and staring widely at me, they It say whole incident, I run out as fast as could didn’t anything to either. They probably surprised at my action. I was surprised, too. of the people were staring at us. They were whispering about a lost her mind-they were probably whispering because he was already married. What if he was someone’s I was literally crawling into my own. I couldn’t forget intensity of his stare. It was mesmerizing the least. The man possessed beautiful brown eyes. Some might say brown eyes were boring but last night, it was nowhere near boring. His were light and dark at the time, it got darker he kept looking down my lips. Was he tempted for more? Why would he? I was nobody. for fact that father the I barely had any reputation. I wasn’t one of socialites. had kept my life normal as I could, stay away from known. enjoyed my life hospital, and I didn’t mind spending hours at work because I something I loved. So, here I was. Sitting on the in my living room, staring at an empty space. A sudden knock was on door as my phone started to ring, to look at caller’s name. What was my brother doing here? He supposed to be here. He was planning with Papa my life, marrying me off to a stranger. How could even begin to trust them They were taking away from me. My career. My freedom. The three I was holding onto. They could never take them away. I know in there!” from the other side of the door, continuing to on the doorbell knock on the door. “Please, open the door. “What the hell do you want, Alexei?!” I replied, completely annoyed by his presence. I needed space. A whole lot of them. “I to talk to you. me alone!” “Let in. I’ll explain everything!” I could imagine his frustration, I didn’t anymore. He could lose head to Papal or lose his life, for all 1 cared. 1 stayed still, trying ignore his knockings but it kept louder. and the banging anytime soon. wasn’t going to give up and I wasn’t going him either. were raised to get whatever we wanted. So, came with package of being stubborn. I guess it kind backhanded back to our parents. They raised persistent children. “Alena, I leave intil you open this f***g door. “Stay as long as you want. I don’t to see your face. closed as I lay down, to drown the sound. Knowing my brother, he to leave. He was going to wait until I open the door he knew, I going to lock myself house for too long. Eventually, needed to leave, and he waiting for that moment. My mind kept wandering to the Sicilian leader. was not who I was expecting kiss but the one the middle of crowd-he was the one to out. He was at least six feet tall. His hair was the darkest shade of brown, his were as light amber. It wasn’t worthi denying he was attractive because was, attractive. Don’t get me started the of lips, they full and luscious. still feel the warmth of on my face. I needed find out about him. I wanted things go my way so I could plan something. Papa could try marry me off, he could never succeed. I was in control of my own life whether he liked it or and he wasn’t going to that. He was trying to build alliance and achieve more power, but he have to involve me. Mama was quiet. No, it wasn’t because she agreed. She was stuck between supporting her husband and protecting me. Mama how important the was for and she never wanted to destroy empire he built. So, chose her silence. Maybe, it a mistake keep staying in same country as them. I could’ve left when I had chance, didn’t figure out life this far. After looking at the it was already an passed five. “You still there?” I asked, waiting for a response. you plan on opening the door soon?” Maybe not. Alexei was probably cursing under his breath as he sat and leaned against wall. His hair was a mess, and his eyes red. –he looked tired. I pulled the door open, and our eyes in instant. A sigh left his as stood up. “You didn’t protect me. ” I muttered. in no position to. ” replied, running his fingers through his hair. “Papa had planned for weeks all I did was He didn’t want to listen. didn’t try harder. “I tried my “Not hard enough. He sighed. did you expect me to do?” “I know. Maybe, stand up for me? You’re the for god’s sake. thought it was your decision to make. kept quiet and did nothing-low do you expect trust again?” I crossed my arms around my body, tears were starting to form. I loved Alexei. was there for me through thick and thin-there no chance of losing him for once, I had to put myself first. “Can I in, please?” He looked around, “We can talk inside. I moved to the side, giving him enough space to pass before closing the door behind him. I my way towards the kitchen, followed like a lost puppy. He didn’t look he was calm but rather, he frustrated. He had a lot of things in his head. ” I staring directly his eyes. “Papa wanted you to marry Viktor to build a better alliance. talked about it, and I swear to God, Alena… I didn’t to any of this. I know you. I know how hard you tried to succeed. I wasn’t going you down. ” He his head. thought you’re stronger him. I had more power,” am stronger. I have more power,” “Why didn’t you anything?” “II was ***d. I of the from my men. For standing to your family? protecting your scoffed, not believing I was hearing. “That’s lot of b***it if you me. You right do whatever hell you want. You’re leader. He nodded, feeling defeated. “You’re right. I was a coward” “I don’t forgive you, Alyosha. “You don’t to. “For now, least. ” I added, looking away. I could never Alexei. Despite happened yesterday, needed to find solution my problem. I needed something to stop Papa from controlling my life. He needed the that I was no longer the same young who listened to his every request. “Who is the leader?” I asked. Alexei raised an eyebrow, mean the man you kissed last night?” “Matteo Lerclerc. don’t want mess with him,” “Why not? already and he didn’t try to a bullet my head. – don’t involved with him. It’s not safe. shook my head. “And being in this is safe? You carry a with you all the time, Alexei. You never your guard when we’re outside because you’re so f**g scared if and shoot us face. You yourself gangsters and killers. You literally paid the police overlook your crimes. What makes any different?” kept knowing I was right. “The Bratva is the Cosa Nostra. You need to understand that he replied. His tone was dangerously low as he let out another sigh. “We signed treaty for but we don’t mess with them. Do understand me? I walked him until we were by side. point, Alexei … I see how our family is any better. “Alena” think you should leave. ” I cut off, looking away from I chose to look at him, I going give in. I was going about everything and followed the plan Papa made. felt bad for Alexei, but I needed to see how my life was much important than else’s Nobody could change my mind now. In the next few days, I knew Papa was be trouble. He was to try and me into doing the things he wanted. He going to make me marry Viktor because he was selfish in better alliance. He to learn a lesson. could never be sold or bought. I remembered all efforts he gave when I wanted to leave for medical school. He going to go down that road again to make me marry someone didn’t know. tried, Alena. I did try. Can at least trust me on He asked, a strand of behind my ear before slowly pulling his hand away-his felt strange. He was becoming different person. power gotten him. Maybe, becoming Pakhan wasn’t thing happen to him. The Alexei I knew was putting his family a priority. He wasn’t always supporting Papa, but I guess he really did change. He own benefits for him. “I don’t want you, Alexei. leaned away, pinching the bridge of his nose before roughly running his fingers his hair again. He was the edge it, but he kept controlling breaths, trying to his calm. don’t want to lose you, -Alena. make me lose you. -You made the on your own, Alexei. “And I’m f***d-up brother. Our eyes were pierced into one another for a few seconds, as if having a battle of their own before he grabbed his phone the kitchen counter and his towards the front door. He was leaving and I his every movement, way his body tensed when grabbed onto the doorknob. “I meant it when said I didn’t to lose you. I never wanted to lose you, Alena. I didn’t for things to go way I’d do anything to see you happy. He without turning to look and that was it, took his time to leave. closed the behind him, and I was left staring he was standing ” I muttered under my breath, clenching hands fists. It take me long to Igor’s number, waiting to pick after a of rings. “Alena… a while, said on the other line. “Igor, I need your with something? “Anything”