Chapter 10

Kayla Santino. I have to tell Theo about the flowers in my room. I will do it after the ball, though. Theo offers to take me home, and as we descend the stairs, Carl sits up straighter and pushes the woman from his lap when he sees me. Too late, Carlos. So he knows what he's doing is wrong? "Princess!" he sounds surprised and instantly gets up from his seat, but I don't give him attention. Theo holds my hand and continues to lead me outside instead. I really appreciate his gesture. "Hold up," Carl firmly snaps, causing Theo to freeze in his steps. Carlos walks to us, followed closely by a scowling Sam. I find that serious face scary as fuck. "Leave us," he says, and everyone leaves the room. I silently watch and wait for him to talk. "Hi," he says, scratching the back of his neck as if he is nervous. Seriously dude? "What is It, Carl?" I ask in a tired voice. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming over?" Is that even a question, human? "Why? So you'll get enough time to push the bitch from your lap?" I harshly whisper, and he looks away with guilt. That's what I thought. " If you'll excuse me, I need to get home. " I turn back to leave, but stop when I remember something. " Don't pick me up tomorrow for the ball, I don't need you as my plus one." With that said, I join Theo, who is waiting for me beside the door. "Pick me up tomorrow for the ball, please. I don't want to go alone," I tell Theo when he pulls up to our gate. "I will. Take care, princess." Theo kisses my hair before opening my door for me. That little gesture just did something to my heart. For the first time in ages, I feel the need to make a friend. I think Theo is not that bad. I tiredly stroll to my room, and from the looks, Thomas has already visited. A note awaits with the normal writings which I am used to by now. ''Your dress looks beautiful. See you at the ball, princess." I scrunch the note and plop myself on the bed, sighing loudly Days of my life. * The red dress holds tightly to my body like a second skin, and I slightly smile cause I look hot. I don't need a man's validation to know that. The high slit exposes the soft skin of my right long leg to my thigh. My long hair is in a messy bun with a few strands falling on my face, and the makeup is on point. The red lipstick makes my full lips appear more beautiful and inviting. My blue eyes complement my skin tone perfectly, and I am proud to say I look beautiful. I wear my black sandal heels with a single silver anklet, not the one Thomas bought, though. My trust issues won't allow me, even if he got them right. I adorn my neck with a diamond chain necklace and a single Cartier silver bracelet on my wrist. Looking in the mirror, I am confident. I hope River sees what I'm seeing because tonight, I need him. Moving on to the most important part of my dressing, I load my gun and put it safely in my bag after confirming the safety pin is off. I grab my two knives and place them in my holster, and admire myself again in the mirror. Such a beautiful, yet deadly flower. "You look extremely beautiful, my queen," Theo says, bowing dramatically when I walk down to our living room. He became officially my right hand, but he doesn't know it yet. With the number of enemies awakening, I need someone I can trust on my side, and I think Theo will do just that. "Thank you, Theo, you don't look bad yourself. " It's only fair I compliment him too. "Wait, wait, wait, you look so beautiful, dear," my grandpa yells, rushing down the stairs as he looks at me with proud, smiling eyes. "Thanks, grandpa, I will check on you later." I kiss his cheek and hurry to leave before he starts making up stories. "Where is Carlos?" Of course, he would ask about him "I am meeting him at the ball," I simply say, signalling for Theo to follow me. "That's very wrong. I have to teach him how to treat a beautiful lady like you. Have him come see me after the party," he shakes his head, disagreeing with Carl's behaviour, and I nod curtly as we leave. The party is already packed with elegantly dressed people. Their appearances scream wealth and power. It's a mafia ball, meaning everyone here is from a crime family. This is the most dangerous place to be, if you ask me. I spot Carl conversing with his fellow businessmen, and of course, he brought a date. How quick? Today, a brunette hangs on his arm, and she's smiling like she just won a trophy. He probably is done with the one from yesterday. Carlos fucking Moreno. Who can blame him, though? The man is beyond attractive, and he's using that to his advantage. "Care for a drink?" Theo asks, averting my gaze from my supposed husband. He must be feeling pity for me. "No, thank you. I want to meet River first," I politely decline his offer. I haven't met River before, and I don't know what to expect. So I need my mind to be clear when talking to him. "Are you going to kill him?" he whispers. "No," I scowl at the boy beside me, " I need updates on his dad, and who will be a better informant than his son?" I don't just kill because I find joy in it. I must have reasons, and River hasn't given me one yet. "Okaaay? I don't understand," he drags out, furrowing his brows in confusion, wondering why I'm not gonna kill my enemy's son. "Theo," I hold his shoulders so he's looking in my eyes." As much as I seem bad, I don't take innocent lives or those who aren't a threat to me." "Unlike Greyson, I am not killing his son because he's my enemy.No, I want