Chapter 3

MIA POV

I had seen a few men enter the hotel and then an hour or so later, I found the same men in casuals with the looks of models walking down stairs and making their way to the private lounge. They seemed suspicious, but, I was fire, and it wouldn't take seconds for me to burn them down if they intended harm to my hotel.

My thoughts had proven me wrong after I interacted with them under the disguise of taking orders. I could see everybody's face except a man who sat with his back to me. While the rest were checking me out, he seemed unbothered. He had an aura of a dangerous mafia don. I felt more curious about him. I felt the need to know him.

There was this man, Mal.. umm.. Yeah, Malcolm. I would never forget him. He was sweet. He was one to flatter you with words and keep you floating in the air like a balloon. But he was kind and his words or actions meant no harm.

"What are you thinking so deeply?" asked Mom bringing me back to the world.

I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head in a no.

"Something's troubling you.." she added further.

"Mom, I said no." I spoke to her in annoyance. And Lo!! That proved her suspicion of something actually being wrong. Shit!!!

I stood up and started walking out of the studio. I didn't want to answer her questions as I basically didn't hav answers.

"Stop right there, Mia Russo!!" My mom and dad, both had the habit of calling us sibling with the last name whenever they were angry or being serious.

"What? Mom?!" I snapped at her. That's the end for me now.

"You're grounded for a week, Mia. How dare you snap at me? I am your mother...." there she goes on blah blah blah...

"Mom that's not really fair, you know. You are asking me questions I dont have answers for. How am I suppose to answer them?" I asked her, but she went back to her work.

I just left out and started walking towards home. Then I realised someone walking behind me. I wasn't the one to be scared so easily. I was black belt in judo amd my brothers taught me self defense since I started understanding things.

I kept walking without a stop. Finally, I decided to stop and look back. i stopped in my tracks and I felt a hand on my shoulders. Without looking back I held the person's hand and flipped him over me. To my shock, he was Marcel. I fell to my knees besides him. He groaned loudly.

"Princess... I regret.. teaching you.. ahh how to self defend." He said holding his leg and back and groaning.

"I'm sorry Marcel. I wasn't thinking straight." I said feeling guilty.

"Give me your hand, let me help." I said extending my hand to him.

I held his hand and helped him get up.

"Mia bella, spill put already. What is it?" Marcel asked him looking straight in my eyes.

"Let me take you home first." I said to him avoiding his gaze.

We reached home and I helped him remove his shoes and I sat besides him.

"Thank you", h said and I nodded.

"Marcel, haven't you seen a few strange men at our hotel today? But then, you were out and they were already gone.." I said sighing.

"Maybe not. But, you can tell me what you found strange." He said to me in reply.

"Today morning, I found this men in the lounge and curious as I am, I went to take their order. There was this guy called Malcolm, as he introduced, something about him screamed danger, but he was kind to me. And then this man, who sat with his back at him, didn't even look at me, while all other men were checking me out. There was this 'dare me not' vibes around him. Something about him was scary, and I mean really scary." I went on and on. Little did I realise that my brother was intently listening to me with an evil smirk on his face.

I smacked his arm and he pretended to be hurt. Then he smiled the way he always does.

"I understand princess, but don't worry. We all are here. And we will make sure nobody harms our home like hotel. I know how much you love it. Will talk to Jas and Dad when they're back ok?" Marcel assured me and I nodded.

Later that evening when Dad and Jas were home, we all discussed about this topic and Dad promised me saying he will look into it. Ever since I spoke about this to Marcel and he discussed with Jas, they both had become so strict with me, that I now regret telling him.

It was midnight 1.45am and I wasn't able to sleep. I walked out of my room and saw the light in Jasper's room on. I slowly walked upto his room and saw him sitting alone in his balcony.

"Jas, aren't you asleep? All ok?" I asked walking upto him. But he didn't reply.

"Jasper, are you ignoring me now? Did I do anything wrong? If yes please....." I stopped when I saw he was asleep in his chair with his earphones on.

It was obvious why he didn't reply. I slowly removed his earphones and kept them aside. I took his phone and kept it on the table. I bought a blanket and covered him. A smile made it's way to see my brother looking so innocent and cute while sleeping, that I wanted to protect him, but it was always the opposite.

As I was about to leave, I felt my hand being held. I turned back to see Jas looking at me and smiling. He adjusted himself on his chair and made me sit in front of him.

"Tell me.. what's wrong?" He asked tilting his head and looking at me.. He was the closest to me than Marcel.

"I couldn't sleep. What troubled me was I felt like I was being watched half of the day today. It was as if my every movement was being monitored. And then as if nothing, it all stopped. I ain't scared. But, whatever it is, it's giving me chills. I feel it's a calm before the storm, Jas. We have to be careful. Not everybody is our benefactor." I told him. He was smiling.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

"Princess, you worry too much. I will get you guards. Don't worry. You aren't gone out alone from this moment on." Jasper said and seeing me getting worked up he added.

