~Xavier~Playing fire is a dangerous game I knew all about. I could get burned any moment, or worse, it could burn everything I’ve worked for.“Tell me what I want to know, Anatoly,” I smirked, looking over the variety of random items laid above the metal table. From knives to screwdrivers, guns to hammers, we have it all. Running my bloodied fingers over the scalpel, I grabbed it and faced the annoying Russian capo with a scowl. A cigarette stick trapped between my lips, I raised my choice of weapon, letting it shine under the fluorescent light. I wanted him to see it.His eyes, bloodshot and wide, enlarged further as I took lazy steps towards him. Tied in a worn-out operation table, the straps that bound him to it left red blotches on his pale skin. One of his kneecaps already smashed; the sledge

~Xavier~ Gianna and Levi were very much delighted to have their daughter back. From my vantage point, I can see Zia trying to look past the secrets her parents kept from her. She wanted to reconnect with them. That’s why she didn’t want a grand celebration for her birthday, even though I insisted. All she asked was to have an intimate and simple dinner with our families. I’ll support her in what she wants to do. Anything for her, honestly. I’d give her the world if I can because she’s everything I ever wanted. Someone I thought I could never have her. Lounging on the ratan couch by the balcony, Zia’s feet rested on top of my lap while she sipped her tea, browsing through her phone to meet her friends later at club Cielo while I’ll be in a meeting with dad and Levi. I

~Xavier~ Before going into the field, all members of the mafia undergo a series of training. Not only to prepare our body from the brutal reality of this lifestyle and our mental ability to cope with every situation. Omertà is an oath of loyalty and silence. We all swore to die instead of betraying la Famiglia. Zia, however, didn’t receive that amount of training to strengthen her endurance in these circumstances. She doesn’t know a single thing about how the mafia works apart from the basic things I told her - mostly rankings and our businesses - nothing our enemies didn’t know before. Zia held permanent residency in my mind, but I shudder at picturing her right now. She’s all alone, uncertain of her tomorrow. Thoughts of all bile things her abductor might do to her crossed my mind. People in the underworld are

~Zia~ There’s this bellowing echo inside my head, locking gaze with Ashley’s almond eyes. I should’ve trusted my gut feel. A snake will change skin, but it’ll remain a withering reptile. “Is that Lorenzo?” I asked, scared for the child that hadn’t stopped crying since I opened my eyes. There’s nothing around that could indicate the time or place where she’d taken me. All I know is its daylight outside, coming from the small window twice my height up on the wall behind me. The clothes I have had since Club Cielo are still cloaking my body, but doing so little against the concrete ground where I’m seated. Ashley smirked, reaching into her jacket pocket for a pack of cigarettes, lighting one as if counting her movements. It’s like I’m staring into her other self. This w

~Zia~ I turned to face Calvin only to see two of him smiling sweetly at me. “T-the fuck, C-cal?” I slurred, my world spinning, the butt warmer I’m sitting on… no, the entire car was reeling. The asshole smirked. “I told you we’ll go to the port, my love. Now sleep,” he said, his voice bouncing off from all directions. I fought the effect of whatever he injected me with, but it was no use. My body accepted what he gave me, doing what it was told. My eyes drifted close. I’m hardly aware of my surroundings as the car swiveled on the road. The tire wailed as it screeched. My head slammed on the window, making me grunt. I’m not sure if it was just my imagination. Even the warm li