I didn't know how I could've have ended up here. The only Mexican in a room full of angry Italians. Once again my fate was being decided for me and I couldn't stand it. However, I couldn't bring myself to look at the weathered face of Derotha Isabella Anna Campofiore and tell her I refused to live with her and her granddaughter. I refused to follow her rules and make something of myself. My brothers may have changed but, I would never.

My name is Luis Fuentes and I was born in Mexico, and raised in Chicago. My brother Alex and my mama thought I would make something better of myself. But, how could I deny the family legacy. After my brother Carlos was sent to America I was jumped in. I was now the protector and the gangbanger of my family. I knew my family was disgusted but, there was no way I could just leave was there? Besides, I would never find my Brittany or my Kiara. I was now Luis Fuentes, hardcore gangbanger and pawn of the largest Mexican gang.

A few months as a promising youngling in the ranks and I was busted with more ounces of cocaine than I could count. I was in trouble big trouble. My uncle once again borrowed money and smuggled me from the country. I wasn't sent to Colorado to live with my brothers, nor back to Chicago with most of my family. I was sent to a small town in North Carolina to live in the best halfway house in the country. The best, hell, who were they kidding. This place still had dirt roads bumpier than a teenagers face.

It was the middle of November when I arrived. The air was already chilly enough to count as early winter. Still not as cold as my town. The house, or shack so to speak was full of pierced, tattooed freaks that didn't have an ounce of streets smart that I possessed. A girl named Lana, tried to show me how much of a sex addict she was as soon as I walked through the door. I had just gotten here and I was already planning on my escape. My mentor, Mrs. Campofiore, or Derotha as she insisted on me calling her, was an older woman who had more stories in her eyes than anyone I had ever met before. The lines in her face reminded me of a map of my country. My heart dropped into my stomach as I thought of home, and my mother, alone now.

"Let me warn you now Mr. Fuentes. I may be old but, I'm not stupid and I will lay you out on your ass like I would with my own grandchildren."

I smirked, "No apueste en ello Senora" I replied.

"Non spingermi il ragazzo." She fired back in rapid Italian.

I knew I had a shocked look on my face because she walked away chuckling. She led me into a an open waiting room, that held one very sad looking girl. Her dark brown hair was unkempt and fell down in a soft wave to her shoulders. A book was open in her lap and I watched her eyes scan the words on the page. Derotha cleared her throat, waking the girl from her concentration. Her gaze met mine and I felt her dark irises swallow me whole. I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Her eyes held pain, anger, and had a bloodlust that scared even me. She was a hellcat and I felt like a mouse.

"Chi l' perso la nonna di ragazzo?" She spoke to her Derotha, her eyes not leaving mine.

"I modi, Mienna, uno dei miei progetti. Lei si comporter . Ora parlare degli inglesi per il ragazzo. " Derotha sounded as if she was scolding the girl. "Luis, this is my granddaughter Mienna."

Mienna, what an odd and yet beautiful name for her. It was exotic, yet sounded familiar. I kept my hard-ass expression, refusing to show any fear to her. I had a feeling she could use any vulnerability against me if I crossed her.

"Hola, la chica." I smirked, allowing myself to give a very obvious once-over.

Her eyes narrowed at me and she became more beautiful as she did so. I didn't think any expression would look horrible on her. After, staring at her for what seemed like forever Ihe noticed a patch of raised skin above her right eye. A scar, from what though? Maybe, I could find out, and maybe she would see mine. I chuckled darkly at the thought but, shut up as soon as I was shot a withering glance from Derotha.

" un maiale. Appena inviarlo di nuovo. " Mienna said harshly to her grandmother, Luis new it wasn't something nice.

He squared his shoulders and glared at her. "Why don't you say that in english, perra." he slurred.

Mienna stood, her lithe body unfolding. He watched as her tank top rose and fell with her movements, exposing the creamy skin of her stomach and hips. Her beat up shoes slapped hard on to the linoleum and she walked up to him. No emotions registered in her eyes as she was inches away from him. Her cool breath washed over him making him dizzy. She smelled like orchids, beautiful and wild.

"I said, you're a pig and we should just send you back." she hissed before walking away, her back stiff.

For once, I didn't know what to say.