the last year was a roller coaster, I attended levi's funeral and it was unlike any other. seeing his mom crying, him in a coffin, and the emotions I had. everything hurt.

his death took a troll on me, it truly hurt and as much as I try not to let carlos' words into my head I just can't get over the fact that levi would've been with me now if I didn't say the 'maybe I do'.

but then again that's exactly what carlos wants, he wants me to blame myself for his doing. killing levi was his fault because no matter what I said, it wasn't even a reason for him to kill him.

I promised myself that I will only visit his grave after I kill carlos, breaking the promise crossed my mind a lot because at some times I wanted to be close to him, just see anything of him. but I didn't give in and I still stand by my promise.

I couldn't bare seeing carlos at school that's why I took the rest of the year online , just for my diploma. I needed to graduate to be in charge.

I tracked some informations and found something interesting, I found out carlos' family has a rival...Domenico Romano.

I don't know much about the man except that he is in his 50s, he has 2 sons, damon and dimitri. he owns the Sicilian mafia in Italy. and that he and carlos' father have been enemies for years.

I'm sure I can use that to my advantage.

I'm only including carlos' family because I need to be stronger than him, but only he will get hurt.

I'm currently trying to find any sort of contact with domenico, my father made it clear that he won't help me because he doesn't want to risk the gang.

another reason why he said he won't let me take over him unless I change my mind.

as much as I hate depending on him, I do need to take over him.

getting someone in a mafia's trust is hard let alone a leader. specially that I will be offering an alliance over killing carlos.

the son of their biggest rival.

as far as they know it could be a trap and men in the underground calculate every step. it will be hard to get their trust but harder if I'm on my own.

that leaves me with nothing but pretending to get over levi's death which will never happen until I see carlos on his knees begging me to show mercy but I won't.

my father is still not buying my act , that's why he invited carlos and probably his dad into a dinner in a restaurant to discuss something today. he said I have to go to prove myself and I agreed because it's my only way.

meaning I will have to deal with the face I didn't want to see this entire year, the face I haunt and want to see under the ground.

a flash of levi's smile when he saw me after my classes, the way he laughed at my lame jokes and how he understood me brought a frown to my lips but it soon went away as I remembered his pale blooded body on the ground of the park.

I have to be strong.

a faint knock on my door pulled me out of my trance and I looked up to see one of the new maids, she smiled and I really want to too but I can't find it in me to smile after everything.

"your father is calling you, it's time to go", here we go now.

I honestly don't know if I will be able to look at him and act normal, if I will be able to look at him and not jump on him and kill him on spot.

but I have to be patient, I want him to die in a painful way.

levi's death may have been quick but the pain he felt for a second and when he realized that he was going to die and how hurt he must've felt because he always told me about how many adventures he wanted to have.

I want carlos to feel that all slowly and painfully, worse because he will be dying for a reason unlike levi who died for nothing.

when that's done, I will finish levi's bucket list for him. only then can I live peacefully.

I nodded and stood up.

I'm wearing a white short dress that is kind of formal but not too formal. enough for a dinner.

I would've worn pants if it was up to me but my father said that the dinner is important and told me to wear this. he must've bought it or something because it's not from my closet.

I walked out of my room and went downstairs, to the car and the driver drove me and my father to the restaurant.

"what's the dinner about?" I asked wanting to know as much as I can.

my father looked at me and said "there is a deal me and carlos will seal.". him and carlos? what about his father?

"carlos took over his father a few days ago and offered a deal...." he said sounding unsure of something.

I looked at him trying to analyze what he's talking about but it's hard because of the cold expression he's giving me.

"what deal?" I asked because it might help, he looked out the window and said "you will know once we're there, he likes to keep things.... closed.".

I just nodded knowing I won't get more out of him, I may be talking to my father again but it doesn't mean I forgot what I read.

he's acting as if it never happened and I'm going along with his play. I will be able to know everything about my mother once I have the power I need.

I looked down at my phone to see a text from the group chat of my friends back in Miami.

I shut off after levi's death and ignored everyone, I only replied once a week and sometimes once a month.

I noticed texts from Nathan on the top messages and decided to read what he sent me.

*4 weeks ago*

*2 hours later*

*5 hours later*

I scrolled through them all till I got to today.

I let out a sigh and replied:

not even a second later he replied:

he always had issues with his father.

this is why me and him are close, he understands when to let me be and when to insist on knowing.

the car pulled up in front of the restaurant and I quickly typed :

I put my phone in my clutch bag and got out after the driver opened the door for me.

