Song~ War Of Hearts - Ruelle Song ~Afraid - The neighborhood Song ~ High Enough - K Flay



My arm rested firmly around Rylees shoulders as we walked out of the club.

Lucien had caught sight of us the moment we left and knew something was wrong immediately. Nik was behind me and Lucien stood behind Rylee- both of them giving space.

Atlas and Cas immediately made their way to Cassandra's car. Atlas helped Cas into the passenger seat after she stumbled the whole way out the club. She was by far the most drunk out of all of us.

"See ya boys tonight!" Cassandra shouted from her seat in the car. We all waved slightly before Atlas closed the door to the passenger side.

Nikolaos walked over to Atlas and exchanged a few words. Atlas's face contorts into one of sympathy before they do a 'bro hug' and go separate ways.

I glance away from Nikolaos and focus on helping Rylee get to the car. "I'm so sorry." Rylee muttered for what felt like the hundredth time. Tears were still fresh on her cheeks and I know the alcohol buzzing in her system wasn't helping this situation anymore.

"It's gonna be ok." I muttered back while helping her into the back seat- following her myself. "Just try to get some sleep." I whispered laying her down so her head rested in my lap.

Lucien took his seat in the front after helping Rylee and I into the back while Nik got in the drivers seat.

"My house? Or yours?" He asked glancing back at me.

I didn't need to contemplate my answer before responding. "Your house."

Rylee needed space- away from everyone. Lucien and I need to talk. Besides, I definitely need some time with just Nik.

Nik nodded in understanding and skillfully pulled out of the parking lot of the club. We started our way home and Rylee finally fell asleep- her light snores filling the silence.

When I was sure she was out, I spoke."She relapsed again." I explained to Lucien. "Said she's been doing drugs since she faked her death."

"That was two years ago." Lucien muttered- his voice more defeated than I've ever heard.

I nodded at his statement. "She'll get herself killed if we don't get her into rehab." I said softly.

I didn't want to send her there, but what other choice do I have? Shes been using for two years. It won't be easy for her to get clean. There's no way I'd be strong enough to help her through it.

"I know." Lucien whispered, his voice shaky with emotion.

The car was silent once more. My hand stroked Rylees hair as her head laid peacefully in my lap. A lone tear left my eye as I felt guilt wrap around my throat.

I should have noticed sooner. She's been here for about two days and I couldn't notice? I couldn't notice a slight change? Any detail? I failed someone I love yet again.

I wiped the small tear that had fallen and rested my head against the seat.

Things could not get any worse.

Lucia's missing.

Rylee relapsed.

I'm set to be married in three weeks.

Arabella's having nightmares.

And I haven't had sex in a long time.

A long time.

Nothing more could be worse.

I felt the car stop but i didn't open my eyes until i felt the door beside me open.

Lucien crouched slightly to pick up Rylee bridal style. Once he made his way towards the mansion, Nikolaos came and offered his hand to help me out of the car.

My head throbbed and I stumbled a bit but managed to maintain balance after I stood for a few seconds.

Nikolaos put his arm around my waist -like he always does- keeping me steady as we walked towards the front door of the mansion.

"Everything will be okay." He assured me quietly, for some reason his voice seemed to be filled with sorrow. "We'll find the best rehab in the country and wait for Rylee to get better."

I nodded at his words and tried to let it sink in. Yet the truth was that wasn't all I had on my mind. If Lucia's missing, what if she goes after Rylee while she's in rehab? Or Aleksei try's to use Rylee to get to me? There are so many if's, to many.

Nik's phone rang, bringing me from my thoughts and ultimately engrossing my attention. Nik fished his phone out his pocket and answered the call.

He and whoever was on the other end of the line exchanged a few words. I watched as Nik's face hardened and a cold look covered his once soft gaze.

He ended the call swiftly and ran a hand through his hair.

"Vito Peirson is missing." He stated- talking about the mafia king.

My eyes widened slightly as I took in the information. Vito Peirsons disappearance is not a good thing. He may have been a dip shit but without him in charge, that left the position to the person who killed him, or to the person next in line.

No one knows who would rule after Vito. We could only hope that they didn't use their power over you to wipe you out or your mafia.

"Well shit." I said.

Nik shook his head and continued to lead us into the mansion. "We can talk more about this later. Right now Rylee needs you."

"Right." I muttered. "Right."

I guess things could get worse.

