Chapter 1

• Allecra
• At this moment, I can hear in the distance the intense and furious barking of our guard dogs, as well as the intense screams of our security men. Well, part of it belongs to them and the other part comes from the opposing gang that is attacking us right now. Most likely, those men were sent by him, and in their screams, you can hear how they fight with all their might against the members of the rival gang to prevent them from entering the mansion. To be more specific, they are fighting against The Gambinos. I regret the day I didn't fight harder against them to have nothing to do with that family, but my Father, the most despicable being in this world, threatened the life of my little sister Isabella, and I couldn't oppose his horrible wishes, I feel the mansion shaking violently, leaving everything around in silence for a few seconds before the battle resumes, the exchange of gunfire, the loud barking, the screams, everything.
• The children start crying louder, I hold Niccolò while my sister Isabella picks up Gianna, I hear the door slam open and without hesitation or trembling hand, I aim at whoever has entered the room, but with relief, I see that it is Gabriel. I lower the gun and secure it, tucking it in the back of my pants where it has been hidden all this time as a precaution in case someone came for us.
• She smiled somewhat tensely"Don't scare me like that ever again, I almost put a bullet in your forehead. Where is Bellarosa?"I took Isabella's hand, pulling her closer to me, and waited for Gabriel to tell me what we were going to do next to get out of here unharmed.
• "Principessa, you know she is safe and waiting for us, so let's get moving before I have to endure her screams and complaints every 5 minutes. Do you want me to help carry Niccolò?"he reached out his hands for me to give him my baby, but that gesture only made me hold my baby closer to my chest and refuse his help.
• "No, leave it, I'll keep carrying him. Tell me the way before those pigs reach us and not only fill us with bullets, but also take my babies with that womanizer" I said, trying to make the wave of anger and indignation that engulfed me not so obvious.
• We cautiously made our way through the back of the mansion until we finally reached two SUVs waiting for us. I tightened my grip on Isabella's hand and urged her to walk faster with me. Behind her were two more men, members of the Riina Clan, my allies at this moment, watching our backs.
• As soon as we finished getting into the cars, a loud explosion followed by more gunshots suddenly rang out. That only meant what I feared the most: they had finally managed to penetrate the mansion. The drivers took that as a signal to start moving without wasting any more time. Once in the safety of the car, I felt a little relieved as I cradled my baby, trying to calm him down as he had not stopped crying since I took him in my arms in the room. I looked at Isabella, who was holding Gianna tightly with panic written all over her face. It calmed me to know that she was safe beside me.
• Once I made sure they were both comfortable, I turned to the window and watched in horror as the flames began to engulf the front part of the mansion. I hoped that most of the men had been able to escape. I needed more people on my side if I wanted to reclaim what was rightfully mine and fight for my children.
• Dante Morello, you will pay for this! One by one, for all the bad experiences you have made me go through. No one messes with a Cavour and lives to tell the tale. For how you used and played with me mercilessly... I swear I will make you pay.
• Three years ago
• Bellarosa and Gabriel are with me at my family's mansion, they have come to hang out with me by the pool and talk about how everything is going in our lives. On the other side, a little further away from us, there are also some of dad's business partners and there he is... Rafaelo Mazzini is tall and very handsome, his hair is light blonde, his eyes are light green, he has a perfect and well"built body with very defined muscles. I like the dimples that appear when he smiles, he runs his hand through his straight hair, tousling it a bit, then he looks in my direction and catches me staring at him. He smiles mischievously, biting his lower lip, and seeing that makes me lose my breath a little. He is two years older than me, but I don't care. I am 19 now, in about six months I will be 20. I hope that when my father asks me who I want to marry, he will help me once he knows the answer. Or maybe Rafaelo will ask for my hand before that. I just want a man in my life, and that man is him."
