Russo's povApart from my phonk playlist, the kind of music I enjoy listening to are the sound of metal scratching against the wall, the sound of a gun when it goes off and most certainly the blood-curdling screams of my victims. I gripped his jaw one last time, staring at him squarely in the face. “The tattoo on your chest is from the Al Aziz Brotherhood. Who sent you? Ah Kash? How is your older brother?”“Fuck you!” He spat his blood on my face.“Wrong answer!” I drove my knife into the same spot I had been stabbing for a while on his lap and his screams filled my ears.“Jesus!” Mark shivered as I turned my gaze on him. “Jesus isn't here with you, dear Mark, I am.” I wiped my face with the kerchief Marcus offered me.He tried to get off the chains by binding his hands but he couldn't. They were too tight. “Did you really think you could escape?” I grabbed a chair and took a seat in front of him.“Hey, man. I don't know what you're talking about. Let me go.” Mark's eyes darted aro
Valentina's povI watched mom pass me a cup of coffee with a look of concern etched on her face. “Are you alright, baby?”I put the mug to my lips and took a sip to avoid her question. I've been avoiding this question all morning and she goes asking it again. “Val,” she reached out to touch my arm. “What's wrong?”Looking at her made me feel more guilty. For as long as I can remember, I've always brought trouble to her door step. Was it when I cussed at dad and ran away from home? Or when I got into a fight with the neighbor's kid? Or when I first stole with my first ever boyfriend. I have always been trouble to me and she'd always welcome me with open arms. Was it because she was the one that gave birth to me or was this just a side effect of divorce? “Val?” She called again and I snapped from my train of thoughts. I cradled the mug in my hand, staring at the brown ripple I made when I moved the mug. With a light exhale, I lean back in the dining chair. “Do you remember how you f
Valentina's povAs I walked back to mom’s house, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I slipped into a dark alley and cupped my hand over my mouth. Just then, a dark hooded man walked past me. Christ, I was right. I was being followed. Quietly, I leaned closer to take a peek. He was nowhere in sight. After waiting a heartbeat or so, I stepped out of my hiding place and broke into a sprint. I didn't look back till I got to the house. “You’re home early,” she said with a small smile. Her smile fell when I slammed the door behind me. “Are you alright?”“Yeah.” I held out my hand and she took it. “Why did you run?” She put her hand on my forehead.“I…uh…need to use the bathroom.” I ran past her.She stifled a laugh. “This is why I’ve always told you to never hold your pee. Why do you do that?”“I’m clumsy, remember?” I reply with a nervous chuckle running my way up the stairs. I got to my room and bolted the door just on time for Mark's phone to ring. The calle
Russo's povThe whiskey left a burning sensation in my throat and I inhaled softly. Tonight was Sir Bianchi’s birthday and everyone will be at the club.“Don…” came a quiet knock on the door.“Have you retrieved the phone?” I asked without receiving who was behind the door.“Not yet, sir, but I have a development.” The guard said.“Enter.” I said, not taking my eyes off the view of the city.“Good evening, Don,” the guards bowed his heads. I gave him a languid wave of my hand. “Get to the point.”“I did not find Mark's phone but I know who has it.” I instantly knew who he was talking about. “Valentina.”“Yes, sir. But that's not all.”“There's more?”“Yes, sir. Apparently, one of Mark's associates has his eyes on the phone and contacts Mark for it. I managed to apprehend him and had him make an arrangement for the phone. Tonight at the club by 8.”“Valentina will be here with the phone in person?”“Yes, sir.”I thought hard for a second. I don't want Valentina to be involved in my w
Russo’s povMark was yelling the same thing he had been blabbing about for the past 6 minutes. “Leave Valentina out of this.”“For the dude who had a bitch locked up in his house and partnered with the mafia, you sure are the hope mankind needs.” I said with an eye roll.Marcus, too, joined him in narrating the same thing to me. “Sir, Don Bianchi is about to begin. Your father needs you in the upper room.” “Tell them I'll attend the party on my own time.” I dragged my hand through my hair. Why was everyone frustrating me?There was a loud bang on the door and a guard entered, his face all flushed as he caught his breath.“Sir, we have Mark’s associate.” the guard said and Mark struggled with the chains holding him back.“I told you lying to me was useless, boy.” I flashed Mark a grin.Mark was offended by my nickname for him. He growled at me, baring his teeth like the dog he was. “Don’t call me boy, you piece of - -”I grabbed his jaws and squeezed hard, stopping him from speaking.
