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 the
limousine. 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 in
his 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'm not happy about this!" Raul stated furiously to my father, letting his opinion on the situation be known. "Raul, stop it" My mother hissed at him. "You do not get a say in this, none of you do" My father spat viciously. I could see his breath from the air being so cold. "Take that jacket off immediately, once we get inside, do you understand?" My father
growled at me. I nodded repeatedly.The limo finally pulled up, and my brothers and I got into the car. My mom helped get my dress into the limo as my father sat impatiently. "Faster" he snarled at my mom. "It was you who wanted this dress" | glared at him angrily, reminding him that would've been perfectly happy wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt to the ball. My father's stare snapped toward me.
I had forgotten my manners for a moment.
I felt like shrinking up into a ball while his cold, intense glare was glued to me. "Do not speak to me like that" He hissed at me, showing his 'dominance! I didn't dare to stare in his direction; He grabbed my chin roughly and forced me to look at him. "Understand?" He growled, inches away from my face. "Yes," I uttered quickly and quietly due to the pain of him squeezing my chin. He released his grip on my face before scoffing at his thoughts.
My mom stared at my father in shock while Raul took my hand and held it tight. I sat in silence as I tried not to seem nervous. "You're bringing her to another man, the least you could do is give her a good memory of you or at least a decent one" My mom folded her arms sternly as she ignored my father. All my brothers stared at me but I couldn't work up the courage to look at them.
My arm interlinked with Raul's as we walked into the ball. I shivered in the massive hall due to the dropping temperature, where people were gathering slowly. It had just started to snow outside for the first time in a few years. "Take that fucking shawl off you immediately!" my father gripped the rim of my shawl and ripped it from my freezing body. "But father...." I voiced with concern. "Don't speak unless I tell you to, I'm this close to beating you" He hissed into my ear so that no one else could hear, making shivers run down my spine. He showed me the tiniest gap between his thumb and finger. Why can't I keep my mouth shut?
I saw a lot of people standing around and some were just staring at me; Don't they know that it's rude to stare? But sadly, it's one of the many downsides to being in one of the biggest mafias in the world; if they're able, they will watch you."Everyone always watches us" I muttered under my breath to Raul as we stared at the crowds of people. "They stare at me because they're afraid, they stare at you simply because you are beautiful yet powerful; like a rose" Raul smiled gently at me. "I'm sorry I can't stop this arrangement, I wanted you to find love on your own" Raul grumbled disappointedly as he shook his head, staring at the floor.
"Maybe it won't be so bad I shrugged, trying to look on the bright side when suddenly the doors opened and the room fell silent.
"It's Ace"
"Ace.....Hernandez"
"I've heard he's ruthless, merciless"
"He shows no remorse for anything he does"
So many whispers were flying around the room. I watched a few guards come in and there he was, Ace Hernandez. The man I was arranged to marry.
His footsteps echoed through the room, filling the crowds with immense fear. I had a bad feeling about him yet I couldn't help but watch his every move.
I finally got to see his face and he was very attractive. Not a single flaw on his face but he had to go and ruin it by being a murderer. I noticed the skull tattoo on the side of his neck. It was the symbol of his mafia but in way more detail.
His attractiveness was intimidating so I couldn't imagine how insecure the guys felt when he walked in.
Ace slowly scanned the room, girls practically drooling over him as he glanced in their direction. But then he spotted me. He stopped turning as he stood a few feet in front of me. He gazed at me from across the big hall, not breaking eye contact. He looked me up and down before noticing my father.
My father approached Ace very quickly, barely giving the man a chance to breathe.
"Mr.Hernandez, it's nice to see you again" my dad blurted out, reminding him that they had met. I had never witnessed my father so unprofessional; I could see him trying to bury his fear.
"Yes and your daughter, what is her name?" Ace uttered urgently, not
paying the slightest bit of attention to my father. "Daughter" my dad shouted at me.
Raul wished me luck before I strolled reluctantly toward my fathers. My other brothers couldn't even watch. Diego was facing the window. I don't blame them. Watching your sibling being given away, who would want to watch that?
I saw a smirk appear on Ace's face as I approached them. "Father" I nodded obediently.
