Alex Pettyfer as Allister Romero.

Not edited, please excuse any grammatical errors!

******

Amara winced internally at the raw ire visible on Allister's face as he strode inside the room. His eyes were cold and sharp as he surveyed her form but they softened infinitesimally when he looked at her bandaged knee as he came to stand before her.

"How did she get hurt?",Allister asked in a hard voice.

"I- ", Amara began but Allister snapped at her, annoyed, "I did not ask you Amara."

Amara recoiled slightly at his cold tone and Damien squeezed her hand softly in support.

"I would watch my tone if I were you Allister",Valerio spoke through gritted teeth. His stance remained nonchalant and cool but his lowered head allowed him a venomous glare at her cousin.

"I will talk to my sister how I want to Valerio. Are you trying to tell me that you are going to let Serena get away with what they did today with a proud pat on her back?", Allister asked him sarcastically.

Amara, Damien and Silvano watched wide eyed as the two boys glared at each other, the tension in the room spiking dramatically.

"She fell", Damien answered, clearing his throat and attempting to diffuse the tension between the two alpha males.

Allister turned to look at her and Amara looked away, not wanting to hold eye contact with her furious cousin.

"Are you hurt anywhere else?",he asked her stoically.

Amara was about to shake her head when Valerio beat her to it.

"Her ankle is sprained", he said before turning to his cousin, "Silvano get me an ice pack."

Silvano nodded and went out shouting orders to the guards to bring him an ice pack and returned a few minutes later with one.

"I can take over from here", Allister told Valerio with slightly narrowed eyes as he took in Valerio's position sitting casually on his knees in front of his sister.

Valerio stared at Allister head on and Silvano could see that his cousin was about to refuse. Before Valerio could say anything, Silvano spoke, "The guards are waiting for you as you had ordered."

He gulped nervously as Valerio's dark eyes fell on him. Silvano knew he had angered him and Valerio was going to make him pay later on but for now he didn't say anything as he got up.

"Of course",Valerio said, and with one last glance at Amara he left the room with Silvano at his heels.

Amara turned to look at Damien in uneasiness as he came to sit on her right side, her hand still in his.

"Which ankle hurts?", Allister asked her, breaking the silence in the office.

"Right one", Amara answered hesitantly.

Allister did not reply, instead he started to untie her shoe laces before removing the shoe carefully. Amara sighed in relief as he placed the cool ice pack on her painful foot.

"I'm sorry Fratello",she spoke softly breaking the silence.

"What are you sorry for?",he asked her coldly but did not look at her.

"T-The woods.... alone ",she stuttered.

"I didn't get you. Be more clear and specific", Allister snapped at her irritably.

"The forest...",Amara tried explaining again.

"Yes? Clear Amara, be more clear", Allister spoke loudly.

Amara was almost on the verge of crying now. She didn't like this business side of Allister at all. She knew he was angry and was trying to intimidate her by his snappy tone .

"Stop it Allister, you are scaring her", Damien objected, frowning at his brother.

"Shut up Damien" Allister hissed at him. "If she's not scared to venture in an unknown territory on her own then she shouldn't be scared to answer me either."

Allister turned his impassive gaze on Amara, "You were saying?", he prodded impatiently.

But Amara did not answer this time, choosing to hide her face behind the curtain of her hair.

"Amara", he warned her and she peaked at him, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry",she said softly as she quickly swiped away a tear which had escaped from her eyes. Her tears would only make the situation worse than it already was.

Allister's eyes softened at the sight of her tears and he exhaled a deep breath seemingly trying to control his temper.

"Don't cry", he told her softly as he continued to press the ice pack on her ankle.

"Do you have any clue about what would have happened if you had got lost out there and Valerio had not found you when he did?", he asked her in a hard tone, this time looking at her in the eyes, willing her to understand him.

"The guards had activated code A-102. Do you know what it means?", he continued and Amara shook her head.

