AKILA'S POV

I stood in the bathroom, under the sink washing the car oil out of my hands. Looking at my reflection through the mirror, I suddenly heard footsteps.

It can't be Alessandro, he left a week ago to pick up his grandparents which means only one thing. The girls.

I turned the water off and sighed quietly, I truly don't want to deal with them.

Giving me no choice, the footsteps got louder and I was able to figure how many people were approaching, aside from the obvious high-pitched voice of Julia, Kira walked by her side. They never come here, and I mean never in a lifetime, so having them courageous enough to make contact with me is disturbing. I waited impatiently for them to arrive and get this over with but they seemed hesitant so I did the job for them.

I stormed out of the bathroom when I found them right in front of me. The both stood in shock, eyes widened as if they saw a ghost. Maybe they didn't want to see me.

I took the hint and was about to walk past them when Julia called out my name. I snapped my head at them and there was terror filling their eyes, almost blinding their sight. Julia swallowed every bit of liquid down her throat while Kira stood awkwardly. I seriously have no time for this.

I turned back to leave when Kira told me to wait. This is getting on my nerves.

"What do you want" I spoke coldly towards the two women in front of me, not feeling like taking their bullshit this evening, or any other. "We came to ask if you can help with Alessandro's birthday surprise"

Of course. I took a deep breath in, rethinking every decision I could make. If I say yes then I have to associate myself with these people, along with Dante, Emilion and the DeVille who hates my guts. But if I say no, doesn't that make me a bad partner?

What have I gotten myself into.

At the moment, I wasn't certain so I gave them a quick nod and disappeared before they attempted to stop me again.

I pulled my hoodie on my head and walked down the hallways with both my hands in my pockets. Alessandro left about a week ago, he told me it would only take a day to bring his grandparents here but I'm sure something happened. It killed me inside out not knowing what's going on, however I had to stay down since he asked me to cover his work up until he's back. No one is supposed to know his grandparents will land in Italy, it's too dangerous knowing the Russians still roam around Italy. He didn't inform anyone he's leaving aside from me and Dante in case anything happens and as you can see, something definitely happened.

I would be lying if I said I'm worried, Alessandro ain't no kid who will get kidnapped or fooled by some bastards, the man is much more than that. Sometimes, just a few moments when I think about him, I actually admire the way he handles everything. The way he walks with pride attracts me in some way I can't describe, the respect he earns from his men is unbelievably touching. Maybe it's because my whole life I only craved and fought for respect and power, seeing him gain force and strength everyday pulls me even more towards him, not because it's in my benefits or to use him, it's simply my type of man. A man in control, professional, respected, caring, gentle yet rough when it's needed, adorable and so loving.

I squeezed my eyes shut to shake away the thoughts. I need to get work done. After the ball incident, I've come to realize we're getting closer to war, much closer than they all expect. What I've done with him will only make things worse, I humiliated him in his own territory, I stepped on him and broke the vase his father last gave him before he died on top of his head. I caused a lot of damage that I can't wait to go back and finish him. And I knew that eventually, I will have to step back and hide through shadows to achieve my plans. No matter how many times I will promise to stay, I always never will.

It's in my nature. Akila Lorenzo does not work in groups, she works alone and wins.

Every badle I had to go through, whether mentally or physically, I made it on my own. It became a habit, a need to get back up without reaching for a helping hand. It became addicting only relying on myself that even if I'm bleeding to death, I would rather die there then to watch someone else save me. Because I am a survivor, not a victim.

I heard the doorbell ring before I got into my bedroom, I made a two hundred seventy degree turn and pushed myself forwards. I went down the stairs, and just when I reached the door, I saw Dianna through the glass wall. I bit the inside of my cheeks and sustained my rage. She knows her son isn't here, and she never visits unless to see him. She came here to see what the women driving her son around circles is all about. I like Dianna, I have no problem with her but I don't trust her. Who knows what she'll do if I get recognized? Who knows if she'll call on me and hand me to Gerardo. I will make sure to split her throat open before she attempts to turn me in and I won't care about any of the circumstances after. And if they think they can catch me, I would like to see them try.

I held the door handle right around my grip and swung the door open with my hand. Her eyes lifted off the ground and finally met with my gaze. They lightened for some reason, as if she knew exactly I would be the one standing on the other side. My face remained neutral, we stood still for three minutes before she finally spoke, "What's your name darling?" she spoke softly, with much focus, making sure she didn't get tricked. Dianna is a smart woman, everyone knows that but her games are not going to work on me.

I forced my body to the side and opened the door widely for her to enter. Her eyes fixed on me as she stepped inside, behind her was her driver who held a few bags. He set them on the ground and left shortly after. I watched him drive down the highway and the second the guards closed the gates after him, I let go of the door handle and left. Yes, I left Dianna at the door all by herself. It's not my task to serve her nor represent myself, it's not her house nor am I her worker. I'm here for Alessandro and no one else including his family so unless it's Alessandro, I won't be answering any question or making any chit chatting.

