MY head hurts so so bad. I want to die. I'd just finished my math exam. My mouth still feels like I have a cotton but on my tongue.
"Why again did I agree to go partying a day before finals? "I asked myself as I walk back to my dorm. Lydia and Chloe already finished and submitted early, my guess? To go back to the dorms and sleep. It was my plan as well.And opening the door I guessed right, Lydia was lying halfway on her bed the lower part of her was on the floor. And Chloe?? I can't say, her neck was in a really awkward position.
And they were still both in their uniform guess they didn't have time to change.And I did the same flinging my backpack by my bed I got in and snuggled my pillow.
***
Someone was shaking my shoulder. "Dee" please leave me alone. "Dee!" Maybe if I ignored her, she'd leave me alone. "Wake up Dolores or so help me God, I'll give you a bath." "Urgh! Fine" I said getting up.Lydia was standing in front of me her golden blond hair was a mess. Chloe came out of the bathroom holding a bowl of water.
"No need for the water, I'm up already" I said raising both hands in surrender.
"We gotta talk" she said placing the bowl on a chair.
"Alright", I said folding my legs.
"So last night rocked big time" that was Lydia.
"Uh hu?"
"What happened?" Chloe said in a no-nonsense voice.
"We were so worried I thought someone kidnapped you or something. Number one rule of girl time, stick together" Chloe scolded. "I'm sorry okay." What do I tell them?"And then those hot guys in suit almost manhandled us to that car saying they were taking us to you. I thought I was being kidnapped!"
"Am sorry, okay" I said in a small voice, what am I gonna tell them?
"You were there one second and the next? Boom! We were worried sick. I for one thought you've been kidnapped or dead somewhere in a ditch." Chloe scolded.
"I second that" Lydia said waving her hand.
We both turned towards her and glared.
"I'm really sorry, I got in a bit of a problem." I need to think of something fast, can't really tell them about the family.
After the empty lot last night, the drive back with dark and dangerous and yes, I decided to call him that from now on. Dark cause everything was dark about him, from his charcoal hair to the black on black suit that hugged his muscled arms. And for dangerous, didn't need anyone to tell me that he was dangerous, hell everything about him screamed danger, Was a very quiet on. More like I was trying really hard not so freak out and scream bloody murder. I had also wanted to ask him where he was taking me then decided against it.When he pulled over there was another SUV in front of us. There i found Chloe and Lydia they seemed frightened and as i got out from the car they did the same and after asking if i was alright we strolled back to the academy and tip toed to our dorm.
I was asleep before my head hit my pillow but not before I got a 'you-are-so-explaining-yourself-look from Chloe. Which brings me back to this conversation. They gave me a look that screamed 'well'."My cousin saw me and the she was going to tell my parents" I decide to go with the truth, or parts of it anyways.
"Whoa! You mean that blonde?" Lydia asked. I nodded my head. "No offence but she looked like a whore" Lyd said. "Non taken, she's a grade A Bitch" I scoffed out. "Anyway, the owner of the club is friends with my family so he gave me a ride" could I come up with a better excuse? No way they were going to buy that."Mmm that makes sense" Chloe said nodding her head.
It does?! I try to keep a neutral expression."But seriously Dee, you never told us you knew so many hot guys. I mean that makes sense! You never swoon over cute guys here at the academy because you've seen more hotter guys!" Lydia all but yelled.
"That is so true for a while there I was wondering if you didn't have ovaries" Chloe deadpans with a flip of her hair.
"That is so so gross" I said as we all burst out laughing.
"But really if I wasn't freaking out of over the whole kidnapping thing, I would have jumped one of them" both Chloe and I stared at Lydia.
"What? Don't tell me you haven't fantasize about being Kidnapped and have wild animalistic sex by a guy who looks like a Greek god" she said with wide eyes.
"What!" I screamed and the laughter continued.
****
"And let the packing begin!" Chloe said with a fake French accent.
