(With the heavy rain and wind…)
Lilith sat in front of Goddess Durga (the goddess associated with strength and protection).
Her eyes were closed.
Thunder struck across the dark sky.
Nikolai climbed the stairs of the temple. He sat quietly at the entrance and looked around.
"Goddess Durga… You called me here. Please… for the sake of my family… my husband… my daughter… give me a sign to fight this battle alone… to protect my family… my loved ones. I beg you. I will stand on one leg all night," she whispered as she slowly stood up.
Nikolai watched his wife's devotion.
She balanced herself on one leg.
It was 6:09 PM.
Nikolai closed his eyes as both of them remained inside the temple, seeking an answer.
Meanwhile, in Russia…
At ND Company, the Bratva were all inside their offices working.
Mila was asleep inside Enzo's cabin.
He covered her with a blanket while he sat reading a file.
He double-checked the file.
His phone suddenly rang.
It was an unknown number.
"Yes?" he answered.
"Enzo… my child…" a woman's voice said.
He froze before letting out a sigh.
"What do you want, Mrs. Arsenyev?" he asked.
He had never called her Mother after his father died.
She remarried.
His stepfather sent him away…
…kicked him onto the streets.
"How did you get this number? It's a private number," he asked as Mila turned in her sleep.
"I… I… I asked Nikolai. I begged him," she replied.
"What do you want?" Enzo asked coldly.
"Please… can you come for lunch tomorrow?"
He checked the calendar.
It was 18th May.
Tomorrow was her birthday.
"Why?" he asked.
"Please… you're my son. I have food… and I can also bring you back home. I inherited everything back, my child… for you," she said.
He could hear her crying.
He looked at Mila and gently rubbed her hair.
"Hm… okay. But I have a little guest with me. She's three years old. Not my daughter though… but she's like a daughter to me."
"Thank you so much. I… I arranged everything," she said.
The call ended.
A few moments later…
Sergei walked in carrying his daughter, Raisa, who was eight months old.
"What wrong?" Sergei asked as he sat down.
The two men were cousins.
"Mrs. Arsenyev just asked me to come tomorrow. It's her birthday. I remembered… but… I don't want to. She still thinks I'm an employee and broke," Enzo said.
"Then show them how much you're worth. And also that girl will be there. What are you going to do?" Sergei asked.
"I need to look for a date… or I can pay an actress?" Enzo replied.
The office doors opened.
"Hi guys. Lunch?" Galina asked.
She was one of Nikolai's childhood friends.
She lived in the mansion.
"Oh, Amanat sent this for you," she said as she placed a lunchbox on the table.
He was still mad at her.
Nevertheless…
He accepted the lunchbox.
The smell immediately reached him.
His favorites.
Raisa giggled and tried reaching for the food.
He smiled and instead gave her baby food.
Galina handed Enzo his lunchbox.
"Uhmm… are you free tomorrow?" Enzo asked.
"Nope. Why?" she replied.
"I need a date for tomorrow. I'm going home. I'll get a dress for you. Don't worry about it."
"Hmmmmm… nah. I have my own dress. Just text me the time and I'll be ready," Galina answered.
"Thank you," Enzo said.
"Oh… and this is Mila's milk and her food," Galina added.
He nodded.
She winked before leaving.
Enzo sighed.
Mila slowly opened her eyes.
She stretched her little body.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Hi, Baby. You hungry?" Enzo asked.
She nodded.
"Mama… Dada call?" she asked while rubbing her eyes.
"We sorry, Baby. No calls yet. But they're in a bad place… and bad people there," Sergei said.
Tears immediately rolled down Mila's cheeks.
She cried loudly.
She covered her face.
"Shhhh… it's okay, love," Enzo whispered as he picked her up and gently patted her head, trying to calm her crying.
On the island…
Lash!
The whip cracked across Austin's body.
"AHHH!" he screamed.
Another whip landed.
The men held him down as they continued whipping him.
The Supreme Matriarch remained seated.
Behind her stood The Nocturne Matriarchate.
Some women leaned against the wall.
Others sat while smoking.
"You've been a bad boy, Oz," she said.
"I hate you! I wish you'd just die! Just KILL ME!" Austin shouted.
She chuckled.
She snapped her fingers.
The men dragged him closer.
Austin spat blood.
His body trembled violently.
She lifted his face with the heel of her shoe.
A cruel smirk spread across her lips.
"Beg," she ordered.
"I am tired of begging. Just kill me… and send my body to Umma," Austin replied, breathing heavily.
She sat back down.
The women behind her watched silently.
"You know how much I love you, Dolly… so I can't kill you," the Supreme Matriarch said.
Austin lowered his head.
Come fast, Umma… come fast…
He whispered those words silently inside his mind.
They were on an island in India.
A luxurious penthouse had been built there.
The Supreme Matriarch's eyes burned with hatred.
"Mhaira… I am coming for you."
"I will destroy the Murads."
She smiled…
An evil smile.