Connection By Chance
**Dead and Gone**
I had finally snapped out of it when I heard Mia call me mommy, rubbing my face. I had my princess pulled to my chest as I watched in horror as Camillo Capone was bleeding out, but his men rushed over to him to help. That's when the one named Emilio Capone, his brother, looked over at Mia and me before he and the others lifted Camillo Capone into a Range Rover just like mine and sped off. They weren't waiting on any ambulance, even though you could hear the sirens in the distance, no doubt coming our way. I noticed that Emilio had looked at me the same way Camillo Capone looked at Mia and me with shock, concern, and confusion, but also love and devotion. No doubt they were both seeing Taya Capone and Ivy Capone within my hazel eyes. He even looked like he didn't want to leave us here by ourselves for a second, but remember, his brother needed help. I looked over Mia to make sure she was okay, which she was, thank god, and Camillo Capone for saving her, but there were other guests, men, women, and children who weren't so lucky. I heard screams and cries, and saw bodies lying on the ground all around these parts of the hotel.
No one was making any moves to retrieve any more vehicles now, but was helping the people who were injured. The police, ambulance, and fire trucks all started to pull up at the same time to help those injured. The police were blocking off the area; no one was allowed up this way but emergency personnel, only, and detectives. I began to feel for my phone to call the other, but it wasn't in my pocket. I guess I had dropped it during the commotion. The news station was here now, and I knew if anyone found out what happened here without being able to get in contact with me, they were all going to freak, especially King, Marco, Marcus, Haze, Reid, Layla, Hazel Marie, Dad, Mom, Leonardo, and Blaze. Mia was starting to get cranky as an officer came over to speak with me, asking if I had seen what happened here, so I explained everything I saw to him. The fucking prick didn't even recognize me and was asking the same thing over and over, which was pissing me off because Mia was starting to cry.
I asked whether I could go now because I needed to call my husband to let him know what happened and that we were okay, which I could only do from the hotel lobby phone, seeing as my phone was now missing. The jerk commented on me not having a cell phone after I had just told him that it was lost at the shooting. Was he not fucking paying attention to anything that I had just told him? No, but probably because he was too busy eye fucking me instead. I had been here for three hours after the shooting without a phone to call anyone or even try to check on Camillo Capone, which was something that I wanted to do more than anything. We began to hear someone yelling, which I realized was my name and Mia's name being yelled. The cop heard it too, the one that I was talking to, making him turn around to see Marco, Lukas, Christian, and Enrique talking to some of the other police trying to get by, which he turned back around looking at me, calling me Mrs. Costello and apologizing to me because the prick had just noticed upon seeing Marco that I am a royal.
I ignored him, calling out to Marco the moment his eyes landed on Mia and me. He looked relieved, along with the others. He and the others pushed their way through, coming to pull Mia and me into a tight hug, squeezing us tightly, making it so that I could barely breathe.
Fuck love, I was so fucking worried about my girls. I was losing my shit, love.
He kissed all over our faces, telling us how much he loves us. When he finally released me, he took Mia. I got pulled into a hug by Ailee, who squeezed me tightly, kissing my head, telling me that he loves me and was worried shitless. So, of course, I hugged him back, giving him my love in return; after all, he is my favorite person. It was like he didn't want to release me once he had me in his arms, and I was okay with that because I love my cousin.
Love, why weren't you answering your phone? Everyone has been calling you nonstop with worry.
I am sorry. During all this, I must have dropped it somewhere because I was looking for it myself.
Just then, someone walks over, saying Excuse me, ma'am, and hands me my phone, making Ailee release me so I could grab it. The moment he does, Enrique pulls me into a bear hug, kissing me on the head, which I know isn't over because there was still one more person, Lukas, who squeezes me tightly by him too, telling me I worried him and he loves me. Before I could hug, kiss, or answer another question, I called King because I knew just like Marco, he was losing his shit right now.
King: Hello, Princess.
Yes, King, it's me, and I am fine. Mia is fine.
King: Fuck! Thank god, princess; you scared me; you had me so fucking worried.
I know, and I am sorry, King, but I am fine. Long story short, my phone got lost in the commotion, but someone found it and gave it back. Marco, Ailee, Enrique, and Lukas are here with us now.
King: Okay, princess, we will see you shortly. I love you.
Marcus: I love you, too.
And I love you both.