"It's an alarm system to alert others about any trespassers in this zone. No one without explicit permission can enter here. By declaring the trespasser code on, they activated all the traps that are present out there to nab anyone who comes in without permission", Damien informed her.

"Traps?",she asked him as she thought about the wild dogs that she had heard and run away from.

"Yes, traps. There are several of them. They are quite dangerous especially the ones that Valerio has designed."

"I heard some wild dogs coming towards me", Amara told them biting her lip nervously.

"That was not even stage one. It is just meant to make the person aware that his presence has been noticed. It's a sort of a warning sign",Damien scoffed. "Fortunately we were made aware that you girls were out in the woods somewhere so Valerio was able to deactivate the system before he left in search for you girls", he continued.

"I'm going to beat those guards up bloody for their stupidity ", Allister said furiously as he wrapped a crepe bandage around her ankle.

Amara frowned at Allister. "But it is not their fault. They were just following the instructions given.... ", she faltered as a dangerous expression crossed Allister's face.

"They were ignorant and irresponsible. We were made aware of your little adventure several minutes before they actually sounded the trespasser alarm. And inspite of the knowledge that our family girls are somewhere around, they still did it",Allister spoke angrily.

"I don't know which one's are responsible yet but they are definitely from the Bianchi side. The Valentini family guards are trained very strictly to even attempt such a mistake", Damien said quietly.

Allister ignored him as he spoke to Amara again. "And you dear sister, going in the woods alone without any back up, what were you even thinking?", Allister glared at her again before continuing "Ohh wait you were not thinking at all. If you had stopped to think you would have realised how dangerous it could have been. Since when has my sister become this reckless. I wonder whose company she is keeping these days", he mused darkly shaking his head.

"I memorised the trail back", Amara insisted. "I just got scared when I heard the guards coming towards me so I didn't pay attention to where I was running and got lost", she replied softly.

"It doesn't matter now. She is back safe and sound", Damien quickly interrupted them when he saw that Allister was not going to let it go.

"Yes, yes she is. But you will still be given a complete check up once we reach back the estate to be certain that you have not attained any internal injury due to your fall", Allister ordered her as he helped her stand up.

"Damien help her outside. Go and wait in the car for me you two, we will leave after I return", Allister told Damien to the shock of both the teenagers.

Amara and Damien exchanged a wide eyed look before Damien turned to look back at his brother. "Yeah sure, let's go Amara",he nodded enthusiastically as he put his arms around her shoulder and helped her outside.

Amara sighed softly in relief. She couldn't believe that Allister was letting it go so easily. Her older cousin had always been quite creative when it fell on him to decide any punishment for his younger siblings.

"Let's leave quickly",Damien muttered to her and she nodded as both of them walked away leaving a part amused and part furious Allister behind In the room.

Allister shook his head ruefully as he watched the two leave. He knew that they thought that he had let it go but he had not.

He walked out of the office and towards the lowest floor where Silvano had probably ordered all the guards to be assembled. This place belonged to the Valentini and Bianchi families so the guards stationed around were also theirs. But it didn't matter to Allister. He was a Romero. And it was his sister who was injured, it meant that the right for sanctioning any punishment would be his too. Not that he doubted Valerio's skills when it came to dishing out punishments. That guy sure knew how to make an example out of the offenders.

On his way there he ran into Gino Riccardi who was making his way down as well.

"Hey man, your cousin is good?",he asked falling in step with Allister.

Allister nodded in reply. He was in no mood for a light conversation.

"These girls have got some daring for sure. I would never have expected them to do something like this. Just now the boys were discussing about how we usually tease them about being too scared to venture in the woods alone, we'll have to think about something else from here," he muttered in disappointment.

Allister snorted in amusement. It was true that they didn't leave any stone unturned when it came to fooling around and teasing the girls. But of course Amara was a different case. She was his baby sister and despite the frequent dares that they gave the girls if Amara had ever gotten dared to do something risky he would never allow it. Not that anyone dared to do something like that anyway, not even the rest of the elite boys. Allister had beat too many of them before for attempting it so they were very cautious when it came to her.

