Hazel's POV~ "All the light collected in her pupils diminished when she found darkness" Colours to me are the most uncomplicated part of reality. Simple and fair. They weren't stuck up or filled with drama like we humans. I strongly believe that however, the creation story played out, colours came first. As a child, I found fairytales boring and unnecessarily cliché. Perhaps I knew too early that there would be no trusting prince charming to sweep me off my feet someday. No, life was plain, simple, and boring and I found delight in family and when family failed me, I became truly colourful. Humans are creatures unable to break loose from the bondage of their desires. It didn't matter who lost or died as long as the end game brought more wins. This was the world I used to hate but grew to love. A world where laws are upheld by the powerless but bent by the powerful. In this world of twists and turns, colors were my only escape. Over the years, my love for colors has been described as an obsession by colleagues and acquaintances. It was almost like I couldn't get enough of them, my life was a void overflowing with streams of colors. The nighttime was my best time. It was a time when I got to be whoever I wanted to be, it was an escape from my sad reality. The loud noise from the sparse nightclub could be heard even from the deserted garage on which I stood. I puffed one last smoke from my lit cigarette before crushing it underneath my feet. Walking back into an old rundown bus which I overtime converted to a dressing room, I slammed the door behind me making sure the curtains were closed. I stumbled towards a lamp I had bought some months back switching it on. The once-dark room was lit up with a series of colors bringing the room to life. The room was dirty and untidy, with clothes hanging from one corner to another. I made a mental note to myself to clean up tomorrow. The room contained only a wardrobe in one corner, a small fridge that was rarely used in another, and in the middle a couch. On the couch, lay the clothes I was to use for the night, and beside it sat a pair of my favourite stilettos. I sighed as I moved around throwing as many clothes as I could into a laundry basket before prepping for the evening. After some minutes spent on my face and hair, I pulled on the bright red matching pair of lingerie along with some ornaments. As I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but smile at my reflection. I wasn't a narcissist but I knew beauty when I saw one and it was me. My wavy long red hair highlighted the colour of my hazel eyes making me even sexier. Before leaving, I pulled on my black jacket which I always wore for occasions like this. As I stepped into the building I was hit with the familiar smell of sweaty bodies and flashing lights. I walked towards the bar smiling as I saw who was behind the counter. "Well, look what the cat dragged in," whistled Nick as I settled on a seat resting my arms on the counter. I chuckled as I waved back feeling my shoulder relax at the sight of the familiar face. "So, no grumpy Gracie?" I asked, smiling cheekily at him. Gracie was the other bartender who was meant to be here tonight. I wasn't as close to her as I was with Nick but she was okay. At least compared to some other girls I had come across in the club. " I guess we are doing business here tonight?" he asked, ignoring my question while attending to a customer on my right. "Yeah," I replied silently, turning to observe the party around me. The place was packed tonight. I could barely see the faces of anyone. "Wow, this place is crowded." I couldn't help but notice that the place was unusually filled for a Friday night. "Oh yeah, a VVIP is present." "VVIP?" I asked while looking over to the VIP lounge. Two buff-looking guys stood at the entrance blocking anyone from entering. That wasn't a surprise though seeing as most celebrities and people of power came here for clubbing. Analysing the guys I could tell that they weren't regular bouncers or bodyguards. They both had this look that could make anyone approaching turn on their heels but not me. This girl was always up for a challenge, I thought, smiling to myself. "Woah Woah!" Nick exclaimed, drawing back my attention to him as if sensing what I was about to do. That was why I kept him around, he knew me quite well. "Wait," he called out but I had pulled off my jacket making my way towards the lounge. I stopped at a table grabbed a glass of whiskey from a cute-looking guy, and smiled at him before drowning it in one go. I needed a booster and alcohol was the perfect recipe for that. I winked at the cute man before walking off making sure to sway my hips more than usual. Making my way over to the big guys, I observed them as I got closer trying to read their body language. The one on the right looked bored, his eyes stuck in the corner watching a group of guys drinking. The other one analyzed me as he saw me approaching before whispering something to the bored-looking guy drawing his attention to me. "Hey there," I smiled cheekily at both of them before trying to walk past them but the second guy stopped