I step into the mansions, my heels creating an echo in the silent mansion. Nikolaos's footsteps are in sink with mine, only his shoes make less noise than the click of my heels every time I step.

I find Rylee and Lucien in the living room- Rylee lying on the couch and Lucien sitting on the floor next to her, close to her side.

A bead of sweat drips down Rylees forehead as she sleeps along with the slight shake of her hands even with the blanket over her.

When did she last have the drugs?

It looks like she already has withdrawal symptoms, so maybe it's been a while since she last took them?

"I didn't think we'd have to get her through this again." Lucien whispered, leaning his head on the couch by Rylees head.

"Me either." I responded, my voice just as quiet as his.

~|~|~

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]



Vito Pierson was the stupidest bitch alive. Even I had better security measures than him.

Now he's disappeared to who knows where.

But not only am I now dealing with a bitch who wants my girl, now I'm also dealing with someone who can't get his shit together to run the underworld.

"Let me know when you get more information." I demanded over the phone to Atlas.

"Nai afentikó." Atlas responded and hung up the phone. [Yes Boss]

I placed my phone in my pocket and walked to the kitchen. I grabbed one of the bigger cups I had and put ice and water into it. Then went to my medicine cabinet and grabbed the ibuprofen.

I made a mental note to go get the right over-the-counter medicine Rylee would need.

I grabbed the cup and the ibuprofen and walked to the living room. Rylee was still sleeping on the couch, Lucien was sleeping on the floor next to her with his head resting on the couch while Dio slept on the floor- her arm under her head as a pillow.

Silently, I placed the water and medicine on the coffee table for when Rylee woke up before I sat down next to Dio. I lightly picked up her upper body so I could slide my leg underneath her- putting her arm near her side. Her head rested on my thigh as I lightly played with her hair. I released a sigh and leaned my head back against the couch.

Things are starting to feel out of control, and as a don, I really hate not being in control.

I try to convey myself as calm and collected to help those around me remain calm, but I feel like I'm loosing every bit of composure I've had in my life.

When Diovanna told me about the contract her own fucking father signed her into I almost lost composure.

At the ball, I almost lost my composure.

When she didn't immediately make it to the safe house I almost lost my composure.

Things are slowly unraveling and I'm not sure how much longer until it completely falls; because right now, right here, things are calm. Just in this moment, things are calm.

But everyone knows when things are calm, they don't stay that way.

~|~|~

I shift slightly, my eyes still aching with a need for sleep but the sound of someone whimpering in pain causes me to open my eyes.

I rub them slightly to clear the blurryness from my eyes before searching for the source of the sound.

I glance down but Diovanna is fast asleep- sleeping off the alcohol- while I look over to Lucien and Rylee.

Lucien's eyes are closed and his breaths are steady so that leaves Rylee.

I watch as her body shivers under the blanket. "Bucket." She croaks out.

I quickly- but gently- place Dio's head down and grab a bowl from the kitchen before running back and giving the bowl to Rylee.

She hunches over almost immediately, throwing up anything and everything in her system. "Nikolaos." She croaks out while leaning back. Sweat drips slightly from her forehead as her hands shake.

"Yes?" I respond with my hands in my pockets.

"I k-know Dio t-threw you the p-pills." She stutters out. "Just give me o-one, I'll s-stop after t-that."

My sister said the same thing.

"I can't do that." I told her simply. I wouldn't give in, no matter how much she pleaded, no matter how much she begged, I wouldn't give her anything harmful.

I never want to see Diovanna go through the pain of loosing someone completely to drugs.

I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

"Please. J-Just one." I turned my head the other way.

"Do you know what gets you sober?" I asked her, ignoring her pleas. Rylee slowly shook her head no, her body shivered but the beads of sweat dripping down her forehead told me she was hot.

"You have to fight it yourself. You have to want to get clean. If you're not willing to fight it, then there's no point in us helping you. Do you want Diovanna to go through the pain of loosing you?" I asked. I may be harsh right now, but it was what she needed. She has to want to get clean.

She shook her head to my question. "How about Lucien?" I pressed on. She shook her head, a lone tear escaping her eye as her hands shook. "Then fight it. You don't want them to suffer? Then want to get clean."

I moved forward and fixed the blanket over Rylee. "I know it hurts right now." I whispered to her. "But think about how much healthier, safer, and happier you'll be once you're sober. Think about the people you love, think about your future." I picked up the glass of water off the table.

"Here," I said gently while holding the glass of water to Rylees mouth. She complied and took a few sips.

