𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲
Over

❅𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲❅

The drive to the downtown venue was shorter than I wanted it to be.

I never realized a full hour could pass by so quickly until I experienced firsthand the anxiety I'm dealing with over this entire situation.

Mazin was calm so naturally that helped me a little but not fully.

I just kept imagining so many ways this could all go wrong, especially with how unpredictable Roxi can be.

I just never expected this from her.

I never expected her to take on a role like this and that's what makes her unpredictable.

She had the restaurant and a nice husband as far as I know.

Sure her daughter was abusive, but clearly Roxi validated it.

I refuse to believe she never knew.

And that hurts because... I trusted her to stop something like that if she knew about it.

Even if it was her daughter or not.

I know I would never let my child or anyone I know put their hands on anyone. 

It felt like Roxi had failed me and her daughter.

Things could've gone so much differently, especially if Roxi laid out how wrong Dani was for being emotionally and physically abusive.

A part of me wonders if Roxi is the same.

Clearly, there's a different side to her, and maybe that's where Dani got it all from.

I let out a deep exhale, trying to soothe my nerves as we walked through the crowds of people entering the venue.

I could already hear the light Christmas music and smell a faint whiff of cinnamon.

On any other night, I would’ve basked in this, but instead, I’m praying for this night to be over.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the extended champagne from my girlfriend’s hand.

“Of course beautiful,” she murmured, picking up a glass for herself.

I glanced around as I took a brief sip of my champagne, noticing how calm and normal everyone looked.

We were carrying on as usual, just as it was specified.

The only person missing was Alena, but that was only logical.

Why would she be at this event after what just happened?

“How are you feeling?” Mazin asked me, keeping her tone lowered and her arm secured around my waist.

She hadn’t let go of me since we got out of the car, which helped my nerves a lot to say the least.

“Still nervous,” I whispered, taking another small sip of my drink as I held Mazin’s dark eyes, “But good,” I assured her.

Mazin gently squeezed my waist, “You know the plan baby,” she leaned into my ear to say, pressing a soft kiss just below it, “The max it will take is an hour.”

I nodded once, knowing the main objective was to get Roxi secluded from everyone.

Whether we had to wait for her to use the restroom or send someone to speak to her privately.

Then we would have her cornered.

“Where is she?” I whispered in my girlfriend’s ear, brushing my hand up her back as if we were sharing an intimate moment.

I mean we are, but it’s only to discuss a plan to take down a gang leader who recently attempted to kill us all in Aspen.

Then again, we're surrounded by a variation of gangs, powerful politicians, CEOs, and many other people in power so that isn't too farfetched. 

It's a night to discuss alliances and arrangements. 

Either Roxi will see this as an opportunity to expand or she'll see it as a chance to take everyone out at once. 

Then again, the governor is here as well, which makes this front even better given how much security is surrounding the premises. 

Only a few people are aware of what is going down tonight, but we managed to keep the circle small on purpose as a precaution. 

"She's over there," Mazin suddenly whispered in my ear, snapping me from my thoughts. 

I didn't look immediately. 

I shifted my stare, taking my time to scan the room toward the direction I noticed Mazin subtly motion toward. 

My eyes landed on Roxi within seconds, spotting her over by her husband. 

They were in the midst of light conversation, their stare pinpointed on each other. 

She looked just as she did weeks ago, her dark hair down in curls as she wore a shiny red gown. 

I quickly glanced away when Roxi's stare shifted over to me, causing knots to immediately tie in my stomach. 

"Fuck," I whispered, alerting my girlfriend immediately. 

"What is it?" she asked, quickly adjusting her posture. 

"Nothing-nothing, Roxi just caught me looking in her direction," I explained, refusing to glance back across the room. 

"She's walking over," Mazin told me, forcing a smile as she glanced past me. 

Fuck. 

Fuck. 

Okay, just be normal. 

Be normal. 

It's easy. 

"Maz—Vee," I heard Roxi's familiar voice. 

You would never pin her as someone who just had a hotel blown up and a restaurant shot up only days ago. 

"Roxi, hey," I said, my tone forced with warmth and a wide smile on my face. 

"How are you guys?" she asked, lifting her arms for a hug. 

My girlfriend quickly leaned in before I had to, giving Roxi a very brief side hug. 

"I heard about the Aspen situation," Roxi added, pursing her lips into a frown of concern. 

Is she serious right now? 

"Yeah, it was hard, especially for T but we're all good now," Mazin assured her, glancing over to Carlos by Roxi's side, "How are you both doing?" 

"Not the greatest... the restaurant isn't the same without Daniella," Carlos said, and I almost wondered if he was in on all of this too. 

He had to be, right? 

"It's very hard without her around," Roxi admitted, letting out a deep sigh, "We took a week off after we heard about the accident, and the restaurant hasn't been the same since." 

 Mazin nodded but didn't say anything to contribute. 

I couldn't add anything to the conversation either, especially knowing what we knew. 

