Julia
I believe him, as much as I hate to admit it, I do believe him. I don't think he had anything to do with Nina's death after all but for now, I'll keep that to myself. I want to see how this plays out and if it is right then I will apologize, of course, I will.
"I believe you, Julia. So tell me, which one of my men killed Nina?" Mario has a look in his eyes that I can't begin to describe but it is terrifying and yet, I don't feel like it's aimed at me. "I don't know his name. I wish I did but Nina never mentioned a name so I'm not sure if she knew his name or if she just didn't want me to know."
"You said that you saw him so you would recognise him if you saw him again, yes?" I nod feeling myself relax a little as Riley rubs gentle circles on my back. I know I shouldn't have allowed him to pull me onto his lap, even protested a little but the truth is that I'm drained and talking about Nina has me feeling that all-familiar feeling of heartbreak once again and his comfort is much wanted and needed right now.
"Ok, darling. I have several of my most trusted men with me today. I don't see it being one of them but if it's okay with everyone here I would like to bring them in and you can tell me if it is one of them. I give a slight nod but the idea terrifies me. These kind of men are scary so I can only imagine what he will do to me if I point him out.
"I know what you thinking but you have my word on my honour that not one of them will touch you." I want to believe him but until just a few minutes ago I was convinced that he had my best friend killed so it's hard to do and I'm pretty sure he can somehow sense what I'm thinking.
"Julia, you know that I'm married to Riley's sister, yes?" I nod but remain quiet. "My wife is my whole life. She is the love of my life and I would lay my life down in a heartbeat but that doesn't make what I felt for Nina any less. My wife knows all about Nina and understands that I have a past. Whoever killed her is going to pay for what they have done so trust me when I say that the only person who should be scared in this room is the man who did this, ok?"
"Yes, ok." My words are a little shaky but I mean them. "Good. Now, Riley, Josh, Mandy. Do any of you have a problem with me bringing in my men who are here so we can rule them out?" No one argues and within seconds Mario is on his cell and making orders. The next few minutes are spent in silence as we wait for them to arrive and soon enough there's a knock on the door and three large-ass men walk in.
Just one look at them is all I need. "It's none of them." Mario nods and then sends them away after informing them of who to send in next. we spend the next 10 minutes watching as eight men walk into the room but none of them are him. Why he has so many men here I don't know. "Ok Julia, there's just two more men to come in."
As soon as he finishes speaking two more men come in and I instantly feel sick. "Julia, this is Marco my right-hand man and Ceaser my best-made man...." he stops talking and stares at me, he must see it, he must see the look on my face that confirms that one of those men killed Nina."
He takes his cell out of his pants pocket and presses a few buttons and then just seconds later two more men appear in the room closing the door and seeming to guard it. Mario walks over to me and leans down until we are face to face. "Which one was it, Julia?" he sounds calm, too calm and it makes me shiver. I look across to the two men that are standing behind him, one looks confused as sin while the other... yeah the other one knows that he's been caught and that he's fucked!
"Him." I point to the guy who is responsible for Nina's death and watch as Mario's face remains calm but his eyes look like they have the devil in them. Ceaser, it seems we have a problem." Mario puts his hands in his pockets as he slowly makes his way over to Ceaser, he's very calm and collected, his voice sounds like velvet but I know it's an act, a terrifying one.
"She's lying boss, everything she said is a lie. I didn't touch her!" Wait a minute... "How do you know what she told me? I haven't said anything." Mario literally speaks my thoughts and it's clear to see that Ceasre quickly realizes his mistakes as his eyes flash with realization before he tries to mask it, unfortunately for him, he's not quick enough.
"One of the guys mentioned it after they came out of here." Bullshit! "Oh, is that so?" How Mario can remain so calm and collected is beyond me but then again I'm guessing he's had plenty of practice. "And before you say another word, I want you to remember that I am your boss, you're dom and you have a oath to upload."
I don't know this Ceaser guy but even to my eyes, it's clear to see that he's about to run. Unfortunately for him, Mario's men are quicker and within seconds he's being held down by the two guards while Mario slowly walks over to him. "I have one question for you Ceaser. Why?"
Anger seems to overtake Ceaser's fear as his face quickly becomes ready and he looks ready to explored. "She was a cheap homeless hoe.
She was running your life and ruining you in the process. Your world becomes about her, it was sad and pathetic and I knew once I got rid of her, rid of the child you'd be free and back to who you should have been!"
Mario's cool, calm and collected tone soon falls away as he seems to be fighting his anger. "You are lucky that these people here are my family and I respect them too much to get blood on the walls but soon Ceaser... soon. Take him away, I'll meet you there once I'm done here. Where's little Nina?"
"She's with Carlos." One of his guards answers all while staring Ceaser down. No one here seems happy with Ceaser right now but I don't feel sorry for him not in the slightest, if anything I just hope that his death is slow and painful because I do not doubt that he will die.
"OK, have him bring her here. Take five others with you." The guards both nod then head out of the room pulling a kicking and screaming Ceaser right behind them. Mario walks back over to me and then gets down on his hunches in front of me. "I'm so sorry Julia. I'm so sorry for what he has done to Nina, for whatever it was that you saw but I promise you I had no idea. Ceaser has been by my side for 12 years, have known him since we were kids and I would never have thought that he would do this but it's clear he has and I want you to know that he will suffer."
"Please... please make it slow and painful." He looks shocked for a moment but then lightly laughs. "Oh, I promise you it will be."
"Nina, my daughter..." He lets out a long sigh as he runs his hands through his hair. "She's being brought back here now and she can stay with you but I have one condition... one favour to ask of you." I nod for him to carry on but I'm struggling to concentrate knowing that I'm going to get my little girl back in just a few moments.
"I'd like a DNA test done and I think Riley should do. We deserve to know the truth Julia and so does Nina." He's right, I know he is. "You're right and I want to agree but if I do and somehow it does prove her to be yours... will you take her away from me?" My shaky voice is back but I can't help it Nina may not be mine by blood but she's my little girl in every way that matters and the thought of losing her is terrifying.
"How long have you had that little girl? How long have you been raising her?" his question throws me but I go with it. "Since the day that she was born." He gives me a smile which feels strange. "I don't care about blood, she's my little girl!"
"Yes, she is. Julia, I was wrong to do what I did, to take her away like I did but I promise that if she is mine then I'm more than happy to co-parent with you, with her Mom." he seems genuine and I'm happy with his response for now. I'm almost certain that he isn't her dad but still, I needed to clear it up, just in case.
"Mario, if you knew that Nina was homeless why didn't you help her?" Josh asks as Mario heads for the door. He turns around and looks around at us before his eyes land on me and he once again smiles. "I tried but she was a stubborn cow and wouldn't have any of it. Believe me, I wanted to help her but short of kidnapping her she wouldn't let me."
I laugh knowing he's right but any words I have die on my tongue as the door opens and the little girl who owns my heart runs towards me shouting Momma and everyone around me, everything faints to nothing until all I see is her, my little girl.