ALESSANDRO'S POV

"They caught her"

Back to the present day. Dante left my office after I gave him the little story. Nothing was easy about Venom, even the times I got to breathe in the same room as hers, she somehow managed to trick me, to slip through my hands as if it's normal, as if I can't catch someone I wanted for years. I want to be angry, I want to feel so much hatred towards her that if I lay an eye on her shadow, I advance to kill it, to kill her and end this whole thing. But I'm not.

I'm not angry, I'm not upset and I definitely don't want to kill her. She attracts me in some sort of ways I yet couldn't understand. She's so mysterious and secretive I want to follow her evidence and see what it leads to, only if she gives me anything to follow. I am not trying to track her every move down to attack, to go for the kill, I'm only trying to figure a way to get closer to her.

She was in my house, my basement and I let her go as if it didn't take months to find her. I was busy getting information about her, and never planned what to do with her.

Kidnapping her was a quick decision, uncalculated. I believe that's why I let her go. I still had no reason to kill her, not feeling the need to take out the living soul in her body was surprising, she killed thousands of my men yet killing her wasn't the key.

I want to know her, dig into that hidden life she has because while everyone attempted to find her to fight, to take away her last breath, no one attempted what I'm doing. No one enters hell and searches for more. You're supposed to run, you're supposed to beg for help while I chase it. I chase and search until I get what I want.

Many ideas cast in my head, waiting for me to use one of them desperate tries but only one stood out. To just visit professionally, offering her to live with us. I know this seems unbelievable and sounds insane. In the end, if she was able to hide from that many mafias and assassins, she might be a good use.

But nothing comes that easy. I rested my back on the chair, playing with the pen around my fingers, wondering, thinking over and over as if my life depended on it. I sighed, trying to make the right decision for once about her because since she got into my world, all the decisions are turning doubtful and it's making me lose my mind.

I see it as an opportunity, as a shot we could use to our benefit, however, we don't know the consequences. Around this entire planet and billions of people, it's left in the dark, it's left far away from the human eyes to witness what would happen if we have this close contact with her. She built herself and a name so deadly, so ruthless and known that no one dares to take a step closer to her, that no one has the heart to lock eyes with the hazel pair that caused so many deaths and so many murders.

They may have their reasons, they may be weak and not up for this battle but I am. I threw my body off the chair and got out of the office, calling Dante and Emilion because we're going after Venom.

[V]

The car ride was silent, aside from Emilion per annoying questions we made it in front of the first house in thirty minutes. She chose her locations wisely and far from one another, to tiers those who try to reach her. I could have brought some extra men and let them explore the other houses but there was no need of taking more. She might think we're coming to kill her and the tables turn.

We visited a house under the name Dea Romeo. We knocked at the door, and there was no answer. It was unlocked, dumb Emilion decided to go in. The house was empty, the furniture covered with dust. Not a single foot stepped into this house for at least two years.

Our next location was a house under the name Amara Larosso. It was cleaner, yet no answer at the door. We visited about five other houses, all empty, even the neighbors didn't know someone owned them.

We reached our last location, under the name Bella Cohen. We knocked for the ninth time, and again no answer. Dante and Emilion were turning around, heading towards the car when I heard a noise inside.

I opened the door immediately, followed by the two of them. My ears kept catching more footsteps from upstairs, I rushed up them as the noise started to fade away. I pushed through the last step and traced down the sound. It was coming from behind a large brown door. I didn't think twice before twisting the knob open, revealing what's behind the door.

The door swung open with a teenage girl shivering, shaking on the ground. I froze in my place, tightened my grip around the knob unable to react. I watched Dante walk past me, getting closer to her. He held out his hand for her to take it. She looked at him for a second, then she hesitantly took it and stood up "w-who are you" the girl managed to speak through her stuttering, "I am Dante, this is Emilion and Alessandro" her gaze landed on each one of us as Dante spoke our names. Emilion cut the girl from asking anything else and said, "What's your name" she waited a second or two, taking a deep breath to retain her trembling figure. "Lydia, Lydia Antonio"

My head snapped and my body worked again. Antonio, as in Venom Antonio.

