A/N:
I wrote this when my family went to visit my crush. The painful thing is that he doesn't know. And then writer's block set in so I stared at my tablet. It was sooooooo awkward, make it worth it. 

"Ah". Alcina groaned as the bullet wound stung. There wasn't much of a gash there anymore. Alexa was dressing it but reported that it was healing fast.
She shut her eyes as Alexa covered it with fresh bandages.

"You should start taking these drugs". Alcina scowled at them. They were tiny. "They'll help the wound"

The idea of taking drugs for an ailment had never quite appealed to Alcina especially when the drugs were tiny or really big pills. They were harder to swallow and you might taste them of you made one wrong move.

Alexa gave her a bottle of water and she grimaced as she swallowed two of the tiny tablets.

"Why are you smiling?". Alcina asked the grinning nurse.

"Nothing it's just that you have the same reaction to drugs as your father. But he was always putting himself in positions to take one". Alexa replied looking at Alcina fondly.

Oh here we go. Alcina thought. So she knew her father.

"Were you really that close?"

"Your father was friends with everyone. Everyone felt a blow when he died, it was like loosing a brother though he was not from the family". Her gaze seemed distant as she spoke. "I'm a cousin to Leonardo. When his father got into the business, everyone in the family tagged along and no one turned back since. Those were the days"

"Oh I'm sorry. I'm shooting my mouth off. Out, out you go. Sorry for bringing it up". Alexa said as she shooed Alcina out.

"See you later!". She chirped.

"You too". Alcina muttered back as she went back to her room. She'd been to the infirmary so many times over the past few days to know her way around. Down the corner, up the stairs.

But as she walked down the hallway, noise coming from a particular door drew her attention. Alcina walked to the door and placed her ear on it in a bid to make out what was happening.

"What are you doing?". A familiar deep voice spoke behind her.

"Nothing!" She replied almost immediately, turning to face his amused expression. Leonardo watched as she fumbled for words.

"I just.. ah.. I um got lost and...". Alcina blushed as she spoke, tugging anxiously on the hem of her shirt not daring to look him in the eye.

She gasped as he cupped her chin up, forcing her to look into his blue eyes. He was impossibly close. The familiar cologne clouded her senses.

"I could show you inside if you want". He said, his eyes teasing her. Alcina licked her lips unconsciously. He was teasing her, she knew and she liked it. But she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing that all of this was having an effect on her.

Alcina stared back at him now, not shying away again.

"Sure". She shrugged. Alcina watched as he pried the door open and ushered her in.

"Ladies first". He said with a bow. Alcina rolled her eyes and walked in. She was greeted by the familiar scent of money. She took in the huge room wide eyed.

There were bikini clad girls with money duct taped around their torsos. Others were arranging and stacking the cash on tables positioned in rows. She'd never seen so much money in one place.
And in the heart of it all was Bianca, ordering the girls around.

"What the hell are you doing?". Bianca asked a group of giggling girls. "This dough ain't gonna smuggle itself. Go get dressed!".

The girls scurried off, high heels clicking as they went. Bianca's frown disappeared as she spotted Leonardo and Alcina. She speed-walked to them.

As she approached them, Alcina wondered if so many half naked girls affected Leonardo. But as she studied him, he didn't seem uncomfortable or disturbed. Even when a few of them desperately tried to get his attention, breasts and all, he barely acknowledged them. He was looking upon the empire his father had started.

"How are the girls?". Leonardo asked in his deep mafia boss voice.

"They're getting by", Bianca shrugged. "It's so hard to get good help these days"

"When should we be making the next shipment?"

"Tomorrow. We've prepared all the papers, there should be no trouble at the borders. We've also got some boys waiting on the other side". Bianca said, head swollen as she reported all they'd achieved.

"Good. I hope this goes well. We've had too many close calls and with that asshole, Giovanni, hanging around, we can't take any chances"

She nodded and Leonardo turned to leave.
"I'll see you around Alcina". Bianca said to her. Alcina waved her and hurried to catch up with Leonardo who was already at the door. She passed him and he shut the door behind her.

Leonardo glanced down at her, but he kept his eyes straight when their eyes almost met. Alcina was walking with him. Her room was the opposite way but she found herself following him. Who knew what other hidden treasures he could lead her to within this mansion?

"Lucas said he told you about our dealings". Leonardo started. "It's ok of you think what we're doing isn't right"

Alcina furrowed her brows at him. Sure what they were doing was wrong on all levels, she was just here to get rid of Giovanni and then go back to her normal teenage life.

