Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Eyes mirroring my hazels looks at me tearing up as a huge ball of sob clogs my throat. This must be a dream because I could still hear the gunshots very loud and clear of that unfortunate night, I could hear her screams of the night, the men who laughed sinisterly at her cries of pains intensifies and then silence.

Find her! Find her!!!

I ran for my dear life crying in the hidden walls of our mansion leading to the center of the city park through the sewers. The first thing I felt when I came out for fresh air to help me breath was emptiness, my clothes ruined and my face and body covered with either dirt or dried blood. People kept looking at me like I was a mad child or a beggar; no one would have

believed minutes ago I was the Vatore's Princess and I brutally watch my grandparents, my parents, my brother and the rest of the Vatore's name killed in cold blood. Wetness cascades down my face upon realizing I am crying recalling that dreadful night. But one distinctive sound made me grow, fueled the fire to my vengeful heart, had me going after every name linked to the massacre of my family. It is the sound of her cries before those loud bangs went off.

Now you wouldn't want to do that or you can say bye bye to mummy dearest. Forever.

Leandro's word came to my head when he kidnapped me and locked me up. He was actually telling the truth but lied he killed her; I could have searched for her, I could have look for the slightest evidence even after he made his claims falsified. She is alive. How?

"Ma? H-how? W-what happened?"

Alexei release his grip on her, shakily her hands came to my face cupping it it in hers smiling yet crying looking all over my face like she could not believe I am here with her. Even I did not believe my eyes until those soft hands touch me. Sniffing, she says looking around alert. "It is not safe here. If he finds out I'm not back in the suite, he will send his men after me. I need you to understand what I'm saying child."

"Okay. Okay." Nodding, glancing at Elijah who watched us all along makes an eye to Alexei.

"Dio! Mi sei mancato così tanto il mio bambino. Non ho mai creduto a cosa disse che il diavolo fosse vero fino a quando non sono andato a cercarmi. Sei qui e vivo." (God! I have missed you so much my baby. I never believed what that devil said was true until I went to search for myself. You are here and alive.) Snapping my face to her watching her cry softly causing my eyes to water.

"Sono proprio qui mamma."(I am right here Mama.) Kissing her soft hands on my face, she smiles nodding.

"The car is ready. Let's go." Elijah announce pulling me by the waist as Alexei directs my mum towards the car.

***

"Ma, what happened?"

"He did not kill me like you heard that night, he did it to play with your emotions to run out for me so he could capture you and let me watch him kill you. But my baby girl is smarter than that, she ran like Mama instructed her to do and never come back until she has killed everyone who took your pa and everyone from us." A proud smile crosses her face chuckling a bit which warms my heart.

"I missed you ma. I swear I tried, I tried so hard but, b-but..." Choking on a sob.

"But you succeeded. Look at you, your pa will be so proud of who you are. He raised a Queen. And I am sorry I couldn't protect you that night." My wet eyes meets hers shining in pride looking at me in hope.

"No ma, you did what you could and I'm happy you're alive. Lucien will..."

"Lucien? My boy is alive?" Another fresh tears gathers her eyes as I chuckle.

"Yes ma. He is alive and will be so happy to see you. He survived the gunshot by the help of a kind sailor who nursed him to health." Nodding she sniffs closing her eyes as a soft prayer came out of her lips. We may not be the best of saints but my ma was very religious, she believes everything that happens is because of the man on the cross. Smiling, I enjoy her soothing tenderness once again missing her say a prayer of thanks. Pa most times makes fun of her but he never missed every prayer she made, always present as we held hands together. Her eyes opens once again this time very happy.

"My babies. Fate brought us together once again, I wish you father is here with us." A dark cloud overshadow her smile causing a pinch in my heart.

"I know ma. I pray for the same everyday."

"Whose is this? And who is the man I saw you with?" Softly she touch my bump titling her head to Elijah who stood by the doorway of the room making calls in Russian.

"You are going to be a Grandma soon ma to a baby boy." Looking at Elijah, I continue breathing in softly with worry of what she may think of my new life. "He belongs to the man over there; and he is the Russian King. Elijah Vladimir Ivanov." Her eyes watches me for a moment before looking at Elijah for a longer second facing back to me.

"Do you love him?"

Nodding. "Yes ma." Hanging my head low in shame of the amount of shame and disgrace I brought to our empire.

