Nine

Rose

Elia presses hard onto the gas pedal but I am surprised to see him heading straight towards the Range Rover. As we're getting nearer, he presses down the window on his side before raising a gun. Somehow, everything starts to move in slow motion—I get to see two people on the front seats looking straight at us before Elia shoots the driver.

Then, he drops the gun on his lap; driving straight down the road. Due to the wind, Elia's hair are messily hitting his face as he turns to look at me and smile—showing off his dimples. My eyes focus on his face, feeling myself falling into a deep trance. The way he is just attracts me. He doesn't realise how he's letting me feel all sorts of emotions.

I smile back at him and he presses up the window as he enters the highway. We're heading to a different direction and I just look behind to see that the Range Rover isn't following us.

''We have to hurry or they'll catch up with us again.'' He says, breaking the silence.

It took me awhile to realise that we're actually heading towards the airport. Once Elia stops the car at the entrance, I turn to look at him and see that he's taking two passports out of the dashboard. My eyebrows furrow in confusion but then, realises that he's a mafia and he can get anything settled.

He hands me my passport and I look inside to see a picture of me and all of my informations.

I step out of the car after him and we enter the airport, not even bothered to park the car properly. As we walk through the crowd, I find myself losing him so he turns to look at me and grab my hand—incase we lose each other due to the amount of people here.

My lips curve up into a small smile as I grip onto his hand, loving the feeling of his skin with mine. Sometimes, the little things are much more appreciated—in my opinion. I can't stop looking at him and he doesn't seem to realise how I'm mesmerised by him; it's insane.

Elia starts to pull me closer towards him as we run down the hall, making me laugh at ourselves. We're actually acting like little kids and I can't help but love it. He turns to look at me and I see him grinning widely while we continue to run; not bothered by the amount of people are looking at us as if we've lost our mind.

Within seconds, we're already on our way towards Milan. It's one hell of a long trip from San Francisco but the excitement that I feel eases the boredom. I turn left and see that Elia has fallen asleep. My eyes wander from his eyebrows to his lips—realising how I've never watched him sleep before.

Lifting my right hand, I lightly run my index finger on the side of his cheek, feeling the softness of his skin. Then, my finger slowly reaches his lips, making me pull away, afraid if he might wake up and catch me examining his face but when I see no sign of him waking up, I smile to myself.

As I'm about to lean back on my seat, my eyes widen when I feel him holding onto my wrist and turning around to look at me. His dark brown eyes are slightly lighter due to the sunlight as he looks deeply into mine. To my surprise, he pulls me by the wrist so that our noses are touching; leaving us staring into each other's eyes.

Elia glances at my lips for a few seconds before turning his head to the right and leaning closer towards me until our lips are brushing against one another. My whole body freezes as soon as I feel the warmth but he continues to lean in until our lips are fully touching. Within seconds, he is already cupping my face—so that it would be easier for us to kiss in sync.

I feel him smiling at our kiss as he pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. Even though I know that the both of us want this kiss to happen—just like our first kiss last night but we don't rush it. Not a single bit. We kiss slowly yet passionately at the same time, appreciating the moment other than only catching up with lust.

He pulls away slightly, placing his thumb on my lower lip and looking straight into my eyes.

Is it just me or there's something with Italians? I thought to myself.

Right now, I am resting my head on his chest as he rubs onto my back soothingly. I try to push the awkwardness away and just cherish the moment because it feels great being near him. It feels like I'm actually wanted by someone. Even though this might last for awhile, at least I get to cheer up my broken heart.

I close my eyes, only feeling his hands on my back before slowly drifting into a deep slumber.

Once we have arrived in Milan, we just walk out of the airport without carrying anything. I watch Elia from behind as he talks to the phone—arranging something. My body starts to feel slightly sore due to the long flight and I can't stop thinking about jet lag.

''Rose!'' I turn to see Elliot smiling widely at me as he runs towards me. As soon as we're close enough, he wraps his arms around my body and lift me up, making me laugh and the sudden action.

