CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ALONSO

Alonso sits in the corner of his father's office. Everyone has gone to sleep hours ago; it is only him and his brutal thoughts. Crystal's words keep playing in his head, taunting him, belittling him. They mock him for believing that Crystal could ever care about a murderer like him, they mock him because the only he has always prayed for might actually not happen to him.

Regardless, Alonso ignores them; he ignores everything that suggests that he will not have the life he has always wanted. He refuses to believe that Crystal will not someday love him back, he refuses to give up. A person cannot expect something to be easy just because you want it more than the air that you breathe. A person has to fight, has to wait, and has to prove himself to be worthy of the thing they desire.

Alonso smiles to himself when his positive thoughts overpower his negative ones. His face drops, however, when he hears the front door open and close really quietly and really quickly. Due to the utter silence in the house, he hears it clearly. The Italian mafia boss gets off the floor and makes his way to the window. He sighs when he sees both Crystal and Lucas make their way to Lucas's car.

Alonso knows that Lucas would not make a move on Crystal because of two reasons. One, Lucas knows the consequences if trying to peruse a woman who is claimed by another man in the mafia; regardless of the different organizations they both belong to. Two, Lucas clarified his relationship with Crystal to Alonso. The Italian man trusts his friend; if Lucas says that they are just friends, then they are just friends.

Still, Alonso feels jealous of how carefree is his be fuocu is around Lucas, he envies the Brazilian man for the smiles Crystal keeps giving him.

Alonso clenches his jaw when he hears Crystal somewhat loud laugh and he makes his way to the front door.

"Where do you think you two are going?" He tries to sound intimidating, but his voice instantaneously turns soft once his eyes land on Crystal. They both freeze when they notice his presence.

"We were just…"

"It is none of your business." Crystal cuts off her best friend with a scowl on her face. Alonso's heart bleeds a little at her attitude.

"Well, it is my business when the Russian mafia is after you, and you are under my protection." He refrains from voicing out his concern for her life, his fear of something bad is happening to her. Alonso doesn't want her to become even more detached.

"We were feeling suffocated by everything that has happened in the last few days. So, I thought I can take Crystal out of a couple of hours." Lucas gives him a look that begs him to let them go and not out them out to Nicholas. Alonso can see that his friend needed a break even if it was only for a few hours, he sighs in defeat.

"I won't tell Nicholas, but only if I tag along." At that, Crystal's face pales. She doesn't want to be around him, and Alonso knows it. Nevertheless, he doesn't find it in his heart to give her what she wants; he wants to see what she was too eager to do; he wants to get to know her better.

"That is not happening. I would rather stay home." Crystal starts making her way to the house. Alonso turns his attention to Lucas begging him to do something. His friend gives him a small nod before he runs to Crystal and grabs her arm preventing her from walking away any further.

After a hushed argument, Crystal hangs her head low in defeat before she pulls her finger in warning at her best friend. Alonso cannot hear what she says, but it drives Lucas to pull his hands up in surrender. The Italian Mafia man look at them trying to figure out what they are saying, but even the few words he manages to catch don't help because they are speaking in Spanish.

"If you tell a soul about what happens tonight, I will destroy your bones the same way I did your car." Crystal hisses in his face once they return.

"I won't tell anyone." He promises sincerely. Alonso tries to catch her eyes, but she just ignores him and gets into the car.

"Are you sure you should be driving with arm injured?" Alonso asks Lucas as he closes the passenger's door.

"Are you sure you should be out of the house when you got shot a few millimeters away from your heart?" Crystal replies dryly as she lays down she places her head on one window and rests her feet on the one opposite to it. Both men look at each other before Lucas turns the car on and starts driving.

"This is kidnapping." Alonso claims as he hits the window on his right with anger. He has been begging Crystal and Lucas to tell him their destination but all he received is the two idiots singing on top of their lungs with the radio.

Alonso huffs in annoyance as turns the radio off. He immediately regrets when they continue singing; their horrible voices make him contemplate throwing himself out of the car.

"Would both of you shut up?" He screams. The Italian man sighs in relief when silence consumes the air.

"Now, can you please tell me where we are going?"

