Devotion

Darkness

Alessandra D'Angelo

Darkness.

The room was filled with the black void of emptiness. The absence of light was something I was used to now since I was constantly working in my mothers night club.

My nostrils were filled with the metallic scent of blood, drenched all over my black heels.

You would think I'd be used to the dark by now. Although, sometimes the darkness would send shivers down my spine and if I focused too hard on my breathing, I would feel like the world was crumbling from underneath me.

I stared at the man whose throat I'd just slit open.

The blood doesn't phase me now but it was a bitch to clean up. I shouldn't have worn my favorite heels tonight, but I didn't plan on being here. I guess they were right when they said, "life is full of surprises." However, there is no room for "surprises" in the mafia.

The anger I was feeling tonight was strange, but I blame my annoying mother for making me "take care" of this man in front of me. His wrists and ankles were tied to metal chair in front of me. He was a spy from the Ludovico mafia, our rivals. Growing up I was taught two things; murder and to hate the Ludovico's.  I had seduced him into to coming into one of our private rooms.

God, men are so stupid

I stepped away to wipe the blood off my face with the back of my hand and I took a deep breath to control myself.

Why were the Ludovico's sending spies? They knew it was risky, especially since my father had taken over most territories in New York. Was Julia Ludovico behind this?

Julia

Even just thinking about her fills my body with rage. Her family is the reason Giovanni is dead, my only brother. He was originally suppose to be the heir to the mafia but since I'm the only other child, I get to take his place.

This act of idiocy wouldn't be unlike the Ludovico's. Still, I would think they would be more careful? ... I wondered if this mess was bigger than we knew.

After all, my mother and I had never seen this man in our club before. If he was supposedly a spy, then hadn't we seen him around?

I was probably overthinking this, Julia would be laughing if she knew she was causing me distress. I could imagine her, pressed against the wall with my knife on her throat. "Fuck me"  I thought, as I grabbed the blood knife from the floor.

This man had killed one of our dancers to try and retain information about my family's business in Manhattan. However, he was sloppy and the security guards caught him before he could safely escape.

Light began to enter the room and I quickly turned around to see who was the cause of it.

"Jaynna, how many times have I told you not to bother me when I'm in a private room" I grimaced as soon as I saw who it was.

Jaynna works as one of the dancers in my mother's night club. She also one of my only close friends.

"Sorry, but one of your regulars are requesting you" she smiled, her blonde hair was pulled into tight ponytail and she was wearing black lingerie. She was very beautiful, sometimes when we were both horny, we would hook up.

"Tell him I'll be out in a minute" I took a deep breathe, placing the dagger inside my red laced garter.

"Why do you always make such a mess, a gun would be much more efficient." She said, leaning against the frame of the door.

"You know I don't like guns" I snapped, she was testing my patience and I was already annoyed by this whole situation. "I'm going to go clean up, go tell one of the guards to bring a clean up crew in."

"Jeez, you're in a bitchy mood today. I thought you enjoy killing this pathetic assholes." Jaynna furrowed her brows, glancing at the man in the chair. "You really did a number on him" she stated as she walked closer to me. "You know, I can help you relieve some stress" she whispered in my ear. Her mouth attached to my neck, as her tongue slide over my smooth skin.

"Fuck, Jaynna I'm not in the mood" I groaned, stepping away from her.

I knew she was just trying to make me feel better. This was really the only way she knew how to express her love. It's funny though because we are the exact opposite. Jaynna needs love and validation to make herself feel like she is enough. But me on the other hand, I hate emotions. As a daughter of an mafia boss, I am taught that emotions are for the weak. You can't feel emotions when you are a cold-blooded murder

It's funny because I've lost count on how many people I've killed.

"I'm sorry Ale, just know I'm here and I love you" she spoke softly as she kissed my cheek and made her way out the room. I loved that she made me feel that somebody actually care about me.

I was standing alone in the room, when I noticed something I hadn't seen before.

A small piece of paper was sticking out of the guy's pocket. I walked over and grabbed it to see what was inside. As I opened the note, I noticed the red lipstick print.

"Did you miss me?"