Between The Flames ⚜️Il Paradosso Book Two⚜️

Chapter twenty-four

The dreadful weight sitting on my chest was surfacing a whirlwind of emotions as I dressed myself for the day's occasion.

Standing in front of the large mirror in my closet, I examined the long sleeved dress that went to the length of my knee caps. It was a light shade of gray and slightly off the shoulders, tight fitted but loose enough to hug my baby bump without causing any discomfort.

Antonio's words of encouragement went over my head when the vehicle drove up to the brick stone mansion that was circled by an enormously high wall and extremely tall pine trees lining around it.

I gawked at the size of the thing towering over us as we casually walked up the squared pavement to the scary looking guards, with me strutting on jittery legs, trailing beside him.

Niccolo and Luca accompanied us along with four bodyguards that were fully focused on the grounds, eyes darting from left to right before locking sight on the suited men awaiting our arrival.

I instinctively clung to Antonio's arm while they cleared the way after speaking briefly into their earpieces and allowing us to pass through the grand entrance into an eye-blinding foyer with white interiors.

The massive double staircase that emerged in the center of the gigantic floor was aligned with gold railings and the steps were decorated with golden eagles on the expensive marble that shone through the lit space.

We passed through the opening, lead by a butler who had a stiff expression and resembled a man whom had aged through the years of serving aristocracy.

The people he was working for were obviously ones of great importance and acquired an excellent taste in historical culture.

My attention immediately caught onto the patterns spreading across the high ceilings to be that of ancient Albanian artifacts, with symbolic elements of the Illyrian revolution.
Antonio waited patiently beside me as I craned my neck to admire the beauty of the place that was surrounded by so much history.

The large oval glass-stained windows had depictions of angels that were carrying bows, which seemed to be shooting arrows upwards, their wings reflecting across the brightly lit walls.

As we approached the set of fine wooden doors that were carved with the utmost precision, outlined with gold and equally polished to match the framing, my heart beats accelerated.

This had to be a mistake. The entire place screamed royalty and I didn't think I was prepared to meet the people behind the now semi-open doors.

"Welcome to my home, Antonio Lucchese," a gruff voice spoke from the far left and my body tensed before getting a glimpse of the person attached to it. "But there is no need for this many of your men. This is a meeting of unification and it would only be cowardice of me to attack you with a pregnant woman in our presence."

Attack him?

"It's a pleasure to be graced with your invitation, Isak Marku, your greatness is an honorable example to my family but my men go wherever I go. You of all people should have an understanding how this works."

Holy fuckaroo. Whatever you do, act normal. They're just people. Scary people with shit loads of power and wealth.

"And this must be..." My head shot up to meet sharp eyes with the darkest shades of grey. The owner stood tall in a tailored three piece suit, it too almost matching the color of his eyes. His silver hair was slicked back neatly, adding a finishing touch to his polished look.

"This is my fiancée, Adriana," Antonio answered, turning to face me who was suddenly feeling shy under their attentive stares.

"Ahh, pikërisht I ngjason së ëmës."

She looks exactly like her mother.

He was speaking to one of the two younger gentlemen who were posted on each of his sides, as he motioned for us to be seated in one of the large sofas that were decorated with leather square shaped pillows.