3

Alessia and her father left the house and I was still in a daze. That woman. She was no ordinary woman. There was something about her. She had power, I felt it when she spoke.

I felt her strength when she twisted my hand back. She was also quite fucking hot.

Her father was a despicable man. I could sense it. He was fucking disgusting. Alessia never seemed to talk or laugh in his presence, not as much as she did. I could feel their animosity towards each other.

My parents looked at me with wide grins across their faces.

"Well, what did you think of her? She seems sweet." Mother asked. Sweet? I would not describe her as sweet. Oh, but l liked it when she swore. Father chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. Sweet was not a word we used in the mafia.

Fucking hell.

"She's fine" I lied effortlessly, for she was more than just fine.

Father beamed and patted my shoulder. "That's a great son.

The marriage will be held in two days. I will get someone to arrange it all. And all you have to do is arrive with a suit on."

I nodded slowly as l processed the information. I am getting married in two days. I don't know if I felt nervous or apprehensive, but I felt something. She was a fucking stranger. She seemed to be able to hold her own and my God, did she talk back.

My parents soon left after explaining some more mundane information about the wedding and the after-party. Of course, there would be an after-party, any excuse to get drunk. And in my house with my expensive alcohol.

I rolled up the sleeves of my black shirt to my elbows and poured myself a glass of whiskey. The amber-coloured liquid would help me relax. I was on edge and that could be dangerous.

Thoughts about Alessia invaded my mind and stayed put. How could such beauty be so lethal? She wasn't what I imagined. Not at all. Her skin was of the warmest caramel, her hair, dark and curly. I wanted to run my hand through it. And her body, fuck her body was ingrained into my mind.

Curves and muscles are in all the right places. Her eyes, however, struck me the most. Beautiful blue like diamonds. I couldn't help but stare.

"So what do you really think about her?" Kaden asked interrupting my thoughts. Of course, that ass was still here.

I sighed and faced my brother who stood with his arms crossed across his chest looking at me. "She's..."

He smirked. "She's. ."

I closed my eyes and opened them. "She's different. Not like other women." I replied honestly. She was. No one could have spoken to me the way she did and gotten away with it. I could see such ferociousness in her eyes, drive and power.

He nodded. "I think you'll like her once you get to know her.

From what I gather, she's as morbid as you are." He smiled and walked towards the front door. "By the way, you have a situation you need to deal with."

I scowled. I didn't want my mood darkened any further.

"Why can't you deal with it?" I glared at Kaden. Although my brother didn't sit on the throne, he still had jobs to do. Jobs he couldn't neglect.

"Because dear brother, I am not the one in charge. So have fun," he remarked. He seemed slightly drunk as he stumbled out. He left my house quickly and I was alone in my thoughts once more.

"Boss, everyone's arrived." Ramsay broke the silence as he waited by the door. I rubbed my eyes heavily and set the glass down.

Entering my meeting room, I was greeted by the sight of some of my men. They stood behind seats which were dotted around a large rectangular glass table.

I walked in and looked straight ahead as I made my way to my seat at the far head of the table.

I turned and sat down. I waved a hand and everyone in the room took their seats, quietly and quickly. There was silence in the room as I did not speak. I could feel the tension rise.

Ramsay cleared his throat. He stood behind me, being very alert.

"Who would like to begin," I said as I remained expressionless and cold. Several of the dozen men looked at each other as if they were choosing a tribute to my wrath. How pathetic. I wasn't going to get someone, at least not tonight.

One of the men who went by the name Sabre finally spoke.

That is a ridiculous name indeed.

The meeting went on and I was incredibly frustrated as time passed. I now had my legs crossed atop the table and another cigarette in between my fingers. My head was slightly tilted back as I listened to Sabre talk about the mafia.

What deals they have managed to secure? Or who they have pissed off. I was more interested in our position and the wealth acquired.