Valentina's povI didn't cower or move my face from his.My chest heaved with strong feelings of anger and pain from seeing my boyfriend being shot to death, despite the terrible things he had done.We stared at each other for what seemed like minutes, and Don Russo did not look like he would be giving up anytime soon.I clenched my chin as his words repeated in my head. “Death? Or a life of hell with me?”I wanted neither! I wanted to get the hell away from here and return to my mother.“I need a glass of whiskey,” I managed to say through my parched throat.He seemed taken aback by my response but he eventually straightened up, eyes still fixed on me, and then gestured to one of the guards with his fingers to get what I asked for.“Now can you let go of my arm,” I said to the guards still holding me down and watched as they all looked to Don Russo for his permission.“Take her away from here,” he finally turned away from me. “And clean up this mess.”The guards pulled me up and led
Russo's povShe hadn't still learned her lesson, had she?My brows were furrowed with annoyance as I approached the room.“I don't know who the hell trained that girl, but she needs some discipline!” Marcus growled, squinting at me with blood red eyes. I could almost smell the dislike in his voice.“Where is she now?” I asked the guards.“In one of your special rooms, Don,” a dutiful guard answered and I followed his lead.Valentina was panting heavily when I walked into the room; a room that had been arranged majorly for the purpose of satisfying my sexual urges, a room where I brought in my best strippers on some nights to give me a special show, a room that held nothing but sexual images in my head. And she was here.I shut the door behind me, leaving only the both of us present.“You know, dear Polema, I don't like when my patience is tested,” I began as softly as I could muster. “And you have decided to egg me on in ways that no one has ever dared to.”She was staring up at me fr
Valentina's povThere was something degrading in the way I stood naked before him, even though I still had my panties on. It all seemed too raw, too intimate, and his filthy words made me press my thighs together to ease the emotion building up down there.I had no problem stripping for a bunch of sex-hungry rich men down at the club but I wasn't used to performing shows for just one viewer and it seemed wrong, to the very last letter.My breasts suddenly jiggled, unintentionally I must add. And he stared at them, hard, as though there was a movie playing somewhere in the valley between my breasts.I was only trying to free myself from the knot he had tied at my ankles and my entire body seemed to respond even to the slightest movement. I felt ashamed to stand that way before him. But with the way his eyes dragged lazily down my body, I could tell he liked what he saw, and it gave me a slight confidence boost.I could feel the cold blunt edge of the pen knife sliding up my right arm
Valentina’s POVThe sound of the lock clicking open pulled me from my thoughts. Making me jump to an upright position.It was Marie, her quiet presence filling the room. Perfect timing I guess. She moved without haste like she always did, her eyes carefully avoiding mine as she placed the tray of food on the table near the window, just like yesterday.“Hey,” I said.Marie didn’t respond as she was busy arranging the tray. I admired her quiet, composed attitude.“Thanks for the tip yesterday, but I think I have already seen what your boss is capable of already,” I whispered.She smirked.“you think so?”“Can I ask you a question? I know you said no mor
Russo’s POVThe guards outside her door stiffened as I approached, their eyes flicking between me and the door they were guarding. I nodded once, dismissing them with a sharp gesture. They knew better than to linger when I wanted privacy.I hesitated for only a bit, my hand resting on the doorknob. I told myself I was there to ensure Valentina wasn’t causing more problems. That was the excuse I clung to. But the truth was far more complicated. She had been on my mind more than I cared to admit, her stubbornness a constant thorn in my side, and a spark I couldn’t seem to extinguish.I pushed the door open without knocking, what's the use anyway, as I stepped into her new place?Though I made the room suited to her, I doubted she would appreciate it. The wallpaper was glowing in the light, and the furniture was perfect, a mix of antique and modern, which made the room look elegant. Valentina’s presence disrupted that perfection. She was standing by the window, pressing her hands agai
Valentina’s POVThe silence here was more.I sat up in the large, plush bed Mr. Russo had relocated me to. The room was bigger than my last one, and more lavish too, but it wasn’t comfortable, at least not to me.The wallpaper, the finely carved furniture, and even the scent in the air felt different. This wasn’t a room, it was a cage also, dressed up to look like something else.I explored the room, when I moved towards the window the view outside was almost weird, there was the garden with perfectly trimmed hedges and a fountain. But the walls were high and armed guards patrolled the perimeter, which made it clear this wasn't paradise.I pulled the hook on the window, even though I already knew it was locked and would not move. I also noticed the new layer of security Russo had added since moving me here. Guards were stationed outside the door now, their shadows visible through the gap at the bottom. I could hear them murmuring faintly, no doubt about me.He wasn’t just holding me
