Chapter 4: Lealtà—Loyalty.

I slammed on the brake but the car still ran into the tree trunk ahead.

The brake only softened the impact of the crash slightly.

My head bounced off the air bag.

Fortunately, I didn't sustain physical injuries but the bonnet was smoking.

I just sat there for a few minutes like I was in a trance.

“Gabriella!!!” Dad's voice sliced through my daze. “What the fuck just happened? Where are you?!”

“Argh…” I groaned, pushing myself off the seat.

I carelessly hadn't even buckled the seatbelt.

“Gabriella!”

The smoke got into my lungs causing me to cough a fit as I stumbled out of the car. 

Before I could draw in a fresh breath, I felt a grip on my hand.

I looked behind me and noted about four men around me.

Holding guns.

I coughed violently, my eyes threatened to roll back.

“Take her to the car!” Someone yelled.

They tried to drag me away.

“No!” I protested, planting my bare feet on the gravel.

This time I lost both shoes.

“Lift her if you have to! Leone's men will be here any minute!”

I scratched the arm of the person holding me, digging my nails deep enough to hurt.

“Ahhh!” He yelled then slapped me.

The slap hurt like a bitch but he'd released me long enough that I could run.

“Shoot her legs if you have to dammit!” Someone cursed.

A gun clicked behind me.

Then a shot rang out.

And another.

I crouched to the ground and covered my ears awaiting the pain that never came.

Instead I heard the screams of men behind me.

It sounded like they were in excruciating pain.

I realised I hadn't been shot.

Yet.

I looked back in time to see one of the men get shot between his eyes just as he raised a gun to my back.

I screamed at the gore, scrambling back on my elbows.

The shots didn't stop. 

There were three men on the floor, blood pooling around their lifeless bodies already.

And the fourth man who was shouting orders earlier was shooting at something…

Behind me.

He didn't get the third shot before he was struck in the chest by multiple bullets.

Dad? Dante?

I thought.

But when I turned to whoever just saved my life, I didn't see my father.

I saw black leather shoes gleaming beneath the afternoon sun.

My eyes trailed up past long legs, slender waist, and broad shoulders to a man in a dark mask.

I inhaled sharply, trembling at the dangerous aura emanating from him.

As if he noticed my fear, he lowered his gun to his side.

The silver gun that had just ended the lives of the four men who threatened my life.

Then I met his gaze. 

A deep blue that rivaled the magnificence of the starry skies.

Somehow, I…

Recognised those eyes.

I thought it was a dream.

A figment of my imagination.

Last night. 

This was the man who saved me.

“You—!” I gasped.

“Come here.” It was almost a whisper.

I'd never heard a command so quiet yet so domineering.

I obeyed. 

I got up and swiftly ran towards the man that had saved me twice.

He easily caught me in his arms.

Like a mountain, he didn't even flinch when I threw myself towards him.

He took off his jacket and wrapped it around me.

That's when I noticed how badly I was shivering. 

It wasn't cold.

I was shivering from fear.

An attempt had been made on my life twice in twenty-four hours.

One arm remained around me as he led me to the passenger seat of the car behind him.

I hadn't even noticed it until now.

He tucked in my seat belt and shut the door.

As swift as a Cheetah, he moved so fast, he was already in the driver's seat revving the engine as he drove us away.

***

Time passed. 

I wasn't sure if it was a few minutes or hours.

All I knew was, by the time his car pulled up in an underground parking lot, I'd studied his veined hands long enough to make out the inked words on them.

Lealtà.

The word meant loyalty. 

What I didn't understand was the alluring dark chain that snaked around the imposing italics.

A particular black ring, heavy with a symbolic crest, possessed his right pinky finger.

I had focused on the jewellery until I was no longer shivering.

“We're here.” His low, bass voice was oddly melodic, considering our situation.

“Where?” I asked.

“Somewhere safe.” 

Oh God! Dad was only trying to ensure I was safe.

Why the hell did I run myself into danger like that?

At the very least I should've convinced a bodyguard to come with me.

But then again, I probably wouldn't have been able to escape if that was the case.

I looked up to find my savior's blue eyes had been on me all along.

Without looking away, he shut off the engine.

“Why do you have a mask on?” I gestured towards the black mask covering from below his eyes to his sharp jaw.

“Didn't want to be recognised.” He replied. 

“Why?” 

His hand tightened around the wheel and I instinctively thought better of my question. 

“You know what? Don't tell me,” I rasped. “Thank you for saving me. Again.”

He released a low rumble in response and got out of the car.

Coming over to my side, he opened my door, then he led me to an elevator which opened to a cozy suite after its descent.

“Shit!” I cursed at the bile rising in my throat, hurried to the toilet then proceeded to hurl my guts out.

It wasn't the first time I saw violence or heard gun shots.

But this was my first time seeing this level of gory and blood.

Not to mention those men were dead.

Not like I felt sorry for them.

They probably would have killed me if it wasn't for M—

My body tensed when a warm finger brushed against my neck. 

He was moving my hair out of the way while I did my thing.

I finished and washed my mouth in the sink before turning to him.

My face was flushed.

I'd seen it in the glowing mirror.

He let go of my long wavy hair and wrapped his hand around my neck instead.

My heart raced.

His action was… possessive.

The kind of touch girls like Flora would melt over.

So why did I… crave it?

He pulled me closer, bending until his face was close to my neck.

I noticed his mask was gone, his breath heated the spot below my ear as he growled.

“I shouldn't have brought you here, Principessa.”