Sofia's POV
My heart raced as I walked down the hall, leading to my father's office, my footsteps were heavy and loud to let him know was coming his way.
I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly, hesitant to walk in. But I did so anyway.
stood confidently in front of my father determined not to let him see my fear. "Yes, father?" I questioned strongly, standing in front of his wooden desk that filled half of the room. It had papers that were wet from him previously spilling his beer bottle, which was now empty on his desk along with the others. The room was dim and his curtains were closed, not letting the sunlight through.
The intimidation was seeping out of him, yet his back was to me as he spoke.
"You are my youngest child, and only daughter" he declared with a careless but demanding tone. "You are going to get married to Ace Hernandez" My father put out his cigarette as he turned his chair around to see my reaction. My heartbeat froze from just hearing the name. Ace Hernandez as in the Ace Hernandez. "They own one of the biggest Mafia's fathers" I responded with fear in my voice. I didn't want to marry someone because of their power, I wanted to marry someone who I loved and trusted. Someone who will respect me and care for me.
"Exactly, you will meet him in a week, you will make a good impression or else there will be consequences, do you understand?" my father spoke demandingly, gritting his teeth in anger."
The stench of alcohol filled the room. He was drunk as usual, shouldn't be surprised as he has always been this way. "Yes, father" I stated, attempting to hide my anger and frustration. "Get out of my office" He grumbled turning his chair away from me. A tear rolled down my cheek as I shut the door quietly.
I strutted down the hallway, feeling stunned about what he had just announced to me.
I headed straight for my room, shutting the door behind me. I lay on my bed, feeling overwhelmed by hopelessness and shock. I had mixed emotions; I didn't know this man. Ace could be abusive, aggressive, violent, loud, and even worse, a drunk like my own father. Not to mention Ace does not have the best reputation in the Mafia. I could be stuck with a man who's exactly like my father and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
Lost in my thoughts, I heard a light knock on my door. "Sofia?" my mother uttered softly before entering my room. "Mamá" [responded sadly as frowned, finally letting the sadness consume me. My mom wrapped her arms around me, trying to comfort me the best she could.
I was upset but I couldn't change the situation so I'll just have to accept it.
She rubbed my back soothingly, trying to console me. "Your father told me today what he was planning, I wouldn't have let him if I'd known sooner" she tried to hold back the emotion in her voice. "I know" | sighed, hugging my mom tighter than before. "Your brothers are not going to be happy about this, especially Raul My mom shook her head disappointedly, not able to make eye contact with me.
Raul was my oldest brother and surprisingly got along with him the best. I have 4 other brothers so 5 in total. Raul, Stefano, Marco, Javi, and the youngest boy Diego. We're all only a year apart.
We are all Spanish but my father had forbidden us from learning even a word of the language because he uses it to talk to his friends and Mafia alliances so we can't listen to the conversation and know his ideas unless he wanted us to.
"Anyways, come down and eat with your family, dinner is ready" My mom spoke calmly as she stroked a strand of my loose hair behind my ear. She stood up and walked out; I followed my mom downstairs shortly after.
"Heyyyy Sofia" Raul cheered, hugging me before noticing that I seemed upset. "What's wrong?" Raul asked worriedly, making all my other brothers stare at me. "Nothing, just a long day" smiled reassuringly, sitting down at the table. I watched my father walk in with not care in the world.
We all ate and everyone was talking about their day. "So Sofia, how was your day?" Diego questioned me. My father stared at me sternly while he cut his steak, his harsh look warning me not to tell them. "Boring" I replied with a small smile before cutting into my own steak awkwardly. They all blinked at me a couple of times, but I shrugged it off before going back to talking.
"I have an announcement" my father's deep voice boomed from the top of the table, grabbing our attention immediately. All my brothers immediately stopped talking instantly since it was one of my father's many rules.
If I talk, stop what you are doing immediately and listen.
"Your sister is getting married soon" He declared, standing his ground. I saw Raul's face drop and suddenly become flooded with rage. "Surely you can't be allowing this?!" Raul jumped up angrily. "Sit down boy, I haven't finished speaking" My father spat at Raul causing him to slowly sit back down in fear.
Don't disobey my rules or question them.
