••• Prince •••
‘This was too vague for me to grasp. How could this happen in the first place?’ I thought worriedly.
How can someone dare to point a gun at me while me and Nathaniel were present and on guard. It was clearly a mock from someone but indicating to what?
Who could it be behind that?
“How’s she?” Nathaniel asked, entering and offering me a cup of coffee.
We were in Nathaniel’s one of secret places. He had countless hiding spots in case of an emergency.
Cinzel was lying unconscious on my laps, even not in her senses, she was holding my hands with her freezing ones.
“I don’t know.” I replied honestly, taking a cup and looking down at her slumbering form and then back at him.
“How did that guy even mix between the guards?” I asked.
“It doesn't matter. What matters is who sent him and why. He clearly had ulterior motives for doing this and someone is backstabbing you. Couldn’t be mine. It’s your ordeal.” He replied, leaning back and closing his eyes, putting his one leg over the other.
“Who could it be?” I mumbled, putting the cup down and running my fingers in her hands.
“If you ask me, I believe it’s for Cinzel. They are targeting her weakest spot to see her reaction and look at what she did. Upon seeing a single threat over you she took action immediately.”
He hummed, opening a few buttons of his shirt and throwing his waistcoat away, making a wry face.
“That guy purposely did it, he knew if he pointed his gun at any of us, others would kill him instantly. He sought death but sadly got caught alive.” I chuckled dryly, covering Cinzel's hands with mine to keep them warm.
“Yeah… and unfortunately in my hands.” Nathaniel smirked.
“It is so silly and I feel more stupid for not cracking such a whimsical riddle.” I growled.
Nathaniel laughed a little, “Same but it won’t take long.”
"Wouldn’t they target Cinzel because of you?" I asked, turning to him.
"They are not interested. They don't even care… for now. It's among you guys. They know taking rivalry to a personal level means absolute war." He replied dominantly and I could imagine him spilling endless blood for her.
A brief silence came between us where Nathaniel stared at me and Cinzel with an unfathomably uncomfortable expression.
“What?” I asked in confusion.
“I swear, If you had any connection in this, I will kill you, Disregarding the fact my sister loves you.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
“You are just looking for ways to kill me because Cinzel loves me.”
“Exactly. What do you have that she is head over heels for you?” He argued.
“I don’t understand, you brought her to this life, you tried to savor her innocence but made her a depraved one and she… back when she didn't even love you, she chose you over everything.” He stated angrily, growling even by the faith Cinzel has placed upon me, probably jealous of our love.
To his mock, I returned a mocking smile, kissing her hands to show him she is in my arms, “Well, that’s what love does to you. You should know it.”
“Don’t mention me.” He said bitterly, looking away.
“That pathetic excuse is just..” He scowled, putting his arm on the arm rest, putting his chin on the first he made, gritting his teeth.
“Pathetic excuse?” I asked, teasing him.
“Don’t mention her.” He sighed.
“It is a strange emotion. I also didn’t expect myself to fall for someone so young than me.” I shrugged.
“Moreover my sister. My Lord, if Mother was alive how was I supposed to tell her that Cinzel is dating someone fourteen years older than her. She would have been killed unlike me.” He added.
“I know. But know what? She once told me that she wants me to become her son-in-law.” I told him proudly.
“Really?”
“Yeah but then she said I am too old for Persephone. Guess who went even lower than that?” I smirked, pinching his nerves at our age gap.
He obviously wouldn’t want an older and already once married guy for his sister but he had no choice. I am her world.
“Do you think you should be proud of that, asshole?” He hissed.
“Yeah-”
I was about to continue but Cinzel shifted as her eyes gradually opened, trying to register where she was and when she did. A loud screech escaped her lips, cuddling more to me with deadly convulsions.
“Prince!” She whispered, hiding her face in my face, trembling, scared.
“Hey, it’s okay…” I whispered back, hugging her and pulling her into my arms.
Nathaniel stormed out of the lounge, muttering curse under his breath.
“Prince.. I.. I…”
She tried to say something but I tightened my grip over her, “It’s okay, it has passed.”
“No, it’s not okay. I could never do this. What happened to me?” Her voice came out croaked.
“What if he shot me? You saved me.” I lied with a smile.
Of course there was no chance for him to hit me, he didn’t intend to kill me in the first place but if my consolation could ease her then let it.
“But… But.”
“Do you regret saving me?” I asked softly, removing the hairs falling on her face and cupping her cheeks sweetly.
“No…” She bit her lips, looking down, hoping to hammer the apprehensive thoughts building in her mind.
“Then don’t think about it. He is alive, I am alive. Everything is fine.”
“Where are we?” She asked, looking around.
“Nathaniel’s hideout.” I replied. Kissing her forehead, I made her sit back and offered her my cup.
“Do you want some coffee? Your Brother made some.” I asked.
She nodded and took a sip, leaning back on my chest, holding my shirt tightly, “This is not me. I never wanted to become like this.”
I took her hand in mine, entwined my fingers, moving my breaths in her sync to become a source of equanimity for her ceaseless worries.
“Love, Even roses have thorns to protect themselves. You can’t become a defenseless piece.” I told her lovingly, snuggling closer to her to feel the heat emerging from her travel in me, connected my path to her destination.
“Besides, you said so yourself, we are together- one. I will protect you but who will protect me.. Hmm? We are equal partners after all.”
With a low husky laugh, I brushed my nose on the side of her face, kissing her cheek, earning a faint smile from her as she closed her eyes, relaxing into my touch entirely.
“Then you should quit the Mafia too…”
Her voice came like a gentle breeze, squeezing my hand, “We will go far away from here and live our lives peacefully.”
I laughed a little at her childish thought, “I might not be able to provide a luxurious life or keep you as a queen then.” I joked but she grinned, looking up at me with sincerity.
“It’s okay. If you come home with a piece of bread, I will eat it gladly.”
Lost in the momentary daze, my heart constricted for a moment but melted right away, leaning down and pecking her lips.
“If that happens, I will make sure to sacrifice myself but to never let you go to sleep with an empty stomach.” I made a promise, putting our hands at her heart, feeling her melodious heartbeat.
“I could help too.” She chuckled a little.
“No. You are going to stay at home and take care of kids. I know you want to be a housewife.” I smiled.
“Kids?”
“Yeah. Including Sky, how about five or so?” I teased and she gasped, pushing me away and getting up.
“Hey. I am just 22.”
“And I am thirty six. I at least deserve two. I hope Astrid has told you that I love kids.” I laughed, taking her hand and making her sit back.
“We will think about it later. I certainly don’t want any of my kids involved in the Mafia.” She enunciated.
“I won’t let them either. Don’t worry.” I giggled, biting her earlobe.
“Who was that guy anyways?” She asked, pulling away again. I don’t want her warmth to be away.
“Nathaniel will find out.” I replied.
“I see.”