Chapter 2

A stormy breeze rouses me from my sleep. Why is it so cold in here? I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and look to the side of me to see my window opened, the moon staring into my room. That's strange, I swore I closed the damn thing before I went to bed.

Wait-

I did; I did close it.

I quickly pulled my bedside table drawer open and grab my gun, aiming it into the darkness. The sound of a quiet shuddered breath suddenly echoes through the air. Someone is here, in my bedroom.

"Whoever you are, you better show yourself." I commanded dryly.

Silence.

Who is this person? And why haven't they tried to kill me yet? What kind of person breaks into a mob boss' room and simply hides? I take the safety off and cock the barrel of the gun. Christ, I really hope I wouldn't have to use this thing.

"You got three seconds before I unload the entire barrel inside you," I fibbed; I can never kill someone, "One! Two...."

"Alright! I'm coming out! Just don't shoot me," a voice responded this time.

The silhouette of a man came out of my closet with his hands up. I turn my aim to his head, his eyes welling up with fear. A smirk curled at the edge of my lips. He obviously knew he'd be fucked breaking in here.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"It's Dangelo, Dangelo Ravello," He replies frantically, "My father sent me to give you a message."

He steps forward, the light of the moon glazing his rigid body. I let my eyes glide over him from head to toe, assessing how much of a threat he was. He had very gentle features; soft, round cheeks, soft brown eyes, and bouncy black hair that reached his shoulders in curls. He didn't look like someone suited for this kind of life, not unlike myself. Unfortunately for him, I knew better. If he tries anything, I could easily take him down.

"Dangelo, who is your father and what message does he have for me that warrants you breaking into my house this time at night?" I inquire, squeezing the hilt of the weapon in my hand.

"Gerardo Ravello is my father, he was your mother's friend," He replies, arms still raised in surrender, "Dwayne attacked our headquarters yesterday and we faced a tremendous lost in numbers. He sent me to tell you that we will be fleeing to Sicilia after your official inauguration."

My eyebrows furrowed as confusion washed over me. The Ravellos of the Cosa Nostra; I do remember them, especially Gerardo. He encouraged me to reach out to them when I buried my parents but I never did. Why would Dwayne do something as callous as ambush them? They were no threat to us. The main headquarters of the Cosa Nostra is located in Sicily, I knew that but why did they feel the need to let me know of their plans?

"Why are you telling me this?" I murmured, pinning him with a narrowed stare, "Dwayne will be severely disciplined for this, I try to avoid needless killing, especially when unprovoked. However, why would I need to know about your relocation?"

Dangelo took a deep breath before eyeing the death barrel, still wrapped between my fingers, "Can you put that thing away first? You're making me nervous."

"Not a chance, buddy!" I hiss.

Does he think I'm stupid? He gulped before sighing in defeat,

"Dad suspects that Dwayne is colluding behind your back," he explains nervously, "He wants control of the Jopok. and he has created allys amongst your enemies. I will also be attending the party tonight. I am under strict instructions to protect you and make sure I take you to the airfeild with me if things go wrong."

What the fuck? Anger burned inside me at the mention of Dwayne making allys with my enemies. So, he's the one that wants me dead. Why did I doubt him? Yet something wasn't right about all this. What if this man, Dangelo is working for him?

"Is this a fucking joke?" I grunted, pressing my finger to the trigger, "Why should I trust you? How am I not so sure that you're not working with my traitorous brother?"

"Hey hey hey!" he panicked, "We just want to help you."

I study him in silence for a few minutes. It was almost impossible to read his body language with his stiff stance but when II did I relaxed a bit. He's telling the truth; lucky bastard. I put the safety back on the gun and dropped it into the still-open drawer.

Dangelo breathes out in relief and lets his hands drop to his side. when he sees me do this. I guess I was lucky too, I didn't have to get my hands dirty.

"I hope you're telling the truth, Ravello, for your sake." I threaten through clenched teeth, "Because if you aren't and you're lying to me about who you are, I will call upon the real Cosa Nostra to take you out."

This time he kept his lips pulled together before going over to the window and jumping out.

~

My entire life of being the Jopok leader, I usually wore suits to prove that I am just as competent as any man but from tonight, I shall do no such thing. I gave myself a once over in my body-length mirror, for the first time ever, seeing myself in a feminine light. A ruby red dress hung from my tiny frame stopping at my ankle. It was a backless dress, the fabric clung around my neck t keep my small breasts in place and the skirt was loose and flowing.

