Chapter 33: 33 ~ Jace
I chugged down my shots of tequila. Shutting my eyes as the alcohol kicked in.
How did this little girl manage to rile me up so fucking much?!
I was so angry, I thought about punching a wall a couple of times but that would only bring me pain and bleeding which I didn't need right now.
I was still reeling with anger with I heard gunshots from outside.
I paused, listening to be sure it was not a false alarm.
I heard them again and immediately sprung into action. I opened one of the many chambers in the castle and took out my gun with bullets.
I picked up my phone and called the head guard.
"What's going on?"
"Don, the Castillos just launched an attack on us."
I stilled.
"How many are they?"
"We haven't been able to track but they're not much."
"I'll be down in a bit." I said, ready to spring into action.
"No Don. It's our job to protect you. We''ll handle them."
I hesitated for a bit but then I remebered my father's words;
"You do not fight every battle. The war is yours."
"Alright then." I hung up the call as I stood there and started wondering.
How did the Castillos know that I was in Italy? Someone must have ratted us out. And when I find out who it was, that person would beg for death.
I came out of the library and saw my mother approaching me. I knew the look in her eyes so I spoke up first.
"It's under control mother."
"It better be. You know what happened the last time." She said. Her voice was fierce with emotion.
I swallowed. The last time something like this happened years ago, we lost my father and younger brother. And though it was more intense than tonight, it all started with warning attacks like these. She had warned my father and he did not listen.
So every time she spoke to me about this, I knew she was being reminded of the past.
But my father did not raise me to be a coward. I would not back down for the Castillos to win. Never.
At that moment, I remembered Mira.
I left my mother and ran towards our bedroom.
She was hidden under the covers.
"Ahhhh! Please don't kill me." She screamed as soon as I touched her.
"Shhh." I hushed her quietly. "It's me."
"Jace?" She peeped out from under the covers.
"Yes." I said, fighting back a groan. Who else would it be?
Did she think it would be easy to penetrate the castle and for the intruders to get to where she was? My soldiers weren't just uniformed men, they were trained to protect us with their lives. I paid a good sum of money for that.
"Come with me." I said, carrying her out of the bed and setting her feet on the floor.
I needed to put her somewhere safe in case of anything. I know my head guard said they had it under control but it was my job to totally keep her safe as she couldn't defend herself if faced with danger.
Pulling her with me. I took her to the back of the closet, pushed a button and had it open into a secret chamber where I also kept weapons.
"Stay here and don't come out until I come and get you." I instructed.
She nodded shakily.
"Here," I handed her one of the knives in the collection. It was a sleek dagger made to kill anyone on the spot.
"If anyone gets in here which is almost impossible, stab that person." I said, meaning every word.
"But-"
"You heard me Mira."
She nodded again and sat still in the chair.
On impulse, I placed a kiss on her forehead and left.
I pressed the button again and the door to the hidden chamber closed.
I ran out to the balcony and saw that the gunshots had barely decreased. On the contrary they had increased.
I went down and saw Enzo and Dario wielding their weapons.
"What did you do?" Enzo asked as soon as he saw me.
I scowled. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"The Castillos are attacking this household because of you. How did they find out where you are?"
"I have no idea." I mumbled, checking if my weapon was intact.
He groaned in annoyance.
"You always come here with bad luck."
My eyes snapped to his.
"What did you just say?" I asked.
"You heard me."
Riled up and overstimulated by everything going on around me, I lunged at him and punched the side of his head. I was aiming for his eye but his quick reflexes ruined that punch.
Dario stepped in just then, putting himself as a wedge between us.
"This is not the time or the place for your nonsense,"
My mother's voice came from behind me.
"Jace you are the Don, you should not let your subordinate get to you. That's not what leaders do."
I heaved a breath. I was getting too emotional and I hated it.
"Maybe he should step down for other capable hands to handle the position." Enzo muttered audibly.
My eyes snapped to his. "You think you're capable? You think you have what it takes to lead this family?!"
"Yes I do you half baked Don. You come here with your American accent and think you can lord over us who are true sons of the soil!"
My eyes went red with rage.
Enzo had stepped on the tiger's tail.
"Don," the head guard rushed in just then.
"What is it?" I snapped at him.
"The intruders have retreated."
I was somewhat relieved by that.
"What's the casualty report?"
"We killed three of their men. The rest are injured and the others are trying to get the injured ones to safety."
"What about ours?" I asked.
His eyes drooped. "We lost five of our men. It all happened so fast."
I shut my eyes and sighed.
"Ensure condolence packages are sent to their families." I said and walked away.
Bloodshed was the order of the day in our world and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The least I could do was console the loved ones of the deceased.
I hated to admit it but the Castillos had won this battle. But the war that was brewing, I would make sure to win it no matter what.