Author's Note:

Hello guys!!! The next few chapters are just a short story of Ric and Gina. I didn't want to write another book about them as I want this story of theirs to be sweet and short. Hope you guys will like it!!!

21 years later

Everyone sat in the living room including the children except one. Happiness and excitement can cleanly be seen in their eyes and everyone are impatient for something.

They are spending time together in the evening. It's one of such rare times when everyone sits together and talks to one another.

"I still can't believe that she is coming back after 5 years and that too being a doctor" Alex rejoiced.

"Yeah...It is as if yesterday I held her in my hands for the first time" John's eyes moistened at the memory.

"How long should we wait for her more??" Nikolai asked annoyed.

"She is on the way Zio. She will be here by tomorrow" Enzo replied his uncle.

Enzo is now the second in command and he constantly proves that he is worthy. He is calm among the siblings and takes decisions very carefully.

But Demon lies underneath his calmness. He is equally devilish if you mess with him or his family. And no one has survived his wrath to date.

He is also protective of his brothers and makes sure everyone remains together despite the disputes. He loves his family more than anyone and only his family can see his warm side.

Every single of the siblings is cold just like their parents and took over different responsibilities from their parents one by one. Enzo became the second in command as soon as he turned 18.

He proved himself worthy after 8 years of extreme training. All of them are sent to the training in Russia after they turned 10.

Ric was the first one to go for training when he turned 10. And as soon as he turned 18, he was tested in every way possible, and only after every one of the Elites agreed he is chosen as the KING.

Sarah insisted on the voting process for Ric to be the KING. 65% selected him except her from her family. Alex retired after giving away all the powers to his son. But he still has his effect on everyone just like before.

Ric just like in childhood proves why he deserves to be the heir. He went through the most extreme training and aced in everything. He learned everything with so much interest and passion.

He loves his family and protects them always. But the major drawback in him is that he takes foolish decisions sometimes by putting himself in danger when the threat comes for family. He is closest to his father and shares everything with him.

But what no one understands is Ric's behavior. Even if he loves everyone way too much, he never shows it even when they are alone. Everyone is worried as to why he isn't expressing himself.

Elders know how much it is important to let their emotions out as they need to be cold in front of everyone. They tried many ways to bring emotions out of Ric but of no use.

"But I can't wait anymore. Not after knowing that she is coming" Nikolai huffed like a child.

"Okay okay calm down Nik. You are being child day by day" Sarah spoke in a mischievous tone.

"Zia!!" Sarah turned to her nephew Rio. "What are going to say to Fratello??"

Rio has been the aggressive one since he was a child. While Matt can be calm and aggressive on-demand.

The younger twins Gabriel and Giovanni are the pranksters of the house. They keep on pulling everyone's legs every time. But they are equally serious as their brothers when it comes to working.

Matteo handles weapons and shipments while Mario takes care of men and their training.

Gabriel looks after half the businesses while Erik (John's son) looks into another half.

Giovanni just like his fathers is interested in technology and is the tech guy of the gang.

If Alex and his brothers are the best, their next-generation has outsmarted them in everything possible with their capabilities.

Together everyone makes the strongest gang ever. Every time they fight their bond became stronger than before.

Even if they thought they can be the heir instead of Ric, learning about the responsibilities he had and the way he handles them increased the love and respect they have for him to the extent where they believe him more than anyone.

Ric too makes sure that his brothers are safe and puts himself first whenever it is needed. He puts his family first even if it's dangerous for him.

"No one is going to say anything about this to him. She will be staying here only for a few days and I don't want her time here to be complicated" Sarah said with a final tone.

"But don't you think he will come to know about this. He lives in the same compound as she is going to live" John spoke.

"We will see what happens when they meet. But I don't want anyone to say anything to him" Sarah said.

"But-" Ruby was cut off by the cold voice that can send shivers down the spine to any person.

"How foolish of you all to think that I will not know about her arrival" Ric spoke in a calm tone that hid all his emotions.