"We have had reports that the Russian mafia is doing extremely well. Well enough to threaten our position and to take over our territory." Sabre spoke as he waved his hands about. Everyone stilled as they watched him. I also stared at the overgrown ape and the hideous tattoos that covered his neck.

"There have been rumours of a rat in our mafia Boss."

Sabre said as he glanced at me. Why the fuck is he looking at me.

Thit a fist down onto the table hard which made a loud thudding sound. A couple of grown men flinched in their seats. I chuckled darkly. "Then find out who the fucking rat is. If it is one of you men right here, you are already dead. Got it? Send someone to infiltrate the Russians. I want to fucking bring them down until they beg me for mercy." I growled.

Sabre slowly sat back down as I rose from my seat. "Fucking Russians," I growled as I put out my cigarette on the crystal ashtray on the table. The smoke fizzled out but my temper did not.

"If I might add Boss, I have intel that the Russians are buying weapons." Another man spoke up. I glared at the man. "And."

I growled once more my patience wearing thin.

The man seemed to sink back into his seat. I slowly walked around the table. "if the Russians are buying weapons, I want to buy weapons and I want more...and I want to find out why they are doing so."

I stopped behind the man's seat. "You are in charge of doing that." Everyone seemed to fidget as they fiddled with documents that were scattered in front of them.

The man in the seat gulped, with the sweat beginning to form across his neck.

"You may leave," I ordered. I watched as everyone quickly exited the room, being escorted out by a few guards. I'm fucking agitated.

"Now was that too harsh Ramsay?" I asked my friend. He seemed to relax and smirked. "I mean the death stares were a bit cold." He chuckled.

"That's just my face." I chuckled. He nodded as he looked at his phone. He looked up at me. "Uh Ace, you have a problem."

I growled as I balled my fists up. "What now?" I rubbed my forehead harshly.

I headed upstairs to my bedroom. I heard loud crashing as the sound of furniture being broken reached my ears. I pushed the door open and was met with the sight of a blonde woman. "What the fuck are you doing here?!" I exploded as I saw the state of my room.

The entire room was wrecked. My bed was ripped apart and all of my clothes lay on the floor haphazardly. Torn and crumpled.

And in the middle of it all stood a fucking blonde.

A woman I've used more times than l cared to admit. I even dated her for twelve whole days. What a fucking mistake. I was young and naive. Not anymore.

"I heard you were getting married. How could you?!" She screamed, her voice high enough to give anyone a migraine.

She wiped her tears as she smeared her lipstick across her cheeks. What a fucking mess.

I sighed heavily. "Get the fuck out. I don't have time for this and I certainly don't answer to you." Did she really think I wanted her?

That seemed to piss her off even more as she attempted to throw a shoe at me. "I love you, Ace! What we had was special! Are you just going to forget all that to marry some dumb slut!" She shrieked wildly. I can't fucking be bothered to deal with her or tell her it was arranged.

I scowled. "She's not a fucking slut. So get the fuck out of here before I throw you out." I growled, my chest beginning to heave.

The blonde, whose name I'd long forgotten, started to whimper as she walked up to me. "But don't you remember all the good times? l could show you again. I need you and you need me." She whispered as she placed her hands on my chest. I felt her long false nails crawl over my shirt and move downwards.

I grabbed onto her fists and held them up to her face. She whined as she looked into my empty eyes. "I'm not a man to hit a woman but you are really testing me," I said coldly as I stared down at her.

Father may have no morals and I had very few but I could never purposely hit a woman. That was beneath me. The blonde stepped back when I released her from my grip. "Get out. I never want to see your face again." I said, the words as cold as ice.

She quickly left my room and I nodded at Ramsay. That woman wasn't leaving here alive. I would feel pity for her but that's what you get if you get mixed up with me.

I wondered again about Alessia. I didn't know much about her but I could tell she had high standards.

Would l ever live up to them?

Should I even try? Wait, why the fuck should I even try? I didn't want this. I didn't want her.