It's been a week since our argument. I still think he's a possessive fuckhead and that's why we still haven't spoken to each other. I've been doing my schooling with Bianca and Xavier's been taking us to the compound. I know Dante's been spending a lot of his time down in the basement as he's been ordering his meals much later than usual.

I've been trying to get back to working but I haven't had such luck. Nonna refuses to go against her grandsons orders. I think it's complete garbage. I know she likes me more than him.

Xavier walks into my room with his usual blank stare. I sit up from my bed and place the book I'm reading to the side. "Xavier? How can I help you?"

"Don has requested that you move to your new room."

"Why am I getting a new room?" He looked at me as if I am a complete idiot.

"You are no longer a maid so you will no longer be living in the maids quarters."

"And why couldn't he just tell me?"

"Don is busy, now pack up your stuff. Some of the boys will be here in half an hour to move your things."

Sighing I stand from my bed and begin to organise my things so I'm prepared. My three roommates Holly, Sabrina and Ally who are all on their morning breaks roll their eyes at each other before they continue to flip through magazines.

Definitely won't miss their hospitality.

I continue to organise my items until there's a knock at the door. Assuming it's the guys who are going to move my things I open the door.

Leo stands there in all his mighty glory. "Hey best friend." He smiles down at me.

"Better not tell your sister you said that." I open the door wider for him and walk into the room. The girls are now sitting up, slightly adjusting their uniforms to appear more sexually pleasing. Idiots.

"Whatever, I'll shove her down the stairs and it won't be a problem." I laugh and shove a box in his hands which I'd taken from the supply cupboard. "Thanks bestie."

"I don't think we should be best friends anymore." He puts up his most serious voice but I see the little smile making its way through his feigned upset demeanour. He attempts to shove the box back in my hands, I side step so he's still holding it.

I pick up a box myself deciding to get this over and done with. "Right! Now lead the way." He grumbles like a small child but proceeds to show the way while I follow behind.

We walk through the halls and go up the stairs. I expect to stay on the second floor but we continue up to the third. I don't question it, I'll be close to Bianca.

He opens the door to the right of Dante's. Is this the only room available? It's a big house and I end up with the room next to his? Suspicious.

Walking in I see it's the same set up as Bianca's, only hers has been decorated to portray her style. My new rooms decor is simple. White bed, white curtains, oak wood ascents, bathroom and closet. We place the two boxes on the end of the bed. "So, what do you think? The rest of your clothes have been moved from Bianca's closet to yours and I'll go grab the last two boxes since I'm a complete gentleman."

While Leo leaves to go grab my other boxes I take my time to look around my new room. Surly Bianca will help me redecorate and add my own touch. "So how do you like your new room?" I turn around smiling.

"It's great! I love it." Bianca skips into the room.

"Now that you have more closet space we can buy more clothes!" I should've known.

"Let's leave it for now. Why are you here?" She feigns hurt.

"Can I not come to see my best friend in her brand new room? I'm shocked!" I roll my eyes at her dramatics.

"Of course you can."

"Dante wants to see you in his office."

"Why?"

She shrugs "he didn't say."

"Great..." I sigh palming my hair.

I head down the stairs to the second floor and walk down the hallway until I reach his office door. I make sure to take a couple deep breaths before knocking.

"Come in." His deep voice sends shivers down my spine.

Slowly I push the door open and step inside. "You wanted to see me?"

He looks up from the stack of papers in his hand and places then down in a neat pile. Dante has a pair of black rimmed reading glasses perched on his nose. When he sees me he takes them off and places then down on his desk.

He's wearing a white button up shirt. The three top buttons are undone, showing the top of his chest. He's rolled his sleeves to just above his elbows. Unfortunately he looks extremely attractive.

"Please close the door and take a seat." I push the door shut and walk forward taking a seat in one of the leather chairs facing his desk.

Once I'm situated he begins to speak "my parents are coming over for a family dinner tonight and Bianca has made it clear that she wants you to attend. Normally this wouldn't be an issue but you are not officially in the mafia yet, if my parents were to find out that an outsider is here, my father would lose it. To put it lightly, you are to sign a contract then we need to brand you."

Brand me? Like a cow?

"A contract I can get on board with but branding?"

"A tattoo." He clarifies. "Everyone in the mafia has one. Bianca too." I thought I saw something on her rib cage? but her shirt was cropped to the point where it just covered it up so I wasn't sure if I was seeing things.

"Where's yours?" Dante's covered in tattoos and I want to know what it looks like.

He stands and begins to unbutton his shirt. My mouth waters at the sight. Tossing his shirt over the back of his desk chair he points to his left bicep.

I stand and move around his desk to get a better look. The close proximity makes me hold my breath. Slowly I touch the emblem. It's two roses with a gun and the the Italian mafia written in cursive. It wasn't as vulgar as I'd expected but that doesn't mean I want it.

