Chapter 2

DAMON

This was the problem with spoiled daughters, they were always the weakest link. I smiled as I watched the news, there was nothing as satisfying as seeing Carlos Genovese’ distraught face on my television screen. His precious daughter ran away from what was supposed to be the wedding of the year. This was the best news I’d received in a while, if the wedding had happened, Carlos would be unstoppable and I might be forced to surrender my outfit to him. I couldn’t let that happen, not when my father was on his sick bed and I was on the run.    I pour myself a glass of wine and sip on it. This was life for me now I was on the run, I drank wine, ate fresh fruits and relied on the television for every source of news. It had been the worst year of my life, I avoided the cops and I kept a low profile. It wasn’t easy at first, when I got here, the villagers were obnoxiously nosy and loud, they wanted me to partake in whatever activity they were doing but after a while, we compromised, I donated money to them and they let me be. The young women were constantly throwing themselves at me, offering to do domestic chores around the house. It was all too tiring but I kindly told them off. Everyone here seemed so happy with their lives, they always had a smile on their faces each time I saw them, how disgusting. They enjoyed farming and gardening while I just wanted to hold a gun again or maybe get a new tattoo to cover up the scar on my back. I was tired of the rainbows and sunshine life the village offered, I was ready to show my face in the society again and fight for what is mine but at what cost? My father was shot and had spent months recuperating in the hospital because he wouldn’t give up my whereabouts, it was a miracle that he survived four shots. I swear to get revenge even if it’s the last thing I do but first, I have to clear my name.

Last year, I killed a man. Believe it or not but it was the first time I’d ever killed someone, usually, it’s gunshots to the thigh or arm but I had to do what I had to do. For the ones I love, I’ll always protect and fight tooth and nail for their safety. Anyone who attempts to hurt as much as a hair on the body of my loved ones would pay with their life. The police haven’t found solid evidence against me but I’m the number one suspect, there were eyewitnesses but they were all scared to say what really happened. Until I am able to get rid of every evidence, I shall remain hiding. I have killed a member of another clan and I know they’re out to get me.

I frowned as I heard some noise coming from the driveway. It was probably one of the women arguing on who should knock on my door or who should speak to me first. I clench my teeth and down what’s left in my glass. I would have considered having bodyguards around to drive them away each time they came around but it would only draw attention to me, asides that, the village was very safe so there was no point. I increased the volume of my television and tried to block out the noise but it was persistent.

There were two voices, a high pitched female voice and a man speaking in rapid Spanish. I raised a brow and moved slowly towards the window. From what I could see, it was a taxi driver arguing with a customer. I roll my eyes and return to the television. I wish they would take their argument somewhere else but I say nothing, I keep conversations with the villagers to a minimum.     Three minutes had passed and the arguing still went on and then the sound of a crash followed. This is what I get for trying to enjoy some peace in my own home. I feel irritation course through my veins as I fling the door open, I don’t care whatever it is but they should go argue somewhere I can’t hear them.   The young lady is yelling at the driver while trying to pick up her clothes that were scattered on the pavement.

“What’s going on here?” I ask calmly but in a cold voice I don’t bother trying to mask my irritation, I want them to leave right now.

“I asked for an extra tip and she won’t give me” the driver told me in Spanish

I felt a little bit sorry for the young woman, she was probably new here and she wasn’t familiar with how entitled the drivers were. They demanded an extra tip and they picked a fight when they weren’t given one.

I reached for a twenty dollar bill in my pocket and handed it over to the driver who took it and sped off after rolling his eyes at the lady. I wasn’t sure why I was kind to the lady but it was most likely because her clothes were scattered and her box seemed broken.

“Thank you, I owe you” she mumbled tiredly

I waved my hands, there was no need for that.

“My name is Maria Rose” she stretched her hands towards it and I stared at it

I don’t wish to be friendly with her, I was just relieved that the noise had died down. It was best if she just arranged her clothes and left immediately.

She put her hands in her pockets when she figured I wasn’t going to shake it.

“I’m your new neighbor”

“What?” I frowned

The house beside mine was owned by a woman in her sixties, I heard she would be coming soon to spend about a week but this red haired lady standing in front of me was the exact opposite of what I was expecting. She was probably in her early twenties.

“This is my mother’s house” she pointed to the house on the left side. “I’ll be here for a while”

I could see that she would be here for a very long while, she had three big boxes with her. I wanted her gone immediately.

“May I ask for your help in taking my boxes in?”

I clenched my fists, not only did I have a new neighbor but I had one who couldn’t do anything by herself. Frankly, there was no way she could carry the boxes by herself, she was tiny.

I sighed and grudgingly lifted one of the boxes. I could say no to her but then I’d have to watch her struggle with the boxes which would be disturbing. By tomorrow, I would find a way to get rid of her, maybe by offering her a better house at the other side of town.