We didn’t stay long in the basement after that. I left Franco in charge of the guy.
Surprisingly, Sol wanted me to stay for a bit before leaving. His wife and I talked, catching up on three years worth of information since I was never really physically here for them and though I already knew most of the things, I let her talk. I appreciated that she wasn’t all shy and closed off around me and she was most definitely eager to tell me about her experiences with the twins and of course, my ever nice cousin.
She and the twins retired for the night after our long ass conversation. It was pretty late and I can see the exhaustion on her face. Taking care of the two boys really made her tired, nonetheless the exhaustion doesn’t mean she’s not happy.
I played with the twins and the puppy I gifted them which they named Alpha. Sol snorted at the thought because my middle name was Luna. The twins treated me as their very close aunt right away probably because they were so happy with Alpha.
There was a reason why I gave them a puppy instead of any material things. I wanted them to learn responsibility at a young age and cherish them. Not only that, I wanted them to know loyalty. Dogs are very loyal, especially when you treat them like a family.
Sol and I talked after Hailynn put the twins to bed. We got a glass of scotch in each of our hands to catch up in his study.
“The first time you got your wife pregnant, twins at that. Stefano should feel jealous.” I teased.
Sol smirked playfully. “Do not provoke that hot tempered man, sorella.” His face suddenly morphed into a frown. “Speaking of which. You should inform him of your presence. You know we have an agreement with our family if and when we come here. He doesn’t want us to get into trouble. After all, New York is different. This is not our territory.”
“Oh, but he favors me, fratello, especially Uncle Marco.” He shook his head in amusement. “I like to stay here for a while. Uncle’s birthday is coming up. I want to surprise him so don’t even think about telling them about my arrival.”
He stares at me for a moment before speaking. “I know what you’ve been doing for the past three years, Cara.” He continued sensing my silence. “Going on around claiming my name, getting rid of those who posed a threat to me and my family.” I sneered. “I wouldn’t have welcomed you here knowing we’re not safe.”
I shrugged. “I was bored.” I lifted the glass to my lips and drank the contents of it.
“It doesn’t matter what you think of it, Cara. What matters is that you kept us safe. You drove away my worries without even my request to do it for me or my family. You should know better how much it means to me.”
“You should also know better that I would do anything for your happiness.”
---
Dylan
“Rise and shine… sleepyhead.”
I slowly opened my eyes. It hurt when the blinding white light met my eyesight. I looked around, thankful that I was still in my room.
It was probably just a dream. But the pain in my body and leg made me skeptical. I looked to my right and saw a beautiful woman laying on my bed beside me. Her elbow propped on my pillow, head resting against the palm of her hand.
In daylight, her long hair was dark brown, eyes nearing gray and blue, eyelashes curly and long, lips rosy- full and luscious, skin so fair and beautiful. Her beauty, so otherworldly. Her lips lifted up in a playful smirk.
Did I die? Is she an angel?
My eyes widened.
Shit.
I immediately sat up, realization splashed me like cold water. I fell to the floor in a loud thud as I felt extreme pain in my left thigh. I instinctively screamed in pain.
I felt her move from the bed and looked over me in amusement.
“That must have hurt a lot.” She said in mockery.
I threw her a glare even though it would cost me my life.
“Cute.” She said in mockery. “I’m surprised you would dare despite what happened.” Her eyes shifted towards my bleeding leg. “Let’s fix that before you completely lose your leg. Franco.”
I began to hate that name. Every time that name is called, something worse always happens to me.
The beautiful woman who had an ugly nature sat on an armchair across from my bed where I perched. Franco was the one who treated my leg and wrapped it up with bandages professionally. I was surprised and amazed at the same time.
Despite his treatment and her silence, I was still walking on very thin ice.
“You’ve been out for three days.” She finally spoke after Franco was done bandaging me.
I was suddenly worried about my job. The manager already hated me. He will gladly add this to the list of my strikes so I’d be suspended or better yet out of the company.
But right now, I don’t think it’s the right time to think about my job when my life is at stake here.
“I made sure of that so you could recover easily. I will let you rest for now. Tomorrow, we travel.” My heart jumped at that. I was scared of the possibility where she’ll bring me.
Will she bring me somewhere so no one would know where to find my body?
She finally got up from the seat and with slow careful steps, she stood before me. “You should be grateful that I'm being lenient to you because tomorrow…” She leans down towards me, face leveling my own. I could clearly see the perfection of her beauty. It almost blinded me how evil and rotten she is.
“... you will tell me the truth.”
---
The next day, we left my apartment right after breakfast. I was skeptical the whole time. She was too good to me even to the point of letting her men take care of me- with Franco being the acting doctor. My wounds and bruises were healing pretty nicely, especially the beating I received from my face.