• "Hey Alle, what's up? I've been asking you several times if we are going to have dinner with our university friends tomorrow, but you're not paying attention. And don't forget that you have to look really pretty." Bellarosa says, splashing a bit of water in my direction. I know very well that what she just said was on purpose, in front of Gabriel, hoping for some reaction from him that will never come.
• I have told her a thousand times, we are just friends and we don't feel anything for each other, at least not in the way she expects.
• I can't help but laugh and shout loudly when she splashes more water with her foot, but I completely forgot that my father is in an important meeting, so I quickly fall silent and look with a little fear towards where they are. I can see my father's bodyguards looking in my direction and I don't like it at all. It has always bothered me a little, but it seems to have had no effect on Gabriel in the slightest. My friend always tells me over and over again that I am a walking bombshell, but I tell her she is exaggerating.
• I consider myself normal. My hair is the same color as chocolate, dark brown, reaching halfway down my back. My eyes are turquoise, just like my maternal grandfather's were. I have white and smooth skin, generous curves that are a gift and inheritance from my mother, a small and perky nose, plump lips. I am 1.68 meters tall, with an athletic body. I like to stay in shape.
• But none of this matters if the one I want to devour me from head to toe only gives me glances, winks, and mischievous smiles.
• Reluctantly returning to reality, I turn to my friends to respond.
• "Of course, my friend. I already have the dress ready. I bought it online yesterday and it arrived this morning." I say, pretending to be very happy about tomorrow's gathering. But the truth is, I don't feel like going. But it's either that or being here at home locked in my room with my little sister.
• " Well, I'm sorry to interrupt, girls. I have to go, I need to take care of some very important matters. But it was a pleasure spending part of my morning with two beautiful women. Call me when you get home, Bellarosa, don't forget that " as he says this to his sister, he hugs me and gives me a kiss on the cheek, then he goes and messes up his sister's hair as if she were a little girl.
• Before I can say anything, my friend speaks up " Why don't you pay attention to my brother? He's a good catch, you know, and someday he will take over the family business. But no, instead you go and fall for Rafaelo, who is an idiot. I've heard rumors, you know, people talk and not very well. I mean, about how he is in bed and how he really is when he drops the angelic child show that I've hated seeing since we were kids. I'm just saying, friend, if you like it rough, go for it! But be careful, okay? " she says this very seriously and concerned.
• " Don't worry, there's nothing to worry about, friend. I'm just content with looking, you know, like when you look at a good piece of meat and that's it " I try to downplay the issue and change the subject " Bella, shall we go to the club tonight? I'm a bit bored, I need to have fun before I go back to University and won't have time for anything. Come on, get up and let's get ready. I don't want father to notice me too much and give me unpleasant tasks with his partners " I get up from the edge of the pool where I was sunbathing and put on a dress over my two"piece swimsuit. I can feel all the eyes on me at this moment."
• I know I'm not ugly and I should feel good about that or show off as my friend tells me repeatedly, but it's just not my thing. Flying under the radar, yes, I leave the task of standing out to my friend, that's why I always take her everywhere, and because she's like another sister to me.
• We leave very quietly, I don't want to bother father anymore. We quickly go up to my room where my sister is lying on my bed, very focused on something on my laptop, but a few minutes later she joins us to help decide what we're going to wear later today. Half an hour later, we're trying on some dresses when we hear someone knocking on my door. I leave the dress I was going to try on and go to open it to see who it could be.
• On the other side, I see Milo, I think that's his name, I don't remember well. He looks all serious and somewhat gruff " Miss Allecra, your father wants you to come down immediately " he says with a face that seems to hate seeing me and even more having to talk to me.
• " Of course, let me put something on and I'll be down. You can wait for me or go ahead " I want him to leave, because I swear to God there's something wrong with him. I don't like this guy, he's never sat well with me, he gives me a bad feeling.
• " No, don't worry, I'll wait. He gave me specific orders to bring you to him myself " he says, clenching his jaw with what seems to be anger. Well, that is something strange in this guy. I ignore the feeling I have and instead put on a fake smile and tell him it's okay, that I won't be long, and then I close the door in his face.
