His Salvation

***

Brooklyn, New York

Alessandra

The loud music washed over me, euphoria filling every single part of me. Never had I felt more free, more in control of my life than when I was in the throng of sweaty, dancing bodies that were around me. Nothing could ever compare to this moment, the freedom that I longed so much for.

Soon, Alessa...It won't be too long until your plans come to fruition...

Until I can finally get away from the carnage, the sins of my father and the corrupt standing he beheld. His was a bloody life, one that each and every single one of my siblings and I had been pulled into. A timed existence for so many gunned for our heads.

And with good reason after everything that the Rinaldi family has done...

"You're spiraling, Alessa! Let's dancee! We'll worry about our fucked up existence tomorrow!"

Vittoria shouted above the music, making me chuckle as I wrapped my hands around my little sister. Although there was a two year age difference between us, we were closer than any other of our siblings.

Vittoria had become my partner in crime, the other half of me I didn't even know I needed. Although some of our adventures had resulted in some pretty bad confrontations with our strict as hell father, many more had resulted in the best nights of our lives.

A night just like this.

All of our inhibitions, our fears of returning home or facing the events to come in the next couple of weeks gone and replaced with the happiness that always came whenever we were well and truly living our lives.

Not the Barbie dolls we were in our other life.

"Well said, Tori! Now, how about another shot?"

Tori grinned, nodding enthusiastically as the two of us pushed through the throng of bodies and to the bar where the cute bartender instantly perked up at the sight of us. The handsome brunette grinned at the sight of Tori who returned it in kind, beginning the play to get us more drinks.

Her powers of persuasion were borderline scary. She enjoyed it a little more than she probably should but, then again, she is a Rinaldi.

We were born, raised, to be rotten to the core.

I secretly chuckled as I watched my little sister handle the brunette who hanged onto her every word, his gaze dazedly admiring every single inch of Tori. I could not blame him, though. Whereas I had gained our mother's half Greek genes with my blonde hair and blue-honey brown eyes, my little sister had gained more of our father with her curly, copper colored locks and amber colored eyes.

Her petite body looked amazing in her little red dress, a great contrast to the short, dusty blue camisole dress I was in that hugged every one of my curves. Many were the times I had longed for my older sister Selene's model, lithe like body and Tori's petite form but my mother had been adamant, praising the Greek genes within me that shone through my body.

It's kinda hard to believe you when you look like freaking Bella Hadid, mum...

I shoved my self depreciating thoughts into the little box in the back of my head, threatening to explode from all the shit I was keeping inside, and focused instead on assessing the crowd of drunk party animals around us.

There is enough time to hate yourself later, Alessa. Most certainly in the weeks to come...

Ignoring all of the winks, waves and wolf whistles from the passing flock, I zeroed in on ensuring that we were still safe, still unrecognizable to all the men our father had posted everywhere.

The expanse of his network is exhausting and annoying, most especially when you've snuck out and are certainly not supposed to be in a burlesque-esque club in downtown Brooklyn.

Because we are the pure princesses, fated to be married off to some dangerous bastard or the other. God forbid Massimo Rinaldi's daughters' purity was questioned. That was, after all, the most important selling point to these narrow-minded bastards- Virgin Brides.

I rolled my eyes at the very thought, the usual disgust washing over me.

Being the daughter of the Head of the Cosa Nostra-the Sicilian Mafia was a pain in the ass.

"Just a little bit more, Alessa...A little longer before your life completely changes..."

My sentence strayed, an unconscious action once my gaze landed on the man standing at the VIP balcony. Just as speechless as those around him were, I shamelessly took in everything about the mysterious figure who screamt power and a kind of darkness.

It really must be the alcohol...the only reason I am admiring a man I have sworn off of...

I had lived around Dark and Dangerous men my entire life. The life I had envisioned for myself after I attained my freedom would bear nothing of the stain of my past-including insanely handsome but dangerous men looking down the rest of us like we are nothing.

It should have put me off, his gaze that seemed to wash over the crowd just like mine had been a few moments ago. But I just couldn't look away, most especially when his gaze landed and stuck to mine.

Ah hell, he caught me looking...

The urge to look away, to be come the demure principessa of the Rinaldi family was strong, but not enough to fight my curiosity, the stubbornness that lurked deep within me that was growing harder and harder to hide.