Allister and Gino got out of the elevator to see Valerio and Silvano coming towards them.

"Allister, I take it that you have come to sanction the guards?",Valerio asked him.

Allister nodded in reply, "of course."

"There are two of them. Do whatever you want but just don't kill them",Valerio told him.

Allister smirked at him devilishly as he made his way inside the basement with Gino while the Valentini boys made their way towards the drinks room.

"Valerio, what was that?",Silvano asked Valerio hesitantly.

"Speak clearly Silvano. Talking in riddles won't get you anywhere", Valerio replied back coolly.

Silvano cringed a little not sure whether he should continue or not. He knew he was going to tread in dangerous territory if he were to continue but he couldn't back out now "You should... be more careful with your affections."

Valerio stopped walking and turned to glare darkly at him before Silvano was pulled by his neck into the adjoining room and slammed on the wall.

"What did you tell me?",Valerio asked him darkly, his hands around Silvano's throat in a strong hold.

"Think carefully before you speak Silvano. You are already going to face a sanction from me for your stunt in the office earlier, don't make it more difficult on yourself",Valerio warned him.

Silvano stared wide eyed at his cousin. Valerio was holding him against the wall by his throat but he had not put much pressure on his wind pipe which made Silvano realize that he was getting a chance to back off, to take back his words if he wanted. But Silvano knew he couldn't do that now.

"I.. I'm just wondering if you are finally going to claim her as yours? Your behaviour with her changes and it won't be long before people start suspecting that there is something going on, especially Allister. I saw the look on his face back in the office and honestly Allister would have been a fool to not notice it. You were practically on your knees before her. I could see the question in his eyes..... Since when did Valerio Valentini start getting concerned about people other than his own blood!?", Silvano exclaimed quickly.

Valerio chuckled darkly letting Silvano go who massaged his neck.

"You think I didn't realise it?",he asked with thinly veiled amusement.

"If you did then why....unless you are ready to finally claim her?",Silvano asked curiously.

"I'm ready.... I have been ready for a while now. But my girl isn't. Not yet. But it is time that everyone else starts realizing what she means to me, even her own blood", Valerio replied back.

"Your girl is smart but way too innocent to realise that you....",Silvano didn't complete his sentence. Silvano was worried that if something like what happened today happened again then Valerio would lose it. He had seen the look in his cousin's eyes when the guards had informed them about the girls. He knew that it was becoming almost difficult for him to hold back his feelings for her, to declare to the world once and for all what she was to him.

"How longer are you going to wait then?",he asked Valerio cautiously.

Valerio turned to look at him and Silvano felt cold sweat trickle down his neck at the almost predatory gleam on Valerio's face "Until I can't anymore",he replied back truthfully.

*******

Amara was now back at home and getting ready for bed. It had surely not been one of her better days. The car ride back home had been silent to say the least. Allister hadn't really spoken much except for occasionally answering any questions that Damien asked him.

Amara sighed sadly .She didn't really remember him ever getting mad at her before. They argued on different things quite alot just like all the siblings did but never did he get mad at her for extended periods of time. And from what she could see Allister was really angry despite his controlled actions around her.

As soon as the car had stopped inside the compound gates, Amara had been rushed off to her room where a doctor and her team had been ready with various equipments to give her a complete check up. Off course nothing was shown on any tests and Amara had breath a sigh of relief.

Her train of thought was interrupted when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in", she called out, slightly surprised at the late visit. Neither of the adults were at home currently. Her Nonno was out of country for some work while her Uncle Rickard and Aunt Rose were on a mini vacation celebrating her Aunt's birthday and were due to arrive in a few days, which had automatically made Allister the incharge of them, both at home and school.

The door opened and to her surprise Damien walked in lazily with two mugs in his hand.

"Hot chocolate ", he said as he handed her one mug and perched himself on her soft bed comfortably.

