Tricks and trips

An agonising groan echoed around the steel walls of the cellar.

Pain was evident in the voice that carried it, horrific pain.

Strapped on to a chair was a bruised and disfigured Diego. He was held caged by a rope which seemed to squeeze his entire body into one piece.

The pain from that alone was excruciating talk more of the cuts, wounds and broken bones he had gotten.

The cellar was cold, extremely cold. Diego had his teeth chattering. A rat ran passed his legs causing him to curse in italian.

Heavy thumping footsteps could be heard making its way towards his direction.

Diego needed not to be told who it was.

Cold and dangerous emerald eyes carried his already swollen and weak orbs in their formidable stare.

"Have you come back to finish what you started?" Diego asked slurry before spitting out loud.

Dante crouched down and gave him a sadistic smile.

"You know me so well diego"

"Actually..."Dante began.

"I'm not going to kill you right now. Your plan to have me dead was unfortunately unsuccessful so let me also not kill you right away" Dante said and stood up, casually tucking out a dagger.

"So what's the dagger for?" Diego spat trying to sound brave.

Dante maniacally chuckled. "I'll enjoy cutting you limb by limb every single day"

"You are making a grave mistake Dante!" Diego yelled back at him. Dante at once connected his knuckles to Diego's jaws in such a swift but painful punch.

Diego let out a wail, his head down casted as blood trailed from his contorted face that oozed pure pain and broken features.

"Watch your tongue when speaking to me Diego"Dante balefully commanded.

Diego coughed out, blood spitting and tainting his already creased and dirty shirt.

"That woman you have as a wife will ruin you" His voice came out very groggy.

Dante raked his appearance, his eyes sinful in the dark.

"Why did you do it?"

A croaky laughter erupted from Diego's lungs. It irritated Dante but he managed to control and pull himself together from not killing Diego right away.

Diego's laughter filled the walls of his cell, resounding and resonating.

"If I do tell you, you wouldn't believe"

"Why don't you tell me first" Dante grinned.

"Your wife told me to do it" Diego laughed out more.

The confession came as an initial shock to Dante. His eyebrows were raised and his jaw hanged loose.

How could Alina instruct Diego to kill him? It didn't make any sense to Dante. Alina was the one who even saved him.

She risked her own life to save him and now Diego is spitting out vile words against her.

If Alina was responsible, how did she even get in touch with Diego in the first place? He had made sure to terminate all communications she would have with the outside world.

This wasn't making sense. Neither was it adding up.

Diego's coughing snapped Dante out of his shocking trance.

"Don't you ever in your life mention Alina's name with your filthy mouth" His voice was low and commanding. It shook the air around them.

"But it's the truth. Do you think I would lie to you in this state? What will I gain from lying?" Diego sharply replied before spitting out a loose tooth.

Dante gave him puckered brows before chortling. " You have been my close associate for more than eight years. I trusted you. Yet you betrayed me and tried killing me. Then you have the guts and audacity to blame it on my wife? Diego you are stepping on my toes"

"Yes I've been your friend but I was more of a sidekick, a pawn than a brother to you. You get all the praises and recognitions. What do I get? Exactly nothing. I should be the one in charge of this mafia not you! I've told you all I know Dante. Your wife made me do it!" Diego scowled.

Dante crouched towards him and dragged his jet black hair causing Diego to wince and snoot at him.

"Diego for your sake I hope you aren't playing games with me else..." Dante left the sentence unfinished and shot up at once.

Examining his dagger, Dante walked his eyes to Diego's battered body.

"Why don't I take a piece of your body home today?" He devilishly inquired.

Diego had his eyebrows pulled up together in absolute horror as he watched Dante advance towards him like a predator.

"You are making a very big mistake Dante by trusting Alina" Diego attempted to justify himself.

Dante's rich velvety laughter cut him short.

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. She won't be the first" Dante menacingly uttered.

* * * * * * *

DANTE

Our flight to Mexico lasted for two hours. Arrangements had been made for I and Alina in ensuring a safe and secured flight with no hassles.

My four closest capos and my most trusted assassin had all flown out of America too before me, the Morelli suites covering their flight arrangements.

Alina was very much excited to go to Mexico.

Alina and I spent most of our hours on air conversing with each other.

Alina only slept once throughout the entire flight and I just watched her sleep. She slept so peaceful.

I didn't want to disturb or arouse her from her slumber as I accessed her features.

