Blood and Sweaters

Chapter 11

Nefarious
Wicked, villainous, despicable.

The car ride from the hangar to the Toretto hotel was filled with chatter. Ransom was surprised at how friendly and chatty Tio was but the scar across his cheekbone and the gunmetal Glock 18 stuffed in his waistband was a sharp reminder of just how dangerous he really was.

The one thing that Ransom had come to realize by now was that the Toretto's may be serpents in the sand but they would kill and die for family.

"When these two Corazónes were little, we would put them in a circle and give them knives to see who would draw blood first. Veronica was fast and would strike rapidly and repeatedly earning her the name 'Veneno'. It means venom. Just like venom, when she struck there was no recovering. Deadly fighter, " Tio,whose real name was Antonio, looked at Veronica with fatherly pride shining in his stone-grey eyes.

"The only person that could challenge Veneno was Vipera, " the older man smiled at Veronica.

"Vipera?" Ransom questioned.

"Vipera means Viper. Slow poison. Aria is an observant fighter. She'll watch her opponent, analyzing their every move before delivering the fatal blow. Precise and lethal."

Ransom looked at the cousins who were smiling at each other probably reminiscing about childhood fights and memories.

"Ari was a sore loser. Always sulking when she lost. No one could be around her until she calmed down and if anyone attempted they would end up with a cut or two." Veronica playfully mocked her cousin causing John and Tio laughed.

"Not much has changed, " Ransom whispered under his breath while running a finger over the bandaged cut he acquired earlier.

"Well at least I was better then you. I would get angry, you would cry. No, not cry. Howl. The entire neighborhood would know that Veronica Elizabeth Torreto lost."

"You're mean, Alexia Aria Torreto."

Veronica sulked into John's arms as she stuck her tongue out at her cousin who was now smirking at her.

"Your first name is Alexia?" Ransom snickered.

"Oh shut up, Hugh, " Aria couldn't help but laugh at the dorky smile on his handsome face.

~~~

Ransom's eyes widened at the sight of the exquisite sky scraping glass hotel. The starry night reflected off the building beautifully.

The inside was as stunning as the outside. White marble floors and glass and mirrors as far as the eye could see. Ransom had seen a good deal of hotels but nothing compared to this. He looked around in awe, a sentiment shared by a dumbstruck John.

"This isn't even the best part, " Tio whispered to the stunned men as he gently led them into the elevator in the opposite direction of where girls were headed.

Tio pressed a button and as the doors closed, nerves set in the two. Tio slowly turned around, looking at the two younger men with an intimidating look on his face.

"Remember one thing, you're part of the Torreto family now and there are a couple of rules to follow. No gambling. No drugging. No womanizing. No drinking, " the grey-eyed man warned in a heavy no-nonsense voice.

He didn't wait for a response. He was arrogant enough to know there was no room for anything but approval. The ding of the elevator was a fresh breath of relief for Ransom.

'Saved by the bell' he thought.

The doors opened to a roaring sight. The enormous room crawled with people having a good time, drinking, gambling, laughing, and dancing as music blasted from every corner.

"Drinks on the house tonight, in celebration of these two gentlemen. El Amor de Aria. El Amor de Veronica." Tio gestured toward the two young men earning a cheer from the crowd.

He led them to a sitting area at the far end of the room. Tio waved his hand to attraction the attention of a server as he made small talk with John and Ransom. A couple of minutes later a young blonde waitress came around with the drinks and three cigars on a glistening silver tray. She served the drinks and cigars over with sideward lingering glances at Ransom. He knew that look all too well, looking away with a look of disgust he couldn't make it more obvious that he wasn't interested.

"Sharon, be a dear and get a light for the cigar, would you?" Tio addressed the waitress.

"Yes, Padrino."

Sharon reappeared after a couple of minutes lighter in hand, making a show of swaying her hips as she made her way back.

She lit both Tio's and John's cigar before moving on to lighting Ransoms. As she bent over to light the cigar and a blue blade blurred across the room, knocking the lighter out of Sharon's perfectly manicured hands. The music immediately died and everyone turned to look at the source of the throw.

There standing on the catwalk that led to the casino was Aria in a flowing scarlet dress. Her eyes blazing as she stared at the waitress that had now distanced herself from Ransom.

Aria stalked towards Sharon in an intimidating manner. The young blonde shook like a leaf under Aria's fierce gaze. A feeling of dread crept up from the pit of Sharon's stomach, her heart was throbbing in her ears, loud and irregular, but she could barely hear it as she took in the sinister smirk on the raven-haired girl's face. The red dress only added to the dangerous look. Sharon's body trembled with fear as she came face to face with Aria. She pulled the blade from where it lodged, in the wood of the bar.

"Bat your eyes at him one more time, I dare you, " Aria urged.

"I-I-I'm sorry Vipera..." Sharon's voice was thick with fear.

"Sorry?"Aria chuckled darkly.

"If you so much as look within his direction again, I'll make sure that's the last time you ever look at anyone-" Aria dragged the sharp blade down the side of the girl's pale face, "-what a shame to lose such pretty eyes and all because you couldn't keep them off what's mine."

Sharon quickly nodded her head before scurrying away. Aria shot a look across the room as a sign for everyone to go back to what they were doing. The music started up again and everyone went back to their previous activities as if nothing had happened.

Aria sat down on Ranson's lap, taking a sip of his drink.

"Mine?" Ransom questioned with a cheeky smile.

"Are you not?" Aria shot back, carding her fingers through his hair.

Ransom smiled at the girl on his lap, pulling her against his chest he placed a kiss on the top of her hair.

"Always."
~~~