The evening is warm, the summer breeze blowing through the hairs of three young females that push their way into a nearby club.
The club is boisterous, animated and lively.
Dim burundi lights and white foggy smoke set the ambiance of the lively club as the people dance to the rhythm of the music."I don't think we should be here" were the words that left the peach lips of the youngest girl, Alina. Her eyes raked the appearance of everyone it could spot in the club.
Her two older sisters, Vanessa and Leila stared at her dumbfounded."What?" She shrugged her shoulders at them going over to the bar counter.
"Why are you such a baby? I get you are the youngest but can't you atleast be daring!" Leila yells coming over to meet her at the bar.
"Why must you always be scared?" Vanessa concurs.
"Dad just said..."Alina tries defending herself but is quickly shunned off by her older sisters.
"Daddy's pet. Stop acting like you are the most obedient you know. It will not get you anywhere" Vanessa scoffs before leaving.
Alina stared at her silhouette figure disappear into the club and her eyes narrows back to Leila."Leila you understand me don't you? You are the eldest. I'm just trying to...""Save it" Leila immedately scowls before leaving Alina to herself.
Alina watches her sisters disperse and a sudden sting of sharp pains brews up within her.ALINA
I watch my sisters leave me like always and I suddenly feel a gag haul up to my throat. Why do they always see any thing I do as a threat?
It has just been this way ever since we were little. They don't consider me as a sister and are always quick to throw accusing fingers at me.Father loves all his children equally and I wasn't trying to proove that I was the most obedient and diligent just for his favour. They are my sisters for God's sake.
What will I gain from putting them in a bad light? My pain has me demanding and I immedately scamper towards the exit.
I ignore my sisters who also ignore my leaving presence as they twirl their bodies around men. The club has a stench of sex and alcohol soaring in the air. I wouldn't be surprised if people were having sex in the bathroom.
Reaching for the glass doors of the club, I mistakenly bump into a tall figure who walks into the club the exact time I reach forward for the door handle.
"Sorry" I mumble past him not wanting to stand and apologise further. I can barely even see his face because of how dim the lightening is in the club.
Rubbing my forehead, I ambled outside when an arm suddenly spurn me around from behind.My eyes meet with three men of equal muscularity and confusion washes over my face. Grabbing my expression with their bareful stares, they seemed so dangerous. The kind you shouldn't mess with.
"What do you want?" I ask putting up a stoic expression on my face."When you apologise, do it properly" one announces, flashing me dagger eyes.
My brows pull together. He wasn't even the one I bumped into so what was his stress?I could tell he wasn't the one even though I didn't see the face of who I hit but the outfits stood as a distinction.
"You aren't even the one I bumped into" I retorted back.
My irritation sours and my legs are itching to leave the area."My boss is" another replies taking a step forward.
I instinctively stagger backwards and stylishly reach for the pepper spray in the pocket of my jacket.The sun is setting and the horizontal canvas of pink and orange colours which decorated the sky is slowly transforming into starry blue colours. The moon is yet to appear but the stars are already gracing the sky with their presence.
All these features makes the streets dangerous and one can easily be harassed.I have no clue who these men were and why they were so keen on me not apologising properly to their boss.
"Well tell your boss I said sorry. I mumbled it when I hit him. Does he expect a feast for an apolgy?" I yell the last word out and pivoted immediately.
"He wouldn't be happy with that sort of apology" I heard from behind me. I couldn't make out who said it neither did I care.
"Then to hell with the apology" I cursed before getting into my parked motorbike.
My sisters can find their way home.* * * * * * *
Seated on to a broad sofa placed in the vip lounge of the club was Dante Morelli. His emerald eyes are stationed on to his capos who walk back into the club.
Skimpy dressed ladies flank themselves around him, hoping to get a response from him while a red haired grinds her lower region onto his crotch but it doesn't seem to get his attention as another thing eats him up.
