Chapter Two

Sofia

“Marry him??!” I felt my voice rise as a glare started to form while I stared at Luca’s expressionless face. It had been 10 years since the incident happened and Luca had soon taken over the position of the Don of the Bianchi family.I took a breath in as Kaizen, Luca’s second-in-command and best friend crossed his legs beside me. “I know it’s not what you want but Aless-” “Kai, leave.” I said and after a moment of hesitation on his part and no movement from Luca, he left.

I stared at Luca, as I tried to calm myself down. The 4 second method. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds. I did this for a few seconds before speaking. “How can you ask me to marry him after what happened literally 10 years ago? He killed mom and dad! Tried to rape Bianca! Almost killed you and I. Whatever bullshit strategy you’re working on, I want no part of it.” Okay, maybe the 4 second method wasn’t working anymore.

“Sofi, he’s the leader of the most powerful family. If we join with him, we’ll be unstoppable. This is a stepping stone to something greater for the Bianchi family. He has all the allies and resources we need to take down our enemies in one throw-” “Did you forget that he’s supposed to be our enemy too? Why should we side with the enemy because of power?? We have enough! Stop being fucking greedy Luca. I am not Bianca, I will not let you sell me off to some other family because of this delusional plan of yours” Bianca was married off to Felix Lombardi, heir of the Don of the Lombardi organization and although they did later fall in love and are pregnant with another kid, I don’t believe the same will happen for me.

Mostly because I intend to kill the man in question.

“Sofi, please don’t make this difficult,” My brother began, raising his fingers to his temples and massaging them gently. A kind of stress-relieving practice of sorts, I imagined. “He’s ready to do whatever you want just to marry you. This is a blank cheque.” “And you’re foolish enough to believe him? He tried to kill us once, he will do it again. Doesn’t it seem odd that he suddenly picked interest in me at this time?? Aren’t you supposed to be the Don? Why don’t you know anything??”

“We’ll talk about this one more time and please bring your conditions with because I know you’d have a few. This is not something that is negotiable. I apologize that the family is robbing you of your right to experience true love but this is the price we pay for the greater good.” Just then, his phone rung, signaling the end of the conversation. “Fuck the greater good” I glared at him before storming out of his office.

I never really cared for true love, at least not at that time. Maybe a few years before whenever I stared at my parents, I wondered and dreamed of my own soulmate and how he’d move heaven and earth just to make me smile. But they died and so did anything romantic inside of me. I got out of the elevator on the ground floor and proceeded to getting into my Porsche and heading to see Tabitha and Josh-my two best friends from college.

I found Kaizen sitting in the driver’s seat of my car as I texted the friendship group Tabitha, Josh and I were in to tell them to come to my apartment. “Why are you in my car?” “Get in princess, we have a long way to go” He said starting the engine and I reluctantly sat in the passengers seat, trying to avoid another argument. I know it seemed like all I did was argue and fight but that wasn’t entirely true. For some reason, I also had a strange obsession with kids.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I read the group text where Josh gave a thumbs up reply to coming over and also Tabitha. “On a date” “I thought you had let go of this crush you seemed to have on my Kai” I joked. Kaizen and I always had a sort of close relationship. He was always the bridge between Luca and I and always knew what to say to me when we had arguments and knowing him, he sensed a huge argument happened.

I mean, he knew me. He knew I wouldn’t say yes to marrying Alessandro Russo, the man who killed my parents and help turn me into what I was. “I know it doesn’t make any sense to you but-” Kai began but I shut him up with one look. “I will crash this car and kill us if you don’t fucking shut up”

The next time we spoke was at a cafe close to my apartment. I ordered a cappuccino and Kaizen ordered black coffee with no sugar or milk. You know, the typical psychopath behaviour. “He cares for you more than you know. He cares for you both.” He said and I remained silent. “It might seem like he doesn’t think before brokering these deals or accepting these offers but he does. He thinks deeply and his goal has always been to keep you and Bianca safe. I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but he’s your brother and your Don and you just have to trust him.”

“What if I was in love with someone else?” I said after a long pause.

”What? Who??” His brows drew together.

“I said what if. Hypothetically speaking. What if I said I wanted to marry you?”

