After the wedding we had gone back to the mansion. 

I was currently seated on the couch, watching Netflix, but my mind was on creating an escape plan.

Enzo was sitting beside me with his arms wrapped around my waist. No matter how much I struggled, his grip just tightened. 

Ysaline sat on the couch opposite to us with Dante spooning her as well. 

God, these guys...idiots.

Suddenly, I heard soft snores. 

I looked to my right and saw Enzo fast asleep. Ah, finally.

I glanced over at Dante and saw him slumbering too. 

A thought just struck me.

I could call dad.

Hell yeah, I could!

I slowly unwrapped Enzo's strong arms from my waist and got up. I put my finger on my lip, motioning Ysaline to stay silent. She nodded.

I scanned the hall for a phone to call from. 

But zilch. 

Wait...maybe it's in his pocket.

Tiptoeing back to Enzo, I steadily put my hands into his pocket. I felt something. I pulled it out, almost smirking at what I saw.

A fucking condom, that's what it was.

Enzo had a condom in his pocket. Shaking my head with a grin, I put the condom packet back into his pocket and searched the other one.

Something cool touched my hand. I pulled that out and a large smile formed on my face.

It was his phone. 

I walked to Ysaline. "Ysa, inform me if Enzo wakes up," I whispered. "But how?" She whined. "Just whistle loudly," I suggested and ran out of the hall. 

I dialed my dad's phone but then halted. 

There was someone in Italy who could help me. 

Grinning excitedly, I called Blaze, aunt Alexia's nephew. He was my cousin. He was in Italy for as long as I could remember, but he did visit me several times.

I called him from the incognito tab which removes all the traces of the call made. As soon as I hang up, the information is automatically deleted. My dad taught me that.

Tring

Tring 

Tring

"Hello?" A smooth voice asked.

"Blaze!" I practically yelled.

Silence. 

"Xena?" He asked, "is it you?"

"Yep, the one and only, Xena King!" I said overdramatically.

"Ah, you were always such a drama queen. Man, it has been a long time. How are you?"

"Good, good, but let's skip the formalities for now. I need your help."

"What? You're joking right?"

I frowned. "No, why?" 

"The great Xena King, the American mafia princess, needs my help?" 

"And you call me the drama queen?" I muttered sarcastically.

Blaze chuckled. " So, tell me, how can I be of your assistance? I am your poor slave, you are the princess. I need to obey you."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm kidnapped."

"So?"

"This seems difficult. I can usually escape my captor but this is a different case."

"Different, how?"

"Well, ever heard of Enzo Romano?" I asked.

"Of course, stupid. That's such a silly question."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, he kidnapped me and wants me to love him."

"What?!"

I covered my ears promptly. "Stop yelling," I snapped.

"The Enzo Romano kidnapped you and wants you to love him!?"

"Uh...ya, that's what I just said."

"I'm gonna kill that bastard," He whispered harshly, anger glazing his words.

"Nah, leave that to me."

"He wants you to love him...that motherfucking son of a bitch. I'm gonna make sure he doesn't-"

"Not the point! It's fine! Now, listen. I am going to escape Sicily. I'm not sure how, but I will, within this week. I want you to use your power in our favor."

"You're in Italy?! Nice!"

"Blaze...," I trailed off with frustration. 

"Okay, okay, how am I supposed to use my power in your favor?"

"Well, you have connections, and money. I need you to create fake ID's for Ysaline and me."

"Ooh, it reminds me of the time when Gabriel, Ysa, you, and me went to the club when we were 16. I created fake ID's for all of us and the bouncer believed us."

I chuckled loudly. That was a fun time. "Yeah, man. That was fun."

"Mhm, it was. Alright, consider the ID'S done."

"Thanks! We need those to board the flight. Oh and one more thing, create a nice fake name for me. The time when we went to the club, you named me as 'Geer Bazzle." I felt like giving you a punch."

"And you did! I ended up in the hospital!"

"Yes you did," I chuckled, "And I don't regret that."

"You don't regret anything," He muttered and I smiled in agreement. 

"So, how did you end up in Italy?" Blaze asked.