"It was my decision" My father's voice echoed through the room. "She's only 18!" Marco slammed his fist on the table in anger. "How can you allow this?" Diego yelled disgusted at Mamá. "She's the youngest of us. all, you can't do this!" Raul pointed furiously at me while my mother tried to calm him down. I sat at the table quietly, unable to eat my food.
The table was chaotic with the noise of my brothers as I stayed silent, not wanting to add to the commotion.
"STOP" my father roared, scaring us all. "I have a headache and I don't have time for this arguing, it's happening whether you boys agree with it or not" My father spat through his gritted teeth, before walking out of the kitchen. My father never called my brother's men, I think he does it to belittle them.
Raul left the table and stormed out of the room; He was more upset about this than I was.
"You be careful" Stefano warned me, pointing his knife at me. "Yes, I will be" I nodded reassuringly, trying to finally put this argument to rest. I knew no one could change my father's mind, he has always preferred the boys anyways.
"We have to go train Sofia, we'll be back soon" Javi got up from the table and patted my head as he walked by, making me smile slightly. Diego, Marco, and Stefano follow close behind Javi. My hair was a mess by the time they had all finished patting my head.
I smiled and shook my head while fixing my hair. They still treat me like a child.
"Your brothers adore you" My mamá spoke up, staring at the food on her plate with regret. "Raul couldn't even look at me, he was so disgusted" my mother mumbled as a tear ran down her cheek. "Mamá, it's okay, it's not your fault" I reassured her as I washed my plate at the sink.
"He told me just before he told you, was so angry but it was out of my power, I just hope you understand" My mom strolled over to me.
She brushed my hair out of my face with her hand. "I love you, my baby" She grabbed my face gently, planting a kiss on my cheek. "I love you too Mamá" I responded with a soft tone. "You will be okay, do you understand?" My mom raised her eyebrows at me questionably. nodded slightly before she pulled me into her arms once again.
"I don't want to go" finally admitted as she held me close. "You can't
be stuck in this house forever" My mamá muttered to me.
"What about school?" I panicked as I stared worriedly at her. "You will still go to school, well, that's if Ace allows you" my mom froze thinking of him.
Ace had a cruel and merciless reputation that has not been broken to this day. Although I haven't heard anything in particular about him. It's like everyone in the Mafia knows who he is but he's still mysterious in a sense.
Exactly a week had passed.Today was the day, I was going to be introduced to Ace.I am supposedly going to greet him at a party where all the men and women dress up so hopefully, another woman will catch his eye. We dress up so dramatically to show off our money, not to mention you want to be the most attractive person in the room. Anyway, my father said it's arranged so even if Ace did find another girl attractive, he couldn't have her.I had my dress on.I had done my makeup and my mom had finished doing my hair."You look beautiful my princess," my mom said as she held my hands in hers. "Thank you mamá" I replied with a small smirk before Raul knocked on my door.Raul escorted me down to the front door as we waited for thelimousine. My father finally came out of his office, minutes before we had to leave."The limo is on its way" He rolled his eyes with no sign of emotion inhis voice; He couldn't wait to get rid of me. I didn't look at my father,purely because I didn't have to
I took off my heels as I heard Denice shout up to me."Dinner" she yelled up the stairs.I wandered down. I didn't know these people and yet I was about to have dinner with them.I saw a man sitting at the table. His back to the entrance of the kitchen as he sat at the top of the table; He was very intimidating like my own father."Sofia, this is my husband, Kai" Denice introduced me. "I'm Sofia" | responded quickly with a warm smile before sitting down next to Denice.Theard heavy and fast-paced footsteps heading this way from the hall. "Fucking Vipers" Ace snarled at his father before sitting down. He clenched his jaw angrily, trying to calm himself down. "Mamá how was your day?" Ace asked, his tone shifting as he tried to take his mind off of his Mafia. Ace clenched his hands together, resting his chin on them. I noticed the tattoos on his fingers, leading down his arms. He had a few on his hand and then a sleeve of them going up his arm.I focused on eating and tried not to make