“Then Luca might kill me for looking at his little sister like that”

“Too bad you already look at me like that and I don’t want to marry you” I took a sip of my cappuccino, preparing to leave as I basked in the delight of watching Kaizen’s flustered face. Oh, how I love to rile men up.

“Wait- huh..?” He tried to get out but I cut him short, standing up. “I mean, you did take me on a date, did you not? Thanks for the cappuccino by the way and I’ll think about what you’ve said for 2 minutes and 2 minutes only. Bye Kaizen”

I arrived at my penthouse just at the outskirts of Palm grove hill. Noticing a red hellcat parked in my garage, I assumed Josh and maybe had gotten here and let themselves in using the spare key I gave to them. Sofia Bianchi, the sister of Luca Bianchi-one of the most powerful Don’s in the mafia was giving her house key to 2 friends from college. If Luca found out, he’d throw a fit. Thankfully, there’s very little control he has over my life. Mostly because I made it that way. I fought-rebelled for years for my freedom and I sighed as it seemed like all that freedom was about to be taken from me.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!” Josh and Tabitha screamed as I entered and I pulled out my gun from the drawers right by the door. A little security measure I thought could come in handy. “Are you trying to get yourselves killed?” I breathed out as I felt my body start to relax. “You’re 24 Sofi! Oh my days, we’re getting old guys” Tabitha chuckled, coming to hug me as Josh smiled awkwardly, still waiting for me to put away the gun. I didn’t have the heart to tell them my birthday was a day before as I stared at the room decorated with balloons and the flowers resting on my couches.

“This is so thoughtful guys, I think I might cry” I said sarcastically as I finally closed the door behind me and walked in, carefully setting down the gun which seemed to calm Josh down. “We know it was yesterday and Tabitha felt so bad that she wanted to pretend it was today” Josh laughed, handing me a box of lindt lindor white chocolates that I mentioned I liked once. Knowing Tabitha, she probably cried when she found out she missed the date. She was one of those annoying friends that call by 12AM to wish you a happy birthday and it contrasted with her demeanor like crazy because she looked naturally unbothered about everything.

We walked further into the living room as Tabitha spoke, “So, what did your cute brother want this time?” She asked, already opening the gifts she got for me as I glanced through my phone wanting to call Sarah from the clinic I worked at. “To marry Alessandro Russo.” I said so casually as I dailed Sarah’s number. “WHAT??” “THE FUCK-??” My two best friends chorused as I began to speak into the phone in my hand

“Hi Sarah, it’s Sofia. I wanted to ask how little Marco was doing today. I had an urgent meeting I couldn’t cancel so I couldn’t come in today” “He’s condition got worse but you’d know that if you showed up today. Dr Woo showed up last minute and he’s being treated for pneumonia.”

“Oh no. How are his blood sugar levels? Is he eating enough? And-” “I really have to go now nurse Sofia. We have a lot to work on today and we’re suddenly short on staff” She ended the call and Tabitha glared at my phone.

“Does she know you can kill her just like that?” She raises her brows and I sighed. Things at work had been strained since I got moved to a new hospital which prompted me to get a new apartment at a rural side of town. Knowing my brother, he definitely wanted the house to be flooded with security but we came to a compromise and settled for a secluded apartment with state of the art equipment, 7 bedroom, 5 bathrooms, a hot tub, 2 swimming pools- indoor and outdoor and a cinema room. Alongside speaking to head officials at my new work and threatening them to ensure my safety.

Which is mostly why work has been sort of difficult. I mean, it’s hard enough to have a colleague whose brother is powerful enough to threaten government officials but it gets irritating and demotivating when said colleague is so stupidly rich that she doesn’t exactly need the job and still gets promoted faster than anybody else and gets paid more than the supervisors. I mean damn, if I was in their position I’d hate my guts too.

“I miss my old job guys” I sighed as I dropped my phone down, a little depressed that little Marco, one of the patients at the hospital was having such a hard time. “We miss not having to drive all the way down here to meet up” Josh said and I silently agreed. “But that’s not what we’re even talking about. Why in the world does Luca want you to marry that asshole?” He asked again and the heated conversation I had with the Don came coming back to memory. “I don’t even want to talk about it. Apparently he wants to marry me”

“Obviously a business strategy of sorts” Josh muttered, sifting through my gifts. I stared for a little longer than usual, noticing the stress lines that had gathered on his forehead and the noticeable eye bags underneath his eyes. Seemed like work had gotten too tasking, I thought as my mind took a detour, remembering how Josh and I became friends.

