

"I'm sure Dad won't." She smiled. "And I will be on your side."

"Hopefully..."

Happy took a deep breath. "So, Clev, are you staying here for good?"

Instead of answering her, he asked. "So, your name is really Happy Aravena Quinn-Vitale?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"And our younger sister is Lucky Quinn-Vitale."

She nodded again. "That's right."

Clev actually chuckled like he was relieved. "Bloody hell, thank goodness. I thought I was the only one who has a weird name."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Clev is a cool name."

Clev chuckled while shaking his head. "Clev is just a nickname."

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Oh?"

"Yeah... Clev short for Clever."

"Oh..." That stunned her. "Shit."

"Yeah..." Napailing ito. "I keep asking Mom why she named me that."

"What did Mommy Henreitta say?"

"That my dad likes adjective."

Hindi napigilan ni Happy ang matawa. "True... Happy, lucky and clever are all adjectives."

"And all weird names."

Happy chuckled. "I like to believe that we have unique names, not weird."

Napailing si Clev. "Maybe but I hate looking at every people who says the word 'clever.'"

"Imagine my name. When someone says, 'oh, so happy,' my head would automatically look at that person, thinking he or she was calling or referring to me."

Natawa na rin si Clev. "So, we are the adjectives?"

Happy smiled. "Adjectives."

Pareho silang natawa ni Clev, saka nagpatuloy ang usapan habang paminsan-minsan ay tinitingnan niya ang lagay ni Kane.

Clev bid good-bye after the sun had set. And as the hours passed by, she waited for Blaze and the others to come home.

But it was already 11 PM and no Blaze.

And when she asked Yrozz if the whole team was okay, his answer made her heart sunk and fear filled her.

I lost contact with them.

"HOW MANY?" Lyf asked Blaze who had his eyes closed to concentrate on their enemies' footsteps. "We're out of bullets, fuck!"

Blaze opened his eyes. "I can only count the moving targets. Three on the south, three on the north, two on the east and two on the west."

Deth cussed. "Fuck. We're out of bullets."

Lyf hissed. "We should contact the other on the lower floor of this fucking building to give us some bullets—"

"Too risky for them," sabi ni Blaze. "And we can't contact Yrozz because this floor is bolted with something else that cut communication. We're on our own." He pulled his hidden knives from his boots and gripped it tightly. "Let's improvise."

"Knife versus guns?" Lyf asked flatly.

Blaze smiled. "I prefer knife than guns. It's stealthy."

"But slower than bullets."

Mabilis na gumalaw ang kamay niya para ibato ang kutsilyong hawak sa paparating na kalaban, saka tumingin sa magkapatid. "Depends on the user. I'll take the south and west."

"North," sabi ni Lyf.

"East," pili ni Deth.

Blaze gripped his knife tighter as he moved fast. He pulled out his knife from the man he just took out before moving to south.

His knife twirled around his fingers before he threw it at the man who turned to his direction. And before his companion could pull the trigger, he was already throwing his other knife to bury it on his enemy's heart.

Hinugot niya ang dalawa niyang kutsilyo sa mga katawan ng pinatumba niya nang makalapit dito. Nababalot 'yon ng dugo na tumutulo pa sa sahig habang naglalakad siya pero wala siyang pakialam.

Napatigil lang paglalakad si Blaze nang maramdamang parang may tao sa paligid na nagtatago lang.

Mas tinalasan niya ang pakiramdam at pandinig. Walang maririnig na ingay sa bawat hakbang na ginagawa niya.

Then from his south, he heard a small step.

Gotcha!

He ran, dropped to his knees before pushing her knees to slide on the cold tiles towards his south. Nang madaanan niya ang lalaking nagtatago sa malaking haligi ng gusali, pinatama niya ang dalawang kutsilyo sa magkabilang kamay nito dahilan para mabitawan ang baril na hawak.

Nagmamadaling itinulak niya ang sarili para makatayo at tinakbo niya ang pagitan nila ng lalaki.

His boots instantly made contact with the man's head and legs. And as he grappled his enemy's neck to break it, another one came in.

Mabilis na ihinarang niya ang katawan ng lalaking sinasakal mula sa likuran para ito ang mabaril. Mabilis na hinugot niya ang kutsilyo na nakabaon pa sa kamay ng lalaking wala nang buhay dahil ginagawa niya itong panangga, saka mabilis iyong ibinato sa kalaban.

