1 PROLOGUE
Lucinda Romano and Adrianna Ricci lay sprawled on the bed of their hotel room in nothing but bikinis, passed out from drinking and exhaustion. After weeks of partying in Vegas, they finally felt tired. They had overstayed and over-partied.
The sound of a phone ringing woke the girls up. Adrianna blinked groggily and kicked Lucinda who didn't want to wake up.
''Where the fuck is your phone?'' Adrianna groaned. Lucinda mumbled something incoherent in response.
The phone wouldn't stop ringing and they both had serious headaches. Adrianna groaned non lady likely and searched the floor. When she found it she almost dropped the phone when she realized who was calling.
''Luce wake up. Shit! it's dad'' She yelled. Lucinda jolted awake from hearing that and rushed to take the phone, almost tumbling down.
She took the phone and picked up the call and put it on loudspeaker, trying to sound as okay as possible.
''Hello, father,'' she said and winced when her head started pounding. Adrianna started arranging the room. Her father's cold deep voice filled the room.
'' Lucinda Romano, Il Ballo Sotterraneo, Florence.Two days from now. Don't be late and wear anything as revealing as you two can. Lorenzo Berlusconi is hosting it.'' Without saying goodbye Don Pietro Romano hung up on the girls.
Adrianna and I shared a confused look, father has never invited us to one of these stupid ass balls where media men gathered and pretend to be each other's friends.
''FUUUCK'' Adrianna yelled but then winced as the pounding in her head increased.
~~~
Lucinda walked with Adrianna with their father leading them.
With drinks in hand, they watched men pretend to be friends with each other. It was always so predictable.
They had arrived not long ago and their father came to get them, now he was leading them to their table.
Lucinda, dress in a long, black dress with a high neck and slits at both sides. An expensive dress that Lucinda felt very comfortable in. With a diamond necklace adorning her neck and a Torrida pump from Christian Louboutin. With a silver purse in her hand, she walked with grace.
Adrianna on the other hand wore a grey mermaid lace dress with spaghetti straps. A black pouch and an expensive pearl necklace.
All heads turned when they passed by tables.
At last, they got to their table and sat down.
Since their father was familiar with the host's family, they got to sit with the host and his family, though the host wasn't present himself
according to their father.
Three people were sitting around the table. An old lady with a pink lace gown and dangling earrings. A man with jet-black hair and ebony eyes, who everyone knew as Don Berlusconi. He was ruthless and cold, just like the girls' father. Lastly a woman with pale blonde hair and green eyes. She was beautiful.
"Riccardo, Guilla, Viola, these are my daughters, Lucinda and Adrianna." Pietro introduced.
Don Berlusconi just nodded at them and averted his gaze, the old lady grinned at them and the blond gave them a warm smile.
They returned the gesture.
After some time both girls sat down bored as classical violin filled the room alongside chatters and glasses clinking.
Suddenly two men came walking towards the table. Everyone was murmuring. One had jet-black hair with green eyes. His tuxedo looks like it is ripping from his body build. He looked about 6 feet, 4 inches tall. His hair was messy and he had a slight smirk on his face.
The second one had dirty blond hair that was gelled back. His black eyes shone with mischief as he scanned the room. He wasn't as built as the other one but he had muscle sharp jawline, high cheekbones olive-tanned skin, and a straight pointed nose, just like the other one
Brothers? Lucinda thought.
When the boys reached the table, the black-haired one locked eyes with Lucinda. He winked at her and sat down. Lucinda felt her midsection churn.
"These are my sons, Lorenzo and Carlo, that's my mother Guilla, and that is my wife, Viola." Don Riccardo said pointing at the black-haired one, the blond boy, the old lady, and the plain blond respectively.
Adrianna squinted and realized the resemblance. As she looked at their faces, she locked eyes with Carlo, who gave her a charming smirk.
She ignored him and started down her palm.
"Why don't you kids go hang around? We need to discuss something amongst ourselves" Guilla said shooing the kids away.
They excused themselves and walked towards the bar.
"I wanted to say this but mama would have smacked me. Y'all are smoking hot!" Carlo exclaimed. Both girls chuckled. As expected he had a heavy Italian accent.
"Say...You wanna prepare some fire?" Carlo asked bluntly.
Lucinda smirked and nodded knowing what it meant. A girl has got to have fun and what better way to do it than drinking? Adrianna reluctantly agreed.
They drank a lot, got wasted, and spent the night in the most delightful way possible. But Lucinda had sticky fingers, she stole something from Lorenzo that she shouldn't have. Something that made Lorenzo mad.
~~~~
**A few years after the ball**
Are you suggesting that they get married?" Don Pietro said to the person on the other side of the phone. Don Pietro sat in his office alone with only the moon outside as his source of light.
"Yes" Was the simple reply he got.
Knowing that defying would bring consequences he reluctantly agreed. It was his friend Don Riccardo we are talking about and there would be consequences anyway.
"Your daughter Lucinda will marry my first son Lorenzo and the one whom you consider one of yours will marry Carlo. This way we will be stronger and Vladimir won't see this coming. When we combine our mafia, it will be stronger than the one he is trying to build."
"Why the sudden interest in Vlad?" Don Pietro asked intrigued.
"Our house was ambushed last night...He killed..... Viola" Don Riccardo responded dismally.
Don Pietro exhaled loudly.
"Let's meet."
