He's Mine - How to 'illegally' tell people HE's MINE in 99 ways

Chapter 3

"Protect them from everything, even yourself."

~~~

I walk into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee, desperately needing a pick-me-up after a sleepless night. As I sit on the counter, waiting for the coffee to brew, I hear footsteps approaching.

"Didn't sleep?" Jared asks, his voice tinged with concern. I nod in response. "How was yesterday with the Xaviers?" he continues.

I scoff. "As good as any dinner goes," I reply, hopping off the counter to pour my coffee into a mug.

"I heard a certain person was there," he teases, taking a bite of his apple.

"You can just say Matteo told you. That asshole can't keep a thing to himself," I grumble.

"Any way I can help you?" he asks seriously.

I smile at his sincerity. "No need, Jared, but thank you for the offer." He nods and walks out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I take my phone and open my group chat with my team. The name always makes me chuckle — 'Romanos' Bitches'. I scroll through the messages to find a time when everyone is available. Once I spot a suitable slot, I drop a text letting them know to be at the Maniac Mansion by 5 p.m. I finish my coffee and rush to my room to get ready for the day.

Maniac Mansion is our not-so-secret hideout. It's the place where I trained my team, and we often meet there to discuss plans, strategies, gossip, or party. We're a crazy bunch. Matteo has yet to meet them all, though he has met one, and it was a bit distracting for him.

"Wake u—oh, you're up. Anything from the team?" Matteo asks as he walks into my room and plops down on my bed. "I love your room so much. I hate that I didn't let you renovate mine," he mumbles, making me laugh.

"Well, we're all meeting at 5 today." His ears perk up at this news. "And you call me obsessed," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Hey! I don't stalk her," he retaliates.

I scoff. "You've gotta know where she lives to actually do that. I have a stealthy team, Matt." I smirk at his sour expression. "Get ready and meet me outside. I'll take my car today. I'm not sure about yours," I say. He jumps up and runs out of the room. Fool.

I take a quick shower and get ready as fast as I can. Letting my hair down, I give myself a once-over in the mirror. I'm a tall woman, thanks to my parents' good genes, standing at five feet eight inches. My black hair now has dark purple tips, a recent addition. My stormy grey eyes, inherited from my nonna, make me look as intimidating as she did, according to Maa.

Today, I'm wearing a sleek black bodycon dress that skims just above my knees, complemented by a black leather jacket and paired with black platform heels. I nod as an approval and take my bag, phone and keys before walking out.

"There you are! Dad wants to see you before you leave." Matteo says way too calmly.

I nod and make my way to his home office. What could he possibly want?

I knock on the door and hear his permission to enter. "You wanted to see me, Dad?" I ask as I walk to him and kiss his cheek in greeting. He smiles at me and nods. "Sit." He softly says.

I look at him, observing his body language. He's trying very hard to be calm. Extremely hard.

"Come on, Dad. Say it." I urge him to tell me whatever that is bothering him. He clears his throat and nods.

"I believe Darius left a certain impression on you last night." He starts with a fact and I nod. "I'd like to ask you to have an open mind when it comes to him. He has been conditioned the way he is and means no harm." He smiles at me but my face remains straight. I want to tell him what Matteo and I and my team found yesterday but it's too early.

He got Darius back after five years. The only ally he thinks he has. But I can't let him think that I'll be anywhere near polite.

"Do you trust me, Dad?" I ask and he smile. "Of course, I do. I trust you with my life, mea filia."

"I know some things. I am not being stubborn because of them but something about him rubbed me the wrong way. I promise you that I won't take rash decisions but you need to understand that no one is more important to me that you, Maa, Matteo and Jared." I stand up and give him a hug. He kisses my forehead and sighs.

"Go now. You have a task tomorrow. I'll let Jared send you the details. We'll have a group meeting tomorrow morning at 5." He pats my shoulder in his 'boss mode'. I chuckle and walk away.

~~~

I am driving quietly which I am used to but my twin being quiet – not at all. "What is going on in your head, Nerd?" I ask while waiting for the red light to turn to green. "Did you see the marks? On Raze?" He asks softly and I nod before looking at the light. "That's another strike for him." He mumbles and notes it in his head.

"He's a typical stereotypical man. His mannerism and words reflect the cruelty of the old generation mafia. He indeed was taken in. Dad thinks he has been conditioned the way he is but I think he wanted it. Something is indeed brewing." I tell him Dad's words from before and he nods.

I enter the parking area and park the car. "Let's be normal and keep Raze away from this world until extremely necessary." He says and I nod. "I already have eyes on him so he'd be safe." I assure him.

We both step out of the car and walk inside the campus. Matteo kisses my cheek and bids me farewell till we see each other later. He has a lot of classes today while I just have two. Lucky me!

Listening to music while my eyes roam around to find the boy of my dreams, I see his leaning on his locker frowning at his phone and sighing in frustration. I walk to him and take my airpods off. "Trouble?" I ask and he flinches. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you, Raze." I smile at him apologetically.

"Oh no worries. How are you? Slept well?" he asks and I nod. "You?" I ask and he just shrugs. "As good as I could get."

He shakes his head and looks at me with hope. "So, you'll be coming to my party?" he asks. I chuckle at his question. "Will it be okay if I'll be a little late? I've some work to do." I say and he nods with enthusiasm. "Anything is fine till the time you're coming." He replies and I laugh.

We started walking to his class. I see one of my team members nodding at me. I nod back in acknowledgment to their message which was to skip class. "Is the work you have dangerous?" he softly asks. "Can't tell you the truth, don't wanna lie." I simply say and give him my phone.

"Add your number." I order and he does it.

"You are quite bossy." He comments, making me chuckle. "Habit." I say with a wink.

"I'll see you later, Raze. Be safe." I give him a quick hug and walk towards the exit of their building.

~~~

Hello Little Mischiefs!

Excited to meet The Romanos' Bitches at the Maniac Mansion? Who's Matteo's obsession? Is he as bad of a case like our Maia? There will be more of Raze and Maia soon! 

Lemme know your thoughts! Expect new chapters on every Thursday and Sunday 12 P.M. IST.

Yours
Hellion *hehe*