me gesturing for me to go back. "Excuse you?" I asked, turning to him, raising an eyebrow while still smiling of course. "Ma'am no one is allowed here tonight," he said, looking directly at me, not fazed by my charms. He spoke with an accent I couldn't quite pinpoint. "Well, I was told I'm needed here," I said, rolling my waves between my fingers trying to act bored. "Who told you that?" He tried asking but I cut him off. "Why don't you go in and ask? You might as well let me get through and see for yourself." They both turned toward each other unsure of what to say or do. "Tick tock..." I smiled at them knowing they had already succumbed to my charms. They both shifted uncomfortably creating a passage for me into the lounge. "Thanks, gentlemen," I whispered as I walked past them. All eyes were on me as I walked seductively to the pole in front of the lounge. As I took my place on the dimly lit centre stage brushing my fingertips against the pole I let my eyes wander around the room. On the table in the centre sat bottles of expensive-looking wines. One man was holding a pen about to sign a piece of paper in front of him but paused when he saw me enter. Underneath the darkness I loved, I let myself loose moving around like a seductress. I didn't have to try much seeing as they were all watching me. There were about nine men in the room including some guards standing on their side. I swing my body around the cold metal swaying my hips perfectly from side to side. I was a predator in search of prey but for now, I would let them enjoy and watch to their fill for my time will come. I was an enchantress casting a spell distracting them from my mission. As the music grew louder, the room grew hotter. I lost myself in the power I wielded right here. The men as usual looked rich and sophisticated, nothing I wasn't used to. Jimmy, the club owner, watched me with a smirk through the rim of his glass. In this club, I was the favourite, that one person above every other girl. My years of hard work and beauty indeed paid off. As I turned, lifting a leg up across the metal, I locked eyes with the most intimidating personality in the room. He watched me with hooded eyes not showing any emotion yet daring me to say, "do your worst" and I was thrilled about the challenge. He seemed different from every other person I had come across in a long time. I smirked and raised my legs, my eyes still locked on him. The intensity of the room doubled even more as I added more moves to my sways. He leaned back still eyeing me while licking his lips. The whole erupted into applause as the music ended. I could feel the lustful gazes I was getting but my mind was already set on my prey. I turned to see him gesturing his fingers for me but I ignored him and turned to Jimmy with a smile before walking out of the room.

Matteo's POV~ "Let the chase begin." "Azure... I am only going to say this once so listen the fuck up" I sneered into the phone pausing as I watched the door of my office open. In came Ermanno placing a hand on his head. "O-ok sir," a voice stuttered from the other side of the phone drawing back my attention. "I don't care who you have to hire to do the fucking job. All I want is to see the information on my desk before the week runs out" "B-but.." "No buts" I cut him off angrily "Get me all the intel I need and you will have no problems with me" "What if it doesn't happen by the end of the week?" "Trust me you don't want to know what happens if that happens, now do you?" My voice carried a deadly silence as I waited for his reply "No sir" he voiced quietly "Good" I ended the call by spitting out loads of Italian curses. "Fucking puta" I hissed before turning to Ermanno who stood quietly at the door his head bowed, his hands in front of him. "What do you want?" I was irritated as I turned to my laptop to send out emails. "Uhm... Uhm" He muttered under his breath. "Tell me whatever the fuck is going on with you or leave my office" I rolled my eyes looking back to the laptop but paused when I recalled he was to bring back a report about the deal with the Russians. "So where is it?" Now he had all my attention. He snapped his eyes to me, visibly afraid. From his facial expression I could tell something had gone wrong. I was getting agitated from his silence. "I uh...I don't have uhm I..." he didn't get to finish his sentence before a bullet went through his right leg sending him down to his knees. "I dare you to repeat what you just said" I wasn't one to condone mistakes, he knew that, in fact the whole family knew that. There wasn't room for mistakes or second chances here. So, either he was cracking one hell of a joke or he was ready to die. That deal was very important, that was why I sent him in the first place. "It was the girl," he screamed, raising a blooded arm while clutching his leg with the other. "I don't recall much from last night but it was her.... I swear I saw her" Taking slow steps to him, I leaned down placing my gun on the side of his head ready to blow his brains out. "Which girl?" I inquired raising an eyebrow "The girl, the one you have been searching for. That one from