49. The D'erricos

"This is the consequences of disobedience".

I watched with a sinking feeling as the air in the room grew thick with palpable tension as Giovanni and Russo locked eyes, their silent stares brimming with pent-up hostility. An unsettling hush blanketed the space, the calm before an impending storm.

I watch GIovanni's expression, it was expertly concelaed as always but the tight clench of his jaw, and the clench of his hands into white-knuckled fists at his sides, tendons straining against his skin as if he was physically restraining himself from lashing out betrayed his composure and the simmering rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

Across from him, Russo appeared an eerie study in composure, Talia stood beside him, staring at us, not once did she blink. It seemed like nobody was bothered by what just happened, I looked around again and noticed how they all look inconspicuously at Russo and Giovanni. I on the other hand was this close to letting out a blood curdling scream and gett