"Where is she?" He demands.
Tommasso, one of the men replies, "she refused on giving you an apology"
Dante feels himself frothing on the inside. Who did that girl think she is to disrespect him in such a manner?
"Calm down Dante"Petro advises noticing how tensed Dante becomes. He takes a sit facing him."You three just let her walk away like that?" Dante tries not to yell but his anger gets the better of him and he pushes the red haired of him.
A screech leaves her red lips but she dare not complain.
"Take this and get out" Dante throws a huge bundle of money at her from an opened brief case."You all get out!" He yells throwing extra bundles at the ladies flanked around him and his capos.
Their eyes shone with distate at how rudely he treats them but the sight of cash has them drooling at his feet and they hearken to his command.
"Well you said we shouldn't harm her" Stefano reminds him, taking a scull of the tequila drink placed in front of him.
Dante runs his tattoo hands down his black hair, ruffling it mildly.
"Fuck. You both should have dragged her in here! Does she know who I am?" He venomously spits."I doubt---" Petro replies hesitantly. "Did you see her face?" He questions Dante.
A wry smile forms by the corners of his sensual lips. "Ofcourse I did. Though I bet she couldn't see mine properly"
"So what's the plan?" Stefano inquires with a brow hiked.
Dante steals glances at three of his most trusted capos, "The world is a very small place. We will definitely cross paths again and this time I'll make her apologise properly and pay for her rudeness be it the hard way or the easy way"
ALINA The air is cold and chilly as I stand in front of my father while he rages at me and my two sisters. I don't know how he found out we went to the club. This was what I was trying to avoid in the first place. Nikolia Fedorov, my father, is as brutal as he was forty years ago when he took the mantle of power. With a baleful glare enough to get men to pee on themselves and a voice that's as sharp as a two-edged knife, my father was not one to be messed with."Dad but what's the big deal in us going to the club? We've always done it" Leila rolled her eyes.He chuckles darkly. "I specifically made myself clear when I said I didn't want to see you three in the club. We aren't in Russia, this is America. This is Dante's territory and until we are done with what we came for and fly back to Moscow, I don't want my daughters crossing paths and making trouble with Dante"A tired sigh pushes past my lips which catches my father's attention. He shoots a glare at me and I go rigid.Wha
ALINA I slowed down in my steps and craned my neck slightly to check if my father's men were following me. Luckily for me, the coast was clear. I sighed a breathe of relief, my legs picking up little pace as I started jogging down the street.I had overheard my dad earlier in the morning instructing his goons to keep I and my sisters locked in today.I had managed to leave the house unnoticed but why did my dad want us locked in? I know it was normal for him to always limit my activities, I was used to all that but not my older sisters. I was the caged bird and they were the free ones.I wouldn't have been bothered if the rule only applied to me. It wasn't the first time that father prohibited my movements but for Leila and Vanessa, it was a completely new thing for them. I was a naturally indoor kind of person but I also needed my space to just go out and chill.The guards back at Moscow were no strangers to my schemes and tricky moves whenever Dad kept me locked in. But why w
DANTE That girl literally raised her hands on me. First was bumping into me and next she slapped me for saving her from thugs that could have harrased her.She is so daring. She didn't even mind the fact that I was with a gun.My capos were stunned at the fact that I let her walk scot free without teaching her a lesson. I wouldn't blame them for thinking that way. I am Dante Morelli. My years of training right from childhood has shaped me into what I am now--a fearless and dangerous mafia boss who shouldn't be mess with. And yet today, this puny girl raised her hands at me and I was left too speechless to even react.I was intrigued by her. She was daunting, vibrant and she clearly didn't give two fucks about my personality.I had never met a woman like that.A woman who could stand in the midst of hardened men and speak without any atom of fear at them. Minutes had flown by yet I couldn't stop thinking about Alina.Right here in the house of my adversary, Nikolia Fedorov,