"I know you're a queen. A very brave one at that. And I also know that you can take down anyone who tries to hurt you. But, if the one we're expecting is someone very dangerous, we might need guards."

He explained to me as if I was still a child.

"Yeah. Now go to sleep. Good night, Jas." I smiled to him and left.

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MARCEL'S POV

Ever since my sister had told me about the incident, I was feeling a bit worried. I discussed this with Jas and Dad. And we agreed to keep 2 guards with her. And the responsibility to explain this was given to Jasper. He was the closest to the Mia.

Mia was strong and could easily take down anyone. She might look frail. But she was a queen. She wasn't the one to be messed with, but it was us, her brothers, who were always worried about her. She was 26, and I and Jas were just 1 and 2 yrs elder to her respectively. But still she was our little princess.

"Jas, will she agree to keep guards, you think? We know her best. She loves her freedom and that's the only thing she's ever asked of us." I told my brother.

"Boy, has she ever said no to me?" He asked me and I shook my head.

"But.." I said wanting to argue but he stopped me.

"Marcel, trust me. I will talk to her." He said and went to his room.

I got up and started going to my room. I thought of going to Mia. I opened her door, but she was already in bed. I closed her door without making any sound and went to my room.

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RAIDEN'S POV

"Drive to Juliano's.." I said to my driver and we set out to meet our biggest enemy.

I had come to Italy for one sole purpose. To kill Lucas Juliano. He was the one who drived a wedge between The Volkovs and the other gangs. The Blood Moon Mafia Gang was the largest in Russia and nobody ever dared to go against us. But this man slowly slowly stirred up troubles among the gangs and blamed it on the Blood Moon Mafia.

We were about to reach the Juliano's Mansion. I had 100s of human skin masks made as keeping a mask on everytime wasn't comfortable for me. I had never showed my face to anyone till now. So to hide my real face, I put on this facade.

As we reached the the Mansion, the gates were opened. And our car drove past the hundreds of guards that stood by. My guards got out and surrounded my car. As soon as I got down, there were clicks of guns made ready to shot. My men were like human sheild protecting me.

"Easy boys. You don't really want to mess with me." I told them with a smirk.

"Stand down!!!" Boomed the voice pf Lucas Juliano and his men immediately put their guns down.

"He is my beloved. He won't harm me until he wants his all men dead." He said with a smirk.

I looked at him with utter disgust on my face. Unable to hold in, I laughed out loudly at him. Confusion spread throughout his face.

"Won't you welcome me in, Lucas?" I asked him.

"Ofcourse, The God of Mafia has come to my place. How dare I not welcome you?" He said giggling.

As we entered I signalled my men and Malcolm. I took a good look around the house. It was a big one, but small that I could it down now itself.

All my guards spread out in directions and took positions. I smiled to myself. These men really cared about me that they didn't think twice before putting their lives at risk. Malcolm sat besides me.

"So.. How are you these days, Lucas? Oh well, I don't really think I should be asking these to you. You must be enjoying your life a lot after destroying the Volkovs." I said to him with a smile, an evil one.

He laughed holding his belly. I had a straight face while he laughed.

"Isn't it funny, son? Your parents died, your uncle.. oh.. sorry, your so called dad died.. and now there's only you. And what do you think could you do?" He said and I felt my blood boiling.

I clenched my fists tight that my knuckles turned white. My hands started trembling. I felt anger build up in me.

And wait... Did he say my parents? And my so called dad, my uncle? What nonsense was he spewing.

Malcolm placed a hand on my lap.

"This is exactly what he wants. He is just trying to anger you, so that he gets a chance and wipes us out getting full control over Russia. Besides I have a gift ready for him" Mal said calmly.

He knew how to calm me down. We were complete opposites and that's why we blended together so well. Our friendship, our brotherhood was no joke and we took everything that related to family and our gang seriously.

"You should thank Mal, Lucas. Or else you'd be dead now. Either way ypu will be dead" I told him.

"Don't try luck at me.. It's useless." I added further.

I got up and started to leave and he laughed at me.

"Oh well... I have a small gift for you, Lucas. I could not bring it with me. It will be delivered in a while. I bet you'll love it." I said to him and smiled.

I felt bad for him, he didn't know what was waiting fo him. His end was nearing. I looked at Mal and winked at him.

"You bastard, you should keep me informed next time. I love you, Mal." I said to him patting his back.

"Thanks Ray, but that shit was too much ahead of him. Had to make him stop. And yeah, I love you too." He said winking back at me.

As we sat in our cars, I asked whether everybody was out of the mansion. And all replied saying yes.

"Drive back to Silver Moon" I said.

As we all drove out of the main gate, bombs started exploding in all directions. It was a sight worth watching. That fire.. Was the one that was burning in my heart for years since dad was killed. I felt the knots in my hands untie one by one.

As we drove, I could see the whole mansion on fire.

"Italy, you are free now!!!" I mumbled to myself and closed my eyes ready to welcome a good sleep.