Russo’s POV“We have a bigger problem than I thought,” I said to Marcus over the phone. I continued.“I think I just saw Rick with the Moretti, I want you to monitor him closely and gimme a report of his location during and after your operation.““Okay Boss" Marcus answered reassuringly.Rick was in charge of the Western territory, I took over, the same one that made the Morreti family start lurking around. Suddenly I heard faint voices and rushed footsteps from the hall which barely drew my attention at first. My focus had been locked on the blur surveillance footage from Marcus’s failed operation. But when the muffled sounds grew louder, sharp, and urgent, I became alert.The door swung open without my permission. Valentina brushed past, her face very flushed.Then a guard followed behind.“Get out,” I said, my eyes fixed on her. The guard obeyed, shutting the door behind him.Valentina was breathing hard, her fingers fidgeting at her sides. She glanced at the papers scattered acr
Russo’s POV“We have a bigger problem than I thought,” I said to Marcus over the phone. I continued.“I think I just saw Rick with the Moretti, I want you to monitor him closely and gimme a report of his location during and after your operation.““Okay Boss" Marcus answered reassuringly.Rick was in charge of the Western territory, I took over, the same one that made the Morreti family start lurking around. Suddenly I heard faint voices and rushed footsteps from the hall which barely drew my attention at first. My focus had been locked on the blur surveillance footage from Marcus’s failed operation. But when the muffled sounds grew louder, sharp, and urgent, I became alert.The door swung open without my permission. Valentina brushed past, her face very flushed.Then a guard followed behind.“Get out,” I said, my eyes fixed on her. The guard obeyed, shutting the door behind him.Valentina was breathing hard, her fingers fidgeting at her sides. She glanced at the papers scattered acr
Valentina’s POVThe silence of this mansion was both good and bad. Everything has its own advantages I guess.When it's quiet it represents blue, go. I can pretty much boast of mastering the art of moving in the shadows through hallways and rooms, staying out of sight. But tonight, it was a different kind of silence. One that pushed me to make a choice I’d been avoiding for far too long.It has been a long week and I could feel the impact as well. Russo’s eyes were always on me, the constant feeling of being trapped. I lied to myself and the worse I lied to my mother, the thought of this, and my stomach twisted. How much more can I endure this hell?Then when I remembered the two options he gave; Death or life in hell with me. Which I was forced to choose. I mean who would choose death anyway?But the two options sound similar and bad enough.I have to find a way out because I know I can't stay in this place any longer.I couldn’t stay here any longer.With that thought I felt my c
Russo’s POVThe vent cover was still slightly open. My fingers brushed over the tear on its edge, a small piece, torn from clothing.I straightened, my jaw tightening as I handed the scrap to Marie.“If it's her then she’s testing my patience,” I muttered, with a dangerous tone.Marie stood silently without flinching, crossing her hands. She was a smart woman and stayed enough to know better when to offer commentary when I was furious.“Secure the vent,” I ordered.“And triple the patrols in this part of the mansion. I don’t want her getting any ideas.”Marie nodded and left to carry out my instructions. As she walked away.She paused at the door.
Valentina’s POVThe knock on the door startled me as I grabbed tightly on my bed shit. I looked at the makeshift map I had drawn and shoved it under the bed. Just in time. The knock came again, sharper this time, then a familiar voice.“Valentina, it’s Marie. Open up.”I hesitated, my pulse racing. Why is she here? Did Mr. Russo send her?My hands trembled as I approached the door, forcing myself to appear calm. When I opened it, Marie stepped in, her eyes scanning the room.“How are you," she asked." What do you think?” I said, rolling my eyes She sighed. Then continued. “The boss wanted me to check on you,” I swallowed hard, stepping back to give her space. “I’m fine,” I replied quickly, perhaps too quickly.Marie’s eyes now focused on me more than ever as she crossed her arms. “The word fine doesn't look like it's on your face,” she said, tilting her head and trying to read my thoughts.I looked away. “I was just resting. This place is stifling, that’s all.”“You sure?” she a
Russo’s POVHearing the faint echo of footsteps down the hallway made me freeze for a bit. I moved my fingers over the glass of whiskey on my desk as I reached for my gun resting on the edge of my desk. I enjoyed it's cool feel of the steel against my hands, as I rose silently from the chair.I moved across the room, When I opened the door, the hallway was empty, just dimly lit by the wall lights. “Who's there?” I called out, my voice a low growl.The only answer I got was silence.I stepped into the corridor, I raised my gun looking for any sign of movement. I felt the air of someone lurking around. I took a peek at the end of the hallway, where the corridor curved toward another section. Then I thought of my polema in her room, I wondered what she was up to now, is She sound asleep? Maybe dreaming of me perhaps, I hated the flicker of concern coming to my mind about her because it was irritating me. I walked forward being on high alert.When I reached the end of the corner.I sa