ArabellaI've been coming down here for the past few days. Every time I push open the heavy door and step into this damp, airless basement, the hair at the back of my neck stands. A new wave of dread washed over me as I came face to face with him again.The light was dim, a single bulb dangling from a frayed cord above Marco's head, and yet it was enough to see the damage. There was always something new, another shadowed bruise along his jaw, a cut swelling on his lip, dark blotches creeping along his arms. Leonardo had promised this was my call, that I would decide whatever happened to Marco, but he didn't promise he wouldn't get his own pound of flesh. I would feel him get out of bed at night when he thought I was asleep, and I knew he was coming down here.The first day I came, I thought maybe he would speak, but he didn't. He didn't even look at me. The second day, he did. Those menacing dark eyes stared right at me the whole time, making me so uneasy. Now, on the fourth day, he w
ArabellaI rushed towards him as soon as he walked through the doors. It had become a habit for me to wait for him by the door, with my heart in my hands, worried sick that I'd never see that handsome smile ever again.I slammed my body into his and wrapped my hand around his neck, pressing my lips to his. He needed no prompting. He captured my lips, pulling my lower lip into his mouth, suckling it. His hands roamed all over my body, finally settling on my ass cheeks. He squeezed so hard that a tiny squeak escaped my lips.When we pulled away, I looked him over, noticing the small cuts and bruises on his face. "Do I even want to know?" I asked.He smiled, disarming me with that beautiful smile. "Ask me anything, and I'll answer."I sighed, "Are you hurting anywhere?" I asked, rubbing his arms and chest as if I could find a gaping hole where he was bleeding out from. I knew he could take care of himself, but it didn't stop me from worrying. He was giving the Falcone's a really hard tim
MarcoIf Francesco were here, he would have stopped me. He would have told me I was blinded by rage and not thinking straight. He would have done anything to stop me from charging into Six's territory without backup and with just one machine gun.I slammed on the brakes as the car came to a halt. When I stepped out, the area was pitch black. If Rafi's services hadn't come highly recommended, I'd doubt that anyone lived here. There were derelict buildings scattered about. There was not a single street light to light up the dark alley. It was an abandoned part of the city that no one ever went through. Runouts of this place had become so popular that no one dared to come around, but of course, that was where Six's safe house was. The last place we would think to look. Son of a bitch.I peered around, cursing under my breath that I had come alone. There were many buildings, and for all I knew, he could be in any one of them. I didn't know where to start looking. As soon as I took a step
MarcoThe door slammed shut behind us, and for a long second, I held my breath, drowning in my own thoughts.I started pacing before I even realized I was moving, from one end of the room to the other. The soles of my shoes dragged against the dust-covered floor, my ragged breathing loud in my ears, my hands trembling. I couldn't stop shaking. Every time I stopped, it hit me again like a wave—Bianca was gone. My sister. She was dead. Killed. And by my own hands.I let out a sound. I don't know if it was a laugh or a sob. Maybe it was both because tears were trickling down my cheeks, and I had a big grin on my face. I ran my fingers through my hair until it stuck out at odd angles."Marco," Vito called out to me, concern in his voice, "You need to sit. Just for a minute."I ignored him, rubbing the back of my neck hard. It didn't help. "How the fuck did this happen, Vito? One minute we're at dinner, cutting steak, passing wine. We were all laughing and talking, and the next—everything'
FrancescoI climbed up the familiar stone steps. It was the only place I could go, the only place with doors open for me, the only place that wouldn't wear judgment on their faces when I walked in with my bloodied suit. Everything else was as I remembered it, Nonna's picture was no longer at the entrance. I walked through the large wooden door. Soft music was coming from God knows where, but the church was empty. I walked up to my favorite pew and plopped down on it. A sigh escaped my lips, and I threw my head backward, shutting my eyes.We barely made it out of the hotel, frankly, it was the last thing on my mind. As the men dragged me out despite my struggling and pleas, a bright idea popped into my head. I took out my gun and began to fire at Marco. The bastard had the nerve to look at me remorsefully. He didn't try to shield himself, let alone fight back. He shut his eyes as if he welcomed it, as if he wanted me to kill him.I opened my eyes and looked around, a young priest had a
FrancescoBianca!" I called out to her."No, I will not be silenced this time. I am going to talk. You want to know why I did it, then you will listen! You must listen to what I have to say!" She retorted, "You have to sit down there and listen to me because no one in this room would say it to you," she pointed at the men who were still standing around watching this spectacle. "You are irrational. None of those men would have died if you had killed Six from the onset and not played your ridiculous games. If you had killed your whorish wife, Arabella—""Keep her name out of your mouth!" He boomed, the muscles in his jaw tensed visibly.Bianca narrowed her eyes at him, "I will speak her name. Arabella! Your stupid love for her is what has gotten us into this mess. It is the reason we are at war with every family in the mafia that matters, and we are not safe!" She yelled, "This whole dinner is a sham. We cannot be safe because of—""It's because you are in bed with our enemies!" Marco c