"You've been clean before, Naí?" Rylee nods once. "We're gonna help you get clean again,"

Rylee places her head back down on the pillow softly. Pulling the blanket closer to her chest, Rylee closes her eyes trying to gain any sleep she can.

I move back to my place on the floor and move Diovanna's head back onto my lap.

My fingers resume playing with her hair and I close my eyes trying to sleep as well. Yet before I can fully drift off, Diovanna's soft voice meets my ears.

"Thank you Nik." And with that, I allow the darkness to take me completely.

~|~|~

"Just one, get me one more little bag Nikolaos. After that I promise I'll get clean." My sister pleads with me.

I shake my head lightly. "They're bad."

"I know." She states frustratedly. "I know! Just get them for me Nik and I promise I'll stop after that."

My sister pleads with me.

I want nothing more than to kill the guy who originally agreed to sell her these in the first place.

But even more, I want to kill my mother for pushing her to need drugs in the first place.

"One, tiny, little bag?" I ask to make sure. "Then you'll get clean right?"

"Yes!" She says. "I'll get clean. It'll be my last bag."

I don't want my sister to feel bad, nor do I want her to be upset with me if I don't do this one thing for her.

So I went out and bought the bag from a dealer who usually deals for her and a couple friends.

I wish I never did.

~|~|~

I pull my eyes open, the sunlight shining brightly through the windows.

I wipe the water out of my eyes and look down to see Diovanna fast asleep.

I gently slide my legs out from underneath her lap and get up to go to the kitchen.

My hands shake slightly as I grab some food out of the fridge. Why am I so shaken up?

I place two eggs, bacon, pancake mix, and milk onto the counter. My hands shake slightly as I put them on the counter and let my head dip.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I turn around and grab some pans out of the cabinets but because my hands are shaking the last one slips and clatters to the floor.

"Dammit." I curse.

I grab the pan and throw it on the counter with the rest. The second the pan is down I push open the kitchen door to leave but something's in my way.

"Hey, Nik, slow down." Diovanna's voice is soft. "Tell me what happened okay? You're okay."

Tears spring to my eyes and I look away.

"Move." I grit through clenched teeth, my voice angry but shaky.

Diovanna furrows her eyebrows at my request. "What?" She asks again softly.

"Move." I repeat in the same tone.

Raising an eyebrow she steps to the side letting me pass her.

I don't waste time and moves past her towards the stairs. As I make my way up the stairs, two pairs of footsteps follow me.

I glance over my shoulder to see one belonging to Diovanna and one belonging to Roxy who pads close behind me on her four paws.

I don't acknowledge them and continue my way to my room with my hands still shaking.

I pull my door open and go to slam it shut but Diovanna sticks her perfectly sparkly heel into the slight gap in order to push my door open.

She walks in with Roxy following her.

"If I wanted you here," I spoke calmly. "I would have told you." I spat angrily.

Diovanna took a step back away from me. "I'm not sure what has you so shaken up but I'm not leaving you alone."

Roxy barks before sitting in front of Diovanna's body.

I rolled my eyes. "I was perfectly fine before you, I don't need you here." My hands are still shaking, my eyes are watering, I can't even comprehend what I'm saying.

"I get that you're upset, but yelling at me won't fix it." Dio says sternly. "You don't have to tell me what happened, but at least let me help you." She says softly, her voice so angelic.

I don't respond, I don't yell, I don't move. I just watch.

Diovanna takes that as a good sign and steps closer to me. Roxy stays put, not coming to close.

"Can I hug you?" Diovanna asked.

I thought about it. The shaking in my hands still hasn't stopped and my heartbeat feels fast.

She said she could help.

I slightly nod.

Diovanna takes another step towards me before slowly wrapping her arms around me.

Tears spring to my eyes once again and I try to push away from the hug but she won't let go.

"It's okay." She whispers softly still holding me. "Let it out. You're safe." My limbs slowly stop thrashing and the tears drop silently from my eyes.

"You can let go, you're safe, I promise." Diovanna continues to whisper sweet nothings to me and like a broken child, I crack.

A sob racks through my body and my weight supported by my legs gives out.

"It's okay," Diovanna whispers as she slowly lowers us to the ground. "Let it out."

Violent cries leave my body and they won't fucking stop.

I feel Roxy slip her head onto my lap as I sit. Her head nuzzles on my thigh as my head rests on Diovanna's shoulder as I cry. "What's wrong with me?" I choke out, Diovanna's hands wrapping tighter around my body.

