XVIII

It is the next day now. The entirety of my family is crowded around a spacial table at Marco's. My sister messaged me earlier today and made it known that this was urgent so I reluctantly agreed to attend.

Once everyone is seated, Marco silences the room and stands, his body towering over us. I stare at his smouldering face and submit under his powerful presence.

"I hope everyone is prepared for our early flight tomorrow." He announces. I glance around the table and notice most people nodding, some people not reacting, and I am confused as fuck. I turn to my cousin James and mouth "What?"

He mouths something back but I struggle to make out most of the words. Instead of just sitting there like an idiot, I stand, bringing my drink with me. "Flight for what?" I ask. Marco squints his eyes at me in confusion. "You don't know?" He asks.

"Know what?!" I shout, raising my voice slightly. "We are going to Spain." Francesca buts in. I turn around to see Marco with an amused expression on his face. "Why the fuck did I not know about this?" I question. The room is so silent I swear I can hear my own heart, briskly beating away in my chest. "I'll explain after." Marco says. "Why are we going to Spain? We are literally under attack!" I yell, trying to make sense of the situation. "That's exactly why we're going." He replies. Instead of questioning him further, I slump back down in my chair and finish my champagne in one large swig.

After the insignificant meeting is over, James pulls me aside and clears up a few things I was cynical on. He explains that going to Spain with both families has been a tradition ever since my absence five years ago. The logic behind it is the fact that we have an alliance with the Spanish Mafia and there is some business that needs seeing to there.

While our families are still mingling about vacuous topics, I follow my mother into the baroque kitchen. She reminds me of all the things I should pack for the trip. I just nod my head and smile as she continues to talk about things I stopped listening to a while ago.

I slip out of the mansion before saying goodbye to anyone. I step into my convertible and navigate to my best friend, Tanya's house. I don't know how I'll get through this trip without her. Besides, shes fun and we can party together. I message her to let her know I am impending and when I pull up outside, she is already on the doorstep awaiting my approach. I scurry over to her and give her an ardent hug before following her into the living room.

She pours us each a glass of red wine and we flop down on a small couch. "How would you feel about coming to Spain with me tomorrow?" I blurt out. She lowers her glass from her mouth and looks at me like I am berserk. "Seriously?" She asks.

"Sorry it's late notice, I only just found out." I say. "Whose going?" She asks, placing her glass down on the side. "My family and some of the Italian Mafia." I reply.

She looks at me in confusion. She has every right to be confused, why am I even going on a holiday with them? Why now?

"Are you sure they'll want me there?" She asks as she raises her eyebrows. "Who gives a shit what they want, I can make decisions too." I say, laughing slightly.

"In that case, I would love to assist you, Miss Levine." She says sweetly. We cheers and sip on our drinks until the glasses are entirely empty. We chat for a while about witless things and I say goodbye, handing her a limited packing list to help her on the way out.

At least this trip wont be half bad.

*A few hours later*

I am back home, practically tearing my closet apart to find the hottest and most perfect outfits for Spain. "It looks like a bomb went off in here." My sister says, treading over the clothes scattered everywhere.

"Packing is so hard!" I call out, pressing my hand to my forehead in lassitude. "We need to talk summer clothes, girl." She replies as she searches the hefty pile of fabrics layered on my floor.

She matches some endearing outfits up for me and assists me in cramming them all into my undersized suitcase. Its a bit of a struggle to close it but we manage to do it after a long few minutes of trying. I wheel it to the living room and place it will the several other suitcases lined up in there.

I hear voices coming from inside the kitchen and wander inside. I perceive my cousins ensconced around the patterned island in the middle of the room. I grab a big bowl of coco pops and sit myself down. They enthusiastically talk about the holiday and how much fun they will have. I don't really contribute to the convocation, just sit there spoon eating my cereal.

***

*The next day*

It is 6:30am and I have just arrived at New York airport alongside my family. Marco and his family arrive shortly after us and we all form a monumental group. Marco and I don't say a word to each other as we retrieve our bags from the boot of the cars. We head inside and I collapse down on a seat with Tanya and Marco either side of me. Marco barely acknowledges me as he is too occupied on his phone.

After a relatively long time sitting there, my mother scampers up to us. "Guys get up! We are going on holiday for gods sake!" She screeches enthusiastically. Tanya immediately jumps up from her chair while me and Marco are a little less devoted about it.

I tailgate my family over to the private jet and one by one we board. I take a seat besides a window with Tanya and Fran sat on the left side of me. I'm playing with a loose thread on a napkin, trying to keep it cool, while Tanya teases me.

"I see you drooling over Marco." She whispers mischievously. I sigh and look over to where Marco is sat, he is sitting on a couch opposite his sister, scrolling on his phone as standard. I shrug my shoulders and give her a nettled stare. Her smile instantly fades into a frown and she drinks from her water bottle. "He's an ass." I snap, hissing through my faultless teeth.

A flight attendant finally makes an appearance and serves some drinks to Marco's family. I cover my mouth to contain my laughter when strong turbulence knocks her off her feet. Tanya playfully slaps me on the knee. "You're laughing, seriously?!" She laughs, shaking her head in disapproval. I simper and close the curtain, keeping the light out. I lean back to get comfortable and shut my eyes, blocking the remaining light out. Soon sleep creeps upon me.

***

As soon as we step off the plane, the blistering heat from outside ignites my face. I am finally coming to realisation that it could be potentially satisfying to be away from home, especially with Tanya and my family.

Several cars transport us from the airport to the hotel we are staying at. We are here for three nights in total. The first night we are spending in a hotel and the other two in a luxe villa. The car zooms past several luxurious restaurants and sandy beaches, I roll down the tinted window and poke my head outside, feeling the outside warmth dancing on my skin.

Once the cars come to a halt, we each step out of the vehicles and collect our bags. Tanya portrays her excitement when she dashes towards the hotel, tugging me along with her. "Are we sharing a room?" She asks.

Good question.

Wait. Shit. I'm supposed to be engaged to Marco! What will my family think if we are sleeping in separate rooms.

Luckily I told Tanya all about it. How it's not a real engagement. I trust her enough to tell her.

"No, you will be in with Fran I think." I reply, uncertainly. We stop in our tracks at the front desk and multiple room keys are presented before us. Marco snatches our key off the desk with a smirk before leading me up to the room.

I obviously picked the most expensive room, it's a shame I have to share it with Marco. The room is extensive with gold details of versace on the wall. The huskiest bed I have ever seen is positioned directly in the centre of the room. A gold patterned velvet blanket sits upon it, cloaking the white bedsheets beneath.

"I would offer to sleep on the couch but that's not gonna happen." He calls out, taking in every microscopic detail of the room. "Didn't expect anything less from you." I reply as I roll my eyes in his direction.

"It's my room, princess." He says, finally looking at me with his assertive auburn eyes. "May I remind you, princess, this is my room too." I mock, broadcasting a resentful expression on my face. The playfulness in my voice emits a smirk on his face and I cant help but smile back at him.

This is gonna be one long trip.

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