Chapter 108: Chapter 108

The ride is fraught with tense silence and not even Ash's hand in mind does anything to alleviate the tightness in my chest and the dryness in my mouth. I'm freaking the fuck out. He keeps rubbing circles on my open palm with his thumb trying to soothe me but it's pointless. Getting to the meeting place doesn't take long because there's not much traffic.

I look up at the large white building as Ash drives into the driveway and my eyes immediately home onto the bold signboard displayed on the front of the building in red capital letters that reads - THE CAMORRA.

"You've gotta be kidding me!"

Ash chuckles. "I told you they rule everything in Italy so don't be surprised about that."

"I understand that, but they kill, and steal, and-"

"Ah, ah, ah! Don't say that to anyone here, Hazel eyes, they rule everything, yes. . ." He nods. "Even the police, so hanging up a big old signboard isn't going to make it less real."

My heart sinks, because what he just said is even worse than what I'd ever imagined. He takes my hand in his and sighs. "Listen to me, baby, they're going to have to go through me first before I'll allow anyone to lay a finger on you. I didn't get to where I am now by sitting around and twiddling my fingers, hmm."

His words do nothing to soothe me, if anything, they create more panic inside of me, but I say nothing and nod instead. Hand in hand, we come down from the car and make our way toward the building. There are no guards at the entrance but that doesn't mean there won't be some inside. Ash puts his hand on the door handle, but just before he presses down on it, he turns to me. "Whatever happens, I need you to know that I love you and our baby, and if you give me another chance, I will spend a lifetime making it up to both of you."

I blink back the sudden tears and nod because I'm too choked with emotion to speak. He smiles so warmly that it looks like the sun has set on his face and it's all I can do but smile back. Too soon, he tightens his hand around mine and tugs. "Let's go inside."

The inside of the Camorra building is not like what I would have expected the headquarters of a killer squad to look like. Warm brown furniture and rugs are the running theme here but I'm not able to dwell much on them because Ash is already tugging on my hand and leading me past everything and into another room. It's dark and creepy, but as soon as we enter, a light goes on making me blink.

The first thing I see is a raised stage on which throne-like chairs are placed. The stage is the only thing illuminated with light in the room. These guys must think they're kings of Italy.

Actually, they are the kings of Italy.

We wait for a few minutes before a door at the end of the stage opens and one by one, five men come inside and take their places on the chairs.

I can't see their faces yet because we are not close enough. As if hearing my innermost thoughts, one of the men speaks. "Come closer."

Ash tightens his hand around mine and I find myself moving forward with him. We are so close, I can see the crow's feet etched onto the faces of each of them. They look like they're in their late fifties or early sixties. I can't believe that these men are the same ones who run this city with an iron fist and get blood on their hands - the blood of many people.

We say nothing as we stand before them, ready to be judged. Without any further preamble, one of them speaks.

"Batista Cattaneo, time has served you well."

Another one speaks up. "Yes, and you even made a name for yourself, eh, Batista."

"I see you got yourself a really good-looking woman while at it." Another one adds.

"But that's not why we're here - to fawn over your life." Yet another one comments.

"Enough!" The last one at the end speaks curtly and judging from the way the others clamp up, it seems even amongst them, there's a hierarchy. "We are here to judge the death of my daughter."

He fixes a steely gaze on Ash, and my heart slams inside my chest. "How do you plead?"

"Not guilty," Ash says immediately.

The man's steely gaze flicks to me and stays. I feel like an insect being dissected, and even though my whole body is shaking with nerves, I look him squarely in the face and don't flinch. What I see isn't pretty. Animosity, so rife is tattooed over every aspect of his face. His blue eyes are frosty with rage as he continues to stare at me.

"Not guilty, you say?" Another of the men asks. "That's funny because our sources say you shot Rita in the head because of -"

"This woman here." The scorned woman's father finishes.

My chest tightens. I'm obviously their target.

"Our motto is kill or be killed, or have you forgotten so soon?" Ash's deep voice booms out confidently.

"It seems you are the one who has forgotten what our other most important motto is." The scorned woman's father says as he stands. "A life for a life."

His eyes settle on me as his chilling words bounce around in my head and refuse to let go. That's when all the lights come on, illuminating the room. We're not alone. All around us are men, like a wall pointing long rifles directly at us. Fear grips my insides and it's by sheer will only that I don't fall to the ground.

"That's right, Batista, you should have remembered that when you crossed the line by killing Romano's daughter." The man in the middle says. Out of all the men, his eyes are the kindest of them all.

"And so, it's because of her, you decided to kill my daughter?" The scorned woman's father asks as he sets his cold eyes on me once more. Actually, they never left. "She? A nobody?"

