She paused, catching her breath as she turned to face Chloe. “My Boss.

"Yes, it belongs to my boss.“ She nodded her head.   

 “What! Chloe gripped the side of her head as if covering her ears; her words seemed too good to be true.    Mia paused for a moment, stiffening her lips together.     

“Scratch that! I mean, my boss is trying to get him. She let out, pointing to the picture frame as she flashed a warm, mischievous smile.  

 Chloe swallowed hard, her brows wrinkled as her skin flushed, shooting glances at Mia. Just as she was about to say something, Mia burst out into thick tears which made Chloe shuffle back a little, her head jerked slightly as she exhaled deeply.    

“He messed with my boss. And as I speak to you, both of them are at great loggerheads. Fighting for some sort of key. Autonomy in the mafia world.

"You know.“ She spread her arms widely, walking in rigid steps. Chloe rolled her eyes, biting her lips as her ears listened carefully.

"You said Key….“ She trailed off, her eyes paying clear attention.  

 “Yeah Key, she turned to Chloe, grabbing her softly by her arm as she took it further to her chest, her eyes flashed open.

"If you have something to do with it. You could count on me to keep your secret." She leaned forward, wiping imaginary dust off her sleeve as she adjusted her collar, trying to shift from the bone of contention.  

 Chloe remained calm, but a tightness stood in her face that she gave a condescending warm smile to prevent Mia from suspecting a thing.  

 “Can I count on you?” Chloe finally spoke out, but her body posture stood rigid, refusing to give in.    

“Yes Chloe. "Ladies supporting ladies, you know.“ She smiled, tilting her head slightly.    "Yeah, I get,” Chloe forced a smile, still scanning the room for more clues.  

 “So if I'm correct, your boss said you should bring me here so he can get to see me and probably get some information about Rico. Right?"    A pause, then a silence followed. Mia swallowed hard, choosing her words carefully. Chloe was starting to probe a lot, and it was making Mia uncomfortable.    She turned to Chloe, softly bringing her to sit before drawing closer to her; eyeball to eyeball.

  “Can we talk about this later? "I promise to answer all your questions." Chloe's jaw hardened, a jutting chin which made Mia push back a little.  

 “Can I get answers now!” Chloe compressed her kips, her patient losing its cool.   

 “Relax Chloe. Meeting your Dad again and traveling to school would be the best thing that has ever happened to you tomorrow. So for now…" She stared closely at her eyes, washing it off with a smile.    

“I missed my flight. "And how did you know I was traveling?" She paused, her head tilted to the side as her eyebrows raised, making her body posture perk up.  

 “My boss told me everything. She pressed her hands into her palms.

"You're safe with me. "Rico can't hurt you.

"My boss would've his head for dinner, served hot with chilled red wine to push it down." Chloe's eyebrows furrowed, then released as her body tilted, edging closely.  

 “Your boss kills?” Chloe's nose wrinkled as Mia's eyes darted away, her fingers curling into fists.   

 “I will say he saves, just like he helped me. But other times, he eliminates potential threats, especially those who go after others, ruining and snatching what isn't rightfully theirs. And he's about to help you. In a matter of hours.“  

 Chloe shifted instantly, creating a space between them as she grabbed the bedsheets vehemently. Her other hands trailed to her pockets, where her pen knife lay quietly.  

 “What are you insinuating, Mia?” She asked, with gritted teeth, approaching the door knob.  

 “If you leave. Rico and his minions will have you for breakfast tomorrow!“   The word caught through Chloe's throat like a knife ripping her gut without pity.

   “Then let me die!” I'm not comfortable here! "I want to go!" She snapped, her eyes squinted, sucking her cheeks in, her grip on her penknife stronger than ever. Her pockets looming with tension.  

 “You're going to end up like my Mom. Who died trying to save Rico just to please my father?" 

   “What!” Chloe's mouth opened in bewilderment.    The word slipped off Mia's mouth, making her skin molt as her eyes widened with a corded neck. She leaned forward, staring straight into Chloe's eyes.  

 “Why do you think I hate my brother? And want to see him crumble? Huh! Answer me!“ She yelled, but Chloe stood speechless.   

 “I lost my father because of Rico. His unending quest for the treasure that lies within the Mafia world. My mom, his stepmother, was dragged into his mess, and she had to pay with her life. And today, I still can't forget about it.“  

 Mia clenched her fist, her knuckles white. Her breathing grew shallow. Chloe took a cautious step back as Mia's voice cracked like glass. Her hands balled into fists by her sides.  

 “What the hell have I walked into?” Chloe whispered to herself; panic darted across her face. For some reason, her fingers felt frozen to the pen knife-hesitating. Her shoulders squeezed slightly as she stared at the broken Mia.

   “My dad….” Mia muttered, eyes glossing over.    “He fought tooth and nail for Rico. Died believing in him. But what did that loyalty bring us? "Nothing but shadows.“ She turned, pacing slightly. Chloe lowered her gaze for a moment. Then slowly, she raised her chin, defiance shining through her eyes. Without a word, she nodded. A single, sharp movement. But her lips trembled.  

 “I won't be here double-crossing my half brother, Rico! If things didn't get to this. If blood wasn't shed. If life wasn't taken. "I lost everything," Mia let out a deep breath, tugging her hair; her fingers restless as her knuckles cracked.

   "So bad.“ Chloe let out a frustrating sigh.    “This is the chance we have to get justice. We are even and to succeed triumphantly we need to team up. Meet my boss and join forces with him to bring down Rico's empire for good!“    Total silence enveloped the room.    