Her lips were peach coloured and plump. It took every self restraining cell in me not to suck on them.

No sign of laugh lines in her forehead or creased brows.  Her breathing was calm, her engorged breasts heaving slowly as she slept.

Some strands of her hair covered her face. I carefully tucked them behind her ear so as not to wake her up.

She was like an innocent doe.

I didn't want to disturb her.

Her being fast asleep gave me enough time to focus on my work. I had pushed it aside for more than a week because I was so occupied with caring for Alina. Now I could focus on all my unattended issues.

Once they landed in Mexico, I assigned Enzo, Luca and Fabio to take some of our men and meet with some Mexican politicians.

Power thirsty bitches...I thought with a smirk. The fight for the seat of power is very bloody.

Their main goal was to get into the political seat, the method they wanted to use to achieve their aim didn't matter to them.

They were willing to purchase arms and ammunitions. I cared less to be very fucking honest.

All I wanted was the easy flow of our ammunitions into Mexico. I also wanted the recognition and fear that came with it.

The Mexicans had proven to be very loyal and supportive and also the Cubans--thanks to my uncle Alessio.

The only problem I had was in

Ecuador and Columbia. Our goods had been targeted and sometimes they went missing.

I knew Estaban was responsible. The fucker had been cheating me---reporting half sales and laundering the money sent into Ecuador and Columbia.

I was too busy focusing on our African and Middle Eastern partners that I pushed his misdemeanours aside.

I'm glad I cut down on his profit and his supply. One more slip up from him and he will be a goner.

Though our Mexican partners had proven loyal to me, something still bugged me.

A child assassin organisation ran in the heart of Mexico under the guise of an orphanage home.

Luis Perez, a deadly crime lord that had his base running all the way to the united states was in charge of that horrible organisation.

Our families had been involved in human trade and training child assassin for decades until I decided to terminate it all.

I had cancelled all human trade affairs and I terminated our various partnership deals in the past.

I did bad things and I wasn't no saint but taking children, selling them and training them into assassins was something I couldn't tolerate.

I know fully well that our partnership being terminated would incure a huge loss on his path but I can't have a child trafficking business going on in my mafia.

I ordered Perez to shut down the organisation but I got word from my uncle that the disgusting trade was still going on.

Seemed Perez liked doing things the hard way and I was more than happy to show him how I handled people who defied my orders.

By the time we landed, Alina had stirred up from her slumber.

She was so cheerful and as happy as a lark.

I led her into our waiting limousine, enjoying the high spirits she had.

"Mexico is busy Dante. I wish to explore it later" Alina merrily squirmed in her seat.

From the shining bright sun to the parked classic cars in every buildings to the bustling streets filled with the chattering of individuals, stalls and musicians playing at almost every corner; Mexico was truly very busy and colourful.

I watched her with a smile on my own face. Her curiosity and innocence, eager to explore and her thirst for new knowledge was spell bounding.

With the limousine looming to a stop, Alina immedately sauntered out as the chauffeur opened the doors for us.

My uncle's guards welcomed us into one of the Morelli's Villa.

My uncle had taken the liberty to arrange for our housing even when I had multiple penthouses scattered around Mexico.

Alina took in all the surroundings as we walked into the villa.

The excitements bubbled within her. Written all over her face, she clearly could not contain her joy.

"Dante this place is beautiful"Alina squealed to me as we passed the pool with hammocks over it.

"I'm glad you love it" I replied opening the door to the villa.

My uncle really gave us his most secluded villa close to the coast.

Alina rushed over to the outside patio.

The banging of the waves hitting the rocks could be heard. The roaring waves continued forming white foams upon hitting the rocks.

The bright, hot noon sun made the sea waters sparkle and glimmer under its rays.

Birds soared in the air, flying with the wind.

"I love everything. Nature is beautiful. Life is beautiful"Alina smiled.

I steathily walked behind her and encircled my hands around her waist, pulling her warm body into mine.

Alina went rigid like a statue, I could feel her heartbeat increasing.

"Dante....." her voice was airingly.

"Just relax feisty cat. Ok? I won't harm you" I whispered in her ear.

She nodded slowly.

The salty air, light and refreshing, kissed against our cheeks, gliding through our hairs and pushing it across our faces.

I closed my eyes and nuzzled against her neck, her sweet cologne filling up my senses.

Allowing the peace envelope us, we stood in each other's arms, watching the sea.