I opened my mouth to answer him but I heard Ysaline whistle loudly. My eyes widened. 

"Blaze, Blaze, Blaze, the devil's awake. I'll call you later, bye!" I said quickly and hung up. 

I ran back to the hall and saw Enzo yawning and his eyes almost fluttering open. 

I swiftly slid the phone back into the pocket and dashed over to the couch where Ysaline sat. 

I pretended to laugh and getting the hint, she started laughing along. 

This seemed as if we had been talking for a long time. 

I glanced at Enzo who seemed to be waking up. His eyes fully fluttered open and he yawned. He frowned once he realized I wasn't beside him. His eyes wavered across the room and stopped at me. 

"Why are you so far from me," He whined and pouted. 

Aww.

Hold up.

Did I, the effing future mafia leader, just aww?

Ew. 

Shaking my head, I leaned back on the sofa.

I think I had my escape plan fairly spread out. 

1. Knock out Dante and Enzo.

2. Disable the CCTV cameras.

3. Disarm and kill the guards who get in the way of this plan. 

4. Meet up with Blaze secretly. 

5. With the fake ID's Blaze gets us, Ysaline and I will board the first flight back to New York.

Seems like a pretty good plan.

Smiling internally, I switched on the TV. 

A scene was playing in which the female antagonist was playing a game of chess, or the game of wisdom, as I like to call it. 

Ah, reminds me of all my victories whenever I played chess. It used to be a stress-reliever for me. I loved using my brain to win the game. I smirked remembering the times I defeated those over-confident and unabashed men who challenged me. 

"Why are you smirking so maliciously?" Dante asked, scooting away from me in fear.

When did he wake up?

"She's probably thinking about murder," Enzo muttered and I nodded. 

Dante didn't get my sarcasm and his jaw dropped. "Evil!" He yelled and ran away from me to Enzo. 

I chuckled and shook my head. 

Thinking of chess, I remembered a quote: 'When you see a good move, look for a better one.'

Enzo's phone starting ringing. He answered it and placed it near his ear.

"Hey. Ya. Don't worry, you'll find her soon. What? That's great! Yes, we'll be there. Bye!" He said with a sigh and hung up. 

"What's up?" I asked curiously. 

"It was Matteo. The search for Serena is still on."

I internally grinned. Good job, Serena. 

"And one more thing. There's a formal party at Matteo's house tomorrow. He bought a new casino and wants to celebrate that. So, we all are supposed to go."

I whined. "I don't wanna."

Seeing this, Enzo rolled his eyes. "You will."

Suddenly, his eyes widened and he looked like he had just remembered something. His eyes snapped towards the exquisite clock hanging on the wall. 

"Fuck," He cursed, running a hand through his silky hair.

"What's wrong?" Dante asked, frowning. 

"I just forgot. I had invited the Russian mafia leaders for dinner to discuss about our alliance," He replied. 

Ah, Dimitri and Lydia. They were extremely close friends of mine.

Dante's eyes widened. "Oh shoot. I forgot as well. Ysaline, Xena. You both get dressed. They'll be arriving in an hour."

I scowled. I never liked people ordering me around.

Sensing this, Enzo rolled his eyes. "Fine. Can you please get dressed?" 

I smiled. "Of course."

Saying that, I got up and walked to Enzo's room, or my cage.

But not for long. I'm escaping. Soon.

Matteo, Enzo, and Dante were powerful men in the mafia.

That is why I needed to execute my plan very carefully. My plan seemed good.

Hold on.

Just hold on.

When you see a good move, look for a better one...

I needed to think of a better plan. Good isn't enough. 

●○●○●○●○●○●

I stared at the mirror, content with my outfit; a white tank top, an oversized plait shirt, and denim shorts.

I tied my hair into neat bun and then walked out of the room to find the 2 idiots.

"Hey idiots! Where are you?! I've just been in this mansion, more a cage, for 2 days! I don't know the way to the dining hall yet so unfortunately, you gotta guide me there!" I yelled, placing my hands on my hips.

Few seconds later, I heard deep footsteps resonating around the hall.

"Finally," I breathe out, "Took you long enough."

