Damien and Noah had lunchtime detention together so I didn't get to see him. Not being able to see him made me a little bummed, because the more time passed, the more my stomach felt gross with anxiety. Tabitha and Zoe kept me entertained, telling me everything I needed to know about the social hierarchy at Bloomfield Academy, and what to expect at my first dance. I tried to pay attention but my mind had become infested with what-ifs and unpleasant thoughts, a lot of them surrounding Damien.

"Alina ..." Tabitha called, waving a hand in front of my face. "Are you with us, you're zoning out."

I nodded. "I'm just thinking."

Tabitha and Zoe shared a look and smiled. "Are you thinking about a certain someone?" Both grinned and giggled.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't tease me," I said but laughed. As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, I stood up with them and slung my bag over my shoulder. I went through the day, anxious, but kept my thoughts in check. Miss Wilder gave us an interesting assignment and Mr. Aeros scolded me for not answering a question correctly. When the final bell rang, signalling the end of day, I wondered if I could catch Damien before he left.

I hurried to my locker. I paused when I noticed Damien waiting, making me turn around before he could see me. Then I turned back around, heart pumping in my ears. I licked my lips and forced myself to walk to him.

He grinned as I approached, my stomach twisting. "Hey there, You were making me think I got stood up."

I rolled my eyes, but the heat creeping up my neck betrayed me. "I didn't see you at lunch."

"I know. He leaned in just enough that I caught the faint scent of cologne and something undeniably him—warm, sharp, familiar. "Will you go on a date with me?"

"Yes."

Damien pushed off the locker with a smoothness that made it seem like gravity barely applied to him. "I thought you'd say no."

"Why would I say no?"

"Alina."

I froze.

Enzo marched forward, glaring at Damien.

"W-what are you doing here?" I sputtered, stepping in front of Enzo.

He ignored me with a blank face and reached out to take my arm, moving me away from Damien. "What's your name?" He asked, glaring at Damien. Damien glanced at me, raising an eyebrow, then back to Enzo.

"Damien Ravenhart," Damian said, standing straighter.

"You're Daniel Ravenhart's son?"

"Yes."

Enzo exhaled loudly, taking a step back. I didn't know who Daniel Ravenhart was but realized he must be someone Enzo knew, someone important. "Come on, Alina," my cousin ordered, ushering me away from Damien.

We reached outside where another man I never seen before stood next to a luxury SUV. "This is Marcus Rinaldi," he said as we walked closer and Marcus opened the backseat door. "Get in, Alina. Buckle up."

"I'm not a child," I muttered, climbing into the back, Enzo sliding in behind me. "Is Marcus your bodyguard?"

"No. I'm the enforcer, I don't need a bodyguard," he said, rolling his eyes. "I have a flight to catch this evening, my meeting in Chicago got bumped up so, consider this your first lesson in the ... etiquette of our world. Do you know the rankings within a mafia family?"

I nodded. "Yes." I took a deep breath, trying to recall everything I had learned from books. "The boss, the Don, is at the top. He's the head of the family, the one who makes all the final decisions. That's Angelo, obviously."

Enzo nodded once. "Go on."

"The underboss is second-in-command. If something happens to the boss, he takes over."

"Right," Enzo said, his expression unreadable. "And next?"

"The consigliere. He's an advisor, but he isn't directly in the chain of command. He helps the boss make decisions, keeps things running smoothly, and settles disputes."

Enzo tilted his head, watching me carefully. "Not bad. Continue."

"Then there are the capos. They run crews and take orders from the boss or underboss. Each capo has a group of soldiers under them."

"And the soldiers?" Enzo prompted.

"They're made men—official members of the family. They do most of the work: collecting money, running businesses, enforcing orders."

"And below them?"

"The associates," I finished. "They aren't officially part of the family, but they work with them."

Enzo leaned back, nodding slightly. "Not bad. You've got the basics down."

I exhaled, relieved.

"But that's just structure," he continued. "Hierarchy means nothing if you don't understand how power actually moves in this world."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Enzo smirked. "Power isn't about titles, Alina. It's about who holds the most leverage. The underboss might have rank, but if the boss's wife has dirt on him, she has more power than he does. A capo might outrank a soldier, but if that soldier has connections that the boss values? The capo is nothing."

