15.

Lily's POV.

I froze on the spot as both men engaged in a silent battle of stares. For a moment, it felt as though I was nothing but a stranger in their world. For the first time since I'd been with Mr Blackwood, he was paying no attention to me.

My eyes skimmed over the physique of this Ricardo man. He was tall, taller than even Mr Blackwood, if that was possible. He had on a suit—heck, all mafia lords wore suits. What I thought was him being bald was merely a buzzcut, scraped so low to his scalp. He had cryptic tattoos snaking up the back of his neck, and what I could see of his hands were covered in inky tattoos as well.

Nice, I thought. Very mafia-like.

What a sight I must have looked to every passerby, kneeling on the floor in prayer posture, my vision swimming dangerously.

Then Mr Blackwood pulled his gaze from Ricardo's, and the staring spell was broken.

He turned to me, towering above me like a marble statue. "Are you hurt?" He asked.

"I...." Why had I suddenly lost my voice? "I