Sergio Agosta was a killer who hid behind a charming smile - but a killer nonetheless. He'd learnt the hard way that actions always had consequences. Which was why he was going after the one thing that would be his one and only shot at revenge - the...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I opened my bleary eyes as I felt two hands on my shoulders, shaking me awake. Apparently, I had fallen asleep on the ride towards Palermo city with my head leaning against the window.
"We're here."
Two words that had me sitting upright in my seat as Sergio let out a low chuckle.
"Easy there, mia gioia. We've got all the time in the world to explore the city, okay?"
I nodded my head at him in excitement, getting another one of those dimpled grins before he exited the car and came over to my side, opening the door. He held out his hand expectantly as mine reached out towards him, clasping together. That little bit of contact sent tingles up my spine as I got out, shading my eyes against the bright sun. I could feel the calloused ridges against mine, feeling the warmth radiating from the palm of his hands. It felt good. I felt protected. It was shocking honestly, seeing as how I had never thought that something as minuscule as holding hands could mean something to me. I had held hands with guys before, but it had never felt like this. Strong, firm, a way of showing people around us that I was with him.
"Hold on a second." Sergio muttered to me as he slipped his hand out of mine.
Instantly, I missed the feeling of his palm against mine as I waited for him, watching him open the trunk of the car and pull something out. A hat. A bucket hat, to be precise.
"I didn't have anything else but this should protect you from the sun. Weather's going to be a little hot today."
My heart warmed at his thoughtful gesture as I put it on top of my head, the hat pairing well with the loose sundress that I had decided to wear since Sergio had told me to dress comfortably. Without missing a beat, he slipped his hand back into mine as he led me towards the hustle and bustle of the city.
I followed him wordlessly, the heat of the sun rays hitting our clothed backs.
"Where are we?" I asked as I broke the silence.
"We're at La Vucciria. One of the most famous street markets here in Palermo."
Stunned, I observed the hustle and bustle in the market as several vendors shouted out prices of the products they were selling whilst several other people and tourists alike were engaged in heavily bargaining with the shop owners. There was so much color and life over here - something that I wasn't really accustomed. I was used to seeing the dull and dreary skies of London, surrounded by concrete buildings. But this...this was something different. Something new.
"Hold my hand tight, okay? This place is really crowded." Sergio said as he pulled his sunglasses from over his head, never once letting go of me.
I squeezed his hand once before I tightened my grip on him as he led me through the bustling crowds, the air full of chatter. People pushed past us without even sparing a glance our way, as if one of the city's biggest mobsters wasn't amongst them. My feet stopped of their own accord as I stood in front of a man playing the cello, effectively making Sergio stop in his tracks and look behind at me.
