A/N: A lil something for y'all up there!☝🔝

A/N: Dedicated to @vannessaharry. She's a friend and so far the best supporter this book has.
Enjoy!

The whole building was in pandemonium when the helicopter landed on a helipad a few meters away from the mansion. As the blades slowed to a stop, Julian came running towards them. Leonardo was sure to help Alcina down before he said anything to him.

The moment Alcina's feet touched the floor, she was bombarded with questions.
"Alcina are you alright?"

"I'm ok", she muttered to everyone who asked. Bianca and others led her to the building as Leonardo and Julian walked behind. She tried her best to hear what she could of their conversation.

"Are you sure it wasn't Giovanni?". Julian asked Leonardo.

"I'm sure. I wasn't hearing things when the assassin told me so himself". After a few seconds, he continued. "The last thing we need right now I another enemy. I have my hands full already"

"Could it have been a dissatisfied business partner?". Julian asked after a pause.

"No". Leonardo replied. "I don't double cross. You should know me well enough Julian. And I make sure we settle business partners. We need to make a few calls"

At that point, Alcina stopped listening. The excited chatter of Bianca and other girls would not let her focus so she let herself be led to her room.

A few hours later, Alcina, Bianca and the brothers were ready to leave for the club. Leonardo had been out since they returned so Alcina didn't have to worry about him stopping them from going clubbing.

"Tonight is going to be awesome". Lucas said. The wind whipped their hair around in David's convertible. It wasn't long before they arrived.
The parking lot was full and it took them a a while and some cursing to find a spot. As they stepped out Alcina straightened her dress again. It stopped a little bit above her knees. The last thing she wanted was looking like a slut in a club.

"Let's go". David said and they all walked towards the front door with bouncers. Alcina glanced at the sign above the door.
"Elevated". She whispered the name of the club.

As they approached the bouncers, Alcina was worried they might be thrown out. But the two hefty men nodded and they walked through with ease.

"How did you guys do that?" She asked still staring at the bouncers.

"Leonardo owns this place. So we have every right to go in and out". Bianca said with a smug smile. Her plump red lips stretching.

Alcina nodded and her eyes scanned the room. She was grateful that the music wasn't too loud, although huge speakers caged the Dj in. A huge chandelier illuminated the whole floor and strobe lights bounced off the marble floor from hidden sources. On two or three tables stood scantily dressed women, dancing for the entertainment of the guests. But no body seemed interested in them. A bartender stood behind a counter towards the left. To the right however was a staircase, leading to the first floor. Two bouncers were positioned there too, bouncing back trespassers.

"What's with the stairs?" Alcina asked Bianca as they headed for the bar.

"That's for the bosses". Bianca replied. Alcina frowned a bit at the vague answer.

"We'll be on the dance floor". Lucas said before pulling David along, glasses in hand.

"What would you two ladies like?" The blonde bartender asked.

"I'll have a cocktail. Nothing too alcoholic". Alcina replied quickly. She knew Bianca wanted her drunk, but not tonight.

Bianca pouted. "Aw it's your eighteenth birthday, you should have a little alcohol in your system"

"I need to see an ID before I give you any drink". The bartender, Brett, said.

"I know a guy who could get you fired. And you won't be off the hook easily" Bianca snapped.

"Ok then. How about a wallbanger?". He asked, suddenly nervous.

"Would do". Alcina replied although she did not know what that was.

"What about you, Bianca?". Brett asked.

"The usual Brett. Do I have to say it every time?". Bianca snapped at him and Brett turned away with a smirk.

"So you intend on laying low on the alcohol huh?". Bianca asked.

"Yes. I don't want a hangover. And with someone after my life, I need to be alert". Alcina sipped her cocktail to make a point.

"Just two shots". Bianca begged.

"I can't. I'm sorry".

The bartender who had been listening spoke now. "A few shots never hurt anyone. Are you scared? First time in a club?"

"Yes actually". Alcina said slightly annoyed.

Bianca shooed him off and they silently watched the guests on the dance floor. Chuckling whenever they saw a horrible dancer.
Suddenly, the club fell into a hush as the guests whispered among themselves.
Men in suits walked in. All of them headed for the staircase, not talking to anyone. The bouncers nodded as they filed up the stairs. Alcina did not miss Leonardo among them.

As soon as they disappeared up the stairs, the music started again.
Lucas and David hobbled towards them. Drunk and sweaty. Lucas almost collapsing on Bianca.

"If you touch me with your sweaty body, you will regret it. Believe me when I say this, you will regret it". She growled.

"How come you two aren't drunk yet?". Lucas asked, ignoring her.

"We should be asking how you two are drunk. You guys left here with just like one glass each". Alcina asked.

"We grabbed drinks from random people". Lucas replied.

"You guys are so careless". Bianca scolded them and they stared with puppy dog eyes.

"He started it!". David pointed at Lucas.

"Enough. Just go sit somewhere or something". Bianca said then turned to Alcina. "Keep an eye on them for me. I need to use the restroom"

Alcina nodded and watched as she walked off.

"How come you're not drunk yet? It's your birthday!". Lucas slurred.

Alcina checked her watch, it was a few minutes after eleven, she hadn't realised that time had passed that much.
"I don't want a hangover"

Lucas waved her off. "Oh please. You'll live". David tried talking the bartender into giving him more.
"Bianca would have my head. But I will only make exceptions if this lady drinks with you". Brett said.

