Dangerous Numbers

Chapter 9

VITTORIO

Furious is not entirely the proper word to describe exactly how I feel after what I've learned. Not only do I have Juliano with his schemes to sabotage me and take control of everything I have but now Mia comes into the scene. I knew this girl was out of her mind.

We were together in high school, but she was extremely demanding a jealous, dreaming already to be the wife of the big boss even after a few days we've been together. I couldn't stand her attitude any longer so, after a month I asked her to break up. She had threatened me that I'll pay for it but after all these years nothing happened, so I thought is all good with her. What a fool I've been.

In a few months, all bosses will meet where my father will not only withdraw from the family business leadership but also will pass the control of the region's operations to the next, therefore the one to take that position should be a man that all the families of the region trust. That is what I'm fighting for so hard and Juliano's breath in on my neck all the time, ready to destroy me. He's using my father against me, but I won't let him roam free. Soon, he will get a taste of my retaliation.

Though, this is not the only thing that causes me fury. I'm planning to drag also Alexandra into the game. I may not know her for a long time, but she emanates trust that no one else did to me. And the conversation we had last night showed me how much she loves her family that will do anything for it. I'm not at all an easy-trusting person, on the contrary, every associate of mine has passed through many tests to show loyalty and trust in order to work with me.

But, will I be able to protect her? This world I'm into is dangerous and much more for someone with no experience in these things, like her. I don't know how to feel. I want to help her instead of working herself to exhaustion. I thought of just offering her the money, but she won't accept. She has pride, I can see it in those beautiful, dark eyes of hers. However, the situation is difficult, if Juliano and Mia start behaving like this, there won't be long until war starts, and I don't want her in the middle, unprotected if I fail.

I try to maintain my demeanour as we continue with the rest of the things for discussion. When the meeting is over and she left, I couldn't hold my anger any longer. I want to smash everything in the room but there was not much, apart from some glasses of water and an ashtray. So, I grab the glass I had in front of me and throw it on the opposite wall, shattering it into pieces.

"Are you alright sir?" I hear her voice from the other side of the door. I could say there was fear and concern in her tone.

"Leave!" I shout before she attempts to enter. With chest heavy, panting, I feel a tug in my heart. I regret shouting at her in an instant, but she must have already left. I lose the tie, take it off from my neck and sit in a chair passing my fingers through my hair in an attempt to calm down.

The thought of calling her to apologise passed through my mind and I grab my phone browsing through my contact list. I find her number though I hesitate to press the call button. I don't feel calm yet and I may get out of control and say anything that will make things worse. It is better to talk to her face to face the next morning.

I spend all night trying to figure out how to stop Juliano and Mia's schemes. I didn't even leave the building. When the first rays of sun begin the enter the room, I noticed that it was finally morning. The door opens, without knocking, and Gianluca enters the room.

"You look like shit." He says giving me a cup of hot coffee I didn't notice he was holding when he entered only the smell gave it away as I turn to it.

"Thanks." I take the cup into my hands and bring it close to my face, taking in the soothing smell of freshly grounded coffee. I take a small sip and feel much better as the warm brown liquid runs down my throat.