Negotiations and Nerve

Rome, Italy.

Carlos's pov:

I sat down, locking eyes with Alliana, as the tension in the room grew thick. Kai looked at me, waiting for a response, but I held off, knowing Alliana had more to say. She crossed her arms, her dark brown eyes never leaving mine. The silence stretched on until Kai finally broke it, clearing his throat. "Now that Alliana's here, what do you have to say?" he asked. Alliana immediately fired back, "Yeah, why did you ask these jackasses to abduct me?"

I leaned back in my chair, a smirk forming. "Isn't it obvious?" I asked. Alliana's gaze hardened. "It is, but I'm curious what made you think it was a good idea to have your bodyguards and Kai kidnap me," Alliana said. I shrugged, unapologetic. "Simple. I wanted you here, so I could speak with you." She raised an eyebrow. "So, you thought abduction was the best way to go about it?" she challenged. "As a mafia, I do what I want," I said. "If I think abducting you is the best option, then I'll do it."

"You egotistical swine," Alliana murmured under her breath. I raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't call myself egotistical because I don't have much of one," I said casually. "You do; has nobody told you that?" she shot back. "They did, but I taught them a lesson," I said with a shrug. "And that lesson is?" she asked, her brow furrowed.

"Respect," I said. "You want respect when you barely give it to anyone?" she asked. "I respect the people who obey," I said. "Who would want to obey you?" she asked. "You'll end up in an incinerator if you don't," I warned. "Then who will help you get out of this shithole?" she shot back, eyes narrowing. 

"Let's just get down to business. We don't have much time," Kai interrupted. "I think Kai told you everything," I said. "He told me you're such an asshole for disrespecting me, and now that you're locked up, you need my help to get out," Alliana explained. "You summed up everything except the dumbass part," I said.

"Why didn't you find another lawyer?" Alliana asked. I smirked, "Everywhere I go, people always mention you as a great lawyer, so why not have a well-known Ontario lawyer and a mafia team up?" I explained. "Wait a minute, what do you mean, 'work together?'" Alliana asked. "If you can help me, I can help you," I said.

She quickly dismissed the idea. "I don't need your help for shit." I leaned back in my chair, pressing, "Are you sure? While you're in Rome, you could go shopping for new clothes," I grinned. "For the record, I was not abducted in this. Kai thought it would be a brilliant idea to force me to wear these," Alliana said. "Mhm, but like I said before, new clothes are an option," I shrugged.

"Actually, I want more than just clothes," Alliana said, her expression hardening. "So, what do you want?" I asked. She leaned in, "Money. I want two million dollars." I shot a glance at Kai, creasing my brows in disbelief. "Do you think I'm a damn ATM?" I asked. Alliana wasn't fazed. "It's my reward for helping your ass get out of prison," she explained.

"Don't you think two million is a bit much?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow. Alliana leaned back in her chair, unfazed. "No, I just know my worth," she said. "Besides, as mafias, I'm sure you guys have billions to distribute." Kai shook his head. "We do, but not for amusement," he explained. "Fine, but only two million," I said.

"I'd also like to request that someone accompany me," Alliana said. "Who?" Kai asked. "Souline," Alliana said, crossing her arms. Kai snapped, "Are you insane? I'm not returning to kidnap someone." I chimed in, "And I'm not having two annoying asses in my mansion." Alliana didn't back down.

"You might as well bring Souline because she has your files back in Ontario," she said. "So? What do the files indicate?" Kai asked. "Information about your case," Alliana said. "Why do you need paper for information when you have Carlos and me?" Kai asked. "Because it's useful, and I'd rather rely on paper than the two of you," Alliana said. "If you think we're going to get Souline here, you're wrong," I said. "She's my assistant," Alliana clarified. "Well, I'm your assistant now," Kai said firmly.

Alliana sighed. "Time's almost up," Kai said, standing up and stretching. "Thank God, because I don't want to waste another second here with you," Alliana snapped as she rose to her feet. I raised an eyebrow. "Have you forgotten that you now live under my command?" I asked. "Seriously?" Alliana retorted, "You wish." "No, I'm dead serious," I said, taking a piece of paper from my pocket.

I handed the paper to Kai. "Read it when you're alone," I said. He nodded, slipping it into his pocket. "So, do we have a deal?" I asked. Alliana mumbled, "Like I have a choice." I smirked. "Oh, stop whining, princess; we both don't want it, but at least we get something out of it." Alliana shot me a look. "Yeah, and once we're done, I'm out of here." Before I could respond, the door burst open, and the cops entered. "Time's up," the cop announced. I stood up, glancing at Alliana. "Well, see you soon, angel," I said, walking out with the cops.

If I'm being honest, I felt a mix of relief and stress when I saw Alliana again. Dealing with my case was one thing, but now I had to contend with an irritable woman. When she mentioned wanting Souline to accompany her, I knew exactly what she meant. I'm not stupid; I already understood her intentions. Alliana wanted Souline here to help her escape. Why Souline? Because Alliana was alone in this place. I just hoped Kai had done his job well, abducting her without leaving any trace.

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Rome, Italy.

Alliana's pov:

I gathered my thoughts before storming out of the conference room, frustration boiling over. I couldn't believe Alliana Rosette Mercedes would work for such a self-centered dimwit. I mean, working with him had to be against the law. I was walking out of the station when I heard Kai call my name.

The smartest, and yet dumbest, thing I could've done was run straight to the cops and tell them everything. How I wasn't from Rome, how I was kidnapped to work for someone who wasn't scary but was delusional and narcissistic, and how I wanted to go back but couldn't because I had to think with my head rather than my guts.

I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see Kai approaching at full speed, looking like he'd stolen something. Before he could even say anything, the female cop from earlier spoke up. "I'm sorry, Ms. Mercedes, but could you give me your phone number in case anyone needs help?"

"Yes, it is—"

"We regrettably do not have time for autographs and signatures," Kai snapped as he dragged me out of the station. "If you want her phone number, look it up. Google is completely free!" Once we were outside, we got into the car. I ended up in the middle, with the bodyguards sitting on either side, holding me down like I was some kind of animal.

The ride back was as deafeningly quiet as when we arrived. After about ten minutes, one of the bodyguards finally broke the silence. "So, what are we going to do now?" he asked, glancing over. "Because Miss Annoying Ass asked Carlos for two million dollars, Carlos told me to give her three hundred thousand for new clothes," Kai explained. "Seriously? Now we have to go buy feminine crap?" another bodyguard muttered. "Have you forgotten that women have menstrual cycles?" I shot back. "Unless you want me to bleed all over the place—"

"Shut up; I can't take it any longer!" One of the bodyguards yelled. He stuck his head out the window and started vomiting. I rubbed my temples and rolled my eyes. Instead of working with professionals, I was stuck with people who acted like children.