“Is she going to go against her blood or is this a trap to get me?” Chloe whispered beneath her voice, looking critically at Mia.

   “Don't bother thinking about it. Your father is equally on our side. So… are you in?"    Chloe's eyes softened, yet her body remained stiff. She stepped back, bumping at the edge of the table. 

   “I didn't know about all of this.” She whispered, her voice barely audible.  “But dragging me into your war, Mia… that's not justice.

"That's vengeance,“ Chloe muttered, refusing to let Mia hear or suspect a thing.    Mia stood waiting for a response. Chloe exhaled sharply, eyes flicking from the walls to Mia. Her hand lifted to her temple, fingers brushed through her hair as if organizing her thoughts. After a beat, she gave a slow, reluctant nod-one that said more of pity than trust.  

 “Fine.” She pressed a smile at Mia, swallowing hard. Mia flashed back a smile, cupping her from her waist tightly.  

"She knows so much about me. Then I guess the truth isn't too far and whatever she's got up her sleeve.

"I'm ready for it." Chloe muttered, a gleam in her eyes, an inner light.    They dashed into the car. Chloe clutched her fingers in her pocket, her gaze darting around. Mia's eyes were wet as her neck stiffened with strained forearms. Her shoulders curled slightly.  

 In a short while, they got to an uncompleted building with exposed roofs and a broken staircase. The walls reeked of rot. Bone-charred words were smeared across concrete. A ceiling fan creaked, barely spinning above the bloodstained floor.  

 They got inside. Caleb was seated in a black chair with Rico by his side, tied to an armchair. His face was partially covered with blood, as though he had been beaten for the longest. Chloe and Mia stood frozen as they got to the entrance, beholding both Rico and Caleb. Looking at each other, their words glued to their throats, unable to come out. Chloe's legs bucked slightly, her hand flying to her mouth. She wanted to run — but her knees felt trapped. Caleb's men were far too powerful, surrounding them like a plague.

  "You might be wondering how he got here right?"   He smiled mischievously. Mia and Chloe stood frozen without a word.  

 “One of my men saw him driving with a gun. According to him, he was trying to get Chloe. Then he offered to show him where she was. And that was how they brought the idiot here.“

Caleb's lips curled slightly, enjoying his little victory. He stood up, taking massive space. His chin high and his chest thrust out. Chloe recoiled, her mouth slightly agape as she took in the sight of Rico-bloodied, broken, and bound. Rico struggled to break free. His lips were covered with black glue, completely voiceless.  

 “Rico.” She called out slightly; not sure if it was pity or rage that clutched her chest.

She turned to Mia, whispering “Are we the bad ones now?"    Mia exhaled sharply, scanning the creepy environment. Her hair lifted at the nape of her neck, making her hand tremble. It was quite a new location, away from their usual hideout. Caleb leaned closer, his tongue darted out, licking his lips as he smiled mischievously.

   “Listen to me Chloe. You need to make things easy for me. We want to do this for your father."    He paused, watching Chloe from afar. Chloe swallowed hard, staring through the stone-cold walls of blood prints and rippled bones of people long gone.  

 “I already have the documents he tried cajoling you to sign the last time. Hand the key over to me and walk through that door free.

"Without a scratch." His eyes tightened from the spot where he stood. Mia's hand trembled, but Chloe's chin stood high.    Chloe's breath came out ragged. Her pulse pounded in her ears. She shook her head slightly, unsure if it was confusion or defiance.  

 “You never signed them, so you don't have any right to claim the documents."So hand me the key," he added, his foot tapping impatiently.  

 Chloe's hand instinctively went through her pocket, where the pen knife sat hidden. She felt its weight like a ticking bomb. Silent, she refused to give an answer or show any sign of weakness that would contradict the moment.  

 “I never signed anything because I don't trust anyone,” she said coldly, her voice trembling beneath her breath as she whispered in Mia's ears.

   “Not Rico. "Not you. "Not your boss.“ She spoke out silently." Who knows, Rico must have been at my side all along?“ She muttered. Mia stood there, clothed in shock, as each strand of her hair stood erect on her neck.  

 “Are you sure?” Mia muttered, trying to shake off the environment, but her body betrayed her.  

 “I think so. "What key is he referring to?“ Chloe asked, pretending not to admit its significance?  

 “You are both wasting my time. Answer me!“     He snapped; his voice thundered, cracking the air.    Dust fell from the ceiling, causing them to flinch like an awakening eruption had happened inches away from them.  Both jolted. Their feet wanted to run but the putrid smell of blood and guttural growl of dead bodies, hung and buried, betrayed their every step.  

 Chloe's knees buckled, her breath catching in her throat. Her vision blur red for a second, as a scream sat at the edge of her tongue but never left.   

 Mia's lips parted, eyes darting like a trapped animal, her nails digging into her arms as though willing herself to stay grounded. She was torn between family and a primal sense of belonging that craved to put an end to the generational cycle of death. Beneath her calm demeanor laid a revenge wrapped in redemption.  

 “Boys! Lock them up. No one must escape. Including Mia.

"We've got to stay united to bring down our bigger enemy-Austin, who will be out of prison tomorrow.“     

As they drag them away. Chloe kicked against the grip of her arm, tears stinging her eyes-not from fear, but fury.  

 “You don't know what you're doing,” she shouted.

“You're going to regret this, Caleb!”     

Mia didn't struggle. She only wept — silent, broken.