I'm taken back to reality as he hands me a stack of papers. "Sit down. Read. Sign." He hands me a pen a top of the papers. I move around the desk and take a seat. Maybe signing the contract will be enough and I won't need to be tattooed.

It takes me two hours to read through the entire contract. It seemed reasonable to an extent. The usual, if I go to the cops or spill sensitive information, I die. At the bottom I sign and toss my head back letting out an exasperated sigh. That was exhausting.

"Done?" I look back at Dante who's continued his work quietly.

"Yes."

"Good." He picks up his phone and calls someone.

"We're ready." He hangs up placing his phone back on the desk.

"Ready for what?" I have an idea but I need to be sure.

The door opens and a burly man covered head to toe in tattoos walks in holding a black leather bag. "Mr Romano sir, good to see you again."

He walks further into the room. "Likewise." They shake hands. The man looks down at me smiling.

"You must be the fresh meat, I'm Cal."

"S-Scarlett." I shake his hand.

He places his bag on the ground and begins grabbing supplies out of it. When I spot the tattoo gun it's time to bolt.

"No." I move around the chair and am caught around the waist as I attempt to exit the door.

"Principessa, do not make this harder than it needs to be." His warm breath pricks my neck making me squirm.

"I-I am not your pet! I w-will not be branded!"

"Can you get her to show me where she wants it? Im ready." Cal calls from across the room. I want to cry. I didn't ask for this.

"What if I-I don't go to dinner t-tonight?"

"Won't change a thing. This was going to happen anyway, we just put it off so you could get comfortable and used to this lifestyle. Now where do you want it?"

"Up your ass!" He rolls his eyes and grips my arm dragging me back into the centre of the room.

He sits down on the leather chair I previously sat in. The asshole kicks my knees causing them to buckle and resulting in me falling to the floor.

I'm then placed over his thighs and he holds my head down. "She'll have it on the back of her neck. Make sure it's small as possible." He brushes my hair away from my neck.

I fight against him but it's no use. His grip tightens until it's bordering on painful. I hear the buzzing of the tattoo gun and my anxiety peaks. I'm not great with needles. I'm terrified of them.

My father used recreational drugs and one night injected heroin into my system when I was younger. When I passed out and my father realised the dose was too big he rushed me to the hospital.

Only when I woke up he threatened me and made sure I didn't rat him out. I had to come up with a believable lie. Which I did but he proceeded to beat me when we got home as I wasted his entire night because he had to take me to the hospital.

Cal nears me and a moment later I can feel the tiny jabs of the needle stabbing my skin. Tears prick my eyes. "I-I fucking h-hate you." My voice is a mer whisper but I know he hears me as his hold falters for a moment.

I cry silently just waiting for it to be over. The memory from my childhood plays over in my head. It feels like hours of the worst kind of torture.

Finally Cal turns of the gun. He wipes the back of my neck. "All done." Dante's hold on me loosens but I can't find it in myself to move.

Cal continues to speak "this is the cream to apply to the tattoo, it will get itchy but don't scratch it." I assume he hands the cream to Dante.

"It's small enough that it doesn't require plastic wrap."

"Thank you Cal."

"Anytime Mr Romano." I listen to the sound of him zipping up his bag, walking out and closing the door behind him.

Slowly I push myself up off Dante's lap and avoid his gaze. I know my eyes are puffy and red from the crying. My face is probably splotchy and I'm thoroughly angry.

"Scarlett-"

"-no." I walk out of his office and hightail it back up to my room. I'm grateful that there's a lock.

I lock the door and make my way to my bed. Getting under the covers I silently weep and close my eyes needing a break.

I hear knocking from Dante at first. I'm not sure how long he stands out there until Leo takes over and then Bee. But I don't answer to any of them. I need to be alone and they have to respect that. I feel my eyes getting heavy and I allow sleep to take me away into its comfort.

Someone yanks the duvet from over my head. I groan rubbing my puffy eyes. "We've given you enough time to feel sorry for yourself but now you need to get ready!" I'd recognise that voice anywhere. My best friend.

"Go away Bianca."

"Told you she wouldn't be happy to see you." Someone mutters. I hear a slap.

"Shutup Leo and help me!" He sighs.

"Come on Scarlett. You need to get up." Leo says poking my shoulder like he's afraid I'll bite his finger off.

I sit up glaring at the annoying duo. "Why is it so important that I go?"

"Because we want you to meet the rest of our family." Bee states sitting next to me.

"Please come." She begs.

"Fine but I'm not talking to your stupid brother."

"Well that's just fucking rude. What did I do?!"

"Other brother, Leo." His face goes from mortified to calm in a matter of seconds.

"Oh. That's fine."

"Ok great, now get out. I have to choose an outfit for Scarlett." Bianca kicks her brother out and locks the door. We watch as the handle moves and hear a groan coming from the other side of the door.

Eventually we hear footsteps retreating. I can't help but laugh. Leo really is a child in the best way.

"Now for your outfit."

I want to die.