Up In Smoke

With your mind automatically go to the worst of scenarios, you race to gym in record time. Ella and the rest are still outside with the authorities, you park and head towards them. You hug El and check her to make sure she's okay, the police don't really appreciate the barging in but they don't say anything.

After a few more questions the police leave, you all agree to go grab some food so everyone can discuss what the hell just happened. The four of you decide to go to this low key seafood shack up the road. To draw less attention the decision was to take everyone in your Accord. Within minutes you park and everyone makes their way to an outdoor table, as you sit down a waiter comes to get started with the group.

The drinks get there quickly, everyone orders their food and there's quite a few distant blinks. You decided to break the silent drinks to drown out their anger and adrenaline.

"Luca, I had a strange encounter today, and I just can't imagine this shit isn't coincidental. I ended up leaving work early because what he said not only pissed me off but freaked me out as!"

Luca and the rest look up with confused looks on their faces. Mark turns to Luca then back to you and asks what he said to you.

You down down, take a big gulp and say "He said something about Luca not being honest and something about him having a second chance, I don't understand, Luca what the hell is going on?"

Luca got a look of terror on his face, he knows who is responsible and within seconds his face goes from terror to fury. He clinches his fists tightly and he curses under his breath. You're not sure but you think Mark is getting the gist of the situation.

Ella chimes in "Well Luca do you know who it is, Natty what did this man look like?" You close your eyes and mostly remember the old creepy man. You let out a low groan and spit out his features "He was old, he had a hat on but I seen mostly white hair, maybe gray, he had a scar on his his cheek faint but I noticed, he was wearing a white suit, that's all I remember"

Luca grunts, and responds "His name is Antonio Vinci" You verbally gasp. "Yes he said his name was Antonio, how could that of slipped" You say hitting your palm against your forehead.

Mark spills out "That's him init?" Looking at Luca, he responds with a simple yes and bit of head shaking. Luca follows with "I'm going to kill the bastard, I refuse to let him do this to me again!" El looking at you seeing your face just lost in confusion.

"Who is he, what did he do, why is he involving me?" You ask. You're met with silence for a few moments. Before Luca can answer Mark responds, "That's something you two should discuss in private, let's eat and you can drop Ella and me at my place, this is a very sensitive situation." There's no reason to object outside of anxiety. The food is brought shortly after that, the four of you don't eat too much as everyone is still on edge but soon enough the check comes and Mark pays the bill and leaves a bill on the table for the waiter.

You drop Ella and Mark off at his place and begin your trip home. The air was filled with silence, neither of you could figure what to say. As you pull up you're a bit nervous, this is his first time here and it's just the two of you.

As you open the front door you expand your arms and say "Welcome to the palace, make yourself comfortable!" As you make your way to dig around in the cubby to find your shared favorite drink and a few glasses. You get the drinks made and sit down next to him on the couch.

"So... please explain what the fuck is going on!" You spill out. After a few drinks he finally responds "The man who came to see you, Tonio, He was my father's right hand. That was until my father found out how dirty and evil this man really was, the things he was doing behind my father's back, just sickening... the last straw was..." he stumbles for a bit, "the final straw was when he murdered my betrothed... Her name was... " he choked as he clenched his eyes "Flora, she was a Scot national, here on our two week meet. She was due to go back to prepare for the wedding in two days. Both of our families were so happy their arrangement was a success, her mother was my mother's best friend their whole life... When she met a Scottish suitor they fell in love and moved to the far away country, never dropping contact with my mother. Habits of always keeping in touch was admirable. They still do to this day, Mrs. Arthur is one of the strongest people I've ever met, to lose your children in such a malicious manner, due to a future son in law is fucked!"

You listen as he let's it all out, but you're confused on so damn much. You eventually ask him "He's not going to kill me is he?" He let's out a low grumble before actually responding. "He cared enough to stalk and seek you out, means he still out for blood, we need to get you, El and your family to a safe house, Mark has one a few hours away, Well use that for the time being!"

You think for a minute before responding. "El is my only family, well besides my mother, if you can even call her that!" He arches his brows, "Call her and tell her to come, We can't take any chances!"

Reluctantly you reach for your phone before opening your call log, only to find out your mother has already tried to call. Confused you hit the call button, within two rings she picks up, in her usual nonchalant tone. "Mom, I need you to pack a bag and come stay with me for a bit, I can't explain right now but it's urgent and you need to get here as soon as you can" before responding you hear an unfamiliar voice in the background, She must have 'company' over, old habits die hard I suppose.

"Tell me where to go Natalia, I'll get there when I get there" Annoyed with her lack of concern which is nothing new, you give her the address and you hang up. Luca tells you to pack your essentials and saying well be back here in a few hours to meet your mother. Luca had already ordered an uber as both of you had polished off the glasses and were in no condition to be behind the wheel. While finishing up the last few items your mind is a bit besides itself, you think about how Luca told you all that but still never told you why you matter in any of this.

Luca grabs your humongous dufflebag and carries it for you, walking back out the front door where your ride awaits. The ride to Marks house is about a twenty minute drive, about halfway through the ride you finally muster out "Luca why do I matter in any of this?"

He looks down for a second before reaching for his wallet and pulling out an old, worn photo. He hands it over to you, it was picture of a young, gorgeous woman. You feel your eyes sting so bad you blink hard. Assuming this was his betrothed, Flora, but it might as well of been you. She looks identical to you, finally it all makes sense.