"Nothing baby." She murmurs in my ear. "Absolutely nothing."

~|~|~

My sobs have stopped.

Diovanna has shifted so her back is against the bed and my head rests in her lap. Roxy's head is resting on my chest.

"Do you wanna tell me what happened?" Diovanna's soft voice breaks the silence, her fingers running through my dark messy hair.

I shrug, "Memories I guess."

"It's okay to not want to talk about it." She responds ignoring my lack of explanation.

Silence filled the room and I only spoke when I couldn't handle the silence anymore.

"My sister." I spoke clearing my throat. "I lost her to drugs." A bitter laugh left my throat before my next words. "You can thank my mother and I for that."

"Your sister? What do you mean?" Diovanna questioned as her hand momentarily stopped moving in my hair.

I chuckled, the sound filled with a dark bitterness rather than humor. "My mom pushed her into the drugs, I got her killed doing them."

~|~|~



I pushed myself into a sitting position on the bed. With a stretch, I glance over to the spot next to me where Ares was. It's vacant which means Ares is either at work or downstairs with my other brothers.

I yawned and did one last stretch- stretching out all my muscles- before sliding off his bed and moving to the door.

The bright lights from the hallway momentarily blind me as I open Ares's door. Once my eyes had adjusted to the light and my vision was back, I started walking down the quiet hallway.

It was eerily silent in this house, something that made the hairs on my neck stand up.

I walked closer to the kitchen, more hesitant than I was before.

No one was in the living room, or the halls, and considering it was almost ten AM I know none of my brothers were still In bed- well maybe Matteo, but I'm not looking for him.

I reached the kitchen only to find it completely empty. Diovanna, Lucien, and Rylee were all probably at Nik's place. She had told me she wanted to go out so I'm assuming that's where she went.

Sighing deeply I walked over to the cabinets and climbed onto the counter. I grabbed a glass before hopping down and filling it with water.

My throat was extra dry today.

I put the glass to my lips and gulped most of the water down before a nearby conversation caught my attention.

"You better find out, or so help me I will slice your neck open." The sound of Sebastian's angry voice rang out in the silent house. His footsteps indicated he was going this way so instinctively I left my glass on the counter before sliding under the table in the open dining room.

I sat down and brought my knees to my chest to keep quiet.

"No one knows where he is, which means if he is not found there will be a new ruler. And as much as I hate the man, we don't have any clue who could take his place!" Sebastian pushed the kitchen door open and walked in.

His suit was fresh and clean, his hair was neatly styled, and his phone was pressed against his ear.

"Not to mention, we still have no clue where Lucia is. She just... disappeared." He whispered slightly.

"Now, you best find something or I will actually slit your throat." With that he brought the phone down and hung up.

I watched as Sebastian sighed deeply and leaned against the counter, looking ahead of him. "You can come out Bella." He said clearly.

Me? How'd he know I was even here?

"You left your cup here. None of our brothers are here which leaves you." He said as if he knew my exact thoughts.

I've definitely forgot some training.

Reluctantly I crawled out of my hiding spot before straightening myself up.

"Uhm." I stammered but his cold gaze made me stop.

He probably thought I was stupid. Hiding under a table like a stupid girl.

"You know, you remind me of Diovanna when she was younger." Sebastian says completely catching me off guard and effectively ignoring the fact I was just hiding under the table.

"She was always a trouble maker. Our father hated that about her but me, our brothers, we loved it." He said softly as if he was thinking of a memory.

He walked to the fridge and grabbed an apple. "There was this one time we were all playing in the pool. Giavanna was sitting on one of the steps with Luca, Eli, and Dom because she still didn't know how to swim just yet."

"Ares, Matteo, and I were having a splash war. Diovanna was 'skuba diving' -as she called it - for her torpedos. When we had stopped splashing, none of us could find her. That was until she pulled Matteo down by his foot. She was hiding under him the whole time."

"Everyone laughed at Matteo's expense. It was a fun day." Sebastian finished and bit into his apple. "So troublemaker two, what's up with you hiding under the table?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Oh. How he got a pool memory from me sitting under the table, I'm not sure.

"Well." I stammered. He smiled softly at my expense. "I didn't see anyone else here and when I heard you yelling on the phone I hid because your footsteps were coming this way." I rushed out in one breath.