"This is Ace, Ace Henandez" my father introduced him proudly, He seemed more proud of Ace than any of his sons. "Ace, this is my daughter" my father stopped speaking to my daughter. Ace turned his attention to my father. "So she doesn't have a name?" Ace questioned my father with a hint of anger in his tone. "She does, not that she deserves it" My father laughed expecting him to chuckle along but Ace's facial expression seemed unamused.
"What is your name?" Ace raised his eyebrow at me. "I'm Sofia Diaz" | spoke confidently with a polite tone. Ace held out his hand and flinched slightly. He frowned his eyebrows in confusion before I shook off my momentary weakness and continued to shake his hand.
"I assume this is who I'm marrying?" Ace announced to my father. "Yes you will be marrying Sofia" my father nodded, confirming Ace's thoughts.
"Okay, we're leaving now" Ace demanded as he wrapped an arm around my waist, forcing me to walk with him. "Can I say goodbye to my brothers?" pleaded Ace as glanced back, every single one of my brothers in shock. "No you can't" Ace continued to walk and forced me to walk with him. Ace opened the limo door and I climbed in; Purely because I didn't have a choice.
Yes, Ace was devilishly handsome, but he gave off a cold vibe. He looked quite young, definitely not as old as I had previously imagined him to be.
Ace sat next to me in the limo. The silence was deafening. I didn't want to speak or look at Ace. I knew that if I had made a big deal, he probably would've punished me like my father.
"Wayne will have your room ready when we get back to the house" Ace's deep husky voice spoke.
I nodded in response. "I'd prefer a thank you" Ace hissed at me, rolling his eyes. "Thank you" I mumbled, not feeling thankful.
It didn't make sense. Those gal Gala are usually held mainly for business and to build alliances so why didn't Ace try to align with people? I was probably asking a stupid question, he does control the biggest Mafia in the world so why would he need allies; Allies need him.
The limo arrived at Ace's mansion. "Ace you're back" A woman who was small and frail greeted him at the door with a cheerful tone. "Mamá, I told you to get some rest" I heard Ace say.
"Ahhh I'm okay, just a little sick, so let me see, who is she?" His mom asked eagerly.
Ace opened the car door for me and I stepped out. "Hi" I smiled politely as I held my hand out for her to shake it. "Ahhh she's beautiful" His mom embraced me in her arms.
"Where's my father?" Ace asked his mom. I tensed up at the word father.
"He is in his office" she scoffed, rolling her eyes at the thoughts of him which wasn't a good sign.
"Of course" Ace grumbled angrily while rolling his eyes.
"Let me show you to your room" Ace's mom offered while she beamed happily.
Ace was very handsome. He had light brown hair that was a good length, bright blue eyes, tanned skin, tattoos that stretched up his left arm, muscular but he lacked a personality. It's like he was empty, It's like he was a robot.
Ace strutted into the mansion and walked up the stairs. His mom led me to my room. "Ace picked out the clothes and furniture himself which is rare, I must admit" His mom explained as we walked into the room.
The room itself was beautiful. It was dark yet cozy at the same time. "Your clothes are in this closet here and if you need anything feel free to ask Ace" His mom smiled welcomingly after pointing her finger at the wardrobe. "Thank you" I nodded as I sat on the bed, not sure what to think about the whole situation. "Oh, I almost forgot, my name is Denice" she snickered after shaking her head at her forgetfulness.
"Dinner will be ready soon, dear" Denice uttered before leaving the room.
I decided to change out of my dress as it was uncomfortable and flashy.
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's POV :A few minutes had passed.We sat in the car and silence filled the air. I could tell she was upset. I'm not good with emotions but I can tell when people are hurt, mainly because I'm the one usually hurting them. She was trying so hard to be strong. I hate to see people cry, it disgusts me almost purely because of how weak they are.But when I saw a tear fall from her cheek, I didn't think she was weak. I don't know why but I just wanted to make her pain go away."Are you okay?" the words escaped my lips before I could even think about it. I saw her lip quiver as she shook her head, looking out the window. I felt a heaviness in my chest as I watched her struggle not to cry. I didn't like feeling this way.A sigh escaped my lips as I looked at her. "Maybe this was a bad idea" I muttered quietly as I rubbed my forehead stressfully. Sofia nodded agreeing."Did your brothers just ignore him abusing you?!" I finally asked. She stayed silent until she finally worked up the coura
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".