We were Born to Die

Chapter 02

“Look brother who cared to join us. It’s our raccoon sister who finally got the time for her brothers after causing us such a trouble.” As Matteo’s words slithered across the room like a viper, I felt my blood boil beneath my skin. The audacity of him, pouring himself a glass of wine as if he owned the world, as if he had any right to speak to me like that. And Giovanni, always the one to add the fuel to the fire, chiming in with his agreement, as if he needed their validation.

I shot a glare at Matteo, my eyes burning with a mixture of anger and hurt. How dare he call me a raccoon, as if I was some sort of burden to be tolerated rather than a beloved sister to be cherished. My mouth opened to retort, to defend myself against their unjust accusations, but before I could utter a word, Giovanni’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “He is right, Bella.” He said, his tone laced with a hint of condescension. I turned to look at him, feeling a pang of betrayal at his words. Giovanni, my eldest brother, the one who I had always looked up to, now joining forces with Matteo against me.

“But I-” I began, only to be interrupted once again, this time by the entrance of Alessandro. My heart softened at the sight of him, my favorite among my brothers. Despite the playful banter and teasing, Alessandro was always there for me, his strength and intelligence a constant source of comfort in our tumultuous world.

As Alessandro entered the room, accompanied by the only woman I had ever seen him with, I couldn’t help but smile at the easy camaraderie between them. Despite the weight of our family’s legacy bearing down upon us, Alessandro still found the joy and laughter, something I admired greatly. But even in the amidst of their laughter, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being ganged up on by Matteo and Giovanni. It seemed no matter what I did, I could never escape their scrutiny, their constant judgement of my every action.

Feeling a surge of defiance rise within me, I straightened my spine and met Matteo’s gaze head-on. “Maybe my shoes are dirty,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm ragging inside me. “But at least I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty when it counts.” The room feel silent at my words, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. For a moment, I feared I had gone too far, that I crossed a line that could never be uncrossed. But then, to my surprise, Alessandro let out a hearty laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Spoken like a true mafia princess,” he said clapping me on the shoulder in approval. “Don’t ever change, Bella. We need someone like you to keep us on our toes.”

I couldn’t help but role my eyes as Giovanni once again attempted to lay the blame for my rebellious streak at Alessandro’s feet. “You are the one responsible for her rebellious behavior, Alessandro.” Giovanni’s voice echoed through the room as he took another shot at the pool table.

Alessandro, ever the calm and collected one, merely chuckled in response, “She is perfect how she is, Gio. And you know it.” He said, taking his place on the sofa beside Matteo, who was lounging comfortably. Daniella, always one to stir the pot, settled herself onto Alessandro’s lap, her fingers running through his brown hair provocatively.

“I think the girl deserves some fun, Gio. And Matteo should be the one in control,” Daniella purred, her words dripping with mischief. She didn’t hesitate to take a jab at Matteo, reminding everyone of the recent fight that had left a mark on the city. Matteo’s response was predictably brash as he shot Daniella a defiant middle finger. I couldn’t help but smirk, knowing that Daniella had hit a nerve. But I couldn’t let them forget that I wasn’t the cause of all the trouble.

“And besides, it was Mario, who threw the first punch,” I interjected, hoping to clear my name. However, instead of diffusing the situation, it seemed to only make matters worse. Suddenly, everyone was crowding around me, inspecting the small cut on my face with concern. “I’m fine, really,” I insisted, but Alessandro wasn’t convinced. He gently held my chin, his eyes searching mine as he examined my face closely. It was moments like these that made me acutely aware of his possessive brotherly presence, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

“He won’t be sleeping peacefully after getting hit at the balls,” I added, my voice laced with determination. I refused to let anyone, especially like Mario, think they could intimidate me. And if there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that I wasn’t about to back down from a fight.

As Alessandro’s gaze softened and he spoke to Daniella, my heart fluttered nervously. His words held both concern and a hint of authority that made me feel simultaneously reassured and vulnerable. “Dani, take Bella to her room,” he instructed, his voice commanding yet gentle. “And look for any wound on her body. Every inch of her.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in my stomach at the seriousness in his tone. Despite knowing deep down that I was okay, his insistence on thoroughness sent shiver down my spine. But as his gaze returned to me, his expression softened once more, and I found solace in the warmth of his hands cupping my face. “Bella, I know you are fine,” he assured me softly, his touch sending a rush of comfort through me. “But I need to be assured.”