He reminded me of all the men of power who lurked around my family, hoping and praying for one thing or the other-be it power or our destruction. His darkness did, however, seem to run deeper than what was present on the surface.

He reminded me of my father.

All the more reason to look away, Alessa, daddy issues aside.

Logic overruled my urge to hold his gaze, to admire every single bit of him. Despite the dim lighting in the club, I knew he was the most beautiful man I would ever look upon. He was perfection incarnate.

Just like I'm supposed to be.

I frowned at the very thought, finding myself glaring at the man who reminded me a little too much of the world I had left behind momentarily to enjoy the freedom that was kept from me.

His head titled to the side, almost in question to my reaction and for a moment, I was sure his eyes were narrowed at my blatant disrespect. I had learnt enough from being around men like him to know that they never took kindly to the challenging of their dominance.

Well, he can kiss my ass...

My sentiments seemed to be his for he looked away after our heavy contact, returning his attention to the man beside him. I had been effectively dismissed, like a leaf blowing by and, for some reason, I was as relieved as I was annoyed at his nonchalance.

Jackass...Not worth my time anyway...

"Here. Sorry it took so long. He was a little too stubborn on me not giving him my number. We should probably leave soon before he realizes that I just gave him Zeno's."

Our older brother would certainly not be pleased by being spam called by a love-struck bartender. The very thought made us both laugh out loud before we clinked tequila glasses and downed the shots. The warmth of the alcohol was welcome, more so when the music changed to a song that was our favorite.

"Yes! Let's go!"

Tori shouted excitedly, pulling me back into the throng of bodies and drunk dancers who equally cheered at the new track. We danced with wild abandon, my mind blocking everything out, including the dark stranger.

I was now in the moment as my sister and I danced close to each other, singing along to the lyrics of the club banger. These were the moments I lived for, moments I risked my life for. I was willing to face everything, all so I could live in this very moment for the rest of my existence.

Tori and I stood back to back, our movements almost synchronized as we moved to the music. Our harmony was broken, though, as my eyes landed on the figure in front of me, the dangerous man who stood tall amongst every single person around him.

Holy shit...He is beyond my every imagination...

Raven black hair that was cut into a fade, vivid emerald green eyes, he really was perfection incarnate. So handsome, he seemed to pull in every single person around him, most especially the women who danced around him, clearly struggling to gain his attention.

His eyes were fixated on me though, never once straying to the woman in front of him he now held close, almost as if challenging me.

"What the actual fuck..."

I murmured, stunned by the venom and exhilaration that coursed through me at the very thought of having some sort of deranged face off with him. I wanted to challenge him, to show him that he could never do anything to unsettle me. That I was nothing like the girls around him, vying for the scraps of his attention.

Satisfied that Tori was fine as she danced with a party of bachelorette ladies, I turned to face the man to my left, one who had been eyeing me for a while now.

A Rinaldi is always aware of her surroundings.

"You wanna dance?"

I called out, earning an excited nod and grin from the cute, boy next door who immediately came to stand behind me. My gaze never met the dark stranger who did not seem as cocky as before, his eyes hardening as he followed my every move.

Sexiness dripped from my every movement as I moved unlike my usual reservedness. My hands traveled from my hair, down to my breasts and my thighs, savoring as it went as I moved to the beat. Never did my gaze shift or move from his that darkened with every touch on my body.

"Fuck, you're so sexy. Definitely way out of my league."

Boy next door murmured in my ear, his hand wrapping around my waist before pulling me flush to his aroused front. I released a nervous chuckle, all my thoughts of rebellion and war with a stranger I barely know gone and replaced with the caution stemmed deep within me.

"Great. Then you'll understand when I walk away. Thanks for the dance."

I responded, granting the star struck man a flirty wink before walking towards Tori who seemed frozen on the spot. Confused, I followed her gaze, my eyes landing on the reason behind my unease, my flitting gaze on every single one of the club goers around us.

"Ah, shit. How did they find us so fast?"

I stated, glaring at the three men who seemed to have spotted us just as I had spotted them.

"I don't know but they don't look happy."

Tori shrugged, following me through the crowd. Gone was our excitement, replaced with the seriousness we would need to get away from the men chasing us. Plan B was now in effect and we each knew what we had to do.

One of the exits loomed over the horizon, exactly where I had spotted it on entry while searching for escape routes.