The moment I turned around, my voice got stuck in my throat.

Holy fuc-

There was a smoking hot guy right in front of me.

It took me a moment to realize it was just Enzo.

I never really took time to notice him. Like really, really, notice him.

His hair was a beautiful shade of chocolate brown; the curls twirling like a whirlpool and falling down right above his eyes. There was a certain warmth his enchanting honey brown eyes which drew me to them. He had a certain je ne sais quoi which mesmerized me. The chocolate-glazed orbs held me captive as I locked gaze with him.

The sharpness of his jaw and the defined physique of his body had me melting from the inside.

His features screamed hotness yet the pleasant zeal of his hazel strands and the chocolate-covered orbs blatantly exhibited cuteness and warmth.

How could someone be so alluring, yet cute, at the same time?

I'd never know.

"Bellissima," He whispered, the deepness and huskiness of his voice alluring me from within.

We just gazed into each other's orbs, brown to blue.

Earth to water.

The world seemed to freeze around us...

Hold the fuck up.

Kidnapper! My subconscious yelled and I snapped through whatever trance I was in.

Enzo's lips curved up into a genuine smile. "You look beautiful."

I frowned and scanned the outfit I was wearing.

It was just a simple shirt and shorts.

Enzo clicked his tongue and gently lifted my head up by placing 2 fingers under my chin.

"I said you look beautiful, not the clothes you're wearing," He whispered, his lips slightly grazing over my ears.

I hate him, truly. But I can't deny. He was so damn good with words.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you."

He just smiled and nodded.

Taking my hand in his, Enzo guided me the way to the hall.

Ysaline and Dante were already present, lying down on a couch.

"Xe!" Ysaline squealed, running towards me. She clung onto my shoulders while glaring daggers at Dante.

"Ysa, did Dante do anything?" I asked cautiously, wondering why she was behaving like this.

"I just kissed her! On the cheek, that to!" Dante defended.

"So what?! A kiss is a kiss!" Ysaline yelled back, furiously rubbing her cheeks harshly.

I glared daggers at Dante and took threatening steps towards him.

"Listen, you asshole. Touch Ysaline in any way and I will kill you," I warned sternly, my voice laced with a promise.

Dante gulped and nodded.

Just then, the intercom started ringing. Enzo picked it up.

"Hello? Yeah, let them in," Saying that, he hung up.

"Alright. They have arrived," He announced, walking towards the door. Reluctantly, we all followed him.

He opened the door and the 2 enlivened faces of my friends appeared.

Dimitri and Lydia.

They saw me and their eyes widened.

Dimitri opened his mouth to say something but I instantly motioned him to keep quite.

Dimitri and I knew sign language so I quickly told him to act like we hate each other.

Why, you may ask.

Well, if Enzo gets to know that Dimitri and Lydia are good friends of Ysaline and mine, he might get suspicious. Hey would think that Dimitri would help us escape.

So, pretending to be rivals was a better idea.

Dimitri silently nodded at what I just signed to him and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Xena, what is a low life like you doing over here?" Dimitri spat, pretending to hate me.

Ysaline and Lydia looked at us in surprise and confusion but nevertheless, decided to play along.

"That is none of your business. Don't you have your tiny gang to look after?" I mocked back.

Dimitri narrowed his eyes at me. "Excuse me? Tiny gang? I own a bloody mafia!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," I rolled my eyes.

"Uh, I didn't know you guys hated each other," Enzo spoke up, his eyes wavering between Dimitri and me.

"Hate is a mild word," Lydia said, acting to gaze at me with disgust.

"I agree," Ysaline piped in, "The loathe we have for each other cannot be described in words."

"Okaaaaay," Dante stretched the word, "Uh, why don't you both go to the hall?" He asked Dimitri and Lydia.

They nodded and walked away, but not before giving Ysaline and me a look of fake loathe.

"Didn't you say you played Russian Roulette with the Russian mafia leaders?" Enzo asked, scrunching up his nose.

I nodded. "I did...but then something happened after that which caused this intense rivalry between us," I lied smoothly.

"Oh, and what happened between you guys?" Dante continued questioning.

"That's confidential," Ysaline snapped.