"It's not a problem as long as I don't get too messed up in it. I'm just here to end Giovanni and I'll help in anyway I can". She couldn't help but add "Even if I had to run through the city screaming arrest 'Giovanni Ricci!', I will"

She stared at his sorry excuse for a smile.
"Don't you ever smile a full, pearly whites smile?". Alcina asked him, as she started pointing out landmarks again. She had figured out that it was a good way to get around.

For one, she now knew the way to one of the important places in the building. The kitchen. It was always important to know where the source of food was. Elizabeth brought food three times a day, but there was the need for the in between meal snacks. And most times, she'd meet the staff baking up some treats and they'd gladly let her help herself to some. Apparently, angering the boss' guest was a deathly act. Gosh, she ate too much. Alcina stopped fat-shaming herself and listened to Leonardo.

He chuckled. "No one would take a smiling man serious in this business. You need to have a powerful demeanour or you'll be taken out before you can say 'Omerta'. In this business, bosses are measured up by the number of years they stay in power. So we control guys who control gangs who control other gangs with occasional funding. We have to stay hidden, show no mercy and not be too cheery. Does that answer your question?".

"What's Omerta?"

"It's the code of silence"

Alcina nodded slowly not wanting to push him, she could always ask someone else.
So he continued. "What if I say that the Feds know there's a man called Leonardo Moretti, but they don't have his picture? Anonymity is another advantage you need to have".

"That's rather shocking. What if I took a pic of you now?". She raised her brow at him.

"You'd be dead before you can give it to anyone and besides you wouldn't". He tapped her nose as if she was a child.

He came to a stop now. "I'd love to chat some more, but I have work to get to". He opened the door.
"See you later Miss Bianchi".

● ● ● ●

"No"

"But please Alcina, do it". Lucas pleaded.

"Nope" she popped the p.

"You're no fun". He huffed as settled back into the seat.

"I'll be there with you the whole time. Weren't you the one who came to us complaining of boredom?". Christopher spoke this time.

"Yes but, I didn't ask for something that could get me killed"

"As fun doctors and professionals in the business". Chris said in a matter of fact tone, like a doctor. "We gave you our best prescription. It's age old"

Alcina was amused. "Age old? How old are you? Aren't you like 16?"

He ignored her. "You're just being dramatic. How will it get you killed?"

"Well, not necessarily killed but in a lot of trouble. It's Julian we're talking about here". She paused. "He's always so grumpy"

"Tell me about it". Tommy said as he trailed off, remembering an event with Julian.

David turned to look at them from the magazine he was reading, he was getting interested in the conversation.

"It's not the first time we'll be pulling a prank on him". Lucas said with his usual grin. "Aunt Julia has been a victim of many pranks from yours truly"

"Aunt Julia?". Alcina asked between laughs.

"All my pranks have gotten into the record books". He boasted.

"Of lameness". Chris coughed. Lucas glared at him.

"Unlike some people who ruin pranks by laughing". He looked pointedly at Tommy. "I played well over fifty pranks in my days"

"Yea right. Remember the one where you told Rita that you knew where to get..."

"Who's Rita?". Alcina asked, interrupting Chris.

"You haven't met her yet. As I was saying, Lucas here had a brilliant prank. He told Rita he knew where he could get these shoes the girls were crazy for at a cheaper price. But what he didn't..."

"What shoes?".

"I dunno. Their from some french designer. Anyway, Lucas didn't expect Rita to run off telling all the girls in um". There was a pause. "Accounting. He just..."

"I know what you mean by accouting, just so you know. And ooh, I think I know those shoes. I saved up for almost six months to get them. They're so cute. I'll need to get them from my room at Rachael's house. I don't trust those witches. For all I know..."

"Stop interrupting me!". Christopher yelled.

She held her hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. Jeez"

After a deep sigh, he continued. "He wanted to dupe her and get some money from her and sort the rest out later. He went as far as hiring someone to play the part of the guy selling the shoes. But Rita told Bianca, then the word spread around the girls. And dumb Lucas" -cue Lucas' glare- "collected money from all the girls involved. He stupidly did" -cue glare again- "Eventually, somehow, the girls found out. But not only did Lucas collect their money, he spent it. So he was a punching bag for a month and had to repay all the money".

"Wait, why did you say somehow?". Lucas asked getting up from the love seat. "What do you mean by that?"
Christopher was quiet.

"You told them!". Lucas shouted. "It was you who snitched!". He was stalking Christopher now. "I'm going to kill you". Lucas charged at him. David got in between them and broke them up.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!". Alcina and Tommy started chanting.

"Shut up". David glared at them. Lucas cooled down and resumed eating his burger.