ALINA Father's word still resonated in my ears every passing second.This was the height of it all.I had no issue in him taking away my freedom of movement but this concerned my future. His insane idea was going to be lethal to my life. How could he just decide to get me married to Dante without consulting me?Not anybody else but he was forcifully putting me up with his rival!Didn't he care for me!?This felt like I was on a death row. I know how cruel Dante is. I have heard countless stories about him and I don't need any sooth sayer to tell me that my future and my life was in danger if I went ahead to get married to Dante. I screamed through out the entire night, thrashed around my room and cried for hours in a bid to relieve the pain but it only seemed to get worse. Not only did I get a throbbing migraine, my worries only grew worse.Why is father doing this to me?My tears know no boundary and my eyes are weak from sobbing incessantly and uncontrollably.Why am I always at
ALINA The beautiful burgundi lit church hall was affluently decorated to match the class of elites in attendance. Soft classical music was emanating from the hall as hundreds of people sat in expectance of the union that was bound to happen. The lightening and decor was superb. Father must have paid a great deal for this. Hand in hand, Father walked me down to the alter.My steps were slow and yet graceful.My eyes roved around the hall, sparing glances at all those who were in attendance before finally locking with those formidable orbs.Dante. He looked very handsome in his tuxedo which hugged his impeccable muscles and showcased how perfectly carved they were. His black hair was slicked and let to cascade. A devilish smile crawled upon his face on seeing me. His eyes took in my entire appearance. He didn't touch me but his eyes touched my entire body and it seemed to even unclad me. My mermaid fitted style wedding gown had done justice in bringing out my slim curves. My hair h
ALINA I shambled myself into the back seat of the limousine, a sigh escaping my lungs.The sun was gradually setting, the sky in a plethora of orange and pink colours. Everything had finally been done. My wedding had gone through with ease and the reception was a success.Father had made sure there was banquet of delectable cuisines bountifully made available for the guest.The reception hall had been spellbindingly ornamented and beautified. One would think this union was a happy one.I watched everyone with a plastic smile on my face. I hated it all. I never imagined to ever get married in these circumstances especially not to Dante Morelli but I just had to.Now, we were on our way back to what was my new home. I stared at the window, my thoughts bedevilling. I would either die in the course of this marriage or live a miserable life. Dante took of his tuxedo and removed the buttons of his shirt. From the corners of my eye, I noticed he had his eyes on me."Don't you talk?" He hus
ALINAMy eyes slowly peeled open to the soft rays of the sun which found its way into my room through the partly opened curtains. I dragged myself out of consciousness and yawned. It took a while for my vision to adjust to this foreign environment as everything seemed blurry. For a split second, I had expected to see myself cuddled up in my room and my mind wondered on whose room I laid in until it slowly dawned on me that I was in Dante's Mansion and this was the bedroom allotted to me by the maid who had helped me settle in last night.Now with enough lightening, I was able to fully access the room.No doubt, my bed was huge and ostentatious. Though I was very drowsy last night, I had managed to observe the room but faintly. Now in the day, I had full access to marvel at the room I was in.My scarlet red bed was a four poster bed with white and gold patterned sheets, having a caramel canopy thereby providing a rectangular roof over the bed.Two long windows were situated at
ALINA Before they all left, one of the maids had taken the liberty to show me all around Dante's gothic yet heavenly mansion.The brilliantly lit hallways stood awe inspiring in illuminating our paths. I couldn't keep count of how many doors I was being led into. From Dante's study room, to the room which had all the cleaning supplies installed in them to the laundry room, the magnificent spacious library with beautifully designed shelves that looked like they were carved from the finest of woods. They were arranged alphabetically in rows and different books were stacked in them. The library had this aura of ideas, imagination and knowledge oozing all over as a result of the different antique of books stacked in the shelves. Dante even had a mini game room stacked with game equipments which got me surprised. I never knew he had a fun side. Now, I was in the kitchen in preparation for the arrival of his guests.I wondered who Dante was inviting over?Could it be women? I woul