"Argg!" Lydia scoffed. I laughed shaking my head and walking to my closet. Good thing I didn't have much clothes. After a very gross conversation with my friends about sexual fantasies we got hungry and went to the dinner Hall. Chloe and Lydia pulled me to the 'rich' kids table where I'd seen Michael again. He asked me why I didn't come back to the party after my visit to the washroom. I'd told him that Lydia and Chloe wanted to go back to the academy so we left. After that there was an exchange of contacts. Sharing hugs and kisses as everyone said their goodbyes. Some students were even wiping teary faces. Making plans to hangout. It was a little sad. Now we were back in our dorm rooms to pack because everyone will be vacating the academy tomorrow. My clothes mainly consisted of tank tops, crop tops, and sweat shirts. A lot of shorts, leggings and sweat pants. This is one of the times I was glad I didn't own a huge wardrobe like my friends especially Lydia. The only problem will be my art supplies. I swear I had no idea they were so many. "Well, I'd have to throw them away." I shrugged. After throwing out what I didn't need which turned out to be a lot. I strolled into my dorm and made a bee line for my bed. "You done?" Lydia asked zipping up her fifth suitcase exhaling. "Hm" I nodded my head and fell on my bed. "Night Dee" "Night Lyd" and I fell into a deep slumber.*** I don't know how to feel as I see the familiar buildings that lead to my home, can't really call it that, I mean a home is somewhere you feel save and happy. Right? I should probably feel thrilled as we got closer. Aren't you supposed to feel boundless joy over going home and seeing members of your family again? Chloe and Lydia always talk about how they missed their family back at the academy.
I heard loud voices outside my room, someone was screaming like a banshee. I really don't want to know who it is. After the delicious lunch with mama, I went back to my room. Throughout lunch mother seemed out of it. Like she was sad about something. I told her stories about the academy and about Lydia and Chloe. When I asked what was making her distracted or sad, she smiled and covered it up. I just have a feeling it'd be something related to father. Was he cheating on her again? Or mistreating her. She wouldn'
Last night as I walked away from the living room, I told myself that I wouldn't cry and that it wasn't true, it couldn't be true. I told myself That I'd be strong. But as soon as I walked into my room and locked my door. The water works started coming. Loud sobs from deep inside me. Because I knew, I just knew that it was true. I was getting married and there's no two ways about it. So, I cried my heart out until my eyes closed and I slept off.
"Good morning, Beatrice" Carlos said and I am reminded of his presence. "Carlos, I didn't see you there" mother replied. "I should get going. You two have a nice day." He said as he stood up and walked out leaving his cup on the table no doubt expecting someone to get rid of it. "You wanted to talk honey?" I snapped my gaze back to mother. "Mmm. Yes" well where do I start. "Well, who is it?" I asked am not even sure I want to know anymore. "Who?" Mother asked feigning ignorance This time I shot her a glare. "I'm going to assume you mean your future husband" she said calmly. I was anything but calm He's not my future husband! I wanted to shout but decided to keep shut. "His name is Dominko Salvatore" mother said dropping the bomb. My heart jumped. I inhale, knowing his name doesn’t make me feel different. This still doesn’t feel real. "Hmm, Salvatore?" I thought out loud. That doesn't make any sense. Last night before I slept off, I tried to remember
"What is this mother?" I asked as soon as I saw her. Immediately I left my room I walked straight to the kitchen where I knew mama would be assisting with dinner.She froze for a moment before she slowly turned to face me. Like she's being preparing for this confrontation. "I'm sorry Lola. But it could not be avoided or prolongedfor much longer" she said slowly. “Its not like its happening next week for God sake” “Actually dear, it is…” she drawled out Swallowing a lump in my throat I pinched the bridge of my nose “Next week? Next week?” I drew in a deep breath needing to yell. “are you people kidding me?” “I’m trying to come to terms with the news I just got, what? Two days ago? And now this? what’s with the rush?” “We cant keep them waiting any longer. You turned eighteen two months ago you know how things are” I burry my face in my palms. I refused to cry, I feel like I’ve being crying nonstop for da
Now grandfather Alonzo and I walked arms and in arms to my bedroom on the second floor."You have grown so well in this two years Delores. Almost good enough to eat" grandfather Alonzo said just as we got to the second floor. Yuck! What do you say to that? "Er mmm thanks?" It came out more like a question. He chuckled, his walking cane making a tap-tap noise as we walked down the empty hallway. “Answer me Dolores, did any of those little boys give you a hard time? Touch you? I would be happy to make them loose it” "Nothing I couldn't handle" Touch me? Weird. Glad we were already at my door. Wouldn't have to answer any questions."You are so special my dear Lola. So very special you have no idea" grandfather Alonzo whispered. "Grandfather Alonzo could you please tell my mother I decided to retire for the evening?" I asked, a sweet smile tugging at my lips. "Of course my dear" he said
Looking at the mirror I see a dark gray eyes, perfectly plucked eyebrows and pink painted lush lips. A perfectly beautified face. My dark black brown hair was pulled into a slick bun at the top of my head. My hair looks shiny like soft silk.