"But seriously, do you guys notice anything weird or off with Julian?". Alcina asked.

"Since I met him". Chris said.

"All the time, everyday, why?". Lucas asked.

"Back at Giovanni's place, I saw him talking with Giovanni. I guess it's nothing now that I think of it. I just felt suspicious for some reason". Alcina shrugged.

"Now back to the prank". Lucas said. "We all know that Julian believes in the supernatural"

"So we're going to scare him". David paused dramatically. "With some piano music"

"I didn't know you guys play". Alcina said looking from one boy to the other.

"We don't. But we have an app that can". Lucas took out his phone. "See?"

One of those sinister creepy piano music came on. It sounded so real. Like it was actually coming from a grand piano in an abandoned house or manor or castle somewhere.

"All you have to do is scream or do a scary sound to accompany it. Something to freak him out". Christopher said now.

"No way. It's a bad idea". She pushed the phone away. "I'm no longer bored". She got up to leave the living room.

"Wait!". Lucas said. "We'll give you food"

Her ears perked up on hearing 'food'. "I'm listening". She closed the door and came to stand with her arms folded.

"Besides we'll be there. All the...". Tommy stopped suddenly. They all raised a brow at him, he was at the pinball machine.

Then it hit them.

"What the hell Tommy?". Christopher yelled as he put his hands over his nose.

"Ugh, let's get out of here'. David growled angrily.

They all got up to leave.
"Guys am sorry". Tommy said.

He made a move to leave with them but Christopher slammed the door in his face. At the same time, Lucas said:
"Thanks a lot sir farts-alot!".

"I don't think we should leave him there, what if the smell kills him". Alcina suggested. "I almost got a heart attack and I just had a whiff of it"

"Hopefully, it'll teach him not to fart where people are in his next life". Chris joked.

As if on cue, Tommy started banging on the door.
"Guys! Let me out of here! I'm dying!"

"Serves you right!" The boys yelled back.

"Come with me children". Lucas said to them with his head held high, like royalty. "Let us execute the prank of the century".

● ● ● ● ●

"I still think this is a bad idea". Alcina said as they snooped around Julian's room.

"You're just a chicken. Nothing is ever a bad idea". Christopher said.

"You being my brother was a bad idea". Tommy muttered.

"What'd you say?"

"Nothing!"

"Are they always like this?". Alcina whispered to Lucas.

"You should see them on their time of the month". He replied and they snickered together.

"They're back". David who was stationed at the window spoke up. He was backed up by a honk from outside.

"Get in the closet". Lucas said, pushing her in.

"But what if he opens the closet." Alcina argued.

They yanked it open and the storage space was empty.
"See? I don't get why some rooms have a closet and a walk in wardrobe. No one ever uses them". Lucas said.

"But there are spiders in there!". She whined.

"Hurry up. We have just a few minutes till he gets here". Tommy panicked.

In response, Lucas pushed her into the wardrobe and shoved his phone into her trembling hands and shut the closet. She listened anxiously as their footsteps receded to the hallway and finally disappeared.
She shut her eyes for a few minutes.

At the unmistakable sound of footsteps entering the room, her eyes shot open. She peaked at Julian through an opening in the closet door.
He sighed as he dropped his gun on the desk. He pulled off his Tee shirt revealing toned abs and tattoos.

Impressive. Alcina thought.

He pulled out his phone from his pocket and made a call.
"Hello?...Yes...its tomorrow...I expect you to be up to the task...remember she shouldn't be too badly hurt it's just to scare the girl away..."

Alcina raised her brows at his conversation.

Kicking off his shoes, he collapsed onto the bed facing the ceiling. With another sigh, he closed his eyes.

Perfect time. She loaded the app and started the song. Piano music started slowly but then started to rise. Julian stood up abruptly and stared at the closet.

"Who whos there?". He croaked out.

He looked freaked out. As the song started reached its peak, he hurriedly put his shirt on.

Alcina snickered at the reaction she was getting.
Then it happened. The unspeakable happened and ruined their plan. Lucas' phone started ringing. The name "Chloe" flashed on the screen. Alcina hurriedly cut the call.
She mentally face palmed herself for not thinking out this possibility. She actually face palmed herself as the phone started ringing again.

Julian was no longer frightened, but puzzled. Having recovered from his initial fear, he cautiously walked towards the door.

Alcina prepared an innocent grin and puppy dog eyes for him as he opened the door. His confused expression turned to shock and then anger.

"Um hi". She said as she mentally prepared for the worst.

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This chapter is extra long so vote and make it worth it.
Love,Vicki.💟