"You bitch!"

I heard it before felt it. She had slapped me. I refused to cry or else that would only make it worse.

I've gotten used to this. The name calling, the slapping, the constant smell of booze and cigarettes. But I just tell myself that deep down, she still loves me. When my father was alive, she used to kiss me and hug me, I believed that I was everything to her.

I was wrong.

"You're a slut and I hate you. It was your fault! Everything! You did this!" She shouted as she pushed me on the floor. "Rot in hell, you filthy *****." And with that I was left alone to soak in my own tears and shame.

When I was 7 my dad died in a shooting. It was a drive by, but they shot the wrong person. I witnessed everything. From the moment the bullet hit his head, I was there. Watching in despair at such a tender age, holding on to my favorite stuffed animal, while my father died.

Right. In front. Of me.

To say my mother took it bad was an understatement. She turned to drugs and liquor for comfort and since then, it's like I don't know her anymore. She's been abusive and has been blaming me for the accident ever since. But I would honestly do anything for that woman, cause although I was scum to her, there was a time when she genuinely loved me. And I still love her no matter what.

I heard my phone go off. I saw it on the table and reached over for it. Although I live a poor life, I take care of my stuff. I got this phone for my 7th birthday and I've had it ever since.

The message was from my best friend Solyna (A/n: It's pronounced Soleena.)

Hey Iris! Meet me at the usual spot.

Solyna and I have been best friends for 8 years now. She knows all about my mom and everything and is the most supportive and understanding person ever. I typed a quick sure and went upstairs to get ready. I threw my curly black hair up into a messy bun and threw on some sweats. I'm half Italian so I absolutely love my hair. I put on my sneakers and grabbed my phone to leave. When I was leaving I saw my mom passed out on the couch with an empty flask on the floor beside her. I rolled my eyes but kissed her on the head nonetheless.

When I arrived, I saw Solyna on a park bench waiting for me. "Hey Rissy!" she exclaimed. She's always so perky and happy. Sometimes I wish her personality would rub off on me. I smiled and pulled her into a tight hug. "Hey Lee-lee." I replied. We started talking about everything that was going on in our lives until I took out my phone and saw the time.

Oh shit.

"No no no! She's gonna kill me!" It was already 8:30 but because I was having so much fun, I never even realized that it got this dark.

"I have to go Lee-lee, I'm so sorry." I apologized. "It's ok Rissy, I understand. But just promise you'll text me." "If I'm alive." I replied. We laughed and she pulled me into a bone crushing hug. I started my journey home not looking forward to what was coming next.

When I was walking into my driveway, I saw a sleek, black, expensive looking Mercedes. Whoever the hell that is must be loaded. But then I heard glass shatter. I ran inside as fast as could only to see my mom throwing random objects. But I couldn't even stop her because of who I saw her throwing them at.

This man was tall, with piercing blue eyes and sleek, dark hair. He was in an expensive Armani suit with a black velvet trench coat and a blue tie. He gave off a powerful, important aura. But what caught my attention was:

He looked just like dad.

When my mom ran out of stuff to throw, his eyes flickered to mine. Suddenly, the ground became the most important thing in the room.

"Look at me, principesa."

He spoke so softly, yet so firmly. So I looked straight into his eyes. No one broke eye contact until my mother spoke up.

"Great, this bitch's home!"

As soon as those words left her mouth, mystery man's eyes shot directly towards her.

"If you value your life, you would shut the hell up, and go pack mi sorellina's things."

His voice was so smooth, yet so sinister.

I was frozen in place as he spoke those words. His hermana? My mother's expression quickly transformed from one of boredom to one of complete and utter fear. She quickly scurried away to what I presume is my room.

My eyes were focused on the floor until mystery man spoke up.

"Hello Iris.My name is Alejandro and from now on you'll be living with me."

Wait, what?

"Ummm I.... wha.."

I was speechless. I was moving in with this scary stranger? "I don't even know you!"

I was close to having a mental breakdown at this point.

"She didn't tell you didn't she."

He sighed. Tell me what?

"Principesa, I'm your brother. The eldest out of the five brothers our father failed to mention."

And then everything went black.

Brother? Five?

My head was spinning. When I woke up Alejandro and my mother were standing over me. Alejandro holding a firm look and my mother one of satisfaction.

The nerve of this bitch.

I slowly regained consciousness and

saw my bags sitting in front of me. I couldn't believe it. I had brothers?!? And my mother knew? Did she want to tell me? Did dad tell her not to tell me? Wait, why didn't dad tell me when he was alive???? I had so many questions at the moment.

"Iris. Look at me."

There it is again. That voice. So full of authority. But it hits so much different now because found out it belongs to my brother.

My brother.

"Are you ok?" He asked. I think his name is Alejandro if I remember correctly. Jesus

my head hurts!

"Ummm, yeah I'm fine guess."

I really was on the verge of a mental breakdown though.

"Your stuff has been collected from your

room. If there's anything else you need

before we go, get it now because we're

leaving in 5 minutes."

"Who the hell do you think you are? Do you

think you can just walk in here and make

demands? You are not taking my child away from me!" My mother looked like she was about to cry.

"I am Alejandro Garcia, and I do whatever I want. Whether it pleases or disappoints."

My said brother replied.

Instantly my mother's scowl turned into a look of fear and shock.Then she turned to me.

"You! I hope you rot in the pits of hell.You're a disgrace! Because of you, your father is dead! All of this! It's because of you! Good riddance you worthless bitch!"

Then her hand raised to slap me.

flinched and closed my eyes, ready for the pain to come down on my cheek, but nothing came. When I opened my eyes, I saw my mother's wrist locked in my brother's firm grip.

"Don't. Even. Think about it."