Being observant, strategizing. That was the only way to survive in our world.

Tori's hand in mine, I began the swift journey to the door but we never made it there. A hand reached out from within one of the doors, grabbing my free hand.

A gasp escaped me, my fight or flight instincts preparing for whatever outcome but my heart settled at the sight of the dark and dangerous stranger.

"Fuck...I'm guessing the fact that you aren't breaking his bones means you know him. Though it would be a travesty to lay a hand on that gorgeous face."

Tori slurred, her words prompting a flush to settle on my body as I shook my head at my little sister's drunken antics. She had clearly drank more than the set limit. We could not afford to be too intoxicated. That had not ended well when we snuck back in to the mansion a year ago.

A ghost of a smile played on his lips, one that disappeared as soon as it came. He, instead, gestured to what seemed to be a hidden door beyond the office we were now in.

"The people after you, they've covered that exit. This one is, however, clear."

That's all he said, never once asking more questions. Questions of how he knew, who he was and why he was helping us swirled in my mind but all of them were overridden by the need to get away from my father's men.

We need to get back as soon as possible.

Nodding, I led Tori towards the said door, glancing back only to grin at our dark and dangerous savior. I couldn't help it. I couldn't fight the part of me that longed to ignore him as I was taught to.

Men in our world only ever wanted things that we could never give them.

"Thank you, handsome. I guess I owe you one."

My smile was more genuine than I intended it to be as was my quick wink before taking off through the door, leaving him staring after us.

The ghost of a smile had turned into a full blown grin which made my heart skip a damn beat.

Well, that ain't the worst thing to see before going off to face your probable death at the hands of your deranged father.

***

Long Island, New York

Alessandra

"Alessandra? Gesù Cristo. Where the hell have you guys been?! Papa has his men out looking for you two!"

Selene shrill voice was louder than ever, her disapproving glare making me roll my eyes as I gestured at a passed out Tori that I was struggling to get through the door.

"Now is really not the time to put the judgmental shoes on, sis. Can you help me get her into bed?"

Selene seemed to comprehend my words, her gaze finally settling on Vittoria before she took her other arm. Together, we lugged our little sister into bed before covering her up as she muttered unintelligible words.

The sight made me chuckle, reminding me of just how much I loved her despite the fact that she just made me piggyback her up the spiral staircase to the second floor.

"Porca puttana...I can't feel my back. That little brat better thank her lucky stars that I love her so freaking much."

I groaned, collapsing onto the floor and staring at the ceiling before me despite my older sister's glare down at me. I knew a shit storm was coming, could fucking feel it to the core of me but I didn't feel any regret. No disappointment, only euphoria and excitement at everything that was.

I will never regret being free, enjoying myself and having control over a small portion of my life, no matter the consequences.

"First of all, Language! Second of all, why the hell would you keep doing this? You know how Papa gets when you disobey him and yet you do it every single time. Are you not tired of the punishments? Of the arguments? Why can't you just do as you're asked, especially knowing what big a day tomorrow is?!"

And there it was. The usual argument that confirmed and validated all of my feelings for my sister. I loved her so much. She was my blood, my big sister that I once looked up to. Her feelings towards our situation, our life. They changed my perception.

She is content with this life, chooses to ignore or conform to whatever this bloody existence throws at her. She is willing to continue being a pawn in our Papa's plans. The quintessential obedient and charming principessa of the mafia world.

She is the poster child for everything that a Mafia man wants in a woman in this world. Beautiful, demure, obedient. A fucking doormat.

Well, I am not and will never be okay with this. I will find a way through this darkness, even if I have to claw my way out.

"Because, as I have been told a million times, I am not you. I will never be you, big sis. I don't have the stomach to do as I'm told. I wasn't born to conform to this fucked up life. I can't smile and watch as they sign my life away to some evil bastard like you. I want to live my own life and if that freedom means having to suffer the consequences then so be it."

I released a small sigh, watching as my sister's volatile emotions grew all the more at my words. I was not sorry for giving her the reality check that no one else was willing to grant her.

She had given up.

She had chosen to be everything they wanted her to be, to marry a man whose hands were stained with the blood of so many innocents just so our father can gain more power, more allies.

