Returning every sin

07

As I sat there thinking, I noticed a knock on the door. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, wondering what kind of impression I would make on whoever was at the other side of the door. I adjusted my hair, and stood up to answer it.

I opened the door to find Ravos standing in the hallway. He was holding a bottle of wine, and a couple of glasses. I raised an eyebrow, curious as to why he would bring that to my room.

"Thought you might want to celebrate tonight," he said, handing me a glass. "It's from Valerio's personal collection."

I took the glass, giving him a nod of thanks. "So what are we celebrating?" I asked, taking a sip of the wine. It was smooth and fruity, with a complex flavor that had me intrigued.

"The start of your new life," Ravos said, taking a seat on the bed next to me. "You're part of the family now, Cora. And that means you get to learn the ropes, and figure out where you fit in."

I took another sip of the wine, feeling the warmth spreading through my body. "And what kind of family is this?" I asked, curious as to what kind of life I had gotten myself into.

"Let's just say that we're not the closest bunch," Ravos said, with a shrug. "But we take care of our own, and we'll always have your back. Valerio might be a bit... rough around the edges, but he's a good guy at heart."

I nodded, taking another sip of the wine. It was strong, and I could feel the effects starting to take hold. I knew I would need to pace myself, or risk getting too tipsy to think straight.

"And what about you, Ravos?" I asked, turning to face him. "What's your role in all of this?"

He took a sip of wine, thoughtful for a moment. "I'm the brother that keeps things running smoothly," he said with a slight smile. "And I make sure Valerio doesn't go too far off the rails."

I raised an eyebrow, curious as to what he meant by that. "What do you mean Rav?" I ask, my voice slightly slurred from the wine. I take another sip, feeling the alcohol hit my system. I need to pace myself, or risk getting too drunk to think straight.

Ravos gives me a knowing look, taking a sip of wine before speaking. "Let's just say, you're not the first person that Valerio has brought here," he says. "And he can be... difficult, at times."

I nod, understanding what he means. Valerio is the kind of person who demands perfection, and won't brook any less. I can imagine that he can be a difficult person to deal with, and that there are consequences for those who don't live up to his expectations.

"So what do I need to do?" I ask, looking at Ravos for guidance.

He gives me a small smile, taking another sip of wine. "Just be yourself," he says. "And don't take anything Valerio says or does too personally. He's just... complicated."

I nod, understanding the meaning behind his words. Valerio is a complex person, with a lot of demands and high expectations. And while I may not always see eye to eye with him, I know that I need to work hard to earn his respect and trust.

"I'll do my best," I say, taking another sip of wine. "But I'm not going to let anyone walk all over me."

Ravos nods, giving me a look of appreciation. "So your not scared of Valerio?," he says, raising his glass to take a sip. "No, I'm not." I murmur.

"That's a shocker."

We sat there for a while, drinking the wine and talking about nothing in particular. But as the night went on, we both started to feel the effects of the alcohol. I was beginning to feel a little bit tipsy, and Ravos was starting to slur his words slightly.

As we chatted, we got interrupted by the door swinging open.

"Ravos." A voice snapped, causing me to turn my head to see that it was Valerio.

Ravos cleared his throat. "Valerio." He said sharply.

"Out. Now." Valerio growled, Rav stood up, giving me a nod before stepping out with Valerio who slammed the door shut after he stepped out.

Mio Dio.

As they're footstep's drifted away, I slumped down onto the bed, lying on my back as the back of my head meet's the soft pillow.

I groan as I remember all of my stuff is still at my house—or my old house as you'd now call it, would Valerio even let me go there?

Highly doubt it.

But he can't stop me? Right?

I swing my leg's of the king sized bed, letting my bare feet touch the white marble as I stand up, opening the door and stepping out.

I walk down the hallway, looking around for where he is until my eyes stumble across a housewife that was cleaning the windows.

I quickly walk over, "Excuse me?" I ask, trying to sound as nice as possible.

"Ah! Ms.Wood, how can I help you?" She asks softly, a smile making it's way to her lips.

"Do you know where Valerio's office is?" I ask, and her eyes widen at the question, something glistened in here eyes—fear.

"It's right down that hall to your left," she say's quickly, gulping back the shakeyness in her voice and I raise an eyebrow but shake the thought off, "Thankyou." I mumble, spinning around and walking towards his office.

As I come up close to the huge silver doors, I hear mumbling and shouting inside, not thinking much of it I walk in, meeting with Ravos glaring at Valerio and Valerio had his fist's balled at his side's as well as his jaw clamped shut.

As soon as I enter the office Valerio's gaze snaps to mine.

"What?" He growls, anger burning like a wildfire in his eyes.

"I want to go back to my house to get my things." I say sharply, unable to break the eye contact between the both of us.

"No." He says simply, fidgeting with the watch on his wrist. "No?" I scoff, crossing my arm's in disapproval.

"No." He repeat's, narrowing his eyes as if he's already bored of this conversation, "You can't tell me what to do or what not." I say blatantly as Ravos look's between the two of us.

"Leave us." Valerio orders and Rav nod's, making his way outside.

"You think," Valerio take's a step forward, "That I can't tell you what to do?" He take's another step, now inches away from me.

"Well," He take's a third step, causing me to step back but of course he follows, I don't realise how close he is until my back is met with the wall and his hands are flat against the wall, each next to the sides of my head.

"Let me tell you this sweetheart." He say's sharply, glaring dagger's at me as he lowers his head, our face now inches apart.

"You are mine."

I scowl, watching as his eyes move between my own, "Am I?" I snap, leaning closer so that my breath is fanning his.

"Or am I just another one of your f**k buddies?" I hiss, narrowing my eyes.

And he laughs.

He f*****g laughs.

"You're mine Cora. Whether you like it or not, you.are.mine." He growls, pulling his face from mine and walking out of the office leaving me stunned.

His? This man is f*****g mental.

I quickly compose myself, gritting my teeth and storming out after him, once I finally catch up I jump infront of him, narrowing my eyes.

"I am going to the house to get my things." I say confidently but sharply.

He chuckles. "Try get past the guard's, let me know how that goes." He says with a smirk, looking down at me like im nothing more than a little girl.

"Mio Dio, you are unbelievable." I mutter, running a hand down my face.

"Move. I have business to attend to." He hissed, his patient's worn thin as he shoved me aside.