Underworld: Labyrinth of Love

Chapter 2 : Knocked at First Sight

"Are you for real Dad?" I said after recovering from the bullshit declaration of marriage they hit me with.

Raphael and Me? I'd rather f**k a thousand cops than let alone let that asshole touch me.

I had met him several times and not to mention his pricky attitude but the primary reason was the fact that he was a Crassus and also a part of the Basilisks. What were the Basilisks? Well, when the 4 gangs came together to forge a united group of criminal which we know these days as the Mafia, they named themselves The Basilisks.

I, myself am a Basilisk but the last thing I'd go for is to marry one.

Each of the family was given a sector to work on to manage the world of crime equally without turning on each other as enemies, what could be worst than criminals turning on each other? There were The Crassus, The Griffins, The Bentleys and The Ardolfs.

Obviously, I am convinced and had spent my life quite happy with the way my family, the Bentleys work but I think I might be doubting it now.

We have spent more than a century handling the dealings of possibly everything that goes on between these 4 families and their affairs, except the personal ones.

"Yes, in fact, we think that you two will bring lots of goodwill to the Mafia. It's just another alliance to keep a stronghold, Iris, and I know you understand the importance of it." He spoke calmly which was beginning to get on my nerves.

Excelling in dealings involved us speaking fluently and convincingly or at least convincing enough to captivate more than just the attention of the other dealer.

But why am I feeling like my father is efficiently practicing his convincing skills on me?

"That's bullshit. What's the catch in it? What are they offering you?" I fixed him with a sharp gaze only to find him looking back but not as strongly.

There it is. The agreement did bind these families together, but their nature never stopped them from being assholes. After all, we're criminals, what else can be expected from us?

The Crassus are known to be ruthless and vicious. Dad wouldn't just give me a way to them.

"Honey, I think we should give her some time, perhaps get her to meet Raphael. Oh, he's indeed a gentleman." Katalina whispered to Dad.

What a b***h.

Dad stood up abruptly, "Of course, the Crassus are coming for dinner tomorrow. Meet me in my office in an hour Iris, we'll talk this through." His carelessness reflected in his words and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of hurt.

He has changed a lot after Mom's death.

"I'm leaving Dad and the answer is no," I spoke loudly, glancing in between him and Katalina. "Marriage isn't always the solution." Unlike his, I didn't want my marriage to be a business deal.

"It was never a question." I heard him say.

Turning around on my heels, I began to storm out until one of the men that protected the premises, stopped me. "You've got a problem?" I gritted out, amused at his courage to step in front of Iris Leia Bentley.

Or maybe if he's interested in dying today-

"You can't leave, not until the wedding which is in two weeks." Dad's voice came from behind me.

Ever so slowly, I turned around with a stern face. "You're holding me captive. I doubt if we are any different than the other ones now."

Something flashed on his face, maybe after realizing the depth of my words. We, Bentleys had a rule to not kill anyone before the trial unless of course in the case of self-defence and that rule alone made us quite different from the rest of the underworld.

We wouldn't even be considered a part of the underworld if it wasn't for the huge drug dealings and other illegal deals and favors that we made every day.

"I can't risk you bailing out on the wedding. It's only a matter of two weeks, then you shall be free to go wherever you want, of course with your husband." He said with a satisfactory smile and I almost spilt my guts at the pathetic show of chauvinism.

Contemplating on if to take out the guard man and run away or to stay here until there was a way out, I somehow went with the latter.

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Beatrix let out another giggle at my misery. "I am so glad I ain't the heiress here or in fact any heiress for the matter." She rolled on the bed laughing.

Normally, relationships with a half-sister wouldn't be good but in my case, it was the opposite. Whenever I wanted to let my heart out, which I barely did since I never let my emotions cloud my life, I'd come to Beatrix and considering her interest in gossips, she'd never turn me down.

Despite being 5 years younger than me, Beatrix never treated me like an older sister but rather as a friend.

Flipping her hair she fixated her gaze on me. "But seriously though, that's some f****d up s**t you're in." Finally, someone was acknowledging the s**t I was in.

Even if it's only my half-sister who can't do anything in it for me.

"Are you sure you weren't aware of it?" I narrowed my eyes at her threatening and she nodded innocently, holding back another laugh. "I swear I'd kill him if he doesn't stop this from happening," I murmured, knowing well this wasn't going to happen.

"Get on with it girl. Worst case scenario: you kill Raphael and a new war rages in the Underworld after a century of peace." She said waving her hands around.

"Nah, I think I'll save it for another day. Maybe the wedding night?" I said and we both burst out laughing.

Our laughs echoed in her huge room, as we rolled on the bed adding more jokes to it.

After a while when the laughter died, I turned my attention to her straightening my tank top. "I gotta go, still got a wedding to stop." Rolling my eyes I hopped out of her bed and towards the door.

Let's get this over with, whatever game the Crassus are playing at, it needs to stop.

"Hurry up Iris, I've heard the Ardolfs are coming with a weapon supply for the mansions here, and Dad isn't exactly delighted after meeting them." I snapped my head around to shot a glare at Beatrix who was giving me puppy eyes.

Damn it, I better make it to him before they do. Trying to convince Dad in a bad mood isn't my plan.

Without another word, I hurried off towards Dad's office downstairs.

It'll take forever to get there, part of the reason why I have disliked the mansion always.

Panting slightly, I skipped steps of the stairs, taking long strides as my high ponytail flew in the air. I always had a thing for dangerous runs and competitions and this one wasn't anything less for me.

Competition with the Ardolfs? I'm in for it.

All of a sudden, I was looking at the office door standing a few steps away from me. With two long strides, I neared the door until getting knocked off my feet.

The unexpected blow got my vision blurred at first, then the feeling of falling hit me along with the floor. My back collided and I landed back first on the hard marble that suddenly felt than it used to in childhood.

What the f**k? Did a huge wall of granite suddenly pop out of the floor?

Wincing, I tried to regain my posture. My eyes opened to find a hand extended towards me, a hand twice as big as mine.

"My apologies, may I?" A deep voice came as my gaze stretched farther from the hand to the huge towering figure.

I wasn't a woman easily scared but for the first time in my life, I gulped hard while encountering someone.

My eyes narrowed in on the prominent tattoo of a dragon on his hand.

Ardolf.