1 Chapter 1

There were hush whispers around us as we stepped into the room to the bright hall. Soft music played in the background. My heels clicked softly against the waxed tiles, and the hands my brother had around my waist loosened with each step. His familiar scent and warmth surrounds me, our younger sister and parents stood at his other side. My parents were quick to join their friends already drinking and chatting. Carina—my little sister— made her way to the bar not bothering to excuse herself. I doubt the bartender would serve her; unless he wanted my father or brother to cut off his working hands.

Axel lingers with me, glancing down at me every other second. I kept my eyes on the party around us, watching the man talk business and the woman talk about the newest clothing line. A few were stealing glances at me and whispering to each other. I kept my expression bored, even though my heart was rattling against my chest. The only reason I wasn't locked in my room right now was because I knew he was rotting away in an unmarked grave. Axel had told me he gave the killing blow himself as it was his right. I held my brother and sobbed in relief that night.

"You can go, I'll be fine." My accent came out as I spoke. "I think half the girls want to kill me already." I joked but noting a few glares. Axel's whiskey-brown eyes lighten as he smiles. We shared the same features; thanks to our mother. Thick raven hair, golden skin and light eyes.

"Le dije a papá que lo vigilaría." I told Papa I'll keep an eye on you.

"No voy a ir muy lejos, tal vez unirme a Carina". I won't go far, perhaps join Carina. I clocked my head towards the bar where my sister was pissing off the bartender. Axel gives it a thought before nodding. My palm accidentally brushed the gun holster strapped to his chest, hidden under his dark tux. A chill reached my spine, but I didn't react and made my way to Carina. I hoped there wouldn't be another dead body at this year's gala, the last one was very traumatic. This was meant to be a neutral ground, no blood should be spilt but somehow one of our cousins ended up dead last year after mouthing off to the wrong man. Cousin Tony wasn't missed to be fair; my father muttered good riddance after we buried him on our family's plot.

Bodies moved out of my way as I walked.  Men stared with heat and hunger, women with jealousy and envy. It was known that the first daughter of Pedro Sanchez was a rare beauty, she was sweet and kindhearted. Men rushed to her like flies and yet here she was, a year after the million-dollar wedding with no ring or husband.

"What can I get you, Ma." The bartender stared awed the second I sat down. My sister noticed with her dark eyes and scoffed.

"Dirty Martini," I replied smiling softly. The young man, flushed and started on my order.

"She drinks," Carina murmured. "Shocking." Her voice was filled with bitterness.

"Unlike you, I'm old enough." It was hard to talk to her these days without her screaming at me. Even our Mama didn't try anymore.

"Axel was drinking and smoking before he was even 16, but yet I can't even leave the house without fucking Diego." She huffed, reaching for the glass of water the bartender must have given her instead of whatever drink she ordered.

"It's for your protection, the world isn't safe for little girls." Smiling as I collected my drink. I twirled the olives in the clear liquid before biting into one. "I'm not little Catalina." She snapped pushing her wavy hair back. "I'm 18, and I want a life outside this world."

"You know that's not possible." I remind her. One of the many ways we were different; Carina always longed for more while I was content with what I had.

"Please don't come here acting like you didn't enjoy the last year of your life." My movement halted, my back tensed and I seized breathing as I looked at my sister. I knew it wasn't her fault; my father and brother hid me while the worst of what happened healed. Carina hadn't seen what was done to me, what I survived at the hands of the man I loved.

Love.

"Stop whining like a spoilt brat; you have it good Carina. Papa could have sold you off to a man twice your age the minute you turned 18 but he didn't.  Be grateful you're not stuffed with a child, like Sophia." I point to our cousin who was barely a few months older than me and now having a second baby.

"I'll kill myself before I let that happen." She pushed off the bar, scowling at me as she stomps off. A sigh leaves me as I watch her back, the gold gown she wore sweeping the floor. Axel grabbed her wrist before she could escape, they exchanged words before he offers her the glass of dark liquor he held. He was always too soft with her—could never say no to her.

