Chapter 3

Arielle

•RUINED BIRTHDAY•

I watch the blue navy side cut dress on the dress and the pairs of silver stilettos heels. The Giordano will be here today, they are from the Sicily crime family who came to Vegas for business purpose, they say the youngest son of the Giordano's is the owner of The Bellissimo, the most famous casino and hotel of Vegas, they are known as the most dangerous mafia family. The Giordano's are ten feet than us. We are just a piece of shit in front of them and I don't want them to be here today.

The knock at the door brought me back to the earth. I rush to open it.

"Happy birthday, princess." I was offered a bouquet with white roses and a small box from the Tiffany's.

"Thanks, Alexander."

"What's in?" I analyse the box. "You can open it."

I unwrapped the box immediately because seriously I can't wait to open my gift, especially this one! Alexander's first offered present.

Wow! My eyes widened at the blue navy ring. "This is awesome! It will match with my birthday dress. Nice choice by the way." I smile at him.

"It was for my ex girlfriend!" He snapped coldly.

"What?" I was about to drop it on the floor. Is he being serious.

"Just kidding" he smirked at my fuming reaction. "You were about to leave, right?" I asked him with stitches brows.

"Yeah, I'm leaving and I assure you that we'll meet soon." He take some steps closer.

"You'll miss the party."

"I don't think so," he smirked devilishly. He reached for my cheek with his fingers and stroked it lightly then he placed a light kiss on it. "Have a blast," he left from my bedroom without any turn around. All I wanted to do was to stop him from leaving.

***

I walk down the hall, the old pat benatar song is playing in the background. Walking across the hall I smile at the people staring at me with a pleasant smile on their face and this makes me like the birthday girl. I smile back at all of them until my gazes landed on a dashing figure who turned to be Alexander. I flinched with a bewildered face, he was about to leave, right?

Making his way toward me he take out his hands from his pocket and threw a serious gaze at me as if I'm his property or something, I shook at the thought of him being interested on me.

"You're still here?" He has a smirk on his lips. "I didn't wanted to, how could've missed your birthday party." His eyes trailed at me. I blushed at his words. We were talking for bit only when my father made a sign with his head which cause Alexander to nod at him.

"I'll see you around," he whispered before walking past me, I watch him as he walk across the bundle of people. Black suit suits him a lot but it only gives him the real appearance of a mafia Capo- maybe I want to see him as a mafia leader or something. But he is my father's assistant, a Made Man just a part of the famiglia.

My dad came beside me, wrapping his hand around my waist he lead me to a table well decorated with lilac flowers. His relationship with me seems to be joyful but in reality it is not. Because my father believes love is weakness and he can't sacrifice his life for any of the family members. He says being a Capo, he will never be able to love us and he never did!

Luca joined us, Luca is the son of my father and my step brother. We've never make it together, it's tough to assume a ruthless person as my brother. He was in Chicago for some business purposes and how can I deny the fact that he is dad's favourite child. He earned all the respect from my father. I have another step brother, Angelo he is biologically Luca's brother with one year gap but instead of trying hard he couldn't earned the same value as Luca. I should admit the fact that he chivalrous to me.

My father was talking on the meanwhile I try to search for Alexander, he is nowhere to be found, so I just forget about thinking of him.

"We're going to Chicago," my father says as he hangs up the phone.

"What happened?" My step brother, Luca asks. The lines on his forehead showing prominently.

"Lorenzo Giordano is dead," he pinches the bridge of his nose. "So are eighteen of his men."

I exchange glances with my mother. She always looks so scared and worried. I knew that they were advancing, and the war between the mafia and the Bratva was increasing, but I never thought that the Capo of the Chicago Outfit would die. I never expected to hear those words. Lorenzo was the most powerful and respectable man in the mafia. I thought he was indestructible. I guess it goes to show how naive I am. Both my older brothers are Made Men, Luca is my father's heir-he will be the next Capo of the New York mafia. I was born into this life, but my father did his best to shield me from its horrors.

I'm not saying my life is perfect, yes-I live in a mansion, we have lots of money, and we are a powerful family, but as the daughter of a Capo I have no freedom. I only have one friend, she too is a part of this lifestyle. Last year I graduated from an all-girls private catholic high school. My virtue, according to tradition, needs protecting at all cost. No boys or men are allowed near me without an escort present. Father will promise me off to receive the best political advantage-so I've heard him say once.

I'm glad at nineteen I haven't been promised to anyone yet, Father has been talking to me about possibly letting me go to college. It's all I've ever wanted, to get my degree in Art History and maybe work in museum one day. The Metropolitan would be my ultimate dream job.

"Go. Pack," my father dismisses us. I frown at the thought of the not blowing the birthday candle once again. The party had been called of I stand by the threshold to watch all the people leave.

Luca, Angelo, and I head upstairs and down the corridor and to our individual rooms to pack. I grab my black dress, modest unlike my cocktail dresses I wear for social gatherings. I always loved Chicago, I've only gone a handful of times when Father brought us when he had meetings or business to attend. Although I wasn't allowed to leave the penthouse we have there, we have the most amazing view. I fantasize about roaming the streets and going to the museums where there I'll meet my one true love. We'll both be admiring a painting by-

"Pack some nice dresses," my mother says from the threshold. She looks like she's been crying, her eyes are bloodshot. Father must've yelled at her again.

"I packed my black dress. How long are we staying so I know how many clothes to actually bring."

"I don't mean your black dress, bring some of your finest dresses."

"Why? We're going to a funeral," I knit my eyebrows together.

"We will be attending some social gatherings there..."

"Don't question your mother. Bring the red dress and another one," Father looks distracted. "Be ready in twenty minutes, we're flying out tonight." He disappears into the hallway and into my brother's room across the hall.