Enzo and I pulled up to the front of a luxurious hotel and the valet opened the door and we headed inside to get to the elevator. Once the gold doors shut closed I took the chance to take a few breaths and calm my nerves.
"Put your arm through mine."
"What?" I looked at him blankly.
"We'll attract less attention as a couple, link your arm through mine," he said.
I reluctantly linked my arm with his and instantly the doors began to open and I was exposed to a party of elegantly dressed people conversing.
I was among the Spanish mafia right now. Not the same people I grew up around, but the ones after Guillermo forcefully stole power and killed everyone too loyal to the rightful family.
We stepped out and both grabbed tall glasses of champagne. We both began to blend in as quickly as possible and started to mingle. Once we were in at a table on our own I began to scan the room and spotted Rafael and Luca sitting inside a VIP section heavily guarded.
I nudged Enzo and he caught my line of view.
"So what's the plan?" he asked.
"I'm still working on that. I guess we could drug them. But it has to be in and out, no witnesses."
"Just go over there and seduce one of them," Enzo said drinking the last of his champagne.
"Ew. They're disgusting."
"They're men. Any man who catches one glimpse of you in that dress...will find it difficult not to want to rip you out of it," he said smirking at me.
"Is that what you want, Enzo? To see me naked?"
"Princess that's not what I want. It's inevitable," he said flashing me his pearly white smile.
I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath, then I started to walk over to the VIP section. Luca was much smarter than Rafael, he wouldn't be easily seduced. Now Rafael was a pig, and easily swayed by a pretty face.
The first hefty guard began to get in my way before Rafael stepped in, "Let her in, Eduardo."
He swiftly removed himself from my path and I smiled at Rafael.
"Hi, I'm Alena," I said still smiling and casually approaching so I could read his face.
"Someone as gorgeous as you would have a name just as fitting," he said smirking at me.
"Oh. I don't know about all that," I said trying to play the naive girl as best as possible.
"Cousin, we don't have time for this!" Luca spat at Rafael, clearly getting aggravated.
"Trust me cousin, we'll have all the time in the world for her," Rafael said, taking my hand and pulling me closer.
Something made me uneasy about the way he said that, but I shrugged it off and smiled at them both.
Rafael got up out of chair and kissed my neck while I tried not to squirm.
"Why don't you, my cousin Luca, and I get out of here, Alena."
I smiled and nodded while Rafael took my hand and Luca grumpily trudged behind us.
I shot Enzo a quick look and he nodded back at me. While Rafael continued to guide me to what I presumed would be a hotel room.
As soon as we got into the 11th floor of the hotel and we stopped in front of a room. Rafael pulled a room card from the inside of his jacket and opened the door.
I could easily take them both out now. Hopefully before clothes start to come off, I thought to myself.
"So, Alena, did you think we wouldn't know?" Rafael said.
I felt myself get pushed from behind by Luca and Rafael quickly restrained my arms behind my back and held a knife to my neck.
"I have to admit, Alexandra," Luca started, "I'm lucky that my cousin knew your face. Not many know what the Black Rose looks like."
I sucked in my breath. Of course they knew. But maybe they didn't know about Enzo, he would be on his way soon. Although he'd have to take out their guards first. I need to stall.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"How could I not," Rafael started, "Your the spitting image of your gorgeous mother."
I felt my blood start to boil, but I couldn't react just yet.
"What are you planning on doing with me?" I asked sucking in my breath.
"Well that's a complicated idea," Luca began, "We could take you to Guillermo. I think he'd like to see the face of the women has been killing his best men. Maybe he'd like to touch you for himself."
"Unless he'd like to lose a few fingers, I wouldn't recommend anyone lay a hand on me," I spat.
Luca punched me causing the skin on my face to sting. I tasted blood.
I turned my head back to face them, yeah, it was time to kill someone now.
I stomped the heel of my shoe into Rafael's foot and he dropped his knife and doubled over in pain, before Luca could react I kicked him in the crotch and he fell to his knees.