He spoke slowly. Putting emphasis on every single word. Then he turned to me..

"Iris, let's go."

You didn't have to tell me twice.

I ran upstairs to my room to make sure

she packed everything. collected some of my pillows and blankets and my stuffed animal that my dad gave me for my 5th birthday.

I packed it in my old duffel bag and went back downstairs.

When I went down I realized Alejandro was already outside.

I saw my mom on the couch with a bottle of Hennessy in her hand.

"Bye momma." I said

"I really am gonna miss you."

Then she got up and walked over to me. I braced myself to be hit and silently pleaded for my brother to just walk back inside. But what she did next surprised me.

She hugged me.

The last time she did that was at my dad's funeral.

My mother hasn't hugged me in 6 years.

The action took me by complete surprise and found myself hugging her back

"Take care of yourself, figlia (daughter). Mi dispiace." (I'm sorry)

For the first time in years, I saw a glimpse of the mother had when my dad was alive. The mother that told me she loved me every 5 minutes.

The mother that used to take me shopping and on personal little dates, just the two of us.I missed her.

I pulled back and she went back to her Hennessy.

I went outside and saw Alejandro leaning on his car waiting patiently in his phone.

When he noticed my presence he leaned off the car and opened the passenger door indicating for me to get in.

I immediately studied the interior of the

Mercedes and one word came to mind. Money.

Everything was black.

Leather and Black.

"Do you have everything you need Iris?"

I kept my head down and nodded yes. I realize we haven't started moving so I looked over at him only to see his eyes focused straight ahead.

"I know we just met, so I'm letting you off, but in the future you must always answer your brothers and I verbally. It shows us that you understand everything we say.

Understood?"

Not wanting to break the rule I muttered a weak, raspy, yes.

Then he finally left my childhood home.

Forever.

After the most awkward half hour of my life, we pulled up to a mansion that would put the White House to shame.

To say the house was beautiful was an understatement. It has four stories, and is made out of mostly glass and wood, which gave off a really modern vibe.

There was a gorgeous water fountain right in the middle of the driveway in the shape of two diamonds intertwined with each other. It was absolutely breathtaking.

These people had to be rich to live in a place like this. I didn't belong here.

Alejandro took out my suitcases and duffel bag and led me to the front door, which wasn't locked. When he opened it, I felt my heart stop.

Inside was even more gorgeous than the outside! In the middle of the gigantic hallway, was the same intertwined-diamond statue, also a winding staircase that led to the first floor.

Beside the golden embellished doors, was an alarm system and a key rack. The walls were a deep brown, my guess is it's wood, and the tiles were brown marble.

When I was done gawking at the place, I finally met Alejandro's gaze.

He was staring at me the whole time, with a small smirk playing on his lips.

"Like what you see?" His voice laced with amusement.

Remembering the verbal rule I choked out another intimidated yes. God Iris, don't show him you're scared!

"Before I show you to your room, you will be introduced to your brothers. All of them are aware of you arrival."

Did my brothers know about me the whole time? I was just about to ask him when he shouted,

"I ragazzi scendono qui!"

(Boys, get down here!).

After a few seconds I heard doors slam and footsteps trudge race down the staircase.

Oh dio!

I heard loud footsteps trudging down the hall and felt my breath get caught in my throat. What if they don't like me? It's not like there's anything there to like. They did my mom a favor when they decided to keep me. I mean look at me, they must really hate themselves to request my presence.

"Iris!"

I came out of my thoughts and met the beautiful, stone cold eyes of Alejandro. The only difference is there were four more pairs behind him.

"I..... um sorry... I was just..........." I trailed off with my eyes glued to my old worn out shoes, not knowing what to say.

Trust me, you would be speechless two if you were in the presence of five intimidating males.I heard one of them whisper in Italian,

"probabilmente non posso nemmeno parlare di, povera creatura." (Probably can't even talk, poor creature.)

My head snapped up immediately trying to find the gaze of the culprit of that statement. My fists were clenched and my breath was increasing in speed.

My anger has always been hard for me to control and I lose my temper all the time.

"If your aim is for me to not hear you, sorry to say but you fail. My apologies for disappointing you but I am more than capable of speaking. If you have something to say about me, say it to me or don't say anything at all concerning me. Clear?"

My eyes widened and my head snapped back down when I realized what I just did.

Shit! Way to go Iris, as usual you just can't keep your damn mouth shut! That would usually result in about 2 slaps, a punch to the rib and a night in the basement.

Well, day one and you already messed shit up. I hear someone coming towards me so l look up.

Alejandro is making his way over to me threateningly slow, while the others have wide eyes and hanging jaws.

My attention goes straight back to Alejandro and I see him raise his hand.

Oh no not again! I immediately flinch waiting for the flesh to flesh connection.

Wait? Why haven't felt anything yet? I took the risky move to open my eyes. Alejandro has confusion written all over his face.

"Iris, did you think was going to hit you?"

I avoided his eyes seemed to do a lot of that around him. But I couldn't help it! He was just so fucking scary!

"No.....I, um............yeah. I did."

I replied. I actually feel a little bad. Maybe he wasn't going to hit me, but after all those years of abuse I guess it was just a natural response.

I wish I could help it but it seems to be out of my control.

"Listen to me. I may get really angry at you and I can be pretty intense, but I will NEVER hurt you, do you understand?" He seemed genuinely hurt by my accusation so nodded in understanding.

"Use your words, Iris."

I muttered a quick yes. Alejandro sighed and turned back to the four boys standing there patiently waiting to be introduced.

Some of them looked happy to see me while one just looked really irritated. That just made me all the more self conscious.

I wasn't used to this rich *** lifestyle they were living, and it would take me some time to get use to all this wealth.