*****

"Why are we here?", Amara asked.

"Because you agreed", came the amused reply.

Amara glanced around the underground tunnel in trepidation. She hadn't agreed to this! She hadn't even known that an underground passageway existed in the school a few minutes ago.

"Stay with me",Valerio ordered, taking her hand and leading her ahead, "One cannot navigate through this place on their own without any knowledge."

Amara walked closer to him, their footfalls the only sound being heard as Valerio lead her through the passage.

It was a large underground tunnel, lit by dim torches at regular intervals, lightening up the dark tunnel, which in no way made the place any less daunting.

Amara had been surprised when Valerio had led her to the lowest level of the school, the basement, and through another door, it's presence hidden from those who didn't know exactly what to look for.

She could just imagine the kind of chaos Emma and the girls would cause if they ever learnt of it.

"How did you know about this place?", she asked softly.

"It was built around the time when my grandfather attended the school", Valerio began, "The dispute between the Irish and Italian families were very high during that period. Mob wars would break out at any time of the day or night, especially between-", he stopped talking, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

"Between my families",she whispered, completing what he had left unspoken.

"This passage was initially built to help evacuate the school, should the need ever arise", he continued, not confirming or denying her words. "Not many know about it's existence."

Amara nodded in understanding. She yelped when she stumbled over a stray stone, only Valerio's hold on her hand kept her from losing her balance completely.

"Sorry", she mumbled, her face warming.

Valerio chuckled and before Amara knew, he had picked her up bridal style, her own hands tightening on his shoulder reflexively.

"Valerio! What are you doing? Put me down", Amara squeaked out, wide eyed.

"I don't think I will",he replied back lightly, walking with her in his arms.

"Put me down", Amara ordered him. "You can't just carry me around like this.What if someone saw us like this?"

"There's no one around here Amara", Valerio chuckled.

"And even if anyone does see, then let them", he shrugged. "I like carrying you.... holding you so close to me", he murmured, his eyes burning as he looked at her.

Amara's mouth snapped shut not knowing what to reply. She was thankful for the dim light for helping hide how flustered she was.

"So where are we headed then?"

They must have been down for quite some time now. The seemingly endless tunnel was starting to make her anxiety spike.

"We're almost there", he answered and sure enough Amara could see a large iron gate ahead, being manned by two guards, whom at the sight of them approaching, jumped in action, opening the gate for them silently.

Valerio ignored them as he crossed pass the gate and straight inside an elevator.

Amara wiggled in his arms, silently demanding to be put down.

Valerio chuckled, placing her back on her feet gently just as the door closed and the elevator began moving upwards.

"Will you tell me where we are now?"

"You might recognise the place",he replied back mysteriously.

The elevator door's opened and Amara's eyes widened. "Wow," she said breathlessly.

Amara stepped out of the elevator, taking in the place. The room before her was huge with one half of the room converted into a game area consisting of a pool table, ping pong table, bowling and air hockey machine along with a wall full of every type of video game system made and games to go with. There were couches and chairs scattered throughout the entire place.

"I-I don't understand",Amara fumbled, "Where are we?"

Valerio's lips twitched."Amara, I officially welcome you to Inferno, or commonly known as Hell for some."

"The tunnel leads us to the middle of the woods?!", she exclaimed, horrified.

"Yes",he smirked, "Come on, this isn't our stop",he continued, threading his fingers through her's and pulling her with him through another corridor.

They passed numerous guards on their way all of whom stopped at the sight of Valerio, bowing to him before continuing on.

Finally they stopped in front of another door where Valerio punched a code in the security system and opened the door, holding it for Amara to enter inside.

Now, this was a place Amara distinctly remembered. Valerio had brought her here after finding her lost in the woods. What did surprise her was the table of fresh food at the side of the room containing thick waffles with whipped cream and maple syrup, strawberries, blueberry muffins, and fresh squeezed orange juice.

"I ordered the staff to keep it ready before we arrived", he answered when he saw her puzzled expression.

Amara smiled at him, walking over the table and picking up the plate with the blueberry muffin. They were her favorite!

"Aren't you going to have anything?", Amara asked him shyly.

"It's all for you sweetheart",Valerio answered leaning back against the desk, his eyes trained on her.

"But blueberry muffins are your favourite," the words left her mouth before she could stop herself.

Valerio's eyes lit up with delightful humor, "How would you know that?"

"I... Um..",Amara fumbled, caught, her cheeks feeling hot all of sudden. She gripped the plate tightly, lowering her head to hide behind the curtain of her hair.

Valerio's heart swelled at her unintentional slip. To realize that she cared enough to know such an unconsequential detail about him was endearing to him.

"Um...so what is this inferno? Damien and Allister haven't told me much about it", Amara asked quickly, hoping to distract him.

"It's just a hangout spot for the boys", he replied, looking at her with dark humor swirling in his eyes.

"Amara... I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have a reason behind bringing you here", he spoke suddenly,

Amara stood up, watching in confusion as he walked around the desk and opened a drawer, taking out a velvet box from inside it.