For the next three hours I was introduced to so many people from my new family. I'd just manage to escape saying I needed a drink. Snatching off a glass of brown liquid. I took a sip and almost choked almost spat it out. "Well, hello there beautiful, you look smoking" a guy said from walking in front of me. He was quite young, around my age. But really attractive
My uncle was right, everything will change from now on, the Grecos, Mendoza, and the Oriente arms of the New York Families are no more. Though we weren't particularly friendly with the other two, it wasn't required for the business. The Greco’s however have always been closely allied with the Salvatores, it wasn’t because of that friendship that Julio was my father's right hand and his father before him, as capo it was my decision to choose my right hand, but for decades, that honor belonged to the Greco’s, until Julio fucked it up. With them gone, there is a gap, in the prominent families, and someone needs to take over for the business to run smoothly. As things settled, I just wanted some peace to be with my family, my children, I already missed so much. It was something I would never retreat, I kept them safe. I did what had to be done, even though it hadn't been my Knife in their throat or my orders. My actions lead to their deaths. And their deaths created a power vacuum, one
**“We have to leave here, get to another safe house we don’t know who else- this place has been compromised” Arms wrapped under my arms trying to pull me away. I was staring blankly at the Man I'd grown so close with. I didn't know what to do.“We can’t leave him here” Tears spilled down my cheeks. “You think I want to leave him? He was like a father to me, but I have to protect you, he would want you to get to safety”“Miguel…”“Now Lola, Now." he shook me "We have to-“ a phone ringing cuts off the rest of his words. Miguel bends down and searches through Matteo’s jacket to retrieve his phone. I crawl back to him lifting his head into my lap, spatches of blood stained my jeans as I run my fingers through his hair. “Please Matteo open your eyes,” I begged softly.He couldn’t be gone. He felt warm despite the blood pooled on the ground beneath him, he couldn’t be gone. He couldn’t...“It’s Matteo…” I hear Miguel say to the other person on the phone “He’s gone” is all Miguel says
I straightened at the sound of a car pulling closer. I know it isn’t Miguel as he’s in the next room, slowly tiptoeing to one of the windows and pushing back the curtains, “Lola don’t do that-“ “It’s Matteo” I gasped in recognition at the dark hair and family face of the man that exists the drive's seat. “It’s Matteo” I repeated “He’s here!” I announced as my heart began to race in my chest. “Stay here, stay down” Miguel ordered, as he headed to the door a gun in hand. I remained at the window, clutching my rounded belly with a shaky hand, the other fisted around the thick curtains as I tried to listen to their exchange. It went on for about half a minute but it was too long and then Miguel crossed back to the porch, he disappeared from my line of sight, and I moved to the door. The bottom of my oversized jeans dragged on the floor over my bare feet as I had left the zipper undone to accommodate my large bump. I’m standing behind the door when it opens and Miguel says “It’
“That puta was whoring around dirtying the family line-“ she gurgles, choking as red spills from a thin line across her throat. A hand flew to her neck eyes wide in shock. No one was allowed to speak of that, I took pains in ensuring it remained that way. The consequences would be devastating. I look at the blade in my hand then swipe the napkin beside her tea set to wipe the little blood at the end. I turned around and came to a stop at the dark figure at the entrance. Fuck. “Is it true what she said?” I observe his stance, the pistol hanging loosely at his side, my brows furrowed as I tried to figure out how long he’s been standing there, how much he heard, I let out a sigh, “Tommy…” He sucked in a deep breath, his empty hand clenching into a shaky fist. “Did you know?” Tommy asked calmly. I grit my teeth and wipe the blade once more, then I return it to the sheath strapped to my wrist, soothing down my sleeves to keep it hidden. I turned to my brother fully and asked “Wh