My mind started spinning, questioning the last four years I've been living. The possibilities are out of control, the stories and knowledge are screaming because this girl is either a sister, or a daughter.

As if Dante crashed into my thoughts and read them, he asked the young girl from the three of us "where's your mother Lydia" The girl roughly swallow and shakes her head left to right, "I don't know"

Emilion walked forwards, stopping right in front of Lydia and leaned down. He places his hands on his knees, looking deeply into her eyes for a minute. Then he took a step backwards, leaving the young girl to catch her breath she was holding. He gradually turned his body towards me "lei non è" [translation: she's not]

"What makes you so sure" But the room fell silent. It's only her who can confirm she's not her daughter, she has her last name. Lydia looked young, nothing older than fourteen. Maybe she got raped or just a young dumb mistake.

Dante glanced at me from across the room then at the door we walked in seconds ago, giving me a sign he wanted to talk.

We both left the room, leaving Emilion to keep an eye on the girl. "Will take her back home with us" My eyes shot wide open wide at his words. This girl could be dangerous or possibly a set up. "I know what you're thinking, she's not. She's too scared to be a spy" he protested before I could ever speak, "That's your reason" I said raising my voice, starting to get pissed. We walk in a room with a girl shaking on the floor in one of the houses of the woman we've been trying to catch for months and that's his reason to bring her home, our only safe place. "I could have said the same to you Alessandro, but I didn't"

His gaze fixed on me for moments, waiting for an answer. I had it with this woman and the shit we find behind her, why should I take care of that girl when obviously she's supposed to.

I stormed out of the living room, going back to the room she was in. I walked through the door, witnessing Emilion and Lydia talking about something I didn't care enough to know since they stopped the second I walked it. "Prendila, partiamo" I ordered, and faced the other side, trying my best not to rip through their throats. [translation: get her, we're leaving]

I advanced towards the door only to find Dante leaning on the wooden frame with a smile on his face. He sent me a small nod as I walked past him. I let out a sigh, shaking my head at what I just said. I heard Emilion's voice "let go Lydia"

Silence. Nothing but the air filled the car. Dante must be right about that girl or I will put a bullet between the eyes of a thirteen years old.

Emilion got her a little comfortable when I was gone with Dante. They talked, he made her laugh and opened up about a couple things. It's very easy to manipulate children, especially the ones you're so eager to kill.

I saw Dante from the corner of my eye, reaching his head back asking Lydia if she's hungry and next thing I know we're at McDonald's drive through.

We finally returned back to my house after taking ages for Dante and Emilion convincing me to give the girl her own room. I refused because who knows what she would do, maybe even sneak out. Of course Dante had to remind me of the security cameras all over the house in front of her, at least she knows.

I got out of the car, rushing before the three of them. Although I had to make sure everyone entered, someone decided to take a look over the house. I simply rest my body on the back of the coach, waiting for young Antonio to finish her drooling.

After she was done with her little discovery, I took the lead and headed upstairs. We walked in my office, I picked my phone and made a call to prepare a room for the dark brown haired girl sitting in front of me.

The weather is burning hot, the sunlight burned down my skin and gave me a sick headache. The air conditioner is on but it seems like it's doing nothing. I got up to get myself a drink, she jumped a little.

She's scared of me, good. Don't get me wrong I don't enjoy scaring children well sometimes I do.

However she's giving me no reason to trust her, trust isn't given, it's earned. "You want something to drink" I asked in a low tone, trying my best not to sound scary. She nodded and mumbled water. I opened the fridge, getting two bottles of water. I walked back calmly, placing a bottle on the table in front of her. I let myself go back to my seat, allowing thoughts to take over every piece of my mind. "I know Italian"

My head shot up, looking straight into her eyes. "I'm s-sorry, I didn't know it would upset you. You were talking in Italian with Emilion and Dante around me so I didn't want to disturb your privacy"

I was distressed by her honesty. Her eyes held this innocent gaze as if she actually meant it, as if she was telling the truth but I wasn't that easy to fool. I stood from my seat, closing the distance between us, leaving a few inches for her to breathe. We held eye contact as I sat down on the chair in front of her, her eyes slowly lowering as I do. I was trying to figure out two things. One, was trying to find any sort of manipulation in her eyes. Two, I was trying to find something that resembled Venom.

