Chapter 41 Marianna

• I didn't think I could actually sleep after everything. Despite the painkillers the doctor gave me, my face still hurt and my mind wouldn't shut down. The scene from the club kept repeating itself over and over again as if it were in a loop in my head. While I always expected something like that to happen, I never thought it would affect me like this. I'm a strong woman, one that doesn't scare easily. But I've learned that strong or not, I'm still a woman, who needs to feel protected once in a while.
• That's why I turned to De Luca. For some reason, I feel safe in his hands. He's physically bigger than that asshole but with him, I know he'll never hurt me like that. We argue a lot, over stupid stuff mostly, but the second his lips touch mine, I forget everything. I know it won't always be like this and I'm not expecting anything from him. I just need his arms for one night. To erase the bad memories and give me comfort. I promise myself that come tomorrow, he might not want to see my face. Aside from the fact that I'll be ugly for a while, I have plans to take Padre down. Plans that will require me to use him.
• While I might succeed in defeating Padre, I don't think De Luca will appreciate being used and dragged into the middle of everything. They compete a lot but I know that they avoid stepping on each other's toes. It's the first time Padre stepped out of line by taking his money. Chances are what I'm about to do will escalate their rivalry but in a war, there are always casualties. I can't be too soft about this or I will end up dead. Worse? I could end up in Padre's hands again and this time I'm not sure of what he'll do. Which is why I must come out the victor. No matter the cost.