As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
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I sat in Gabriel’s study, feeling the tension thick in the air. Across from me, Gabriel stood with a furious look in his eyes, while Antonio and Matteo hovered nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and annoyance. I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“You’re in the Mafia, aren’t you?” I accused, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t know anything about this, Chiara. Stop making assumptions based on what you think you saw.”
I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Then why don’t you tell me what’s really going on?”
“It’s not the time for that,” he snapped.
Matteo interjected, his voice sharp. “Who else knows about this?”
“Amelia and Fiona,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “But only Fiona has the exact location.”
Matteo cursed under his breath, pacing the room. “She’s in danger too, then.”
Gabriel turned to him, his expression hard. “Take her somewhere safe.”
He then fixed his gaze on me, his anger palpable. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Chiara? The consequences of your actions?”
I met his glare, refusing to back down. “I did what I thought was right.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “Antonio, show her to her room.”
I stood up, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “How long will I be here? I lost my phone... how long?”
“You’ll stay until I can fix the mess you’ve created,” Gabriel said coldly.
Antonio motioned for me to follow him. As we walked through the dimly lit corridors, he glanced at me. “You did the wrong thing by going there. Gabriel’s put everything he’s built in danger to keep you safe. He’s never done anything like that before.”
His words stunned me, and I could only reply in a confused tone, “I don’t understand why either.”
In the room, I sat on the bed, my mind racing. The events of the night replayed over and over. Gabriel’s fury, the danger I had inadvertently brought upon myself and others, and the unsettling chemistry between us—all of it swirled in my thoughts. Despite everything, a small part of me couldn’t help but wonder why Gabriel had gone to such lengths for me. The confusion lingered as I tried to piece together the truth, my emotions a tangled mess.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing with everything that had happened. The room was quiet, the only sound the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the house. My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Gabriel entered, his presence filling the room with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice softer than before.
"I'm okay," I replied, my voice betraying the uncertainty I felt. "Can I call my mother? Just to let her know I'm alright?"
He hesitated, then handed me a phone. "Make it quick."
I dialed my mother's number, and she picked up after a few rings. "It's me, Chiara," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm calling from a friend's phone."
"Oh, Chiara," my mother replied, relief evident in her voice. "Where have you been? I was worried."
"I'm out of state for work," I explained. "I might not be able to call you for a few days."
"Alright, dear," she said. "Actually, I'm going on a vacation with a few friends. I'll be out of touch too."
"Be safe, Mom," I said softly. "I love you."
"I love you too, Chiara," she replied, and I ended the call.
Gabriel stepped closer, reaching for the phone. His hand brushed my waist, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. We were standing so close, his eyes searching mine.
"Why did you have to make everything so difficult, Tuono?" he asked in a soft tone, his breath warm against my cheek.
"Why do you think?" I replied, my voice equally soft, a mix of defiance and something else I couldn't quite identify.
For a moment, the tension between us was electric, the air thick with unspoken words. Then, as if snapping out of a trance, Gabriel's expression hardened, the coldness and hatred returning to his eyes.
"Goodnight, Chiara," he said abruptly, stepping back and leaving the room.
As the door closed behind him, I was left with a whirlwind of emotions. The man who had just shown me a glimpse of vulnerability was the same one who had coldly ordered my death. I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of it all.
†††††††††††
The next morning, I woke up feeling a little disoriented, the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind. After a quick shower, I rummaged through the closet for something to wear, settling on one of Gabriel's shirts I found there. It was oversized on me, reaching down to my mid-thigh, but it was the only thing that didn't drown me completely.
I tried on a pair of sweats, but they were so loose on me that they threatened to slide right off. With a scoff, I decided to ditch them, figuring the shirt would have to do.
As I made my way downstairs, I entered the dining room to find Gabriel already there. He glanced up from his newspaper, and I caught the slight cough he tried to suppress as his eyes raked over my attire. The other men at the table, including Matteo and Antonio, sent glances my way, a stark contrast to the hostility they'd shown last night.
Gabriel didn't seem to appreciate their attention, though. With a sharp glare, he ordered them to leave, and soon we were alone in the room.
He didn't waste any time expressing his disapproval. "Is that really what you're wearing?" he asked, his tone bordering on irritation.
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "It's the only thing I could find that fits."
He moved closer, his eyes darkening with something I couldn't quite decipher. "That's my shirt you're wearing, Chiara," he whispered, his breath sending a shiver down my spine. "And you look...good."
I scoffed, trying to hide the way his proximity affected me. "I'll remember to dress to your standards next time."
He smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Don't worry. I'll get some clothes for you. The view is reserved for me, after all."
Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and left the room, leaving me standing there, feeling more confused than ever.