My mind was full of questions, why would she hold her last name yet left alone in an empty house without food or water. The brown eyed girl kept her eyes on me, studying my face, trying to read me little by little. She's the only one who had answers. "I'm going to ask you this once. For your own good, non mentire" [translation: do not lie] She nodded, swallowing a mouthful slowly, shaking her left foot. I looked at it and she immediately stopped.

"Have you ever come across the name Venom Antonio" I said, letting a soft sigh escape my lips, asking this question for the second time in hope of getting something new. She lifted her eyes leisurely, until they landed on mine, unsure of her next words. "I don't know, I'm not sure"

I couldn't take it anymore, I had to set them free. I gave her a piece of my mind, questions that have been stuck and left unanswered through my head non stop, waiting and desperate to be answered "I-I don't know anything, I just would notice a person walking in and out of the house a few times"

Curiosity took over "how did you get in there. For how long" I asked her impatiently, tearing more questions rushing through my mind "I don't know how long I lived there, maybe two years. I don't remember how I got there. All I knew was that there was always this person who would check in every month" That caught my attention "Describe that person" she took a deep breath in before speaking, "They wore all black, from head to toe even their hair was covered. I don't know what they did in the house I just would see them walking around" There it is, the urge to ask more.

I slowly leaned towards her, resting my right hand on the table next to her half empty water bottle. "Were you scared of that person" she answered simply "no"

My head is a total mess, asking, needing more until I noticed her starting to grow uncomfortable. Dante walked in at the same exact moment to take her away and show her room, perfect timing right.

I was left alone in my office, partly impressed, partly confused. Why did she keep her. What was she planning on doing with her. Things I had trouble wrapping my mind around. No matter how much there is to figure, I decided to leave it aside for a moment and call a meeting in one of my warehouses. Due to Venom casually blowing up one of the houses, I had to secure my men. It's impossible for this to happen. Never in six years anyone dared to pull such a stunt, until she showed up.

[V]

I arrived at the warehouse along with Dante by my side. I didn't feel like making conversation nor chit chatting with anyone, I wanted to get this thing over with and leave.

We reached the room, and walked in. I let my eyes observe  the room, men spread around the table as I recognized half of their faces. They all stood up at my entrance. I ignored any bows and salutes and slid the head chair open and motioned them to sit down.

Calling a meeting was something we're used to, my men knew everything had to be in place, the way I wanted it to be. People always mention how the line between love and hate is thin, forgetting the thin line between success and failure.

I held a lot of power and responsibilities, one wrong move from these idiots will tear us all down and I'm not risking it. I learned from a young age to never rely on someone, even my own family. When I joined the mafia and took over, I was well trained. I had just finished college even though my father thought it was useless. My mother on the other hand supported me and kept me going, always reminding me to never give up.

Being a mafia leader you have to rely on people at some point, that's why they work for you. The difference was, other leaders would hire people to do work they're unable to finish, however, I'm capable of doing anything any of my men could execute. We only hired them for less and faster work. In the end you can't rule a whole mafia on your own.

The meeting I called did not hold any seriousness other than checking on business and the blown up house. I asked for our new shipments to my car company under the name SANTORO. We discussed them and it turned out they were doing very well. I like keeping balance, making sure everything is in the line.

After the meeting was over, right before I was going to dismiss everyone to end the meeting, one of the men stood up and left for the door.

There are a few things I tolerate, but disrespect is not one of them.

"VILTO." I called him out with all solemnity, hearing my voice deepen, my anger starting to grow "ya?" he responded, cocking his head my way "Where do you think you're going" I asked feeling the urge to throw that door at him and choke him to death.

"The meeting is over, capo" He said with a straight face, this man has a death wish "The meeting is over when I tell you it's over, now SIT." I demanded, as he made his way back and sat down. I could see the shivers going down his spine.