He leaned forward, his tone low and measured. "Loyalty is a myth. Everything runs on debt, favors, and fear. That's what you need to understand."

I swallowed hard. "And where do you fit into all of this?"

Enzo smirked. "I make sure people remember why they should be afraid." I arched an eyebrow. "My father, Lorenzo, used to be the enforcer. I took over when I was 19. Do you know what omertà means?"

"It's the oath of silence."

"Right. What do you do if you're arrested or someone questions you about our family?"

"Remain silent. Say nothing without a lawyer or Angelo. And even then, be careful what I say in the presence of others."

"Good. You're part of the family, this means that everyone is watching you. People will want to hurt you to get to Angelo. You're a liability ... I'm not trying to upset you. It's just the truth until you can effectively defend yourself without needing someone to come to your rescue."

"I don't want to be a burden."

"You're not a burden and I didn't say you were.. You need training and education, but don't call yourself a burden," he said, shaking his head. "Learning the politics of the criminal world is just as important as learning how to throw a punch or shoot a gun. Power isn't just about violence - it's about controlling wealth and influence. A gun can kill one man but words, whispered to the right ears, can wipe out an entire family."

"Angelo controls more than half of New York, in illegal business including gambling, racketeering, extortion, drugs, and money laundering. He's got judges, cops, politicians in his pocket. Do you know how he controls them? Fear and money. Money buys loyalty."

"That also makes him a target though, doesn't it? With police that want him in prison and other crime lords that want what he has."

"Yes. It makes any one of us a target."

"Do you know who your boyfriend is?"

He meant Damien. "He's not my boyfriend."

He snorted. "You want him to be though."

"I ... uh, no - I mean-"

He sighed, annoyance flickering in his eyes. "Damien is the son of Daniel and Pamela Ravenhart. His father's a politician. His mother is a police captain within the NYPD." I swallowed hard. "It's your choice whether or not you stay friends with him. But you have to know that it's not gong to end well."

"You're saying stay away from him?"

He shrugged. "I can't tell you who to be friends with. I'm saying be careful."

"Okay. Wouldn't it be better to be friends? Keep you friends close and your enemies closer?"

He chuckled. "Do what you want, Alina. Remember though that your friends can easily turn on you. Allies today can be enemies tomorrow," he said, studying me. "Did Angelo tell you about your father, Lorenzo?"

"No, he didn't. What about him?"

"Angelo will tell you .. ask him about your father. You need to know what happened to him so you're not blindsided if someone else inquires what you know. Learn a bit about our family history. I'll be back Wednesday morning. Until then, I want you to dig a little into the history between our family and the Rossi family. You need to learn how to recognize threats and making allies and the relationship between our family and the Rossi's will help with that."

"Okay," I said, nodding. Marcus pulled up to the gate of the family estate, entering the code. He opened the door for me to get out but Enzo stopped me.

"I have something for you," he said and pulled out a box from under the seat. I took it, confused, and opened the box. Inside, there was a single dagger. I held it, glancing up at Enzo. "It's a dagger." The daggers handle was dark and smooth, a red ruby gleaming in the center. The blade was slender, sleek, and I smiled.

"It's our great grandmothers. I want you to learn how to wield it, Soren will teach you. It's important you know how to fight with a knife as well as hand to hand combat and shoot a gun."

"Oh. Uh, thanks."

"Go inside and tell Angelo I wasn't mean. I'll see you Wednesday." I hurried up the stairs and unlocked the door with my key, turning to watch Marcus drive back down the gravel path.

+++

Valentina linked our arms together as we entered the mall, a spring in her step. I wish I had her enthusiasm for life. She was happy and optimistic, though I suspected that she had her own share of woes.

"Where should we start first?"

I shrugged, smiling, eyes scanning my surroundings.

"What do you want most?"

"I need some more swim suits."

"Then let's get some," she said, tugging me along. We ended up in a swimsuit shop, dozens of styles and colours. "Pick out whatever you want, I'm buying."

"You don't have to, Angelo gave me a card to shop with."

"I am buying," she pushed, shaking her head.

"I'm going to a dance this Thursday."

Valentina perked up, grinning. "Really? Have you picked up a dress yet?"

"No, I have no idea what to wear."

