ALESSANDRO'S POV

I stood there, shaking hands with Alyssa. It was great seeing her again. I looked around the room, searching for Amelia through thousands of people.

A couple days after the attack, I called Amelia urgently. As much as I could remember, I never said it was over.

Attacking the Russians was a wake up call, not for us but for them. A wake up call for them to wake up and get ready for whatever I'm planning, to whatever's about to end their lives.

It might seem as if it didn't take that much of a plan, but it sure did. It's just that my mind works faster than a normal human being, which gives me the benefit of killing faster than a normal human being. Something appreciated.

I remember about two days ago, Armando and I were playing a new video game he wanted to try when Venom walked in on us. She held groceries in both her hands as she kept getting closer. I paused the game, throwing the controller on the couch as I got up, making my way towards her. I rushed to her side, grabbing the bags from her left hand. She nodded at me with a soft smile before we both walked to the kitchen.

After I was done helping her, she left for her bedroom as usual and I went back to Armando who was watching us this whole time. I knew he would give a look or a word as in 'great job' and he did just that.

We shook it off by a laugh and went back to the game, ending with me winning yet again. He sighed in frustration, unable to accept his loss. "I say a rematch" I chuckled as I heard these words for the hundredth time "You've been saying that for the last hour Armando" I said, handing him the controller "But it's not fair, you keep winning. Is there something you suck at" I let out another chuckle before pushing myself up the couch "I don't really think so" I said with a slight smirk before continuing "Go to bed, I need you wide awake tomorrow morning" I told him as I made my way towards the stairs "Whatever you wish for capo" and just like that, the two of us went separately to sleep that night.

Next thing they knew was this meeting. I gathered them all after breakfast for an important discussion. I hesitated whether I should let Julia attend or not, but ended up letting her in. In the end, Dante grew to trust in her and I won't doubt him. If he trusts her then we all do.

And if she bertay, we're all dead. But let's not put the idea into our heads.

The attack was much more than success. It was full of pride, full of power. It felt pure, leaving my favorite part the last. Probably our favorite part.

After taking a lot and a lot of bullshit from the Russian, I had it. It just needed time to finally pull it together and there I am. An alliance, three mafias coming together to end one. All it needed was a little bit of planning with the mind of a leader and the skills of a tigress.

I sat on the last share, reserving everyone's attention along with Julia's excitement. We had a few talks from now and then. She thanked me a couple times for saving her sister which I for the seventh time said it was fine. She would always mention how Lia is happy to be here and how much she's enjoying this house. Sometimes I can't believe I actually let them step a foot in here. This house was supposed to be my safe place where no one knew about it, except for me and Venom.

But now, we all live here as a family house. I'm not bothered by it believe me however I kinda miss that little mysterious place I had for myself. Who am I kidding, I can make millions of mysterious houses if I wanted. No one knows about the balcony though, not even its existence. If someone takes a breath in that place, I will make sure it's their last.

Back to the seven adults staring at me, I spoke my mind and plan I've been preparing for the past couple days. If we wanted to defeat the Russians, we could use some help. Not doubting my men nor their ability of killing thousands, we're called the best for a reason. But if the chance is given, why not. Amelia somehow has a connection with Venom which is till the day I'm living, I have no idea of. My curiosity calmed down after a while, letting it go for the right time to figure out. It sure was hard since I have to know everything, but that changed since she came in.

I've already called Amelia about this meeting and she gladly accepted. She was never the one to back away from a fight and that's why she held so much respect from me and her people. Pushing aside her suspicion of occasions, I would trust her any day to fight by my side. Just that one thing that stood out was her unknown relationship with Venom. My biggest concern about these two was if it was a rough past, not a very memorable one. But I am sure Amelia would never fight Venom as long as she's connected to us. If Amelia knew her whether now or in the past, I'm sure she knows Venom is not the one to mess with. The whole world knew, the name itself was enough for you to back off and hide from her sight before it's too late.

After the Albanian mafia was in the bag, the next ones were the Mexican. Damn Mexican. Nothing but confusion gets out of these people.

After eleven whole years being out of business with a leader refusing to retire, it gets more complicated. Gerardo sure is one stubborn man. He's a middle aged man, leading the mafia for almost thirty years. Pretty impressive if you ask me, yet pretty suspicious. He and his wife Teresa Albir never had children for a reason left hidden from the world.