"There is no need, we are here." Lucas parks the car. Alonso gets out of the car and stands next to Crystal his stomach dropping when he sees where they are. Out of instinct, his arm wraps around her.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" she breaks free from his grasp and gives him a weird look.

"You don't know what happens in this place. We need to go." He tries to pull Crystal into the car but Lucas' voice stops him dead in his tracks.

"Actually, we know exactly what happens here. In fact, we came here to witness it." Lucas pulls a duffel bag out of the trunk, Alonso furrows his eyebrows, he doesn't remember seeing the bag with the Brazilian man, but he chooses to overlook it.

"No, we are not. We are going back right now." His voice is stern but Lucas chuckles at his words and Crystal smacks his ass as she runs into the club. Alonso wants to run after her and stop from going in, but he is too stunned to move. Lucas' low chuckle forces his body to start functioning again.

"Shut up." He glares at his friend as he follows his Bel fuocu.

"God, I wish I took a picture of your face. If you reacted like that when she touched your ass, what will you do when she touches something else?" Lucas gives him a roguish grin when he notices Alonso tense at his words.

"Did you get lost from the car to the club?" Crystal asks them once they reach her. She doesn't wait for an answer as she enters the club from the VIP section. Alonso feels beyond confused when none of guards stop her. Lucas turns around and points at the door gesturing for Alonso to follow him.

"Going to the club is one thing, but this… I can't allow it.��� Alonso looks at the screaming crowds with anger. He can't believe that Crystal would be foolish enough to want to come to a place like this, and he can't believe that Lucas would be an idiot to ring her herein the first place.

"It's really cute you assume that we will listen to you." Crystal grabs his cheeks with her fingers and gives them a little squeeze before letting go. Lucas gives him a knowing smirk as he makes his way to the guy with speaker.

"Why would you want to come here Bel Fuocu?" Alonso tries to make a conversation despite the deafening screams of the audience.

"Your fragile heart won't handle the answer." She answers as she takes her hoodie off revealing her black sports bra. Alonso's voice gets caught in his throat.

"What are you doing? Put that back on!" he hisses at her. Alonso tries to cover her body but she just shrugs him off.

"You ready?" Lucas comes back and takes Crystal's hoodie from her. He doesn't seem even a little fazed by the fact that she is half naked.

"Just a second." She replies and takes her pants off leaving her in nothing but her sports shorts. At this point Alonso loses it, but he doesn't have the chance to say anything because both Lucas and Crystal go towards the man holding the microphone. Alonso wants to follow them and force Crystal to put her clothes back on. Causing a scene, however, is not a good idea. There is a very good chance that the place is crowded with men from the Russian mafia. So, he holds his ground with every ounce of will power he has.

They talk to him for a few minutes before Lucas comes back alone. Alonso ignores him and watches in horror as Crystal is lead into the ring. She is participating; the realization dawns on him like a lightning bolt.

"What the hell is this Lucas?" Alonso turns to the Brazilian man with clenched teeth.

"Relax, you saw how good she is."

"Lucas, this is real life, not some game."

"So, you're saying Ivan and his men are a game?" Lucas gives Alonso a serious look for the first time tonight.

"Open your eyes Alonso. If it wasn't for Crystal you would be dead. She saved your life, twice while you were beside him moaning in pain. Hell, in both times you expected her to have your back." Lucas' words shut Alonso up, but the Brazilian man is not done.

"We won't always be there to protect her. And personally, I am glad that she took it upon herself to teach herself how to fight. When she told me about street fighting this morning, I was just as furious as you if not more. But then, I thought about it. If it wasn't for her fighting skills she would have been killed, or worse taken by Ivan. Also, knowing for all these years that the two people closest to her were lying to her on a daily bases, she had to get that frustration out on something. If we take it away from her, Nicholas and I will lose her, and you will have no chance with her."

"I know you're right, it's just I am worried about her. What if she gets hurt?" Alonso pulls his hair back with his hand harshly as he takes a look at Crystal as the microphone man talks to her; undoubtedly telling her the rules.