I groaned as I heard my alarm. I slowly got up and changed into some clothes for school.I walked downstairs to see a black school bag and school materials lying on the table. Who got this stuff for me? I could've just used my old materials but I'm grateful. My father refused to buy new materials each year so I've been using the same things for as long as I can remember, Except pens, I always have to replace them since they just seem to disappear. I sat at the table while I looked through the bag. "I hope that's okay for you?" Denice asked, appearing out of thin air and almost frightening me."Yeah it's great, thank you" I spoke groggily but as politely as I could while I rested my head on the table. I eventually noticed the time and it was almost frightening me."Yeah it's great, thank you" I spoke groggily but as politely as I could while I rested my head on the table, I eventually noticed the time and realized I had to leave. "Have a good day" Denice smiled warmly as she waved. I
We sat at dinner.I quietly ate as the three of them talked but I knew I wanted to ask about my brothers. I've never lived without them and I never want to."Could be allowed to see my brothers?" I finally asked, working up the courage considering the last time I tried to speak up at dinner, almost got into some serious shit.Ace's deadly glance shot toward me. I froze when his eyes met mine and were unable to speak. "No" His deep voice responded quickly with a slight grumble of irritation. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. I loved my brothers, not being allowed to see them was torture."Please?" I almost begged at the table with a soft tone so that I didn't come off as demanding.Ace's father began to chuckle evilly.The expression on Ace's face became more irritated. "How dare you!" Ace's father's voice boomed through the empty dining room suddenly, filling me with fear.I saw the lifeless expression on Ace's face as he just watched his father. "I'm sorry I muttered worriedly as
"Sofia! You're here" Olivia practically jumped into my arms, greeting me with a friendly smile. "Hey" I giggled embracing her. It was lunch."Blake's been looking for you since the first class" Olivia glanced at me, almost as if she was worried for me. "Is he ok?" I asked her, remembering what had happened. "For the most part, yeah" She admitted after rubbing the back of her neck stressfully."Oh shit, here they come" Olivia muttered nervously. I saw Ryder and Blake along with the rest of the football team. They owned the school which I hated; Everyone followed and loved the football team.I saw the guys turn their attention to me and Olivia. Ryder strutted over to me and Olivia. I saw Blake's face. He had a huge bruise on his face from where Ace had punched him. It was a dim purple color with a hint of dark blue running through it."Olivia, go wait over there" Ryder growled at her. "No she's my Fri- NOW" Ryder shouted aggressively, scaring Olivia and me. I've witnessed Ryder be very
We finally arrived at Ace's mansion."Is your mom and dad home ?" I questioned worriedly, as blood dripped from my mouth. "No.....thankfully" Ace muttered the last part under his breath but I heard it as well as the relief in his voice. I wonder why he hates his parents so much. His mom seems very caring, and yeah, his father threatened me but that doesn't mean he's hurt, Ace."Sit here" He pointed to the counter and I hopped up. Ace came back 5 minutes later with a cloth, antiseptic liquid, and a first aid kit."Can you stitch?" I asked in pain. "Yeah, I learned when I was 10. My mom thought I might need it when I'm older" Ace frowned his eyebrows stressfully as he threaded the needle. "Is there no numbing stuff?!" I squeaked worriedly. I saw the slightest smile appear on his face but was quickly faded. "No, you'll probably pass out" he joked with a serious face. "That's not funny" I scowled at him to see his usual frown was softer than normal."Ok," he sighed holding up the needle a
I waited upstairs patiently as I tried to wash the blood out of clothes in the bathroom sink.The blood had already stained. I felt like crying, I always fuck everything up. I leaned against the wall as I gave up hope of getting the stain out. I slowly slid down to the floor, my bloody hands covering my face.I was so exhausted from living this lifestyle; I was tired of the constant violence that came with it.A tear rolled down my cheek as I shook my head.Suddenly the door opened."Oh I'm- are you ok?" Kaylo noticed my tears. "Oh yeah, I'm fine" I smiled as genuinely as I possibly could, wiping the tears away. "You're crying" he looked confused. "Did Ace do that?" Kaylo almost sounded angry."No- he helped me" I muttered as I turned and faced the mirror. "Ace? Ace Hernandez helped you?" Kaylo chuckled. I frowned my eyebrows at him curiously. "You must have him confused with someone" Kaylo smiled, shaking his head at my unbelievable sentence."Ace hasn't ever helped anyone" Kaylo smi
