14 what?

✨Andi✨

''Was that necessary?'' Alek Laskin asked me while he tended to his bloodied neck.

I sat on one of the single sofas in his office while I checked the features of his M9A1 Beretta. ''Nice'' I whispered as I disassembled the handgun and put it back together and handed it back to Old Laskin.

He was eyeing the knife stuck at his expensive wooden door.

''Have they decided on what to do with me?''

He was silent for a while ''you'll stay here for the moment.''

''Prisoner?''

''Guest.''

He made it sound better. I don't mind staying here for a while, besides, I needed to lay low after killing Levkin. I think they still don't have the idea that I am Black Rose and that's for the better, I guess.

I poured myself a glass of his expensive whiskey. His office is much like Isiah's. It looks like a library due to the number of references adorning the metal bookshelves on the walls. Most of the furniture inside this house is made from expensive woods that I only see in wealthy people's houses.

''You look just like your mother'' he took me out of my trance with his words.

I stiffened at his sentence but masked it with a sweet smile. ''You knew her?''

He nods and there was sadness in his eyes ''we were close, Arianna and me.''

''You loved her'' I said the obvious.

He nods again and smiled at me this time ''where is she now?''

My throat felt waterless and I swallowed many times before I found the strength to speak ''she's dead.''

His eyes widened and tears started flowing down his face. I've never seen a man as powerful as he breaks down because of a woman. Mom didn't mention anything about him and I want to know more. I waited for him to gather himself together. It took him longer than expected.

''What is your relationship to her?'' I was itching to kill my curiosity.

He let out a breath and reached for something on his desk. It was a small velvet box and he handed it to me. I opened it and I understood everything. It was the same ring as Mom gave me the day she died only this one has the name Alek engraved inside. I lost that ring at Alejandro's palace and I felt like I lost a part of me at the same time.

I didn't know that I was crying until he handed me his handkerchief.

He is the man who captured Mom's wild heart. The man who gave her hope through all those years of suffering.

''Can you tell me about her life?''

I wiped my tears and smiled at him, a genuine one. ''She was feisty.''

He chuckled ''I know. The girl with the fire in her heart.''

We were quiet for a while as if remembering her. Her smile, her fire, and her free spirit.

''Thank you for saving me from Evgeni. I didn't know that my brother-in-law has a vendetta on me.'' He took a deep breath before continuing. "Why are you killing those men, Andi?''

It is the first time a stranger called me by my nickname and it sounded loved coming from him.

''That's none of your business'' my voice came out harsher than what I intended. I knew I had the mouth of a sinful devil. I'm not afraid of this powerful mafia Don kills me on the spot, they need to know that I'm not one to bend my knee in front of them.

He chuckled lightly, the sorrow in his pale blue orbs was long forgotten. ''You won't leave this place.''

''I intend to stay but I'll leave on my accord'' I said firmly as I finish my drink.

Alek's eyes narrowed into a thin line ''you don't get to make decisions in my house.''

I scoffed ''you don't get to boss me around.''

He chuckled again, seemingly amused by my defiance. He shakes his head ''you are your mother's daughter.'' He stood up from his chair ''make yourself at home, Andi.''

My brows furrowed as I stood up from where I was seated. Alek opened the door for me while he took the knife from sticking on the wood. ''I know someone who can fix it.'' I felt bad for destroying such an expensive piece of wood.

''Don't worry about it'' he closed the door behind us as he guided me through the long hallway.

The walls of their house were decorated with expensive paintings, all authentic pieces but one stood out as we passed by it. I knew that house even from a distance but didn't say anything. Alek gave a tour around his estate although I already knew where everything was. From his office and Yuri's to their capo's and the cell under this beautiful place.

We were now walking into the garden beautified with different kinds of roses and calla lilies. Mom's favorite flower.

''She was the one who chose this place'' Alek murmured after a long peaceful walk in their garden. My forehead creased though I have an idea who he was talking about. ''I met her when I was still my father's second. We were young but I didn't know about her heritage, not until she was already gone.''

''What do you mean?'' curiosity crawled in my body.

Alek gave me an inquisitive look ''she didn't tell you?''

''Tell me what?''

''Your Mom's last name, that is.'' We stood at the end of the beautiful garden as the sunset from a distance. The beautiful burst of colors was astonishingly amazing.

''Isn't it Belford?'' I inquired as Alek shook his head.

''That was her mother's surname.''

''What is it then?''

''It's Sorento''