F R I A B L E
(adj.) easily broken into pieces or reduced to nothing
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"You should go." No, I shouldn't. I'm not the one who leading this whole thing, it's Alec and it's his duty. He feels bad, I can see it; Dominic doesn't take him seriously yet talks to me as if I'm boss.
"No." I answered, watching the tv as I lay on the couch covered with around three blankets while stuffing my face with ice cream — chocolate of course, the best flavour.
"Amara, you've been sitting there for six days now, get the fuck up." Mason sat on my legs, grabbing the spoon from me as he took a bite.
The audacity to eat my ice cream.
Snatching the spoon back, I rolled my eyes. "As long as this bruise doesn't fade, I won't move."
I thought it was bad when I woke up, the next day half of my swelled up and I couldn't even open my right eye. I look ugly. But hey, at least it's opened up now.
"It's almost gone," Mason lied to me as he smiled. "Amara, you have to go, Alec's away he's gone down to New Jersey for our shipment." Why the fuck do I not know this?
"When did he go?" I asked Mason as I paused my show.
"Yesterday," Mason said. "He did come over to tell you before he left but you said that no one should disturb you no matter what's going on." They're all actually stupid. Getting our shipment is a huge deal, the shit I have to do to make sure everything goes as planned and nothing goes sideways, I can't do it now.
"Fuck," I muttered sitting up, throwing the blanket off my and onto Mason. "I'm gonna go see Dominic." We've given this man enough time to contact his brother and let me know what's going on.
Where the fuck did I get this sudden burst of productivity?
"I'll drive you there."
I didn't bother covering up my bruise, but unfortunately, I did have to dress up; a beige, ruched, body-con dress that came down to my knees hugged my figure completely. Dominic and his stupid rules.
"Sammy!" I smiled at the guy who noticed me first, his arms up in the air.
"Amara!" He exclaimed, giving me a quick hug over the bar. "Woah, that looks painful." He observed my bruised face as he grabbed a glass.
"It is, should've seen it a few days ago." I sniggered as I watched his pick up my usual whiskey bottle. "Oh no, nothing for me today." I shook my head, quickly looking around to see if Dominic's here.
"Oh," He pursed his lips as be put down the bottle. "You're here for him, he did tell me actually... that you might stop by for him." I looked at Sammy with my brows etched together, watching him walk around the bar as he signalled me to follow him and so I did.
He punched in the code that was by the door that, weirdly, I've never noticed.
"Stay with me." Sammy said with all seriousness, as he walked up the stairs that started off right as you entered through the door; the stairs made of glass with red lights illuminating everywhere.
I shut the door behind me, the air here completely different; lighter and it smelled feminine? Like sweet perfume lingered in the air and closer we got to the top, I could hear music. Getting closer and closer, I could feel the vibrations from the music on the ground beneath my feet, and saying I'm confused will be an understatement.
"Now, Amara, I want you to stay close." Sammy looked back at me, confusion taken over my thoughts.
What is this place?
I felt Sammy's hand grip my forearm, as I looked down then back up at the thin red curtain, a dark hallway straight ahead.
We pushed past the curtain; the scent of cigarettes and sex filled the air, music much louder than it was before, numerous voices filling the room.
In the red illuminated hallway, there were rooms on each side, moans could be heard from some as we walked past them.
I really hope this isn't what I think it is.
I looked over to my right, a room with the curtain's pulled back, seeing a girl dressed in only lingerie standing between this man's legs as he looked up at her.
Oh God, this is not my kinda of place, this is why I said it should've been Alec who came to talk to Dominic and not me.
Passing a room at the end of the hallway, this room was much bigger with several men and ladies in there.
Sammy pressed in the code for another door, opening it immediately as we were faced with another set of stairs.
I was quick to go up them, I just wanna get out this hallway.
We entered another hallway, this time the entire vibe was completely different. The hallway was dark, the right wall was completely glass as I had the full view of New York City with the sun setting behind the skyscrapers. The hallway was lit dimly with yellow lights, the floor a soft, thin and black carpet.
We came out into this waiting area kind of space, a two doors, obnoxiously massive, with couches out front as the entire room was decorated with different kind of plants.
"Wait here, I'll go tell Dominic you're here." He told me and I nodded, watching him go into the room on the left, leaving me by myself.
I looked out the glass wall, sending near it as I admired the view — now who the fuck is this? The reflection of a man caught my eye, he stood there, in the corner facing me. He watched me, not knowing I'm watching him.
I pretend to act as if I didn't know he was there, looking at the beautiful view.
A few quiet seconds passed by, and now he had started to move, slowly and sneakily. His gaze burning in my back as I watched him come closer and closer... and closer.
He thinks he's so smart, huh.
Just as he was half a foot away, I spun around, going straight for the neck as I grabbed it, catching him by surprise and slammed him on the glass wall.
Why is everyone here so damn attractive?
He stared down at me, with his baby blue eyes and a dark blue ring around them, with amusement. A smirk plastered on his full lips.
"Cazzo." He muttered underneath his breath, looking at me with confusion. "Who are you?" I clenched my jaw, tightening my grip on his neck, a vein popping out from his neck.
"Who are you?" I asked him the same thing, his large hand grazing over my wrist.
"You're in my area, amore," His hand grabbed my neck, spinning me around as he pressed me against him, his grip tight on my neck and I could feel the suffocation slowly beginning. "You don't have a familiar face but you would be a great addition downstairs." I felt his long finger graze my jaw, and I quickly reacted.