"You have no right to judge me, Alessandra! I have worked with the cards that I have been dealt! You are still so immature, so blinded by ridiculous notions of a life away from this. You don't realize that your family will never change. No matter where you go, you will still be a Rinaldi. And Papa will never stop looking for you. He will drag you back, kicking and screaming and there is nothing you can ever do that will change that harsh reality!"

She was right. I knew it. Heck, Vittoria knew it too. We were too precious to our father, too deep in his world to ever really run. If not Papa, then his enemies would come for us were we to stray from the protection of the family. People who held grudges, law enforcement who had not been bought off by him.

We will always have a target on our back.

"Oh, we know. But we would rather fight and lose than do nothing and watch it all unfold. I can't live with myself in such a world. A world where I did nothing to gain any kind of control over my life. I'm sorry, Selene but that will never change."

I got to my feet, facing off with my sister who seemed to be more incensed than usual. This discussion had always become heated, always full of hostility. We were both too stubborn, too much our father's daughters to back down and give the other any kind of edge.

I guess that's the one and only thing I can thank my Father for. The ability to fight, even if not for the things he wants.

"You want to ruin your life? You want to suffer Papa's wrath because of your stubbornness? Fine. Go right ahead. Maybe he'll knock some sense into you. But do Not drag Tori into this. Do not manipulate her into becoming you. Ruin your own life, Alessandra!"

I scoffed at that, rolling my eyes despite her irritation. She hated it when I did that and so I did it, over and over again just to spite her. We were lurking on dangerous territory, hanging on the edge of what usually ensued into a full blown fight that I always won because I was the star student of the mixed martial arts classes we took when we were younger.

"'Knock some sense into me'? Wow, talk about propagating violence against women. Your own sister no less. Did you rip your feminism out of your body and choke it to death with the pretty diamond necklaces garnered from blood money that your future husband bought you?"

Selene took a threatening step forward, her rage mirroring my own as I met her head on. I refused to back down, especially from this. It was always a point of contention. It was about time to put it to sleep.

"Contrary to the belief of many around here, Vittoria is a grown ass woman. She has her own opinions, her own motivations and beliefs. If she doesn't want to be stuck in the shit life that every other woman in the dark world we live in is then that's her decision. Don't be salty just because she was brave enough to liberate herself from the brainwashing grilled into us and you weren't!"

We were both seething as we glared at each other. The air bristled with the electricity that always came before the violence set in.

I clenched my fists, readying myself for anything. I hated having to go on the defensive against my own damn sister. I hated that we had to argue like this. I hated that we could not be on the same page over something that was clearly logical.

"That is enough, girls! I will have no fighting between you two, especially on the eve of Selene's engagement ceremony."

Our mother's voice was loud, full of reprimand which was uncommon for her. She was a mafia wife, one who followed her husband's lead and kept her head down. Defiance, anger...they were rare emotions we barely saw on her. She reserved her emotions, showing them only when asked to or when necessary.

She had tried to teach us just that, to train us. It was no secret that I had not taken to it as quickly as Selene or Vittoria even.

"She started it, Mama! She is so infuriating!"

Selene released, her anger clearly more than I anticipated as I watched her storm away from me. Never was she one to speak back to our mother or anyone other than her younger siblings. She was the perfect daughter, always so fucking great.

"Indeed she is. Her defiance has become a problem that should certainly be dealt with in a more permanent manner."

***

Long Island, New York

Alessandra

Papa's voice sent a chill down my spine, my eyes turning to find his as he walked through the door and past Mama. Silence reigned within the room, the darkness floating down to engulf us as we prepared for the wrath of his anger that always came.

"I agree, Massimo. It seems Alessandra is yet to learn her place in this world. You have failed in that respect, Nova."

Uncle Salvatore stated as he followed my father in, his voice chilling my entire body as he turned to my silent mother. For all the fear I beheld when it came to my father's fraternal twin and younger brother, I couldn't help the annoyance that settled over me when he spoke to my mother like that.

She seemed to sense my annoyance, her eyes relaying the message that I knew they would. I had to calm down, to remember that I was now in the presence of two of the most dangerous man in our world.

I was extremely conscious of the shifted environment, not only because of the change in the air but the pity in my sister and mother's eyes. Gone was the confrontational energy and anger. They both knew the result to come. I knew it too, knew that no amount of preparation would have given me any edge to face off with the two brothers.

My father said nothing to defend my mother from his brother's snide comment. Not that we expected him to. The woman's job in our world was to raise her daughter's to become the perfect bargaining chips. They were expected to mold them in the way that they were molded.