the casino" he rushed out still in pain. The room was enveloped in a deadly silence as he watched me not making any sounds. That girl was starting to become a problem and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on her. I tried containing my anger not showing any emotion as I leaned further to him. "That doesn't explain how she got the device does it?" I knew she couldn't just get the device without getting through him. And seeing as he was uninjured and clean I could tell she didn't have to try hard. The idiot immediately defended himself by telling a cooked up story that even a tenth grader could see past but I needed him. For now anyway so I waved him off returning back to my seat. The next few days were spent on calls notifying the rest of the family and tracking down the bitch. Since Mikhail, my right hand has gone to Italy to settle some deals. I had to wait for his return before making any move. I spent the whole day sending out orders, prepping for our move tonight. Walking out of my office into the corridor that led to my quarters. I couldn't help but ponder on what method I was going to use to punish her. I was seething the whole evening waiting for the call that will define my next move . This girl was definitely something, she didn't know what was coming to her but she was about to find out. I am Matteo Castello after all, no one dares me. Even if they never went back the same, that was if they even survived it. I am the king of the underground, that one mafia no one messes. Stories of my past were told through hush whispers in the streets and underground. Some call me the devil, it's such a shame a little girl was all it took to get underneath my skin. I rarely showed my face in public, I had men waiting in line for my instructions. I don't do the dirty work but this time around I wasn't going to pass it on to someone else. I was going to enjoy every minute of breaking her from limb to limb until she regrets ever deciding to mess with me. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing, I peered at it to see it was Azure calling. "Let it be good news this time around" I thought to myself before answering the call. I heard his voice from the other line. "Sir, I've got all the information you needed" I could hear him typing in the background. "Every intel you need on the subject has been emailed to you just now" finally some good news "Okay," I replied, ending the call. Flipping open a laptop in my bed stand I went through all the details on the screen. Her Full name is Blake woods AKA Hazel aged 22. She dropped out of school during her sophomore year in high school after her parents were killed in a car crash. Her dad was an ex police officer fired from his job after he was accused of being corrupt. Besides that, there was no other information on her. The pictures he had sent were just random shots of her through the years. I could tell she was a fan of colours from the different colors of hair dye she uses and her choices of clothing. She was beautiful. I would give her that, not that it would change anything anyway. One picture caught my eye. She was dressed in normal clothing with her red eyes sitting beside an older woman that looked like her. I was guessing it was her mother seeing as the woman also had red hair. Something didn't look right, the records clearly had her mother's death certificate but somehow she had survived the accident. The girl looked different in this picture though, she didn't have her usual smile or wore bright coloured clothes that put people off. She looked real in this picture. Her smile was genuine, holding a vulnerability that was missing in the others. Her mom sat beside her clutching tightly a teddy bear between her arms. A scare ran down her forehead to her chin and I was guessing it was an injury from the accident. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing again, not looking off the screen I answered the call. "Hola" , a familiar voice laced in an Italian accent, called out sounding very tired. "We just touched down now, I'm getting off the plane. So who do we have to kill this time around?". The voice asked with a sarcastic tone. Mikhail was the only person that could talk to me like this. He wasn't just anyone, he was family. A brother who stood by me through the darkest days of my life. "No one. Get here quickly, we have work to do" I replied unimpressed by his remark "Why am I not surprised?" He scoffed before hanging up on me. I sighed ignoring his disrespect. "Boss" the guys greeted as I walked into the lounge clicking on the safety in my gun. "Get the cars ready" I said, turning to Johnny and Tom who were standing on my right. "The rest of you get ready to head out" There were a total of six guys involved in this mission including Mikhail and I. I didn't know what we were up against and I didn't want to be caught by surprise. Sending a text to Azure to send me her location, I stepped out of the building where three cars were waiting for us. As we drove off, I texted Mikhail to meet us at the location. The night was going to be a long one and I couldn't wait to see how it turns out.

