Always

22| masquerade ball and an arrangement

ROMEO

Alex and Carina were still not talking. Cam apologized profusely but it didn't matter. Sometimes words leave scars so deep, it's hard to recover from them. I hated to see them like this, so divided. I fiddled with the buttons of my suit and stepped outside and downstairs.

Today was the Mafia ball. Not just any ball, a fucking masquerade ball. Hundreds of dangerous people in masks, good idea? Not at all. I guess that's what the Mafia is about, taking risks. One cannot be scared of anything. It's looked down upon to show any kind of weakness.

I nodded towards my brothers who were all standing in black tuxedos like every year. The only thing different was that André was here with Liam. I was happy for my little brother, I would support him no matter what. I looked at Genieve who looked bold in her blood red dress. Like a true Mafia queen. I see so much of mom in her face right now. She smiled at Carter who followed behind Gen.

Amara, Layla and Carina followed soon behind. I looked up the stairs, waiting for Alex, but she never came.

"Who're you looking for?"

I turned around. I shook my head. "You're not wearing that." Ace said. The dress was beautiful no doubt, but I didn't want to kill every guy that looked at her.

"Sorry too late." She replied cheekily, smiling at Ace.

"Fine, c'mon get in the car." Ace replied, rolling his eyes. I was in the car with my brothers and Gen drove the other car. Why have drivers when we have two sets of functional limbs? I looked at Ace who was furiously poking his phone.

"Increasing security?" I questioned.

"Yes, I can't take any chances." I nodded and stopped in front of the venue and put my black raven mask on. What happened fourteen years ago still affects all of us.

As we stepped in, all eyes turned to us. People looked at us in anger, jealousy, fear, admiration and respect. I smiled sadistically before walking towards our table. It was placed right next to the Hernandezs. I pulled my chair out when someone tripped and fell into my grip. Celeste.

"Careful there darling, one might think you're falling for me." She pushed herself away from me and looked at me with a mischievous look in her eyes. She had something up her sleeve and it wasn't good.

"Falling for you? In your dreams asshole." With a final scoff, she turned around to sit at her place, smacking her hair in my face. What a bitch.

------

Almost two hours into the masquerade ball and I was just waiting for an attack to happen. The Hernandez's faces looked more sinister than usual. I told everyone to stay alert and popped the safety off my own gun, holding it tightly under the table.

I looked at the waiter who was serving all night, but something about him seemed off. It was almost as if he was planted there. I leaned forward to warn Alice, but he pushed his gun to her temple first, his tray of drinks falling down and shattering, effectively stopping all conversations.

The firing started a second later. It was hard to say who started it, because within minutes, the room was a bloodbath. I saw Luca, Liam and Layla covering the back entrance. Al had killed the guy who was holding his gun at her temple not less than a second ago. Fuck.m

Genevieve was alert and protecting Carter and Carina. I saw her lead them out of the front door and I sighed in relief, not for long though. I felt the cold metal of a gun at my temple.

"I bet you're regretting that snarky comment now, aren't you, pretty boy?" Celeste, of course.

I twisted her hand and took the gun off her. She had good aim, but her physical form was weak. I slipped my hand around her waist and leaned down to whisper.

"I regret nothing darling. You however should be regretting that last move." She struggled in my hold. I smirked again and released her.

"Trying to kill me will only get you killed darling, so be a lamb and stay where you were." She scowled at me.

"You're a sadistic asshole." She spat at me.

I winked, turning away, "I know darling, I know."

------

AMARA

The firing wasn't unexpected. Infact, we were all just waiting for it to happen. In a way, I guess I'm happy that it happened so I could get out of that place. We were all getting into our cars when someone came running towards us. Alexis loaded her gun just in case. The panting man came to a stop in front of Genevieve.

"Ms. Di Angelo, the Korean Mafia, has asked to arrange a meeting immediately. They're saying they have some important information regarding your grandfather." I looked at Gen who nodded. "The meeting room behind the building, get them there." The man nodded and called someone, turning away.

"What do you think they want?" I asked Gen.

"Information most probably, can't be too sure." Our cars stopped at the back of the building, the meeting room was the most secure place in the building, you cannot take any forms of weapons with you inside since it's a symbol of peace. I dropped my three weapons outside and walked in.

Rain, Darius and Sage. The three heirs of the Korean Omerta. Sage was next in line, 23 and recently passed out of college, he was a smart one. I had no doubts that he'd make an excellent leader. Rain was the bitch in the back. The one with all the hidden talents and the mysterious aura, she was alright. Darius was the youngest, reckless, always getting into trouble and never cleaning up his own messes.

We all sat down and so did they. Kim shook Genieve's hand.

"Your grandfather," he began, "was a great man. Unfortunately he was also a two-faced asshole."

My hands clenched at the sound of his words. "He made a deal with Philip forty years ago." The oldest Korean Mafia leader, also Kim's father.

"In exchange for our alliance, he promised us one of his grandkids." Genieve clutched Carter's hand, she was getting angry.

"What the fuck does that mean?" I shivered at her calm tone.

"A marriage of course. What better way to honour the treaty than to bring our two families together." I didn't like his tone, I looked towards his children who looked conflicted as well.

"I'm not marrying yet." Rain growled, getting up from her place, "I don't want to be stuck in an arranged marriage."

Her father shrugged looking at his sons. "I'm a minor." Darius said flatly.

"Alright then, Sage m'boy." Kim clapped Sage's shoulder and I saw him wince slightly. He looked uncomfortable in the presence of his father.

"Whatever you want." Sage told his father. What the actual fuck? Whatever you want?

"I'll do it." I spoke without thinking. Genevieve and the others stared at me in shock. Kim laughed, "Perfect-"

Genieve rolled her eyes at his rude manner. "Not so fast, I have to talk to my sister." She pulled me outside in a quick manner.

"What are you doing?" She whispered-shouted at me. "Someone has to do it right? I don't mind sacrificing myself." I told her, shrugging.

"Sacrificing yourself? Don't fuck with me right now 'mara. You don't have to sacrifice your happiness for this, I'll find a way out." She closed her eyes tightly and I knew she was figuring out all sorts of new agreements.

"No, Gen. We can't change the treaty. Our grandfather made a deal and we have to honour that." She sighed. "You still don't have to do this, the contract doesn't specify if it should be a direct blood relative to marry or not."

"I know, you're right. But I'm not backing down right now. I won't go back on my word, we're Di Angelo's right? Mom and Dad have always taught us to stick to our word." She looked at me suspiciously, I knew it was a dick move to bring Mom and Dad into the conversation, but I had no choice.

"Plus, he isn't too bad to look at. I bet his-"

Genieve clamped a hand to my mouth, "I get it. Shut up." I winked and walked inside.

An arranged fucking marriage. Let's do this.