"Good you guys are enemies. Now I don't have to worry about them helping you to escape," Enzo said, smiling to himself.

Idiot.

After the lecture Enzo and Dante gave us, half of which I didn't even listen to, we walked back to the hall in which my fake enemies were in.

I sat on the couch opposite to them, Ysaline sitting beside me.

Dimitri's face brightened once he saw us, but dulled once he realized we were supposed to hate each other.

"Enzo, mind telling me why this pathetic excuse of a human is in your mansion?" Dimitri asked, glaring at me.

"If you insult her again, I don't give a damn whether you are a mafia leader or not, I will kill you. She is my Queen," Enzo gritted.

Dimitri and Lydia froze.

Like literally.

"Queen?" Lydia repeated, her tone softer than before.

Enzo nodded. "She is the Donna of my mafia."

"But she has her own mafia! The American mafia!" Dimitri yelled and Enzo just shrugged.

That fucking asshole.

I took a deep breathe to control my anger.

If he thinks I'm gonna abandon my mafia to become the Donna of his, he is so very wrong.

"Aria! Bring the food!" Enzo yelled.

Seconds later, she came scurrying towards us, carrying the trays of food.

The dinner went...interestingly.

It was extremely difficult to pretend to hate Dimitri and Lydia, considering how close we were, but we did a good job in keeping up the act.

We managed to add in rude and impudent comments between the meal, but of course, it was all a façade.

I could see how desperate Lydia and Dimitri were to know the reason behind this.

Dimitri and Enzo discussed about the alliance between their mafias while we continued eating.

Finally, dinner was over.

"Don!" A voice yelled, and loud footsteps were heard.

Seconds later, a man came rushing into the hall.

"There's an urgency," He informed.

"Is it necessary, Fabio? We have guests over," Enzo asked with a sigh.

Ah, so the guy's name was Fabio,

He nodded. "It is very crucial sir. Our warehouses in Sydney and Paris are bombed."

Wait, he has a warehouse in Paris?

I should've known.

Enzo's eyes darkened. "Fine. Get the car ready," He ordered and Fabio nodded and walked away.

He then turned to Dimitri and Lydia. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but something urgent came up. I need to leave."

They nodded. "It's absolutely fine. Mafia is important," Lydia said with a smile.

Enzo suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me to a lone corner in the hall.

"Listen, Dante and I are leaving," He whispered.

"No shit sherlock," I rolled my eyes.

"Do not ask them for help," He continued.

"Ya, why would anyone ask their rivals for help?" I asked with a 'duh' tone.

"During desperate times, people ask their rivals for help," He said with a raise of brow.

"Ya, ya, whatever. I won't ask them for help, they won't help me anyways."

A big lie.

"Good," He nodded, "Now, don't try escaping. We'll be back before you know it."

Saying that, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead and left.

Ew.

Frowning, I rubbed his kiss off.

Finally, we 4 are alone.

I walked back to them and sat down on the couch.

Dimitri and Lydia raised their brows in question.

"Mind telling me what happened? Why were we acting like enemies?" Lydia was the first to speak up.

"Well...Enzo and Dante kidnapped us and brought us here. They want Ysaline and me to love them back, which, obviously, will never happen. We were pretending to be rivals because if Enzo finds out that we're close friends, he might think that you'll help us escape," I explained smoothly.

After every word I said, their postures turned rigid.

They remained silent for a few seconds and then, they blew up.

"Those bastards kidnapped you both?!" Dimitri yelled, abruptly standing up from the couch.

"And they want you to love them!?" Lydia continued, her eyes flaring in rage.

"They are psychos!" Dimitri pulled his hair in frustration.

Seeing this, his wife rolled her eyes.

"Di, babe, you were like them once, you know," She said placing both her hands on her hips.

He groaned. "Yeah, I know, I know. And I apologized! Several times!"

"Whatever," She murmured, shaking her head, "Now, now. We're gonna help you escape."

"Nah, leave that to us. I just need one favor," I replied, sitting down on the couch. They mirrored my actions.

"Your wish is my command," He said with a smile.

I grinned.

"I need 2 guns."