"Wake up"
I completely ignored Simon and continued to sleep until he shook me, causing me to get up and slap him. As I finally managed to wake up he was rubbing his cheek I snarled at him before he laughed, crossing my arms I looked at him expectantly. This better be good or I'm going back to bed, his expression changed and he coughed
"What do you want Simon?"
"Sebastian Verlac will be here soon. Get changed"
I winced, what in the world did Sebastian want, everyone knew who he was and his track record scared almost every woman, according to my mother when I asked her about him a few years ago she said
"You'd be considered extremely lucky if you never meet the monster"
For good reason, he was a cruel hearted player who could probably go through more women than humanly possible, another reason people feared him was because he was he boss of America's largest Mafia their headquarters being in New York. He got what he wanted when he wanted I looked at Simon like he was joking but he didn't laugh he kept the same expression as I got out of my bed and walked to my wardrobe I looked at him before looking at my clothes.
"What does one wear when meeting Sebastian Verlac?"
"Wear the Victoria secret dress your mother got you"
I froze in my spot, that dress was at the back of my wardrobe and for good reason, it made me look weak and I hated feeling weak, why couldn't I wear my usual wear? I was a Mafia boss not a damn model, even though I was considered one of the prettiest women in the entire Mafia system who had power, money and resources. I gulped before reaching down for the black box which I swore I would never open ever again Simon left the room and shut the door behind him as I walked over to my bathroom with the box in hand and showered. Using the body wash and shampoo that I only ever used on special occasions I made sure that I was waxed in every single area. Before getting changed into the atrocity that was my seventeenth birthday present from my loving parents. Doing my makeup, I quickly sprayed my perfume before putting my necklace on. I never took my ring off unless I was in the shower. Adjusting the outfit quickly I put my black heels on before walking out of my room. I wasn't even half way down the stairs when I heard Sebastian's voice... It made me want to turn around and run back to my room.
Taking deep breaths, I finally made it into the living room, he was not facing me thank god whereas Simon was and he smiled in approval causing Sebastian to turn his head to look at me. I nearly died right there and then he stood up and walked towards me until he was practically in my face. He grabbed my waist and pushed me into him. His voice was husky a he whispered into my ear
"You must be Clarissa. Simon definitely didn't lie about your beauty. I am Sebastian and I will be your King. Understood? You'll do what I want, when I want. You will not talk back and you will obey me."
What did he just say? Oh hell no. He's messing with the wrong person I looked at him and stared into his eyes before I bitched slapped him. He growled and gripped me harder till I couldn't breathe. I was almost blue by the time Simon intervened I gave him a death glare and he shrugged. As Sebastian finally let me go I walked away from him and soon I was at a comfortable distance from both of them. I was infuriated and felt betrayed... I knew what was going on and I couldn't believe Simon thought I'd be cool with being Sebastian's new pet I wanted to die but my family relied on me so I guess I'd just have to survive whatever he wanted from me perhaps than he'd leave me alone. Simon finally spoke
"Let's go get some breakfast"
I nodded, as I tried to make my way towards Simon, Sebastian blocked my path and grabbed a hold of one of my arms and said rather sternly
"I will be lenient for now. But if you dare disobey ever again Clarissa you will be punished."
Before he trailed after me, as I got into the back seat of Simon car, I would have to speak to him later maybe even shoot him, God it was uncomfortable sitting in a car with Sebastian, he would continue to glare at me and I wanted to do badly open the doors and jump out probably to my death, Simon must have sensed his and kept all the doors firmly locked I still get a chance to choose, right? Whether I stay or go... I mean I'm not eighteen yet and Sebastian looked to be twenty-one.
"Let's play twenty questions Clarissa" he suggested
"Fine." I sounded so bored
"Shall I start?"
"Sure" crossing my arms
He chuckled, clearly because I was so uncomfortable and I had a talent of being an open book meaning that well I tended to show all my emotions even when I didn't want to. He coughed to bring me back to Earth, I waited for him to ask his question before I would do the same.
"Age?"
"17 turning 18 in three weeks"
"I'm twenty-one"
Damn I was spot on. Smiling I asked
"Favourite colour?"
"Don't have one. You?"
"Blue."
"Are you a virgin?"
What. I wanted to shoot him, how dare he ask that! That's my business not his. I ignored the question and he knew it, his hands suddenly found them on my lap. He said rather cruelly
"Answer the question or I could just find out myself"
"Virgin" I squeaked
"Wasn't so hard, was it?"
