Their Dolcezza

01 || Vow

The wind blew softly against my skin, momentarily cooling me from the summer heat as my feet dangled whilst I sit on the balcony railing. There's something comforting about being up here, alone, staring at the moon, despite the chance that I could fall three stories to my death. Which doesn't sound so bad right now, since my father has been walking around with a hint of a scowl on his face and Lucien has been tense and distant from me. I can only wonder what's gotten them both in a mood, but at the end of the day, I doubt either one of them will tell me. It looks serious.

My gaze drifts below me, just in time to see Lucien, Tony, and Sebastian rush off into the night in a hurry. Worry gnaws at me as I lean forward, thoughts rushing into my mind as I hope it isn't because of what I think is happening. The only reason Sebastian would be with my brother is because Dante, the Capo in charge of territories and one of my brother's best friends, has his hands full dealing with an emergency or is... I shake my head, stopping myself from finishing that thought.

It's probably an emergency, Lucien tells me we've been losing a notable amount of men. Carlos wouldn't say much about it when I brought it up to him, but he seemed awfully tense at the mention of it. It worries me, though he could just still be grieving the loss of his friend.

The door behind me clicks open, startling me. I pivot, meeting Sofia's puffy emerald-green eyes. She inhales sharply, taking a step backward, her black hair dancing behind her as another gust of wind blows past us.

"I didn't realize you were out here," she murmurs, her voice strained and weary.

I stay silent, turning back to the moon, fixating on it as if its glow could somehow cleanse the blood clinging to my hands.

"Father just told me who I'm engaged to," she says, irritation lacing her words. No doubt from my lack of interest in her life. I knew she hated it, she's always hated being ignored.

This was just a desperate attempt to catch my attention. Normally, I'd just stay silent until she left me alone... but she just stood there. Waiting silently for me to respond.

It was irritating.

"I thought you didn't mind being married off like some kind of martyr," I comment dryly, knowing there's no way in hell I was getting out of this one.

"I didn't– until I found out I'm engaged to Leonardo Giovanni," she spits, her voice quivering.

Time seemed to stop dead in its tracks as her words settled in.

Leonardo Giovanni? As in the next don of the Camorra mafia? As in the man who is literally known for his ruthless tactics and cold-blooded nature? As in the monster that our eldest brother is scared shitless of? That Leonardo Giovanni?

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning, a chilling revelation that sent a wave of disbelief crashing over me.

No. No. No. No. No. No.

She's lying, playing some odd joke that Carlos no doubt put her up to. It has to be... but when I turn my head to look at her, the look on her face made my blood run cold.

This was no joke.

This was real.

"Giovanni?" I ask, shaking my head, quickly shifting my legs to the other side of the railing and landing on the balcony floor in one smooth motion. "That can't be right; you must have misheard."

Father would never marry her off to the Camorra mafia. Would he? We've been enemies for ages, there's no way he would send her straight into the rival's arms–send her straight into that psychopath's hands. The very same psychopath who, just a month ago, brutally tortured and killed Cameron for accidentally going into their territory. Sweet Cameron who was Carlos' best friend.