David whipped his head to Alcina, silently pleading.
"Don't even bother". She said.

"Ok, let's make a bet". Lucas suggested as he slung his arm over her shoulder with a devious glint in his eye. "If you drink 5 shots, I'll give you $50. But if you don't then you give me the said amount".

"I'm not that desperate for money". Alcina said as she shrugged his arm off.

"Deal!". David slurred.

"Well then it's settled". Lucas smiled.

"I didn't agree to this, so you're on your own". Alcina said conclusively.

"I agreed for you, so you better get drinking". David said.

Slightly annoyed now, Alcina wondered what was taking Bianca so long. "Since when does that count?"

"Since now. Brett set 'em up". Lucas hollered.

Brett began arranging five glasses and filled them with the alcohol.
"I'm not doing this for the money. I'm doing this cause I don't want to give you 100 for no reason"

"Keep telling yourself that". Lucas said as he patted her back and she glared at him.

Cautiously picking up the first tiny glass, Alcina sniffed the liquid. Coming to a decision of drinking it in one gulp, she did so. She grimaced as the liquid burned her throat. By the third one, she was already feeling light headed. When she took the last one, David and Lucas cheered loudly.

"Cash". Alcina said stretching out her hand.

"What, I didn't say I'll give it to you now". Lucas said. "Before you kill me, I want to increase the stakes. Another five will get you 100 more"

Alcina wanted to say no, but she just couldn't stop. She loved the light headed feeling and the sense of liberty it gave her. She nodded and Brett started refilling the cups. Bianca came back by the time Alcina was on the third glass and snatched it from her.

"Give it!". She slurred as she reached for it, Bianca swathed her hand away. Alcina reached for another glass and drank it all with Bianca staring in horror.

"What have you guys done? I only wanted her to drink a little alcohol, not get drunk!". Bianca yelled at her brothers and they shrunk under her glare.

"I feel elevated!" Alcina squealed.

"Oh no". Bianca muttered.

"I'm going to have a look around". Alcina slurred and began walking away.

"No. No, stay here". Bianca begged but Alcina didn't seem in control of her actions anymore, she just kept walking around the club looking at everyone and everything with new found curiosity. She almost climbed the stripper tables. Twice.

"Alcina stop". Bianca said and was shocked that Alcina actually listened. They were by the stairs now and as Alcina stared at the bouncers, Bianca could almost read what was going on in her head.

"Oh no, let's go...". Before she could complete the sentence, Alcina shot up the stairs. Leaving the bouncers confused. They shook their heads and ran after her.

On reaching the top, Alcina found doors upon doors. But one door interested her the more. It was a set of double doors and there were voices on the other side. Without hesitation, she pushed it open.

On impulse, all the men pulled their chairs out of the way and every gun available in the room was pointed at her. She gasped and staggered to lean on the wall.

"I'm sorry"

"Alcina?". A voice asked and the person approached her. She squinted her eyes at the person.

"Leo!". Alcina squealed, almost hugging him. The bouncers arrived at the door, glaring daggers at Alcina.

"Sorry this is just a misunderstanding". He explained to the other men. "I'll sort this out". Grabbing her arm, her led her out of the room. Her heels and her drunk state making it difficult for her to keep up.

"What are you doing here?". He growled.

"Clubbing". Alcina slurred. He pushed her to the wall just as Bianca came up the stairs.

"Did you bring her here?". Leonardo asked Bianca.

"Yes it was just for fun. I didn't expect her to get drunk. It was.."

"For fun. Fun. She almost got killed this afternoon and you take her clubbing for fun!". The two girls flinched at his voice.

"Leo you're too uptight. It was just a few drinks". Alcina shrugged.

"Are you hearing her? Are you hearing yourself?". He asked. "That's it you're going home. You're already causing a nuisance. And stop calling me Leo!"

"I'm not causing any nu..nu..nus..any trouble, Leo. You're the one raising your voice". Alcina dared to talk back. She proceeded to ignore him and was about to go when he dragged her back roughly.

"You will stay when I'm talking to you". Leonardo growled.

"Or else what?". Alcina challenged. "I'm tired of you thinking you control my life"

"I don't think I control you because I already do. You're useless and defenseless without me. Like a stray". He spat.

Alcina stopped to look at him in the eye, all she found was rage. Tears welled up in her eyes as the full force of his words hit her. She raised up her right hand and stared at it for some seconds, contemplating. Without hesitation, she slapped him across the cheek and time seemed to stop. Bianca gasped.

Slowly, he turned his head back to her. She covered her mouth with her hand and ran off crying. Desperate for air, she went outside. She tried to calm herself by exhaling and inhaling.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be crying". A gruff voice spoke from a corner and she nearly screamed.

"Who who's there?". Alcina asked.

"Just a friend". The figure stepped out of the darkness and walked towards her. Alcina glanced at his hands in his pockets and took a step back.

"I should be going back inside". Alcina said and turned to leave but she was grabbed roughly and the man put something around her face. Instantly, she felt drowsy and closed her eyes. The last thing she felt was her body drooping and sinking onto his.

*  *  *  *  *
It's getting crazy! She slapped him! OMG!

#VCF
Love,Vicki.💟