I never found an answer for Gerardo's behavior, it was mentioned a lot of times he and his wife loved children. I remember the first time I met him, I was around eight or nine, he told me how much he wanted a boy just like me and how much his father wanted Mrs Albir to have a baby boy to lead the mafia in the future yet they never did. He even mentioned to my father how they're ready to start trying for a child. I remember deeply how excited I got. It was the idea of my father accepting for me to have a friend that got me thrilled since he never allowed me to speak with anyone.

I never had this friend.

Gerardo's years are counting as they're preparing the new heir of the Spanish mafia, Abran Albir. The oldest niece of Gerardo. I have met him a couple times throughout the years, wishing I didn't. The man is a joke, all he's capable of is flirting with women, ending with no one in the end. He was an average man with the height of five foot eleven, he recently dyed his hair blond which looks absolutely hideous. He's all about having fun and getting women into his pants each night. A joke like I said earlier.

With Gerardo and Teresa hiding in the dark, they let this pathetic guy take over a mafia. After years and years of nothing, they come back with this idiot. I sighed as I watched him enter the room. My face is full of disgust at his ridiculous figure. He shook hands with a couple of men with full disrespect for himself. He hugged the women without their consent, shaking their body from side to side in his sickening grip.

I blew air out of my nose as I glared at Emilion who's standing next to me. "It's not my fault I swear" he said in surrender. I chuckled at him, finally feeling less annoyed. I noticed from across the room Kira was sending alone next to the drinks, I patted him on the shoulder and pushed him slightly so he could take a hint. The man is just as blind. I glanced at where she stood and he still didn't get it. I pushed him harder, probably till the point he arrived in front of her. I chuckled one more time before turning my attention to the loud ass man. Even his laugh is annoying.

A lot of enemies and danger will head towards him as soon as he becomes the new leader. The second the news will spread all around the world, a new war will start with many losses. We can't catch a break, can't we.

Although I would be glad if he got killed. It would be a favor to the world, I will even reward whoever does it.

I got cut off by Dante handing me a piece of paper, full of names of the lovely guests. My eyes traveled from the top, recognizing each name after another. Everything was going as planned. Everyone attended, happily and excited for this journey. It is a strong move, having three mafias after one is something unstoppable. Something for the first time in history.

It felt great for once, the feeling of everyone having the same wish, the same desire. Six years ago when I took the lead of this mafia, I knew this day would come. I knew one day the Russians would come after me, wanting nothing but my death.

Imagine living your whole life, as a child you watched people wanting your father's death and now they want yours. And they will stop at nothing for their own desire.

It's depressing, it's terrifying but I never was the one to fear anything or anyone. I wasn't created nor brought to this world to hold back. I am not born to lose, I am not born to hide. I am born to stand up and fight back, ending with nothing but victory.

I would be lying if I wasn't searching for Venom's name on the list. I told her about the whole thing before anyone. I told her before Dante, Emilion, Armando, Adriano, everyone. It surprised me how she's the first person I went to after deciding something but I secretly loved it. I loved it from the bottom of my heart.

I wasn't scared anymore, to admit what I felt. I did enjoy every second of her. I wanted to explore and continue this life with her by my side. We never set a specific amount of months or years she'll be working with us but it sure wasn't permanently which made me uncomfortable just thinking about it. The idea of her waking up one day and choosing to leave wasn't so sweet to my poor mind. I won't be able to stop her, I won't be able to stand next to her for the last time. I won't be able to follow her behind wherever she goes, wherever she leads.

There's so much I would miss if she left. Yet I had much faith in her. Something told me she wouldn't just leave, right?

I want to know her and be there no matter what, even when she doesn't need me. She'll never need me and I know that deeply, accepting it respectfully.

A lot and I mean a lot of voices told me not to, told me she would reject but I didn't care. I didn't let these voices get to me and decided to ask her to the ball. Like I said earlier, I'm not scared anymore nor was to begin with. At first I simply didn't know what it was, what I felt and who's the beautiful woman who made me feel this way. She's the only human being I for once felt for.

I sound so ridiculous right now and I know I do. The woman didn't speak two whole conversations with me and somehow that was enough for me to get pulled, just by the slightest thing. For a second I thought I was absolutely crazy and maybe I am but does it matter though. Okay maybe it does.

But it's okay for once to be crazy, and believe whatever your heart tells you. Even if you're hating it, give it a second to show you what you've been rejecting, what you've been pushing away when it might be your only escape. A simple thing that makes you realize stuff you didn't know existed.

