"I didn't take it, Angelo," Soren snapped, kicking out his foot at Angelo.

"You did, just admit it already!"

"You're insufferable."

"You're a pain in my -"

"Angelo, language," Killian entered from the kitchen, chastising our oldest brother. I chuckled quietly at the face Angelo pulled. "Dinner is ready, where are Enzo and Valentina? They were supposed to be here an hour ago."

I stood to the side, looking between my three brothers. Valentina had been texting me all morning, anxious to go shopping this weekend, but Enzo - it would be the first time meeting him. I didn't know how to feel about that, considering Soren said to "ignore anything Enzo says," because "he's an egotistical asshole that doesn't have a filter."

It didn't give me great confidence that he would like me. I stayed close to Angelo as we walked from the living room and down the hall. I felt safe with Angelo around despite him being the most chill and goofiest out of my brothers. He must have noticed me sticking close by him because he reached out his hand and took mine.

We reached the main hallway and the front door opened wide, revealing a hyper Valentina and emotionless Enzo, both carrying bags of groceries. "I told you to be here at 6," Killian chided and Enzo shoved the bags into my older brother's arms.

"That psycho decided we needed to bring dessert," he huffed, eyeing his sister with frustration. Valentina grinned and Enzo pinched the bridge of his nose. I took the moment to study him, taking in his dark and brooding features. He wore a leather jacket over a black dress shirt, paired with dark jeans and combat boots. His dark hair curled behind his ears and I noticed a faint zigzag scar over his eyebrow. Then he looked up, his hazel eyes raked over my brother's before landing on me. "I guess you're the brat who everyone is fixated on?"

I smirked, my voice steady despite the anxiety racing through my mind. "I guess so."

He hummed and Soren kicked out his foot, which Enzo blocked. Killian sighed and with a shake of his head, strode into the kitchen. Valentina offered me her arm, smiling. "How have your classes been? Any boys?"

I chuckled, linking my arm with hers. "No boys ... yet. Classes are going well. How have you been?"

"No boys... ever," Soren snapped and I chuckled, rolling my eyes. Valentina punched him hard, but focused back on me.

"Good. I started crocheting. I'm making everyone hats for winter," she said, proudly. I had to hide my smile, never guessing in a million years Valentina would take up crocheting. "I am starting business classes too."

"That's great. What college?"

"NYU. There's this amazing sweet shop a few blocks away. We can go this weekend when -"

"You can't this weekend," Enzo said, breaking off his conversation with Angelo and interrupting ours. I glanced over and noticed a scowl on his lips. "I need you to come with me to Chicago."

Valentina squeezed my hand. "No, I'm taking Alina shopping this weekend. We're going to the movies afterwards."

Enzo shook his head. "No. You'll need to go another time."

Valentina opened her mouth but Killian appeared.

"Let's sit down to eat," he murmured, setting a bowl of salad on the table. He glanced at me, smiling, before turning his gaze on Enzo who grumbled under his breath but took a seat next to Soren anyway.

Angelo and Enzo talked, discussing a man name Sven. Valentina chatted with me while we ate. I felt tense halfway through dinner - my arms and legs heavy. "Alina, are you feeling okay?" Killian asked and everyone turned to me.

I stood and tried to make it out of the room but the seizure took total control, making me fall to the ground. I vaguely heard chairs scraping against the floor and shouts.

Darkness surrounded my vision and I became incoherent. I woke up again some time after, on the sofa, with Killian and Angelo hovering over me. I straightened, pushing myself up when Killian gently grasped my shoulders and held me in place. "Slow down," he said, eyes scanning my face with worry. "How do you feel?

"My mouth is dry."

"I'll get her some water," Valentina said, already striding in the direction of the kitchen.

"You have to stop coddling her," Enzo snapped, cursing. "She's already weak as it is."

Killian helped me sit up and Angelo gave a look that could kill towards Enzo. "You and I are going to have a long chat. Go to my office, now," he snarled and I winced at how much rage was laced with his words. Enzo left.

Killian searched my eyes. "I'm sorry Alina. Enzo should never have said that. You are not weak, do you understand me?" He murmured and I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Valentina came back with a glass of water. I took it, grateful, and sipped. Angelo crouched down in front of me, his eyes flickering with anger, but softened as he smiled.