"I know, but we cannot control her. And I don't know about you, but I would rather have her get hurt in that ring rather than in one of Ivan's compound houses. If you want her to accept you for who you are; mafia and all; you have to do the same for her. "Alonso is about to reply but he gets interrupted by the microphone man announcing the beginning of the first match; Crystal's match.

"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, I am your host Dario, and we are all here today to witness some brutal street fighting." The microphone man, Dario screams. the audience yell like they are chased by wolves at his words.

"Before we begin, don't forget that betting will close for each match right before the said match starts. Without further ado, let's begin our first match." Dario, points to his right.

"Our first contestant is someone who is not a stranger to this ring. Give it up for our champion, Skulllll" Dario screams causing the audience to cheer for the buff guy that walks into the middle of the ring. Alonso's throat goes raspy as he stares at the giant crystal will fight.

"His opponent is a new adorable face that will win just by showing her adorable smile. Give it up to Crys." Dario chuckles at his own words. Alonso gives the host his best and coldest glare for making fun of Crystal abilities.

"Relax, she will shut him up once she breaks one of the Skull's bones." Lucas says the name with such sarcasm that Alonso cannot help but create the picture of the giant idiot falling to the ground as Crystal remains standing. The image brings a smile on his face. He really wants her to win.

Soon, the bell rings indicating the beginning of the match. Alonso watches Crystal nervously as she watches every move Skull makes. He also doesn't miss how she studies her surroundings very carefully as if she tries to memorize them. The Italian Mafia boss smiles smuggle when Bel Fuocu throws the first punch. It lands perfectly on her opponent's face.

It is clear that Skull did not expect Crystal to be brave enough to make the first move. He regains his balance and sends a death glare towards Crystal. The giant tries to direct a low kick on Crystal's right ankle, but the Brazilian woman simply avoids his hit with a speed that causes the audience to start cheering for her rather than for Skull.

Crystal mocks her opponent only she aims for one of his thighs. He starts falling on his knees, but before he could hit the ground, Crystal uses a lateral movement to move side to side and circles her opponent. Skull is too busy wondering what she is doing to notice her attacking his back with her elbow. Thus, he collides with the ground with a roan.

Alonso hopes that would declare the end of the match, but he knows better. His breath hitches when Skull gets up with rage in his eyes. The Italian man gets a feeling that the giant male was underestimating Crystal, but now he means to harm her.

"That was awesome. Did you see how fast she was?" Lucas jumps up and down like a kid. Alonso rolls his eyes at his friend for not noticing the Skull's change of mood. He knows for sure that even if she wins, Crystal will not leave the ring without at least a few injuries.

Crystal watches the movement of Skull's steps, but Alonso can see the confusion in her eyes; she doesn't know what her opponent is going to do next. That is proven when he successfully lands a punch on her nose. Thus, she becomes a little dazed. Skull uses the opportunity and collides his fist with her Solar Plexus. As a result she falls to her knees while holding the area right under her ribcage real tight. The scream she lets out rings in Alonso's ears, and a tear falls down his cheek.

The Italian mafia boss starts making his way towards the ring when suddenly Crystal gets up hits her opponent in the face with her foot. The sound of his jaw breaking echoes through the arena, and for the first time the audience goes silent. Bel Fuocu doesn't wait for anyone's reaction before she brings the top of her forehead down to Skull's nose knocking him out instantly.

The crowd's screams emerge once again, only this time they chant her name with glee; she won. Lucas laughs loudly and hits the back of Alonso's shoulder before running to Crystal who is making her way out of the ring.

The prideful look on her face makes him understand Lucas' previous words even more. This is hers, the street fighting, the ring, the win, and he has o right to take it away from her. He can also see the happiness pouring in her eyes. Even though she has a bloody forehead, Crystal is the happiest Alonso has ever seen her.

"That was the most badass I have ever seen you." Lucas yells as he collects his best friend in his arms and lifts her off the ground. Her giggles when Lucas starts twirling her around cause a huge smile to appear on Alonso's face. Once the Brazilian man puts her back on the ground, Alonso walks closer to them.

"I have to admit, that was really impressive." Alonso gives her a smile. To his surprise, she returns it. Although, he is certain that her smile is due to her win and nothing more.

