Prisoner to Mr. Mafia (Book 1 In PTMM Series)

Chapter: 21

When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching — they are your family." » Jim Butcher
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Gianna Pov

The atmosphere shifted abruptly, turning from comfortable to icy in a matter of seconds. In the blink of an eye, Adriano seized Giovanni by the collar of his shirt and locked eyes with him. A shiver ran down my spine as I witnessed Matteo mirroring his brother's actions. Leena rose from her seat and inserted herself between the two men, though I couldn't fathom how she managed to wedge herself between them.

"Release him," she demanded, her voice unwavering. Their frigid gazes shifted from their lifelong comrade back to their sister.

"No," they both replied in unison.

I knew I couldn't simply remain a passive observer, not with Giovanni's well-being hanging in the balance. Let's face it, Giovanni possessed strength and resilience, but pitted against Adriano, let alone both Basilio brothers, the odds were overwhelmingly against him.

I rose from my seat and gently placed my hand on Adriano's back, which felt like an impenetrable wall rather than a human form, so rigid and tense it was. "Adriano," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He didn't budge, and I tried again, slightly more fervently, "Please, Adriano." I heard him sigh, and I waited with bated breath as he slowly released his grip on Giovanni and stepped back, though his expression still radiated a dangerous intensity.

A heavy silence hung in the room. I watched as Adriano shifted his gaze between Leena and Giovanni, his actions conveying a clear message: messing with him at that moment was unwise, to say the least.

"We need to talk," Matteo growled, seizing Giovanni's arm before striding out of the room.

My gaze shifted to Adriano, and I could see the cold, distant look in his eyes. I silently implored him not to harm Giovanni. I hoped he received the unspoken message. Reluctantly, he turned and followed his brother out of the room.

With a sigh, I pulled Leena into a comforting hug. "This conversation needed to happen, Leena. Giovanni will be alright," I whispered into her ear.

Stepping back, she shook her head, running her hands through her unruly black hair. "I knew this would happen. This is precisely why I didn't want them to find out," she said with frustration, gesturing toward the door through which the brothers had stormed.

"Leena, it was inevitable," Miliana reassured her, stepping in front of her with compassionate eyes and a reassuring demeanor. She was going to be a loving mother, no doubt.

"If Gio truly loves you as much as he claims, he'll go through hell and back to be with you," Yana chimed in with a smirk.

"Yeah, well, that's pretty much where he is right now," Leena muttered, slumping onto the couch.

I sighed and sat beside her, rubbing her back in a comforting manner. I despised the situation, but deep down, I understood that this was the only way for Adriano and Matteo to ensure the authenticity of their relationship.

We waited in silence, the quietude enveloping us and filling the room with a sense of anticipation.

Suddenly, Giovanni entered the room, drawing everyone's attention. Leena rushed over to him and enveloped him in a tight hug. "I'm okay," he chuckled, reassuring her.

I examined Giovanni carefully, relieved to see no visible bruises or scars, which indicated that things hadn't escalated to physical violence. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Adriano had heeded my unspoken plea.