The wound from my thigh was a bit deep so it still hurts and it affects my walking posture. Still, it was healing nicely as well. It made me wonder if the guy took up medicine as his course. He was really good at treating my wounds.
The woman, on the other hand, was treating me as if I wasn’t the culprit. She let me eat, clean myself and rest properly. It felt like I was just a patient that was under house arrest instead. It was too good to be true.
Franco pushed me inside a really expensive SUV. A middle aged man who dressed exactly like him was the driver. Franco settled in the passenger seat while the woman named, Cara, was seated in my side at the back seat.
I already realized that she was their leader. And from the way they interacted that night, the man who was his cousin was the previous leader. Unfortunately, I had the time to observe them.
I’ve been putting the pieces together. And it was the only conclusion I could think of. I felt stupid to mention his name, to put the blame on a name widely known to the mafia. I thought if I could pin it on him, she would immediately run to him and leave me alone. I was even confident she didn't stand a chance.
That didn’t work out well. Instead, I was tied even more to them.
Sol. Fuck. It was her cousin. I was lucky my head was still attached to my neck.
“Tesoro, come.” She always calls me that. She was beckoning me to sit closer to her.
I slowly turned to her. I moved hesitantly. She was holding a handkerchief folded vertically like a blindfold. She twirled her finger around, signaling me to face my back to her and I did like an obedient pet.
She put the blindfold around my head to cover my eyes. The scent of the cloth invaded my senses. It held a sweet flowery scent. I frowned.
I felt her move behind me, lips against my ear. I flinched, knowing so well what the gesture meant.
“It’s necessary for a surprise.” She chuckled and kissed my cheek. Her lips lingered for a few seconds before pulling away.
The kiss sent shivers down my spine. The hair in my skin stood. My heart was beating erratically.
Shit. I’m afraid of what she’s planning to do to me.
Despite the unsteady nerves I was feeling, I managed to fall asleep. The drive was long and lasted hours. I kind of understood her intentions, I thought. She was deliberately making me feel anxious and terrified as the hours went by slowly.
I woke up the moment the vehicle stopped. I wondered why I didn’t hear a sound or movement. That thought halted when she spoke.
“You can take it off now.” Her sultry velvety voice reverberated.
I figured she meant the blindfold so I took it willingly. I blinked several times to adjust my sight. It was still a bit blurry but I knew… I knew this familiar scenery.
I grew up here.
I turned to her. She was sitting regally and arrogantly while sneering at me. My eyes were wide in fear.
“Do you like my surprise?”
“No, please. No.” I begged, shaking my head in misery. “Come along now.” She spoke with a hint of impatience.She was standing outside by the door of the car, waiting for me to step out. But I didn’t want to step out. I knew what awaits beyond the door. I don’t want anything bad to happen to my family. No, not like this.I regretted complying to that bastard’s demands, at the same time not. I had no choice. Right now, I don’t know what to do. They’re going to be in danger again because of me.Tears pooled my eyes as I begged for her mercy.“If you don’t step out of the damn car, tesoro, I will visit them myself.” She snapped.“No, no, no! I…” I stopped her as she almost turned around to leave. I gulped. “Please… I’ll tell you who’s behind it. Please just leave my family alone.” She stared at me blankly. I know she’s waiting for me to speak what she wants to hear. My mouth opened ready to spill it to her but I couldn’t. I choked.My eyes were wide in alarm when she slammed the door s
I was in a daze the whole day as I watched my family bond with her. A mafia leader. The thought made me feel dizzy and nauseous. I was in mixed emotions the whole time. I don’t know when she’ll blow up and pull a gun to kill each one of us. She’s a walking time bomb.My mom introduced her to my grandma who was bedridden yet talks too much. She’s the reason my mom couldn’t leave the house to work. She had to watch over Damian and my grandma. I was the only provider of the family. That’s why I have to work hard. It’s the reason why I have to do what I had to do. Mortgage, bills, my grandma’s meds, they’re budget for the month- the list goes on. My dad died when I was just sixteen. He had an accident at their construction site. Although the company paid for compensation, it wasn’t enough for us. I was seventeen when I started working part time. I did a lot of odd jobs until I found a steady one at a diner. The owner was a friend and took me in willingly, understanding my predicament.I
I instinctively swallowed down my own saliva, throat bobbed up and down at the sight before me. Her beauty is that of a goddess and a body to match. She’s perfect and beyond.She grins when she sees my stunned state. “Ciao, tesoro.”Her voice pulled me out of my reverie. I remembered that despite being carved to perfection, she’s actually a witch. The nickname managed to put a frown on my face. I still have to find out what the heck that means.“I… I’m ready to talk.”There was a huge burden on my shoulders weighing me down. I don’t know if telling her the truth is right. It’s not like I have a choice. But she’s right here with my family and if I do something wrong, I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for letting her harm them when I have the power to avoid it.Cara sat on the edge of my bed, discarding the towel that once caressed her dark hair. She pats the bed, gesturing to me to sit beside her. I followed defeatedly like a dog.She was silent and I knew she wanted me to star