Amara laughed softly. She remembered in her childhood how Allister, Damien and her would always sneak out of their rooms for some hot chocolate late at night and escape out on the terrace to watch the stars and trade stories with each other much to the consternation of their guards and the adults who had to chase them all over the manor. Allister and Damien would tell her about their training and Amara would in turn tell them about her time spent with her other family in New York.

But it had changed after her visit to New York when she was eight. No longer did they share chocolate to trade stories of fun and adventures but instead it worked to sooth out her fears and anxiety.....her nightmares of a cold evening spent in an even colder, smaller and darker room.

"Thank you Dami", she smiled at him fondly and sipped her drink silently.

Damien nodded his head but otherwise didn't say anything. He looked to be deep in thought about something.

"You remember Allister's ninth birthday party? ",he asked her suddenly.

Amara blinked at him in confusion but nodded her head curious to know why he had brought up that topic.

"Klaus, the little prick that he was, had almost made you cry back then", he said distastefully.

Amara didn't really remember what exactly had happened just that Klaus had teased her relentlessly about something and made her almost cry which had led to a fight between the two boys which had been broken up by the guards. The adults had no clue about the fight as they had been busy with socialising inside the manor while all the kids had been outdoors.

"He was grounded for a month after the party ", she recalled.

Damien laughed at that. "Only because he had almost broken Klaus' left arm".

Amara gasped at that small piece of information. She had never known the true reason behind his punishment. She now understood why Klaus had been so afraid to upset her after that one time. He had become way to kind to her unlike how he spoke and treated the other girls. He was a complete brute when it came to girls, even more so than the other boys which was really saying something.

"That's terrible!", she exclaimed with wide eyes.

Damien shook his head staring at her fondly. "You are our little sister Amara, this bond that we share is more special than any familial bond could ever be and anyone who disputes that ought to be punished. He had done that you know. When Allister defended you Klaus had asked him why he cared so much, that you were just our cousin. It was actually the reason which had led to the fight".

Damien hesitated a little before continuing, "I tell you this because I know you are a little upset about Allister. I could feel the tension in the car but please understand his position too. Father, mother and Nonno aren't here so it falls down to Allister to look out for you. The very thought of something happening to you -", he broke off, taking a deep breath before continuing, "We don't like watching you get hurt Amara ".

"I understand", she replied back softly.

"Good",Damien said and they both completed their drinks in comfortable silence.

Amara asked him a question that been bugging her since she had returned home."So what was that place in the woods?"

"Hell "

"What?!", Amara exclaimed wide eyed causing Damien to laugh out loud.

"I meant that place is named hell. It is actually called Inferno, but I wanted to see your reaction so I gave you the English version of it's name",Damien told her sniggering.

Amara rolled her eyes, "Very funny Damien. Is it newly built?"

"No, it's quite old. Of course it has been renovated several times over the years to suit our needs",he informed her. "You're wondering why you didn't hear about it before right? ",Damien asked her and Amara nodded in response.

"Because Inferno is a place only for the boys. We don't allow any girls to enter the premises. Anyone who gets a girl around there is punished",he told her smirking.

"Why not?", she pouted.

"Because it's an age old tradition",a voice answered from door way and both Damien and Amara turned towards it to see Allister standing outside, leaning against the door frame.

He looked at their glasses of hot chocolate before raising a single eyebrow playfully, "Having a sneak out party like old times, are we?".

"Damage control Allister",Damien smiled mockingly at his brother. Allister's smile slipped of his face and he pursed his lips before coming and sitting on Amara's other side.

"I apologise for being a little hard on you today", Allister said.

"You don't need to", Amara insisted. "You didn't do or say anything harsh, you have nothing to apologise for".

"I did Amara but thank you for accepting my apology", he said sincerely.

"So what did you mean by saying that it was an age old tradition? And why was there a giant maze outside?", Amara fired off rapidly.

"I mean exactly what I said. That territory is only for us boys. It is our headquarters of sorts. That's the only thing I can say for now. You will find out about it soon enough." Allister said.

"As for the maze, well let's say that it helps us boys to play our own real version of the game counter strike", Damien told her shrugging and Amara almost chocked on her drink when she heard what purpose the maze served.