Blaze tsked when the shooter fell on the floor.

"Fuck, I hate guns," bulong niya, saka hinugot ang isang kutsilyo na nakabaon sa kamay ng isang kalaban at ang isang kutsilyo naman niya ay hinugot niya mula sa leeg ng bumaril sa kanya.

Pagkatapos ay inalis niya ang dugo sa pamamagitan ng pagpahid n'on sa damit ng lalaking tinamaan niya sa leeg.

"Sorry, man," sabi niya, "I didn't mean to disrespect."

Napatiim ang mga bagang niya nang maalala ang lagay ni Kane. These men, they hurt that kid. Sinadya man 'yon o ginagawa lang nito ang mga trabaho nito, wala siyang pakialam.

They hurt a member of his family and they would pay!

Blaze gripped his knife in a backward position while walking silently. He quickly threw his knife at his right when he heard a footstep. When he heard a loud thud, he faced the direction of the sound and sigh.

He really hated killing. But it was necessary, or he would lose all the people that were important to him.

He pulled the knife out of the man's chest and continued walking on the hallway. He was about to turn left when he saw three men guarding the elevator on the end of the hall.

Mahilis siyang umatras at nagtago. He frowned. A higher up just used the elevator? Bakit iyon pinoprotektahan ng mga ito?

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa dalawang kutsilyong hawak. He would be dead before he could take down the two. And they were too far away from him to combat with just his knives.

I promise my wife I'll live.

Bumuntong-hininga siya, saka itinago ang dalawang kutsilyo sa likuran ng belt niya. Dahan-dahan siyang naglakad paliko sa kaliwang pasilyo habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay na parang sumusuko.

Agad na tumutok sa kanya ang baril ng tatlo.

"I'm here for Cassie," sabi niya na umaasang tama ang pinagsasasabi niya. "I'm Blaze Vitale. I'm sure she's looking for me."

I hope she's looking for me or I will really die.

Nagkatinginan ang tatlo bago sabay-sabay na lumapit habang nakatutok pa rin sa kanya ang baril.

At may kinausap ang isa sa radyo, ipinapaalam ang presensiya niya at sinabi ang pangalan niya.

Then the man with the radio shoved him. "Move!" Itinulak siya nito gamit ang dulo ng baril patungo sa elevator. "Move!"

So, the fake Cassie is still here. Just like what Yrozz said.

Sumunod naman siya agad nang walang imik. Nasa likuran niya ang tatlo at nakatutok pa rin ang baril sa kanya.

They went inside the elevator to go to the rooftop.

Uh-oh! Not good!

And Blaze was right, it was not good, especially when he heard the roaring sound of the helicopter when he stepped out the elevator.

And there she was... the fake Cassie. Stepping outside the helicopter. Mukhang tatakas ito pero dahil nagpakita siya kaya hindi ito tumuloy agad.

The Triad really wanted to throw off Happy. Didn't they know that his wife was a strong and independent woman?

Agad na ngumiti sa kanya ang babae nang magtama ang mga mata nila. "Blazey..." sabi nito sa malambing na boses. "I know you'll miss me. I know you still love me. Your wife is just a passing fancy."

He just looked at the fake Cassie as she walked towards him. Nang tumigil ito sa harap niya at akmang hahaplusin ang mukha niya ay agad siyang humakbang palayo rito.

Nanubig ang mga mata ni Cassie. "Why are you being like this, Blazey? To put me in pain again? Pagkatapos mo akong ipagpalit sa babaeng 'yon, gagawin mo sa akin 'to ngayon? Sasaktan nang paulit-ulit? I love you... don't you love me anymore? Don't you miss me?"

His lips thinned as he looked at fake Cassie's bodyguard outside the helicopter.

Four men and Cassie.

I can take them. For my baby.

"Sasaktan mo na naman ba ako?" Nagpapaawa ang boses ni Cassie.

Umiling siya. "Hindi."

Agad itong ngumiti. "You're here because you love me and you can't forget about me—"

"No. I'm here to kill you."

Agad na napaatras si Cassie. "But you said you won't hurt me."