I pulled two syringes from the holster on my thigh and shot both of them in the neck and they instantly fell asleep.
I leaned back against the wall and caught my breath. My cheek was most likely a bit red and I knew I had a cut on my lip and I couldn't leave through the front door looking like this.
Suddenly the door burst open with Enzo on the other end, he must've kicked it. He was aiming a gun that had a silencer at the tip of it. From his appearance I saw a wrinkled suit and messy hair, the guards must've been harder to take out than I thought.
"What the hell happened to you," I asked running a hand through my hair.
"What happened to me? Jesus Alex, are you okay?" he walked over, putting his gun back in its holster, and lifted my chin so he could get a better look at my bruised face.
"I'm fine. They knew who I was. They were either gonna take me to Guillermo or kill me right here," I said looking down at their passed out bodies.
"I put the hallway cameras on a loop and called Aiden for transport, we can take them out the stairwell a few feet down the hall," he said beginning to put zip ties around their wrists and ankles.
"That's all good and well pretty boy, but I'm gonna head to the van. A big strong guy like you, can handle absolutely anything," I smiled at him innocently.
"Very cute Princess. But I wasn't going to ask for your help regardless, Ian is driving the van and will be up any minute to help me with these two," he smirked at me, "And your damn right I can handle anything."
I rolled my eyes and headed for the door, "Later pretty boy."
After taking a millionth flights down the stairs, I crossed paths with Ian and was able to get the keys to the van.
I slid the door open hopped in and shut it. I can finally get out of this dress. I looked around and spotted a compartment with a fresh set of clothes.
I quickly unzipped my dress and it fell to the ground quickly. Underneath it, I still had a lace black bustier and black underwear. I tried my best to get out of it and after a few tries I was able to slip out of it and put on the baggy sweatpants and black hoodie I found.
I neatly wrapped up the dress and placed it inside the compartment for safe keeping. After a few minutes Ian and Enzo came back holding are two hostages and tied them up in the back of the van.
I smiled to myself. Guillermo isn't too far off the list. I thought.
"Come sit in the front Princess, Ian is gonna keep an eye on them," Enzo said turning the car on.
I shut the passenger door and put my seat belt on as Enzo pulled off out of the lot.
"How could they've known who you are?" Enzo said with a frustrated look on his face.
"Rafael said he knew who I was because of how much I look like my mother. But that's a stretch. My sister looks much more like my mother than I do; they share the same green eyes and black hair. He knew my face," I said balling my hands into a fist.
"If they know your face, then so does Guillermo," Enzo said furrowing his eyebrows.
I sighed. He knows my face and hasn't done anything about it. That doesn't make sense.
Soon enough my train of thought was interrupted by the security guarding the front gates of my aunt and uncles house.
"I have business with my Aunt and Uncle, if you call up I'm sure they'll confirm."
"No need Ms. Petrov, we've been expecting you."
They opened up the gates and Enzo drove up the driveway all the way up, circling the fountain in the front of their massive house.
I got out of the car and saw my aunt and uncle standing out front. It stung to look upon my aunts face after all this time. She was my mother's identical twin. I had been avoiding for a reason.
My aunt Santana was all dressed up with a tight dark blue pencil skirt and a white long sleeved blouse. Her hair was curly and shoulder length. Her face had light makeup as usual.
She rushed over to me and tightened her arms around me, I instantly hugged her back feeling a rush of comfort that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Oh my God Alex, are you hurt?" she said putting her hand on my cheek. I winced slightly but managed to muster up a smile.
"I'm fine aunty, nothing I can't handle."
"Which one of them laid their filthy hands on you?" my uncle Aiden asked sternly.
"Technically both of them, but they'll both pay dearly for it," I said crossing my arms against my chest.
"Take them to the basement and await further instruction," my uncle said and soon enough two of his men along with Ian were hauling Rafael and Luca off.
"Let's talk in my office."
My aunt and uncle led me inside as Enzo followed behind me.
"I'm sure your eager to start the interrogation process, so I won't keep you too long Alexandra," my uncle started, "The mob has been tailing these two for quite some thing, after some stolen hardware shipments we pinned on them."