"Boys",she muttered shaking her head when suddenly a thought struck her.

"You said that anyone who gets a girl around there gets punished ....will Valerio also have to face any problems?",She asked them worriedly.

Damien scoffed. "Of course not ,I would love to see the boys bring this up with him. Allister can though but he obviously won't because it was you and not anyone else."

"Ohh good",Amara sighed in relief. Valerio had helped her so much and she didn't want him to face any problems due to her.

"I think it's time for us to call it a night now. Damien go back to your room after you're done with your chocolate fest",Allister said as he got up from her bed and made his way outside.

"I forgot to tell you Amara",Allister turned around again and Amara looked at him in puzzlement "Nonno called me earlier when you were getting checked. He wanted to know what happened and I told him about obviously, unfortunately he had to return back to his meeting but he ordered me to tell you to expect a call from him tomorrow morning",he said pleasantly to the horror of the two teenagers.

"Have a good night",he called out chuckling as he left.

"How did he come to know!?",she whispered in shock to Damien who looked at her incredulously.

"Amara, it's Nonno we are talking about. Of course he would know what's going on here, especially if it concerns you. We had called the doctor's to give you a complete check up. The guards must've surely reported back to him",he reasoned.

"What am I going to tell him?",she moaned flopping back on her bed.

"See the bright side of this and be thankful that the tales of you little adventure did not reach New York", Damien said before muttering under his breath "Yet."

"Shut up Damien",Amara said throwing her pillow at him.

******

Valerio closed the door which led to the back entrance of the manor behind him quietly as he silently made his way inside. His steps were measured and quite, not making even an extra squeak as they landed lightly against the floor. His dark clothes blended perfectly with the shadowed walls not giving away any indication of his presence as he swiftly made his way inside. He was passing through the dining hall when he heard a voice.

"Coming back home at this time Valerio?", a gruff voice sounded and Valerio instantly turned around, his gun in his hand aiming it towards the source.

"Uncle Lorenzo",he said surprised. "I didn't know that you were going to come back home today",Valerio said in confusion as he lowered his weapon.

The man standing before him was Lorenzo Valentini, Silvano and Serena's father, his uncle and one of the high boss's of the Valentini crime syndicate.

"I am just stopping here for the night, thought I should check up on everything before I leave for Milan tomorrow. And look how correct I was, my dear nephew is surely getting upto something", Lorenzo Valentini smirked at his nephew.

"Why did you come in through the back door?", he questioned him immediately after, not beating around the bush.

"I did not know that there were any restrictions regarding when I can use the back door and when not",Valerio snapped irritably.

"I see that this temper of yours is still as toxic as ever", Lorenzo chuckled, shaking his head fondly.

Valerio smirked in reply before going over and greeting him.

"How have you been Uncle?",he asked.

"Well enough. Let's go to my office, we need to talk about a few things before we can call it a night", Lorenzo ordered him as he began walking ahead followed by Valerio.

"Are you looking after your cousins?", Lorenzo asked him as he helped himself to some whisky from the mini bar in his office while Valerio settled himself on a seat.

"I am but they sure make it difficult. I'm sure you must have already heard about what happened today",Valerio answered him.

"I did", Lorenzo said stoically, "I will speak to Serena about her reckless actions tomorrow morning. Where were you and Silvano when she and her friends were making their way through the woods ?"

"At Inferno",Valerio answered and Lorenzo nodded.

"Our guards tell me that the Romero girl was injured. Nothing serious I assume?", he asked Valerio stoically and Valerio's eyes flashed with anger before he answered, "No, I called Allister to check up."

"That is good. We would have had a war on our hands if she was seriously injured while at our property",Lorenzo stated before glancing at his nephew. "Not that would ever happen of course", he said, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"I hope you straightened out the ones responsible for today's error. We would like to have a nice impression on the adults for future events, right nephew?",he asked Valerio slyly .

"Good or bad impression doesn't matter to me either way uncle because it does not change anything",Valerio replied back dryly.