Bang! Bang! Bang!!! Gunshots sound as I make my way down the hall of an Italian-styled penthouse. The enemy tries to return fire, but they are quickly overwhelmed by my men. Martino Greco led me to Valentina's hideout like a mouse to the cheese. Pained grunts and shocked yells followed by the thuds of bodies heating the ground, and then quiet. Hmm. I walk in smooth strides past pools of blood, bodies littering the polished wooden floors noting the soldiers Valentina called from her mansion in Italy, I frown at the sight of a falcon tatted on one of the fallen men’s forearms, seems she hired some mercenaries also. Splendid. Last night Valentina sent her men to Mendoza and Orinete households while they slept and took them out in one swell move. It is why I can break in with little to no resistance, half of her man power is gone. Danilo inclined his chin at me then motioned up silently a gun in hand, corked and still at the ready. Chase and Emilio stand beside him each o
I stared out the window on the ride back. Like the two times we’ve gone out, I remain in the car while he checks the property, when he signals all clear I open my door and move to the back to get the kids. Miguel goes around the other side and gets started on Angelo’s seat, he undoes the strap holding the child to the seat and then unhooks the chair fully so he can take it inside. “Want to tell me what happened at the clinic?” he questions as we walk. I shook my head nothing. “You don’t really expect me to believe that do you?” “What makes you think I did anything." “Excluding the fact that you looked guilty as hell when we got back, there’s a tear glued to your lashes" he pointed one end of his bottled water at me, "Why were you crying” We entered the cabin and I unstrapped the kids to let them run free. “I just needed to use the bathroom quickly” I paused helping Angelo to his feet. “I called him” I admitted. His expression remains unchanged. “You don’t seem surprised
NIKO That evening I left using one of the hidden exist. There's a car parked under the bridge, I pull up behind it, leaving the engine still running as I look out the window, moments later a male form, wearing a black oversized coat blowing the wind takes long steps in my direction as far as his short legs can carry him, the side door opens and he drops down beside me, the smell of tobacco that follows him where ever he goes fills the car. I make no effort to his my frown. Excluding the fact that it was a shitty habit that kills the liver, I imagine it would make stealth impossible if they can smell you from a mile away. And I preferred to leave no traces, unless it was a warning that is. I have half the mind to ask him to exit my vehicle before he saturates it with his unpleasant smell but I need him tonight so I decided to play nice. “How did it go?” Martino Greco smacks his lips once, “Just as you expected boss, Maxim sent another offer, I did as you said while showing some
LOLA I’ve been teaching my twins simple words and pointing out items around the house for them. I once read that kids need contact with other people and other kids to stimulate growth, and I’ve been doing what I can to fill that role. "Nana" Angel mumbled pointing at the banana when Miguel walked past eating a banana last night.It is also his favorite fruit. Micaela liked peaches.I also roped Miguel into watching some soap operas airing every evening with me so I’d have something to look forward to and someone to discuss with. Soap operas were always better when you had someone to discuss them with. He acts like he hates them but I swear he secretly enjoys them. He finds it hard to understand the motives of the main antagonists and often wonders why the ‘good guys’ give so many chances.No one is that inherently good. Miguel had said when the main female character got played for the fourth time in twenty episodes. It's plain stupidity. he added his two cents, I shook my head with
NIKO -Months later... “Who can we count on?” Tommy asked his chin on his jaw. In front of me at the other side of the desk Matteo cleared his throat and the other turned to him, “Brenadi, Orisi, Ajello, the Sances are a given" he tips his head. With Chase one of my trusted enforcers the head of the Sances family, it was a given, I trusted him to keep his house in check, the others however, "The others will need more convincing" Matteo added voicing my exact thoughts. “That’s four out of twelve” Vincent grunted unable to hide his displeasure. “How can Valentina have eight over us, the bitch has been in Italy for almost three decades," Tommy growls. “Exactly, lots of families owe her favors, she ran this family before us with an iron fist and she never fully removed her claws while my brother was capo, that’s nearly four decades of loyalty from the New York families. "Enough time to amass a fortune's worth of secrets and debts to call in, moreover, a number of the men are too sca