We all sat around the table. My mother introduced herself and we all continued talking."I wasn't expecting you to come back so soon" my father voiced to me from across the table. He grabbed Ace's attention as well as mine. "Oh yeah, I decided to come to visit" I shrugged as I watched my mom. "It feels like nothing's changed" My father smirked evilly knowing that what he said would hurt me.I glanced down at the table."She's made a big difference in my mafia so I'm surprised there's no difference here" Ace announced as he lit his cigarette. My father's face instantly dropped from an evil smirk to a blank expression. "Everyone wants my wife" Ace pressed his lips against the smoke, savoring it. "But no one can have her except me, she is mine". It's like Ace was subtly threatening my father even though nothing he said was true."Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom" I smiled politely as I stood up.I strolled down the hall into the bathroom. I shook my head as I stared in the mirror. I
Ace rose from his office chair for the first time in days, and put on his iconic black suit. I've never witnessed a man wear a suit so much.He did his hair and buttoned up his shirt.I stood in-front of him."What are you doing?" I asked, acting like he was crazy."What do you mean, 'what am I doing?'" He widened his eyes at me."Why are you getting all dressed up?" I asked, pretending it was obvious."Because I want to look good," he responded blankly, blinking a few times. He was so clueless, it hurt to watch."Are you joking? Do you not know women at all?" I questioned him, starting to unbutton the top of his shirt. I ruffled his hair and his heartbroken appearance was falling back into place. Ace stared at me, his expression was emotionless. I couldn't help but laugh at him because I knew he was annoyed that undid everything he had done."Tell me you're joking, I'm not going to see her like this." Ace threw a tantrum."Ace, I'm telling you, she'll see it all over your face, that
What the fuck had happened?I hadn't been asleep for that long, had I?Where's Sofia?Where's Ace?Those questions kept playing in my mind, like a record player on repeat, as I drove Dante to the hospital. He was clutching his arm, which was bending the wrong way. I was worried; for him, for us, for everyone. There were cracks in our friendships and they were beginning to show."I can't believe he did this," Dante spat, clearly attempting to distract himself from his arm."What the fuck happened?" I snapped suddenly, which seemed out of the blue for Dante but I still hadn't been told anything about what had happened. I was still in the dark and he wasn't shedding any light on the situation."I was just in the living room, until I heard Sofia and Ace arguing from the kitchen. I hadn't really ever heard them argue before so I stood up from the couch, and all of a sudden, Sofia storms through the living room, not even looking at me. She heads for the hallway and leaves.The girl just lef
I was in my room with Dante, watching a movie. He had expressed that he was beginning to dislike Sofia because she was taking up so much of Ace's attention. More like she wasn't giving Dante any. I blocked out his rambling by focusing on the tv. "Are you even listening?" Dante sneered. "Yea, yea, we don't like Sofia, I get it," I mumbled, stuffing more popcorn into my mouth. "You don't understand." He sighed. "I do," I said, my attention turning back to the tv as a really intense moment happened in the movie. I could hear his voice in the back of my mind, but I wasn't concerned. Dante wouldn't hurt a fly and he certainly wouldn't hurt Sofia. Plus I'm sure Ace would murder him if he tried. I hadn't spoken to Sofia since the day I found her in my room. I hadn't saw her and I didn't know if it would be awkward. I kind of disliked her but it wasn't hatred anymore. I had given up on hating the girl for no reason; but just as I let my vendetta go, Dante begins his. This girl couldn't ca
"What pitstop?", Dante asked, unbuttoning his suit jacket and taking it off. "It's just a quick one", I reassured him. We climbed into the Porsche and drove away from the murder scene, knowing we'd never have to face the consequences of our actions. It was strange; being able to murder someone and not end up in prison. Even if police came knocking on Ace's door, he'd either pay them off or they'd go missing. Ace made his message loud and clear to the government. If they didn't let Ace go about his business, there would be war, and he would win. "Do you ever think about the things we do?" Dante muttered, as if he was thinking out loud. "Sometimes." I replied quickly, watching the trees go by through the window. "Do you think we're bad people, do you think karma exists?", he questioned, his concentration on the road yet his mind was somewhere else entirely. "No, i think we're just morally fucked." I answered, glancing over at him. "Yea, definitely fucked alright. I doubt any of u
