Chapter 2 Little Miss

As I step into the Manor, I feel my dad's presence all over the house. The one where he's mad at me for running away like that and he's possessed to assign eleven bodyguards with me every second of the day for the rest of my life.

Charlotte, the housekeeper and a good friend of mine, walks to me, a look of worry on her face. Aside from being a friend and a companion when I'm bored, Charlotte is like a mom to me. Always has been since I was nine. My mom died and my dad was devasted. He never got married again but he understood the need for me to have a mother figure around. Charlotte was perfect.

"Oh, my blessed God!" She gasped, palming my face. "Where have you been? You scared the living daylight out of me, child" she says with worry and I smile.

"I'm so sorry, Char" I apologize before hugging her. "I'm sorry," I repeat because I know worry had been eating her out. We break our embrace when I noticed my father standing at the top of the stairs, a scowl on his face. Here we go.

Charlotte excuses herself after she kissed me on my cheek. Father walks down the stairs slowly, taking his time and successfully intimidating me like he's done his whole life. Like always, he's dressed in a suit, but with no tie. He's always too dressed since I was born and I haven't seen my dad in casual wear around the house if it's not going to bed.

I get why. A man like him with his status has to look presentable at all times, ready to strike and run as he'd always told me. He puts it like this. Many mafia lords have lost their lives because they slacked. Weren't prepared for the worst, only settled for the better. Yes! My dad is a Mafia. I'm the daughter of a Mafia lord and a princess to his empire. I won't say I enjoy my everyday life of being born into bondage like this but there's nothing I can do.

Soon, I'll be under another Mafia Lord but as my husband. It has me wondering how my mom coped with my dad. I'm not sure how much of anything I can take. I can't even stand the sight of blood. My dad knows that, and he tries his best to keep me away from violence as much as he can. Something tells me, he wishes I couldn't have been born under such life. But I know he can't protect me forever.

When he's at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes soften and he takes his hands away from his pocket.

"My Princess" he exhales and I go into his arms hugging him tightly. "You scared me, little one" his hands run down my long hair, calmly, comforting. "You had me worried"

"I'm sorry dad. I thought I could handle myself on my own" I half sob into his expensive Armani suit.

"My sweet girl" he hugs me tight. "I wish you could. But you know you can't" he says and I break into a full sob.

"I want to, dad. I want to" I plead with bulgy eyes and he palms my face.

"Even if you prove you can stay on your own. You can't hide from this world, our world. Others would find you because they know you're my breaking point." He cups my chin. "You my sweet girl is my weak-point and that's why I must keep you safe. Away, and safe" he adds and I lower my head, staring at the ground.

Is this all my life will ever be?

"And that's why, I've assigned your bodyguard" he announces with glee, and my eyes dull. Great! Now he's tag dogs wasn't enough. He got a personal guard.

"Gee, thanks dad" I sigh before shutting my eyes. "I'm fucking twenty!"

"Language" he reprimands gently and I scoff. It's not like he doesn't swear like a sailor. I've heard him talk to his guards, guest, and other members of the clan and even when he's angry.

"Dad..."

"I'm only watching out for you my sweet" father looms over me, his expression becoming serious. "For once, obey me, child"

"I've always obeyed you!" I snap and he nods.

"I know. But one more time. Please"

I stare at my wrist, before picking at my fingers. "Yes"

"Good. Now go to your room. Charlotte would get you an early breakfast since you missed lunch last night. Get lots of rest because the ball is tonight" dad reminds me. Probably wondering what ball? It's a ball dad promised to throw me when I turned twenty. You know, liberating me from my teen years.

"Yes, father" I walk away from him, ascending the stairs and not looking back to stare at him once.



ROSS POV

FUCK! Her scent is still lingering around me from the kiss she planted on my cheek. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm swooning. A Mafia guy like me suddenly loving the sweet smell of flowers and chocolate. Her hair also had the smell of smoke but it only made it more addicting.

Maybe it wasn't just her scent. Maybe it was all of her. I told her where I was from and what I'm doing in Florida. I didn't even know her but I already opened a little bit of myself to her. I've always been an insecure guy with trust issues but she stood between that and me.

Staring around me to see if anyone was thinking I'm a pervert standing at the side of the road and trying not to miss the scent of a woman. I cross the road back to my car and when I'm safe in its confine, I let out a grunt. Get your head straight. What are you here for?

