I picked at the dry blood from underneath my fingernails as I sat in the waiting room, my school uniform stained red and my hair out and messy.
The doctors rushed them off so quickly I had no idea what to think. Would they survive this? With all the blood? So much blood...everywhere...
I could've stopped him, the man with the scar on his eye, but I felt myself freeze as the sounds of the gunshots rang in my ears.
"Aleksandra?"
I turned around to see that it was my grandparents who interrupted my frantic thoughts. I almost tripped as I fumbled to be scooped up into their arms. My fathers parents, who felt just as familiar and comforting as he did.
"Aleksandra," my grandmother Diana began, "I have to check in with the doctors, I'll be right back okay. Stay with your grandfather."
She quickly walked over to the receptionist and exchanged many words with her as my grandfather Mikhail comforted me with his arms wrapped around me.
"No tears Aleksandra? Are you alright?"
"I want to kill the man with the scar on his eye, grandfather. Tears are not a weapon."
He looked at me carefully and then his blue eyes quickly looked in the direction of my grandmother.
"If revenge is what you want, I can't help you. This requires sacrifice and patience, little rose, I'm not sure if this is what your parents would want."
"I have patience grandfather. I don't want revenge...I want vengeance...I want blood to spill. They're all going to die," I said firmly staring at him, "No one knows calculating like you, but if you won't help me I'll do it myself."
He ran a hand threw his brown hair with streaks of grey, "Very well little rose, I will help you, but this will be no easy task."
"I'm counting on it."
__________
Aleks
My eyes fluttered open as I felt the warmth of the sun shine over my face. I turned my head and saw a large dent in my bed. That's right, I thought, I slept with Enzo.
I sat up in my bed, feeling my long hair fall to my shoulders and I looked around, his jeans were gone but his shoes were still here. I pulled the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around myself and I headed for the bathroom.
After taking a quick shower, I glanced at myself in the mirror. The cut on my lip was almost gone and my bruised cheek was now black and blue. I stared at my blue eyes as they stared back at me. This is it, I thought, I'm so close.
I grabbed some clothes from my closet and put on some tight blue jeans that hugged my curves. I put on a white top that stopped just halfway below my naval. I brushed my hair and flipped it to the side. I grabbed my 4" inch Louis Vuitton heeled black boots that ended just above my ankle. Returning back to my mirror, I covered my bruise with some makeup and ran mascara through my long lashes.
My mind returned to Enzo and I decided to search for him. I finally found him in the kitchen making pancakes. He was shirtless just wearing his jeans from last night. His blonde hair was messy and his gorgeous grey eyes were focused on their task. Of course messy hair looks even better on him, I thought, the rugged look certainly suited him.
"Normally, guests such as yourself see themselves out," I said as I sat down at the dinner table in front of the large windows.
"Printcessa, I'm hurt," he said setting a plate down in front of me, "How low do you think I am?"
I laughed, "Thank you Enzo."
He winked at me as he started preparing more pancakes.
"I didn't know you could cook," I said, biting into what felt like the best pancake I'd ever tasted.
"There's plenty you don't know about printcessa" he said sitting down in front of me.
"I'll admit, my information on you isn't as extensive as it used to be when we were kids," I said smiling at him.
"Well then what do you remember?"
"I remember that you're not full Russian. You're mother is Italian, which is why you're name is Italian."
He nodded, "Yes, she was."
"I remember that my grandfather found you living on the street as a child in the motherland. If I remember correctly, you tried to steal from him," I raised my eyebrow at him.
He started to laugh, "Russia gets very cold at night Printcessa. Your grandfather looked very expensive so I tried to grab his watch. He caught me of course."
I smiled, "He took you in, raised you and trained you. Helped you get even, yes?"
"Da. You're grandfather helped me kill the men that left me orphaned. Similar to what he's doing for you," he raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'm no longer in jeopardy of being an orphan Lorenzo. My father woke up last night," I said setting my fork down.
"Zaebiś (holy shit)," he said, his eyes widening, "You're not with him?"
I sighed, "My father woke up from an almost four year nap and decided that the urge to kill her enemies wasn't something he wanted to see in his little girl."
"Was it the urge to kill her enemies? Or the self destructive tendencies you've picked up?"
I looked up at him, stricken, eyes widened.
"Printcessa," he sighed, "I've been there. Right in your shoes, exactly. I tortured and killed the men that killed my parents, and it felt good for half a second. That hole you're trying to fill, isn't easily replaced by carnage."
"I am Aleksandra Petrov, I'm all but aware that killing Guillermo won't magically fix anything. You underestimate me Lorenzo. A mistake only a fool would make," I said through gritted teeth, "These are not the intentions of a child. Guillermo will die because he declared war on my family. Every second he is alive is another second that everyone I care about is in danger. You were safe once my grandfather took you in. At this very second, at this very moment, moves are being made against my life. This is kill or be killed, Lorenzo. Survival of the fittest, and I have been made fit."
