ALEXIS

My siblings were livid. And worried. I know they were because right now, I was standing infront of the large window that adored the back door and I could see everything happening inside.

Ace was dozing off on the couch, his hands tucked around a pillow. Romeo was furiously tapping on his phone and the others were... worried.

Out of all my siblings, it is Ace and Romeo I look upto the most. They've helped me in ways one could only hope for, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

"Your family seems rather obsessed with grand architecture," Damien muttered when we snuck in. My cheeks flushed red. I didn't want him thinking I had turned my back on him, and Rhys. "Yeah well, I'm not my family," I bit back.

"I know that Allie, it's just- nevermind." I shook my head, why was he fighting me for something I couldn't control? We sneaked up the ladder outside and into the window of my room.

I dug through the piles of clothes at the back of my closet and pulled out what I was looking for. "Are those my clothes?" Dame teased with a flirty smile. I turned red again. "You can't blame me for wanting to remember you somehow,"

"I'm teasing Allie," he said, sneaking his arms around my torso. I leaned back into him and smiled, enjoying the few moments of peace before havoc breaks out. "You can shower first, you reek." I told him, pushing a towel in his hands and pointing towards the bathroom. "I'm offended Allie," he said, turning and disappearing into the bathroom.

I grabbed my own clothes and went to Carina's room. Quickly taking a shower, I got dressed in record time. Was I worried she would show up and ask questions I don't have answers to? Yes.

When I got back to my room, Damien was standing in front of my bedside table. Shirtless. "Whatcha' looking at?" I asked, breaking the silence. He turned around with a photo frame clutched in his hands.

"This," his voice echoed faintly around the room. I squinted my eyes to take a better look at the picture. A picture of Damien, when we were kids. "You've grown too, you're much more mature now," I could make out his smirk as the words left my mouth. 

"Mature, yeah? I wouldn't say that," I rolled my eyes and stepped forward. "Yeah? What would you say?" He leaned in too, challenging me. "Depends on who's asking Allie." The nickname. It was almost mocking now, taunting and teasing.

"We need to go down," I whispered. He nodded and stepped back, pulling a hoodie over his head. "And Dame, one last thing," I said, turning back to face him. In the heat of the moment, I grabbed his shirt and brought his lips down to meet my own.

"Okay, let's go." He smiled, never complaining once.

_______

When I stepped downstairs, the first thing I noticed was Leo. Leo Palmer, former son and heir of the German Mafia. Luca liked him. I think they were dating, I was happy for them, I was. But, my past experience with his family sets me on edge. I know better than anyone not to judge someone based on where they come from, yet I can't help feeling on edge.

"You're tense," Damien observed, rubbing slow circles in my back. "Yeah, I'm just, I don't know, worried?"

"Are you asking me or telling me hermosa." I shook my head free of my thoughts and worries. "Let's go," I said, dragging both of us out of our little corner.

When we stepped out, all the commotion stopped. I swear I saw Ace's sleeping form go unusually still for a second. "Alex?" Romeo was the first to speak up.

I broke free of Damien's grip and gave Romeo a hug. "Do you know how worried we were?" I sighed a little, "I know, and for that I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry for sneaking out. I had to do what I did,"

I looked back at Damien who was giving me a smug smile. I told you so. I rolled my eyes and broke free of Romeo's grasp and walked back to Damien.

"This is Damien," I told everyone, "and Dame, this is everyone." I said, wildly gesturing to everyone else. My frame looked tiny compared to Damien's. My head only reached his shoulder. Tall bastard.

"I know you," Carina said, moving further towards us. Damien cleared his throat, "Carina, I believe we've met before." She nodded and suddenly smiled at us. "You took care of Alex when she was sick,"

He nodded, "Alex was really sick and you and Rhys showed up from nowhere and demanded to see her," she continued. I chuckled remembering that day vividly.

_____

Over the course of the next few hours, Damein somehow managed to charm everyone.

"Give me that," I muttered, snatching the tablet out of his hands. His eyes twinkled with amusement as I frantically tried to shut it off. "That won't work," he teased in a sing-song voice.

"Of Course not," I said. "Here, give it to me," I handed the ipad over to him again. He somehow accessed all of his prior folders filled with embarrassing pictures of me.

"This is all for fun, lighten the atmosphere, you know?" Yeah, I know. "I love you," he muttered quietly. I returned his sentiment, "love you too Dame."

I looked to where everyone else was sitting. Aiden was by Ace's side, Layla was giving me not-so-subtle hints. The others were busy with their own things. The Hernandez were also here, along with the Mexican leaders and smaller omertas.

"I'm scared," I confessed to Damien, turning back to him. He reached out and pulled me in a hug. "It's going to be okay Allie," I nodded, let's hope so.

I walked towards Leo when he was alone, I had to tell him the plan. "Hey," he jumped up in surprise. "Hey," he said, turning back to this glass of water. "I have to tell you something, but you can't share it with anyone until it's executed," I said, laying it all out.

"Okay?" He said, confused. When he perched up on the kitchen island, I told him the plan. "Are you sure this will work?" He asked, first thing after I finished.

"It has to," was all I said before walking away.

Damien cornered me after, "did he say he would do it?" I nodded, "I convinced him." He shoulders sagged in relief, "that's good, when are we sneaking out?"

"Tonight."