Chapter 1 The Mafia's Sweet Pea - 1

Everyone gathered in the corridor of Castle Gate Grammar as the girl lay helplessly, and with defensiveness. "What's going on?" Christiano asked.

"Looks like Colton is beating the shit out of someone again,"

"Come on, let's take a look. What harm could it possibly do?"

They shrugged their shoulders, following Christiano. The four boys were the most feared in the school, apart from Colton and his friends. They approached the crowd, which cleared instantly when they saw the four boys. They looked at Colton and his friends who were holding a girl down and beating the living shit out of her. They looked at each other and nodded. Without further ado, they strode towards the four teens who had pinned the girl down.

Christiano grabbed Colton, pulling him off the girl. The other three brothers pulled Colton's friends away from her and started beating the shit out of them. Christiano threw punch after punch at Colton.

"Never hit a girl, especially one that can't fight back. Four on one isn't a fair fight. Did your mom ever teach you how to respect a girl?"

"Fuck off Chris, you're no different."

"I'm better than you, now fuck off and never touch her again, or I will personally break every fucking bone in your body." He said, losing him. He looked at his friends and nodded and then ran.

Christiano held his hand out, the girl looked at him confused and shaken. "Take it."

She placed her hand on his. He wrapped it around her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Thanks."

"My pleasure."

"Sawyer."

"Christiano."

"I know enough to know who you are."

"Good, then there's no need for formalities then."

"Why did you help me?"

"Four on one is hardly fair, sweetheart."

"But why?"

"He's an ass and I fucking hate the ground he walks on."

He looked at her. "You seriously need to stick up for yourself and fight back."

"Who's going to teach me? I have no friends."

"Well, now you have." He looked at her. "I'll make a deal with you. I'll help you to fight these assholes off if you join us."

"I.."

"That's my deal, sweetheart, take it or leave it."

She thought for a second. What had she to lose? If she could fight these assholes back and show she wasn't afraid of them, maybe just maybe they'd back off.

They walked down the corridor, his arm over her shoulders as they came to the room for her next lesson. "If you need me I'll be next door. We'll have a break and lunch together. We'll be in a few of your lessons today, so no one will say anything to you. We need to discuss the terms of our contract by the end of the week."

"What contract?"

"I'll have it drawn up and all we have to do is sign it."

She looked unsure at him. He kissed her forehead. Taking his arm off her shoulders, "I'll be waiting here for you, okay."

"Okay."

He smiled and walked away as she entered the class.

What she didn't realize that day all would change for the worse.

At the end of the week

"We need to discuss the contract."

"What contract?"

"For this to work we need to make sure you know where you stand and what you have to do to get our protection."

"Sure."

"Take a seat, Sawyer."

She sat next to Christiano nervously. He pulled out the folder. "Right, for this to work in your favor as well as mine, so I have drawn up a contract."

"Okay." She said, nervously.

"First, I will teach you everything I know so that you can fight back, but to do this you must agree to move into my house once you turn sixteen."

Shit that was in a few weeks her mind would have a hissy fit. Everyone knew how rich and powerful the Caprioli empire could get anything that they wanted with just a click of their fingers. Her parents stood no chance against him and when this contract was in place, neither did she."You need to agree to these terms, Sawyer, so we can continue."

"What are the other terms?"

"We shall share the same room, but you will need to dress in a maid's uniform."

"Why?"

"So no one will take you away from me." He looked at her. "Look, Sawyer, we have many enemies and if they get to know about you, they will try and take the opportunity to take you away from me, by doing this they won't think twice. You won't have to wear it during training just in my home, okay."

She gulped, could she?

He had discussed it all with his brothers; they had come up with the ridiculous idea of putting her into a maid's uniform. God knows what they were thinking, but he'd soon find out.

"Do we agree with these terms, Sawyer, if not, we can end this now and your bullies will continue to bully and torture you if you leave this hellhole?"

"What's there to lose?"

"Good choice, Sawyer." He said, handing her the pen.

She took it off him, quickly signing it, placing the pen down, regretting her decision, knowing this was going to be the worst day of her life.

"Welcome to the family. Sawyer. Training will start on Saturday. I shall be outside your house at seven am, so be up and ready. We will be going for a run first, then go to the gym where we will start on the simple exercises, weights, then onto the punch bag. I need to teach you how to use your fists, and it's the best way to do that."

"Okay."

He stood up. Kissing her cheek. "This will be the start of a most beautiful friendship."

Little did she know she'd signed her life away day.

Training

True to his word, Christiano was outside her house waiting for her in his sweatpants and a loosely fitted tee-shirt accompanied by a pair of running trainers. She'd chosen to wear her exercise crop top and leggings with her trainers. "Glad to see you took my advice to wear something sporty and comfortable, are we ready?"

"Yes."

"Let's go."

They put their plugs in listening to music as they ran now and then and would make hand gestures to turn down streets or run over to the other side. They sat on the park bench to have a drink before they were on their way till they reached the gym. They did some rutile exercises before he showed her how to use the punching bags. She seemed to get the hang of it.

"You're doing well, Sawyer, for your first time, but I'll have to show you some techniques, so you don't bust your hand or wrists."

"Okay."

"Come take a rest, and I'll teach you how to punch properly before you use the punch bag again."

"Okay."

They both sat down having a drink of water before he showed her how he punched, so it wouldn't break any bones, and he got her to do them. Before they headed out the gym, her stomach growled, and he laughed. "Guess you're hungry too?"

"A little."

"Come, I know somewhere that is the best food you'll ever taste."

She nodded, and they walked away, going to an exquisite restaurant. "I can't afford this place, Christiano."

"My treat."

"Bu.."

He glared at her, so she decided not to argue.

He smiled, and they entered. They were shown to their table and were served no alcohol due to their age. "Chill Sawyer, my parents own this place okay."

"Okay."

They ordered pasta and chicken and ate in silence. She thanked him for taking her there and for the meal he nodded and smiled. He dropped her off at home and told her to be ready by the same time in the morning. She nodded and went inside, closing the door.