"Kaya nga... hindi kita sasaktan, papatayin lang kita. Magkaiba 'yon."

Umiling ito, saka lumapit na naman sa kanya. "Hindi mo ako kayang saktan. You love me. I'm your beloved."

Bilang sagot sa sinabi nito, mabilis niyang inatake ang tatlong lalaki na nasa likuran niya at pinatumba ang mga 'yon, saka mabilis na ibinato ang isa sa dalawang kutsilyo niya sa bodyguard ni Cassie na nagulat sa ginawa niya.

Nang napatumba na niya lahat, humarap siya kay Cassie na may takot sa mga mata, lalo na nang biglang umangat ang helicopter at iniwan ito.

"No..." Umaatras ito sa kanya. "I'm your beloved."

"No. My wife is." Humigpit ang hawak niya sa isa pa niyang kutsilyo. "And her name is Happiness Aravena Quinn-Vitale."

"No... you can't kill me." Umatras na naman ito.

He took a step. "Why not?"

"I'm Cassie... you love me."

Blaze didn't know if it was fake tears or tears of fear. "Yes. But that was before. Now sorry to burst your bubble, but my beloved is my wife."

Umatras na naman ang babae. "That's right... you can't kill me. Paano mo maaatim na patayin ang babaeng kamukha ng asawa mo? It's like killing your wife... so cold and heartless of you."

Blaze smiled. "I'm pretty sure my wife will be ecstatic once she learns of your death."

Nagtagis ang mga bagang ng babae, wala na ang paawa nitong mukha. Bigla siya nitong inatake ng malalakas na suntok at sipa pero mabilis niyang nasalag iyon at naibabalik dito. Wala siyang pakialam kung babae ito. Ibinalik niya ng mas malakas pa ang bawat atake nito.

Kapagkuwan ay may kinuha itong baril sa bag, itinutok sa kanya at kinalabit.

Mahilis siyang umiwas at malakas na sinipa ang kamay nito. Pagkatapos ay hinawakan niya sa kamay ang babae, hinila palapit sa kanya at pinaikot patalikod para hindi makita ang mukha nito, sabay saksak sa dibdib nito deretso sa puso.

"That's for trying to ruin me and my wife." Mas lalo pa niyang ibinaon ang kutsilyo sa dibdib nito. "And this is for tarnishing Cassie's reputation. She may had lied to me but she's not a bitch."

Nang mawalan ng buhay ang babae sa braso niya, hinayaan niya itong matumba nang padapa sa semento.

Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata at inisip ang mukha ng asawa niyang nakangiti sa kanya.

There... my baby...

Blaze took a deep breath before leaving the rooftop.

When the elevator opened on the next floor, natigilan siya nang makitang nakahandang umatake ang magkapatid na Romanov.

"Really?" he asked flatly.

"Fuck," Deth hissed. "We thought something happened to you. We've been looking for you."

Blaze pointed his finger up. "I just clean up a mess up there. Anyway, are we back with Yrozz?"

Umiling si Lyf. "There's something in this building that cut off our communication."

"Then let's get our of here," sabi niya nang agad namang sumakay ang dalawa sa elevator. "This is out fourth building today and I'm drained."

Sumang-ayon agad si Lyf. "Yup. What I need right now is hot and wild sex."

Natahimik siya. He could relate but that was not gonna happen anytime soon with his wife. She was still in pain and he had to endure.

But fuck, he missed making love to his wife!

Blaze was pulled out from his reverie when the elevator opened. Napakurap-kurap siya nang makitang puno na ng mga tauhan ng Organòsi ang buong gusali.

May nag-aalis ng mga bangkay at inilalagay sa body bag, mayroon namang may hawak-hawak na bomb detector at iniikot ng mga ito ang buong floor, at mayroong naglilinis ng mga dugong nagkalat.

Nasisiguro ni Blaze na kapag tapos na ang ginagawa ng mga ito ay parang wala lang nangyari sa gusali. Katulad ng tatlong gusaling natapos nila.

"Well," sabi ng lalaki na naglalakad palapit sa kanila. "The motherfuckers are here," sabi ni Claud na siyang pinuno ng cleaning crew ng North America. "Are you planning to drain me? This is what, the fourth building we have to clean up today?"

Blaze answered. "We did the killing. We're drained as well."