"We'll find you something today. This is exciting," she said with glee, and rubbed her hands together. I picked out three swimsuits and Valentina bought them. Then, she dragged me to every dress shop in the mall.

"Do you have a date?"

I blushed, nodding. "Ooh, tell me about him."

I told her about how we met, her laughing when she realized she wanted to murder him the day he threw the football at my head, concussing me. "Do your brothers know?"

We shopped until I almost dropped, woozy and nauseous. Christian swooped in and practically demanded we take a break. "You both need to eat," he said, helping me sit on a leather cushioned chair in the mall. We left the mall and Valentina called in a favor to get us reservations at an expensive and elegant restaurant.

"You sure you two don't want to join us?" She asked Christian and Alexander, her bodyguard.

"No, we'll wait out here. Enjoy," Christian said, smiling.

We entered, greeted by the waiter who took our name. Valentina and I were seated at a table at the back, the waiter taking out drink order. "Water please," I murmured.

"Same," she said, smiling, her eyes dragging down the waiters body, checking him out. "I'll be right back." Valentina excused herself and headed toward the bathroom. I studied the menu, eyes bugging at how expensive the food was here.

"Alina. How are you?" Jonah Rossi appeared next to me, lips quirking. My heart stopped and fear filled my veins. The day he tried to assault me flooded my mind. "You know, my father pulled me out of the academy when he learned you were attending."

"Go away," I said, raising my voice."

"Okay, okay," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "See you soon, Alina."

Jonah smirked, leaving to take his seat.

I glanced away, determined to ignore him.

"Everything okay?"

"The boy sitting over there is Jonah Rossi."

Valentina's eyes darkened. "We should leave."

"No, I'm not afraid of him."

"It doesn't matter, we're leaving."

"Val.."

She sighed, nodding. "You're right, we can't run. I'm calling Alexander though." She took out her phone from her purse, dialling her bodyguard. She spoke to him quietly and my eyes traveled back to Jonah.

He stared at me with something .. sinister in his eyes.

"Don't look at them. Focus on me, tell me what Enzo told you."

"He mentioned things about power and loyalty. Told me to be careful with Damien."

"He's right, you should be careful .. but don't let him get into your head."

"You're scared. Why?"

"I'm not scared. It's just .. Marco Rossi is the man you don't want to cross paths with," she said, a sad smile on her face. "I know personally what he's capable of, his nephew kidnapped me three years ago."

"What?" I gasped. "Oh, you're right, we should leave."

"No. There's a truce between our families now. Vincenzo Rossi is dead, six feet under where he belongs .. now, let's talk about something else. Tell me about your friends and classes."

+++

"You look stunning, bambina," Angelo murmured as I walked down the staircase.

I smiled. "Thank you, fratello. You don't look too bad yourself," I commented, taking in his appearance. He wore a crisp black suit, his hair spiked with gel. He had volunteered to chaperone the dance tonight, much to my dismay. I had argued that my bodyguards, Christian and Rafe would watch over me.

He insisted on attending anyway.

"We should go," he said, checking his watch.

I stepped through the grand double doors, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. The entire ballroom had transformed into something out of a dream—no, a Wonderland. Golden fairy lights cascaded from the ceiling like glowing vines, their soft twinkle casting everything in an ethereal glow. Suspended playing cards, larger than life, tilted at impossible angles, frozen mid-air as if gravity had simply given up.

My gaze drifted to the long banquet table stretching across the room, an explosion of mismatched teapots, porcelain cups, and towers of pastel-colored sweets. The Mad Hatter's tea party, brought to life in stunning, chaotic detail. The black-and-white checkerboard dance floor shimmered under the lights, making my steps feel unsteady, as if I'd truly tumbled down the rabbit hole.

In the corners of the room, giant neon mushrooms pulsed with shifting colors—deep purples, electric blues, eerie greens. A massive clock face loomed behind the DJ booth, its hands spinning out of sync, untethered from time itself. I inhaled, my chest tightening with something I couldn't quite name. Excitement? Unease? Maybe both.

"Alina?" Damien called out, approaching from my left. He stopped in front of me. He wore a black suit as well, his hands shoved into his pants pocket. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," I murmured, my cheeks heating up. Angelo cleared his throat. "Damien, this is my brother, Angelo. He's chaperoning tonight. Angelo, this is Damien Ravenhart, my friend and classmate."