"I'm not here to fight you Alex, as much as I'd like to. I've brought you here, to tell you I need Leonardo back. After all he is your brother. Well....half brother" he stated, and I swear I could've been sick. He didn't look anything like me and that's when it hit me. Yes, he didn't look anything like me, but he looked like Avery. The same dark hair and eyes. They couldn't have been brothers. Leonardo couldn't have been more of his brother than me.It couldn't of been possible. He was only his apprentice. Surely he wouldn't leave his son..... oh my god.I was so confused. Leonardo didn't have the same second name as Avery and I; then I felt like someone had stabbed me in the chest, I couldn't breathe. Anderson was my mothers surname. Not my fathers. I never knew it wasn't his, but the look on her face said everything. I never got the name Accardi because he didn't want us to be associated with him. I had lived my whole life never knowing my fathers name. I was going to be violently s
We walked through the empty apartments, choosing to take the stairs over the sketchy elevator. I'd rather not get stuck and die in an old elevator. There was so many flights of stairs and Dante was already sweating by the second one. The paint on the walls had peeled so it was a patchy mess. The stairs themselves were dirty, as if a cleaner had not been here in months. I didn't dare to touch the handrails.As we trudged our way up the stairs, a man who was clearly a drug addict passed by us, throwing us a glare. Dante took it to heart."Why did he look at us like that? I'm offended." He muttered, slightly out of breath."Dante only people that struggle live here, and I'm sorry but we don't struggle anymore because of Ace, you came here in a suit for godsake!" I rambled, which only made Dante more defensive."What's wrong with my suit? I like my suit, thank you very fucking much!" He argued, rolling his eyes like a child."I like the fucking suit Dante, but I'm just saying, these peopl
I had been busy the last few days with mafia related business, so I hadn't been home much; but I was today."Why do you eat so fucking loud?" Ace grumbled to Dante who was eating my cookies in his office. He was slouched in the chair and looked miserable for some reason."What is your problem, bitch?" Dante asked, spewing cookie crumbs everywhere. The palm of my hand slapped my forehead. These two were idiots, I'm living with idiots."Would the both of you just shut up?" I hissed."Fuck you Ice," Dante sneered."Fuck you Dante," I spat, scowling at him."Yeah, fuck you Dante." Ace glared at him."I'm leaving, fuck this," Dante snapped, suddenly becoming angry. I didn't think he was joking, but Ace carried on with the joke."You're a pussy." Ace rolled his eyes."I'm a pussy?" Dante sneered, turning back around and walking towards Ace."You heard me," Ace said, with a big smirk across his face."I'm the fucking pussy," Dante shouted, sounding as if he was in disbelief. "Says the one wh
I hadn't left my room in days, Dante had tried to bribe me out with food but little did he know, I'd rather not eat anyway.I had fallen deep into depression, deeper than I had ever gone before. Breathing was difficult. I stared at the blank wall, trying to process my thoughts. I had nothing left anymore, no revenge, no purpose.Until I heard a knock at my door."Ice, you might want to see this!" I heard Dante say urgently, he was behind the door."I don't" I rejected his proposal."Is this you?" He asked, and it caught my attention. What was he talking about?I climbed to my feet with a groan and unlocked my door, opening it to reveal Dante. He held a golden locket in his hand, which dangled gently."It's a locket?" I rolled my eyes about to shut my door again."No look," he pleaded before I turned back to him.I watched as his chunky finger pressed the smallest button on the side of the locket. It opened to reveal a picture of Avery and I as kids. My eyes widened with disbelief as I
My fist pounded against Ace's door as I stood outside furious."Ace, open the fucking door!" I yelled, Dante still sitting in the car from shock.I saw a silhouette of a figure approaching the door and unlocking it. I swung the door open and it revealed Ace."What the fuck were you thinking?" I shouted, waving my arms in the air with panic. "You could've gotten yourself killed"."That would've been so tragic" Ace smirked, as we made our way down his hallway towards his kitchen."I'm being fucking serious, you could've gotten yourself killed. Look at Dante, I had to drag him from the ball, he's so traumatised. I had to kill some innocent girl and you get to walk away?", my face becoming twisted with disgust. "How is that fair?"."None of it is fair Ice, you fucking idiot, I'm the mafia boss so I decided what I can or can't do. Keep yelling at me, it won't change the outcome!" He sneered back, his pride so unbelievably high."You ruined yourself, do you realise that?" I spat, "ruined".