My eyes wander to look at Elia and I see him smiling at me as he continues to talk on the phone. I look down at Elliot as he puts me back down on the ground, ''How are you?'' He asks, messing with my hair.

''I'm alright, what about you?'' I ask back, smiling.

''I'm good.'' I furrow my eyebrows at the voice and I turn to look at what's behind Elliot—seeing Elis standing there with both of his hands in his pants' pockets as he smirks at me, ''Thanks for asking.'' He adds, standing right next to Elliot; who is currently smiling at me.

The three of us stay quiet as we just watch Elia talking through the phone. From afar, we aren't able to hear the conversation but from the look on his face, it shows how the call isn't going on very well. I sigh deeply, waiting for the call to end.

It's funny though, how the three of us just look at him and he doesn't seem to realise it.

''This is why I hate family reunions.'' Elis says, out of nowhere, exhaling the smoke.

I peek to look at him, ''You're the one who came to see him, remember?'' That night, he was the one who came and acted like nothing happened for the past ten years and now he's saying how he hates family reunions. Who's to blame? Himself.

Elis eyes my every movement, ignoring me as much as possible but Elliot doesn't seem to bother much by the tense situation. It's a good thing that he stands in the middle so there wouldn't be any cat fights between Elis and I.

When Elia has finished talking to the phone, he walks towards us, ''Why are you here?'' He asks.

Elliot chuckles, ''What do you—''

Elia cuts him off, ''Not you, him.'' He points at Elis who is currently clenching his jaw and holding back his anger. I know, from the look on his face—it shows how he's unsatisfied. I really want to know what happened between them two but I know that it isn't my place to ask or to know.

''Obviously, you brought us into this mess and that explains why I'm here.'' Elis replies, eyeing straight at Elia.

The both of them stare at one another, hatred radiating by their stares, ''Sure, blame everything on me. That's what you always do.'' Elia mutters under his breath.

Surprisingly, Elis stands forward but Elia stays at his spot, not moving a bit, ''If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in this fucking mess!'' He says, quite loud which attracts a few people here. I stand still, watching them two before glancing at Elliot and see him running his fingers through his hair—as if tired of listening to the argument.

Elia pushes him slightly by the shoulder, ''At least I didn't leave like a fucking coward.''

''Okay, wow—calm down guys.'' Elliot stands in the middle, trying to calm the two of them down when he sees Elis clenching his fists but it doesn't seem to work out. All they see right now is anger and dissatisfaction.

My eyes widen as soon as Elis pushes Elia and they both fall onto the ground. I see Elis throwing a few punches before receiving more than he has given. Elliot sighs deeply, frustratedly shouting at both of them to stop fighting but they won't stop. A few people has stopped walking to watch the scene as I just stand still, not knowing how to react.

''For fuck's sake, Elis, fuck off.'' Elliot shouts, pulling Elis but he pushes Elliot away, grabbing onto Elia's collar and pushes him against the wall.

''Yeah, fuck off. Like the coward you are.'' I hear Elia say, earning a groan from Elliot. He knows that it would only raise Elis's anger instead of easing it but Elia doesn't seem to care.

Elis looks straight into Elia's eyes, ''Fuck you, Elia. I hope you rot in hell.'' He grips harder before completely letting go and as soon as he turns around, I see blood at the side of his lips. Elis continues to look at me before walking down the road—leaving Elliot, Elia and I.

I turn to look at Elia and see him wiping off blood on his nose with the back of his hand before clenching his jaw, earning a glare from Elliot. ''Cosa stavi pensando? Cazzo, Elia! Are you out of your mind?'' He says, breathing heavily.

''Non è colpa mia.'' Elia replies, rolling his eyes at Elliot's outburst.

''Obviously.'' Elliot answers, sarcastically. He watches as Elia coughs and somehow, I see a slight sympathy in his eyes—before they disappear after he blinks, ''You know, Elia, I care for you. I care for Elis. For both of you. You need to learn from your mistakes and he needs to learn to forgive.''