"This, however, doesn't take priority over what they've done to you, so I let your brother handle this mission. They'll soon enough regret leading Guillermo into your home and attacking your parents that night."
I nodded, "I'm sure your equipped with all the things I'll need for this."
"Of course," he smirked at me, "I'll leave you to it Alex."
I left his office and heard the door shut behind me.
"You sure you're up for this, princess?"
I turned around a saw Enzo leaning on the wall with his arms across his chest.
"Aw, are you worried about me Lorenzo?"
He smirked at me, "Only a fool would underestimate you."
"Pretty and smart," I said beginning to walk towards the basement.
I could feel Enzo following me, but I was to eager to interrogate and chose not to stop him. Once we reached the bottom on the basement stairs I tied my hair up and rolled up my sleeves. I looked around and both Luca and Rafael were still passed out and bound to chairs side by side. There was a table full of toys, and a plastic tarp underneath them.
"You stay out of my way, yes?" I said looking back at Enzo.
He leaned against the wall and nodded "Da," but I got the feeling he was gonna stay.
I smirked and walked over to the table and picked up a small dagger.
I walked over to Rafael and plunged it into his right hand as he woke up screaming.
I smiled to myself.
"Glad you're here and present with us," I took the knife out swiftly as he winced through gritted teeth.
"Why don't we skip the chit chat and let's just get right down to it, yes? Where is Guillermo?"
"Stupid little girl, did you think Guillermo got as far as he has just being as foolish as to trust anyone with his location. He killed your bitch of a mother and father, Guillermo doesn't make mistakes."
I froze for a slight second, "Guillermo isn't as smart as he thinks he is. He was dumb enough to leave a witness. Me."
Rafael's eyes widened and a look of shock was written on his face.
"That's right," I smiled, "I was there that night, hiding in the closet while you and your filthy cousin watched Guillermo put bullets in my father and mother's chest. How else would I have known it was him?"
"This changes nothing! Your wasting a your time with my cousin and I. Guillermo would kill us."
"Ah, so you know where he is. I'll get that out of you soon enough," I smiled and picked up a bigger knife.
________
Enzo
I stared at Alexandra working on these two idiots, she seemed really calm while Luca and Rafael screamed. I had heard the rumors about her work, but to see it in action? It was a different story altogether.
After working on Rafael for an hour and a half she set her sights on Luca. She took the daggers from the table and shoved two of them into Lucas hands, one in each. Then twisted them as he screamed in pain.
"Come on Luca, I know you know something," she said almost laughing at them, "Just share."
"I'm not giving you anything bitch," he spat at her.
She frowned, "You know what Luca," a bright smile formed on her full lips, "I believe you," she pulled a gun from the back of her pants and shot him right between the eyes twice and didn't even flinch when his blood splattered on her face. Almost instantly Rafael cried out and spat all types of curses and slander at her, she only rolled her eyes at his words.
"Now, Rafael, don't be like you're cousin okay," she crouched down in front of him, "Just tell me something I can use, and you can go."
Rafael's face was almost unrecognizable with dried blood and tears, both his hands had dagger holes in the middle and a few of his toes were gone.
"Really?" he asked almost desperately.
This is what she wanted, I thought, Luca was too smart to fall for something like this.
"Of course," she said putting the gun down, "I just want Guillermo to die, not you. After all you didn't kill my parents, he did. I certainly don't blame you," she said shrugging her shoulders.
He went silent for a moment, "His son—Juan Carlos—he's marrying the Mexican cartel bitch...uhh—Alandra Rodriguez—their wedding is in six months...Valentine's day—Guillermo will be there."
"Thank you Rafael."
She kicked him right in the chest so that he and the chair fell and he hit his head on the floor roughly.
"You fucking bitch-
She looked over at him as she picked him back up, "My parents are alive, I saw Guillermo put two bullets in their chests while the rest of you men laughed. You were on my list Rafael and so was your cousin," she pulled a knife out of his hand and swiftly lodged it into his throat.
