Instead of chirping birds, Callista Genovese woke up with a hangover. She groaned and marched to her medicine kit, popping a pill. She opened her curtains, letting the fresh air in but the view had completely ruined her morning.

Castor Luciano was talking with her father.

"I told him to stay away! Idiot!" She snapped and grabbed her robe, making her way downstairs.

Caly heard the sound of a car and frowned as she found Castor alone in the doorway.

She pinched his side but Cas stepped back, looking smug at her failed attack. "Why the hell are you here? I told you not to idolize my stupid father!"

"We were just talking. He has good insights," he replied. Castor eyed her messy hair stopping on her face. "Someone slept badly."

Caly rolled her eyes. She had tossed and turned until four in the morning that her eye-bags were expected. She couldn't forget about Franco's revelation. The boy clearly hadn't moved on yet.

"Does Vincent have a lead yet?" she asked.

"Yes." Castor hid his hands on his pockets. "I ordered him to find the men we hired three years ago."

"That's good." She nodded, tightening the belt of her peach silk robe.

Cas narrowed his eyes, rubbing a thumb at the edge of her lips. "What? You forget to wash your face?"

Callista slapped his hand away. "Anything else?"

"No. See you." Her best friend chuckled, trudging away before Callista called out again.

"Wait."

Castor swiveled to her direction, walking backward in a snail's pace. "What?"

"What do you want for your birthday?"

He halted on his tracks. Castor marched to her, emerald eyes gleaming. "I see you still remember."

Caly folded her arms. "Excuse me. I never failed to greet you even when I was away."

"Yeah. Three letters." He scoffed. "HBD? Who greets their best friends like that?"

"Oh, Cas. Do you forget who you're talking to?"

"Touché." A smile crawled up his face. "Mal volunteered to host it at her bar. Though I had to promise to limit my visitors. She must be desperate."

"I can promote her bar better." The girl pouted. She knew Mallorie hated getting help from her but she still wanted to give it. "So?"

"What?"

"What gift would you like?" she demanded.

"Your heart?"

"I'll die."

"I'll give you mine."

Callista's armored heart trembled in terror. She pressed her lips tight. She was used to Castor's flirtatious taunts that she could deflect it with ease. But things were different now. He had told her he loved her. So she knew that Cas meant every word, even the teasing ones.

She tried to think of a flirty comeback, to have that semblance of normalcy in their friendship again but Castor's attention wasn't hers anymore.

It was on the golden-haired boy who exited the door while buttoning his sleeves.

"You slept here?" he asked, incredulity swirling his words.

Franco straightened his spine, lips hinting at the beginning of a smile. "Yeah. The bed was soft."

Caly sighed. She didn't have any dates with either of them today. She thought it would be a drama-free day. Apparently, not. Drama was what she mixed with her coffee.

"Castor was inviting me to his birthday," Callista said, turning to Franco. Her opinions on how to handle the two families filled her mind. "Do you want to come?"

Two different degrees of 'what' echoed in the air.

Caly grinned at her best friend, daring him to rebuke her invitation. His jaw clenched, tongue clicking before he spoke. "Sure. Just him."

"I don't really—"

"That's great! We'll go together!" Callista exclaimed, batting her eyelashes at Franco.

Franco Castellano licked his lips, fingers carding through his locks. He let out a resigned sigh. "Okay."

✘✘

Vincent Ferrer tapped his knuckles on the bar counter. He watched in interest as Mallorie Jones flitted from one point to another. She fixed glasses, arranged the tumblers, and inspected several fruits.

"Mal, who do you think her majesty will choose?" he asked.

The girl veered to her, brown locks whipping in the air. "Why are you still here, Vincent? Don't you have some beating up to do?"

"My bet's on Cas."

Mallorie gritted her teeth before she crossed her arms. Her brown eyes narrowed at him. "I'm on Franco's side. He's hardworking and smart and most of all, polite."

"Cas is all that," he muttered. "He's hardworking and smart—maybe not in English—and he's polite." Mallorie raised an eyebrow that he was forced to amend his opinion. "Sometimes."

"A hundred dollars then?" she challenged.

"No." Vince's threaded through his dark curls, stopping on the piercing near his eyebrow. He met the girl's inquisitive eyes. "If I win, let's date."

"What?" she shrieked, slamming her palms on the counter. Vince leaned away, chuckling at the fire beneath her hazel eyes. "You're crazy! Just because we slept one time and with alcohol coursing through our bodies? It doesn't mean anything!"

"I thought you were confident on Franco?" he blurted.

"But—"

"You're not?"

"Fine!" She reluctantly agreed. "I'm certain Caly will choose the best for her."

"Let's see." Vince wanted to tease her some more when the man he was waiting for entered Mallorie's new bar.

Yan and Billy escorted the newcomer to an empty table as scraping chairs and gaudy complaints resonated in the air. He stood but not before Mal slapped his arm. "Are you planning to make my bar a mafia's den? I swear I will castrate you, Vincent!"

Vince let out an amused chuckle. "It'll be fine. I'm not killing anyone here."

Mallorie's threats echoed behind him as he stomped to the table. Vince sat sideways, resting an elbow on the glass surface. "So?"

"I don't know why I'm here! I didn't break any rules!" he exclaimed, fists hitting the table. "I left and the boss' warning is enough for me to shut my mouth."

"You're the 27th man who fits the criteria of the person I'm looking for," Vince started. "Answer honestly and we won't have any problem. Lie and Yan's fingers will start itching."

Yan chuckled, fingers lined with multiple rings pierced the man's shoulder.

"After the shooting in Lux three years ago, you left the next day after you joined just a week ago." Vincent reached out, yanking the man's hand and pointing at the faded cigarette burn.  Their hands were side by side but Vincent's burn had a spade tattoo on it. "Are families so easy to leave?"

Ken curled his fingers, hiding the faded burn on his hand. "No. But I was scared."

"Why?"

"Somebody offered me a deal." He swallowed deeply, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. "But I refused. And it—I don't wanna be killed for denying his request. So I left. Look... I'll tell you but let's forget we ever met."

Vince's eyes twitched in displeasure. He hated cowards the most but Ken's information might be worth it. He nodded.

"It's a powerful man. I'm just visiting and I'll leave again." He shook his head. He bent forward, speaking in a low whisper. "He asked me to kill someone. Franco Castellano's fianceé."

Vincent's jaw clenched. "Who is it?"

"Scarface. Benjamin Lamoste," he replied, fear seeping into his tone. "And Francisco Castellano's top bodyguard."

✘✘

Wah, a chapter where the plot actually moves hahaha Hope you like it!

More drama in Castor's birthday!!

Votes and comments are appreciated. Stay safe! :)

xx, lucci