La Reina de la Mafia

The Trial

The bag is ripped off of my head, and a guy I've never seen before yanks me to my feet. It takes me a moment to adjust to my surroundings. I'm in a literal courtroom. What the f*ck.

There are several women and men who look at me with expressions of curiosity and distrust. Some look at me like I'm their next meal. I shiver.
"This is Brianna Carter. The only child of Rodger and Daliah Carter." Jax pauses, and the room erupts into chaos. Some people jeer at me, while others try to cat call me. "Silence." I jump as Jax hits his fist on the stand. "She's 18 years old, and would like to join the mafia. Isn't that right Brianna?" I feel his hot stare on me, but I don't dare to look at him. I know what he wants me to say.
"Yes."

"Does anyone object to this?" Jax asks. A man, with a scar running across his face stands up.
"I just have a question. What will her role be?" He looks me up and down, "Is she another-"
"Her role has yet to be decided." Jax cuts him off. "So, Brianna Carter. Welcome to the Spanish Mafia." Everyone applauds, and I'm suddenly reminded of the auction house, and what Dorian Vito almost did to me. Suddenly it feels like I can't breathe.

"Tyler." I say to the man behind me, "please find Tyler." I feel myself fall, and everything goes black.

When I wake up, I see Tyler sitting on the edge of my bed, looking at me in concern.
"What happened?" I ask, sitting up.
"You had a panic attack, and fainted." Oh.
"Why?" I say. I really have no clue what happened.
"It must of reminded you of the auction house." He pauses, "and apparently you were asking for me before you fainted." I look down, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.
"Really huh? That's strange." I look up, and Tyler's face is inches from mine.
"Is it?" He smirks. I don't reply, and Tyler starts to lean in... andddd there's a knock at the door.
"Chiunque sia, sono morti." All I caught was the mention of death. Tyler gets up, and opens the door.

"Giovanni. What can I do for you." I see Gio peek his head around Tyler.
"I'm actually here for Brianna. That's kind of why I came to her room... wasn't expecting you though." Tyler sighs.
"What do you want Gio."
"Um, Jax wants to see her." I stand up.
"Why does he want to see me?" Gio shrugs.
"That's all he said." I share a look with Tyler before leaving with Gio.

"Sooo, is it a bad thing or good thing?" I ask.
"He didn't tell me anything." Gio stops to face me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I promise I'll stay with you, even if he tries to make me go." I sigh in relief.
"Thank you Gio. He- he seems dangerous." Gio looks away and says something quietly.
"Come on." He takes hold of my hand, and I can't help but notice how warm it is.

We eventually stop at a pair of dark grey doors.
"Is this his room?" I ask nervously. Gio nods. And pushes open the door.

"He has a basketball court?!!!" I look at Gio in astonishment. He just shrugs.
"Wait till you see my bedroom bambolina." Jax comes down the stairs, wearing grey sweatpants and a black tank top, showing his muscular arms.
"She's not going to see your bedroom Jax. And don't call her bambolina." Gio's voice has a surprisingly cold tone to it.
"Actually she does have to. That's where it's set up."
"Where what's set up?"

"Oh no, no no no." I shake my head and back away, but Jax takes my by the shoulders and shoves me in the chair. "I am not getting a tattoo!" I protest.
"Would you prefer to get branded?" Jax moves his shirt, showing a scar of a wolf snarling right on his pectoral.
"U-um uh, n-no." I hate myself for the blush that creeps up on my cheeks.
"That's what I thought. Now, where do you want it? Where mine is?" Jax smirks, picking up the needle.
"Ew no. Perv." I quickly tie up my hair in a bun. "Is the wolf the only choice?"
"You can get our motto colpire come il lupo. It means strike as the wolf."
"Ok, I'll get that, right here." I rub the back of my neck.

Jax comes and sits behind me, very closely. So closely that I can feel the heat off of him. I turn my head around, and he softly smiles. An actual smile. "Be ready, this could hurt." He places a hand on my neck and-
"Ow!" I yell. This is going to take awhile.

"It looks sick." I hear Gio say behind us.
"It hurt like a b*tch." I roll my shoulders, and I feel a cold cloth being pressed against me. It immediately helps with the stinging. I turn and smile at Jax. "Thank you."
"Yeah, whatever." He gets up suddenly, leaving the room.

"Did I say something?" I ask Gio. He looks out the door with hard eyes.
"He's just got a lot on his mind."
"Like bipolar-ness?" Gio scoffs, but a smile creeps up onto his face. I get up and place a hand on his shoulder.
"Feel like training again?"

I bend over, leaning against my knees. Sweat glistens on my whole body. Gio and I did boxing, weight lifting, cardio, and a whole bunch of push ups and squats.
"That- was- intense." I say, gasping for breath.
"Smoothies?" Gio volunteers, sounding equally tired.
"Smoothies." I agree.

I'm sitting on the island, Giovanni standing in front of me. He hands me the Chocolate- Banana smoothie I requested and I take a sip.
"It's so good Gio." He looks at me and laughs. "What?" I say, laughing now too.
"You have something on your face."
"Where, on my cheek?" I rub it with the back of my hand.
"No, just- let me get it." He cups my face and swipes under my nose with his thumbs. "Got it." He says, but doesn't move. He just stares into my eyes.
"Ahem." Someone clears their throat, and I jump off the counter separating myself from Gio.

"Heyyy Tyler." I look up, and sure enough, Tyler is standing there, looking emotionless.
"Giovanni." His eyes flick to me. "Brianna." Gio claps his hands together,
"I think that's my cue to go." And he just leaves me with I-am-angry-but-trying-not-to-seem-like-it Tyler.
"Did you work out with him again?" I nod. "In that?" I look down at my sports bra and tight yoga pants.
"Yes. Do you have a problem?" He scoffs. "Wait," I smile, "are you- jealous?" Tyler rolls his eyes, but doesn't respond. "Tyler, why would you be jealous of Giovanni? He's a friend."
"Good." He says. Now I roll my eyes, and start to walk away, but Tyler grabs me, and I was not prepared for what happened next.

He twirls me around and kisses me.