His hand moved away and I took a deep breath in relief, I didn't want to play twenty questions anymore if this was what I was going to get every time I didn't or refused to answer a question. Why did Simon have to call him in, I mean Sebastian is a prick who obviously enjoys making women weak and uncomfortable I took deep breaths as I tried to remain calm but honestly, I wanted to cry and I had to open the window to distract myself.
Thankfully we soon arrived at the cafe, getting out of the car Sebastian was already waiting there, I let him take my hand as we walked into the cafe and took a seat in one of their more secluded booths, as I was reading the menu I had to keep a constant visual of Sebastian's hands but he seemed to be preoccupied with flirting. As soon as it was time to order I swear the waitress looked about ready to be devoured by Sebastian, took a snap of my fingers and me insulting the waitress for Sebastian to stare at me in astonishment, I ordered hastily and so did Simon who knew it was in my nature to hate pretty much any waitress/waiter who tried to flirt with whomever I was with, the waitress scurried off embarrassed. Sebastian looked at me with interest, Simon obviously didn't tell him that trying to control me wasn't going to change anything about me except make me ten times worse.
"Did you have to do that?" Sebastian sounded pissed
I stood up and looked at Sebastian, and with a defiant surge of courage I barked/screamed at Sebastian.
"Look if you want me to be your damn pet. Treat me with respect and I'll do so to you. Don't try to make me look weak and don't fucking try to make me a submissive little slave. I am Clarissa Morgenstern, and I swear Sebastian if you try to even once change me or make me conform to you then you can sure as hell go burn. As for you Simon I hate you, and I hope you'll never have children"
Before I pushed past a stunned Sebastian and stormed out of the cafe and ran. I don't think I've ever run so fast in my life because by the time I was done running I was red and puffing getting my phone out I scrolled through my contacts and found Magnus's number. Calling him he answered almost immediately.
"What's up Clary?"
"I need you to come get me. I'm on Main Street"
"Can't you get Simon?"
"I just ran away from both him and Sebastian"
"Ok I'll be there in a moment"
"Thanks"
Before hanging up, I walked into a nearby cafe and ordered a hot chocolate. Never liked the taste of coffee, sipping the hot chocolate I watched as Magnus's car drove up, walking over to his car I got in before shutting the door and taking deep breaths. Magnus never usually questioned whenever I asked for him to rescue me from something.
"Is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Do you know where Jace lives?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Could you take me to his place? I need to speak to him"
"Sure."
Taking deep breaths, I sighed before Magnus swore, I looked behind us and Simon and Sebastian were trailing behind us, I winced and looked at Magnus who now looked determined to lose them. As if his life depended on it. Knowing now that Simon was trailing us going to Jace's place was a bad idea there were only two places left to go.
"Take me to Alec's place"
James, was I guess the one person that Christiano did not mess with, Alec controlled most of our drug and trafficking trades in and out of Chicago, I had gotten on Alec's good side a long time ago, and now whenever I had to run and I had nowhere else to go I went to Alec. As we took a sharp turn left into Alec's estate I looked behind us Simon car had stopped and both him and Sebastian were pissed I sighed in relief as Magnus's car finally halted and Alec came out. I hugged him almost immediately and he told Magnus to take the back way out so he wouldn't get caught by Simon and Sebastian.
"Thanks"
"Anything for my boss"
"You heard?"
"Please, everyone from New York to California knows that you're the new head. Can't say they are too pleased about it most are hoping you choose to leave the Mafia lifestyle so your "best friend" Simon can take over."
"And if I don't leave?
"Expect death threats to come from all over the country. Who knows maybe even the Brazilians and the Irish know already?"
"If that's the case Alec, I'm screwed"
"Yeah, so tell me what was Sebastian's doing in the front seat?"
"He's my apparent new suitor. Simon idea. Not mine" saying rather bluntly
"Let's get you inside. And changed. You must be freezing your ass off."
As I followed Alec into his mansion I made sure not to touch anything, God knows what would happen if I did. Alec would probably blow up in my face... Not wanted I wanted because if this was one day I wished I never lived through in the first place. As I was handed a shirt from Alec.
"What sort of hot water are you in now Clary? Asides the whole I'm the new head stuff."