I had worn pearl earrings with a matching pair of bracelets and silver strapped stilettos. My hair was curled in large ringlets to give it some volume and my makeup was kept simple with only red lipstick, eyeliner, and mascara. After all, I am a crime boss, not a princess; no matter how much I wanted to be.

"You got this, Miliani," I hiss at my reflection," You are a strong, powerful woman. You got this."

I do got this. I've already been doing this for 11 years. An official title wasn't going to change that fact. I leave my bedroom and instantly the noise from downstairs reaches my ears. The party is in full swing by the time I climbed down to the second floor of the house.

Everyone is mingling and at first glance, you would mistake them for ordinary people but I knew better. These are the most dangerous men in the city and I was above every single one of them. Holding my head high, I make my entrance. Everyone's eyes snapped to me as soon as my presence filled the room. Applauses sounded through the entertainment area as my loyal men cheered me into my position. It was already decided; I am Miliani Hwang, the official Hyungnim of the Hwang Jopok Clan.

"I am proud to present to you, your new boss and leader, Miliani Hwang!" someone announces. This is the swearing-in, I am announced and the men; they bow at my feet. The men at the front of the crowd bowed, showing me their respect and causing a chain reaction. My lips were tilted upwards and my nose was high in the air. Pride swelled in my chest as knee after knee met the floor.

It is soon, short-lived. Dwayne and two rows of men in the back of everyone did now bow to me. Instead, they simultaneously pulled out firearms and opened fire at me. Bullets flew through the air and I ducked, noticing the men that had bowed were now laying dead on the floor save for a few who were firing back at my brother.

I stood back up with wide eyes as screams rang out through the room, the traitors no longer preoccupied with trying to kill me. My loyal men were outnumbered in a second as a huge influx of unknown force burst into the room. What was happening? Did Dwayne really just shoot at me?

"Miliani!" a voice called.

I look behind me sighing in relief as I spotted a concerned Dangelo. I rush toward him after noticing no one paying attention to me and he pulls me through a crack in the wall. It's the escape tunnel my mother made in case of emergencies. This was probably the only great thing she ever did for me.

To where the tunnel leads though, I have no idea. We walk in silence through the darkness, even after the guns faded and an hour had passed.

"Where are we going and how did you know about this tunnel?" I finally ask.

"We are heading to the Italian's territory, my territory. Your mother left specific instructions in case of a situation like this. She was worried your brother would try to take your position buy killing you or trying to marry you." Dangelo responded.

Marry me? I involuntarily wrinkled my nose. What on god's good earth made her come up with that idea?

"That is disgusting. Why would he try to marry me?" I hiss back, "Besides my mother is dead. How was she even able to give you guys any of this information before she died?"

"You don't know, do you?"

He remains silent after that leaving me to wallow in my own thoughts. Was he implying that mom is still alive? No, that's impossible. I saw her shoot herself in the head. I saw her die. And even if it is possible that would mean she left her responsibilities to a child.

After about another hour, half of which was spent with my mind wandering and tuning out whatever Dangelo said, we finally hit a wall. I held my hands out and drag them down the wall to find a doorknob. I twisted it open quickly and fresh air filled my nostrils. I cautiously walked out of the musky-smelling tunnel with Dangelo behind me and my eyes instantly landed on the rubble that was once the American Cosa Nostra headquarters.

"We can waste no time. We need to get to the jet station behind the house. My dad already left, we will be meeting him in Sicilia." he runs me through with haste. We ran to the back of the once-huge mansion and I sighted the jet in the distance surrounded by men. in dark clothing.

"Wait." I whisper and halted my steps - Dangelo followed - "Who are they?"

"No need to worry, these are my father's men." he hums simply.

Then he grabs my wrist and yanked me along the rest of the way. We got on the jet with no words being spoken between us, the men following behind and soon we were off.

I didn't take time to admire the luxury of the plane or the smooth seats. I just asked if there was a bedroom, went there, and locked myself in. I expected that attack but I am traumatized by the fact that it was led by my older brother. Also, I need to think about what Dangelo had said to me.

What don't I know that he does? And Why would my mother go to great lengths like this to protect me? And the way Dangelo spoke about her as if she's still alive. Nothing makes much sense right now. Hopefully, Dangelo's father can shed some light on the situation.