〖JJBA - EN〗- Last Judgement

Chapter 85: Deal.

Naples, Italy. April 7th, 2001.

(Y/N) had long since stopped crying. She had even fallen asleep from exhaustion, her limbs aching from not being able to move. And when the door finally opened, letting in the light, she had to turn her head to avoid being dazzled. Unable to check who had just entered while she got used to the light, she simply waited until she could recognize a voice. And it was very easy.

"... you are hungry?" Bucciarati asked.

Her mouth dry, she took a moment to answer. Barely daring to look at him.

"... thirsty, mostly.

- I'll have you brought some water.

- ... thank you."

A silence settled. He went out for a moment. And when he was back, in a small voice, she whispered.

"Bruno, I-

- Shut up. I'm the one talking."

She shivered and lowered her head in defeat. It was useless to try to argue with him as long as he was furious. And it might take a while.

"Your men called me."

A glimmer of hope appeared in the young woman's eyes, but she still dared not look him in the face.

"They tried to contact you before, of course. But whatever. I talked to a certain... Risotto Nero?"

By reflex hearing his name, with her fingertips, she began to turn her ring nervously. Then slowly, she nodded.

"... my right hand man.

- I thought I understood.

- ... what did he tell you?

- Between two threats to come and free you, you mean?

- ... that's not what I asked them.

- I know. Since he told me about what you wanted to do. No way.

- Bruno...

- I won't betray the Boss for men like them.

- These "men like them" are no more different than us!

- They are murderers.

- The Boss too!"

Silence. She was exhausted, just raising her voice was enough to make her want to sleep a dreamless sleep. She bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes faster than expected from fatigue. And Narancia came in, a glass of water in hand. He looked at the young woman and gulped.

"Bucciarati...

- Thank you, Narancia. You can go back and prepare your things.

- But-

- Now."

Bucciarati was rarely so cold. But he had been particularly on edge since the day before. Narancia turned on his heels reluctantly. Then the lieutenant got up to approach the young woman who was staring at the ground, her head hanging in the air. He put a hand on her chin to lift her head and bring the glass of water to her lips. She had a hard time swallowing. He sighed.

"We are going to leave. For Venice more exactly. And you're coming with us, until we meet the Boss.

- ... are you really going to hand me over to him? After everything I've told you?"

As she spoke, water escaped from her mouth and ran down her neck, into her clothes, leaving an unpleasant sensation in her collar. But Bucciarati decided to ignore her question.