Sebastian's face changed into a frown. "I hope I didn't scare you, if so that was not my intention. Sometimes the people who work for me are a little... hard-headed."

I shook my head slightly. It was nice that he cared enough to be concerned. "You didn't scare me, I guess it was just instinct to hide."

His frown deepened at my last sentence.

Did I say something wrong?

"It shouldn't be an instinct Bella." He says softly. Now it's my turn to furrow my eyebrows. "You shouldn't be afraid of anyone in your own home."

Oh.

"What do you say we visit your dad?" Sebastian asks making me internally squeal. "I have some business to handle with him anyway."

Something inside me is literally jumping with joy. I really, really, really want to spend time with my dad.

"Let me go change!" I cheer before sprinting to my room.

Sebastian's chuckles are the last thing I hear before I'm out the kitchen.

~|~|~

I hop out the back seat as soon as the car comes to a stop. My door slams behind me and I can't help but bounce on my heels while waiting for Sebastian who seems to be taking his sweet fricking time.

"Hurry up." I say quietly. Sebastian walks over and takes my hand in his to start walking.

"Have some patience kid." He says to me before ringing the doorbell. Two guards stand on each side of the door just looking straight forward.

They didn't even acknowledge us.

Before I can dwell on it the door opens and my dad seems to be the one who opened it.

"Hey dad." I greet softly, all confidence flowing out the window.

My dad chuckles, "Hey angel." He turns his gaze to Sebastian. "Why don't you both come in? We have business and Angel can just hang out."

I smile without realizing and follow Sebastian as he steps into the mansion.

I'm pretty sure my dad leads us both to his office. I know this because the door he opens says 'ufficio del capo' on a gold plate bolted into the door. [Boss's office - Italian]

As Sebastian follows my dad, I follow after them and take in the scenery of his office.

His office has a long bookshelf on the left wall that covers most of the left side. A bean bag sits in front the shelf with a small table next to it- a rug sitting on the floor. The right side is a bit more formal.

A couch sits on the right side of the room, a coffee table in front of it, a rug sitting under the table. A soft beige pillow sits on the left side of the couch along with another on the right.

Finally we have a desk against the back wall, a rolling chair behind it along with two chairs in front the desk. His desk doesn't have any pictures, no decorations, nothing to make it feel personal. The only thing that sits on the desk is lone, fake, deformed plant amongst the piles of paperwork.

I'd say the most comfortable thing in this room would be the bean bag. But even that to say the least would be uncomfortable, seeing as the only books adorning the shelf are dictionary's, facts, biology, math, educational things really.

"What do you think?" The voice of my dad sounds through my ears, effectively cutting off my observation time.

I nod slowly, "it's... nice." The pause in my sentence makes me want to die, especially when i remember what my mother had taught me.

"When you lie, you manipulate the other person into believing your words. But to manipulate someone, you have to twist their mind into thinking you're right." She snaps, her eyes shooting daggers at me.

"Practice again, or your punishment will only get worse. Remember, no stuttering, no pausing, no shaky breathing, nothing can be unordinary about your words or body language."

Mommy would be so disappointed.

"Hey, that's okay." My dad's voice is soft, a contrast to the memory of my mother's sharp words.

"My office is bland, that's only because I don't like other people in my business." He stands up and takes the key out one of the drawers in his desk. Then he moves over to the book shelves and pats around the wood of the shelf a couple times before a click is heard.

My eyes widen in shock as the bookshelf turns slightly- not all the way but enough for you to slip behind it.

I watch as my dad places the key in what I can only make out as a lock. Another click sounds as he turns the key before the door also opens.

My dad looks back with a wide smile. "Why don't we finish our meeting in here?" He asks.

I nod enthusiastically while Sebastian is a bit more skeptical. "As long as you're not planning to kill me." And without another word, he gets up and follows my dad and I down the stairs.

This room is much, much, more comfortable. The room is definitely more spacious and while a book shelf is still on one side of the room, these books seem to be real books- not some educational biology books.

In front of the bookshelf is a table with some board games underneath it along with four different types of chairs scattered along the carpet in front the shelf's.

My eyes scan another side of the room which happens to hold a very comfy looking couch that has a Tv in front of it. A table which looks to have little sticks sticking out the side is close to the Tv but not nearly next to it.

A small fridge sits behind a brown oak desk with a large chair positioned behind it. Paperwork sits in the desk but not nearly as much as the piles upstairs.

I glance to another space and notice a small area with mats on the floor along with some blankets in a basket and some stuffed animals as well.

