Alicia’s POV:I opened her mouth and closed it, gaping like a fish as I saw my friend for the first time since before I was abducted.Yet the expression in Daya’s face wasn’t exactly what I had expected. There was a gleam in them that stung, causing a burning sensation in my chest. What was this..?I began to explain, “I… a lot happened. How are you?” I tried to change the subject.“Yes I heard a lot happened. You quit your job didn’t you? What happened to your glasses? Where are they?” Her rapid fire questions made me blink just as quickly, and I pursed my lips.“I didn’t need them. I guess I just… got rid of them..?” I shrugged uncomfortably as her eyes gave me the once over I was used to. But there was no approving glance, and instead there was a tinge of jealousy in her eyes.It was there and I could see it clear as day.If only I could tell her that I never wanted this, that I would give anything to have my old life back. “Right, were you headed into the park? We can go together
Acker’s POV:My grip on the paintbrush loosened. I was about ready to dive deep into the newest inspiration that struck me when Javier had called in. My painting interrupted, my mood worsened.“What happened?” I demanded upon seeing Alicia's photo. She would have looked fine to anyone but I was trained in the art of reading body language. And I saw the way her body was tense, coiled away from the Mikael’s standing with her, and her face which showed that she was mentally far away, staring off into space. She was upset about something.Had that Serrano done something to her?“She returned like this, Acker,” Javier called me by my first name whenever we spoke in private, as he wasn’t just my second in command, but also a friend. “Apparently the men took her out shopping on Mikael’s orders and well… i can’t say what the fuck happened to her then. She has gone to sleep and barely said a word to anyone since she got back.”Something must have happened that I wasn’t aware of and I didn’t l
Alicia’s POV:I sniffled into the scented pillows, curled up into a fetal position as I laid there the next morning.Every couple of minutes I’d replay the fight with Daya in my head, and would wonder why exactly she had blown up at me like that.I knew she was jealous, but if she was my friend and knew me so well, wouldn’t see see that I wasn’t so happy?Her words had stung, her insults most of all.Calling me an orphan that she took pity on? Why would she have that idea in her head?There was a knock on the door but I ignored it. I wasn’t in the mood to speak to anyone, much less see anyone today. I had all day and nothing to do but to bury myself in piles of self-deprecating thoughts.And I did so gladly, because if I didn’t maybe I’d come to like this sort of life, where I was taken care of without needing to lift a finger.“Alicia,” Magda’s voice was muffled as the knock came again. “It’s me.”I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. It seemed I couldn’t get any rest after all.My socked
Mikael’s POV:“Well good morning to you too, Marina,” I replied to Alicia who… looked drab. My lips curved downwards at the sight of the grey in grey sweatpants and hoodie combination, looking like the very definition of a woman who wasn’t vying for my attention.I loathed it.I came here to have breakfast with her and THIS was what she wore?I had just returned from a meeting with Castro, which hadn’t ended as well as I had hoped. The proud Capo had left the family when my father died, and moved his small crew to the States with the intention of carving out a life of luxury here. It didn’t suit him to see that I had succeeded so easily where he had failed, as I had taken over many territories in the US, not just in Europe.A bitter loser to the end, but a man whose might I needed.The meeting that lasted all through the night had resulted in a tense truce, instead of the alliance I had wanted.Castro was clearly biding his time by seeing which mafia boss had the better deal, the Serr
Alicia’s POV:I was shivering still minutes later after Mikael left.How had I forgotten how scary he was? He was much taller than I was and unlike Acker, he never failed to make me appear smaller than him. I thought of the difference between Mikael’s and Acker. Apart from their clear physical differences, all my memories of Acker was of how safe be made me feel. Mikael… he was more terrifying to me and k thought he would end up hurting me one way or another.Even when he was being nice, i mused to myself as I finally approached the breakfast table, I always felt like he was more of a predator, and I could clearly believe he was a dangerous man.Acker never showed himself like that to me. I didn’t know whether that was a good thing or not but…I realized what I was thinking about - comparing the two men?! Weren’t they BOTH just bad people? - and stopped myself entirely, facepalming.Alicia, you’ve gone off the deep end.Don’t forget yourself. You can afford to fall for their tricks ag
Alicia’s POV My heart was pounding as the chaos began to unfold in the casino. All eyes were on us and suddenly the flashing lights and all the glitz and glamour of the casino shattered to reveal my anxiousness. The dream was gone.“What the hell are you doing?” The man that had been by my side at the table stumbled to his feet and was promptly forced to a kneeling position by Mikael’s men. “Who the fuck are you?”“I should be the one to ask you that, minga.”My back felt the reverberation of Mikael’s chest, and I cringed inwardly. This was my fault, i just knew it.“Mikael-“ i tried to speak but all thoughts of that ended when I felt a sharp pinch at my waist. He was angry, and he wasn’t afraid to show it.“Look, I don’t know who you are but you are way outta line!” The man’s voice increased and it was hoarse as he glared in my - and Mikael’s- direction. “I’m a paying customer! Ask around, you bastard!”Mikael laughed, loudly. His chuckles were dark and i barely restrained a shiver
Acker’s POV:She wasn’t supposed to be home so quickly.I expected that; Javier had reliably informed me she would be at the casino tonight. I had hoped the blonde mafia don would entertain her well enough. I didn’t care as long as she was safe.Therefore I took the opportunity, wanting to reacquaint myself with the apartment.I stood at the entrance of the apartment, the door barely making a sound as I entered. Despite it being equipped with the state of the art security cameras and alarm system, I wasn’t Acker Madden for nothing. I knew how to bypass it well, learned long ago during my mercenary days.What I did not expect was to find her entering the apartment only moments after, and I watched her posture carefully when she shut the door loudly. She wasn’t happy.She jumped when she heard me shift in me feet and was about to scream when I spoke, “Don’t.”I reached for the light switch and turned it on, enveloping the living room with white light. Her eyes widened and I saw surprise
Alicia’s POV:“Goddamn it,” I cursed loudly, not caring whomever would hear me. I already knew no one would - it was way too early for anyone sane to be up. The black exercise set that I was wearing was already soaked with sweat as I panted, feeling stitches in my sides.I was damn unfit.I made a mental note to do more about improving my exercise routine. I never had the time for these sorts of things when I was working but now… i had all the time I wanted and nothing to do with it.The thought of college entered my mind again and I sighed in frustration. It wasn’t the first time that going back to school entered my mind. Back then, when k had just left the orphanage, I was only able to take a couple of classes at a community college and earn myself a diploma. But now…The idea of asking Acker and Mikael for permission to go to school wasn’t what I wanted. They likely wouldn’t care and I didn’t want to force their hands.I leaned against the tree I had jogged all the way from my apar