***Upper East Side, New YorkAlessandraThe car was parked at the driveway, prompting one of the available guards posted at the entrance to make his way to it and open my door."You can get out now. I have business to attend to."Draken's words were cold, dismissive and certainly out of character for him. Whereas he wasn't a very expressive individual, I had grown used to his ocassional jokes and the rare glimpses into his true emotions through the barely-there smiles and smart comments. Is he mad because of what happened at the funeral? Was he embarassed by the remarks made by Lucia? Does he feel disappointed that he didn't get to make his grand entrance like he wanted to?Every single speculation about why he could possibly be in such a bad mood irked and annoyed me. He had no right to be angry, not when my family had suffered the brunt of the shame and embarassment from Lucia's spiel.If anyone should be pissed the hell off, its me. I'm the one she came after...We had barely spok
***Upper East Side, New YorkAlessandra"Here you go. One glass of Iced Coffee with extra cream and sweetener. Enjoy."Frances stated as he placed the glass beside me, earning a wide, grateful smile in return. "Thank you. You are a life saver."I took a long sip of my favorite drink in the entire world, sighing contently at just how good it tasted. I was becoming addicted to Frances' way of making it and despite constant prodding, the man had completely refused to reveal his secret ingredients that made it oh so tasty."You really won't reveal the secret? I mean, I won't tell anyone. You have my word."I insisted once more, earning a laugh in return and shake of the head. The man was infallible and very good at keeping secrets as is. I guess it came with the job description what with him working for one of the most dangerous men in the world."If I tell you then it would take away the pleasure of making it for you. Besides, mystery isn't all that bad once in a while. It keeps things
***Brooklyn, New YorkDrakenI took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I glanced out of the window at the building before me. Within were the pioneers of the Criminal Underground. The old and new generation, gathered so as to discuss the fate of one of their own."I'm surprised they picked Brooklyn again this time. They usually don't repeat a location on these meet ups. The security must be insane."Ioann commented, a small frown on his lips as he also took in the building before us.The Mafia Men of our world did not conform to schedules or habits. They were a cautious bunch, a necessary skill if one is to survive in this bloody world we live in. They didn't like to take chances, give anyone ideas that would result in any sort of altercation.They liked to keep things on the down low as much as possible. Reduce attention on them from anyone that is not of our world. A reasonable undertaking for those who worked in the shadows and thrived off of them.Exposure was not an option.
*** Fifth Avenue, New York Alessandra I grinned at all the stores spanned out before me, feeling the familiar excitement that always came over me at the prospect of shopping. I did not care about a lot of things in this world. Shopping, well, that was certainly on the things I cared about. It was a way for me to get lost in the intricacies of the normal world rather than the horrid life I truly lived. "Mrs. Zolotov, I must remind you that we are yet to get the Pakan's express directive to allow you to be here." One of the bodyguards I had coerced into bringing me stated, reminding me of the small issue to my plan. An issue I could simply sort out. "I thought you were going to call him. That is what we agreed on." I responded with a simple shrug, earning a small frown in return as he glanced at his companion who seemed to be looking anywhere other than at him. I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement as I recognised exactly what was going on. Neither one of them wanted to interru
** Brooklyn, New York Draken I pocketed my phone, acutely aware of everyone's eyes on me. Ioann chuckled silently beside me as he shook his head, clearly amused by my ability to stun every single person in this room. Being able to hold that kind of power and attention, no matter the nature of the situation, still confirmed what we already knew. We had piqued every single person here's interest. They are within my bubble now and I will make sure some of them never leave... "Pardon the interruption. I'm afraid my wife required my attention for a moment. You know how it is...newly wedded bliss and all. Please do go on, Don Rinaldi." I made sure that my gaze was solely trained on the man I had come to enjoy pissing off. Emilio Romano watched me with a neutral expression, seemingly fooling everyone else in this room but not me. I could see the restrained rage deep in his gaze. He was barely holding onto his anger, trying hard to fight it because it wasn't supposed to be there in the
*** Brooklyn, New York Draken The man before me hissed, moving to come towards me when his attendant stood, placing his hand on his arm to stop him in place just as my men bristled from somewhere behind me, ready for anything. I held my hand up, stopping them as I granted the enraged man a sinister grin. "Sir, please calm down. This is not the right time and place to do this." His attendant tried to calm him, the two engaging in silent conversation that I ignored as I turned back to the individuals before me with a slight smile. "I had hoped to do this after the main agenda has been handled but I guess certain people have no comprehension of