Chapter Two

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Long Island, New York

Alessandra

Papa's voice sent a chill down my spine, my eyes turning to find his as he walked through the door and past Mama. Silence reigned within the room, the darkness floating down to engulf us as we prepared for the wrath of his anger that always came.

"I agree, Massimo. It seems Alessandra is yet to learn her place in this world. You have failed in that respect, Nova."

Uncle Salvatore stated as he followed my father in, his voice chilling my entire body as he turned to my silent mother. For all the fear I beheld when it came to my father's fraternal twin and younger brother, I couldn't help the annoyance that settled over me when he spoke to my mother like that.

She seemed to sense my annoyance, her eyes relaying the message that I knew they would. I had to calm down, to remember that I was now in the presence of two of the most dangerous men in our world.

I was extremely conscious of the shifted environment, not only because of the change in the air but the pity in my sister and mother's eyes. Gone was the confrontational energy and anger. They both knew the result to come. I knew it too, knew that no amount of preparation would have given me any edge to face off with the two brothers.

My father said nothing to defend my mother from his brother's snide comment. Not that we expected him to. The woman's job in our world was to raise her daughter's to become the perfect bargaining chips. They were expected to mold them in the way that they were molded.

A man's job was to dominate, to grow his power and raise his sons to be strong future leaders. Men worthy of taking over and continuing the family legacy. That was exactly what our older brother Zeno was.

I held my breath, my heart beating hard in my chest as I watched my father look down at Tori's sleeping form. She was blacked out cold, sleeping off the wild night we'd had, oblivious to the danger lurking above her. Fear clawed at me at all the possibilities, at what he would do to her. We both knew the risks of our pull for freedom but I couldn't let her go through that.

She is my little sister, after all...She is my responsibility...

"You have both, once again, wasted our time and resources. When will you get it through your heads that your actions have consequences? That your disobedience reflects not only on me but the position I hold in this world?! Do you think I am going to let you tarnish what I have worked so hard for, Alessandra?"

My father's words were deathly low, the seething anger lurking beneath as he turned to face me with that ever familiar glare that he always beheld before he released his anger on me. Our shouting matches were legendary as was his restraint to not hit me. There seemed to be a line even he wouldn't cross.

The house arrest, hungry nights in the cells below the manor and long training sessions are certainly just as bad, though....His torture was more emotional and indirectly physical and I hated it.

"Well, if you hate it so much, Papa, then why don't you just let us walk away from all of this? Why don't you give us the freedom we crave so much?"

The backhanded slap was hard, so much so that it sent me sprawling to the ground. The taste of copper filled my mouth as blood leaked from my nose. Gasps from my mother and sister were the only sounds that penetrated through the ringing in my ears.

I had received hard hits before, during the training sessions we had been forced into. But nothing could have prepared me for this and from Uncle Salvatore no less. Yes, the man had threatened to smack me around before for my defiance but never did I think he would follow through.

I had always known that he was a man not to be messed with. A killer with a temper to match that was always unleashed upon his enemies. No one dared to cross him.

I guess I got on his nerves and reached his limit...

"How dare you disrespect your father like that?! How dare you talk back?! You are nothing but an indisciplined brat. A disgrace to this family. No amount of 'punishments' will make you learn. A firmer approach must be taken to showcase to the rest of the criminal underground that this house is under control!"

Uncle Salvatore stated, his gaze shifting to my father who said nothing, simply glared down at me. Although I was yet to look up to him, I could feel his eyes on me. Feel the chill he always made me feel whenever he was annoyed with me.

"I agree. Your ridiculous notions must be tamed. Thus, tomorrow will not only be an engagement ceremony for Emilio and Selene but also an announcement of your pending nuptials to Diego Moreno, the next Head of the Mexican Cartel and Vittoria's betrothal to Keisuke Satorou, heir to the Yakuza and future leader of the clan."

I froze at his last statement, my heart shattering at the declaration of Tori's future. We knew it was coming. I had been betrothed to Diego when I was her age. It was only a matter of time before our father made a decision on who he wanted to marry his daughter from the long list of waiting suitors.

He picked Keisuke Satorou just so he could separate us. He wants us as far away from each other as possible. Somewhere where we can't make any plans or work together to run from our fates.

I said nothing, watching as they each left the room at my father's orders. My mother and sister hesitated, each of them momentarily glancing at me before following his order. I did not miss my Uncle's smug grin, evil lurking in his gaze at my newfound fate. He was such an asshole, a sadistic bastard who thrived off my despair.

You won't be grinning for long, Uncle. You've given me exactly what I want...

I grinned wide once they were gone, collapsing onto the floor once again to stare at the ceiling. I was sure I looked mad, bloody teeth glistening under the light of the chandelier above me but I did not care.

Everything is going according to plan. It is a little early than I anticipated but perfect all the same. He has revealed the one anomaly to my strategy-Vittoria's fate, and now that I know what he plans to do with her, I can finally begin to make my own moves.

They all flittered through my mind, forming seamlessly into a sure fire strategy that would finally release me from this world and everyone who had any hold over me. It was time to take back my freedom, my life as my own.

I flinched slightly at the feel of the bruise forming on my right cheek. It was going to be a bitch to cover up with make up for the party tomorrow but it would be the necessary armor. My own battle garments for what was to come. I was excited.

Thank you, Papa. For giving me exactly what I want and for making my decision to leave your godforsaken life all the more easier. I will never look back.

Ever.

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