He was in my department, studying Web design and we spoke a few times but not enough to form the bond as strong as what we had. The event that seemed to have brought us closer was when I was being tailed by one of the men who wanted to overthrow Luca. So, the plan was to kidnap me and use me as a bargaining chip only that they didn’t know I had learned martial arts and could defend myself. When the man came on to me, it took me by surprise and we struggled for a bit till Josh appeared out of nowhere, using his laptop as a weapon and hitting the bulky man well over 6 feet.

The soldati overpowered Josh and left him beaten to a pulp right before I shot him 3 times. I took Josh to a hospital and Luca took care of the paperwork to keep him quiet and got him a new laptop and cash compensation. I remained friends with him and we decided to learn martial arts together and that’s where we met Tabitha. Tabitha used the gym Josh and I joined for the martial arts training class. She also happened to be in our college but was in a different department studying cybersecurity. Her parents were going through a messy divorce and she buried herself in the gym or in school work until she met Josh and I.

Funny encounter actually. So obviously, since Josh and I were friends and everything, he knew about my brother being the Don of the Bianchi family and that I was in a mafia and was dangerous but somehow he only seemed more interested in being friends. I let him in on my plan to kill Alessandro because he killed my parents and he offered to help in any way. He was mostly my getaway driver. Josh and his family had lived in New York for so long that he seemed to know every entry and exit, every nook and cranny and every shortcut. Always came in handy to be honest. He was also a very good listener.

I had a bit of a temper sometimes-most of the time- so I was always ranting about something and he always listened without judgement. I loved that about him. Anyway, one time when the gym we attended was about to close for the day, Josh was helping me clean up as blood was all over my body and clothes. We hid in the lockers, hoping that everyone had gone home as we rushed to tidy up the mess I sort of made. A few guys were following us to the gym and I hadn’t noticed till we were close to the building. I shot 2 of them and engaged in a physical fight with another, stabbing him across the chest which mostly caused the blood stains. We couldn’t go anywhere looking like that so we snuck into the gym, attempting to tidy up and sneak out.

However, plans changed when Tabitha walked in on us. Josh froze as his eyes danced between the two of us. I was already thinking of how I could quietly kill her when she took off her headphones and spoke, “Period came a few days early?” She mused and I watched as Josh became jittery beside me. Sheesh, calm down man. I thought. “Not my blood actually” I said back and her eyes remained trained on my blood-stained hands.

“He’s about to lock up, hurry up” She said as she left the lockers to stall the man. I could’ve sworn I heard things along the lines of, “Early period-massive stain-I’ll lock up-Thanks uncle!”

She helped us tidy up in silence and after we were done, locked up the gym. “Maybe consider switching gyms” She said right before stalking off but Josh stopped her. “What’s your name?” “Tabitha” “Thanks for your help Tabitha” “No problemo”

Josh and I never switched gyms and soon started to invite Tabitha for events or outings or just to hang out really. Josh suspected she was lonely and she was. I still never asked why she even helped us that night.

“Tabitha?” I called out her name and she raised her head from her laptop, humming a response. “Why did you help Josh and I that night at the gym, 3 years ago?” I mused and her brows scrunched in confusion.

“We were trying to get rid of blood stains and you just helped us with no questions asked” “Well, I kind of witnessed the whole thing happen. The men attacking you and stuff. Right as I was about to call the police, you started to shoot and I ran off” She shrugged like it was the simplest thing ever and I just laughed at how odd my friends were. At how odd we all were.

“Russo is attending an event tonight babes.” Tabitha said as I sat up taking in the information. Tabitha also joined Josh and I to help kill and keep to date with Alessandro. So most of the time when we’re all not working, we’d meet like this or at dinner to discuss him. “His friend, Leonardo Gonzales is opening a new club down in Allen cove, close to the 7 seasons hotel and he’s rumored to be there.”

”An opening?” I mused as I stared at the article. It low-key felt like a trap for some reason. I just wasn’t certain who the trap was for exactly. A smile formed on my lips as I stared at the pictures on the screen. “Let’s go celebrate my 24th guys.”