I felt a smile creep up my lips at the choice of words I used, unless it's Alessandro, God, what have he done to me.

I felt my tongue move around my mouth at the sudden feelings I'm not used to. It's so weird and different, the way I can't control how he affects me, the way I can't hold myself back when I'm with him. He drives me insane, he leads me to some places I can't get enough of. He takes me away with him, far away from the world to spend time with his only peace, his only source of serenity.

I once lived the most simple life, with no need of these emotions but now, it's not about needing them, it's about wanting them. It's about wanting to spend time with him, wanting to see the way he gently touches me, the way every time he lays an eye on me, it takes every single strength in his body not to eat me up in every way possible. The crave and desire roaming our bodies whenever we're next to one another. It almost seems unbelievable that I found something like this, someone like him. To share and experience this with Alessandro, might have been one of the most perfect—unplanned events in my life. Who would have thought. Who would have thought.

"Ms Antonio" I looked to my left where Dante stood two feet away from me. After the night I told Alessandro about my past and my full real name, I only wanted to be known as Akila Lorzeno in the house. I knew it would cause a lot of attention and suspicion if people found that name and I honestly don't care but it threatened Alessandro's empire since I have enemies all around the world and if they find out we're partners, it will bring more chaos. It's already enough what happened between him and his father.

I believe Alessandro cut every contact with his father since that day, it's so complicated that people didn't know who to side with. A ruthless father, soulless towards his men and A son who disobeyed all of his rules and became a hundred times more successful than his father could ever be. Enzo only made it through war and his years of leading because of his faithful and loyal men yet he chose to treat them like dogs.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I remembered Dante who waited for my response. "Akila" I corrected him calmly, his gaze fell on the floor as he tried to hide a smile. It's cute how much he cares about Alessandro, it makes me wonder how two mates could find so much love and care for one another. I never had friends nor family members to trust with my blood and flesh, so it's new if that's the right way to describe it, to see a man happy for his friend just because he found his own happiness. I could never imagine myself feeling anything towards another human. I've always been emotionally unavailable to the outside world. It became out of control how numb I walk by the most horrifying things, how my numbness grows the more I destroy and take out souls with my bare hands. Don't get me wrong, the amusement of ending a life still creeps up every inch of my body and creates shivers running down my neck, it struck me like thunder, absorbing its lightening, handing me the power, the electricity.

I may have a lot of issues, but I accept and love each one of them unconditionally. I love the way I terrify people, I admire my careless mind, it mesmerized me how I grew so much out of my sensitivity and became this deadly woman. At some point, it's not about my reputation and how others see me and what my name holds, it's all about what I think of myself and God knows how highly I talk about this woman.

I almost chuckled out loud when Dante finally managed to look at me. "My apologies, Akila. Would you like to join us downstairs with Mrs Santoro? We're planning his birthday party" and for the first time, I wanted to get kidnapped.

I don't want to sit down around these strange people, they're all weird and on crack occasionally. Laugh about absolutely anything which leads to several humor issues.

But I forgot about all of this when the image of Alessandro crashed into my mind, blurring all my reasons not to. He will be happy. He will smile so bright while his heartbeats increase so high that it will fulfill him inside out, it will delight him, my presence, my will to do something I despise just for him.

He's done so much for me, he has been so patient and so calm, he waited for me even after all the pain I've caused him. He sacrificed so many things just for my sake to be happy, to be comfortable and welcomed.

It almost makes me frustrated how he actually did all of this. He was ready to let go of everything for me, he flipped his father and sided with me. Never, never once thought of me badly, never once wished me pain or sought revenge. He thought highly of me, he admired my work from afar, he didn't allow any of his men to disrespect me no matter my actions, no matter how many I kill. He searched for me, he looked around and traced my steps just to reach me and in the end, he found me.

He found me and introduced me to this new world, this world full of him, his touch and his words. He touched me, and not in a physical way, he touched somewhere deep down in my heart and changed me, changed so many things that I wanted more. So much more of him and his time, his small gestures and smiles.

He didn't make me feel safe, he didn't make sure I'm okay, he didn't pull me behind his back and protect me, he stood by my side and assured me that he's here, that we're doing this together because he's my partner, he's my friend, he's my boyfriend and only human I've ever let get this close to me, only human I genuinely and deeply cared for. He's my one and only who will always remain in my memory, no matter what happens after the war, no matter death or life, Alessandro Alvaro Santoro will always be in my heart and mind, he will always be a part of my soul that I will take away with me after my death, after I've done everything to protect him and save him no matter what happen to me afterwards. I will cross oceans, I will find him and stand by his side through ups and down. I will stand in front of a bullet for him and I will take it with a smile shining across my face with pride that in one day, I was able to save him, that I died to save the life of the only man I loved.

"LEAD THE WAY"

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