Rosalia's pov
He drags me down the stairs, the barrel of his gun pressed to the side of my head. I whimper when I trip on my steps, but he grabs me before I fall.
We reach the bottom of the stairs. My eyes are filled with fear, tears pouring fast, my whole body trembling under his clothes.
I look up and the first person I see is Lady Red, Alessio's mother, smirking like this is her favorite show.
Bitch.
Then my eyes land on Maria,she gives me a pity look before she looks at the floor and scurries off holding a tray.
I thought I had it all figured out , lie and lie and lie until the real Raven showed up , but boy was I wrong. With a gun pressed to my head, I can't even think.
My eyes land on a short, plump guy. He turns around at our arrival: short, round-bellied, scar on his jaw, messy brown hair, and hugging a black bag like it's his lifeline. Julio.
Alessio shoves me forward.
"So? ...is she it?" he asks, voice low, dangerous, vibrating in the silent room.
Julio steps forward, looking at me, assessing me.
I hold my breath and am already prepared to die at this moment because, well, how the fuck am I supposed to get myself out of this situation?
"Julio... talk," Alessio orders, and he flinches from his voice.
"A... I mean she does look like Raven, just different hair colour..." he whispers, squinting his eyes at me.
Hold on... what now?
"Are you sure?" Alessio asks, moving in front of me. Now both men are looking at me like I'm some art in a gallery room.His gun still raised .
I stay quiet , my lips quivering in fear ,my fists tight on my sides .
"Y... yes, capo... that's her, just different hair colour... everything else is exactly the same..." he says, nodding in assurance.
Alessio's eyes meet mine and I almost literally pee my pants. God, he's intimidating.
"Care to explain?" he asks, cocking his head and an eyebrow at me, stepping closer.
His breath fans my cheek and it sends goosebumps all over my body.
I swallow hard, trying not to look away because he'll know I'm bullshitting him.
"A... I dyed it when I ran away," I simply say whatever came first to mind.
Well, that was a stupid excuse.
For a moment he just stares at me and I wonder what's going on in that head of his.
"I... I didn't want to be found easily so... I..." I say breathlessly when he finally lowers his gun.
"I dyed it black," I whisper, looking away.
Alessio's mother rolls her eyes at me.
"Hm..." he simply says, stepping back without another word.
He turns to Julio, placing his gun back in his holster, and I physically relax and breathe out a breath of relief.
"You can go," he orders, and Julio nods, giving me one last look before he scurries off holding that bag.
What the fuck just happened? What did he mean I looked like Raven? Was it true or did he lie to save my life?
Alessio's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Back upstairs. I'll see you in a bit," he says, voice low and commanding. I nod.
Before I make two steps...
"Raven," he calls, and I turn around. His eyes sweep over me and I tug on the hem of his shirt. I wonder why he hasn't said anything about it yet.
"My room, not yours," he says.
"But..." I start protesting, but he glares at me, giving me a warning look that leaves no room for argument.
"Fine, jeez," I roll my eyes, making my way upstairs.
Lord, whatever you did down there , thank you.
I mutter the prayer to my inner self. The hallway is empty, the walls lined with portraits of family members I assume and other expensive-looking paintings.
I run my hands on the wall as my light footsteps echo in the hallway.
"Stop! ...please!" I hear a small, familiar voice call from the corner.
I freeze, my heart skipping. Maria.
I follow the voice, speed-walking toward it. The door at the end of the hallway is slightly ajar and I stop at the door, peeking inside.
"Please stop! ...you're hurting me!" Maria's voice trembles again.
She's held against the wall with one of the guards; he has his hands on her and a gun pressed to her head.
I storm inside.The door shutting behind me .
"Let her go, you asshole!" I yell, stepping toward them.
He turns around and glares at me but he doesn't let her go.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, huh?" he asks, gripping her tighter. She whimpers,my blood boils with anger.
"I'm not going to tell you again, let her go!" I warn, stepping closer.
"Or what?" he shoots back.
Oh this motherfucker...
I move before he can register what's happening. I kick his balls and he groans, letting go of Maria. He raises his hand, aiming his gun at me, but I punch the side of his face. He drops the gun. I grab it and point it at him.
Well, Alessio has shitty guards.
"You were saying?" I ask with a grin as I step on his chest, looking down at him.
He spits blood on the floor and chuckles dryly with a sick grin.
"They taught you that at the ho—house?" he asks.
I blink, feeling offended. Well, he's talking about Raven, but still , no one should talk about anyone like that.
Before I can move he moves from under me and he stands ,I stumble back. He throws a punch, I dodge, grip his arm and twist it. He screams in pain when I kick the back of his knees, and hit the side of his head with the gun, pinning him down easily even though he's twice my size.
"Just because you're his girl... doesn't make you our boss... you're nothing but filth," he spits, and I'm unable to control my anger.
He was forcing himself on Maria, and God knows how many times he's done that to maybe Maria and other helps in this house , and now he's talking shit.
Before I know it, cock the gun and press it to the back of his head .
"Wait..." he doesn't finish the sentence. I shoot his brains out. The sound fills the room and I hear Maria gasp behind me. His head falls limp, blood pouring fast , some splattering on Alessio's clothes that am wearing,
I stand, dropping the gun and wiping my bloody hands on the t-shirt .
The door slams open.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Alessio's mother's voice yells.
Shit. Just what I fucking needed .