He grabbed my hand and looked deeply in my eyes, "If this is what you want Printcessa, I promise you I'll do everything in my power to get you what you this," he smirked at me, "You are my printcessa after all, I must serve you in any way that I can."
My face softened and I allowed my shoulders to let go of their tense, "Very well Enzo, you can serve me by getting dressed and driving me to my grandparents house, I have business with my grandfather."
He nodded, "I'll be back in 15."
________
Enzo
Once I finished getting ready, we took Aleks's car and drove to her grandparents house. I pulled up to the front and instantly recognized the massive house I grew up in.
We were led inside by guards and brought to the living room and told to wait for Diana and Mikhail.
"When was the last time you've seen them?" I asked her.
"Uh...like two-three months ago," she said thinking, "Following up a lead with grandfather."
"Already done with Julio, little rose?"
I turned around and saw Mikhail and Diana smiling at both of us. Diana had on a blue dress to go along with the blue eyes that almost everyone in the Petrov family had. Her blonde hair was pinned into a bun and her arm was around Mikhail.
Aleks rushed towards them and they quickly greeted her with an embrace.
"Have you heard?" she asked, after they released her from their arms.
They both nodded, "We got a call last night from Nikolai, but by the time we got there Dmitri was already fast asleep," Diana said.
Aleks nodded, "I want to see him again. Let's go together."
Mikhail peered at her, "You fought, yes?"
"Da. You know how he is, grandfather, He assumes I'm trying to follow in your footsteps," she said scowling at her feet.
Diana laughed, "Mikhail was a cuchka derganaya (crazy bitch) all those years ago. His actions deplorable, da, but intentions pure," she kissed him on the cheeks and I swear I saw him blush.
Easily one of the most terrifying men in the world, brought to his knees by a kiss on the cheek.
"How have you been Lorenzo," she turned her attention to me.
"I'm well, nonna, just helping Aleksandra with her work," I smiled at her.
"Speaking of which," Mikhail started, "I have a few responsibilities for you, let's speak in my office."
I shut the door behind me and hugged him, "It's good to see you nonno."
He let me go, "Likewise, Lorenzo. How have you been?"
"Well nonno, I have just been following your orders to watch Aleksandra's back in the field, I understand that Nikolai is now aware of this arrangement," I said.
He nodded, "I told my grandson that he should look to you for keeping an eye on the little rose. There is no one I'd trust more," his smile faded, "I understand that Luca and Rafael attacked her in that hotel room, yes?"
I breathed in deeply, "Nonno I-
"Just answer the question Lorenzo," he said cutting me off.
"Yes..they did."
"I see," he sighed, "What happened?"
"Once we arrived at the party we both agreed it'd be best for her to seduce one of them. She picked Rafael, as she knew he'd be the easier target. Neither one of us had thought that Rafael would recognize her face," I sighed, "The plan was for me to follow them into the room a few minutes later but I was ambushed by seven of their guards. It's when I realized that she was in trouble. I took down the guards with a few bumps but got to the room after five minutes exactly. By the time I kicked in the door, Rafael and Luca were on the floor and Aleksandra was catching her breath."
He laughed, "Yes, little rose is certainly not a damsel," he started, "I certainly don't need to tell you the weight of your assignment so I won't waste my breath, however I will reiterate that this is life or death Lorenzo, and Aleksandra is the only operative from the family that can carry out this mission. Nikolai is the sole heir to the organization and can't be put in this type of danger. Aiya is smart but not a field agent and Valeria is far too young to do this. Watch her back, Lorenzo."
"Yes, nonno."
"I have another assignment for you while we visit my son at the hospital," he started, "My daughter Lana and her husband Yeremy have been made aware of the threat of Guillermo knowing our faces. If Rafael knew Aleksandra's we have reason to believe he knows the whole family's . Besides, Adalia, my son, and myself, Guillermo has the most reasons to enact revenge on Lana for killing his mother Mariksa. He hasn't retaliated which makes me think the carnage he's planning for this family is unspeakable. I want you to personally attend to getting Lana on a plane to the motherland today. There's no place safer for her and Yeremy."
"Ill gather our best men," I hugged him again, "I'll see you in a few days nonno."
"I'll see you in a few days, Lorenzo."
_____
Aleks
After Enzo and my grandfather ended their conversation in his study and I finished up catching up with my grandmother, the driver began to drive up to the hospital.
The familiar hallways of the hospital made me shudder. I hated it here. Once we got to my fathers room, I saw Nikolai and him speaking through the window.
I opened the door and my eyes darted toward Nik's, "Hello, brother."
"Aleks," he said tentatively.
My grandparents followed me inside and shut the door. Nikolai got off the bed letting our grandparents hug and kiss our father and he walked over to me.
