CHAPTER 8

ARIANA’S POV

It has been 3 weeks since the attack. Everyone has forgotten luckily and my business is still being run me. I wanna be cocky and say they are scared but if l know Yuri and James they will not give up. I am so fucking sure they have got something else planned. What is it?

Adam has forgotten the last events. He can never find out about it. Again. He went back to being normal and being cocky and annoying. I must admit it has been fun being around him but that is all. His smug smirk is familiar. I just do not want anything to do with Alex. He hurt me and l can not get back to that. Love is a weakness and that is what l learned.

My thoughts are interrupted by a call from someone l never expected. Vincenzo Valenti. He is the leader of the Italian gang. He is ruthless and probably the only man who has not fallen for me. I admit it is a bit hurtful but he shows strength and resilience. I like that.

“Well hello. I have to admit, you calling me is a shock. I thought you hated me V” L SAY. The part for him hating me is another story for another time. Trust me it is very long. What l can say is it ended up him hating me.

“Do not flatter yourself piccolo” he says. I hate it when he calls me that.

“Oh come on. It was years ago cousin. I thought you would forgive me by now”

“Ariana. I called because you’re family. Yuri is now crazed and that brother of yours is no better”

“Don’t dare call him my brother. I had a brother okay. So l am guessing you now want to co-operate?” l ask him. When l first called him he was not as nice. He refused but l always get my way. It’s either my way or sky way.

“Yes. I am only co-operating because aunt would want that. Capire? I will arrive in the evening tonight. Just be ready”

“Well see you soon brother. And bring some gifts. It is a week before Easter. We do not want Nia mad. And bring the family”

“By gifts l know what you mean. We shall all arrive. Good bye cousin”

He hangs up and l grin. Well now l am prepared. I head home because l have to prepare. Kids will be here and some are still learning guns, bombs and shit. It is time to give some presents

Nathaniel is waiting for me back home.

"Good afternoon Ariana" he says. Him and Nia are the only ones that are allowed to call me that. Nathaniel has been with my family for 20 years. He cared for me when my parents died. He is like my second brother. He came when he was like 15 and since then we have been close.

"Afternoon Nathaniel. Has there been any news now?"

"Well, Mr. Banks has paid the money not the interest thought" he says. That man just wants to be on my nerves. "We got him here in the basement"

"Well let us go then"

We head in the house and l just leave my bag on my white sofa. The both of us go to where my new prisoner is. He better learn not to mess with me. His body shows that he has ben beaten and l am proud of Nathaniel.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here. Oh no.Did they hurt you" l say sarcastically. He just nods

"Guys l thought l made it clear. You are not supposed to hurt him". Mr. Banks looks up. Is that hope. Ohhh

"I was supposed to hurt him" l say. His expression changes. If he thinks l was remorseful then he has got another thing coming at him.

"Nathaniel hand over my gun" l tell him. He gives it to me and l point it at Banks, "Look oldie l want what l want. You borrowed money from me and now you can not repay. It has a month and l do not kid around" l tell him

'I will never do what you want bitch" he says. Did he just..

"Nathaniel did he just.."

"I think he did Ari"

"Oh no no no. No one calls me a bitch. Nathaniel hand me the pictures. Look Banks l do not play and l am sure your wife and kids do not want poverty and death right?" l tell him while making him see the pictures. He looks shocked and scared. Just how l love my victims.

"W-w-w-wait. D-don't harm my family. Do you not have your own family. Do not harm them. I will do what you want okay?"

"Yay. He is ready to give my money. Well do not worry. Just put in the password l have accessed what l needed.Come on do it now" he does what l want. He gives us my money and now to kill him. i point my gun at him.

"Wait l gave you what you want. Let me go. You promised"

"Oh no sir. I will not harm your family but for you. I can not have you alive. You might reveal me and l can not have that." l shoot him in the legs and he cries. I know how he feels. I just close my eyes. I shoot him in the stomach next and the cries get worse. Can he not be quiet?

'Please. Let me li...." l shoot him in the head and he is gone. I give Nathaniel the gun and tell him, "Get rid of him. Make sure his body is found". I leave the room and see Nia just arriving. Where is she coming from?

"UH. hIE TO you too" l say and she shrieks."Woah dude you look like shit. Where are you coming from. I did not see you last night?"

"A, l was just letting loose. This war will get the most of me and l might die. So l am leaving my life" she says. I can tell she is lying but l won't push it. I am tired. Killing is a lot of work.

"Well see ya tonight. Vincenzo is coming" and she is happy.She always had a crush on him even though we are all realted. I will not judge her because l did the same thing.

"OOOH girl you should have led with that. I need to change"

'Slow your roll. Remember, he has kids and is amrried. So he is off-the market' and she is sad. She did like him though and she says, "We will see about that" and she leaves. Well l better start prepairing.

ALEX'S POV

I am back. I can not wait to be with my mom and dad. I had my fun but family is important. Adam thinks l cancelled coming back to NYC but l wanted to suprise him. We are really close even though we do not share the same dad by blood. He was born two years after me and after my dad died. My mom has been happy but l know she misses him. Now we do most stuff together like tomorrow's big meeting with Miss Ariana Mendoza. She sounds familiar. Is it her? It can't be plus James told me she died. Maybe it is her cousin. She was also Ariana.

I arrive at the house and don't even bother knocking. What? I do not need to knock at my own house. That is just insane. The house is getting decorated for this Easter. My mom wants everything to be fun as usual.

"Alex?". Yep that is my mom. I turn around and see her covered in flour with Adam. Can they ever cook without a mess. And is there a backup since mom is cooking?

"Mom! I am back. How are you?". I hug. I can never stay away from mom. The last time l saw her was New Year's and l alreday miss her. "Hey bro". l hug him as well"

"Alex but you said you wern't coming"Adam says.

"Well l wanted to suprise you"

"I am not your girlfriend you can suprise okay" he says while rolling my eyes.

"You do look like her" l say. We all laugh and mom says, "Boys stop it. I am so happy my boys are together again. Now Adam help your brother with his bags and l will finish here". Adam groans. He hates doing it all the time

"Adam, you heard mom. Now do it. After all l am almost 30 years"

"So Alex, you mean soon you gon' have grey hairs". Shit. I can not believe l fell into that one. I chase him down and he is screaming like a girl.

After we go to my room and help me settle down we start talking. We talk about how to avoid mom's cooking and shit.I ask him about the woman he has been complaining about the whole month to me over the phone

"So tell me about her?"

"What can l say Alex. She is very boring. She takes business way too seriously. But she is so hot. I get hard when she walks past me". The way he talks about her is so weird. Does he like her?

"Wait. Do you like her Adam"

"The fuck no. I like the fact that l imagine her under me, screaming my name. That is all" he says.

"Okay then let us go and help mom. I do not want to die when l have just arrived" l say. And we augh. We go downstairs and help mom and dad com