I can now understand why the scorned woman was the way she was. She was narcissistic and power-drunk. Unfortunately for her, she messed with the wrong person. She thought she could conquer Ash but he was already taken.

"Any last words?" The scorned woman's father asks me.

There are loud clicks from the guns and so I close my eyes and wait for the inevitable.

"Yes!"

A woman's voice booms loudly behind us. Surprise flickers on the faces of the men as they all crane their necks to see who dared interrupt them. I turn as well, but I'm frozen when I see Tanya dressed to the nines in a black pantsuit, looking all mature with her hair slicked back into a ponytail and walking toward us.

"Tanya?"

She doesn't even look at me as she walks forward with a strut and stands directly in front of the men with one hand resting on her waist. "You haven't even heard the story of how Rita, AKA Donintatix, kidnapped this woman and did all sorts of horrible things to her. She was also going to sell her out as a prostitute. I presume you all have daughters and would not like such to happen to any of them?"

My mouth falls open as I look from her face to the men. They're just as intrigued as I am. One of them points at her with a frown. "And who are you?"

Tanya juts her chin, looks down the length of her narrow nose at the men, and smirks. "My name is Tanya Sweden Jackson, sister to Alicia Sweden Jackson."

Shock flickers in the eyes of the men and they all begin to whisper furiously. After some seconds, one of them points at her. "Sweden-Jackson, you say? What was your mother's maiden name?"

Tanya cocks her head to the side and raises a brow. "Alicia Mancini."

Talks erupt immediately she mentions mother's name and I turn inquiring eyes to Tanya who says nothing. A smirk plays on the edges of her lips. I turn to Ash but his attention is placed solidly on the men.

The man with kind eyes stands and addresses Tanya. "Where does your mother come from?"

"Italy!" Tanya says without missing a beat.

"Where in Italy, specifically?" The man presses further.

There's a wide smile on Tanya's face as she speaks. "Arconate, in Milan."

The man looks like he's seen a ghost as do the others. He sits down once more and they furiously continue their debate, leaving me puzzled and confused. This time, I can't hold it in any longer.

"What is going on, and why the interest in my mother?"

They stop their discussion immediately and face me, and the scorned woman's father stands. "We believe your mother was the daughter of one of us. I was close friends with her father. Can I see a picture of your mother?"

It looks like Tanya is expecting this because she immediately dips her hand inside the pocket of her pantsuit and brings out her phone. She taps on it and scrolls through her gallery before handing it over to the scorned woman's father. He looks long and hard at it before passing it to the other men who also inspect the picture critically before passing it back.

The man with the kind eyes is the next to speak. "That is indeed her. Tell me, where is she now?"

Tanya's gaze falls to the ground. "She's dead."

"This may sound strange coming from me but I am sorry for your loss." The scorned woman's father says. "I knew your grandfather. He was one of us. Sadly, he was killed in his home by some. . . people."

The man with the kind eyes stands as well and joins the scorned woman's father. "Do you know what this means?"

I shake my head, unable to speak as a lump settles in my throat.

"It means that you are one of us." The scorned woman's father says.

I open my mouth but nothing comes out.

"That's right!" Ash says and turns to look at me. "As the eldest child and daughter, Alicia Sweden Jackson is a mafia princess and has equal rights to that throne, same as all of you."

I feel bottomed out and almost fall if it isn't for Tanya's hand clutching mine.

I watch as the men confer for a bit amongst themselves and when they stop and look at me, the man with the kind eyes speaks. "I have one question for you - Alicia Sweden Jackson - will you be able to pledge allegiance to us and face our way of life?"

I blink repeatedly and lick my suddenly dry lips because I don't know what to say. I look at Ash who smiles and nods encouragingly at me.

"I. . . I don't know anything about your way of life." I finally find my voice. "And as to pledging allegiance to you, I need to know what the Camorra means to start with before I can do that."

An idea blooms in my head and I turn to Ash. "However, Ash. . . I mean Batista, knows everything about the Camorra and can easily take my place since we are going to be husband and wife soon."

Ash's head whips to face me. The shocked look on his face would have made me laugh if I wasn't in front of these men, battling to stay alive. Instead, I nod and smile. In response, a smile coils his lips as he continues staring at me. Words are meaningless as we stare at each other as a silent understanding passes between us.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Batista? Will you stand in Alicia Jackson Sweden's place and become the sixth and final Don that seals up the Camorra?" The man with the kind eyes asks.

Without taking his eyes off me, Ash nods and speaks. "It will be my utmost pleasure to marry you and rule with you."

The five men chuckle and I don't know how it happens, but Tanya is no longer beside me and Ash is carrying me up in the air as claps ring out all around us.