Mafia Darling

30 | Ella

I wake up to a light breeze flowing through the open window. Sunshine and summer air fills our hotel suite, glinting off the polished surfaces as I inhale deeply. Outside the glass is a beautiful view of the French Riviera; we're situated in the best suite in the hotel, and that means the best view, as well.

"Morning, sunshine."

I bolt upright. I was near-certain that Marco was still asleep beside me, but after ruffling through, I realize it's just a bunched up blanket and pillows. Marco's standing in front of the dresser, knotting his tie and laughing.

"Why are you up so early?" I groan, leaning against the headboard. I'd planned to laze around in bed for at least another hour.

"I've got activities to set up. Stay in bed, mi amor. Luca will come get you when I'm ready."

After the honeymoon plans and the suite, I don't know how many more sweet surprises I can take. It's likely a fancy breakfast setup somewhere gorgeous, or a boat ride down the water, something I'm sure I'll love, but he'll find some way to make me love it more than I thought I would. Probably by making a dorky comment.

He gives me a sideways hug and a kiss on the head, and then he's off. I make a guess as to how long it will take -- thirty minutes? -- and start getting ready at the proper pace. I've put on a sundress and flats, lathered sunscreen all over me, and am brushing my hair when there's a knock on the door. 

"Are you ready, mi amor?"

The voice is exaggeratedly deep and clearly about to burst into laughter, so I know it's Luca. "Come in, dumbass," I scoff.

Luca opens the door. "Sbrigati, princess. He awaits."

You'd think that a newlywed couple would want to be on their honeymoon on their own, but honestly, given Marco's profession, I don't mind that Luca and a few others tagged along.

"Alright, alright," I snap, quickly placing a few strands of hair back with a barrette.

I follow Luca into the hallway and try to lock the suite door behind me. He lazily meanders to the window and leans against it, waiting for me to figure out the damn lock until I realize I'm putting our rental car key into a door.

"You didn't see this," I warn, slipping the right key inside and twisting it locked.

Luca snorts. "Sure thing, prince--"

He pauses, narrowing his eyes at something outside the window. I place my head over his shoulder so I can see, but all that's visible is the side of another hotel and part of the water and docks below.

"What is it?" I ask.

Luca's eyes narrow even further, and then they go wide. "Shit. Shit, shit--"

He grabs my hand and starts pulling me down the hallway. I stumble forward and practically run to keep up with his strides, but he stops short when a man turns the corner ahead and stands still the end of the hallway.

"Shit," Luca mutters again, and he turns us around only to see that there's another man on that end of the hallway, too.

"Luca," I whisper, "what's wrong?"

"What's wrong," says one of the men, taking a step forward, "is that--"

He doesn't finish that sentence because Luca pulls out a gun and shoots him between the eyes. He whirls around to shoot the other one, but it's too late--the other guy has already drawn, and he fires. A bullet tears straight through Luca's shoulder and buries into the wall.

Luca drops his gun, and his blood splatters over me and the wall. I follow him to the floor when he stumbles, reaching out to press my hands against his wound, but someone grabs me by the hair and yanks me backward.

The guy who shot Luca pulls me, kicking and screaming, into a room, and another, newly-arrived man grabs Luca by the ankles and drags him along with me.

We're being taken hostage.