"Simon and Sebastian are after me"
"Damn girl, how'd you managed to get the man whore after you?" Sean laughed
"Long story short. Simon called him in to make me his queen"
Alec chuckled I on other hand went up to Alec's room and changed into his shirt and my spare jeans. I always a few random pieces of clothing at Alec's house whenever I need to escape, I stayed in the guest room third of the time when I didn't what to be home. As I looked out the window Alec was standing there in the sun and he was looking up at me. Alec had no fear of the cold as I had noticed. Wiping all my makeup I reapplied a smaller but generous amount…
"Sebastian just called"
"And?"
"He's pissed"
"Give me the phone. Let me speak to him"
"A...are. You sure?" Alec stuttered
"Yeah, what's the worst that could happen?"
As I answered the phone Sebastian sounded pissed and I gasped because I could hear someone being beaten up... Please, please tell me it's not Magnus, Simon or Jace, he knew it was I who answered the phone and he chuckled none too nicely.
"Hear that? That's the sound of your dear Simon being beaten up. He should have followed your friend's car into the mansion but being the idiot he is. He didn't. Now Clary I don't want him to be permanently scarred. So how about this, you come along with Alec and you meet me at your headquarters or I will put a bullet through Simon's skull."
"How long do I have?" My voice was trembling
"An hour. See you soon."
"What did he say?"
"He's going to kill Simon"
"How long do you have?"
"An hour"
"Take me to Sebastian. If he wants to play dirty so will I"
"What are you planning?" Alec asked
"You'll find out"
I had one hour to execute a plan, I risked my best friend and alias Simon. However, I risked having to show my submission. I didn't like the odds of having to prove my submission to Sebastian of all people. I ran my hand through my hair swearing, my steps uneasy as I paced on the pearly white carpet. Alec stood there, arms crossed observing.
"Does he have a weakness? Sebastian?"
"Yes"
"You didn't think to mention it? I have been pacing for a good fifteen minutes."
"He has a step sister"
"Step sister?"
"His step mother is a Lovelace"
"A Lovelace? Why haven't I heard the name before?"
"Your mother may have mentioned the name Jessamine?"
The name rung a bell, Jessamine Lovelace, the girl who supposedly started her own mafia war back when my mother was a child. Jessamine was an intelligent girl who sacrificed everything for her slice at happiness and paid the ultimate price for it.
"What of Jessamine?"
"Her great great grand daughter is in town"
"Pardon?"
"Yes. Sebastian's sweet twelve-year-old step sister."
"Where is she?"
"With her mother Clara Lovelace. At their apartment."
"Let's go! We've go no time to waste…."
Alec nodded, he walked over to the wall and pressed a hidden dint that I hadn't noticed previously. The wall collapsed in revealing walls of guns, knives, swords. You name it, it was on there. He picked up a classy looking Colt M1911.45 ACP, loading it and putting the safety on, he handed the loaded pistol over, before taking several intimidating knives off the wall. Alec was a knife person, preferring to cut his victims up over shooting them and letting them off easy. Grabbing thick black rope a two silk covers. Alec chuckled.
"Hostage situation?"
"Yes. You know it. We are after the Mafia. We don't let people off easy."
"I'll go get the car ready. Go wear something more suiting of a house head."
I nodded in approval and we went our separate ways. By the time I was done wearing what I deemed appropriate, I checked the mirror once more, I looked like my father… something that I loved but loathed at the same time.
The drive there was a blur, and soon we were at their door. Alec nodded ready to back me up, his knives at the ready. I knocked once. No response. I knocked twice. No response. Sighing in annoyance. I stepped aside and allowed for Alec to knock the door off its hinges. The coast was clear, stepping into the apartment, it was well furnished however from the appearance of the kitchen, they were here. Just hiding, taking safety off I began to walk around aiming the gun every which way. I didn't need to be killed by a woman, it would look pathetic. Kicking the bedroom door open I heard shallow breathing, smiling I approached the wardrobe with caution and opened it, to reveal a twelve-year-old being held by a woman. Clara Lovelace.
"Out you get. I won't kill either of you if you cooperate."
They climbed out of the oak wardrobe, for added effect I placed the gun directly on Clara's back.
"Walk to the kitchen and don't scream."
They followed my instructions to the tee and soon both were tied up, their heads covered on the floor kneeling, the girl whose name was Celia was sobbing uncontrollably. I felt bad, however I couldn't let my feeling for the poor child control my intention. Alec nodded, indicating the camera was ready to film. I took a deep breath before speaking sternly.
"Alright I want you to both state your names"
"Clara Lovelace"
"Celia Lovelace"
"Sebastian, if you have received this. I have both your step mother and your dearest Celia as hostage, the deal is simple. Give Simon back and I'll hand them both over safely. If not I'll blow both their brains out, and we both know how much they mean to you. Meet me outside the club, you know which. If not, then you'll have two innocent lives on your hand."