To say this place was cool would be an understatement because I'm still not done observing.

"Why don't you go check out everything in here while Sebastian and I finish up work? Hm?" My dad says persuasively. "We can hang out once we're done okay?"

Without another word I nod and go to run off and explore- the lasts words I hear being spoken to Sebastian rather than me- "Now, why don't we talk about Vito Pierson"

~|~|~

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]



It has probably been at least an hour since my talk with Diovanna. I told her to leave and check on Rylee when she insisted on staying with me.

When she realized how stubborn I was being though, she left to go check on her and come right back. That was ten minutes ago.

My guess is Rylee is either puking her guts out or she's begging someone for the drugs.

That was something I was a little familiar with.

Yet I can't help but replay Diovanna's and my conversation over and over in my head.

The words repeat like an unwanted cycle.

"My mother was never easy going. She was someone who wanted everything to be perfect no matter who you were. And while she was crazy, my father was just as crazy." I coughed clearing my throat and trying to shake off the memories.

The only thing grounding me in this room would be Diovanna's hands lightly playing with my hair.

"With that being said, my mother liked to treat us almost as if we were dolls. She forcefully pierced my sister's ears without her consent at the age of four- she was so scared while our mother just shoved a needle through her ear. I was seven at the time." Diovanna's face contorted into something gloomy, almost as if she was imagining the image in her head.

I wanted nothing more than to tell her to stop, to not imagine the horrid sight my mother had created, but it was as if I couldn't. I'd get the story out to her and I'd never speak of it again.

"By the age of five, my mother was putting ten pounds of makeup on my sister's face before sticking her in a dress and putting her in pageants. Only these pageants weren't the ones you'd think of." A grimace makes its way onto my face. Those pageants were filled with the worst people.

"They were people who would pay money on the prettiest girl in the pageant and if you won, the person who paid the highest on you got what they called special time. My sister never came back the same." Guilt scraped against my chest from the inside when I remember how broken my sister looked, so dead, so lifeless.

"So while my sister was doing these pageants, seven-year-old me was my mother's doll during the day and my father's solider during the night. He'd train me to become the best, to take over his spot. But what he didn't realize is that he was only creating a monster who would eventually use everything anyone ever did to him as fuel." The words were bitter, the memories fresh, but the memory of my father's face melting off as he begged for mercy in a room full of fire made me smile.

"My mother's doll fantasies and my father's tortures ways continued all the way to my last year of high school." I had to pause in order to stop any tears that may fall. "By this time, my mother had abused, manipulated, and tortured my sister so much to the point she turned to drugs. She would steal money from our parents and use it to buy the drugs."

"I knew she was doing it, so when anytime our parents realized money was missing they'd confront us. I'd take the blame every time because I knew Myla wouldn't be able to handle anymore torture from them. But I had to put a stop to the drugs when she overdosed at her friend's party she snuck out too." I'd never forgive myself for the things I allowed her to do, the things I helped her do because I thought that was what she needed to get better.

How wrong I was. "Myla had agreed to stop using the drugs and get clean but when she started to go through withdrawal, she couldn't handle the sickness that came with it. So she begged and begged for me to get her just one pill." I tried to close my eyes, to shake off the memory of her pleading face.

"And when I couldn't stand the sight of her in pain anymore I went out and bought one bag from her dealer. I gave her one pill. I thought it would get better. Myla stole the rest of the bag from me when I fell asleep next to her." Tears clouded my vision, falling when I tried to clear my vision.

"She replaced the bag in my hand with her suicide note. She had overdosed and died in her sleep next to me." I cleared my throat, trying to rid myself of the lump sitting there.

"When I woke up, I slaughtered our mother and placed my father in the basement before setting it on fire while I watched as he burned and pleaded for my mercy. I gave him none." I sat up off of Diovanna, her hands leaving my hair.

"You once asked why I was the Greek Don who never works in Greece." I said turning my head over my shoulder to look at her. "Truth is I travel and work in other territories so I stay away from the place my sister and I called home." And with that I walked away to the bathroom.

I can't shake her lifeless face, the note in my hand, and the foam coming from her mouth.

I was so close, yet so far at the same time.

~~~



A/N: Soooo how are all of you?

Someone had asked about Nikolaos's past, welp.

Also, I've realized how cringe the beginning of this book is, how are you all even reading this?

Anywho, HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃🍽

Love you all.

Bye hoes