''Leave.'' Elia says as he fixes a few strands of hair that has fallen on his forehead, ''He's right. I don't want you to get involved. It's entirely my fault for taking the guilt and for taking his title. So leave, everything is on me and let it be on me, only.'' His? His title? I furrow my eyebrows at their conversation.

''Oddio.'' Elliot sighs deeply, ''Then what about her? What about her life?'' I watch as he points at me and Elia looks at me immediately.

They both keep quiet, ''Take her with you.'' I hear Elia say and I frown in disagreement.

''What?''

Elliot glances at my direction, waiting for Elia to continue on speaking, ''Take her and leave.'' He breathes out before clenching his jaw once more.

''What are you talking about?'' I walk towards him. He looks down at me—breathing out as he do so. We both just look at each other. Honestly, I know he's not quite sure of himself too. He wants me here but at the same time, he doesn't, ''I'm not going anywhere.'' I mutter as I touch the side of his face.

''I want you safe.'' He replies, leaning his forehead on mine.

Closing my eyes, I exhale, ''I'm safer with you.'' Both of my hands are cupping his face, lucky me for being tall so our height wouldn't be much of a struggle.

My lips curve up into a small smile before pecking onto his cheek. He breathes out, pulling me by the waist before fully wrapping his arms around my body—leaving no space in between. We both snuggle up to each other's embrace and warmth; wanting this feeling to last.

No matter how less we know about each other, at least we know that the both of us are attracted in some way.

''Let me stay.'' I look up into his brown eyes and I see a glimpse of his dimple which causes me to stand on my tiptoes—wrapping my arms around his neck.

We both turn to look at Elliot who is currently looking at us with admiration but he quickly blink it away before clenching his jaw, ''I guess she's staying.'' He says, smiling at the end. I smile back at him and he runs his fingers through his thick dark brown hair.

After that, we head straight towards one of the cabs after having lunch with Elliot. He tried calling Elis but he didn't answer his phone which explains how he doesn't want to talk or meet up with Elia anymore. There must've been something that happened ten years ago but I guess it's better off without me knowing.

Elliot had to leave because he wanted to check up on Elis and Elia told him that they would be meeting again soon, once everything is settled.

Right now, we're on our way towards Armani Hotel Milano. Once we're here, I follow behind Elia and see a few turning away as soon as they see him while others bow—showing respect. My eyebrows furrow in confusion, not understanding why they act that way until realisation hits me, who is Elia?

He walks straight towards the counter and he starts talking in Italian with the receptionist. I stay still a few feet away from him—just waiting for him to finish. A few men in suits are eyeing me but I try to avoid their attention as much as possible which is highly impossible so I pull onto my denim shirt; covering a bit of any revealings.

My eyes wander around until they land on someone who is currently sitting quite far from me but once he sees me looking at him, he starts to look at me, smiling as a respond. I quickly look away, trying to pretend like nothing happened.

I look back at Elia and I see him receiving two briefcases from the receptionist. He glances at my direction before handing me one of the briefcase as we walk straight towards the elevator. I frown at the weight of the briefcase, ''What's in this?'' I ask.

''Weapons.'' He replies, casually.

We step inside the suite before placing the briefcases on the coffee table. I eye him as he opens one of the briefcase and starts to check the weapons. Breathing out, I head towards the other side of the suite—finding a balcony.

I sit down on the hammock, watching the view of the city from here. As the wind blows onto my skin, I close my eyes to enjoy the moment. For once, everything feels like a dream. A good dream. This whole thing that I'm experiencing, I never thought that I would be here. I guess, I thought wrong.

Holding onto the hammock, I turn around as soon as I hear footsteps. My eyes focus on Elia who is currently walking towards me but he stops walking and leans his side against the sliding door—smiling at me. I smile back, letting the wind blow my hair and hitting my face.

His dark brown eyes seem lighter as he watches me.

''Who are you, Elia?'' I ask, looking straight into his eyes.

''A sinner.'' He replies, clenching his jaw and sighing. We both stare at each other and we seem to be lost in our own worlds—not realising that staring is actually uncomfortable, ''I may not be a good guy but nobody's perfect. I hope you understand that.''

He continues, ''I kill people, Rose.''