what patience means..." I leaned forward on my seat, my eyes travelling around the room as I prepared to drop a bomb and observe the looks on everyone's faces. This was one of the main reasons I was here in the first place. I needed to see, to know who was hiding something. Who I needed to hunt. Ioann bristled from beside me as did Kei
*** Upper East Side, New York Alessandra "Yes, place it right there please. Thank you." A sacharrine sweet smile graced my lips as my husband's men went about placing everything I had purchased in its place. I was excited, ready to literally jump outside my body at how perfectly my plan was coming together. This was everything that I wanted and so much more and the reactions from all around were cementing my decision even further. Whereas the guards placing every purchased item in place looked more so confused, I focused on Frances and Vladmir's reactions. The two men looked literally sick to their stomachs, almost as if they would pass out at any given moment. Faces pale, eyes darting between my ridiculous purchases and the location each of them was going to and my sweet smile, they seemed to be on the verge of a heartattack. "You really are stubborn as hell. I do hope that Mr. Zolotov spares you. I have come to quite like your company." Frances murmured when I stepped over to
*** Upper East Side, New York Alessandra "Vintage rugs." Draken murmured, taking in the colorful rugs all around the house that I had placed around to replace the sterile, mono-chromatic colors that had beeen present before. Gone were the black, gray rugs- all of which had been replaced with colorful vintage rugs that matched the white couches. An outside, objective eye would appreciate the meld of colors with the monochromatic colors of the couches and the walls but to my mercurial husband whose entire wardrobe consisted of black and navy blue suits, it was like a unicorn had barfed all over the living room floors. I had never been given styling freedom around the house. I was yet to explore my freedom to design a house to fit my own likes and although I had picked the most colorful rugs I could find in the store all in efforts to drive my husband mad, I actually liked how they turned out around the house. Gone was the sterile feel. The place somehow felt like home. We were no
***Long Island, New YorkAlessandraI stared at my little sister, a small smile on my lips as I took her in. She was radiant in her wedding gown, looking every bit like the gorgeous bride that she was meant to be. Her wedding day was here and although we had believed that it would be a day of sorrow, it had turned out to be a happier occasion than the weddings that had come before it.For one, she was smiling wide, readying herself for the massive change in her life with a man who seemed to care more for her than she had anticipated. Keisuke Satarou had revealed his hand on the night of the attack and although he had tried to play it cool afterwards, the sentiment had not worked as well as he had hoped. We now knew how he truly felt and it filled all of us with a sense of calmness to know that the two of them would be okay.They may not want to admit their true feelings for each other but they are perfect for each other. They are going to be just fine, especially now that everything
***The Hamptons, New YorkAlessandraI crouched low, reloading my gun as I did while the gunshots ricocheted all around us. Tori and I had been holding our own in the wake of our accident, the two of us watching each other's backs as we advanced towards the individuals who had attacked us. Although some of our guards were still in the fight with us, others had been killed in the crossfire.And we were determined to avenge them as we reloaded our weapons and shot towards the army of men who had been sent to take us for some reason."Who the hell are these people? And why the fuck do some of them look like our men?!"Tori shouted, ducking back behind our bullet-ridden car as our assailants pushed forward. My stomach plummeted at my sister's words, reminding me of the realization that we had come to several days ago. Draken had been determined to find evidence that showcased my Uncle's involvement in all the shady fucking deals. We had uncovered illegal dealings existing as recent as no
***Brooklyn, New YorkDrakenI stared at the man before me, knowing well enough that there was certainly more to him than met the eye. Zeno Rinaldi may have been involved in one too many scandals with his Father that had traversed the underworld but it had seemed to strengthen him all the more. Despite Massimo Rinaldi's efforts, word of the hate that existed between his heir and his twin brother was commonplace.Which was why he had been the perfect person to approach- or rather to wait on for a much more comprehensive conversation away from small talk. Although our relationship wasn't strained, there was a tinge of awkwardness that could only be explained away by the tumultuous relationship between our families.It had nothing to do with the fact that he and Suyin Castellanos had made sure to pass across their veiled threats on the day of my wedding...they were protective of Alessandra and I respected that...My gaze shifted to the heir of the Triad who was every bit as terrifying a
***The Hamptons, New YorkAlessandra"Thank you for your reassurance, Vittoria. I do hope that our families are united through this union as well. I would love to get to know you both as well with time if it's okay with you."Aysun shared, a shy smile on her lips as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. It was an unlikely reaction