Matteo's POV~ "He was lost and never to be found." Five months, two weeks and three days. That's how long I've been away from home. Home, the idea of the word seemed foreign to me. I used to know a boy. A boy that collected stars in his eyes. His smile could light up any gloomy day and steal the sorrow away. His glassy eyes were the color of sunshine at day and a soothing grey at night. That boy went to sleep to the comforting sounds of his mom's voice and woke up to her smile. That boy was there, in every surface and corner of the mansion he called home. His screams were collected within the walls and his footprints never left the halls. Then One day, that little boy vanished and was never found. In his stead came darkness lurking around his innocence. That boy became a man. Spending the night time as a terror instead of a reminder for dawn like he once was. That little boy vanished when his mother left. I was far too gone into the underworld to crave a taste of heaven. The one time I gave myself that chance, my heart was ripped apart again. The weight of that moment of hurt crashed down on me, sending me even deeper than the underground. I Looked out of the window into the streets of Milan. I didn't think I was going to be back home this soon. But I was summoned, a call that I couldn't pass over. I watched as the Limo drove through the huge gates into the long driveway that lead to the mansion. This was where that little boy got lost and this man was found. As a kid, I was allowed to play anywhere here but outside. There was more than enough space for a kid to play. I recall running down through the greens on every side, pulling pranks and hiding away from the many nannies that watched me. I was quite rebellious as a kid. There was no other kid to play with me so I took turns of hide and seek with the guards and maids, running around the hallways. Most times she joined us but never for too long. "Boss" Leonardo called from the driver's seat before stepping out to open my door. As soon as I stepped out, different guards came rushing to the front porch to greet me. The whole place was swarming with security and they all bowed in greeting as they saw me. Two other cars pulled up behind us, Mikhail stepped out of one looking very tired. I watched as he yawned and stretched before turning to me smiling sheepishly. Nodding my head to the guys, I walked through the large doors making my way to the living room where father was waiting. "Dad please give me a chance, we all know I can do it better than Mat..." Coda paused as he saw me entering. He cleared his throat avoiding my eye. I knew they were having a conversation about me but I chose to ignore it. I turned to my dad who was staring at me with a hard look. "Welcome figlio" he greeted me standing up to hug me and I stood still not saying anything. I watched as he returned to his seat before looking behind me like he was expecting someone else. Just then Mikhail walked in, waving his hands up as a form of greeting before flopping down on one of the couches. "Good of you to join us Mikhail but I was hoping I wouldn't be seeing you this time around" dad joked taking a sip from his glass " Uhhhh" the idiot mumbled through a yawn before laying back down. I knew he was tired so I couldn't blame him. He didn't have one moment of rest this week traveling back and forth. "Father I'm home" I announced before taking a seat beside Coda. Nikolai Castello was his name. My father, the man that took care of me after she left. He wasn't the easiest to deal with while growing up especially when we both were still trying to recover from the hurt she caused. I became that child, the one that hated everything and everyone. I caused a lot of trouble at school and got into fights. I was pulled out of five different schools before my senior year in high school. My dad's marriage to Coda mom didn't help matters at that time. The night he announced his proposal I finally snapped. I ran out of home into the streets where I met really bad people. That was also where I met Mikhail, then was just a lanky youth with freckles on his face. He offered to help and took me into his home without knowing who I was. When I was sent out by his foster parents he didn't hesitate to join me. That was when he became my brother, I didn't have many friends growing up. Every person that came to me either wanted something from or my father. Mikhail was and had always been one true friend. I observed Coda who turned uncomfortably, leaning towards the other arm rest. I wasn't surprised at his action. Him and I were anything but close. He was born during my rebellious years, I even never gave him a chance not that I was allowed to. His bitch was always doting on him, spoiling the shit out of him while I spent years preparing myself to succeed after father. He was only a few years younger than me. The special son of my dad and second wife Valerie. "They Russians called" my dad was saying as he observed me. I always hated when he gave me that look. It was like I had something else to say but was holding back and from the looks of things I wasn't going to like it. " We have things under control, the device will soon be retrieved" I was going to do everything in my power to make sure I got my hands on that device and the girl of course. Smiling to myself I recalled what went down the other night. How she had