"Leaving father yesterday was selfish," he said.
"Yes, yes it was," I said sharply.
"That's all you have to say?" he said crossing his arms.
"I don't know what you want from me Nik. I came to apologize to father not you. You're not going to be acting boss once dad recuperates, so no, I have nothing to say to you."
"Typical."
"How's that," I snapped at him.
"Ever since this happened you've shut us out. Aiya, me, even Valeria. You misconstrue our words of criticism, I know you're protecting this family and I know you're the only one that can do this. But we're family, I love you Aleks and you can't push me away. I won't let you. You understand this, yes?" he smiled at him.
"Da," I said reluctantly smiling back.
I have to be closed off for this mission, it's the only way we win, I thought.
After five minutes, grandmother and Nikolai went to visit my mother's room. I haven't seen her in a very long time.
"You wasted no time sinking your claws in her father," my father said crossing his arms across his chest.
My grandfather ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "This isn't like that Dmitri. This is not history repeating itself-
"This tune of this song feels all too familiar, father and who else but you to instill vengeance in her," he scoffed.
"No," I said, "You assume too much, I approached him, dad. After seeing it, I had to do this. I'm the only one that can."
"No, Aleksandra. This whole fucking situation is his fault!"
"I was under the impression that Guillermo was the only one to blame for this shit," I snapped. Grandfather was the only one who didn't judge this feeling in me, I wouldn't let my father demonize him for the things I asked him for.
"He started this when he shot him all those years ago, just to get at Adalia," he said through gritted teeth.
"Don't kid yourself Dmitri," grandfather started, "We all had a role to play in this. All of us. You, Adalia, your sister and myself. A sequence of events took us here, not just the actions of one old fool."
My father rolled his eyes.
"Mom was his fiancé dad and she fell in love with you, the enemy, " I smiled to myself, "Grandfather did shoot him, but mom broke his heart with your help. You're the one that gave him that scar on his eye. Aunt Tasha killed his mother because she tried to assassinate mom when she was pregnant with us, but instead she almost killed Uncle Yeremy. Do any of you hold guilt? Maybe. But I've spent years going over those events in my head, and none of them equate to the pain of watching you bleed out on your bedroom floor while holding mom's hand as he laughed. He's going to die for this, regardless of the wrongs we've done him."
My father looked at me for a while and nodded, "What's your plan, Aleks?"
"It's simple."
________
Guillermo
I rubbed the scar on my eye and flipped through the millionth picture of water lily's. Goddamn weddings.
Nonetheless, Juan Carlos's' marriage to Alandra was essential to establish strength after it was made clear that that bitch wasn't going to stop until I was dead.
"Father are you listening?"
I looked up, "What is it?"
"Both Rafael and Luca were reported missing after their mission to kidnap Aleksandra," he said placing a file on my desk.
I opened it up and there were mission details and a single picture of her wearing a long red dress.
"I should've slaughtered the whole fucking family," I said through gritted teeth.
"I'm glad you didn't," Carlos said gazing down at the picture.
I rolled my eyes, "Don't be swayed by her face, mi hijo, or even her current last name, she's still a De León, and as long as they're alive they have a stronger claim over our organization. Your organization."
He nodded and quickly put the picture down, "The quicker we acquire her the faster we can reign in the last of the mafia. Marrying a De León will get me whatever I want in this country," he said smugly.
"Yes it will. It'll also give us what we need to shut up Mario Rodriguez after he finds out you will not be marrying Alandra," I said standing up.
"Do we have a location on Svetlana Petrov yet?" I asked him. Almost three years and I still haven't finished my revenge plan. Adalia and Dmitri are dead. Svetlana is next. Then Mikhail.
"Negative. I'm don't think we'll ever get access to her father. Her son Sebastian is most likely responsible for putting her underground. He's good, father."
"Damn it. What about Mikhail?"
"Now that's a different story. He hasn't moved from the location he's been in since we killed his son. We'd be foolish to think that he was dumb enough not to consider we knew of his location. This leads me to believe that it's suicide to go after him. Mikhail has spent the years gaining connections and mending bridges. He has all of his allies at his side. If we were to go after him without the support of me marrying Aleksandra, we'd be crushed."
I smiled at my son, "Very good thinking Juan Carlos," I started, "We'll kill both Mikhail and Svetlana Petrov, after you've wed Aleksandra."
"That leaves only one problem then," he said, "Who do we send to get her?"
"The only person who isn't a Russian ally in the states that is capable of pulling this off is the leader of a cartel based in LA with plenty of resources."
"Whose at the head?" he asked.
"An old friend of mine, with an axe to grind with Aiden Callahan and Santana De León. His name is Ricardo Juan Poncé, and he was my best friend growing up," I smiled to myself, "Book me a flight to LA, mijo."
"Right away, father."
- - End of Chapter - -