Darkly Delicate

six | unknown greeks

Alfonso

"Asher's gone mad," Axel says, taking a seat next to Atticus on the sofa. "He's going off about seeing some girl that looks like Ma. For the fifth time today."

I sigh, glancing up from my paperwork. "He's been acting strangely lately. In fact, ever since the Greeks were invited to the Mafia Ball, when he snuck out that night." 

"He just needs more fresh air, and less car smoke." Atticus declare, taking a swig of whiskey, even though it's nearly three o'clock in the morning. 

"And maybe a new brain, I'd say," Axel snickers. I send a cool glance his way, and he becomes quiet, stealing a sip of Atticus' drink when he's not looking. 

I take another glance at the time. The Ball is in a measly few hours, and my brothers and I happen to be sleep deprived, and in their case, intoxicated. 

We are the opposite of a good, strong mafia right now. 

Shutting my computer, I stand. "Our family needs to be presentable for the Ball tonight. I'd suggest getting some sleep in the next few hours." 

Axel mumbles something along the lines of 'insomnia keeps me awake' and 'whiskey is just too damn good'. I remain impassive to his incoherent mumbling. 

This Mafia Ball has brought a whole host of problems for the family. First, preparations. Next, hosting all of the families. And now Asher is obsessed with some girl. 

He only talks about her. I think it's a simple crush— Asher has little experience with girls— but my brother won't shut up about her. 

It's becoming an ordeal. And the constant talk of a girl who looks just like her is getting to Ma's head. She's becoming hopeful again, which only means more heartbreak. 

Sometimes I'd like to beat some sense into my brother, to make him see that his mindless words are driving our mother mad. 

The triplets were killed years ago. Everyone has accepted that fact. It's time to move on. Mother was starting to talk about adopting a girl.

Our lives since their kidnapping has been a downhill spiral into darkness. For the long stretch of time, we were all stuck in a deep, dark, endless trance. 

Leave it to Asher to ruin things yet again. 

Yes, I care for my brothers. Yes, I want them to be protected and strong. But sometimes, I think about shipping one in particular off to the Russians. 

I take a breath before entering the twins' wing, and when I open the door to his room, I see Asher splayed across a sofa in deep slumber. I smirk and close the door. 

Ace sleeps a few doors away from his brother. The two used to share a room, but with Asher's chaos, Ace moved himself out when he was nine. 

With a sound mind, knowing the troublemaker of the family is asleep, unable to cause more havoc, I retire to my own room. 

But my mind has begun to race with ideas of his mystery girl. 

———

I stand next to Alexander Rhodes in the side of the ballroom. In the center of the room, couples dance to their hearts' content. Chandeliers hang down, illuminating them. 

Waiters walk around with trays of expensive food and drinks. Clusters of people stand off to the sides of the room to discuss business in hushed tones, while others joke and laugh. 

"You really outdid yourself this year, Alfonso. My sister is having the time of her life. She's been acting odd, lately. I hope this ball helps her mind," Alex explains, sipping his drink.