"You are not weak and I will coddle you for the rest of your life, Alina. Don't let what Enzo said affect you, you are strong."

"Thank you, Angelo." He nodded and stood, striding in the direction of his office. I swallowed and glanced around, blinking. Valentina was sat down on the couch beside me as Killian leaning back from his position on the coffee table. Soren wasn't anywhere in sight.

"I'm sorry about Enzo... I promise once he gets to know you, he'll be more protective than your brothers." I doubted it but gave her a quick smile.

"I think I need some fresh air. I'm going to go out to the garden."

"Okay," Killian nodded and I knew that he was only so nonchalant about it because you could view the garden from the kitchen window. I stood and ventured to the garden, stepping out into the crisp night air.

I viewed the yellow roses Julian tended, bending to smell them, before moving to the swinging chair handing from a tree, sitting. I pulled at my hair,

I don't know how long I stayed out there, wallowing. I desperately wanted to be okay. I traced one of the scars under my shirt, choking out a breath. Moments like these were when I'd love to feel something other than to escape the agonizing sadness.

I heard footsteps and glanced up. Enzo sauntered towards me, hands in his pockets. Angelo lingered at the open door, watching closely, likely to ensure Enzo didn't say anything more insulting. "Runt... I'm sorry for the things I said -"'

"Stop. I do not want your apology." Enzo raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation. I sighed. "You don't mean it anyway. You're right. I am weak. I don't know anything about this world. I'm a liability, I understand that."

"Alina-"

"Let me finish, Enzo," I said, narrowing my eyes. "In a way, I am weak but I can learn. I can tell you I don't plan on getting kidnapped or killed. I want you to teach me the ins and outs of this world."

Enzo stared at me like I had two heads. "You want me to teach you?"

I nodded. "I want to know how to stay alive, Enzo."
I shrugged my shoulder. "Christian and Rafe are teaching me self-defence and how to shoot a gun. But I know that if I had grew up in this world I would know who to stay away from, and who to look to for help if I ever need it."

Enzo stared at me for a long moment and I was afraid he would refuse but to my astonishment, he nodded. "Okay. Saturday after you and Valentina are done shopping, I'll be here."

"Thank you."

"You have to tell Angelo though. Pretty sure he's already plotting my murder."

"I can't really blame him. You're rude and childish."

Enzo snorted. "Okay, okay. I deserve that." Angelo lured me back inside with chocolate peanut butter cheesecake, eyeing Enzo with distain. Angelo held out his hand and I hesitated, but interlocked our fingers after a moment. I caught a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"Enzo is coming over Saturday. He's going to the me in ... " I trailed off, not sure what to say exactly. "He's tutoring me in mafia life, I guess? I want to learn about the world - no, Angelo, don't look at me like that. I need to know and ... I need someone who isn't going to sugar coat life for me."

+++

I woke up extra early the next morning, feeling rejuvenated after a peaceful sleep. It had been a while since I slept without nightmares plaguing my dreams. I rolled out of bed, rubbing the goo from my eyes as I headed to my bathroom. I showered and quickly brushed my tangled hair, and pulled on the clothes I'd set out the night before - a pair of grey leggings, a brown tee with an oversized cardigan. In my way out the

I felt good.

"Morning, bambina," Soren greeted and patted the stool next to him. "Carlotta made pancakes for breakfast, dig in." Soren and I chatted about new Disney movies coming out, before he left to go to his class. I had a few minutes before Christian arrived so I did my world history homework.

Christian drove to the private gym, Elite, for our morning training session. We changed into our workout gear before meeting in the centre of the gym. "I'm going to teach you some basic, but effective techniques. This first one is called a palm strike, which is less likely to hurt your hand and is still powerful," he said, dragging out a dummy and placing it in front of me. He gently took my wrist and guided my hand back. "Hold your fingers up and curl them slightly, then strike forward aiming for the chin or nose."

I did, the blow knocking the dummy's head back. Christian nodded. "Nice. Again," he ordered and we practiced it five more times before he moved onto the next, an elbow strike. "You want to aim for the jaw, ribs, or stomach. You want to add a quick rotation to your upper body to make it powerful."