To get revenge on Belucci for killing my brother. Take everything he loves and smash it to the ground, grind it into powder, and let the wind take it away. How did my innocent elder brother get in touch with a dangerous man like Belucci? Only one of the fiercest mafia men in the world. They were running a weapon trade together. My brother, Eros was not just a partner with Belucci and his trade, but a leader of his own. He had a little clan he ran. I was his underboss. Second in command. As the only Family, I ever knew and had, I stuck to his side supporting him. I wasn't always around but I knew if he needed me, I was there.

But when there was one little slip up in the trade conversion, Belucci killed my brother and blamed his loss on him, and now, I've come to return the favor. Am I risking everything? I don't fucking care. Besides the Clan, I have nothing to lose now. It used to be Eros but nothing now. Even if I die, The Metal Clan would still strive and grow.

My engine roar to life. Head on, Ross! I speed away from the roadside heading into Town.

I had a friend of Eros get me in touch with Belucci. Anything to be close to him. Luckily for me, I got a bodyguard because now, I'll have enough time to kill him even with my bare hands.

...

"Have you been to the Manor?" Vincent, one of my brother's trusted friends and a member of his inner circle, asked me.

I take a swig of my beer before sitting down on my new leather couch, my head swooning with so many thoughts.

"No, but soon. I'm heading there later tonight. It seems he has a ball and I'm to attend. Being his bodyguard and all" I down the remaining of my drink before placing the cup on the middle console.

"That's good then. It's going to be crowded with people" Vincent tells me and I smile mischievously.

"I'm not going to kill him right away. That'll be too good of a death." I scoff. "How about watching everything he loves being taken away from him, his name being buried before I run a bullet through his head" I replay everything I have in my head to Vincent who was silent the whole time.

"Isn't that too much?"

"No, it isn't. He took Eros away from me. That Bastard doesn't know what's coming for him" I grit between my teeth.

"Just be careful, Ross. The gang needs you" He said with a strict tone and I know that's his way of showing care.

"I will be. Trust me"

"I do. And don't do Anything stupid!"

"I won't. I've got this figured out" I say and I hear his satisfied gruff on the other line before I hang up. I throw my leg away from the coffee table and get up, strolling to my room. My Condo is spacious and well furnished and I appreciate that.

Taking my pistol out of my pant pocket, I keep it on my bedside before undressing and walking to the shower. I let the steam, warm me up and the hardness of the water from the faucet beat down on my skin harshly. From today, I start carrying out my mission and nothing will stand in my way. And No-one.



BLAIR POV

Charlotte tried to convince me that I look lovely in my red, dress that flowed to the ground but had a slit high up to my thighs, held my curves, showed a little bit of cleavage, and was also slippery against my skin like silk.

"Thank you" I smile warmly at her. Honestly, I don't feel up to anything tonight. I wish I could just stay in my bed all night, reading some Rom-Coms, having soda, and dreaming of what my life would be like in the ordinary.

"Seriously Blair. You look divine. All the men at the ball would trip for you" she cheered and I chuckled at her choice of word. Trip? I don't just hope they trip. I hope they trip and break an ankle or neck so none of them have the balls to ask my father for my hand in marriage. I wish I could go dressed in a normal gown with fluffy edges and had little rabbits all over it but father handpicked this gown himself, and rabbits are out of the theme. I'm twenty now.

"Let's head down now. I bet the party is on and your father is searching for you" Charlotte reminds me.

I nod and stare at myself once more in the mirror. I do look older with all the make-up and my hair bunched up in a haughty bun. And like an obedient girl, I follow Charlotte out of my bedroom and into the long passage of the east wing.

With each step I took, my head kept twirling and my heart pounding at what I would see down there. I don't know what to expect. I've never attended a ball, regular party, or even a meeting. My dad had always been protective of me. Not everyone even knows he had a daughter, and if they knew, they don't know my face.

This is my first stepping into the Mafia world. I would meet so many new people with different mindsets and I will just be ready to learn whatever sick game the universe has to offer.

Just as we're about to take the stairs down, Griff, one of my dad's bodyguards, greeted us in the hallway. He always had a grim look to him.

"I'm to escort the little miss to the library," he said casually to Charlotte who quickly agreed, not ready to defy my father.

I kiss Charlotte's cheek and follow Griff until we stop in front of the Library. Does he want me to meet someone? Has he already found a husband for me? My stomach suddenly feels tight and like I should hurl my entire lunch out. I stare at Griff who's been glancing at all my face changes the whole time.

"You ok miss?" He asked and I nod.

"Very well then" Griff grunts before opening the huge mahogany door and I step into the sweet smell of old books but cringed when the smell of booze hit my nose trill. I see daddy standing behind his desk and another man in front of the desk. His head bent but when he looks up, I feel my body tremble at that familiar new face. Ross?