Chapter Two Carmen’s POV

The scream tore out of me until my throat burned but I didn't stop.

I could hear the sound of boots thundering down the hall and in no time, the door flung open and a dozen men in dark suits ran into the room.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. I stood frozen beside the Don’s body, trembling from head to toe.

“Secure the area!” someone barked. “No one leaves this floor!”

The men spread out quickly, checking corners, peering behind curtains and opening drawers. They were searching for something, anything that could explain what had happened.

The air stank of gun oil, sweat, and fear.

“Please… I didn’t…” I tried to speak but my voice cracked.

Suddenly, a hand gripped my arm roughly, pulling me away from the chair. “Move away from him.” He growled shoving me aside like I weighed nothing.

“You don’t understand, I found him like this…”

“You’ll only speak when you’re asked to.” An elderly man snapped at me.

My chest tightened as my heart fell into my stomach with a loud plop. The blood on my hands felt like it was burning into my skin.

They kept circling the room, murmuring to each other. One of them crouched near the window, examining the latch. “No signs of forced entry,” he said.

Another replied, “Nothing broken, nothing stolen.”

There was a brief silence afterwards before all their eyes turned toward me and the realization hit me like a slow, crushing wave.

“She was the only one here,” someone muttered.

“Her dress… look at her hands.”

“She’s covered in his blood.”

Startled, I took a step back. “It’s not what it looks like!” I cried. “I touched him because I thought he was asleep! Please…” I tried to prove my innocence but the more I spoke, the more they stared.

They all looked cold and calculating, like wolves circling a prey that had already lost the fight.

It was at this moment that the man from earlier stepped forward. He was still holding the unlit cigarette.

“You found him like this?” He asked, his gaze on the dead Don.

My lips refused to move so I just nodded.

“Did you see anyone leaving?” He asked.

“No.” I spoke this time.

He studied me for a long time, then said to the others, “Get her cleaned up.”

“No one questions her until Rhy comes around." Those were his last words before he left the room.

“What the hell is going on?” The familiar voice of my father rented the air almost immediately.

When I raised my head, I saw him standing by the door. He was flanked on both sides by my mother and Isla.

“Mom…” I called, my voice breaking as I looked at her. “I didn’t do anything.”

Her eyes darted to the Don’s body and then away quickly, as if the sight itself would curse her. She whispered something under her breath and then clutched her rosary.

“Carmen, what have you done?” My father yelled, marching forward.

“Nothing! I swear…” He didn’t let me finish as the slap which was sharp enough to turn my face came fast.

“You keep bringing shame to our family like it's a trophy,” he yelled. “You’ve ruined us!” He bellowed.

Staring at him in disbelief, I held my burning cheek. “Dad… please listen to me!” I cried but he wasn't listening.

With tears burning behind my eyes, I cried, “I didn’t kill him! I found him like this!”

“And who will believe that? You were the only one here!” He sneered.

My mother was going to talk him into listening to me but he shoved her off. “This is your cross to bear, we won't join in your woes," he said with an air of finality.

“What?” I gasped, tears rolling down my cheeks now. “You’re leaving?”

He turned to me with cold eyes. “You brought this on yourself so deal with it.”

“Father, please…” I reached for him, but he stepped back, avoiding my touch like it burned.

Behind him, Isla muttered, “Let’s go before they lock us all up.”

When he turned to leave, he grabbed Kethan by the arm. He was going to take him with him.

Before I could protest, Kethan did, “Grandpa!” He cried, trying to break free from his grip.

“Don’t take him away, please!” I cried and like I had relieved him of a burden, he shoved Kethan toward me roughly.

“Take your bastard son with you,” he spat. “He’s your problem too.”

The words hit harder than the slap and then they were gone.

The sound of their footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving only the heavy thud of my heart and the quiet sobs of Kethan who was holding my leg.

Slowly, I crouched and scooped Kethan into my arms. He clung to me, burying his face in my bloodstained dress.

“Mom?” he whimpered. “Why is everyone angry?”

I couldn’t answer, my throat felt like it was closing.

The next time I raised my face, I saw the man from earlier staring at me while leaning against the wall with his hands tucked in his pockets.

“Maurice, Rhy isn't picking up," one of the men said, only then did he take his gaze off me.

“Keep calling him." He muttered, nodding at another man who quickly made his way to his side.

After whispering something in his ears, he walked out again and the man he had spoken to led me out of the room.

Once we were in the corridor, Kethan turned in my arms. “Mom?” He called, looking into my eyes with his gray pair.

“Yes, baby?”

“Can we go home now?”

Though my lips trembled, I smiled weakly, “Very soon, sweetheart.”

The man led us to the opposite side of the house and then finally stopped in front of a door.

“Don't think of escaping. You will end up complicating issues if you do," he said, pushing open the door to a large and richly furnished room.

“His son will determine what happens to you when he comes around,” he said, slamming the door shut with a click.

“Mom…” Kethan called again.

“Yes, baby?” I murmured, brushing his hair back and swallowing the lump that had risen in my throat.

With a voice trembling with fear, he asked, “Are they going to kill us?”

Now sobbing, he added, “Grandpa said they will.”