"I have something for you",he said, coming to stand before her and presenting her with the velvet box.

Amara's cheeks warmed as she lowered her head, she had not been expecting a gift.

"Open it", he commanded in a tone of voice which he reserved just for her. His eyes fixed unwaveringly on her face. Intense and unbreakable.

With slightly trembling fingers Amara opened the velvet box, gasping softly when she saw what it contained.

"The traditional Valentini bracelet", Valerio explained, seeing the shocked look on her face.

"I..it's beautiful", Amara replied back, stunned.

Valerio smiled softly at her as he took the velvet box in his hands, opening the lid completely and unravelling the golden bracelet.

The bracelet was thin, elegant and delicate, something that matched her completely in Valerio's opinion. Making it more precious was a single gemstone - A black opal, inscribed with a bold V in the center, a single letter shining in gold, the emblem of the Valentini Empire. Imposing, powerful and regal in every sense.

"I could've added something else on it but I didn't think there needed to be a phrase. It says enough", he stated, running his fingers over the gemstone.

"It does", she whispered, still shocked that Valerio was gifting her a family heirloom.

"Here, let me put it on you", he said, taking the bracelet out from the box.

Amara shyly held out her hand for him to clip it on.

Valerio couldn't help but be mesmerized by the site of his family crest being worn by his girl. He was struck with a deep sense of satisfaction when he saw her admiring the bracelet.

"Beautiful", he murmured taking her hand in his and pressing a small kiss on her wrist. And just as he had hoped, a lovely rosy hue spread across her face.

Chuckling, Valerio caressed his knuckles lightly to the red in her cheeks. It was fun to see her so flustered. He liked knowing he could make her like this.

Amara stared at Valerio thoughtfully, feeling the need to show her gratitude for everything that he had done for her, but not being able to figure out the right way. She wasn't completely ready to bring her own feelings in the open yet but she desperately hoped that her actions could get the message across to him.

She had never done this before with someone who wasn't family, gnawing on her lip, she stepped forward hesitantly, going on her tip toes and slid her arms around Valerio, pressing her cheek against his chest.

Wrapped around him as she was, she actually felt his sharp intake of breath, but Valerio wasted no time and wrapped his arms around her fully and embraced her. His arms wrapping around her smaller frame and holding her close to his own body.

Held in his arms, Amara felt as if she was the single most delicate thing in the world. He held her as though she were made of spun glass, but at the same time his hold on her was firm and protective, like he could never hold her close enough.

"Thank you..... for everything", she mumbled in his chest.

And all she felt were his arms wrapping more tightly around her and his chin pressed against the side of her head and her own heart pounding out of her chest.

When she finally pulled away from him, her face was flaming red and she avoided looking at him but her attempts were thwarted when she felt Valerio's hand cup her face, making her look at him. He didn't say anything about her impromptu actions as he leaned forward quickly and brushed his lips to her forehead.

Amara turned around, under the pretence of looking at the office, all the while trying to slow down her racing heart. She looked around, hoping to distract herself for a few moments when her eyes caught something interesting.

She walked closer, taking in the picture that was hung on a side wall and her eyes widened in shock as she recognised the people in it.

"That's my Nonno and Grandpa!",she exclaimed in excitement.

"Yes", Valerio agreed as he came to stand behind her, "And that's my grandfather in the middle", he pointed out. "It was taken on my grandfather's eighteenth birthday celebration, if I remember correctly."

Amara's smile fell slightly. None of them looked remotely happy to suit the occasion. Infact the eighteen year old selves of Sean Sullivan and Bernard Romero seemed to be glaring at each other hatefully, while Vitiello Valentini seemed unfazed by them as he looked on grimly towards the camera.

Valerio smirked, "A happy bunch, aren't they?"

Amara giggled softly, running her fingers over the frame once before a truly crestfallen flashed across her face.

"What's wrong?",Valerio demanded immediately.

Amara turned her sad eyes on him, attempting to offer a small smile.

"Nothing", she said, turning away from the frame.

"Not nothing", he retorted.

Amara sighed, glancing at the picture again. "I... I get scared sometimes",she confessed quietly.

Valerio's irises darkened at her response. "Scared?", he asked in a deceptively calm voice.

Amara nodded hesitantly, "Yes, when I hear about the past wars between the Irish and the Italian families...it makes me realize how easily the alliance could be broken if something happens...how fragile it is in the first place. I know about the past feud between both my families. It frightens me...I don't know what I'd do if... " Even the idea of a war between her Irish and Italian family was enough to cause her pain.

"They would never do it Amara", Valerio told her in a hard voice, "Don Sullivan and Don Romero would never break their alliance. The stakes are too high for them now, their most precious possession would suffer the most through their actions."

Amara glanced at him in confusion.

Valerio smiled softly, cupping her cheek and gazing into her amethyst eyes.

"You", he said."You mean the world to them and no man ever willingly destroys his own world."

"I know they won't", she replied softly.

"Good", he praised, brushing his lips lightly along her forehead making her smile at him shyly.