After a few minutes of silence "you're all dismissed" is all I had to say for dozens of them to rush out the door. While the men were leaving the room, my hand rose with the gun in my grip. I loaded it, the sound ringing in the room. No one turned their heads to check what it is, only who knows is about to get killed does. I pulled the trigger and shot Vilto right between his pitch black eyes. I sat down, watching him bleed to death.

We got back to my car and took the road back home. Dante and I discussed several topics when half way through the ride, I got interrupted by a call from my father. He invited me over dinner due to my uncles and cousins surprisingly showed up, "i'll be there in thirty minutes"

I dropped off Dante in front of the house and left for my parents' house. They live a few neighborhoods away from me, slightly close to the actual city. I saw their gates from a distance and drove up the highway, the security cameras automatically opened the doors for me and I got in. I parked the cars in the entrance, unable to find Adriano's car. I shook it off and hopped on the few steps before ringing the bell. A young lady opened the door for me and tried to guide me in when I stopped her since I am the one who bought this house.

I greeted all of my uncles and their wives, it was just a small family reunion so it did not contain any business talks. It's been a while since I reunited with my favorite cousin, Adriano. He was a tall dominant man, I was only a few inches taller. He had dark brown eyes and short brown hair. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top which made his chest tattoos show along with his arms covered with more, each one a different unique design. He had a few rings and a chain dangling. We have been close from a very young age but we were caught up in business and weren't able to sit down and have a conversation in a long time.

The evening wasn't half bad, we ate and watched a football game. Sports were alright, but I didn't have time to sit down and watch a whole game. It was around eleven before midnight when I excused myself and left. Adriano had asked me to do him a favor, apparently his car got blown up on some mission he was on and he needed a new one. I invited him tomorrow morning at my company, to visit and pick whatever car he likes.

As soon as I arrived home I started searching for Emilion. I looked around the whole house, yet he was nowhere to be found until I walked past Lydia's room. They were sitting on the ground playing uno like little children "wanna play with us" was the first thing Lydia suggested. I quickly replied with no, rejecting their little game. I saw Lydia's face turn back to the card in disappointment before she got caught up with the game again. I was too tired, mentally and physically.

My hands dug deep into my pocket, my hair moved with the soft breeze of air as my body felt numb. My mind is exhausted, my energy is drained and dying. I let my eyes lead me to wherever I wished and they landed on the balcony, the door was open. I reached my head to look inside where I saw Dante standing there, his arms on the barrier and his head looking up at the moon with its shining stars. I stood there for a second, zooming out with him. A few second later, I snapped out of it and decided to join him

I stepped in quietly, walking towards him until I reached his side. We're both tired and unsure. We both want what's best yet don't know which path to take. We both have a heart and faith for the future but with nothing to set us on it.

After moments of just standing still, Dante broke the silence "what are you going to do now Alessandro" he sounds lost, lost deeply into his own thoughts and world, lost deeply into the dark, just like me.

I don't have a further explanation. I am frustrated and clueless, we're not moving forward and watching how much we keep losing is killing me. It's hard to stand still, watching yourself fail at something you've been training to do your whole life.

It wasn't a failure, I keep reminding myself. I hate giving up and I wasn't planning to. It might take a while, a lot of work but will make out something in the end. I sure mention that we're not moving further, however we might be. Maybe it's just happening slowly, leaving us impatient.

Everything around us takes its time, yet sometimes we decide to give up, due to not being able to see the good hidden under the time and effort you put into the work. No matter how much you think you're not making a step, you are. We're just blinded by losing hope. That's why throughout journeys, challenges, you should believe in faith. Gather yourself with hope that it will get better as time goes by. Not quickly or slowly, it will happen in the right time.

I finally let myself turn my head, looking at Dante. His eyes softened at my sight, he knew it all. I didn't have to explain myself to him, if there is one person in this world who would understand me, it's Dante. "I'm trying my best" the words came out of my mouth in full surrender, my voice quiet and no longer full of fire and excitement. I was slowly drifting away from this world, slowly shutting down and wishing to never come back. "io so chi sei" [translation: I know you are]

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