"Nice to meet you," my brother said and stuck out his hand for Damien to shake. Damien shook his hand, wincing slightly. I elbowed my oldest brother in the ribs, making him grunt, but he dropped Damien's hand.

"Alina, oh my God," Tabitha squealed, running up to me. She wore a mini navy blue dress and matching heels. "I love your dress."

"Thank you. I love yours, the colour suits you well."

Tabitha glanced at Angelo, nodding. "Mr. Morena, good to see you."

My brother chuckled. "Call me Angelo, Tabitha. Mr. Morena makes me sounds old." He wrinkled his nose and Tabitha giggled. She had a major crush on him. "Excuse me, I'm going to talk to the other parents. Stay out of trouble." I waved and turned back to Damien and Tabitha as Zoe and Noah entered the gymnasium.

"Wow," Zoe said, smiling. "You look great, Al."

"Same to you, that shade of green makes your eyes pop," I commented, loving her forest green dress.

"That's what I said." Noah grinned and Zoe blushed and then I noticed them holding hands.

"Come on, let's get something to drink," Tabitha said before I could ask.

"Theo and Aryan aren't coming?" I asked as Tabitha grabbed my hand, pulling Zoe and I toward the table with an assortment of beverages. Damien and Noah followed, whispering to each other.

"Nah, Theo hates dances and Aryan has a test to study for," she explained. We received our fruit punch in fancy wine glasses from the server and settled down at a table near the front of the DJ booth.

"The decorations are amazing," I said, looking at Zoe, sipping my punch. The five of us talked until the gymnasium had filled, my classmates and fellow students dancing.

My gaze caught on Damien.

He stood and offered me his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

I nodded, taking his hand. "I'm not a good dancer."

"Neither am I. I might step on your toes."

I chuckled, letting him lead me to the dance floor, I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith filling my ears. Damien pulled me into him, the two of us swaying. Over his shoulder, I noticed Angelo leaning against the wall, his eyes on us as he talked to another chaperone, a young woman.

"So, our first date - are you free next Saturday afternoon?"

"I am," I said, softly.

"Good. I made reservations."

"I look forward to it."

Another song came over the loud speakers and Tabitha, Zoe, and Noah joined us. I felt really good. "I will be right back," I said, "I have to use the bathroom." I slipped away and entered the bathroom off the hallway to the gymnasium. When I finished, I exited the stall to see a girl leaning against the counter, studying her makeup in the mirror.

"Hey, your boyfriend asked me to tell you to meet him on the roof," she said, dabbing her lip with a napkin.

I raised an eyebrow. "Uh, I think you're mistaking me for someone else."

The girl shook her head. "You're Alina Morena, right?"

"Yeah."

"He said to tell you, Alina Morena, to meet him on the roof."

"Okay. Where is the roof anyway?"

"It's upstairs the janitors closet next to the stairwell. It's unlocked."

"Thanks." I left the bathroom and glanced both ways, not wanting to run into my brother. I hurried down the hall and found the closet upstairs, looking both ways before sneaking in, closing the door behind me. At the back of the closet, a ladder leading up to the roof, and I hiked up my dress, swallowing hard, wondering what would happen if I got caught.

When I reached the top, climbing through the hatch, a cool breeze kissed my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. The city stretched out before me, glittering under the night sky, a dazzling sea of lights and movement. My breath hitched as I steadied myself, gripping the edge of the opening before stepping fully onto the rooftop.

The music from the dance was a distant hum beneath me, muffled by the height and the wind that rustled through my hair. I exhaled slowly, tension leaking from my shoulders as I took in the view. Up here, away from the stifling crowds and watchful eyes, I could breathe.

I wrapped my arms around myself, staring down at the streetlights below. If I got caught, Angelo would lose his mind. Enzo would be furious. Christian would probably track me down in under five minutes.

"Damien?" I called out, shivering. I walked across the roof, to the edge.

"Alina," a voice said, amusement lacing every syllable, making my stomach twist. I turned slowly, my pulse hammering in my ears. Jonah leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. His suit was pristine, his tie slightly loosened like he owned the place. "It's good to finally have you to myself."

+++

-thank you for reading!

It's been a long time but hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.

Thoughts on what's about to happen?

Charlie 🧡