I practiced on the dummy as he corrected my stance. "These are only meant to distract your opponent, making them stumble. It gives you ten, twenty seconds before they recover. What would your options be next, Alina?"

I swallowed, thinking through the steps he'd taught me. "Run. Look for exits and put as much distance between me and them as possible."

Christian nodded, his eyes sharp and approving. "Good. Always get out if you can. And if running isn't an option?"

I hesitated, glancing down at my hands. "Keep them off balance. Aim for weak points—eyes, nose, throat. Anything to slow them down."

"Exactly," he said, adjusting my grip on the dummy's shoulders. "Your goal is survival, not a fight. Don't worry about perfect moves; just get them down fast and get away."

He stepped back, motioning for me to continue. I aimed a sharp knee to the dummy's side, following with an elbow to its "jaw" the way he'd shown me. Each strike sent a surge of adrenaline through me. I could feel the edges of fear still lingering, but under his watchful eye, I felt a flicker of confidence building.

"Good. Now, follow up with a palm strike to the face and a quick kick to the knee—this part is crucial," he coached, demonstrating the movement. I mirrored his actions, the sharp sound of my strike filling the room.

When I finished, he nodded approvingly. "You did good today. Remember, don't hesitate. When you're in danger, every second counts."

I nodded, absorbing his words. I knew he was right, but it still felt strange, the idea of fighting back. Still, with each strike, I felt a bit of that old fear chip away, replaced by something stronger. Christian checked his watch. "You better go change, classes start in twenty minutes."

I nodded and hurried to the locker room, chugging water on the way. I changed from my gym clothes and leaned back against the cool tiles for a moment. With a final big breath, I heaved away the exhaustion and found Christian again, hurrying to the car to head to the academy.

"Thanks for the lesson, see you soon."

I took off, slamming the door shut. Angelo finally let me go to classes again without my bodyguard trailing me everywhere. After pestering him, he revealed that Headmaster Sinclair hired Angelo's security business, Legacies, adding more security on the academy grounds and a more high tech security system. It meant Christian didn't have to follow me to every class but still wandered the halls not far from me, reading a book.

I entered the main entrance, waving to Serena as I passed a bunch of seniors on my way to my locker, finding Tabitha and Zoe waiting. They grinned when they noticed me, Tabitha holding out a note. "What's this?"

"It's from Damien. He wanted to give it to you himself but he and Noah got pulled into the headmasters office for throwing paper planes yesterday. It's so good to have you back," Tabitha said and I took the folded paper from her. "I didn't read it, but I think I know what it's about ..."

"Tabs, breathe, girl," Zoe said, chuckling.

Tabitha nudged Zoe in the ribs, but continued. "Anyway, there's the spring formal Tuesday. You have to come. I'm on the dance committee and not to toot my own horn, but it was my idea for Alice in Wonderland theme. The decorations are absolutely amazing, all thanks to Zoe and a few other amazing artists."

I smiled at Zoe. "You're an artist?"

She nodded. "I like to paint. I helped with the mural in the gymnasium."

"I don't think I've been to the gymnasium yet, only the aquatic centre. I'm anxious to see it though." Zoe blushed and I smiled, glancing down at the note, curious as to what Damien could have written and not texted. The bell rang and I winced as I tucked my ear to my shoulder, hoping to ease the shrillness that belted my eardrums.

I opened the note as I walked with Tabitha and Zoe to homeroom. In neat, cursive letters, Damien had written a simple question: Will you accompany me to the spring formal? Check yes or no.

Underneath were two boxes, labeled Yes or No.

I smiled, collapsing into the chair of my desk, grabbing my pen. I felt giddy, not ever asked to anything before by a boy. Tabitha nudged my elbow and grinned. "I have Algebra with him next period, want me to deliver it for you?"

I marked the Yes box, folded the note again, and handed it to Tabitha. "Thanks," I murmured, warmth heating my cheeks, my stomach filling with butterflies.

+++

— thank you for reading.
Nothing too exciting happened but next chapter hangs on a cliff and I think you'll want to push me off it aha

- Charlie 🧡