This is Althea ⬆️

"Althea!"

My eyes can't help, but roll at the sound of his voice. I know better than to ignore him, but still can't help, but want to try it.

"Althea, I know you can hear me. Get the fuck down here now!," Father shouts from downstairs.

I get up from the bed and head out to see what this old man possibly wants now. As I walk downstairs my eyes lock with his mirroring my same icy blue eyes. Wearing one of his best Armani suits he stands firmly and intimidating. That's his style always looking so fierce and in power. His black hair with streaks of gray hair are nicely comb back expressing slight waves that add volume. His tan skin nicely illuminates under the chandelier as he waits for me to face him.

"How it go?," he sternly asks as his eyes wait for my response.

"I gave her one hell of a beating. She won't be talking I can assure you," I pointedly say wanting to be anywhere else, but here.

"Good," he simply responds.

"Is that all?," I raise a dark brow.

"Excuse me?," he creases his brows expressing anger as usual.

"Is that all boss?," I correct myself.

"Don't act smart with me or else," he threatens as he glares at me with hatred as he walks away, but then he suddenly comes to a halt as his hand slaps my right cheek causing my head to turn towards my left side as I'm soon met with throbs of stings as my cheek immediately feeling it burn from the impact.

"Let this be the last time," he warns as he proceeds forward leaving me alone with his handprint on my cheek, so I don't forget his presence so fast. I clench my jaw as my hands turn into fists. My vision quickly becomes a blur as my heart beat beats faster than usual. However, as usual I swallow my words and bury my emotions knowing my place. I wish I could stop giving a damn about my life, so I can just go all out on Mr. Silvano. Having no fear about him ending me once and for all, so this nightmare of a life can just end, but something within me doesn't let me go completely numb. Something within me wants me to stay alive. It keeps me from wanting to die, that fear I have keeps me surviving. I just don't know for how long I can keep this up.

-
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As I'm doing inventory in one of my father's warehouse. I'm called by Caruso my father's right hand. Caruso and I don't have much of a relationship, which isn't any different from the rest of my father's men. My father made sure of that to keep me pretty alienated within his own mafia.

"What does he want now?," I annoyedly respond as I finish up the last of the inventory.

"He needs you to meet him back at his office for an important mission he has for you," Caruso informs me as I continue on with inventory. Great another mission most likely to seduce another target of his.

"Awesome, I'll make my way once I'm done," I sarcastically say not giving much attention to it knowing the drill practically. However, what is said next completely has me curious. Something I've never been before.

"If I were you I'll make my way fast as it's a proposal you won't want to dismiss," Caruso adds as he turns his heel to walk away leaving me in complete curiosity of what he meant by a proposal.

-
-

"Boss, I'm here," I utter as I step into my father's office. He sits firmly on his leather black chair as he puts his pen down meeting my eyes.

"I have a special proposal for you Althea. One I know you been wanting for quite some time," he sternly murmurs as he stands on his feet making his way towards me. I crease my brows a bit confused on what he means.

"This mission is one of the most important missions you will have in your hands. As it will determine your future," he adds coming to a halt crossing his arms across his chest.

"Future?," I question.

"I need you to seduce one of the youngest mafia leaders in mafia history. He's my biggest rival and I need you to make him fall in love with you. I need you to dig and give me all information about his deals, associates, businesses, mafia, etc. I want to know all about him," my father explains.

I can't help, but be a bit curious on who this rival is. My father has rivals, but never to this extent. This is the first time I hear him talk this way about someone. Especially in such detail regarding my mission. This doesn't seem like a simple seduction and kill.

"Once I have all I need. You will betray him by setting him up and handing him over to me, which will grant you complete freedom. Freedom to do what you please with your life. Freedom to go wherever you want to go," he adds. My heart stops hearing the word freedom. My father has never proposed anything like this before. I'm completely stunned by this sudden once in a lifetime deal. Caruso was right.

"Freedom away from this lifestyle?," I ask still shocked by this all. My father nods leaving me completely speechless. The very thing I've been wanting has finally become a reality, my reality. This is my chance to break away from these chains I've been locked in due to being born into this lifestyle I never asked for. I will do all it takes to succeed in order to gain my freedom. This shouldn't be too hard or so I thought at this time.

"Deal, what's his name?," I say ready to know the identity of this all famous mobster.

"Cassian Lastra."