A man's job was to dominate, to grow his power and raise his sons to be strong future leaders. Men worthy of taking over and continuing the family legacy. That was exactly what our older brother Zeno was.

I held my breath, my heart beating hard in my chest as I watched my father look down at Tori's sleeping form. She was blacked out cold, sleeping off the wild night we'd had, oblivious to the danger lurking above her. Fear clawed at me at all the possibilities, at what he would do to her. We both knew the risks of our pull for freedom but I couldn't let her go through that.

She is my little sister, after all...She is my responsibility...

"You have both, once again, wasted our time and resources. When will you get it through your heads that your actions have consequences? That your disobedience reflects not only on me but the position I hold in this world?! Do you think I am going to let you tarnish what I have worked so hard for, Alessandra?"

My father's words were deathly low, the seething anger lurking beneath as he turned to face me with that ever familiar glare that he always beheld before he released his anger on me. Our shouting matches were legendary as was his restraint to not hit me. There seemed to be a line even he wouldn't cross.

The house arrest, hungry nights in the cells below the manor and long training sessions are certainly just as bad, though....His torture was more emotional and indirectly physical and I hated it.

"Well, if you hate it so much, Papa, then why don't you just let us walk away from all of this? Why don't you give us the freedom we crave so much?"

The backhanded slap was hard, so much so that it sent me sprawling to the ground. The taste of copper filled my mouth as blood leaked from my nose. Gasps from my mother and sister were the only sounds that penetrated through the ringing in my ears.

I had received hard hits before, during the training sessions we had been forced into. But nothing could have prepared me for this and from Uncle Salvatore no less. Yes, the man had threatened to smack me around before for my defiance but never did I think he would follow through.

I had always known that he was a man not to be messed with. A killer with a temper to match that was always unleashed upon his enemies. No one dared to cross him.

I guess I got on his nerves and reached his limit...

"How dare you disrespect your father like that?! How dare you talk back?! You are nothing but an undisciplined brat. A disgrace to this family. No amount of 'punishments' will make you learn. A firmer approach must be taken to showcase to the rest of the criminal underground that this house is under control!"

Uncle Salvatore stated, his gaze shifting to my father who said nothing, simply glared down at me. Although I was yet to look up to him, I could feel his eyes on me. Feel the chill he always made me feel whenever he was annoyed with me.

"I agree. Your ridiculous notions must be tamed. Thus, tomorrow will not only be an engagement ceremony for Emilio and Selene but also an announcement of your pending nuptials to Diego Moreno, the next Head of the Mexican Cartel and Vittoria's betrothal to Keisuke Satorou, heir to the Yakuza throne and future leader of the clan."

I froze at his last statement, my heart shattering at the declaration of Tori's future. We knew it was coming. I had been betrothed to Diego when I was her age. It was only a matter of time before our father made a decision on who he wanted to marry her daughter from the long list of waiting suitors.

He picked Keisuke just so he could separate us. He wants us as far away from each other as possible. Somewhere where we can't make any plans or work together to run from our fates.

I said nothing, watching as they each left the room at my father's orders. My mother and sister hesitated, each of them momentarily glancing at me before following his order. I did not miss my Uncle's smug grin, evil lurking in his gaze at my newfound fate. He was such an asshole, a sadistic bastard who thrived off my despair.

You won't be grinning for long, Uncle. You've given me exactly what I want...

I grinned wide once they were gone, collapsing onto the floor once again to stare at the ceiling. I was sure I looked mad, bloody teeth glistening under the light of the chandelier above me but I did not care.

Everything is going according to plan. It is a little early than I anticipated but perfect all the same. He has revealed the one anomaly to my strategy-Vittoria's fate, and now that I know what he plans to do with her, I can finally begin to make my own moves.

They all flittered through my mind, forming seamlessly into a sure fire strategy that would finally release me from this world and everyone who had any hold over me. It was time to take back my freedom, my life as my own.

I flinched slightly at the feel of the bruise forming on my right cheek. It was going to be a bitch to cover up with make up for the party tomorrow but it would be the necessary armor. My own battle garments for what was to come. I was excited.

Thank you, Papa. For giving me exactly what I want and for making my decision to leave your godforsaken life all the more easier. I will never look back. Ever.

***