Love & Affinities (18+)

1

ADRIANO ENZO CALVETI 

"Enzo, I've got a lead, and you need to see this. The bastard's opened up another brothel near one of his old warehouses in Palermo just a few months ago and he's forcing young girls and women to earn his filthy money,'' Ares, my right hand and best friend, speaks as I enter his room. This had been my life since the past six years and I'm not going to say I loathe it. Instead I worship it because it has come to me with great power after so much suffering. The scar running down my left eye is a sign that I shall be taken seriously, not feared.

''Stock up, and get to the warehouse right this moment, but take cover for a few minutes before moving in to get all the girls and women out safely. And most importantly, I want him alive. You know what to do, I'll be up,'' I demanded as he nodded before heading out to get the job done.

Six years gone since the last time I saw her. She was out after a long time with her dad in the city. He said that she had gotten lost in the overwhelming crowd and he was unable to find her. How she called for help when she was being pulled away like a puppet hanging from its strings by his men right from the crowded streets of Sicily. And all I could do was replay that video caught on the shitty cameras six years ago as regret pounced on my heart each moment I realized that I couldn't save her on time.

Whatever compassion and kindness she had instilled in me had died the moment I had received the confirmation of her death. Now 25, the Capo of the Italian Mafia and being the eldest heir of Don Alexander Calveti, I had greater responsibilities. The territory of Italy fell under my feet and weaknesses were not part of a leader.

As I drove to the only place I found comfort in, I glanced over at an old couple who seemed to be enjoying the calmness they found in the setting of the sun, the little boy who ran to his mother asking for more ice cream from the stall, and the young couple when the man dropped to his knees to tie the laces of his wife's sneakers and then lightly kissing her baby bump. These emotions were not to be felt by a person who worked on the other side of the tracks. The mafia and most specifically, the capo himself.

Dandelions flew in the air as I stepped out of my car grabbing a bottle of whiskey. Two very important people of my life stared back at me, standing side by side. Aurora Calveti and Sofia Marcello. Their gravestones, painted with their names, filling me with regret each time I come here just to torture myself. The torture in which I find comfort as I sit beside them. We did not receive Sofia's body but buried her favorite dress in her grave as my last respects.

I couldn't cry anymore, I felt hollow, like a seed floating in the sea of regret and memories. Life had taught me to become ruthless. Either eat or become eaten. I tilted the bottle, pouring the burning liquid down my throat until I wasn't sober. My phone rings and for a moment I thought it was Ares. Instead, I declined the call since it was Samantha's. After what felt like hours, I left the place with an empty promise that I shall fulfill once I get hold of him. ''I shall make him pay for whatever he did to Sofia and you, madre, I promise.'' (mother)

THIRD PERSON POV

Alex approached the mansion in his vehicle, slipping out slyly in the light of the moon. Ares and all the men move into their positions, moving stealthily and waiting patiently for the right moment to infiltrate the den. The den of hideous creatures. Each one of them stood in their positions watching his every move.

"Bring out the girls and get this show started. These puttanas better get into their positions before the buyers arrive. Make sure that the ruby is kept safe.''

Suddenly, a slim brunette with nothing but pink lingerie approaches him and speaks seductively. "She's in the back room, master, all yours, but I could give a hand if you wanted. You know she's an amateur and you could use some of m-" She gets cut off as Alex slaps her in the face, sending her on the floor. Grabbing her by the hair, he spat in her face.

"You better get your hands off of me before I hand you over to my hungry men!" Anger radiated from his body as he walked away to the room at the back, wiping his hand furiously against his slacks. Entering the room, he unstrapped his watch and moved to unbutton his pants when a small whimper was heard from the bed in the room.

WARNING -  Skip to next chapter

"P-please... p-please, n-no-not today. I'm sore.'' The sobbing voice follows the appearance of a petite-looking girl.

"What happened, my princess? Bored since I wasn't here to help you satisfy yourself, hmm? Come on, get on your knees." The petite girl stayed glued to the bed with nothing but her underwear on her, refusal in her eyes. "I said get the fuck up! Don't make me mad. Otherwise, I'll do the other thing that you asked not to.'' She hurriedly complied using her bruised mouth to fulfil his pleasure, bobbing her head up and down as he wraps her hair around his fist, using it as leverage. After what felt like years, she had satisfied him. Tears ran down her cheeks and her whole body ached with immense pain from what Alex had done the day before. She was deep in her thoughts when Alex slapped her busting her lip. Her already scarred body scratched against the tiles of the floor, drawing out blood.

''I asked you something, my pretty princess'', he hissed.

''I'm s-s-orry master, i-s-is there anything I could do to ask f-for for-forgiveness?'' the girl questioned, unwillingly out of fear and desperation to avoid him from taking her again.

''Someone's being a good submissive girl today, isn't she? Even though I want to take you right this moment, I have things to do. So you will be staying in our bedroom and will not come out unless I tell you to, understood?''

''Yes.''

''Yes, what?'' he questioned sternly, warning her of what he can do if she acted like a brat.

''Yes master'', she replied, looking into her lap.

''Good girl, my good girl.'' The girl watched his shadow, not daring to look at him even from behind his back as he walked to the door, opened it and then slammed it close. She somehow crawled back to bed and grabbed onto her stomach, which ached with hunger, and her cuts and bruises that needed treatment. But, her captor was Alex Camero. The one who showed no mercy and was far worse than animals. Her skin was pale and her lips cracked from dehydration. This was nothing new, all of it was a daily routine like kids attending school and sat through scheduled classes. Wake up, satisfy, eat, satisfy, cry, shower, satisfy, and finally sleep. It had been her life for years. He would give her the best of clothes, a beautiful bed and good food. But, whatever he did later proved that he could only give her luxury not happiness. All the forced activities would drain her out, leaving her bruised and scarred.

She laid down on the bed despite the ache in her back and in between her legs. ''I miss you ma and pa, I miss the butterflies, ice cream, Ad and Coco. I still have to pay you my hugs, but when?'' she sniffled.