Page 23

Its been 2 days since my night with angelica.

Things have been pretty good aside from the whole 'not telling Mateo' factor.

I know the longer we wait the worse its going to be but this isn't just my decision, its angels too.

We are currently sat on the couch watching angels favourite show.

Shes sat on my lap, her legs draped over me and her head resting on my chest watching the show.

My phone lights up with a message from Ivan but the thing that catches my attention is the time, 7pm ''shit I need to start on dinner Mateo will be here any second'' I swiftly lift angel off my lap, placing her back on the couch in my spot and head over to the kitchen. ''What do you want my love?''

Its angelicas birthday today. Ive spent all week trying to make every single thing perfect.

This is her first birthday celebration and I want her to know she matters and that celebrating her life matters.

Shes special and she deserves to be treated like a princess.

Mateo left about an hour ago to make sure everything at the ballroom was perfect and security were placed at every possible entry point.

I head into angelicas room to find her sleeping peacefully.

Shes wearing a tank top and shorts set, her long curls are sprawled across the bed and her mouth is slightly open.

I place the gift boxes I was carrying down on the bed beside her and lean down next to the bed, softly kissing her face ''wake up sweetheart'' I whisper as I place a soft kiss on her temple. She stirs but her eyes dont open.

She removes the lids from box of the smaller boxes and gasps as she looks inside.

Inside one is a diamond encrusted headband and in the other, a diamond encrusted bracelet with a small butterfly charm.

''Do you like them?'' tears run down her face as she holds up each item.

''Baby dont cry, youll burn your face on your birthday'' I say wiping her tears away with my thumb.

''Dante...i-i I love them. Thank you so much'' before I can respond her arms wrap around my neck tightly, pulling me close to her ''youre welcome princess''

Once I'm done getting ready I head downstairs to wait for angel.

''Angelica we need to go soon!'' I call up the stairs to her, we have 20 minutes to arrive on time and shes still not ready yet.

Just as I say that I hear her come down the stairs instantly taking my breath away, ''holy shit.

..'' I notice her struggling slightly in her heels so I grab her hand to help her down the stairs.

''You look fucking amazing baby. So beautiful''

The ballroom is full of people. Everyone's dressed up just for angelica.

The ballroom is fully decked out with birthday decorations, balloons, streamers, lights.

''What do you think baby?'' I grab her waist guiding her through the crowd of people, occasionally stopping to thank people for the birthday wishes.

''Its so beautiful Dante, I love it''

We linger around for almost 2 hours, dancing, talking, drinking.

I love seeing angel so happy and carefree, forgetting her worries and just living her life like shes supposed to.

I see Mateo walking towards us but he does not look happy.

I brace myself for an argument but instead he grabs my arm and pulls me away from angelica ''we have a fucking situation.

We need to evacuate everyone. Now!''

I run straight towards her avoiding the gunfire and pull her towards me, ducking and taking cover behind a table.

I scan her body for any sign of injury but shes clear ''angel listen to me, we need to leave, now'' she doesnt respond, shes in shock.

I shake her trying to snap her out of it but she doesnt move ''fuck!

'' I scoop her into my arms, carrying her with one and covering her head with the other.

I dont bother getting my gun out and shooting, my priority is getting angelica out of here alive.

I run through the crowd of people and bodies, stopping by Mateo on the way through ''get everyone out of here now!

Ive got angel, and for the love of fucking god dont get shot Mateo!

'' I run out to my car, placing angel in the passenger seat and driving as fast as I can.

I see multiple cars tailing us as I drive, shit.

I cant go home I'm fucking screwed. ''Angel, baby listen to me you need to get down okay? ''

No movement. She sits there silent, motionless, clearly in shock.

Gunshots start to fire around us snapping her out of it and she looks at me, panic clear on her face ''Dante, whats happening?

'' shes scared and honestly so am I.

I knew Giovanni wasn't going to give up angel that easily but I did not expect this.

A shot fires once again, this time piercing the back window causing it to shatter ''FUCK!

Angel get down!'' I grab my gun from the glove compartment and fire out the window behind us.

I keep shooting out the window occasionally while speeding down the highway, trying to figure out what the fuck to do.

My gun clicks as I shoot, fuck out of ammo.

I toss it to the floor and grab my other gun from my waistband turning back out the window.

One of the cars pulls up to the passenger side of the car, shooting through the window smashing it.

Glass covers angelica and she sobs loudly, her body trembling.

''Dante...are we going to die?''

''Boss. I want you to follow my car''

''Boss you need to follow my car. I'm driving to the nearest closed off street, I have men in the car we can out number them''

Another bullet flies through the car smashing yet another window . I instinctively move my hand to angels back trying to shield her head from the bullets ''sully I have angel in the car, if she so much as gets grazed by a bullet I swear to fucking god''

''Keep her in the car, head down and out of sight. If they dont know shes there they wont look for her''

I stroke angels hair trying desperately to soothe her but I know it wont work.

Shes terrified. I continue following sully's car as it heads down an alley.

He slams on the breaks making me jolt forward slamming mine on too.

Suddenly everyone's jumping out the car, guns going off and bodies dropping to the floor ''angel stay down!

'' I shout before loading up my gun and getting out the car.

Body after body dropping like flies until suddenly, quiet.

Its over. I breathe a sigh of relief as I take in the sight.

Giovanni was smart, sending his men after us but unfortunately he got outsmarted.

Sully walks over to me checking me for wounds but I panic remembering angel is still in the car.

I bolt towards it and see her still curled up with her hands on her head.

I open her door and rub small circles on her back ''Shh its okay baby.

Youre safe now'' she jumps up and hugs me, sobbing uncontrollably into my chest. I hug her back, pulling her into me tight.

''Youre safe my love, I promise'' I notice the cuts on her back, I assume from the glass shattering over her.

I need to clean those before they get infected. ''Lets go home''

She tries to pull back and look around but I stop her, holding her head in place with my hands.

She cant see this, shes already seen too much today.

''Keep your eyes closed baby, you dont want to see this'' she nods and turns around with her eyes shut.

I move my hand up to cover her eyes to make sure she cant see anything and walk to sully's car, setting her in the back seat before climbing in next to her.

Angelica almost fucking died tonight, all because of a rat. When I find out who the fuck this rat is,

theyre going to wish they never crossed me.