"Yes, but I'm doing the cleaning and the disposing." Claud tsked. "I have so many bodies to burn because of you!"

"Complain that to the second Arkhon, my wife." Tinapik niya ang balikat nito. "Good luck," sabi niya, saka nilampasan ito at sabay sila nina Lyf at Deth na lumabas ng gusali.

The moment they stepped out of the building, Yrozz was back. Pero inalis niya ang micro-earphone sa tainga, saka isinandal ang katawan sa likod ng backseat ng sasakyan na minamaneho ni Lyf.

He was drained.

They raided four building with hundreds or so men, killing Triad's bosses and of course looking for that fake woman. Oo nga't may mga kasama sila pero nakakapagod pa rin dahil sa kanila nanggagaling ang mga desisyon.

Tumigil ang hiniram na sasakyan ni Lyf sa HQ ng Organòsi sa Mexico kung saan naroon ang helicopter na sasakyan nila pabalik ng Pennsylvania.

Nang makasakay sila sa helicopter, agad na pumikit ang mga mata ni Blaze pero gising ang diwa niya. Pero kahit ganoon, hindi niya namalayang nakabalik na sila sa mansiyon ng mga Quinn. Namalayan lang niya nang lumapag ang helicopter sa helipad na katabi lang ng mansiyon.

Blaze had to drag himself out of the helicopter because of exhaustion.

Nang makapasok sila sa mansiyon, 'yong pagod na nararamdaman niya ay parang biglang naglaho nang makitang pabalik-balik na naglalakad ang asawa niya sa sala at bakas sa mukha ang pag-aalala.

"Baby..." kuha niya sa atensiyon nito.

Happy instantly stilled and when she faced him, her face lit up and a relieved sigh escaped her lips. "Thank God!" she exclaimed before running to him to embrace him tightly.

In that very moment, Blaze felt good. Not exhausted even. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mayroon sa asawa niya na napapawi nito ang pagod niya. Lalo na nang yakapin siya nito nang mahigpit.

"I was so worried," Happy whispered. "God, I was so worried. When Yrozz told me that he lost his communication with you, I was so scared."

"Sshh..." Hinagod niya ang likod nito. "I'm here, baby, I'm here. I promise that you won't lose me, remember?"

Tumango ito, saka pinakawalan siya sa pagkakayakap.

He was expecting Happy to took a step back because that was how she was these past few days, not really giving him her all, that was why he was shocked when Happy cupped his face and pressed her lips on his.

It was soft, full of care and sweet kiss... until he bit her lower lip and returned the kiss. Needy and hungrily.

Again, Blaze was expecting his wife to pull away after what he did but Happy encircled her arms around his neck and returned the kiss as well with the same fervour.

He smiled while his lips are moulded against hers. He was happy and contented. Then his lips started moving to her face down to her neck and then he whispered on his wife's ear.

"I miss this... I miss you."

Bumaba ang mga braso ni Happy na nakayakap sa leeg niya. Yumakap ito sa baywang niya at ginawaran siya ng matunog na halik sa mga labi nang binigyang distansiya ang mga mukha nila. "Maligo ka. Ang baho mo," sabi nito.

Natawa siya. "Mabaho dahil buntis ka o mabaho dahil mabaho talaga ako?"

"Both."

Blaze laughed before owning his wife's lips again and when she kissed him back, he knew they were going to be okay. It was just a matter of time.

Pero naputol ang halikan nila ng asawa nang tumunog ang cell phone niya. He had to force himself to pull away from their kiss to answer the call.

"Hello?" sabi niya sa nasa kabilang linya habang hinahalikan na naman ang asawa.

Happy kissed him back again, making him feel elated.

"Blaze." It was his father in an agitated voice making him stilled and stopped kissing his wife.

"What is it?" he asked with a frown.

"Is Happy there with you?"

Napatingin siya sa asawa niyang nagtatanong ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanya. "Yes. Why?"

"It's her father. Dominick is in the OR."

"What the fuck?!" Tumaas ang boses niya sa gulat. "Why?"

"He was shot." Her father's voice was trembling. "By a sniper. In the chest. His heart... Blaze, his heart... tell me he's gonna be okay."

His hand that was holding the phone fell to his side.

Holy fuck!

CECELIB | C.C.