Chapter 1
Naples, Italy...
Rain tapped gently against the cracked window of a tiny room.
Rose pressed her face to the glass, cheeks resting where the cold bit hardest, watching streams water race down to the empty street below.
"Move ragazza" Auntie Giulia voiced pierced the kitchen sharp as the kitchen knife in her hand.
Rose balancing a stack of chipped plate barely flinched.
"Yes auntie". She replied her eyes on the floor.
In truth she could barely feel her arms the morning's punishment lingered he Aunt's voice echoing with every breath.
"You are useless just like your parents. No wonder they didn't make it out alive" Auntie Giulia spat.
Rose bit her tongue hard ,forcing tears back she never cried and she would never.
The woman's lips curled
"Ungrateful child. Everything bad that happened is your fault "the words stung but Rose barely reacted.
Insults came as often as meals. She've had enough from her wicked aunt and her useless daughter.
Since she lost her parents, life has been difficult for her. She barely eats some days. Her Aunt makes sure she doesn't find happiness
She pressed the lockets around her neck. Her only inheritance as her mind drifted to the accident.
" 3 YEARS AGO "
Her father's deep Love her mom's gentle hands. But their faces had faded blurring into the murky day boti vanished for good in a car crash they said.
Rose never saw the wreck only the closed casket and her Aunt's scowl etching deeper with each funeral visitors.
" BACK TO PRESENT "
Something was gonna change she felt it and it's not something nice.
A knock at the front door startled them both. Aunt Giulia shot her a warning glance .
"Don't you dare move from there" she glared.
In the next room voices,foreign, dangerous, voices whispered back and forth.
Rose strained to hear but only heard...
"... Tonight? ... Payments... No trouble "
Later she sat on the narrow balcony knees drawn to her chest watching as a black car idled by the curb. A man in sunglass glanced up, caught her eyes and shrugged before leaving.
"Why do you stare? "Anti gulia demanded approaching behind her.
"Dreaming never changed anything ,Rose just give it up ". She said with a scowl on her face.
Ross said nothing but tonight ,she would run, she would escape, she will be free.
★ VIPER'S CLAN ★
Meanwhile across Naples in a mansion thrumming with the echoes of old secrets are new money.
Astrid lounged on the sofa, drink in hand looking as hot and sexy as usual in his black casual outfit.
His brother Matteo , broad shoulder and Sharp tongue,known for his quiet yes ruthless character.
And their sly ,younger sister Carmine cheerful but a happy poison don't be fooled by the smiley face of hers.
"It should be me I don't know why Don chose you when I I am your older brother" Matteo hissed
"I never asked for it bro, Don't get it twisted " Astrid rolled his eyes
" He might pass it to me,who knows " Carmine said from where she sat.
" What can you do, baby Carmmy?" Matteo teased.
"I can do better,at least I'm not f**king around " She replied winking at Matteo
" WTF Carmine, do you have to start with that talk?" Matteo said.
" Just being honest bro " she shrugged kissing her gun
The Don, DeMarco entered without warning,every suit in the room snapping to attention.
" What's with the muttering?" DeMarco scowled, black eyes sweeping over his sons.
"Astrid, my office. Now!! " He said walking out.
Astrid stood with a blank expression, without sparing his siblings another glance,he strode out of the room.
" Gosh, that cold attitude of his" Carmine said.
< DON'S OFFICE>
In the office, DeMarco lit a cigarette, the smoke swirling between them.
"You don't want this life. I know. But you have no choice. The Vipers need a leader. A strong leader, not a dreamer" DeMarco said.
Astrid jaw tightened.
"And if I don't?" He asked.
" Then everything you care about will pay the price for your weakness" DeMarco said coldly.
DeMarco's phone buzzed. He held up a finger.
"The cargo arrives tonight. You'll be there. " He said.
Astrid closed his eyes and nodded, walking out of the office.
"Boss, the girl you requested for. We've paid for her but from the look of things, she's a stubborn one." Salvatore spoke. He is Astrid personal guard.
" Hmmm.... Interesting. Bring her at all costs, If she's stubborn tie her up and bring her to me" Astrid muttered coldly before walking out of the hallway.
👥 Good Morning Boss
Greetings came from different members of the clan but Astrid just kept a straight face walking to his suite.
"Gosh, can he be less cold hearted" Claw said her eyes on Him.
" I love him that way, at least I'm the only one who gets to ride his d**k" Nicole spoke shamelessly.
" Ewwww, c'mon girl we all know that he only let you cos Alessia wasn't around. Seems like that was your one in a lifetime achievement " Knife said beside her.
"Watch your mouth blonde, you might be my next target " Nicole glared walking out.
Actually Nicole is the clan's bitch and Claw is her best partner in crime.
" Stupid B**ch , can she ever be less shameless?" Blade Said
" I badly wanna shove my fingers down her throat " Knife replied.
" Do the calms pretty" Lexon Said from behind Knife.
" Ewwww, you look ugly every day " Knife shot back walking out.
" Now I'm left alone again, I'll go see Ginger " she said with a pout as she headed to the computer room. Her ponytail hairstyles bouncing along.
Blade is the youngest, but very skilled and smart. Although most of the time, she acts her age. Can be extra annoying at times.
Knife, a pretty killer goddess. She traps Men in her beauty and ends them up the spot. She's like a Beauty poison.
Lexon is another one of a hell guy. He jokes a lot but damn, when dude is serious. It's hell.
They are many more others,we will get to know them as we unveil.
{ STREET, NAPLES. .09:08 .PM.}
Rose is seen running, that's what she's been doing for the past 30 minutes, running and hiding.
Some men came into their house claiming to have come for her, but her stubborn self wouldn't allowed to be a captive. So she ran away.
But the guys are at her tail.
She kept running until she reached a boat that was set for sail.
She didn't think twice before climbing aboard.
" I must get out by all means" she thought entering the cabin.
Just as she was about going down the cabin, she saw a shadow and froze. She became weak at the instant feeling dizziness. The effects of the days hunger and stres weighing her
Turning back, she saw a Tall, handsome looking young man. Obviously a prince charming.
"Please don't kill me,save me from the bad guys" She pleaded weakly.
"And what do I get in return Princess?"...He growled lowly
"Anything just save me...."