Just like the name I didn't know existed.

My eyes kept traveling down, reading each name in my own mind. Until they caught an unfamiliar name, at least that's what I thought.

I stared at the paper, trying my best to remember this name but I couldn't. It kept repeating in my mind over and over ending with nothing, nowhere in my head nor memory. When I tell you I tried so hard I did, yet I ended up with a void.

"Akila," I let out in a low tone, the name rolling on my tongue, A-keel-uh. And for some reason, Amelia stiffed and turned around slowly, her eyes filled with terror as her muscles tensed. She cleared her throat, unable to let out the words she was just preparing. Something is going on and I'm sure I will like it.

I felt my grip tighten, along with anger rushing through my veins by the thought of someone getting in without my assent. Someone I didn't know, someone I thought I didn't know.

I placed the paper on the table beside us, not letting go of Amelia's gaze. Her eyes left mine, watching the paper laying on the wooden table. I slammed my hand on the paper, wanting an answer now or she and everyone in this room won't like what I'm about to do. Her eyes met mine again, as if she's begging for me to wait and let her explain. And when I did, she stayed quiet.

I was two seconds away from doing something a middle aged woman shouldn't get.

She stood there, giving me absolutely nothing. She looked at me as if it's the first time we met. It started annoying me, to a level I could tear apart this look on her face. She then started looking around the room, hopefully looking for that Akila.

She kept searching while I never took my eyes off her. I was holding myself from screaming at this woman and before another thought, she finally looked back at me. This time with more horror running through her eyes, making all the pureness and innocence vanish away.

She locked both of her hands together, rubbing her fingers together as she started looking around the room again. I shut my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. I shot them open, following her gaze. My eyes travelled around the room, yet again unable to find that person which caused nothing but for my anger and annoyance to grow.

I looked around for Dante or anyone to ask who the hell was Akila but I couldn't find them. It was like everyone left, for her to stay unknown. As if it was wrong to find out who she was and maybe it was for the best to never find out.

After a moment of silence from Amelia, the doors shot open from both sides. Amelia's attention flashed from the guests to the door. She shook her head to both sides, shutting her eyes closed out of worry.

The way I watched Amelia shivers in fear made me worry. She was in mid panic while I stood there watching her in rage, a part of me wanted to help yet a part of me needed to know what was happening. I felt a million things at once but my mind was empty. My mind was sitting there, unable to pick up the dots.

Amelia's attention fell on the door as it opened. I clenched my jaw, turning my head towards the same direction she looked at. When the doors were wildly opened from both sides, it revealed no one but Venom.

I felt my eyes soften at her sight, it was a relief knowing she came and didn't leave me.

Yet Akila is nowhere to be found.

Before I let my mind and anger split back, I took a moment to appreciate the woman in front of me. She was wearing a black dress shirt, tugged in her black and white high waisted plaid trousers wide leg pants. And for the first time, she wore a white coat. Her coat reached above her knees within a few inches, leaving the buttons open. Her long silver earring swung in the air as she stepped in. She stood there for a second, looking around the room. A few strands of her hair flew out of the low bun along with her bangs. Just looking at her made my whole body relax, admiring her figure peacefully.

Her eyes traveled around the room, searching for someone I assume. And before another thought, I felt Amelia's gaze on me. I gradually took my eyes off Venom, giving my full attention to Amelia. I looked at her but this time, I didn't care.

I didn't care who Akila was. Venom is here and that was enough to vanish away any worry, any thought left in my mind. Little did I know, I spoke too soon.

Amelia and I held eye contact for a really long time, she tried to read me but I had nothing to hide. But she did.

She turned her head to the door again, this time I didn't. As she noticed I didn't follow her gaze she finally spoke "This is Akila."

She said, keeping her eyes on the door. My eyes closed slightly in confusion before I turned my head, to meet this Akila. And when I did, I only saw Venom.

The second my eyes landed on her, she caught them tensely. She didn't move, she didn't flinch. Her hair stood in place, everything stopped.

She was my first and last thought but this, she never was. My lips shaped in a thin line unable to react, unable to get rid of the feeling running down my spine.

The people in the room looked blurry, making my eyes focus on her and only her. She raised her chin upwards as she stared at me with no emotions. Before any thought or any regret, she disappeared into the crowd of people. And just like that it all changed, it all fell APART.

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