“Good morning, dear.” Mom greeted Cara and somehow managed to ignore my presence in the dining room as we both emerged. “Buon gior-” She stops and realizes that she was responding in her language. “Good morning, Violet.” She replied with a smile. Mom convinced her yesterday to call her name rather than calling her with honorifics. She tilted her head to the side and looked at her questioningly. “You’re not really American, are you?”Cara looked at my mom with mirth. “I am a full blooded Italian.”Her eyes sparkled in interest and excitement… again. I sighed, letting myself sit on the chair. Breakfast was already laid on the table. It looked like a feast with all that she prepared. “No wonder you have this accent. It’s not that obvious but it’s there. You are so beautiful, too. And goodness! You are so tall.”Mom was 5’2 so she admires women who’re gifted with height. I roll my eyes. “You already said that countless times yesterday.” I muttered lowly but she heard me anyway and ga
“Dylan Ross…” She reached out and wrapped her hand from the nape of my neck. She pulls me to her, our faces inches closer to each other.“Swear your loyalty to me.”I couldn’t hold back my surprise. Her piercing eyes steady in mine, meaningful with a threat and warning.“I… you… you promised me.” Reminding her of her promise about my family. “I don’t break promises… unless you betray me.”I shook my head vehemently. “Never.”“Good. I’ll give you whatever you need, even whatever you want as long as you swear it.”“I swear it!” I said rather enthusiastically. I cleared my throat in embarrassment. “I mean yes.”For my family. Everything for them.She released a playful grin. Her fingers from the nape of my neck started stroking my hair. Warmth started to build from my belly.“Good boy.”---A few hours later, we arrived but it wasn’t in my apartment. I couldn’t ask Cara since she hastily stepped out of the car and immediately went inside the building. I stopped short, jaw dropping whe
DylanWhen I came back after a whole week of being AWOL, everyone in my department bombarded me with questions on where I had gone and what happened. As said in my medical certificate, I told them I had an accident and brushed off any further details. I told them I didn’t want to talk about it. Miles and Aiden, on the other hand, weren't having any of it. They wanted to know every little detail of what happened. I made a more believable explanation instead. It wasn’t exactly a lie since it really did happen. I told them that I visited my family and the medical certificate was fake.It didn’t take much of my convincing powers since I do have the capability to produce a fake certificate and they knew I hadn't really visited them for a very long time so it was only reasonable. Honestly, the certificate was anything but fake. It was real, authentic, legit. I knew she could easily obtain things like that but it never ceased to amaze me. Imagine having power and money like her. I don’t ha
He was surprised that someone, and a woman at that, interrupted him. He slowly put down his gun and turned to Cara who was still pointing a gun at him. The two matched their height.He scoffs. “I’m indeed surprised. A woman dared to point a gun at me. Who might you be?”Cara showed him one of her wicked smiles. “You should know. I mean you did steal from me.”He laughs in mockery when he realizes what she meant. “You? A woman in the mafia? Do not make me laugh, darling.”She grins. I see the glint of mischief in her eyes that pass by like a blur. “I figured.” She drawled.The movements were so quick that I almost didn’t see it. He waved his arm with an intention to swat her arm away that was holding the gun. He knew he failed when Cara shot him in his shoulder.Her smile widens. “Ah, ah, ah.” She looked down at him who was screaming and groaning in agony. Blood spurted towards the floor of my apartment as he hugged his deep wound.I knew her to be cruel but I never expected that she’d
It was only just half of the day and I’m already completely exhausted. Aside from the fact that Hudson tried to drain me from giving me countless piles of work, sleep had abandoned me for the past few days.Everytime I shut my eyes, I remember that man’s eyes as he lay dead on the floor of my apartment. Despite the emptiness, the fear it held could not be mistaken. Blood stained her crisp clean white suit and she embraced it with pride. She was cruel, vindictive, ruthless.The best decision I ever had was to play submissive the first time she seeked me out. The worst was lying to her and I suffered the consequences for that. The mark on my thigh was the living proof. Ironically, she gave me medicines and ointments to erase the scar. I thought for sure she wanted to keep it as a reminder of my stupidity. She was kind yet not. Once again, she confuses me.“Hey…” I turned to see Amilia joining me in the pantry. “You okay? You look really exhausted.” Her lips lifted in a small smile. T