I straightened my back and walked with a neutral expression to the big glass door of the restaurant. I held my head high and walked in side by side with my father.

a waitress greeted us and and asked for my father's name, I ignored their little chat and scanned the tables taking in my surroundings.

my grey eyes met carlos' hazel ones and he smirked, he doesn't look too different. he now has facial hair which makes him look more...mature. his hair is a little shorter and instead of the casual attire he used to have he's now wearing a navy blue suit.

I kept my neutral expression on but only I know how much I want to break every bone in his body and kill him.

how much I want his blood to stain my white dress and how much my arms long to hold his lifeless body.

my father put a hand on my shoulder and that was my cue to move.

I walked confidently towards the open booth where carlos is alone, me and my father took a seat opposite him so we are facing him.

he smirked at me again and said "amber...you look stunning as ever.". I just looked at him and said "okay.".

my dad cleared his throat and carlos looked at him with a grin, he greeted him and then glanced at the bathroom.

my dad stood up making me frown as to why he is, he smiled at me and said " I will be back, excuse me.".

I know something is going on, but nonetheless I nodded and looked around avoiding carlos' gaze.

"you know about mine and your father's deal right?" he asked and I can hear excitement in his voice which is not a good sign.

I nodded and looked at him, "the deal is an alliance, for it to be completed...you will have to marry me." he said the words slowly making sure I hear each one clearly.

how delusional can he get?

I would very much love to put a bullet through his head right now but I have to stay calm.

I let out a dry chuckle and said "you're so delusional to even think I would be with you let alone marry you, the deal is between you and my father. seal it however you like, I don't care but I'm out of it.".

'marry you my ass' I mentally scoffed.

he grinned and said "that's where you're wrong amber, you have 2 choices. either marry me and take over your father or don't and I will turn your life into a living hell.".

turning to threats I see.

I stood up and said "try that and I will drag you with me." looks like sitting here and acting calm won't be it for tonight.

how can my father even agree? I fucking told him how carlos killed levi in front of me but no! whatever makes his lame excuse of a gang stronger is what he does.

I put on a neutral expression and walked away but stopped when I heard carlos say "you're bringing what will happen upon yourself, don't blame me later.".

I turned calmly and said " you think a threat will get a yes out of me?", he smirked and shook his head then said " I know my dick will".

"and I know that I will end your bloodline if you come near me." I shot back before leaving the restaurant.

blackmailing me into having this dinner is one thing and making a deal and involving me like that is another.

if being a puppet and doing what my father wants is being a good daughter which in his head is who deserves to take over him ,then fuck that. fuck needing his power to gain mine.

I will do it on my own even if it's hard, I skipped the car and walked to the opposite direction. I don't know where I'm going but I need to be away from my father and him.

I was about to turn to the second street but screams and people came out of the restaurant.

I looked back with wide eyes, memories of levi's dead body on the floor occupied my mind and I mentally prayed it's not what I think it is.

I froze in my place too scared to go check or go to my way, my heart is about to get out of my chest.

my mind went blank with all the possibilities and the next thing I know, I'm running back to the restaurant.

I got in and to my horror it is what I thought it was....

my father is on the floor with a hole in his chest and blood on his shirt and the floor.

tears welled up in my eyes and I ran to him. I kneeled down near my father and checked for a pulse or any sign of him being alive.

nothing...

I let out a loud sob and fisted his shirt as his blood stained the white dress I'm wearing.

" I told him to give you this dress with two possibilities, the first one; you say yes and we get married today. 2- you say no and I get to see the blood stains on it. you chose the second option." carlos said in a calm tone as he grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me up.

I tried yanking my arm off his hold but he tightened his hold, " YOU'RE FUCKING SICK IF YOU THINK THAT I WILL BE WITH YOU! I FUCKING HATE YOU!" I yelled as more tears covered my face.

I looked at my dead father and felt my heart completely shatter, he's gone now.

he can't fix anything or even hurt me. I want him to...anything but him dying.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS! YOU WILL PAY FOR LEVI'S DEATH TOO!" I yelled no longer able to hold myself together.

instead of saying anything he started dragging me out, I struggled in his hold and tried to get out of his tight grip until I felt a tiny sting at the back of my neck making my muscles go numb.

suddenly everything around me felt distant and black spots blurred my vision. all my emotions became little compared to the emptiness and the last thing I remember is my father laying on the floor lifeless and painted red.

I closed my heavy eyelids and a voice said "you are mine by choice or force" before I went unconscious.