I hated how his name tasted like sin on my tongue, but even in my anger, my heart betrayed me.
*****
Alessia lay flat on the soft, rose-scented bed in Champagne's room, her phone glowing in her hand. The video she had posted earlier played silently. She stared at it blankly.
Champagne sat on the edge of the bed, picking at her nails.
"Fake tears."
"Playing the victim."
"Should have stayed in your lane, schoolgirl."
Alessia read out the hateful comments for Champagne.
Champagne leaned closer. "Turn it off. Don't let it eat you up."
"I thought they'd understand," Alessia whispered, her voice trembling.
Champagne gently took the phone from her hand. "Let me be the one mad for you. I'll fight every single one of them."
Alessia managed a weak smile. "You? Fight? You cry over everything."
Champagne flipped her hair. "Exactly. And I'm scared when I cry."
They both laughed. Then a message popped up on Alessia's phone on the bed.
"Meet me downstairs."
Alessia pushed the door open and rushed out. Champagne followed quickly behind.
"Alessia! Wait! Who messaged you? What's going on?"
They reached the front yard. It was a quiet one in sight.
A black motorbike pulled in. The rider wore a dark helmet. The bike stopped right in front of them. The rider pulled off the helmet and they froze.
Champagne's breath caught. She leaned forward to Alessia and whispered, "He's hot."
Xavier's eyes didn't leave Alessia's.
"Hi," Champagne said, waving almost shyly.
He ignored her.
"Hop in," he said to Alessia. "He's coming to find you. The boss said I should keep you safe."
Champagne stepped forward. "Wait, what's going on?"
Alessia turned to her. "I'll explain everything on the phone, I promise."
"You need to switch off your phone," Xavier added, glancing around. "They can track your location."
Alessia nodded and climbed onto the bike. She powered off her phone.
The engine roared back to life.
*****
La Notte Nera's footsteps echoed as he stepped into the sitting room with his guards.
On the black leather couch, Enrico sat with his legs crossed, holding a glass of brandy.
Enrico narrowed his eyes before his thick voice spoke. "Well, well... look who decided to get here after waiting for hours."
La Notte turned slowly upon hearing the voice. He recognized the voice as Enrico's.
Before another word could be exchanged, one of Enrico's guards stepped forward, his fist aimed at Enrico's jaw.
Enrico dodged the punch, missing him by inches. He rose to his feet and adjusted his jacket like nothing had happened.
"Is this how you welcome your guests now, Notte?" he asked.
La Notte didn't smile.
"You're not a guest. You're an enemy I should have buried long ago."
Enrico let out a loud laugh that echoed through the room.
"I know we don't see eye to eye," he said, smiling, "but I have a business offer for you."
"I have no business with you, Enrico. Get out of my house before I let the dogs loose." He turned his back and began to walk away.
Enrico calmly raised his phone and turned the screen towards him.
A girl screamed, her mouth wide open.
La Notte froze. He recognized the voice. "Luna Nera, his daughter."
"You bastard!" His fist flew, landing hard on Enrico's jaw.
Enrico groaned, head snapping to the side. He straightened up, wiped his lip, and when La Notte swung again, he dodged, holding La Notte's hands and pushing them away.
La Notte's guards tensed, ready to fight him.
"Stand down!" La Notte yelled, breathing hard.
Enrico leaned in close to his ear. "Now... are you ready to talk business?"
Enrico sat down, crossing one leg over the other. A moment later, La Notte followed, his face filled with anger.
"What do you want?" La Notte asked.
Enrico reached into his jacket and pulled out a photo. He slid it across the table.
"I want you to leave her alone," he said. "I'll pay you whatever her father owes you. Just stay away from her."
La Notte picked up the photo and raised an eyebrow.
"This girl. I knew something was going on. Enrico Rossetti, you kidnapped my daughter because of a high school girl?"
Enrico leaned forward, voice just above a whisper.
"She's not just a high school girl. She's the daughter of the man you killed... that night... six years ago. I was considering telling her the truth and giving her the evidence I gathered."
He tossed a thick envelope onto the table.
"Inside are all the proofs, documents, photos, everything. If you don't want me to hand it over to the police, we're going to make a deal."
La Notte picked up the envelope and flipped through the documents. His eyes paused at a small drive.
Enrico pointed at it. "That flash? It's enough to bury you under an hour."
La Notte looked up, his voice lower now. "What do you want, Enrico?"
"I already told you. Take the money, forget about her. Do not come near her again."
La Notte leaned back, rubbing his chin. "I guess you have found someone to replace your first love. I never knew you could fall in love again."
Enrico reached into his jacket without a word. Pulling out a silver lighter and a pack of cigarettes. He tapped one out with a flick and placed it between his lips. He lit the tip, inhaling slowly.
"You know what your problem is, Notte?" he said, his voice calm and cold. "You want to know everything. I'm not like you. I don't hurt innocent people."
He stepped forward. "She's not my lover. I won't let you touch a girl like her because she came in contact with me."
Notte shook his head, amused. "Since when does the devil grow a heart?"
Enrico shook his head slowly, annoyed. He turned and walked towards the door.
"Maybe you don't really want your daughter back."
"Stop!" La Notte barked.
Enrico paused. A smile crept to his lips.
"Drop the location where I'll pick up the money," he said without turning. "I want my daughter safe. No games."
Enrico's tone sharpened. "You'll get her. But first, you need to sign a few papers. Then you get the money and your little princess."
"Who the hell are you? Why are you doing this, Enrico?" Notte shouted, his voice echoing.
Enrico laughed softly. Then he pulled out his silver lighter and flicked it open. He stepped close and leaned towards Notte's ear.
"I'm the gangster who gets what he wants," he whispered, "whether alive or dead."
He stepped back, still smiling, still clicking the lighter as he walked away.
"Don't be late, man."