Chapter 4: A world of trouble

The setting sun bathed the calm waters of the Mediterranean in a warm, golden hue, as the luxurious yacht glided gracefully through the sea. 

Onboard, the atmosphere was imbued with an air of sophistication and opulence, the clinking of crystal glasses and soft laughter punctuating the evening as the wealthy elite of the city gathered for a dinner hosted by the newly appointed CEO of Brewery, a prominent company in the alcohol industry.

Among the guests of honor was Don Vincenzo since he was a towering figure in the city's business and underworld circles. 

After all the guests, he arrived on the yacht with Leia, Ember, and Axe along with Madam Vincenzo. 

As they stepped onto the yacht, Axe maintained a stoic expression, and the guests couldn't help but notice his presence. Slowly, they whispered among themselves, their eyes casting judgmental glances at him.

"He's Don's bodyguard," one woman murmured to her husband, her disdain evident in her voice. "I can't believe he brought that...lowlife inside with him even though we all left our men outside as it should be."

"Seriously... He is just an orphan, lucky to be taken in by the Vincenzo," Her husband remarked in a hushed tone. "He's a mute, only good for following the family around like a loyal dog,"

 

Though aware of the sidelong glances and hushed comments, Axe remained unfazed. 

The dinner was hosted on the yacht's upper deck, where a couple of tables were set with fine china, silverware, and elegant floral arrangements. 

The guests took their seats, and Axe stood attentively nearby, ever watchful, as the yacht continued its voyage into the open sea. 

The conversation at the tables was lively, filled with discussions about business, politics, and the latest social events.

Soon, Don and his daughters engaged with the other guests, their charisma and charm capturing the attention of those around them.

After a moment of interacting with a lady, Leia walked over to Axe, her eyes lit up, and he frowned, making her pout.

"Your father warned you how to act tonight," Axe said, looking down at her lips hesitantly, holding back his urge.

"Come sit with us," Leia whispered as she locked eyes with him.

"Your father-"

"You know from a young age I never cared about what my father thinks, that's why you are mine, and I feel disrespected seeing you stand while they all sit. You are no different from any of us."

"People are watching us, Leia-"

"So? Come sit... or I will make a scene."

"We are not kids anymore Leia... You know that your father is going to blame me if you dare do it. Is that want you want?"

Pouting even harder, Leia's eyes grew big with tears, and Axe couldn't bear to see her upset. Relenting, he sighed and nodded, gesturing for her to lead the way. Leia's face immediately brightened, and she took his hand, pulling him towards the table.

As they approached, the chatter and laughter of the guests momentarily subsided, all eyes turning towards the unexpected sight of Axe joining the Don's table.

Despite the extravagance of the surroundings, Axe's presence continued to raise eyebrows. The guests exchanged knowing glances.

"He's just a glorified hooligan," one man said, his tone dripping with contempt. "The Don's family might have given him a better life, but he'll never be one of us, and it's a shame that the young Don treats him like that... Such beauty..."

"It's incredible what they have done for him, isn't it?" one guest murmured to another, their gaze locked on Axe. "He was just an orphan, a nobody, and look at him now. Don practically picked him up from the gutter and cleaned him up."

Frowning at her older sister, Ember sighed, and then stared at Axe, saying, "You are embarrassing us again. See how they are all staring. It's annoying-"

"Ember, not here," Don Vincenzo said, his voice low but commanding.

As her eyes widened in surprise, Ember's lips parted wanting to argue, but she quickly closed them, realizing the gravity of the situation. Then she cast a fleeting glance at Leia, who was watching her with a disappointing glare.

Taking a deep breath, Ember composed herself and nodded at her father. "You're right, Father... I apologize for my outburst... but only to you."

"I Know you don't like Axe, but he's mine, and you should try to respect him," Leia said as she shot another stern look at Ember.

"Dear, I told you to stop making it sound like there's something more between you and Axe than that of a bodyguard and his Miss, especially in public." Mrs. Vincenzo said.

The mother and daughter locked eyes in a stare-off, and knowing that Leia was headstrong like her father, she mumbled, "This is all your father's fault for agreeing to such a bizarre decision of a child."

"I don't see the problem with my decision, mother."

"That's enough. Don't ruin our moods for the rest of the night. You are supposed to behave, remember?"

"I was just saying."

Scowling, Mrs. Vincenzo looked at her husband, and Don shook his head slightly, pleading with her to let it go for the moment. 

As the host of the party walked across the tables, greeting people for coming to his party, he was stopped by a frown from one of the guests as they said, "Mr. Lucci? I thought this party was for the best of the best... the top-notch in the business world and society…"

Raising a brow, Mr. Lucci glanced back at him, nodding in response. His dark eyes twinkled with humor when he said, "Oh, yes-"

"Why then does a man lower than our status allow to eat and wine here? Isn't this the kind of thing that makes you look bad?" The fellow said, taking a sip of his drink with cold eyes.

"The invitations that are given were for only high-class business people-"

"And yet, the orphan dines with us, and he's nothing but a low bodyguard, wining and dining with his masters." 

When the fellow turned his head to look at Axe, Lucci's gaze followed his, and slowly, a smug smile crept on his lips.

Shoving his hands into his pocket, he calmly walked over to the Vincenzos table, and said, "Welcome! Mr. and Mrs. Vincenzos, Ember, and..."

 As he locked eyes with Leia, he extended his hand and smiled charmingly, saying, "And you, beauty."

Scoffing, Leia rolled her eyes far back in her head, ignoring his hand, but Mr. Lucci would not withdraw his hand.

Suddenly, Axe stood up, grabbed his hand in a tight shake, and said, "Good evening, Mr. Lucci, or should I say, Jonathan."

Silence settled between the two as fire flashed in Lucci's eyes. The atmosphere in the room began to change, tension rising as everyone stared at Axe and Jonathan Lucci.

With a sudden surge of energy, Axe tightened his grip on Jonathan's hand, his knuckles turning white as the pressure increased. A low, guttural growl escaped his lips as he felt the bones in Jonathan's hand crack under his vice-like grip. 

Instantly, Jonathan's eyes widened in shock and pain as he tried to pull his hand away, but Axe held on steadfastly, refusing to let go. 

Without care, Axe's eyes bore into Jonathan's, his gaze steady and filled with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. 

Trying to suppress his cry, Jonathan's face contorted with pain, his attempts to break free becoming increasingly desperate. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, mingling with the expression of defeat that began to overshadow his features. 

"What's happening?" A guy whispered with a frown.

Finally, with a sudden release of tension, Axe let go of Jonathan's hand, causing him to stumble backward, clutching his injured hand. 

The room erupted in a racket of gasps and murmurs, the shockwaves of this encounter reverberating through every corner.

"Did you see that?" whispered one guest, his tone a mix of shock and disdain. "That Axe.. he's just a glorified bodyguard, a nobody. How dare he cause trouble for someone like Lucci?"

"He's nothing more than an orphan, barely elevated by the Vincenzos," added another guest with a sneer. "To think he'd have the audacity to challenge someone like Lucci... He's going to pay for his foolishness."

"He doesn't know his place," chimed in a third guest, shaking their head disapprovingly. "Lucci won't let this slide. Axe is in for a world of trouble. He's made a grave mistake tonight."

"He'll learn his lesson," affirmed another, a cold glint in their eye. "The Vincenzos may have given him a life beyond what he could have dreamed of, but he's still just a low life. Lucci won't tolerate such insolence from someone like him."

"I bet the Vincenzos will not accept that either. He has put them in hot water, and I bet they will throw him under the bus for sure, and then he will see." A dude muttered. "He's a disgrace, and he deserve what is coming to him."