Chapter 4

Leone.

The murder he had committed that night stayed fresh in her mind. And then… if the cops hadn’t shown up, he was ready to kill her as well.

Even the way he stared at her now—like he didn’t mind killing her right here and now.

“Anna, I’m sure you must have had a stressful day. Our butler will show you to your room,” Enzo’s words snapped her from her thoughts, and she nodded, getting up from her seat.

A man dressed in a smart black and white suit stood by the door. Anna literally dragged her feet toward him. When her blue eyes met his, she instantly looked away. But then his shoulder brushed hers.

Anna shivered at the contact. That was his way of telling her they had… unfinished business.

Anna quickly followed the butler to the room assigned to her. The room was spacious, luxuriously furnished with white and blue furniture.

“Ring the bell if you need anything, ma’am,” he said, motioning to a red button on the wall. Anna nodded, and then he left.

She placed her hand on her chest, her fingers slightly trembling from her erratic heartbeat. Then she clutched her dress—her sister’s gown, which had been given to her since she had nothing but rags.

She almost ripped the fabric, but knowing she brought nothing else with her, she stopped.

She hated them. All of them. Her knees gave out, and she plummeted to the floor, her back against the wall, her head buried in her knees.

She hated herself too—for being born, for being used as nothing but a toy and now a scapegoat. The man she was to marry… his eyes, they terrified her. Everything about him did.

And then there was his brother, Leone, who hated her like there was no tomorrow—for an incident she hadn’t meant to witness. As a matter of fact, it was safe to say both brothers hated her. And their feelings weren’t one-sided—she didn’t like them either.

The Don was oddly calm and kind. And a second son… the news had slapped her right across the face. The news, the mafia gangs—everyone knew the Don had just one son. So where did the second come from? Anna doubted she would live to find out.

She got up and took another look at the room. It was very nice—something she wasn’t used to after staying in the slave quarters all her life.

The night passed quickly, even though Anna prayed for it not to end. Morning came again, and as much as she would have liked to stay in bed for eternity, she couldn’t.

A small knock at the door tore through her peace. It was the butler, and he wasn’t alone. Two maids stood behind him.

Without a word of consent or her opinion, they entered and began preparing her bath. Perhaps this was how things worked for people who sat at the top of the mafia hierarchy.

Anna didn’t feel comfortable being naked in front of two strangers. And as much as she knew it would raise eyebrows, she sent them out.

Minutes later, she was done with her bath, and the moment she dreaded arrived—she had nothing to wear except the gown she had come with.

A blue gown adorned with diamonds, forming intricate designs, sat on the bed. Anna had never worn anything so expensive in her life.

She put it on. Long and elegant, it left her back bare. She no longer looked like the slave she had been all her life. She looked… demure. Eloquence at its peak.

She wished she could sit alone in this room all day in that pretty dress, but then the butler returned to take her out of there—to show her around the mansion, which was meant for just the Don.

He further explained that his two sons had their own mansions in the empire, but she would be dining with all three of them. Her heart dropped.

She was led to the large dining hall. A long table with ten chairs on one row, a massive chandelier hung from the high ceilings, spilling golden light into the room.

And there they sat. All three of them: the Don and his two sons.

Her legs began to shake. The Don and Domenico stared hard at her. As for Leone, he acted like she didn’t exist.

The butler drew out a chair next to Domenico. She gulped and sat there without choice.

“Good morning,” she forced a smile.

“It’s a minute past twelve, but good morning to you too, Anna,” Enzo smiled. His eyes crinkled at the sides.

She stiffened but gave a polite nod. She looked down at the food in front of her, wondering if it was poisoned. It wasn’t impossible, right? She was sent here to poison them—how ironic would it be if she got poisoned instead?

Various cutleries were placed on the tray—hell, she didn’t even know which to use. She picked up the small spoon and slowly began sipping the chicken soup.

“Diego’s funeral has been scheduled for next week. His replacement will be decided soon,” Enzo said softly.

Domenico dropped his fork on the tray with a loud clatter. Anna jolted in shock.

He threw Leone, who sat across from them, a deadly glare. “I’m telling you, this fucker killed him! Why won’t you believe me, Father?” he growled.

“I do believe you, Domenico.”

Leone remained calm and collected, elegantly slicing a piece of meat. He placed it in his mouth and slowly chewed, like the subject wasn’t even about him.

“Then why won’t you lock this bastard up already? Diego was your fuckin’ consigliere!” Domenico snapped.

Anna’s blood ran cold. He was right—she had even witnessed the murder with her own two eyes. But she didn’t dare speak up.

“Your accusations are baseless without evidence. You know that.”

Leone’s eyes met Domenico’s, a mocking glint in them as he ate another bite. Anna could feel Domenico shaking with rage.

Leone dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin, then stood from his chair. “The meal was sumptuous indeed. I look forward to another father-and-son bonding time.” A chuckle escaped his lips, that usual enigmatic smirk resting on them.

Anna could feel Domenico’s control slipping. His anger terrified her. How would she cope with him?

“I just wish you hadn’t made your second impression worse than the first on our dear guest.” Leone’s eyes fell on Anna for a brief second, and her heart skipped a beat.

He left the dining room—but not before successfully directing Domenico’s rage at her.

“Leave,” he scowled, and Anna wasted no time scurrying out of the dining hall, feeling thankful. She never wanted to spend another minute there.

Her small feet padded against the floor as she quickly headed back to her room—her safe cocoon.

She opened the door, and when she stepped inside, someone else closed it behind her.

She jolted. Her head spun in shock to see him standing there.

Her nerves felt jittery. He couldn’t possibly kill her now, could he?

“W-what do you want?” Anna stuttered. The usual smirk wasn’t on his lips as he glared at her.

“One thing I hate is when things don’t go as I planned. Silly little loopholes,” he said, pushing away from the doorframe. Her heart rippled when he took a step toward her.

He was tall and large—she felt like a little girl compared to him.

“I will scream,” Anna breathed, cold sweat rolling down her back.

He held her chin. His hold was gentle as he caressed her jawline. Anna shivered.

Then his lips tilted into a smirk—not enigmatic like the ones she had usually seen. This one was… sinister. One that told her he didn’t have good plans for her.

“Careful there. We wouldn’t want you ending up with a broken spinal cord now, do we?” His large palm flew to her throat, his thumb gently caressing it.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “What do you want?” Her voice came out as a low whisper.

“Your body,” he deadpanned. “As manure for my orchard tree.”