"Look at me child." Titling my head with her index and thumb causing me to look into her questioning eyes. "Does he love you?" Again, I look at the man at the door, the father of my child and the sanity to my Insanity. Boldly, I reply.

Smiling. "So much Ma, better than I ever imagined." Slowly, a grin creates on her lips rewarding me with her toothy smile.

"My baby has her own Prince. Is he treating you right?"

"Sometimes we have good times other times it's a whirlpool of uncertainty."

"Niente è un bambino perfetto. Devi solo sapere quando il diritto è giusto e quando sbagliato è sbagliato. Pesa la scala e vai per il miglior peso anche se non funziona come immaginate, ma vedendo entrambi, so che ti tratti bene, sì, farà errore ma non ti farà mai del male da quello che vedo." (Nothing is perfect baby. You just have to know when right is right and when wrong is wrong. Weigh you scale and go for the best weight even if it doesn't work out as you imagine but seeing the both of you I know he treats you right, yes he will make mistake but he never will hurt you from what I see.) She looks at him then back at me.

"I once shot him and I thought he died." She lets out a hearty laugh causing Elijah to look at us raising a brow, shrugging for him confused why she finds it funny I shake my head watching as he shifts farther away going on with his calls.

Once sober. "I shot you pa once but not to kill him." Wiping a tear off her eyes dissipating my confused state as I laugh softly. "You are a grown woman now and will soon have your own family;" looking at my bump. "give him a chance, all men are the same especially when they don't understand the magic behind love. That man loves you and I know you love him; so make it work for him." Referring to my bump. Suddenly, her eyes goes to the timer on the bedside table sighing dejectedly as my brows furrow in worry.

"I have to go now but I promise to be back before you miss me." No. I don't want her to go especially to that bastard. I want her here with me not waiting for the day she disappears on me again. "Don't cry child, tell him I can't wait to see him and I now have a reason to live and to fight." Bursting into tears I fall into her arms which embrace me, running her fingers on my hair and saying sweet nothings just to calm me down. We pull apart slowly as I catch her swallow in her sobs threatening to spill. Smiling, she kiss my temple just like the last time.

"Be strong for me okay." Her last words as she stood up leaving me a crying mess on the bed.

"Nia? Are you okay?" Elijah worried eyes looks at me standing a few feet away from me.

"Yeah."

"Alexei told me how he noticed he has been tagged but saw no threats in her and let her continue to pry into the Russian affairs so far as she doesn't pose any danger. He never knew she was your mother."

I say. "Leandro has her held hostage without the FBI knowing about it thinking she is his wife." Coming to sit beside me kissing my hair.

"And we will get her back okay. She has a chip on her fixed by Alexei, nothing will happen to her. She had to go to avoid suspicions or the plan will be ruined." I know, I understand that

but I just missed her.

"I know, I know, it's just..."

"Just nothing Nia. Go rest and I will be back before you know it." I wish I could tell him I will rest but that will be a lie and he knows it. The thought of Leandro with my mother angered me more than I could imagine, he has her captive all these years just to punish her for the love she gave my father and not him. To watch her suffer rather than to end her misery. He will surely pay for this.

Elijah*

It was silent during the car ride as my mind ran wild upon the situation at hand. Looking at the older woman, there is no doubt she didn't birth my woman. Same color eyes, same smile, cunning face, she is the older version of Sonia. Back then when my parents took Alexei and I for the conglomerate parties, I always knew she was never one to mess with. She had this seductive look she passed to her daughter. A very beautiful Jezebel who will eat you up alive when given the chance. Oh! she was feared by all and wanted by most men; RIP to those who fell into her claws. Right here, right now in my car she lives and breath. I could not imagine what she has passed through in the hands of that weasel Leandro for the past eight years. But right now, I see this determination compared to the hopelessness I saw earlier. It was that of a mama bear ready to protect her cubs.

"You know what happens when you put that ring on her finger and got her pregnant?" pausing. "I don't need to be told how much you love her. Stop right there." She points still very much looking ahead waiting as the car came to a stop unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Listen to me very carefully Mr Ivanov. If anything happens to my child and my grandson because of you I will find that person and kill that person before I get to cut you in pieces for the last laugh." She opens her door stepping out.

"Now do have a lovely night." I could only watch the Italian woman strut into the corner and disappears from sight.

Now I understand why she is called 'the woman with a black heart.'