cornered some of my boys knocking three of them out cold without anyone noticing. The girl was good. I would give her that but that just meant the next time I came at her I wouldn't be as forgiving. I did underestimate her but not again. She was fast but not fast enough. My men were already on her, tracking down her every move and reporting to me only that she hasn't realized it yet. I was going to let her enjoy the last days of her freedom because as soon as I returned she was going to have one hell of a ride with me. "So I guess you haven't met anyone" Dad inquired, catching my attention. I hated when people meddled in my business, dad knew this too but has taken it upon himself to find me a partner. "Dad, we already talked about this," I complained, avoiding his eyes. Mikhail was laughing silently already knowing where the conversation was going. "Did we?" He raised an eyebrow "Matteo this isn't just about you, it's about the family too. The lower families have started making complaints about your refusal to get married." "Why does it matter to them if I'm married or not? They are just a bunch of power hungry assholes ready to offer up their daughters to the highest bidders" I knew it was important to be married as a Don but I just wasn't ready for that yet. Scratch that, I'm not sure I will ever be ready for that. " This isn't just about the lower families, it's for your own benefits. You need a wife and a child to secure your spot as Don" that wasn't necessary. I climbed up the ladder of power on my own. No woman was going to decide if I was worth it or not. "Don't come running to me when the family start rebelling" "I know Dad, I will find someone" I replied trying to brush of this discussion "That was what you said three years ago. Look, we are still here" he snorted. " If this year runs out without you getting a wife, then be prepared to step down for your younger brother to take over. I won't have you dragging down my years of hard work in mud" He slammed his glass on the floor spitting out curse words. As he stood to go, he paused looking at me. "Just remember that a King is nothing without his queen" with that he left the room. Coda, who was quiet the whole time, immediately rushed after him, almost knocking down a maid who was cleaning up the mess. "Merda" I cursed out in disbelief. He was going to make someone who couldn't even hold his shit Don. I chuckled without humour under my breath. Well, that was only if I stepped down. "You wouldn't be having these arguments if you had just gotten married when he told you to do so," Mikhail said after some minutes of silence. " There hasn't never been a Don in the underground without a queen" " I know Mikhail, don't you think I know that?" I wasn't one to do things because others were doing it. If I am ever going to get married it will be on my terms and not because I wanted to belong. People like me never follow trends. "Matteo this is not just about the other families and you know it. You need to give yourself a chance for love and happiness" I knew he was constantly worried about me. He understood me more than anyone but that didn't mean I was going to take his advice. "I don't do love Mikhail and you know it" " Stop using that as an excuse. I'm just worried about you" apparently he backing down yet " A few years from now you are going to look back at all the years you spent refusing happiness. I don't know when but one day you will thank me for wanting this for you even when you didn't" with that he stood up from the couch leaving me alone in the living room. I sat there pondering for a while, my eyes caught a picture resting on the wall. It was ashot we had taken some years back at a family occasion. I stood emotionlessly beside my dad who was holding a crying Coda in front of him. Valerie beamed at the camera with an arm on her waist. That was on my seventeenth birthday a few months after I returned home. Mikhail was somewhere in the background making silly efforts to make me laugh but I wasn't having it. Smiling to myself I got up and walked up the familiar halls that led to my room. I passed some maids along the way who greeted me with fearful looks in their faces. I stepped into my room feeling very drained. Plane rides always left me jet lagged. Coming home and starting another argument with my father drained the little energy I had in me. My room was as I left it, neat and untouched. To white walls sparkled as alway bringing life to the every grey and dark furniture. On one side of the wall was a king size bed and the other a desk and chair by the window. A small Aztec style rug laid in the middle. The room had a nice view of a lake surrounded by trees. That was where I spent most of my childhood playing. I opened the door that led to my closet pulling off my tie in the process. The whole room was arranged, similar colours of suit were hung in the closet. The cupboard beneath it contained my dress shoes, Jordans and leather boots. I pulled off my wrist watch, placing it in a counter glass containing my watches. A beep came through my phone, I picked it up to see it was a text from Jamie. Apparently, Hazel was on the move again. I texted back some instructions before pulling off my clothes and walking into the door adjoining the closet and bathroom. I couldn't wait to get back to New York but first, I had a lot of cleaning to do at home.