His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 284

Elena

I peeked at Panther, who was driving the car, and wished for all of this to be over. After hearing the news about Anya, I was in such a daze that my mind could not work properly. Perhaps that was why I went along with Panther.

Only now had I realized that he was not some helpful man but a criminal. I almost gasped, thinking about the reason why he would willingly want to drive me home. Was he going to get rid of me because I knew too much? What was it exactly that I knew?

Panther sighed. “Don’t worry. You’re safe.”

He must’ve read my uncomfortable body language. “Marvin somehow ended up taking a bullet for you… which means you might mean more to him than I thought.”

Panther was right, and there was no denying it. I had made Marvin out to be a monster, but he was eventually the one who had saved my life. He could’ve run over to his brother, but he didn’t.He took a bullet for me.

One person who unfortunately couldn’t be saved was Anya. I stared at Panther, wondering how close the two must’ve been. He must’ve known her for years, but I could not see an expression on his face and could not tell how he felt about her wrongful death.

“W-will Marvin really be okay?”

If I weren’t that curious, I wouldn’t be talking to Panther-but a lot was going through my head. Marvin was in a coma, and Tiago had clearly lost his mind. I just had to know.

Panther nodded. “Yes, he doesn’t like unfinished business.”

Of course, he didn’t. Someone came after his family, and the person claimed to be from the Hernandez. Of course, he would fight his way through so he could get revenge because that was the kind of person he was. “I understand. The people who did this to Anya can’t just get away with this.”

Surprised, I turned my head as a laugh escaped from between Panther’s lips. “I was talking about you, Elena.”

I felt my body go numb as I listened to Panther’s words. “Huh, me?” I pointed to myself. What did that even mean? Again, was it because I knew too much?

“I didn’t know I’d be able to smile tonight, but you somehow managed to make me do it.” Panther spoke. It was the first time since he had shown some emotion about the unfortunate event.

“Were you and Anya close?” The words left my mouth. I was supposed to ignore him, but I just couldn’t leave without answers. If the two were close, it meant that I could give the key to Panther. After seeing how Mario Castillo looked at me, it was better for me not to show my face anymore. I had to stay out of this.

“She was like a sister to me.” Panther whispered. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, and the look in his eyes grew dark. He seemed angry and perhaps a bit hungry for justice. He clearly cared for her.

Should I give him the key instead?

“Anya…she seemed like a person who thought everything through.” I continued. I could only give him the key if I could decide whether to give him the key or not if I knew what kind of person she was.

“She was.” Panther confirmed. “She was the type of person who knew exactly what she wanted, bossy, very clear with her words-never made mistakes.”

thing I needed to hear to realize that the key was meant for Marvin and only for Marvin. I had to give it to him personally, whether I liked it or not.I could at least respect Anya’s dying wish, and after that, I

give you my number?”

was shocked by my question, looked at me for a split second with

like that!” I clarified. He must’ve gotten the wrong idea. Panther released

to ask you to give me a call when Marvin wakes up if you don’t

of course. He’d

hospital bed in the first place. I complicated the situation

exactly what would happen if he would’ve seen me in a car with Panther. I had

would even happen if Panther were to recognize my dad or Alex

Castillo were to find out about my true identity?

He stopped the car and pulled out his phone. “Give me your

my number as if my life depended on it and was in a rush to get out. It was a good thing it was dark outside as I

placed his hand on my arm, stopping me in the process. Would

cleared his throat. “I just want to make sure that we’re on the same

a witness because I was at the wrong place at

trained to lie, and I was

aware of what I’ve seen.” I forced

“And that is?”

I corrected my sentence. I didn’t want to die, and I wasn’t planning on it either, so I knew what was expected of me. Giving the key to Marvin was something I couldn’t run away from, so I

good.” Panther shot me a

but I was scared for my life and sped off in a hurry. As expected, Alex leaned against the door, and I was grateful that

house. “Where is dad?” I asked. Alex shrugged his shoulders, and right at that moment-my dad entered the hallway with a bottle of liquor in

long sip. Satisfied, he wiped his mouth and nearly

my shoulders. “Elena, what is all of this?” He shook my body. “Why were

what kind of position you have put me in? You ungrateful piece of sh-”

would get like this, and yelling back would only worsen things. “Yes, now!” He squeezed my shoulder. I yelped in pain

He held one hand against the wall and his other against his heart as he almost fell to the floor. “I’m hurting you?” He repeated. “I’m the one who is about to lose everything I’ve ever worked for because of you-but I’m hurting

lying to me this entire time, and you’ve been running

what,

he was about to call me. “You’re just like that woman.” My dad whispered. “You’re just like her. You’re just like that

That woman?

my eyelids. I have had a lot of nicknames, but being compared to my mom wasn’t something to celebrate. Making up fake scenarios without knowing all of the facts was something that only my dad could

back my tears. Alex showed me a regretful look

him. “You know that’s not true. Just relax.”

his hand through his hair. He looked