• " Is everything okay, Alle? " Bella asks me as she turns in the mirror to see how the back of the dress looks on her. She also takes the opportunity to make funny faces at Isabella, my sister laughs at seeing my friend making silly faces.
• To put your mind at ease, I put on a smile"No, it's nothing, just father wanting to tell me something important. Keep looking for something to wear, I'll be back soon." I grab the jeans from my bed and take off the bathrobe I had on, quickly pull on the pants and grab any blouse, once fully dressed, I open the door and ask him to show me the way.
• Five minutes later, I am in father's office, my older brother Luciano is also here, he looks at me but it's as if there's no life in his eyes, I see nothing on his face, no empathy, no hatred, no emotion. I think Father did a good job with him.
• I turn to father and look at the ground, being as submissive as I can, as he likes. Maybe this way he'll let me go faster. "You called, father?" I cross my hands in front of me and wait for his response, I can feel his disdainful gaze on me, which makes me wonder: Did he ever love me? Or does he only love Luciano and is disappointed to have had daughters, although all he sees in us is the opportunity to gain benefits by marrying us off to whoever he pleases, and thus gain more power in business and on the streets. I bite my lower lip and continue to wait for him to speak, I want to get out of here unscathed.
• "In a few months, I need you to be ready and much more obedient than you are now. You will marry a damn bastard that I want to get rid of. I hope for your sake that you keep him happy and he doesn't return you, because if he does, the only thing waiting for you is a 3-meter hole in the ground. Have I made myself clear, Allecra?" His voice is angry and venomous, more than usual.
• I manage to nod gently, still unable to believe what he just told me, that I am his daughter, flesh of his flesh. He was supposed to ask me before deciding for me, that's what I expected him to do since he hates me and I still don't know why.
• Is he my father or just someone who took me in? How can he talk to me and treat me like this, as if I'm worth nothing? In the mafia, we all take care of each other and value family very much, that's one of our main commandments, but I think my father missed the memo.
• I hear him slam his fist hard on his desk and I look up, scared. "Open your damn mouth and answer! Didn't I tell you not to shake your head like a dumb girl who can't speak or is mute?" He yells, getting up from his chair and heading towards me.
• He grabs my arm tightly and I can't help but grimace in pain, most likely leaving marks of his fingers. With his other hand, I feel the strong slap he gives me, shaking me. "I need you to do a good job or I swear to God I will make you pay!" It's my head that's at stake, "You foolish girl, and the university story is over. You won't go anymore. What you need to prepare for is to keep his bed warm and get pregnant as soon as possible, so you can tie him to our family to be a powerful ally. Maybe then he'll think twice before seeking revenge on me!" he snaps, completely furious.
• I manage to steady myself on my feet and bite my lower lip hard, avoiding spilling the words I wish I could shout in his face every time he does this to me.
• "Don't answer back, Allecra, don't answer back, hold on, just a little longer, you have to endure." I repeat to myself over and over in my mind to avoid making a mistake that could cost me dearly.
• I suppress my anger that bubbles up and put on a relaxed face as best as I can. I clear my throat before speaking. "It's okay, Father, I understand. I will give my best, I won't disappoint you. You can be sure that the man won't return me. If that happens, I promise to end my own life." The last part is the hardest for me to say softly, holding back the urge to cry.
• “Why does he hate me and my sister?” That question always spins in my head. I just want to be able to escape and take Isabella with me far away from this crazy family. Luciano is the only one who is happy with the life he leads, and Mother, well, she will never give up her luxuries. She prefers to keep up appearances rather than live in poverty.
• “After all, you are a Cavour. Make the 'Ndrangheta proud and maybe you'll be good for something after all. But in case it wasn't clear enough, I can use Isabella. I really don't know this guy's tastes, but I'm willing to do anything to save my own skin. Do you understand?” He raises his hand again, ready to strike me. So, I do the only thing I can do in my position--I close my eyes and shrink, waiting for the blow.