Sending my elbow up, full power, I knocked it into his nose, making him yell in pain as he stumbled back, and taking my chance while I have it, I punched him, a hook right on the left side of his face.
He didn't drop but tumbled back onto the couch, grabbing my arm and pulling me forward and onto him.
He slammed me down on the couch, pinning my arms above my head as I noticed the blood dripping from his nose.
"Fucking bitch." He spat and before he could hit me, I lifted my lower body with full strength, wrapping my legs around his neck, twisting my torso so he'd fall on the ground, with me on top of him.
"No, you're the bitch." I smirked, as I straddled his chest, my hand clenched in a fist almost about to jab him right in the face until the door opened.
"Woah!" Someone exclaimed, both me and this man snapping our heads up to see Sammy standing in the doorway, his expressions wide. "What the fuck is going on?!"
Me and this guy made quick eye contact before we looked back at Sammy. Dominic instantly rushed behind him, watching us with surprise.
I was caught of guard, so he took his chance and flipped us over, him between my legs as he grabbed my jaw tightly.
"Don't worry, I've got this under control." He informed the two and I laughed.
"No the fuck you don't." I snickered, jerking my foot so my heel flew off, catching it perfectly as I slammed it against the side of his head, making him fall on his side.
"You have some bitches working for you, D'Agostino." I stood up, neatening my dress as I pulled it back down to my knees.
"Amara," Dominic looked at his man who groaned in pain on the floor. I grabbed my heel, popping it back on as I smiled at him. "You're the most violent person I've ever met, every time I see you it's always someone new." Him and Sammy walked over to us, Dominic standing in front of me.
"Come." He placed his hand on my back, leading me forward.
I trotted with him, looking back at the guy who was being helped up by Sammy and I gave him my middle finger, making Dominic slap my hand.
"Flavio, you just got your ass beaten by someone who's half your size, I'm disappointed," Dominic shook his head at him once we entered the room. "Hurry up."
Dominic was sat in front of me, and this Flavio guy standing with his arms crossed at the end of the table.
It took me a moment but I realised, this was the room I was in. This was the room that caused my face to look I got beaten the shit out of.
"Can we act civilised please?" Dominic sighed as he looked between Flavio and I who sent each other death glares.
"She tried to kill me." Flavio exclaimed and I sniggered.
"Oh, please, I barely touched you." I rolled my eyes as I crossed my legs, he looked at me with his mouth agape.
"I have a bloody — i think a broken nose, bruised cheekbone and a busted lip," He listed all the things I'm proud of. "Plus, there's a heel print on the side of my head." He sassed and I shrugged.
"I mean, you're a little bitch, considering I could beat you up so easily." I sent him a sarcastic smile.
"If it wasn't so unethical, I would've killed you." Flavio slammed his hands down on the table, leaning forwards with his eyes narrow.
"Oh, because you're a shining beacon of ethics, right?" I fired back, leaning forwards too.
"Stop!" Dominic snapped, slamming down his fist, making Flavio jump. "Flavio, I swear to God," He glared at Flavio who was about to open his mouth. "One more word." He threatened him and Flavio huffed, walking away as he sat in the chair next to mine. "Good."
I side-eyed Flavio, who had his arms crossed. I don't feel bad, he deserved it.
"Now, if we can start," Dominic faced me and I nodded. "Good," He clasped his hands. "I tried contacting my brother, no luck." He sighed.
I waited for him to carry on but only silence filled the air. So that's it? That's all he has to say?
"So? What else can you do?" I asked and he ran his fingers through his tousled hair. It's so fluffy — focus!
"Nothing, it's hard to get to him, you don't understand he's well hidden," Dominic explained and I feel like this is nothing but pure bullshit. "There is one option, but I don't think you'll like it." He said slowly, all my focus on him.
"And that is?"
"We go to him." He answered as he pursed his lips and I smirked.
"To Italy?" I asked, not believing him. "And we?" I closed my eyes, my finger and thumb rubbing my temple.
"Yes, Amara, we," Dominic told me. "There is no other option, trust me." He saying this like I'm blinding going to put my faith in him and happily go with him.
"You haven't given me enough reasons to trust you, D'Agostino." I said softly, I watched his clench his jaw as he looked at Flavio then back at me.
"We all go, your team and mine," He spoke as he signalled with his hands. "But we have to go, he won't he won't come here; he's stubborn and has already stated that he won't step a foot in America." The D'Agostino's are all so frustrating. I don't even know this other one but I sure as hell don't like him already.
"You need to speak to Alec about this, I'm only here because you wanted me to, I'm not the person to deal with all this." I informed him, sitting at the edge of my seat.
"Amara, you do realise you're quite the independent women who doesn't have to work under her brother for the rest of her life?" I don't know what he's trying to get at but I am not falling for it.
"Like I said," I clenched my jaw. "Speak to Alec."
He doesn't know this, but Alec is just the face for our business. I'm the brains.
Dominic sighed, staring at me with his head slightly tilted; his eyes dark as thick dark lashes framed his perfectly shaped eyes.
"Flavio," Dominic didn't move his gaze from me and neither did I. "Do you know where Wade is?" Wade? Oh, shit! Wade!
"Wade?" I asked, looking at Flavio then back at Dominic who looked at me confused. "Oh, fuck," I muttered. "About that..."