Tangled Alliances

18

Later that day, Papá found me in my room and told me, "Hablé con Alejandro. He's agreed to train you, mija. You can head over to his house whenever you're ready."

(Hablé con Alejandro - I spoke with Alejandro)

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. Alejandro... It had been a while since I'd seen him. We grew up together, practically family, since his father and my dad were best friends.

He's a few years older than me and has always been involved in the business, but unlike others, Alejandro never made me feel unsafe. He's tough, but I know he'd never hurt me.

Ale's been around this world since he was a kid, just like me. But while I tried to keep some distance from it, he embraced it fully.

Still, despite being deep in the mafia life, Ale always had this protective side when it came to me.

As I pulled up to Ale's house, the familiar iron gates swung open, and I drove in, feeling both relief and a twinge of nervousness.

The place hadn't changed much—still the grand estate surrounded by high walls and guarded by men who'd recognize me anywhere.

I parked and slipped out of the car, adjusting the jacket over my crop top. It was a cool day, and the jacket offered a bit of extra protection—both physically and emotionally.

When I rang the doorbell, Alejandro answered almost immediately. His presence was reassuring, as always. He greeted me with that familiar warmth in his eyes and a smile.

"Hey, Mariposa," he said, using the nickname that had always made me feel special. "It's good to see you."

(Mariposa - butterfly)

"Hey, Ale," I replied, managing a smile despite the heaviness of the last few days.

He stepped aside, letting me into the house. The interior was just as I remembered—dark wood, minimalist decor, and a sense of quiet elegance.

As we walked into the living room, Alejandro's expression shifted to something more serious. "So, Val, your dad mentioned you wanted to start training. What's going on?"

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to delve into details but knowing I needed his help. "Yeah, I just need to get stronger. I want to be able to handle myself better."

Alejandro's gaze softened, though his tone remained firm. "Alright, we'll start with the basics and work up from there. But you should know, I'll be pushing you to your limits."

I nodded, appreciating his straightforwardness. "I'm ready."

He gave me a reassuring smile. "Good. We'll get you in shape in no time. And remember, I'm here for you—no matter what."

That simple assurance eased some of the tension inside me. Ale had always been a solid, dependable figure in my life, and right now, that was exactly what I needed.

"Thanks," I said softly.

"Anytime," he replied, his eyes reflecting a promise of support.

With that, we started the session. The familiarity of Alejandro's presence and the intensity of the training helped distract me from the bruises and the tumult of recent events.

Ale and I continued practicing, my movements stiff and strained due to the pain. He was patient and focused, guiding me through various drills and techniques. I tried to push through the soreness, but the bruises on my shoulder made each movement a struggle.

At one point, Alejandro stopped and glanced at me, his eyes narrowing with concern. "You're not moving as fluidly as usual. What's going on with your shoulder?"

I shrugged it off, trying to sound casual. "It's nothing. Just a little sore. I'm fine."

Alejandro wasn't convinced. "Come on, Valentina. You don't have to hide it. If you're hurt, it's better to address it."

I hesitated, unwilling to admit the extent of my injuries. "It's really not a big deal. I just need to get used to it."

Alejandro's gaze grew more intense. "Valentina, you know you can't just ignore it."

I tried to deflect, shifting my weight uneasily. "I told you, it's nothing."

He crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "I'm not buying it."

Finally, unable to maintain the facade, I reluctantly took off my jacket, revealing the large, purple bruises on my shoulder. Alejandro's eyes widened in shock and anger.

Alejandro's eyes stayed fixed on my bruised shoulder, his expression darkening with concern. "Who the fuck did this to you?" he demanded, his voice edged with anger.

I hesitated, trying to brush it off. "It's not important," I said.

"Valentina," he said sharply, "no juegues conmigo. Who did this?"

(no juegues conmigo - don't play with me)

"It was this guy, Lorenzo," I admitted.

"¿Lorenzo Gambino?" Alejandro's face hardened. "Lo conozco. Es un verdadero cabrón. ¿Qué quería contigo?"

(Lo conozco. Es un verdadero cabrón. ¿Qué quería contigo - I know him he's a real bastard what did he want with you?)

"I don't know," I said. "He just showed up and started pushing me around."

Alejandro's anger flared. "And Matteo, why have you been with him lately?"

I hesitated, then said, "It's complicated. My parents arranged it. I didn't really have a choice."

"¿En serio?" Alejandro asked, his voice a mix of concern and anger. "Te pusieron con Matteo. Eso está mal. ¿Y Lorenzo?"

(En serio? Te pusieron con Matteo. Eso está mal. ¿Y Lorenzo? - oh really? they put you with Matteo, that's wrong. And Lorenzo?)

"I know," I said. "Es solo la situación en la que estoy."

(Es solo la situación en la que estoy - it's just the situation I'm in.)

Alejandro's gaze softened but remained intense. "Tienes que mantenerte a salvo, Valentina. Si necesitas algo, avísame. ¿Quieres que le dé una lección a alguien?"

(Quieres que le dé una lección a alguien? - You have to stay safe, Valentina. If you need anything, let me know. Do you want me to teach someone a lesson?)

I shook my head. "No, please. I don't want to cause more trouble."

Alejandro's expression softened slightly, though his protective anger remained. "Okay, remember I'm here though."

"Gracias, Ale," I said, grateful for his support.

"Don't worry," he replied. "Let's get back to training."

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