✍︎ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐌𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 [dark mafia romance] | 𝟏𝟖+

| 34 | 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

The villa's gardens glimmered with many colors that August promised to indulge in for the rest of the summer season. Bird chirping sounds came through the open window, yet they blended with the men's voices bustling below.

The fear I felt yesterday hadn't vanished; instead, it seeped deeper. That fear mainly subsided into a question.

Would I still be alive if the D'Angelo family hadn't signed the deal?

After all, to them, I am just a ticking bomb, sold to a criminal underground organization for a hefty sum of cash.

I ran my hand along the window frame, keeping my eyes fixed on the commotion below. Fabio, rubbing a cigarette between his fingers, stood by the pool and his brother Fernando sat nearby on the chair.

The men didn't seem to be as angry with each other as they were yesterday, but Leonardo walked past them without a glance. The sun beamed down on men's heads, shining on the villa's expanse. Leonardo pulled off the towel wrapped around him and leaped into the water. The splashes reached the nearby D'Angelo men, who grumbled.

I dreamily watched Leonardo's body move in the water. I had to peek at him for as long as I could because I had no idea what was happening to me. And he looked so natural while swimming in the pool.

So natural, yet so intoxicating.

The water droplets running down his body made me squeak inside, but my attention and gaze were interrupted by his uncle's question, "Leonardo, are we still sticking to the original plan?"

He climbed out of the pool, leaned against the railing, and stared at the speaker.

"Leonardo?"

"I heard you the first time," Leonardo murmured.

Fernando pounded his fist on the glass table, making the glasses wobble. I ducked lower than the window sill because I was so scared they'd figure out that I was eavesdropping. All I wanted to do was understand something, why am I here, who they're protecting me from, and who the hell came to D'Angelo villa yesterday.

I wasn't the best investigator, but I was proud of myself for eavesdropping.

"Would you be so kind as to answer me, when I ask you a question?"

Fabio looked at his son, shaking the cigarette ashes.

"I can't."

Fernando snorted, then took off his jacket and flung it over the chair's back.

"Leonardo, as the eldest son of the D'Angelo family, you must dedicate yourself to the family. We know you care about your reputation, so we, me and your father, kindly ask, if we're sticking to the original plan."