__

Tabitha and I were in my room, trying to pick a slutty outfit for the night as she tried to gather Intel on Alessandro’s security measures for the night. I could pretty much guess it to be honest. He never really carried too many men along for private events so he was probably be going with Ferdinand only. “I wish Josh was here to give us information on entries and exits of this location” Tabitha said with her eyes trained on the laptop screen. Josh had left to his hotel to get ready after mumbling something along the lines of needing new friends. “Too bad he’s not gay” I shrugged, strapping my knives to my inner thighs.

“Stop over thinking and get dressed Tabitha” I scolded before starting to do my makeup. Josh drove us to the club a few hours after it opened and a few minutes before Alessandro was to arrive. The thought of seeing him face to face made my blood churn. “Stay alert guys and be safe. Josh, if you even sense any danger, leave and call Kaizen right away-” “Why are we calling me?” Kai appeared right behind me and I paled a bit. “Why are you here, you son of a whore??” I whisper-yelled, trying not to draw any attention. “I heard a bar was opening up” He drawled, placing a smile on his stupid face. I took a deep breath in.

“If you sense any danger, call Luca immediately. Josh, I mean it.” I looked at my friend who stared between Kaizen and I strangely. “I will” “Isn’t this a club? Why the serious demeanor? Dance with me love?” Kai spoke again and before I could retort, I was being dragged to the dance floor.

”You came here to see him too huh?” I rose a brow as he planted his hand on my waist, swaying slowly as he pulled me closer. “Yes, but you came to attempt to kill him again. You can’t keep trying to kill the man your betrothed to” He gave a lazy smirk and I chuckled lowly. “You can’t keep pretending like you’re okay with me being sold off to a monster.” I said snidely and Kai drew a breath in, taking in all my hatred. He spun me around with a smile before dipping me low, brushing his fingers against my thighs and almost laughing when he felt the weapons on me.

“Oh Sofi. What am I going to do with you?” He mused, resting his head on my shoulder. I was usually very good at profiling and reading people but I always never knew what exactly was up with Kaizen. If he was truly an ally or a foe. If he truly cared for me or not. If he truly had feelings for me or not. Not that the last one really mattered. I could never be with Kai simply because of Luca. Just then, I felt the atmosphere shift as Kai straightened up in my hold, creating a little distance between us.

“I should go.” He muttered lowly, leaving me alone on the dance floor but as soon as I turned to follow him, a man appeared behind me, holding my waist firm. I turned to see a male no older than my late father, grinning up at me like a fool. “That dress looks amazing on you baby girl” He spoke and my skin crawled with disgust as I stared him down. “Want to see what’s under my dress?” I raised a brow and his eyes grew wide in anticipation. I really wanted to show him how I mutilate crazy bastards who irk me.

“Babe, let’s dance.” Josh came out of nowhere, dragging me away from him and deeper into the crowd. “Why’re you here?” My brows drew together. “Because I saw how murderous you looked when talking to the pervert and cause Russo is here. Kaizen went to see him, they’re in the VIP lounge.”Josh said and that was all I needed to leave and make a beeline for Alessandro.

As suspected, there were no security, only Ferdinand standing at the door that led to Alessandro. “Move.” I said once, glaring at him but he seemed deaf. I stared at the man who betrayed my family, itching to kill him. To take out his eyes, cut out his tongue, listen to him beg for me to kill him.

I walked past him and into the VIP area. It was small and there seemed to be many different things happening at once. Drinking, Fucking, Betting, Nude strippers, everything. My eyes searched for Alessandro for a few minutes before I felt a presense behind me. It had to be him.

I turned around in one quick motion, my knife in my hands as I moved to cut his thigh first but he was quicker than I was. Seizing the weapon and drawing me closer to him. I couldn’t see his features clearly under the club’s light but his eyes stared daggers into mine. “For someone who doesn’t want to marry me, you sure do bend over backwards to follow me around. Do you really think you can kill me Sofia Bianchi?” He smirked, his lips a hairs breath away from mine, his breath as fresh as mint and his eyes still trained on mine like he couldn’t look away.

Just then, I heard a gunshot and then another and then another and soon Alessandro and I were falling to the ground.