No one spoke anything and remained silent. They didn't expect Ric to know about this.

"How do you know about her??" Alex asked.

"What do you mean by that??" Ric asked confused.

"Who do you think we are talking about??" Sarah asked to know what Ric is actually trying to do.

"You are asking me that mamma?? You don't know about whom you are speaking??" Ric spoke in a neutral voice which irritates everyone especially when they expect a reaction from him.

"Ric!!! Sarah is asking something and answer her properly!!!" Alex spoke in a stern voice.

"Yes, Dada!! I know you guys are speaking about Gina" Ric spoke.

Alex is the only one who can still control Ric. Even Sarah couldn't do that sometimes.

"So, you remember her??" Stephan asked.

"When did I ever forget her to remember now?? And how naive of you to think I can ever forget someone who is a member of our familia" Ric asked raising an eyebrow.

"So you remember??" Sarah asked shocked. Ric just nodded his head. "But how?? We-" Sarah was cut in the middle.

"What?? How did I still remember her even after 17 years??" Sarah nodded.

"What do you think?? By sending me far away from her in the name of training and sending her away by the time I come for studies can make me forget her??" Ric questioned his mother.

He very well knows who is the reason behind him being away from Gina. His Gina!!!

Sarah sent Ric Russia for two reasons. One she wanted Ric to be strong and get trained as every other member of the family.

And Ric himself chose to get trained extremely after going to Russia. He wants to prove himself in every way possible.

Two, Sarah wanted to keep Gina and Ric away from each other. As she was afraid of her son's possessive and overprotective nature for Gina.

Since Gina is born, Ric would never let someone touch her unless Gina needs to be fed. He would sleep just beside her and never let her out of his sight.

At first, everyone thought it was just his protective towards her, but as days passed by it became too much that he would not like when she looks at someone else too.

Moreover, Gina never complained too and enjoyed the attention she is getting from Ric. She even loved to be in his company so much that she wouldn't stay away from him for long.

Sarah felt that whatever is happening is wrong and couldn't let that go ahead even if it hurts both of them at first. It would be better for both of them and for their own good.

After she convinced everyone and sent Ric to Russia at the age of 10, Gina threw so many tantrums. But slowly as time passed by she became normal again.

After 8 years when Ric turned 18 and Alex decided to retire and give his responsibilities away, Sarah convinced Gina and sent her to London for higher studies.

Gina was very talented and smart that she finished her 10th Grade by 12 years and as per Sarah's advice she was sent to high school and university in London and Sarah made sure that her identity is hidden from Ric.

After Ric came back he never mentioned Gina, so Sarah and everyone were convinced that he doesn't remember her or at least the time spent with her.

But what she didn't expect is that Ric remembered everything in spite of everything she did.

"We never really wanted to keep you both away from each other unless it's for your possessiveness and overprotective nature for her" Sarah said the reason behind.

"You can call it anything but SHE IS MINE" Ric spoke in his authoritative tone.

"You are forgetting that she is my daughter. I will be the one who will be deciding what's good for her" Father in John stood his ground.

"What will you do when Gina herself wants to be with me??" Ric answered with the same intensity.

"But last I checked she is not interested in you" John said.

"Yet!!!" Ric responded. "She is not interested in me yet Zio. And I promise you all that if there is anyone who could be my Queen, then it's her. SHE IS THE FUTURE QUEEN" Ric said sternly and turned towards his father and continued.

"Un re non può essere un re senza la forza della sua Regina" Alex was amused and shocked at this.

("A King can't be a king without the strength of his Queen")

Everyone is stunned to see this determined look on Ric's face. This look meant only one thing. Ric is going to do that no matter what.

"Fine!!! You can try but only on my conditions" John spoke again. Even John was surprised and amused by Ric's behavior. Ric nodded indicating John to continue.

"You should never force her to be with you. You just need to make her feel like doing so. And you will be yourself. Is that clear??"

"Yes, Zio. I understood"