And what Roxi knows. 

"The body was unrecoverable but we still did a family ceremony for her to the best of our abilities," Carlos explained, glancing away from us almost in a sentimental manner. 

I almost contemplated if I hallucinated the glossiness in his eyes, but when I realized I hadn't, I felt a wave of guilt run over me. 

I know I shouldn't feel bad, but she was someone's daughter—even if Roxi and possibly Carlos are both bad people. 

I wish it all could've gone differently that's all. 

"We're doing a bigger ceremony this coming weekend with our more distant relatives if you want to attend?" Roxi asked, her dark eyes glancing between me and my girlfriend, "I know it might be weird since you're dating now and Dani was your ex, Vee." 

I blinked a few times at her straightforward words, especially when Roxi's stare fell on me. 

"Oh, no, not at all," I whispered awkwardly, trying my best to sound reassuring. 

"Good, so you guys can come," Roxi said as a statement rather than a question. 

"No, my parents already have something planned for this weekend," Mazin quickly interjected, taking control of the conversation. Otherwise, we would've ended up stuck in these plans that are possibly a setup, "You know how our family is about Christmas—it lasts the full week." 

Roxi frowned, "I hate to hear you can't make it, but I get it—the holidays are already a busy time," she said, causing me to relax slightly. 

The last thing I wanted to do was attend a ceremony for my ex-girlfriend who I watched take a bullet to the head. 

"It was already hard arranging a time that worked for our relatives," Carlos added, lifting his glass of bourbon to his lips, "But luckily this weekend worked for everyone." 

I nodded once, taking a long sip of champagne to avoid saying anything else. 

"You know, I actually brought something that Dani planned on giving you for Christmas," Roxi suddenly said, almost making me choke on my champagne. 

Mazin's grip on my waist naturally tightened in response, holding me closer to her. 

"What is it?" I asked, knowing the only memorable thing she had given me was bruises and anxiety. 

"It's more sentimental," Roxi lowered her voice to say, leaning in to whisper it to us. 

"I can keep Maz company if you want privacy," Carlos suddenly added, and it was at that moment that I knew he was involved. 

He had to be. 

"We can all step aside to one of the nearby hallways," Mazin said, not leaving any room for disagreement. 

"Yeah, I don't think anyone is out there," I added, knowing a hallway would be the perfect place given it's somewhat private but still public enough just in case anything happened. 

Roxi pursed her lips together, "I honestly just wanted a moment with Vee—especially after how long she and my daughter dated," she said, glancing over to Mazin who didn't look to be backing down. 

If anything, Roxi's words seemed to irritate my girlfriend. 

I could tell by how her jaw tightened. 

I knew this entire conversation was about to go sideways. 

If it hadn't already. 

I needed a distraction—anything to change the subject. 

"Nelli!" I suddenly called out, spotting my best friend just a few feet away with Ronan. 

I had entirely interrupted the group conversation they were in but I didn't care. 

Nelli didn't seem to either, given she smiled immediately—grabbing Ronan's hand to drag him along as she walked over to us. 

My forced smile quickly softened as they stopped by us, "Hi guys," I said, leaning away from Mazin to briefly hug Ronan and Nelli. 

"Heyyy," Nelli said with her usual smile, glancing over and noticing Roxi and Carlos, "Oh... hey," she said to them, her tone quickly growing awkward. 

"How's everyone tonight?" Ronan asked, clearly trying to make conversation as he exchanged a noticeable glance with Mazin. 

As far as I know, Ronan's aware of the plan but I think he wanted to leave Nelli out of it. 

"We're doing good—it's nice to get out after everything that happened," Roxi said, somehow navigating back to the topic we were trying to avoid. 

"What happened?" Nelli asked, until her eyes suddenly went wide and she nodded a few times, "Oh yeah-yes," Nelli quickly stumbled over her words, realizing what Roxi was referring to. 

Or who. 

"I was about to pull Vee aside to give her something that Dani had gotten her before everything happened," Roxi explained to Nelli, doing a complete three-sixty to her previous agenda. 

That's when alarm bells went off in my head. 

I'm not going anywhere alone with her. 

"We can step out right now if you want," Mazin said before anyone had an opportunity to say anything else, "But respectfully, I don't leave my girlfriend's side regardless of where we're at." 

I glanced over to Mazin, hearing the seriousness laced in her tone. 

It was attractive, but now definitely isn't the time to think about... that. 

"So," Nelli awkwardly went to say, "Uh why don't you guys just take your moment and we'll you know... find some champagne to drink." 

"No we should go, I think Dani would've wanted us all to see, you know," Ronan said, and I knew he just wanted to be around if something did happen. 

I don't see Tahir in the crowd—or Tazmin and Lena. 

I do see Omara and Nadia, who are over by the charity artwork. 

Everyone else must be in the charity auction room off to the side. 

"Okay, let's step out," Roxi determined with a smile, naturally making my stomach twist. 

