Chapter- [ 5 ]

[ Alessandro De Niro ]

I left Italy to start a new life where, there's no existence of my dark world to drag me back in the swamp of bloodshed.I wanted a fresh life but what said by our ancestors we can not control on what we are,what we were and what we will be. The phrase was one hundred percent true in my case.

I saved a girl's life only to be captured by her family who were none other but the most notorious Mafia gang of America,the Graysons though,now only the name if left.Liam Gray had grown old,he had no sons,thanks to our old Capo uncle Antonio and ambitious incompetent brothers to take over his place.

I saved his daughter, his last child from the mouth of death,in exchange he was adamant to take my life.

Ironical but true.

He visited me last night and narrated the old tale and how desperately he wanted to slay me from his own hands and send my head to Stafano as a reminder of what our forefathers did to him in the past but he couldn't kill me.

I knew since the beginning that if someone wanted to see me dead,I would had been six feet under the ground three years ago but the name De Niro was enough to send shivers down their bodies.

None can surpass our cold blooded genes.

We do avoid unnecessary killings since Stefano took over but we hired the best assasins in the world to do the job for us.

I was given a fresh set of clothes and also shifted to a guest room to relax before my brother arrive.

A knock on the door put a full stop on my wait.My brother was there,in the terrotery of our enemies.

"Come out Alessandro, Stefano is here."I heard the voice of Robert from outside the door.

I immediately opened the door and with a limp,I walked out desperate to meet my brother after almost an year.I never returned to Italy and he hardly gets time to visit America.

"I can walk."I shoved Robert's hand as he tried to help me.

"But you'll fall and invite our downfall Alessandro so please cooperate and save us from your brother.He has come with the single motive of killing us.If you have the slightest humanity left inside you then save Aitana,save us."Robert said while we moved in the direction of the living room of his suburban mansion.

The gravely silence was the indication that Stefano and others were there.My brother has the personality of an Alpha wolf,who could be felt even from afar.

We walked inside the living and finally I caught the sight of my family.Stefano,who was giving deadly glare to Liam and a very beautiful and enchanting Aitana who seemed lost in her own thoughts.

Stefano's gaze tore from Liam and found me.He and Adam rushed to hold me.I had a hard time controlling myself from crying, I saw them after a long time,the family I missed.

"Aless chi ha fatto questo a te?"Stafano asked something in Italian.

(Who did this to you?)

I knew him,he wasn't someone our enemies would come across if they try to harm his family. The doom of Graysons were already planned by him.I saw his jaws clenched. I glanced at Aitana for a nano second,the woman who saved me from her father's men before even they knew my identity.

"Oh Aless...thank god you're fine."Adam patted my shoulder. I passed a smile at him and then turned to my big brother.

"Ti fermerò da spargere il sangue?"I asked him.

(Will this stop you from shedding blood)

Stefano helped me to sit on a chair beside him and then with terror dripping from his face he said something  Liam was already dreading.

"This is a war."

All the colors from Graysons' face evaporated upon hearing his declaration. My brother rarely backs out from his decisions.

"Mr. Stefano please sit down and let's talk. I already apologized for my mistake.We had no idea that Alessandro is from De Niro family.Believe on us.I swear on my only remaining child Aitana that we treated him well when we got to know that he is your brother."Liam sounded like a fish out of water gasping for the air to hold his life even though it knows that it's death is certain but my eyes drifted off to Aitana.

The woman didn't seem to appreciate her father practically begging for their lives,she'd rather choose to fight and die during a war than surrendering to a stronger component, it's not called gallantry but foolishness in our world.

Survival of the fittest, is the phrase we believe .

"Non sense,I came here to take my brother and now there is no use for us to stay here.You have messed up with the wrong opponent Liam Grayson. I never really liked my father's decision but he was right about your nature.You initiated the war and let your sons killed  since then you are playing the victim card everywhere that we slayed your sons.You are not worthy of our trust so be ready to loose everything."Stefano rose from his chair but what Liam said next, froze my blood.

"I know you won't trust us easily but I really want to make truce with your family to prevent ourselves from more bloodshed.So I have a proposition for you and in return, you'll secure your future in the American mafia and illegal trade.Please listen to me once and then decide what you want to do with us."Liam said and I could smell greed and ambition of an old turd reeking from him.

"You have two minutes to say whatever you want."Stefano said in a baritone.

"I want your brother Alessandro to marry my only daughter and heir Aitana.It will establish permanent truce between us and your brother in return,will inherit my position in coming years and their children will also claim my business as the rightful heirs but like I said before, it is upon you what would you want to choose,sacrifice many lives or make peace with an easy solution."As soon as Liam finished both I and Aitana sprang from our seats.

"No way I am marrying this De Niro who killed my brothers."Aitana shot a loathsome glare at us without any trace of fear in her voice unlike her father .

"I am not an object for sell Liam Grayson and I am no one's property to trade."I yelled on everyone present there.My anger was reaching on the point of exploding.

"Aitana leave before you see worst side of me."Liam threatened his only daughter.

I didn't like the way he manhandled her.We never disrespect women in our family since the new generation took over the business.

"No Dad I won't marry someone you want to save your timid self. I would rather die than becoming a bait in your sick game."She spatted venomously and marched out with her head held high fearlessly.

I crossed my arms across my chest and faced Liam whose eyes were fixed on Stafano in a hope of mercy.

"Mr. De Niro please don't mind her words.She is brought spoiled by her mother since we lost our other children but I guarantee you that you'll find her on thr marriage alter.My daughter is chaste, no men have ever touched her and she'll remain loyal to you and your family."Liam continued spitting shit from his shameless mouth.

"Brother let's go from here.I do not want to stay here for a second.His presence sickens me."I said in disgust.

This man could not be trusted who was ready to hand over his daughter in the hands of his enemies, the slayer of his sons just to save his useless life.

I pleaded Stefano through my eyes.I didn't want to become a part of this mafia mess again.

"We'll give you our answer in the morning till then relish your last moments as a wealthy man ,Liam Grayson."Stefano said preparing to leave.

A grin broke on Liam's face and I couldn't miss the evil glint dancing in his eyes.What was going inside his head.

We left his house to my place where Stefano and others would be staying.

"You have changed a lot and become more like an American, Alessandro."Adam joked to ease the tension inside the car .

"Time changes everything."I smiled.

"But not our identity, Alessandro.It never changes. "Stefano spoke for the first time.

My head tilted to glance at my cousin who stole my first love from me.

"How is Destiny and the kids?"I asked him though we occasionally video call mostly with the kids but sometimes Destiny also joins them.

"They are growing fast and notorious and you're going to become an uncle again of a boy."He answered with a shocking surprise at the end.

I couldn't miss a faint smile stretching on his lips when he mentioned about his unborn child and I felt the same pang shot through my heart.

"Stefano, what have you decided about Liam's offer?"Adam changed the subject to more pressing problem in our hand.

Now everything depends on the decision of Stefano ,the head of the family.