I downed my remaining drink, before excusing myself. The room was starting to feel suffocating. Instead of walking to my brother, who was too focused on the blonde hanging on to his words, I took the stairs going up to the second floor with fewer people. Gathering my dress in my hands, as I made the last steps. These events always did bore me, and I never understood them. Why meet once a year in an overly expensive hotel and wave around how much money you have in your bank account?

There was a balcony overlooking the pool, that I always ended up hiding on. It took me a few turns in the warmly -lit hallway to find the heavy wooden doors. Releasing a breath as I pushed it open—pausing at the dark silhouette of a man. He turns at the sound, the cigarette moved from his lips. His face was hidden in the shadows. He stared silently. My skin prickled at the unwelcome attention.

"Sorry, this spot is usually empty." My voice was thicker than usual.

Eyes I could only describe as electric blue stepped forward into the light; they were terrifyingly beautiful. They burned into every inch of me and I knew he saw everything. Every bruise, every scar, every emotion and pain. His voice drifted to my ear and an odd breathless sound leaves me. The world grew smaller as he continued to stare.

I shake myself out of the weird trance. I've dealt with men like him before. I grew up with them. A playful smile works its way up my throat. I pushed my thick dark curls back letting them fall down one shoulder. His stride was effortless; he wore dark pants and a white shirt similar to the one Axel wore. His gaze flicked me once more, something cold in them before he turned to pack to the pool

"Not interested." His voice was deep, rumbling through me like gravel.

A frown made its way to my face, and it took me a second to understand what he meant. I flushed in embarrassment but determined to correct him. I released my dress, smoothing out the silk material before stepping onto the balcony.

"I just need some fresh air," I stood beside the stranger trying not to choke on the smoke he blow out. I thought he would get the hint and kill the cigarette but he didn't.

"You know 11.5% of U.S. adults are currently smoking. That's estimated 28.3 million people. Crazy that people knowingly put poison into their bodies." Once again I was ignored.

"But I'm sure compare to your life it's probably the safest thing." I knew firsthand how dangerous mob life was. I couldn't count how many times my father or Axel had come home with a gunshot wound. They were constantly at the line of fire. His next drag was slow. I felt him peering down at me. His large palm gripped the metal railing and I noticed the dark ink covering the tanned skin. It looked like a crest; must be his family's.  It matched the sliver-heavy ring resting on his pinky.

"Krov' za krov'." I read the small letters. I hadn't realised I leaned in closer until I felt his body warmth. "Blood for blood." I translate the Russian words just as the cool wind trickles down my exposed back. I stared at those palms knowing how much blood had stained them. He clenched them as if sensing the thought.

He was the first brother of the Russian Bratva I've ever met. I always heard Papa say how they thought they were better than everyone else by not showing up over the years. I moved to twirl my ring around like reflex but was greeted with just flesh. I could get in trouble for being alone with a man in the dark; let another a Russian.

"Interesting family motto," I mumble, staring back at the scene. "Very intense." The night was dark, but I knew he could see every detail.

"You talk a lot." My heart still for a second at his voice. His gaze felt heavy on me. I narrowed my eyes up at him and took a step to leave but a rough hand grabbed my wrist. His cold finger warmed my skin. A second pass and he still held me.

"My Mama says it's my only flaw." I let out a shallow laugh, praying no one was close enough to see our interaction. "But I swear she gossips more than me."

"Did you know that Bianca Bianchi is having an affair with her pool man; no wonder her pool is always so clean." A thrill passes me when his lips tipped upwards. His mere presence made something warm unravel inside of me.

"If that's true; unfortunate for my poor friend Nicolas." I eyed his next drag as he spoke. His eyes darkened when he noticed my expression. The cigarette leaves his lips and he offers it to me. He watched me with a heated look that made my pulse flutter. I took the cigarette from him, he watched as I touched my red lips to where his had been and inhaled. I exhaled smoothly, enjoying the dark amusement glimmering through his gaze. Shaking the ash from the butt before taking another long drag. Smoke filled my lungs before I offered it back to him; all the years of smoking weed behind the house with Axel was paying off. I watched him put his lips over the red stain on the cigarette, maintaining eye contact as he inhaled. My cheeks redden underneath my makeup; this man had barely said anything to me yet my body was reacting to him. The night remained cool as I continued to share a cigarette with a man I knew nothing about.