"I think it's time that we return back to school",Valerio said, "I have a game to win."

*****

"Your team is not going to win", Amara mused while looking over the score board.

"I don't lose Amara",Valerio told her simply.

Amara glanced at the game going in front of her.Without their captain, Valerio's team appeared to be suffering at Allister's hands.

Valerio and Amara were currently in the school's basketball court, watching the match being played on the court through the tinted glass shield that spanned the entire wall of the spectator cabin on the first floor.

"It's going to be halftime now and Allister's team is ahead of yours", she argued lightly.

Valerio shook his head,"Like you said, the game is not complete yet. My team is not going to lose to Allister's team", he scoffed lightly.

"But it is", Amara insisted, the words falling out before she could stop herself.

Valerio's eyebrows rose in disbelief, "Are you challenging me sweetheart?"

Amara shook her head vigorously, trying to deny it.

"No", he replied, his eyes shining with amusement, "You've said it now. I take your words as a challenge and as per the rules when I win I'm allowed to demand a prize from you."

"But I didn’t mean it that way ",Amara tried to explain. She had not meant to challenge him. She should have been more careful of her words knowing how competitive Valerio could be.

Valerio chuckled, as he turned around, intending to go and change in his jersey.

"It's just a practice match, it doesn't matter who wins",Amara tried, trailing behind him.

Valerio whirled around suddenly and before Amara could jump away from him, he caught her by the waist, pulling her closer. "A win is a win, piccolo", he said before leaning down , "And you've just made the prize more sweeter for me",he whispered quietly in her ear as if trading a precious secret.

Before Amara could think of a suitable reply he turned and walked away, leaving her in a daze and gaping behind his back.

Amara paced around the room, wringing her hands in nervousness. Past experiences had taught her how seriously Valerio took any challenge, and how the person who lost to him was made to pay a gruesome price.

What would he demand of her if he won?

She was brought out from her worrisome musings when she saw Damien and Silvano walking inside, stopping when they saw her.

"Where have you been?", Damien asked her. "The girls told me that you're in the library but you weren't there when I checked, nor were you in the stands at the start of the game."

"I was with Valerio", Amara told him shyly.

Damien chuckled, tugging her hair affectionately as he walked past her and towards the opposite side of the room,"We gathered that when Valerio didn't show up for the match. Where did you go?", he asked, rummaging through the fridge for a can of soda.

A smile spread across her face at the reminder and she turned away from him.

Damien narrowed his eyes seeing Amara trying to hide the blush. "What happened?"

Amara murmured something softly.

"Come on, princess! What is it?", Damien asked, a smile involuntarily tugging at his own lips while Silvano looked on curiously.

Amara raised her arm, tucking a lock of her behind her ear, and Damien and Silvano gasped when they saw the glittering beautiful bracelet on her wrist.

"He moves fast",Damien muttered under his breath, gaping at her unabashedly.

Silvano's eyes widened when he saw the trinket on her wrist. Before he could stop himself, Silvano grabbed her arm, pulling her closer to confirm his suspicion.

"Silvano!", Amara exclaimed.

"I can't believe it",Silvano murmured, shocked, ignoring Damien's indignant shout at his action from behind him.

"What are you saying?",Amara asked, trying to tug her arm out of his hold.

"SILVANO!", A furious shout was heard, making the three teenagers jump in fright.

Amara turned around to see Valerio stalking towards them, his jaw clenched and hands fisted, glaring murderously at Silvano.

Silvano let go of Amara's arm as if he had been burnt.

Catching the younger boy by his shirt, Valerio pulled at him roughly, "What do think were you doing?",he spat harshly.

"Valerio!", Amara exclaimed, wide eyed. "What are you doing? Let go of him."

Her call fell on deaf ears.

"Answer me!", he commanded, glaring daggers at Silvano, daring him to utter a single wrong word.

"I -I....", Silvano stuttered, terrified.

"You, out of all the other's should remember the rules", he hissed, twisting the same arm that he had touched her with, making Silvano scream in pain.

"I'm sorry, I was just surprised to see Au-"

"Shut up",Valerio growled, holding his arm at an odd angle making Silvano hiss in pain.

"Stop it please...you are scaring me! Valerio!", Amara pleaded weakly from behind Damien, who had come to stand before her during the confrontation.

Valerio stiffened, his hand tightening over Silvano's,putting more pressure on the appendage before throwing the boy away from him.

"Apologise", he ordered coldly.

Silvano turned towards Amara, a regretful expression on his face.

"I'm sorry Amara, I shouldn't have grabbed your arm that way. Please forgive me", he pleaded.

"It's alright Silvano", Amara replied back weakly.

"She didn't say that she forgave you. Your apology wasn't satisfactory Silvano",Valerio glared hard at him.

Silvano went pale. He looked like he was about to faint from how hard he was breathing.

"No! I forgive you", Amara told him hurriedly and a relieved expression crossed his face.

"Thank you so much for your kindness", he replied, bowing low once, much to Amara's horror.