Lorenzo laughed knowingly."Of course it doesn't but it would definitely make your life more easier in future."

"Let's come down to business now",he said and Valerio nodded, waiting to hear what news his uncle had.

"The tension between one of our allies and that one of the Romero's allies is brewing more as each day passes", his uncle informed him.

"Yes, the Riccardi and the Giovanni families. I've heard the whispers. But is it something to be concerned about? They've had a cold war going on for years now",Valerio wondered out loud.

"It doesn't take long for a cold war to turn into one with blood and bullets son", Lorenzo cautioned him.

"I am to leave Rome tomorrow morning after I meet the kids and you are already aware that father is in Germany. In our absence you are incharge of not only our estate here but are also responsible to make sure that our allies remain in line. Remember son they might be our allies but they are still beneath us. We operate differently when it comes to the mafia families associated with ours. In Italy the Romero's are one of the few who can stand against us in power. If the situation does come to it that the Riccardi's want to declare a war they cannot do so without the Don's permission."

"I'm aware of that ",Valerio stated.

"I don't have any doubt that you would have any problems with keeping them in line "Lorenzo stated approvingly.

"When is Don Vitiello returning?", Valerio asked his uncle impassively, making Lorenzo turn to look at him with raised eyebrows.

"You know you are just like your father when it comes to holding a grudge with the old man",he said shaking his head in nostalgia.

"Still furious with him are you? Let it go nephew. He sent you to Germany only for a year. You are back now, aren't you? "he questioned in amusement.

Valerio glared at him with a stare that could burn holes through anyone else but not him of course. He had trained the boy sitting in front of him for almost half of his life. But he wasn't just a boy anymore, had not been one for quite some time. Soon the time would come for Valerio to take up the mantle of the Don of the Valentini family. And Lorenzo was proud to see that his nephew was almost ready for the responsibilities.

"I know you are thinking of probably murdering me right now but If it makes you feel any better then let me tell you that I did oppose father's decision to send you to Germany after what you did. But he didn't really listen of course"

"After what I did?",Valerio quoted him darkly. "You would have done the same and so would have Don Vitiello, you can't dispute it. Even the Don said so himself and yet I was sanctioned for it"

"No you weren't sanctioned for what you did. It was more about how you did it. Just maybe If you finally speak to him about it.....", Lorenzo left the suggestion open. Despite being older in age and higher in position than him, Lorenzo would not force Valerio to do something he did not want to.

"What's with you and your son?",Valerio spoke annoyed. "Silvano has brought this topic up already and frankly this discussion is getting really old now",he said getting up from his seat. "I have to get up early for training tomorrow. Good night Uncle, have a safe trip."

Valerio started walking out briskly when his uncle called out .

"Valerio".

Valerio stopped to listen what he had to say but did not bother to turn around. He was already very annoyed and didn't want to lose his temper.

"You have a few blood spots on your shoes",came his uncle's amused voice.

"Of course he would notice it",Valerio thought internally. Lorenzo Valentini never missed any details.

"You killed that guard, didn't you? The Bianchi guard who goofed up with the alarm system today."

Valerio finally turned around to look at him in the eyes, his own shining with dark amusement.

"Last year I almost blinded a man because he looked at my girl in a way I did not like. What do you think would I do to the one who endangered her today? Because of whose mistake she fucking cried?", he asked him rhetorically before turning around.

"If it helps then let me tell you that I was in a very good mood today despite everything. I made it really painless" he spoke serenely before walking away leaving a darkly amused but a highly impressed Uncle behind him.

"You surely are learning some self control nephew", Lorenzo mused to himself.

******
Hey guys 👋

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! No Valerio/Amara in this one but we'll get back to them in the next chapter. There's going to be some action coming up again 😉😉😉😉

Also I'm really sorry to say but the updates are going to be really slow for the next two month or so. I don't really have an option honestly :(
But It's better than putting the story on hold until April, right? So please bare with me 🙏🙏

If you liked this chapter then please VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE!