the devil always wins

Void :(

Adina POV:

Empty. I was feeling complete and utter void.

"The speech was wonderful" Sofia said pulling me into an embrace after mother was taken through the curtains. That was last thing I heard before my vision went blurry with tears, my head felt dizzy and I dropped to the ground, still in Sofia's arms. She dropped with me, comforting me on the cold, hard pavement outside the church. I could feel my knees stinging beneath me. I could vaguely hear the pain in Sof's voice as she tried to calm me down. I couldn't make out what she was saying everything seemed mumbled.

Sofia POV:

I felt so bad for Adina. I tried so hard to make her feel better without breaking down myself. I know its okay to be sad, but I didn't wanna bring attention on me too. After all, she had lost her mum. The closest family member she had.

I got her back up and on her feet. We got in the limo and went home. I asked my mother if they can stay with us permanently or at least till her and Maria felt well enough to get back on the road. She said yes, she loves Adina like a second daughter.

I told Adina the news and she was more thankful than ever. I'd have to figure out a way to cheer us both up, I had a few ideas but I didn't want to rush her into anything to fast. I had to let her...and me heal first.

Adina POV:

I was so grateful for Sofia. Her mum said we can stay for as long as we like. I was grateful for the both of them. Crystal was like a second mother to me.

Me and Sof spent most of the passing days watching movies and eating our feelings away with cookie dough ice cream. It gave us time to heal though. I knew at some point I'd have to get back up and start the mafia again. They all knew it would take time but they accepted it and for that I was eternally thankful.

Maria hasn't been out of her room much, except for dinner in which she just took the plate and went back to her room. I knew things would be hard for her, mother took Maria as not just the maid but as a close friend and former guardian of me when I was little.

Crystal has tried so hard to make sure we are okay. She's been the most helpful. Cooking food, washing clothes, everything really. I felt bad, she healed quickly because she knew someone had to stay strong and that none of us would be able to do it. I could see she was still hurting though. I was going to try to talk to her about it but I figured I should let her be just in case I damaged her grieving process.

Time skip - 1 month since Lydia passed...

Adina POV:

It's been a month since mother died. I was slowly feeling better again, so was Maria. She is finally coming out of her room again. Eating meals with us and smiling more often. I'm glad everyone was feeling better again. I was almost there, I still cried alone in my room every so often when I thought about how I never got to say goodbye but I couldn't let that stop me from feeling better. I planned on starting the gang back up next moth. It would be a distraction and we have to keep it running or we will lose the title again. We worked so hard to get it. I got it, I couldn't lose it now.

Me and Sofia went to visit our childhood park in the morning. I t was nice to see all the little kids running around freely and having fun. That used to be us. Before we got dragged into the LV Vipers. It's become a part of us now and I wouldn't change it for the world. It's brought me closer to so many people that I know will always have my back. We got some chips and coffee on our way back to the mansion. Decided to walk home, to savour the fresh summer breeze.

Upon our arrival home, we saw a McLaren 570s drive by. Not just any McLaren, but my aunts McLaren. She was headed in the direction of the Fernandez mansion. Not long after, another car drove by. This one belonging to another member of the gang. Also heading in the direction of the mansion. I didn't recall hosting a meeting. When me and Sofia arrived home, we found everyone gathered around the dining table, Crystal signalling for me to come over to her. I sat at the head of the table, slowly coming to grips with what was going on...

...The leaders initiation ceremony. The heir of the last leader takes the place as the new leader. Obviously that had to be me as mother was the last leader. The ceremony is always short but you have to have the mark. The leaders mark. Every single one of us has a tattoo of a snake on our upper back. A viper to be precise. But the leader of any gang anywhere in the world has to get a dagger tattoo on their left arm. Not too big, but large enough to be recognised as the leader. It was my turn to get the tattoo. My aunt was in charge of giving us the tattoos as she works as a tattoo artist when we aren't running the business at nights or on weekdays.

I rose from my seat and walked over to my aunt. She pulled out the tattoo ink and needle. Set it down on the table and gestured for me to pull my jacket sleeve up and put my arm at rest on the table and so I did...

I got the leaders mark...