"It was more enjoyable however to see kick ass to save my life." He curses himself once the words leave his mouth. She surprises him once again when she gives him a smile. For a second, he is afraid she is up to something.

"Yeah, well when a helpless mafia man needs protection I can't turn my back on him. After all, it would be a good story to tell to his men." If someone else directed these words at him, he would have undoubtedly hit them until he broke at least four bones. But he kind of likes the way Crystal smirks at him.

"They won't believe you." He plays along.

"We'll see about that Bagel." Alonso chuckles at the old nickname. He cannot help but feel ecstatic; Crystal is acting like herself around him, which is a lot more than he had gotten out of her in the past few days.

"Can we go home now?" Crystal asks when Dario announces the names of the people participating in the next match.

"Don't you want to go and get your money first?" Lucas asks placing his arm around her shoulders.

"Nah, I don't need it. I can take all the money I want to Nicholas." Both Alonso and Lucas laugh at her words.

"I am sitting in the back with Crys." Alonso announces. He doesn't bother to hear her complaints as he gets in the car and pulls out the emergency box from under the passengers seat.

"So I am your chauffer, great." Lucas says with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Although Alonso knows that he is smirking.

"Why do you even want to sit here with me?" She receives her answer when she sees the box in the Italian mafia's hands.

"I am fine, you don't…"

"Your forehead is bleeding." Alonso doesn't give her a chance to talk as he holds her chin with one hand to pull her closer to him.

"I should have murdered that trash." Alonso mutters under his breath when he sees how deep Crystal's wound is. After cleaning the wound up, he can see that the actual wound is a little above her left eyebrow.

"Relax, I did more damage to him than he did to me. Besides it doesn't hurt that much." Crystal shrugs.

"It is going to need stitches." Alonso says pulling Crystal's face even a little closer to his.

"Fuck. What are we going to tell Nicholas?" Lucas pales, and Alonso almost chokes on air at his words. If the roles were reversed and Leora was injured on Nicholas' watch, Alonso would have cut his fingers off. So he knows that the Brazilian mafia boss will do something similar to him.

"Oh please, my brother is a puppy that is easily manipulated, I will handle him. Ow." Crystal waves her hand dismissively, then she uses the same hand to hit Alonso's chest when he starts stitching her forehead.

"Are you okay?" Alonso cups Crystal's' cheeks with his long fingers and make her look into his eyes as soon as he completely closes the wound. All he receives is a nod followed by a yawn.

"Can I start the car now?" Lucas asks for the tenth time which causes Alonso to hit him on the back of his head.

"Ow!" Lucas glares at him through the mirror as he rubs his head.

"Yes you can." The Italian mafia boss replies smugly.

Once the car starts moving, Crystal itches closer to the end of the car and leans her head on the window. Alonso admires her for a few seconds before he leans his body down a little and rests his head on her lap.

Immediately, Crystal tries to push him off of her, but Alonso doesn't have it; he wants to be close to her, he wants to enjoy this beautiful silence with her even though Lucas is in the car with them. The Italian mafia boss grabs one of her hands and holds it tight. At first, her body tenses, but she relaxes but when he kisses the back of her hand. Alonso smiles at that.

He hopes that tonight has gotten him one step closer to earning Crystal's trust. He hopes she will give him a chance to be a constant part of her life. Alonso's smile becomes wider when she starts running her hand through his hair. He closes his eyes as he lets out a moan. He tries to imprint the heavenly feeling in his mind. He has a feeling that he will not feel it again for a long time, or perhaps this would be a one-time thing.

The Italian mafia doesn't get the chance to frown at his thoughts because a hair is pulled from his skull.

"Ow!" He turns to crystal with a glare to see her looking at the hair with a wide smile. She gives him a smirk before she returns to playing with his hair. This time, however, he is a little weary. Nevertheless, he doesn't pull away from her; he doesn't want to even though he knows that his skull will hurt him for hours by the time they reach his parents' house.

Indeed, the whole ride home, Crystal picks and pulls his hair while giggling at his groaning, hissing and whimpering. In a way, he enjoyed it. Although, he will never admit it to her.