Two years LaterALINA I sat with Dante on the bed, the bed we both had laid on for more than two years. He flashed me a concerned stare and I gave him a soft smile. In my hands held a paper which my eyes repeatedly looked at, trying to comprehend what I just read in the paper.It was a DNA report proving that I and Enzo were indeed related. Enzo was my blood brother. My elder brother.Honestly I am beyond shocked.Like what the fuck!?"How do you feel baby?" Dante nudged my shoulder with his.I sighed and took in breath. "I don't know what to even say. I'm speechless honestly. Like a part of me feels so happy that I found my family and yet another part of me is uhm shocked as hell. Like how did they let me go? Why did I get missing and away from family? Did they try searching for me? Do they miss me?" My questions were endless.After the incidents that took place two years ago and the revelation that I wasn't Russian, Dante had taken it upon himself to find my true family. I hon
ALINA "Careful Dante....no put your legs that way..no no don't apply to much pressure on your legs.." I pestered Dante as if he were toddler learning his first step. Dante groaned and sighed as we walked up the stairs leading to our room.I and Dante had just come back from a meeting with Nikolia's daughters. Dante had ordered them to leave America with immediate effect and keep away from I and him. He looked so murderous whilst speaking to them that they cowered beneath his dagger stares.They dared not counter his orders.Like loyal dogs, the two sisters agreed to Dante's conditions.Finally, that phase of my life was over and now I'll start a brand new one with Dante by my side. "I am fine Alina. It's been close to a month already. I can walk. I am not a baby ok" Dante shot me his perfect boyish grin and I rolled my eyes at him."Well you are still my baby sweetheart. You left the hospital a week ago Dante. Allow me to take care of you" I obliged as we trailed slowly up the st
ALINA "Dante will be fine. He won't die. He will be perfectly fine" I paced to and fro, wandering aimlessly around the hospital's corridor whilst repeating those words to myself in assurance that Dante would be fine.If I didn't say those words to myself repeatedly, I would not be able to breathe. Reminding myself of the hope of Dante being fine aided me in my breathing and reduced my erratic heart beat.It has been more than ten hours since we left Nikolia's home.I was worried as hell on the questions we would recieve in the hospital concerning Dante's gun wounds but Enzo told me that the Morelli's had private hospitals ran by mafia capos scattered all around the globe so nobody would interrogate us and we wouldn't have any legal records of whatever we did.It calmed me down a little but still, my fear soared to immeasurable heights on getting to the hospital.Dante had been in the Intensive care unit for so long and anxiety was eating me away slowly.The doctors won't let me s
ALINA"Dante!" I shrieked out, softly dragging him to lay on my thighs as the wet pool of his blood streamed around us."I-I am s-so-sorry A-ali-na f-for eve-ry--thing" Dante struggled for air, tears trickling down his eyes as I knelt beside him."Don't say that please Dante. I hold no grudge against you" I smiled admist my tears, but my features gave way to an even greater wailing. My heart, my entire senses, every cell in me was shutting down watching life seep out of Dante. My dress and hands were soaked with his blood which got me releasing higher ear splitting cries. My heart had a million drums in it and my throat tightened the more. I could barely even speak as I sobbed defeatedly on him. I could only quiver, my lips unable to form correct sentences with the rain drops still splattering on both of us."Dante please...." I finally found my voice, grasping on to one of his hand. "Y-you l-love me r-r-r-right?" Dante whispered breathlessly.I nodded vigorously."Yes Dante. I l