• But it never comes. I slowly open my eyes and see that Luciano has grabbed Father's hand. I'm in shock. He has never defended me before. Well, he did when we were kids, but now that he's with Father, he never did it again. Father releases his hand from Luciano's grip and pushes me hard, almost knocking me to the ground. He turns to face Luciano, who adjusts his suit and fists, as if nothing important had happened.
• Then he speaks as boringly as he can, “If you keep hitting her like that, she will reject you. Not because she's useless, but because you're leaving marks on her, and no one would want her, not even if you send her naked.” Apparently, that calms Father down a bit because he seemed ready to hit my brother. Then he runs his hands through his hair in an attempt to control his temper.
• My father's hair is the same chocolate color as mine, and just as silky. His eyes are a dark green. He's well"preserved for his age of 52. I would say he's handsome, but once you get to know him, all the good dies there. He heads to his chair and once seated, looks at both of us. “You're right, your sister brings out the worst in me. You can leave, Allecra, and be careful not to try to escape or disobey me. You know I can always use Isabella. She also inherited the beauty of the Castagna family and will soon develop curves like her mother, that slut. Go now, get out of here!” he shouts loudly.
• I don't need to be told twice. I run out of there, keeping my head down so no one sees the red mark on my face, walking quickly until I reach my room.
• As soon as Bellarosa sees me enter, she stops laughing and approaches me, very concerned. But I gesture for her to let it go and head straight to the bathroom.
• I cry with anger and pain, biting my lips to avoid making any noise. I don't want to scare them more than they must already be. I look at myself in the mirror and luckily, my face isn't too marked, just a red mark from his blow. I need to find a way out. Sad turquoise eyes stare back at me. I can't continue like this, and I can't let him take away my studies.
• I don't want to be a stupid trophy wife or mother, I have to make my own way even if they leave me without an inheritance, I don't care. I wash my face trying to calm down, I dry it very well and start to put on makeup, nothing heavy, all very soft. I cover the red mark left by father, once I am satisfied with the result, I use a bold red lipstick, I already put on eyeshadow, blush, and mascara, I'm going to have fun.
• I won't let you break me, father! Neither you nor that man who wants to accept me as his wife, I swear they won't.
• I leave the bathroom and put on a fake smile, I'm very good at that, it's what I've always done. "Well, let's go Bella, do you want to stay home? Because I don't want to. Isabella, sister, you can stay here if you want, just lock the door, no one will bother you. But if you need me, you can call me, I'll be attentive to my cell phone." I head towards the bed, take off my blouse, bra, and then my jeans. I grab the dress and put it over my head, pulling it down over my full and rounded hips until it reaches just below my butt, covering what needs to be covered. It has a deep neckline in the front, although it doesn't reveal the important parts. I spray my hair to keep it from getting messy and to make it shine.
• I put on my stiletto heels and grab my clutch, I turn to Bella who has a lot of questions, but wisely keeps her mouth shut and smiles at my sister so she doesn't suspect anything. I approach Isabella and give her a kiss on her forehead. "I love you very much and you know it, I won't let anything happen to you. Now use whatever you want from my room, I'm going to have some fun, I'll be back in a few hours." She nods and gives me one last hug, I head to the door followed by Bella who also says goodbye. Once we are outside, we wait until I hear the door lock, I interrupt my friend who was about to speak.
• "At the club I'll tell you, not here, you know the walls have ears, let's go!" We continue walking to the garage and I see my baby, a red Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. I open the driver's door and get in, Bella gets in too. I press the button for the garage door to open and to get away from there, I drive to the main exit of the mansion. Father's men only let me pass, once I am out of that damn hell, I accelerate, heading to Marco's.
• Although I don't think it will help me much to distract myself, but I have nothing to lose by trying, right?