The phone rang almost immediately; perfect. He was seeing this.
"You have the rest of the so called hour… Oh right thirty minutes, to give me Simon or they die."
I hung up on him, once the camera was off. I untied them both to which they both sighed in relief, Clara held Celia close as Alec stood close with his knives at the ready to harm them both… we had both agreed that if Sebastian was smart he'd do what I ask. I didn't want to kill a mother and child it was my code. But would if necessary.
~Meanwhile~
Sebastian punched the wall in absolute fury, before glaring daggers at Simon who was now bloody and bruised, he wanted to kill the useless son of a bitch! However, his conscious told him that if he did, his little sister and his step mother would be dead and it would be his fault.
"I saw it coming" Simon mumbled
"Why didn't you warn me?" He spat
"You wouldn't listen, even if I did." Simon retorted
Dragging the chair over, Sebastian sat down facing him, pulling his chin forward. He growled, this told Simon to begin speaking if he wanted his ass saved.
"Clary isn't some normal girl you can play with. She was trained by the wives of many other families. Including your mother. She knows a lot of things; most would kill to know. I wanted you to tame her, not anger her so much that she's willing to break her moral code."
"What did they teach her?"
"Anything the first female heir and now head of a family needed to know to survive and come out on top of all of us males."
"So?"
"If you this is going to be an easy conquest. You are terribly wrong. If you don't play your cards right, she'll have your head and your empire before you can even blink."
~At the club~
"Where is he?" Celia sobbed
"Hush child" Clara rubbed her back, trying to console her child
I swallowed the last remaining mouthful of vodka before the doors swung right open and Simon was pushed in with Sebastian storming in, looking at my men I nodded and they let both females go. Celia bolted and hugged Sebastian, her tears ran like a waterfall. He wrapped his arms around her. Clara followed soon after her daughter. Sebastian lead them out he turned to Alec and glanced at me:
"This is not over"
Once the door was closed, I looked at Simon and did a once over. He was a bloody mess, not that it bothered me. He deserved it. He watched me, before spitting out
"I am getting sick of you being such a bitch Clary. Why can't you just be an obedient little girl and let a man rule your family?! It's evident that women do not belong in such a position of power that you have. This is a Man's world; women are nothing less than pretty dolls who are meant to make us look good. Why is it so hard for you to just shut up and do what your told?!" His voice was halfway in between yelling and begging.
I waited till he had nothing else to say before barking back.
"Because women should not be treated like damn objects of desire. We demand just as much respect as you do. I don't care if this a man's world. So be it, I will be fucking break the system if I have to! It is my right and duty to make sure the lot of you learn your place and until that happens I swear Simon your life will become hell. This position was given to by my father and I will not give it up to some self-righteous little bastard like you. So, try as you like but you'll have to send me to oblivion and back before you get my title" hissing the last bit
He was taken aback by my words, that I knew were laced with venom.
"Take him out."
Turning my back as two men picked Simon up and lead him out, picking up the bottle I pour another glass. Alec stopped me and took the glass.
"We need you sober. Not drunk"
I growled before walking right out of the door and to my car. Speeding erratically around the streets I was soon in my now not so much destroyed home. Slamming the door shut I stalked up the stairs. He did so quietly as I heard my front door click shut I could finally shower and change into something of better desire for this time of night. It was midnight by the time I was in bed, making sure there was a revolver under my pillow I looked up at my ceiling and slowly closed my eyes. My dreams were not pleasant and several times during the night I was awoken by the smallest of sounds until the point where I just stayed up and walked around my house.
I awoke to my phone buzzing, answering it I was met with my mother's voice. Sitting up I looked at the clock. It should be around four in the afternoon. Rubbing my temple I couldn't comprehend any of my mother's words… she was speaking too fast.
"Slow down. What happened?"
"They broke in"
"Who?"
"Sebastian's men… they killed Lucien and…" she trailed off
"Mother" I bit my lip
"They killed your brother."
I froze. My brother? My older brother? The one who didn't want any part in this? My brother who gave up his right as heir for me? I took a deep breath; I couldn't freak out I had to take this like a mafia head would.
"Where are you now?"
"At Maryse's place"
"I'll fly over."
Hanging up. I texted Alec who sent the message out to those who truly needed to know including Simon… The next thing I knew, I was in England hugging my mother.