𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌

96| N O V A N T A-S E I

ALESSANDRO'S POV

Aurora picked a seat between me and Armando, where on my left sat Akila, gazing and glaring whenever she wished.

Everyone was ignoring that one topic, that one which either ended with death or a little more understanding of her backstory.

But Avena DeVille was one fierce and bold woman who liked danger and enjoyed it bit by bit. "So you really are Teresa's daughter." It wasn't a question nor was it a pure harmless interest, it was an attempt to drag her into this, to force the words out of her mouth but how little they knew.

Akila met her eyes, considering her form up and down, and with a slight head tilt, she grinned and didn't negotiate.

Avena took the challenge and drove further, "Pity, such beauty wasted and hidden for decades." She narrowed her eyes, hoping for a reaction out of a murderer who'd been heartless for years, who'd been cruel and deadly to those who laid an eye on her. A woman the whole world feared, the earth and skies erupted at her command.

Sometimes I liked to think Akila ruled underground, the mystery veiled beneath the ground we stood in. And sometimes, so often, I thought about it so much that I started wondering which was reality and which was fable.

I'd think she was slowly dragging us with her, to her.

The subject changed as the wind crossed paths, the father of eight sons and daughters kept a close and careful eye on Akila which she noticed, never acknowledged.

One hour past midnight, we decided it was time to go back home before all the blood and training started.

Avena pulled me into a hug, secretly whispering into my ear, "Sleep with both eyes open, I know Dianna is proud of you." She released her grip and held my hand for a moment, with a genuine smile on her face, she let go and walked away to their cars.

Aurora was next and last, giving me a side hug just like her mother. She spoke three words I didn't expect from her, "I like her."

She winked at me and closed the door before Alessio drove them off.

I heard the rest get into their cars and prepare to go home, "We'll meet back at the house, Al." They took off one after another, leaving behind only the two of us.

Gradually, I turned around ready for an I'm going to kill you Akila glare but there she was, calm and peaceful as she could ever be.

"You must have stopped loving me." I dared to say, looking into her eyes shifted into colours. She crossed her arms and went on with my little game, "And why do you say that?" Her lips twisted, aggressively sending chills down my neck.

I moved my head to where the car just left off and waited, "I heard what she said." Of course she did.

"So?" I wasn't letting it go. She playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Stop playing around, Alvaro, I know you see her as a sister, try harder next time if you want to make me jealous."

My eyebrows flew to the top of my forehead, "I'm allowed to try then?" She bit on her lower lip and drew a very, very deep breath. "How about you try, and find out." 

She walked away, shoving my shoulder along the way before I caught her. I lift her in my arm and cup her ass for support, "I would rather die and burn through hell and back, before ever getting with another woman."

[V]

Back home, the original six of us, including Akila, sat down in yet another meeting to back up all the plans and success we had for the day.