He began to choke on his blood as she looked him in the eyes, "Let this be the last face you see before you die, as you die knowing that your enemies are alive and their daughter ended your life. The daughter of Dmitri Makxim Vanya Petrov and Adalia Sasha Esperanza De León gifted to you, death," she yanked the knife out and then jammed it into his heart and twisted it.
"We're you expecting something different, Lorenzo?"
She turned around and looked at me, her clothes drenched in blood and her gloves unrecognizable as any color other than dark red.
"I've seen worse, Princess."
"Oh?" she grabbed a dagger and threw it. It whizzed past my ear and landed a few centimeters next to my head from where I had been leaning against the wall.
She walked towards me not breaking eye contact, "This was child's play Lorenzo, I'm saving the worst for Guillermo del Castillo. His son is going to watch him leave this world in agony and then I'll put him out of his misery. That's a promise."
She looked at me for a little longer and then started to walk up the basement stairs. I let out a large breath, Definitely wasn't what I was expecting from Alexandra Katya Natasha Petrov.
_______
Alex
After a few hours he finally caved. Then I killed them both. Those two had a history of coming back from the death once too many times. Not anymore.
I left the basement and led myself into one of the many bathrooms in the house.
I took off my bloody clothes and my bloody gloves and threw them into the garbage. I stood in front of the sink and mirror with droplets of blood on my face.
Suddenly the door opened and Enzo walked in.
"This one is occupied," I said taking a towel and cleaning my face.
"Your parents-"
"Are fine," I cut him off.
"What?"
I turned around and walked towards him.
"My mother is in a coma and my father is in ICU at a hospital guarded day and night with highly trusted undercover operatives posing as doctors, nurses, just about 75% of the hospital is under our payroll."
"So your family has led everyone to believe they're dead. Smart."
"Yeah, but they're not far from it."
"Hey-
He put his hands on my arms, "Don't say that. Have a little more faith."
"The only thing I can keep faith in right now is putting a bullet between Guillermo's eyes as his son watches."
"He has a son?"
I nodded, "He was there that night too, smiling with the rest of them."
"What really happened Alex?"
I sighed, "I had just come home after getting into a fight at school. Nik and Aiya were with Valeria and our cousins were out celebrating for who the hell knows what. My mom, she was pissed. We were in our living room arguing when we heard shots. My parents took out their guns and rushed me to their bedroom and shut me in the closet. My mother told me to stay until it was safe. But I peered through the keyhole as a group of men barged in, my parents shot and killed a good amount of them but they couldn't get them all."
I took my hair out and took a deep breath, "Guillermo walked in and exchanged words with my parents about bullshit from when they were kids. He shot them both in the chest and I watched as they all left the room with my parents still bleeding out on the floor. I eventually got them help once it was safe and they've been at the hospital ever since."
"Princess...I had no idea."
"You wouldn't have. Almost no one knew, except the family," I sighed.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I breathed deeply at his familiar smell; gun powder and cologne.
Suddenly the reality of me in my bra and panties hit me and I pulled away.
"Can you please leave? I'm naked."
He smirked at me mischievously, "Oh I know, Princess and what a sight it is."
I rolled my eyes while his roamed my body, "Well since you're insisting on staying find me some clothes and drive me home."
He started to laugh but reluctantly left and brought me some clothes and once I put them on, he began to drive me home.
Before we left I filled in my aunt and uncle about the information I got from Rafael and Luca, this was something that needed to be very carefully planned.
I traded goodbyes with Enzo after he dropped me off at my house and after I wasted no time and found Nik in his office.
"Jesus Alex, your face," he rushed over to me and gently cupped my cheek in his hand.
My cheek was bruised and my lip had a cut from the punch Luca so graciously extended.
"I'm fine Nik, the mission ran smoothly enough for me to get the information we needed from Luca and Rafael."
He nodded, "What did you find out?"
"We have a location for where Guillermo will absolutely be in six months."
"Where?"
"His sons wedding to the daughter of the Mexican Cartel leader."
- - End of Chapter - -