Amaranthe
She walks the halls of St Leonards in complete silence. In a few years’ time, her own children would be doing the same. Anya had just joked about their girls running the school alongside their boys, and she was lying to herself if she said she didn’t think so as well.
They were at full occupation now, with the waiting list growing. She never would have thought Dimitri’s venture of a school for kids of crime families would do as well as this, with an expansion looming as well.
This proved that even the most hardened criminals cared for their children enough to send them to a school where their familial feuds did not reach them.
She rounded the corner to her office, and she got a lump in her throat when her eyes fell on Anya’s empty office. She could not bring herself to replace her best friend, so she struggled through the paperwork on her own. Dimitri had said she would need to replace the post soon, especially with the e
It has been two months since Amaranthe went for her checkup. During that time the doctor had called her back twice for a breast ultrasound, follow-up mammogram, and biopsy. Dr. Meyer had said that she wanted to rule everything out, that these follow-up tests did not necessarily mean she had cancer.Dimitri had been so caught up in work that he did not notice the change in her demeanour. It was close to spring break and the school would be closing soon, so she would be at home with the children. As well as her thoughts.For the past few weeks, she spent more time with her children than she ever had before. She hugged them a little tighter, laid with them a bit longer, and read that extra bedtime story when they asked. Tomorrow she could get a call that would change their lives forever, so she was making the best of things while she could.It was on one particular afternoon when she found herself hunched over and grading papers, when she received
Ayden - 15 Years Old“Ayden, Ana! Hurry up or we will be late!” My mother calls from the foyer. I gave myself another once over in the mirror and nodded. Dressed in the average school uniform for a private school, except this uniform was Gucci made. My father only wanted the best for his school.I ran my fingers through my thick dark hair and breathed out a sigh. Today would be my first day at St Leonard's and I was extremely giddy. I walk out of my room and spot my sister as she walks down the winding staircase, her blonde curls bobbing up and down as she hums. We were twins, but could not look different from one another.Where Anastasiya had my father’s fair blonde hair, I had my mother’s thick brunette mane. However, the both of us had my father’s blue eyes. Anastasiya was kind like my mother, whereas I inherited my father’s bloodthirsty Russian blood.I killed my first man over the summer, and my fa
We arrive home and I immediately head to my father’s study. He needed to be informed of Killian’s doings.As I near his study, I poise my arm to knock when Lev grabbed my hand. I peered up at my father’s most trusted man and he shook his head. “Your father is in a very important meeting with Moscow. Give him an hour or two.” He explained in his thick Russian accent and I nodded at this. Things in Moscow were escalating again, and it had distracted my father, to say the least. He told me he might have to go over there to placate the Pakhan’s but he dreaded to. My mother, of course, did not know about this. The last time my father went to Moscow, my mother had been touring Italy when a rogue mafia gang kidnapped her. They think I do not know about this, but people talked.My mother was known as The Tortured Queen in mafia circles.Taking the stairs up two at a time, I round the corner to my bedroom when I spot Kiara lurking abou
Anastasiya Baranova - 15 Years OldToday would be my first day at St Leonard’s and I was not sure if I was excited or scared.Kiara had told me about all the nasty goings on that no one knew about, and frankly, it terrified me. Checking my floor-length mirror one last time, I left the confines of my room and hoped today would be a good day.I hum my favorite tune as I descend the staircase and see my mother getting her bag from the foyer table. She was so beautiful; I admired her so much, but her recent cancer treatments have taken it out of her. I don’t know why my father allows her to be back at school when she should be focusing on her health. At night, when she thinks everyone is asleep, I hear the heart-wrenching music emanating from her music room. Her cello weeps for the pain she is in.“Mamma,” I call and her head whips up. She smiles when she sees me and I run into her arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace
We enter the school doors and I scan the hallways, spying a familiar face and immediately a smile crossed my face.Killian was walking towards me, and he had a very lustful look in his eyes. I put my hand up to wave at him, but he walks right past me. I frown and turn around to face him as I realize now that he was not looking at me.I wish I didn’t turn around.He had a busty brunette in his arms and was kissing her as if he was parched and she was the only drink available. Dakota turns towards me, “Oh my god, Ana, I am so sorry,” she says and I swallow my shame down. I shook my head and walked towards him, tapping him on the shoulder.He twists his head around and his olive green eyes meet my blue ones with surprise, then dread.“Anastasiya!” he exclaims with an anxious tone, and I smile at him sweetly. Do I really want to end up with this person forever?“So this is what my intended husband is getting u
Matteo Antonov - 19 Years OldI stare down at my sister as she lays passed out on Ayden’s bed. I couldn’t hide her addiction from them this time. She will have to face the consequences. She still had not awoken, and it has been over an hour.The door opens and Ayden steps in, a grim expression on his face.“Father is aware of what has happened. He will want to question you and Kiara after he has spoken to mother.” He says then looks down at Kiara again, “This will break her heart, but it’s for the best; Kiara needs to start growing up. You lost both your parents and you’re not using that pain as a crutch. The Bratva world will be a lot less kind on her.”Trust Ayden to speak the truth even if it is fed with hot coals.“I think I should take her to my room for now.” Was all I could muster out, the shame burning deep in my throat, when Ayden walks towards me and places a han
“I was going to bring both of you to Moscow within the month, but then Dimitri called me with this news. It was a good thing I landed yesterday, or we would not have been able to work out a solution.” Sergei explains. So he wanted to take me to Moscow with him? Who did he think he was?I blanch at this. “After all these years, now you care about Kiara and her wellbeing?” I say through gritted teeth, clenching my fists. Sergei’s eyes widen at my remark and I hear Dimitri chuckle. I looked towards my godfather and felt nothing but sadness. He had lied to me after all these years, but he took me in as his own nonetheless.“Matteo, the whole reason I left was to keep you and Kiara safe. I did what I thought was best at the time, and I have always regretted my decision. Now I need to make it right by Kiara. If she stays here, she will surely die at the hands of her addiction.” Sergei says and then pinched the bridge of his nose, &ld
Kiara Antonova - 17 Years OldMy head hurts.Geez, what did I do? Was the smack I took laced with something? Fuck, I would need to shit on Marcos if that was the case. Normally my highs have me floating, but this made me feel strange and giggly. The happy sensation wasn’t there this time.I sit up and see three pairs of eyes staring at me; Icy blue laced with disappointment, Dull brown filled with judgement, and lovely green looking terrified.My uncle Dimitri, his wife Amaranthe, and Matteo, my older brother. Well. step-brother, but I didn’t care about blood when it came to him.Did they see me high? What did I do to warrant these stares? Fuck, did I tell them anything I shouldn’t have?I sit up and realize that I wasn’t even in my own room; this was Matteo’s room. “What happened?” I ask, my voice breaking and throat parched. Dimitri rests his elbows on his knees and laces his fingers underneath his chin; “You shot up in my home,