We shouldn't be going anywhere with Roxi, but this is also our opportunity to get her away from the crowd. 

We'll also be together, and technically, we all outnumber them both. 

I exchanged a brief glance with Mazin, my heart pumping against my chest. 

"Lead the way," I said, forcing a faint smile.

Mazin slid her hand down to mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze as we all followed Roxi and Carlos.

The music and conversations faded into a dull hum the closer we got to the hallway until we finally stepped through a side door.

The atmosphere shifted immediately. 

The warmth and holiday energy from the main room vanished, replaced by the dim chandelier lighting and an eerie silence.

Roxi turned around first, eyes pinpointed on us as she held her purse tightly.

"You know, don't you?" she asked softly, her tone almost chillingly calm, "You know who I am."

"We know," Mazin confirmed, not bothering to pretend. 

That alone was enough to make me draw in a deep breath, feeling my nerves boil over. 

This is not going as planned. 

Nelli tilted her head, "Wait. Know what? What are you guys talking about?" she asked, glancing between us all. 

Roxi's lips twitched with amusement, "They didn't tell you?" she asked Nelli, shaking her head with a soft laugh, "You guys always treated her as an outsider." 

Nelli's confusion shifted into hurt as she looked at me and Mazin for answers, and suddenly I felt bad that she had been left in the dark. 

But Ronan wanted it that way. 

It's just... this is a really big deal. 

"I didn't want you involved," Ronan suddenly spoke, not wanting to leave the blame on us. 

"But you've never been an outsider, I promise," I told Nelli, hating that Roxi even planted that idea in her head. 

She's trying to find a weak link, clearly. 

Nelli's never been an outsider. 

"I know," Nelli told me, glancing back over to Ronan, "I was born into this life, I can handle it, Ronan." 

I pursed my lips awkwardly, noticing the serious tone she had taken with him. 

"Now that conversation I had with my dad earlier makes sense," Nelli whispered, blinking a few times in thought. 

Mazin suddenly shook her head, "Look, you're cornered," she said, her tone sharper now as she refocused on Roxi and Carlos, "You can't play any more cards from here."

"Can't we?" Roxi murmured softly, "All we have to do is make it out of here—and you don't want to cause a scene do you?" she asked, and one fluid motion—

She slid a gun from her clutch. 

Carlos followed her lead, withdrawing his own black gun from his waistband.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, staring at the gun in their hands. This was so unlike the people I thought I knew, "You have the restaurant. You don't need to do this."

Roxi smiled, a cold, empty expression, "The restaurant? That's small-time. We deserve more, and I'll do whatever I have to do to get it," she explained as if it were just that simple to her. 

It made disgust burn in my throat, almost making it hard to swallow. 

Especially when one thing came to my mind. 

One question. 

"Did you know?" I asked, my voice growing more unsteady than I preferred. It made me feel weak, just as her daughter had made me feel, "Did you know what she was doing to me? The emotional abuse, the physical abuse... all of it?"

Roxi's smile stretched wider, "Of course, I knew," she said almost proudly, making a wave of nausea ripple through me, "I encouraged her to seek you out. To weaken you. I set the plan in motion years ago."

The words pierced like a knife through my chest, sending pain to every inch of my body—but the real response came from Nelli.

Mazin and Ronan looked just as shocked, yes, but they had composure. 

Nelli did not. 

I could tell by how wide her eyes had gotten.

I don't think I've ever witnessed her this infuriated before, and that says a lot. 

Neither Ronan nor Mazin had time to react before Nelli's hand flew under her dress, withdrawing a knife from under her white stockings. 

It felt like time had slowed, especially as my lips parted in shock, watching as Nelli lunged for Roxi who immediately fired her gun. 

"Nelli—wait!" Ronan shouted, reaching out to pull her away from the fired bullet.

But it was too late.

With terrifying precision, Nelli hurled the knife directly at Roxi's head, ducking away from the flying bullet in the process. 

The blade struck with a sickening crack, embedding itself in Roxi's forehead.

Her eyes widened, her mouth opening as if to speak. 

Instead, she collapsed to the ground.

Carlos's eyes widened in horror, clicking the safety of his gun off—but Mazin was faster.

She fired two shots into his chest without hesitation, sending him collapsing beside Roxi's lifeless body.

The hallway fell dead silent except for the sound of Nelli's ragged breathing. 

"Nelli," I whispered, glancing away from their limp bodies as I tried to process what just happened. 

How quickly it all unfolded. 

When did Nelli get a knife? 

I know she's trained by her dad, but she always hated the idea of being near a weapon. 

I felt Mazin's arm wrap protectively around my waist, "It's over baby," she whispered in my ear, leaning her head against mine. 

But as we stood in the dimly lit hallway, surrounded by blood and the sting of betrayal, it didn't feel as good as I imagined. 

Hours ago all I wanted was for it to be over. 

Just not like this. 

Not with us all standing here in front of these bodies, wondering what came next.