Author's POV (SALVATORE.)***"Adler fucking had a spark in his eyes from just watching her" Rune took a swig straight from the bottle, his forehead still creased in confusion as it had been since he saw Lily in the church, "You think it's normal?"Priest placed his cup under the coffee maker, frowning inwardly, fighting the urge to tell Rune it was just too early to be swearing and getting himself drunk.This meant he had to be the one in charge of driving, for no matter what, it was his religious duty to care for a full-grown adult who decided there was no care in this world for him.He and Rune, it was a wonder they stayed this long as friends when all they did was hate each other's choices, like how Rune had forced on him the name 'Priest' when he had clamoured to go to the seminary at age fifteen.He had always felt there was life for him in the priesthood, but his father was having none of that, and his ways of having his son focus on replacing him as Consigliere wasn't a memory
The smallest hall in Dimitri's residence had been transformed into a solemn mourning room. The only sounds that broke the silence were the hushed whispers of a few bodyguards near the doorway.Decorated with flowers, from windows to the roof, the pleasant scent didn't match the atmosphere.At the head of the room, with her hands resting flat on a black with golden rimmed closed coffin, was a middle-aged woman; this woman was Enzo's mother.Her eyes were reddened, her lush black hair was a brushed mess, and while her fingers trembled on the surface of the death bed, where her son's picture stood, the rest of her body was motionless.Clad in a flowing black dress, her countenance appeared devoid of tears, yet her face bore the anguish of her heart like an open book.With an audible creak, the large doors swung open behind her. In response, she raised her chin, straightened her posture, and spat out, "I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone."When there was no response, she looked
(SALVATORE)Priest saw Domenico's forehead creased, and the unbelief in his dead cold eyes was opened for all to see.How could Adler even think that would work on his father? Since Adler's mother died, the two could never stay in the same room without a confrontation.Adler's immense disdain for his father was such that he adamantly refused to be associated with him, save for the shared trait of their green eyes. Apart from this singular similarity, they had nothing else in common and preferred to remain far apart.Adler did not doubt that the Boss deserved his respect, considering he was his father. However, they understood the importance of never crossing paths, avoiding prolonged eye contact, and refraining from sharing the same roof.Priest knew it was all about to change.Domenico drew closer, bringing his face within inches of Adler's, his fist tightly clenched by his side. However, Adler remained steadfast, resolute in his stance as a formidable barrier in his father's path.
LILY'S POV.He turned in the knob, letting me walk in, my hands wrapped around my shoulders, still chilled from what I had just witnessed.How did they all stay calm at the sight of a near murder? That man had a gun pointed at his son's face, and his finger had rested on the trigger, his eyes dead, ready to put a hole in Adler's head.And Adler had done nothing. I could hear the grin in his voice as he urged his father to do his worst; my heart was in my mouth, and my breath cut off as I eavesdropped.When the Boss had asked I be brought to put an end to Adler's disobedience, at that moment, I saw my life flash before my eyes. It didn't help that I traced out the worry in Salvatore's too.After he entered, he shut the door, twisting the lock, before turning to look at me, already seated on the bed."You shouldn't have seen that." His back rested against the door as if he, seeing my fear, had understood that I needed the space. "Don't let it scare you," For a Don, he was sensitive, H
(ADLER)What had he done?He raked his fingers through his hair, walking down the hallway, silently past doors, and on a long red rug leading towards the room at the far end.In the room with her, her question had struck him. She had asked who he was, asking if every damn thing he showed her during the last few days their paths had crossed was a fake.Adler would have answered if he knew. How was he to tell her he was a self-absorbed human who couldn't get his thoughts across without involving a gun?How could he tell her he spent the last few days staring at his bed, wishing she was in it, writhing, and screaming his name?How could he tell her he wanted her hands tied above her head while he felt her, kissed her, tasted her?Was this some witchery? He had always had a thing for her, wanting to find her, and now that he had, what next?Hopefully, she didn't decide one day to leave; else, it might just be a kidnap situation. For the first time in his life, he was afraid, afraid a da
I never saw relief wash over anyone's face the way it did Don Domenico's. His shoulders were relaxed as I continued to spill, even going as far as telling them what had happened days ago."He doesn't feel for me the way you think he does, Sir," I wished he'd stop staring at the pictures of me scattered across the room; I wanted he'd believe me and leave. "He wouldn't even engage in a conversation with me..."Domenico's eyes narrowed, "And do you want him to converse with you?"My voice was threatening to get lost again.Rune, who was behind Adler's father, widened his eyes at me, and I knew that sign he wanted me to say something, get myself out of it.But how? When I just put myself in it.Domenico bent down and picked the largest broken portion of glass from the floor.My throat went dryer; I felt so cold I couldn't feel my body; watching him stare at his reflection in the piece, he drew close to me. "All my life, I never expected this day to come, Lily."He stopped in front of me
Author's POV. (SALVATORE)They drove back to the manor when it was already dark, and unlike she had been on their way to the beach, this time she was silent, even asleep.Her few hours of energy finished, and now she rested her head against the car window, her shallow breath filling the quiet car.There was no need for music; this was better.Okay, what was he saying? She needed the upliftment, and he had done that because it was his job, what his boss wanted.Alright, he had never been a liar; he wasn't doing this because of Adler. He was doing this because of her. From the first day in the church, he couldn't help but ponder how she still managed to smile with all that hurt.She lost her parents, almost died in the hands of childish Don, who wanted his way with everything, then was taken to a place she had no clue about and still hated by the one person she was doing all this for, her sister.So he had recognized the pain because he once lived it.Giving her the pass to share his mo
AUTHOR'S POV (ADLER)One thing he detested was communication and expressing himself.Good thing he was in a position where only a glare could send his message across. And so far, it worked for him.But then, with her, it wasn't, not even the slightest bit; each time he tried, he did it wrong.And watching Priest get it right was frustrating. Easy to see that she had trusted him at a glance. Was that what attracted her? Good?If that, he certainly did have a long ride ahead of him, which involved the struggle not to glare at Priests back and seek help from his Consigliere.Wasn't he going to Low? He would worry about that later.For all he knew, Priest would never think that way towards Lily. Priest was a pure soul that got misguided and ended up in a place where he had to kill his guilt before he muttered prayers.He was being jealous for the wrong reason.His second hatred went towards the 'rats.' Goddamn tattletales, fucking informants, and if they were from the Russians, breaking