the devil always wins

Panic

Adina POV:

I wanted to explore the house first. Know my surroundings. So I did...

I left the guest room, wearing a bodycon summer dress, the colour of a viridian green, and I skipped down the stairs to view the different rooms. Downstairs he had: a lounge room, a dining room that's linked to a huge kitchen, a storage room (full of weapons I'm guessing), an office (presumably for his mafia work) and a massive library. I'm not sure why he has one, he didn't strike me as the reading type. Maybe it's for his hostages if he's feeling generous. I decided to roam around the library, admiring his choice of books. To kill a mockingbird, The great Gatsby, One hundred years of solitude, wuthering heights, The full Shakespeare collection. Wow this man has taste. The Odyssey, Pride and prejudice. They all seemed to be very periodic. Probably because I was only in one section of the library. Slowly I moved along, running my fingers against the spines of each book, old or new. My eyes skimming and scanning the names until they come to a stop. The hunger games huh? And harry potter, Percy Jackson, The mortal instruments, Divergent, The maze runner, The red queen and my personal favourite...the witcher. This mans selection of books was impeccable. I pulled out the Great Gatsby before slipping down against the shelves and turning open the first page. Cracking the spine and flicking through the pages once, taking in the books smell before reading the first line...

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since" I read not realising it was out loud. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" I continued on. "He didn't say any more but-"

"The Great Gatsby? So you like reading tesoro? The Great Gatsby was one of the first books I've ever owned, also one of my all time favourites. I feel at peace when I read. It's my escape" Alejandro explained. He was talking about his passion for reading and To be honest it made the day more bearable, to know we at least have one of the same interests. I don't know why i got myself into this situation when i could have just moved on from this guy and did the job quickly. Anyway i folded the page corner and put it back in the shelf. "Take it, I want it back though. Also get ready, I want to show you some of Italy. I'm not exactly keeping you hostage, I just need some information from you before you go." He vented. Then he left. Left me standing in the library staring into the abyss of nothingness. I grabbed the book and went upstairs, taking my time to admire the remains of his house as I went.

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As I went through my suitcase, searching for something suitable to wear my phone buzzed...again. It's Sofia, she's been calling non stop and I can't answer because if I do I know I'll want to tell her everything and I can't risk screwing this up. After all, i might be stuck here and getting to 'know him' but im still taking my money and forgetting all about it afterwards. So I ignored her call...again. I knew it wasn't the best idea because everyone at home would be worried but I'm fine. I think...

I continued looking until I found my blue maxi summer dress at the bottom of my bag. I forgot I packed that. I put it on and grabbed my sandals before jumping on the bed and sinking down into the soft duvet. I slowly drifted into my thoughts. Four days...I'd stay four days and then I'd go home, whether it's with warning r not I'll leave. After all my birthday is in 10 days, I want to be home for my birthday. With the only family I have left.

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Sofia POV:

Panic. I was panicking. She hasn't returned any of my calls in the past 24 hours. What if he killed her. That dick I'll kill him. What if she's being starved to death at the bottom of some dark and musty basement. I wasn't the only one feeling anxious, Dee's aunt was stressing and claiming how it's all her fault. I reassured her it wasn't but everyone was starting to wonder if she was okay. Adina is a strong woman, She will be okay. If she's not back by the end of the week then I will drag myself and every single one of the LV's to Italy to find her, providing she isn't dead in a ditch somewhere. 5 days till the end of the week, that's all she's got till I go crazy. Her birthday is in 10 days, It's her 21st birthday and I wanted to surprise her. Then 2 months later is the new years eve, annual ball. She has to be here for that, She is going to be awarded. She doesn't know it yet obviously but she's getting a feminine leader and best assassin award. She'll be back. I can feel it...

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Adina POV:

Exploring Italy was one of the best nights of my life. We took a boat out in Venice and ate at a fancy restaurant, before getting gelato ice cream. He was surprisingly nice for a hot head, mafia capo adult orphan. He asked me many questions, not the questions I expected though. I thought he'd ask about the mafia, maybe try to get on the inside but he asked about me. My life. He genuinely seemed to care for what I had to say. "So what's your story Martinez?" He asked as we strolled along the town, the streets dimly light and the faint murmur of people passing by flowing with the wind. "Well my mother is dead. My father is dead. I have no siblings and I don't even have my own house. A great start right? Personally I think I'm living luxury." I explained. "Sarcasm. Ha Ha very funny. Be serious what else?" He bugged me. "Well I live with my best friend Sofia and her Mum Crystal. Along with my maid Maria, She's close to our family. It's my birthday soon. 31st October. 10 Days to be precise. I'm turning 21. I've killed many people but only the bad ones, I don't like to kill people unless I know they have done wrong. In all honesty, every person I kill, A small wave of discomfort and guilt washes over me, but then it comes back to me that they are awful people. Whether it's from rapists, to mass murderers. Con artists, to spies. They have all done something in their life that lead them to their death and they all deserve it. That got dark quickly, sorry I-" He cut me off "-It's okay, Sometimes I feel bad when I take people's lives. I have no sympathy for any of them though. I have sympathy for their family members, sometimes I feel bad for them to have lost a family member, other times I feel sorry that they had to even be related to such a cruel person" he said. I stopped walking and he turned to face me. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your parents? If its a hard subject we can move on-" I asked, making sure to check it was okay. "My mother died when me and my brother Marco were younger, and my father disappeared on the same day of her death, which lead me to suspicions of him. I don't see him often and quite frankly I intend to keep it that way." He hummed. "oh, I'm sorry. But hey look, we are both adult orphans" I joked. He chuckled and we continued walking towards the car. It was nice to see this side of him. The side where he opens up and cares. If I saw this for the next couple days it would sure make it way more bearable.

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It was bout 10 pm when we arrived home, I was so tired so I said goodnight and set off for bed. I threw on an oversized t-shirt and shorts before brushing my teeth and getting into bed. I'd shower in the morning. As I went to sleep, I drifted into deep thought about what would happen tomorrow, processing what happened today. And with a slight smile on my face i fell asleep...