that neither Tori nor I had expected as she shared the same stunned look but we nodded eagerly all the same, glad to have gained such a great friend. She always kept her distance from people and was not easily approachable but she seemed to have warmed up to us considerably."We would love that. Thank you, Aysun."Granting us a final smile, she turned just as yet another couple of people walked up to pay their respects to her. Her walls were back up instantly, the unreadable gaze that was a familiar look on her and reminded me so much of my husband. It equally reminded me of the fact that she was a trained killer and one of the best at the craft i
***The Hamptons, New YorkAlessandra"Now remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do, malyshka. Play nice until I get there, okay?"Draken's instructions made me chuckle as I stared out of the window of the moving SUV. We were on our way to a formal event organized by the Sahin family. Although I had met the Turkish mafia's Don on very few occasions, she had been kind enough to extend an invitation not only to Draken and I for her younger sister's upcoming nuptials to one of the main Aristocratic families in the Cosa Nostra.The woman was an enigma, and the one and only female Don in the entire criminal underground. She was a force to be reckoned with many individuals choosing to stay away from her due to the rumours of her madness and ruthlessness. I, however, found her to be kinder than most with the familiar glint of hard brutality that was given in the world we lived in.She has to be tough to make it in this cruel world we live in...To stand at the top as she always does...She d
***Upper East Side, New YorkAlessandraThe ride home had been silent as we both seemed to get lost in our thoughts. Doctor Valentine had been incredibly pleased by the progress, recommending two sessions per week to continue down the right path of healing. Although I had been petrified at the thought of recalling everything, I was glad I did for the PTSD had distorted my memory, and made me bury it deep into my subconscious."It was my Uncle Salvatore. He had us kidnapped, the bastard. I've always been wary of that man but never would I have imagined that he had been behind that. I guess I always subconsciously knew that he was an evil piece of shit. I know Papa might not believe me but I should probably mention it to him. My only question is why? Why would he have kidnapped me? I'm not as valuable as Zeno probably would have been. I'm essentially insignificant in the grand scheme of things so why me?"I murmured out loud, earning a side look from my husband. He was driving us tonig
***I was in the back of the black SUV, windows tinted as always with two guards at the front. Mama was angry with me. I had defied Papa and embarrassed him at the event we had just left. I couldn't help it, though. The Serrano sisters had been mean again and I refused to let them talk ill of my little sister. I wouldn't let them bully us.Although Papa had been the one to banish me for giving them a beatdown, there was a proud glint in his eyes. I knew he wouldn't punish me too thoroughly. Probably a week in the basement or some gruelling training from Antonio. Zeno had been proud, Selene had been amused and Tori had hoped she could come with me. My siblings were my priority and knowing they had my back was all I cared about.At least I got to leave the boring party first. I was grounded but I was definitely okay with it. I didn't regret my actions one bit. The drive home wasn't as fast as I hoped it could be. I wanted to get out of this stupid dress. Mama always insisted on putting
***Upper East Side, New YorkAlessandraI stared ahead, trying not to internalize the place we were or the people milling about around us. I tried to process the decision I had made this morning- agreeing to follow the man sitted beside me who hadn't let go of my hand since we left the mansion this morning. He had stuck by my side even as he promised that his entire day would be committed to me.And now I know why...we're in a literal psychiatrist's office...I was moderately confused, alarmed by the fact that I had not fought off the man before me, stormed off and been incredibly offended by his initiative and yet here I was, Seated beside him, biding our time to wait for the Doctor to see us.Could it be because of last night? Because of yet another nightmare....They had been coming in more often for the last couple of weeks, some more brutal than others but lately, since the brunch from hell three days ago, I had experienced one of the worst nightmares since I'd left my childhood
*** Long Island, New York Draken I watched my woman walk away, revelling in her presence and her love. I could see it wedged deep within her gaze. Although the words had not been spoken, the sentiment was there and strong. I knew it would only be a matter of time before everything would be revealed. Everything was coming to a head, and soon, she would remember everything. She needs to know how long this has been simmering...how long I have longed for her and loved her... She had always been the one. The only one who owned me- body and soul. She was my Queen and I would worship the ground she walked on, always and forever. She had no idea how long I had longed for her. But soon, everything will change. Especially after all that has been revealed...Our revenge is coming to a head. Soon, this will all end...and I can finally be with her. She is my true reward, the woman I have been longing for all my life... I turned to gaze at the man before me, the literal scum of a human being w