SARIAN I had told myself that I wasn't ever going to fall for another again. It's been three days here but I had told Simeon some very interesting lies. I had told myself that I would focus on repaying my father's debt just as Don Julio had said and then I would leave and her a better life somewhere else. But with him . It was different. I had lied about my name and everything and he had believed and he seemed to like me. Damn. It was a Friday evening. It was him again, same dark eyes. The same serene assured smile. Simeon. He entered like he belonged here with deliberate slow steps that seemed like he wasn't scared of anyone. He had asked for my section for the third consecutive night. Despite his loud presence, he was always courteous and quiet. Too polite for a man who looked filthy rich. I made an effort to remain calm. I took his order, smiled and turned to go. But the truth was that every time he gazed at me my heart raced. It seemed as though he could see right
SIMEON I was seen as weak by everyone. Most especially my father Abraham Moretti. I knew he hated me with the way he looked at me and shifted everything to that stupid cousin of mine. Ever since that night at Calcutta , he had suddenly grown tired of me and never handed me any mission to oversea, he hardly gave me the impression that I mattered. Desperate to show that I was more than just the quiet son in the corner, I had lived my entire life in his shadow breathing his blood-stained legacy and trying to prove a point. But it will all end today. I smoothed down my clean shirt while standing in front of the mirror and slipping my belt through the loops of my black slacks. My cufflinks gleamed under the chandelier light, tonight I exuded control in every way and never appeared weak again. “ You ready, signore?”My driver called from outside the suite. I gave a single nod. “Andiamo.” For the past two weeks, father hadn't laid his eyes on me, he hadn't bothered to call but I had
SARIAN “Don't you dare walk out on me.” He growled and I found myself frozen in place. My ears watered and my breath hitched. He was angry and the sound of his voice made me squirm. I felt so cold all of a sudden and I didn't know which made me cold: the rain outside tapping against the window or the sound of his voice.I turned slowly and his stone cold eyes locked on mine and I bit my lower lip hard, almost drawing out blood.He was different now and not the guy I used to know. Not the man who pressed promises to my lips once. His voice was as sharp as a knife cutting through me when he spoke.“Stop staring at me like I'm the antagonist in your little fairy tale. “He gave me a dirty look when I tried to speak.“Do you think I like what's going on?” “Yes! You act like you have no heart! As if I'm nothing more than a pawn in your mafia game!” I yelled my voice shaking “You do! I know you freaking do.”
SARIAN My eyes hurt. I had stayed up all night even when Greta came back to the kitchen and smiled and asked me to go and sleep. I yawned and got up and I heard the sound of tires on the driveway and I was already racing to the living room. It was Don Julio. He was back. I stood there staring at him like a confused six year old. I quickly held my hair in a messy bun and wiped my face with my sleeves.He would make fun of me and maybe see me as stupid if he realized that I had been crying. I shouldn't be crying. I took a deep breath. . I could hear his deep voice coming from the hallway. Calm and surprisingly inconsiderate. A comment made by one of his men made him laugh. He glanced up when I came out from behind the huge flower vase. He looked directly into my eyes but they were cold. Not a bit of softness. Just a small nod of recog
SARIAN The driver had taken me home and gone back to the club. It was 11 pm.and I couldn't sleep.The kitchen's windows were illuminated by the moon which gave the tiled floor a silvery sheen. My fingers curled around a cold glass of water as I sat silently beside the kitchen island, the glass of water warmed my palm but I didn't feel thirsty. I was heartbroken. He had kissed her. Catalina. Just thinking about her made me and her name was something I didn't want to ever hear again. I didn't know if I should be crying over him. He had brought another woman and introduced her as his friend and I stood there looking foolish and trying not to cry in front of strangers. “ Mia cara, you’re home early, no?” A soft voice drifted in from the corridor. I turned and saw the elderly Italian maid Greta. Her graying hair was tied back in a loose bun. Her expression
SARIAN I ran out of the lounge before he could stop me, my heels clicking too loudly on Don Julio's club's glossy marble floor. My heart was racing. And my ears were ringing after hearing what he had just told me. He was so cruel. A heartless bastard. Does he still have to do that to my father even in death? Adrian Caruso. Father's real name. A chip implanted on my face. I was being followed by the Blood Vultures. Why? Why would he say that? I couldn't tell which was worse, his words or his composed demeanor while telling me about it. I didn't want to accept his story. I forced my way through the crowd disregarding the lights, the music and the people dancing as if they were unafraid of the monsters pursuing them. I took a left turn and took the stairs two at a time, hurrying to be outside the club. Then
DON JULIO There was a little something that I loved now as our lips pressed together in a kiss.And that was peace.I felt it.But I knew it was just for now. Sarian sat on my lap, the soft glow from the bulb overhead illuminated the large office and the sound of music came from the club below.The guilt struck my chest like a bullet while her lips were still on mine. Soft. Sweet. Trusting. I was going to say something that she didn't know. I exhaled and grabbed the glass of whiskey and gulped it all down.“ Sarian.” I called slowly, watching her, the specter of our kiss still between us she blinked up at me panting. “There is something you must know.” A tentative smile crossed her lips. “Is this about us?”“No.” I swallowed. My throat was dry as I adjusted myself on the couch. “ It is about your father.” Like the sun disappearing behind a cloud that smile on her face vanished. “What about him?” I glanced around my club's private lounge to make sure nobody was nearby to listen.
DON JULIO The villa's thick curtains let in the morning sun which created beautiful golden lines on the floor. It was quiet in the villa behind me. Almost cutting through the walls. And then I heard a small voice. “Don Julio.” It was Sarian. I chose not to turn to look at her. She didn't say anything again. She smelled of springtime jasmine. She always smells that way since we got back from Sicily. “I was wondering,” she said, taking a step closer and then stopped. “If you had wanted to play chess with me? I am a very good player. I'll beat you to it.” I grinned. “Piccola, it hardly counts.” She gave a faint laugh. “Do you fear that I will win you?. My phone buzzed twice using my men's code for visitors before I could respond. It was business time. “Sarian not now.” I said looking up from my phone.”Duty calls.” She managed a small smile. “All right, I'll go brew some coffee.” It took five minutes for three black cars to arrive. I was able to identify them witho
DON JULIO It was a beautiful morning as the sun shone on everything. For once there were no meetings, no threats made in whispers and no plans involving blood. No sick and stupid attacks and for once, I forgot that the Blood Vultures actually existedI wanted everything to be perfect for once..Just her and me. I had to.temikd myself constantly that falling in love wasn't part of the plan. I still hadn't given up on my chase though. I looked at Sarian, I wanted her to trust me, to feel safe around me, I wanted to give her with a memory which was priceless and everlasting.With the convertible top down and her hair blown about like silk ribbons we drove out of the villa. I watched her take in the view without saying anything. There was a small smile on her lips as she enjoyed the view.We visited a small coastal town that only the locals were familiar with. The beach was concealed between cliffs and the ocean resembled a blank canvas. We