Like a movie, everything happened in slow motion to Alina.Fear soared in the air, overwhelming tensions and anxiety creating the ambience. Alina had her eyes filled with both fear, terror and relief on seeing Dante. She was hell scared but looking at Dante gave her comfort and strength. He was doing all he could to save her and the life of her unborn baby.But her heart was palpitating, her pulse rising to tremendous heights. Nikolia was trying to use her to get to Dante. She was the bait and he was the catch. She knew he wouldn't let Nikolia shoot her so the only alternative he had was to submit himself in.Alina couldn't let that happen. She couldn't stand and watch Dante sacrifice his life and mafia.Her heart broke into a million pieces as she saw the helplessness in his features. So she took a very drastic step that could cost her life.She could see the apprehension in his emerald orbs. He was warning her not to take an impulsive action. But Alina couldn't stand and wat
DANTE The ride to Nikolia's home felt like an entire century. My anxiety and anger boiled, tightening my chest and making it hard for me to focus on anything apart from Alina. My capos bickered unnecessary, rolling out plans endlessly but I couldn't even hear them.The only thing I could hear was the heavy thumping of my heart which seemed to resound in my ear, blocking out all other sounds.Nikolia gave me just twenty four hours to come meet him and hell was I ready to face that bloody motherfucker. Threatening me is one thing but kidnapping Alina and turning her into his punching bag is something I can't tolerate.I'll never tolerate it.I already feel like a big fool and an idiot for turning against Alina. I'm really trying to redeem myself.I fear Alina hates me already. Fuck.My mind is in turmoil.Whenever it comes to Alina, I go blank and nothing seems to make sense.I just want to go rescue her. I had no time to plan out a formation of men. The only thing I did was to make s
DANTE Everywhere was dead silent, the only sound being made was my shoes which paced around the tiled floors of my office. My anger was rising with each nano second and a bomb was ticking in my head. My sleeves were folded up to arms length and my shirt had a few buttons loose."Dante can you just relax for a moment?" Luca suggested. Luca, Enzo and Fabio were with me in my office, watching my sanity drain out with each passing moment.I snapped my heated orbs to face him. "I should relax?" I rhetorically asked, walking over to him."That bitch, that whore escaped and you are saying I should relax!?" I boomed, my Adams apple gobbling.It has been three fucking days since Alina escaped and I had not gotten any information about her whereabouts.It is like she just disappeared into thin air. I wanted to find her and bring her back so I can melt out my anger on her. She can't escape from me so easily.Luca sighed and moved away from me."Atleast you've found the maids. So just re
ALINA I slowly opened my eyes which felt like they weighed the size of a dumbbell.For a split second, I forgot what had transpired through out these couple of days and expected to see myself all cuddled up in Dante's duvets. But slowly it dawned on me that I wasn't dreaming, I was living a freaking nightmare.The hot rays of the sunlight filled the entire rooom making me realise that I had definitely spent the night in here. I blinked my eyes repeatedly in a fit of panic trying to make out where I was but I ended up letting out a shriek as I accidentally fell to the floor. I howled in pain and caressed my elbows, slowly sitting up straight.I pivoted to check what I fell from. I had fallen from a wooden red couch.I began looking around this somehow distinct room I was laid in, taking in the surroundings. The room seemed so distinct, like I had been here before or seen it before. The walls were painted brown.I looked forward and spotted a huge wooden table and also a swer
Alina Once I had made it outside, I kept on running as fast as my legs could carry me. I was very weary and tired but the race for survival was one I couldn't give up on. I ran holding back my flood of tears. I had no idea where I was going neither did I carry a single thing with me. I looked like a mad and dirty woman that just escaped the mental asylum. But still, I ran so fast with the fear that Dante might just pop out from anywhere. My adrenaline filled me up and my heart beat increased tremendously. After a while of running down the long lonely road of this posh gated community, I approached civilisation and slowed down in my steps. I panted heavily and tried catching my breath as I walked. I noticed the odd stares I was getting from people. They were probably wondering why I looked so unkept and dirty but I didn't mind their curious orbs. I kept on walking frantically, zoning out anyone who tried to talk to me.I still wasn't safe. Hell this was still Dante's terr