With a nod, Daniella took my hand, guiding me out of the room as if I were a fragile doll. Despite my protests, she led me along the familiar corridors towards my room, her movement gentle yet firm. As we walked, I couldn’t help but overhear Matteo’s words echoing for my distress, filled me with a strange mix of relief and apprehension. Matteo’s protective instincts were fierce, his loyalty unwavering, and the thought of him seeking a fight on my behalf stirred a sense of gratitude within me.

“Leave that son of b***h to me,” he growled, his voice laced with barely-contained anger. “I’ll kill him slowly and painfully for what he has done to our sister.” Despite the severity of his words, I couldn’t suppress the small surge of satisfaction that bubbled within me. Knowing that my brothers were willing to go to such length to protect me reminded me of the unbreakable bond that tied us together, despite our differences and occasional disagreements.

As Daniella finally ushered me into my room, I couldn’t help feel but a wave of exhaustion wash over me. The events of the day had taken their toll, both physically and emotionally, and all I want was to curl up in the safety of my own bed and forget the chaos that had engulfed my world. As Daniella’s gaze roamed over my body, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me. It was a normal thing for us, knowing each other for what felt like ages. She and Alessandro, my older brother, had first met in high school and ultimately become a thing. And now, they were thinking of getting married soon, Daniella was practically a family.

I lay on the bed, pulling the blanket over myself, feeling a little vulnerable but safe in her presence. Daniella joined me, lying beside me, her reassuring words breaking through the silence. “Don’t worry, your brothers will take care of it,” she said softly, her voice like a soothing balm to my worries.

“I know they will.” I confidently assured myself. When it comes to my brothers, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for me. Taking care of Mario? It’s a mere trifle for them. In this world of predators, where only the strongest survive, Mario doesn’t stand a chance. Not him, nor his family. So, I’m not the least bit concerned. “I’m not thinking about that,” I added with a small smile, grateful for her understanding.

Turning to face each other, our eyes met. Daniella’s blue eyes held a depth of understanding that made me feel seen, truly seen, in a way that few others could. I couldn’t help but open up to her, sharing the doubts and fears that had been weighing on my mind. “I just don’t know if I should be fine or not, about the fact that my friends and guards followed my orders,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared up at the ceiling, lost in my thoughts.

It was true. I had given my members strict orders not to intervene when the police were involved, believing that I could handle any situation on my own. But today, when faced with a dangerous encounter, I had found myself alone, abandoned by those who were supposed to have my back. Even though I had come out of it unscathed, the feeling of betrayal lingered, gnawing at the edges of my mind. Was I wrong to trust them? Should I have not given those orders?

As Daniella listened to my words, her expression softened with empathy. She reached out, gently squeezing my hand in a silent gesture of support. “It’s okay to feel conflicted.” She said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her own experiences. “But remember, you are not alone. You have people who care about you, who will stand by you no matter what.”

Her words were a balm to my troubled soul, reminding me that even in the darkest of moments, there was still light to be found. And as I lay there with Daniella by my side, I knew that no matter what the future held, I would always have her to lean on. As Daniella sat up straight, her blue eyes sparkled with determination as she looked behind at me. “How about we spend some time together and we both can find you some decent friends,” she suggested, her voice filled with genuine concern. Then, her enthusiasm bubbled over as she added, “And I can choose some guards for you, like the best.”

I couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth at her offer. Her smile was infectious, and I found myself nodding eagerly. I had always admired Daniella from afar, yearning for someone like her to guide me through the complexities of our world—the world of mafia. She was epitome of the perfection: beautiful, fun-loving, kind—hearted, yet fiercely protective of those she cared about. And to top it off, she was skilled in both guns and hand-to-hand combat—a force to be beckoned with. Daniella let out a soft sigh before agreeing, “Okay.” There was a moment of silence as she stood up, crossing her arms over her chest in a confident stance. “Let’s go, I have a plan,” she declared, extending her hand towards me.

“Girl’s night out.” She announced with a mischievous grin, a twinkle in her eye revealing the mischief we were about to embark on. I knew exactly what she meant by that—time to let loose, to forget about the pressures of the world and simple enjoy each other’s company. With a wide grin, I eagerly took her hand, feeling a rush of excitement coursing through me.