9• Crimson EMBRACE

"My love for you 

is a beautiful insanity, 

a fire that burns through 

the darkest nights."

AZRAEL 

...

Azrael stepped forward as he stood protective yet proud beside Zafira, "Yes, this is Zafira. The eldest daughter-in-law of the family". 

Leaving everyone stunned and speechless. 

Zafira felt her heart race at his words, surprised by the weight they carried. She looked at Azrael, seeing the seriousness in his eyes.

But she didn't want to seem weak, so she raised her voice and asked, "What are you talking about? What is the eldest daughter-in-law?"

The people around her found her tone amusing. Azrael stared at her and the room went quiet for a moment. 

His brothers looked at each other were surprised and excited while Vesper, their father, looked at Zafira with understanding.

One of Azrael's brothers said, "Sister-in-law! You are awesome! Only you can raise your voice on him and even shoot daggers" The others cheered and clapped while looking at Zafira, ignoring Azrael's gaze.

"Welcome to the Sartori family, Zafira," Vesper said and he was trying to ease the awkwardness his sons had created.

"It's good to finally meet you," Valerian said, getting her attention. She gasped slightly while looking at Vesper and then at Valerian. 

But she did not ask any questions but continued to look at the seven exquisite, handsome men, not including Azrael, and forced a small smile, while thinking, 'This family is not normal.'

"Sir, do you know I was kidnapped and locked up here by your son?" she asked Vesper, who looked between her and Azrael.

Zafira shook her head and continued, "Everyone is supporting him because he's your family, but remember, your son needs medical treatment. I witnessed him killing someone and didn't get scared, so his men kidnapped me because I saw his face. When he first saw me, he said, 'Be my woman.' Do you think that's normal? Just because I saw his face, he kidnapped me and even offered me his bedroom, giving me chief guest facilities"

Valerian scratched his brows while looking at her as he knew his son very well. Pl pVesper's concern grew as he listened to Zafira. 

"What do you mean he killed someone?", Vesper asked and his voice was serious.

Zafira took a deep breath. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I saw him killing someone. It was brutal scene. I was not scared and was moving forward. That's when his men saw me and the next day, his men kidnapped me when i was going to grocery shopping."

Azrael's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer to Zafira and his gaze was fierce. 

"You shouldn't have seen that," he said and his voice was low but intense. 

"And you are here because I want to protect you", Azrael said and Zafira snapped, her eyes flashing, "Protect me?. You think keeping me locked up is protection? I'm not your possession, Azrael!"

He took another step forward and was invading her space as his presence was overwhelming. "You are mine, Crimson. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, even if it means taking you against your will."

Zafira's heart raced as she felt the heat radiating from him. There was something frightening yet thrilling about his possessiveness that she never felt with her ex-husband. She was in three years of relationship and then got married to him and what she got in the end was betrayal. He was having an affair with his colleagues and at their tenth wedding anniversary he threw divorce papers on her face while showing the pregnant belly of his colleague. Her heart was shattered and each broken piece was frozen but the unexpected sudden existence of Azrael - Italian Mafia Boss melting her walls. 

She cleared her throat as she hardened her composure.

"This isn't the way to handle things," she argued while crossing her arms defiantly.

Azrael's expression softened slightly, but his intensity remained. "I will not let anyone hurt you. You belong to me now. Don't you understand?" 

Vesper intervened as he sensed the tension. "Azrael, you need to explain yourself properly. This isn't how we treat family." 

Azrael's gaze never left Zafira as he responded, "Crimson, I will make this right. No one will take you away from me. You need to trust me."

Zafira took a step back as her heart was pounding. "Trust? You kidnapped me! How am I supposed to trust you?"

Azrael's voice dropped to a whisper, filled with a mix of desperation and determination. "I'll prove it to you. You may not believe it now, but you are everything to me. I can't lose you and at that time, my enemies already found you there as well. I am sure they'll try to get you. That's why you are here and you will stay here from now on. Rightfully, you belong here". 

Zafira felt a rush of emotions at his words as she was stunned by the weight of what he had said. 

The seriousness in his tone caught her off guard and made her heart flutter despite her anger.

Azrael's voice rang out with pride as he gestured toward his family. "Meet our family now. Our fathers, the former Capo (Bosses) of our organization named 'Nuestro Reino Divino' [Our Divine Realm] Vesper Sartori and Valerian Sartori. They are twins. I'm the oldest son child."

He continued and his tone was firm and confident, "From left to right are Draven Sartori and Throne Sartori. They are twins as well. And these three musketeers are Cassius Sartori, Magnus Sartori, and Seraphim Sartori --- the triplets of the Sartori family."

Zafira looked at them as she had a feeling of both amazement and unease. Each of them had a strong presence, and the resemblance between them was striking. The family bond was clear, and they seemed like a powerful force together.

As Azrael spoke about his family, he stood close to her and was protective and proud. It was clear how important they were to him, but it made Zafira wonder how she could fit into such a strong, united family. 

She felt his grip on her arm, a reminder that she was now part of their world, whether she wanted it or not.

Both Vesper and Valerian stepped forward as their face was serious but kind. "Welcome, Zafira. We may not be the usual family, but we take care of each other", Vesper said. 

Zafira gave a small smile and said, "Thank you."

Her heart was racing as she realized she was already trapped in Azrael's web of possessiveness, disguised as protection. But why? Why was he doing this?

She was a stranger who knew nothing about him or his world.

He should have killed her, tortured her, or locked her away. But instead, all he did was embrace her, offering warmth and a strange sense of peace.

Zafira stared at Azrael's handsome face, searching for answers.

Azrael met her gaze and his dark eyes were intense, almost as if he could read her thoughts. His grip on her arm tightened slightly and pulled her closer.

"You’re wondering why, aren’t you?" His voice was low, smooth, and filled with an underlying intensity. "Why I’ve brought you here, why I’m keeping you close?."

Zafira’s breath caught in her throat, her thoughts spinning. He had hit the mark.

...

Thank you 

ShineeSunshine ❤️