ALESSANDRO: Book 3 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

6:

I don't respond, just keep quiet until this man's got to the point. I recognise him from last night when that psycho woman electrocuted me, the mysterious beauty shadowed in darkness- only now I can't help but feel intimidated by his soulless, icy gaze as he brandished a long, thin dagger. He seems to notice my lack of talking and decides to fill in the tense silence, "Please have a seat."

Toro escorts me to the chair in the centre of the room with cuffs and gently sets me down, locking my wrists into the compartments surprisingly lose; not enough for me to slip, but not too much that it hurts. I look up at him with curiosity but he pays no mind to it, rather taking a couple of respected steps back to give space for the man.

"Thank you fratello. Do you know who I am? I guess you can guess, hm? I'll give you three guesses, if you get it the first time I'll let you pick what device you want me to use on you first."

"L-Leone," I stutter, my eyes filling with unshed tears. It's so strange that if a person takes you armour you feel like you're nothing, however when you have that secure piece you feel like you can conquer the world.

His brows furrow in confusion, "Congrats. I'd have thought you'd be a bit more difficult to be honest. How disappointing, I was hoping I could break you."

I don't respond, I just shake in my seat slightly and stare at my lap. Not wanting to anger him further and I just remain silent in trepidation, praying nothing bad happens. Funny how this shit happens exactly when my mamma rocks up, bringing with her a shitshow and hellfire.

"I have a couple of questions for you," he begins. "First of all: what instrument would you like to be used first? After all, you did comply and I keep to my promises. Pick one, any one."

I look at the table with fear in my eyes as I notice a multitude of weapons that are designed to inflict pain. My breathing shortens as the room spins with a nauseating pace, causing my mind to whirl and a slick, cold sweat to perspire on my forehead. "N-No."

"Sorry?"

"Please," I whimper looking down submissively, shaking my head. "Don't h-hurt me."

"This is karma, Angel. You messed with me despite me making myself very clear of what I don't want you to do, however you completely disobeyed my orders. For what? Money?"

"It's not like that, I swear," I mumble more to myself than him.

"You could have got an ordinary job, a better payed job- however you consciously choice to go against my words, despite this city being mine."

I sniffle and only then do I realise I'm crying. Silent streams roll down my cheeks, my lips and chin, before dripping onto my jeans. The realisation that I'm having a mental breakdown hits me like a sucker punch and I suck in a shaky breath, not daring to look up at the Leone.

"Nothing to say? You act so tough on the outside, however one thing leads to another and you're a sobbing mess. Pathetic—"

The door bursts open with surprising speed and hits the adjacent wall with a thundering thwack! In walks in a familiar face who I struggle to place with her light brown hair thrown up into a careless messy bun, whispers framing her strong jawline and bright hazel eyes as she marches in wearing a pair of baggy grey joggers, a vest top along with crocs with fuzzy pink socks. Her piercing gaze glares at Leone and Toro accusingly as she folds her arms over her slightly pudgy stomach, "What the hell Do you two think you're doing?!"

I blink in realisation: it's Chloe Stewart, one of the strippers who used to work for Celine until she got knocked up. A gasp leaves my mouth and her attention snaps to me, only her eyes soften, "I'm so sorry this had to happen to you Angel, I'll make these fuckers pay. So what the fuck you two doing? Torturing a defenceless woman."

The next thing I know, the door hangs open again, only a handsome man who looks similar to both Leone and Toro rushes in with a toddler in his arms, his eyes wide and frantic, messy hair falling into his face as his green eyes wonder, "I am so sorry! I tried to stop her, but when she's on a mission she is fuc-flipping terrifying."

The child in his arms babbles with agreement, reaching up to pull the man's hair. I can only guess he's Gufo.

"Corvo, I specifically asked to not be deserved. Just because you're the mother of my niece does not mean for one second I won't hesitate to punish you. Oh, and fratello?"

Gufo raises a brow.

"Discipline your woman. I won't tolerate to have her running around. Got that?"

"Yes fratello."

"Um, I ain't going to be 'disciplined' Leone. I have a problem and you're going to fu-flipping listen before I lose my shiitake mushrooms," she growls threatening and even I flinch slightly.

"And what is it?"

"She protected me before I met you guys," she says matter-of-factly and my cheeks turn rosy. "When we strippers danced there were dangerous men lurking at every corner, however she stopped them before they could hurt us. She also put her life on the line to make sure we were getting paid properly since Celine couldn't support us solely. If you think for one second that I'm going to let you torture this good person because of something she did, you've got another thing coming."

"I don't expect you to understand Corvo, especially since you're especially hormonal due to the baby—"

"You didn't just fucking go there—"

"Baby," Gufo reminds, shielding the little girl's ears.

"Dada," grumbles the baby as she grips his hands and pouts. "No."

Gufo smiles down at the little girl and removes his hands from her ears, her brown hair is in curls and her round eyes are dark green, "Sorry, mamma said a bad word."

The little girl gasps and stares at Chloe with a frowning expression, "Bad mamma."

Gufo nods in agreement before Leone let's out a rather intimidating growl, nearly animalistic. "Get out of here."

"Hold up! I'm not finished," Chloe disobeys yet again and I can notice Leone's face reddening with fury. "She's got talent, alright? She's evaded your gang which is literally everywhere for ten months straight without incident whilst dealing successfully. She's also a good person, like I said she indirectly helped me through a rough spot."

Leone pauses, "What are you trying to suggest?"

"I suggest you employ her. Take her under your wing and potentially involve her in the gang. With the growing threat of the Russian gang it's convenient to have a fresh face and a person who can hear whispers. We know that there are Russians everywhere, however we've been struggling to find where they are."

"What can she do that we don't already have?"

"Everyone fears the Thorns Leone," Chloe rolls her eyes. "If they recognise her- which they will- they'll feel they can trust her. Let alone she knows the backstreets like the back of her hand."

I flush pink and make sure I'm staring at the floor, away from everyone's curious gaze. I can practically feel the tension grow like a balloon ready to burst as I hold my breath.

"Okay."

My head snaps up and I blink in surprise.

Gufo beats me to it, "Wait... seriously?"

"Sewiouswy?" The little girl mimics.

Leone nods and shrugs, only glancing back at me with a cold glare, "Don't think I won't hesitate to lodge a bullet into that brain of yours."

I gulp and nod. With that Leone storms out, narrowly missing his brother and niece, closely followed by Toro. Gufo nods at Chloe before offering me a sheepish grin and wonders our with his daughter on his hip whilst Chloe instantly goes to work on my cuffs.

"It's weird seeing you without your jacket," she mutters lowly.