information on his dad and his men. That's all." "You are gonna be a good queen, you know that right?" he smiles brightly. His lip ring looks good on him, everything about him is perfect, and his character matches. Sam is so lucky. "Stop with the fluttering, see you later," I dismiss and try to locate the person who brought me here. I spot River at the bar alone with a drink in his hand. The first man I'm seeing tonight without a woman on his arm. Why can't Carlos be like him? I decide to walk to him and just talk, no need for a seducing game. "Hello," I mumble, and sit on the stool next to him "Hey," he says, drinking from his glass without glancing at me. He's different. "Where is your date?" I ask, looking behind him. Maybe she excused herself or something. "I don't have one," he mumbles, still not looking at me. He's not flirty like most men here. "Really?" I act surprised, and I hate that I have to fake everything. "Yeah, it was a last-minute call, so I just had to appear," he says, now lifting his eyes to me, they widen a little, but he composes himself instantly. His eyes quickly rake my body, and he clears his throat. Clear indication, he likes what he just saw. "What family do you come from?" I act like I didn't notice his surprise. "I'm here for my dad, he's out of the country at the moment. "he takes a sip from the clear liquid in his glass. Damn his stupid dad. "Oh! cool. I'm here for my uncle too," I lie, smiling slightly "You are beautiful, where are you from?" "From Italy. I just arrived here." He looks strict, and he seems to be a man who sticks to his rules. He has brown short hair and grey eyes. He is clean-shaven, and I don't see tattoos on him, unlike most men here. "That's cool. I would love to know you more. If you don't mind," he smiles softly. Is he just pretending, or is this the real him? Grayson is the ultimate devil unless this is not his son. "Sure, I would love that too. It gets lonely when I visit, and I could use a friend." "Here is my card, call me before you leave, okay? I have somewhere else to be right now," he says, and quickly stands up. "I will surely do," I say, grabbing the card from him. It reads River Scott. He's truly the fuckers son, maybe it was just a facade. "How did it go? " Theo asks, sitting on the stool River just stood from. "He gave me his card." I wave the card at him. "Have you noticed anything or anyone out of place?" I look at the people around, and everyone is minding their own business. The note said that they will see me at the ball. "No, is everything okay?" he looks at me, seeming alert. I look into his eyes for a while, and I know I can trust him, so I decide to tell him. "I need to tell you something. Someone has been....."I don't get to finish my sentence before gunshots ring out. Like I said, it's the most dangerous place one can ever be. "Get down, princess." Theo pulls me down from the stool, and we crouch down, observing what's happening. People are randomly shooting at each other, some taking cover, while others rush out of the room. It becomes messy with dead bodies dropping and screams filling the room. "Shit. It's boss," Theo says, already standing up, but I pull him back down. "What about Carl?" "The Russians are here. He killed their capo, remember?" Oh shit. "Where is he?" I ask, worriedly looking among the crowd. "He was..." he looks around "Oh shit..let's go" He grabs my hand and leads me to the back door, and there is a trail of blood everywhere. Theo opens the door to welcome the sight of Carl, together with his men, and another gang, pointing guns at each other. " You killed my dad's capo, and he sent me to get your head," the leader says, and I look at the young boy in wonder. He can't be any older than me and from his accent, he's Russian. "Well too bad your father will never see you again, let alone my head " Carl smirks evilly giving his men a signal and the Russian soldiers drop dead, unexpectedly. That's why I don't hesitate or tell stories when a gun is being pointed at me. It only takes milliseconds before the bullets fucks you up. Carl starts laughing, " If your father wants me, he should grow some balls and come for me himself, and not send me a boy." The Russian remains standing, scared, now that his companions are gone. " Oh, Carlos!" an unfamiliar voice says from the dark and the person takes slow steps towards Carl and the boy. He has a different accent. Carlos" he repeats laughing hysterically. A forced laugh. "You don't even know how to take care of your own woman. What kind of a man, lets his girl walk in a ball alone while he has another woman on his arm?" the guy points at me, and only then does Carl realise I'm there. His face hardens, and I barely glance at his clenched fists. "What do you want?" Carl grits out angrily ignoring his statement. "You know what I want Carlos," the stranger says, his face still hidden by the dark." The boy failed the test, and he's all yours" he laughs again referring to the Russian boy. "And if you can't appreciate what you have, just know I will happily kill for it" the stranger walks before me and I silently gasp. The exact copy of Carl. He has black long hair tied up in a ponytail, his eyes are piercing dark brown, and he looks damn strong. The only difference between the two is that this one has a slight beard and long hair while Carl has no beard and he has shot hair. I look from him to Carl, amazed. Fuck me. "Oh! I forgot to introduce myself, I am Rico, Carl's twin brother"