I ended the call with them, but my phone rings again; it's Layla, but Marco told Enrique to let her know that I am fine, along with Mia and everyone else that will be texting as well, along with the Knights, but he needs to know what happened here. It is because the news doesn't have anything to report, and the police aren't talking. I look over to Mia to see that she has her head lying on Marco's shoulder as he pulls me into his side, walking back into the hotel, into Prime54. We are seated immediately; everyone orders drinks, and Ailee orders more fries for Mia, making her smile when she hears him order it.
Okay, as you know, I had a meeting here today, which went great. I did see a strange man walk in, looking around as if he was searching for someone, but then he left right out afterward, like he didn't find who he was looking for. But it was like it was more of a confirmation.
Lukas: Details: princess height, weight, build, hair color, eye color, and what he had on.
Caucasian, blue eyes, dirty blonde hair, maybe 5'7, one hundred sixty-five pounds, black slacks, white shirt, black shoes, and his hair was gelled back.
I see him pull out his phone, no doubt hacking this restaurant's camera system.
So after the meeting, I took Mia to the bathroom, uploaded the contract to Hazel Marie while she used the toilet, then we left, going towards the valet section where...
Where? What love?
Where... Right before we got there, a man bumped into me.
Christian: What did he look like?
I don't know this time, Ailee; he never looked back at me. He just said excuse me with his head still on his phone.
It's okay, love. What happened next?
We were out waiting for our car, along with some other guests, when I noticed three black town cars up ahead just waiting there, and at first I didn't think anything of it because it's Collins Avenue. But then they started to burn rubber coming towards us with the windows down; that's when I noticed the automatic weapons, but by then it was too late; I didn't have time to react. Plus, when I reached for my gun, I realized I had left it locked in the glove box in the car.
She gets quiet, looking at me like she is scared to tell me the rest of what happened.
What is it, love? Just tell me, please.
Marco, I froze. I couldn't find Mia behind me like she should have been; then that's when I saw her, and he saw her too, standing right there in the open in the middle of everything. I called out to her, but all she did was cry. He didn't hesitate to save her when he saw her. He grabbed her, shielding her, handing her to me, calling us both beautiful, saying Keep ourselves safe and stay out of the way. When he turned around, he was shot in the chest. I wanted to help him, but I was still frozen. I couldn't move; I couldn't go to him.
It's okay, love.
Christian: Wait, princess, you never freeze. I could see the shock on Mia's face, but why him?
Her eyes cut to mine after Ailee asked that question of her as we all stared into her eyes, waiting for her response. Although her freezing wasn't like her, she trained for this; it's in her blood, in her DNA. If I am being honest, every woman in her family is a trained killer.
When he was shot, I looked into his eyes, seeing Marco in them, and it was like my world had ended. Marco, we have to get to the hospital to check on him, please.
Love, we don't even know this man or what hospital they took him to? How are we to check on him or go to him?
I won't lie, my wife needs to check on this man who had me a little jealous.
Yes, we do! I mean, we can find out he saved Mia and my life, Marco; it was Camillo Costello-Capone.
What? Are you sure, love?
Yes, Marco, I am positive, and Emilio Capone is with him as well. They all helped in shielding and firing back at the others who were shooting at us.
Okay, love Lukas...
Lukas: On it now, Mar.
Enrique: I will have someone come retrieve your car.
Marco hands me Mia, but pulls us into his side as we head out. Instead of them valet-parking their vehicle because of everything going on out there, they parked on the side of the street. Christian and Enrique head in a different direction, saying they are going to meet Arianna, Layla, and Amelia. They were all in Georgia visiting family, and Amelia flew down to visit Camilia because she lives there with her husband, Brayden. Lukas was able to find out once we were safe inside the car that Camillo Capone was taken to Mercy Hospital. God, I hope he is okay. I would feel bad if he lost his life saving Mia and me. As always, we park right up front, get out, and Marco pulls Mia and me into his side again, bending down to kiss our heads.
He held us that way until we got inside the hospital, where he walked towards the administration, and I went to the front desk, asking the guy up front about Camillo Capone, which he began typing. Four minutes later, a man in a suit was talking to Lukas and Marco, while I was guided to the waiting area. I put Mia down, taking her hand instead, as we came into view of the man who was with Camillo. We saw a detective here speaking to them while two others stood off to the side.
