Hidden Away [Mafioso Book #2] (SAMPLE)

Chapter III: Grounded

Being their father, Arcangelo was very well aware of what his children cherished and valued most. For his only daughter, it was the simple taste of freedom; and act which she achieved by ordering her guards to remain in their positions. Meanwhile, his second son treasured his mode of entertainment and his freedom which he got from his electronic devices – phone, laptop, X-box, books, music, etc. – and his freedom from driving whatever car he willed.

Now in order to teach them a lesson, their father had no choice but to take it all away and ground them for a month.

The twins hated the verdict equally.

Salvatore's electronics were taken away, no books, no music, no video games, and his driving privileges were revoked with a curfew of 10 p.m. he wasn't allowed to meet with friends, and couldn't invite anyone over other than Paolo. Now, for Serafina, her guards had been replaced by Major, Gun, and Hulk who would follow her everywhere, 24/7.

Given that both Major and Gun were Salvatore's bodyguards, she did not know them quite well, but Hulk, on the other hand, was a large built, dark-skinned man with a permanent scowl etched onto his face. Hulk was not only in charge of the recruit's training but was also Marco's guard when he wasn't dealing with the newcomers.

Serafina felt their punishment was relatively light compared to what they had done, but she wasn't going to voice her thoughts to her father in case he came up with something worse for the two.

Currently, they all were enjoying a lovely morning and eating breakfast when a voice scared Serafina to the extent where she nearly choked on her food.

"Serafina! Shoulders back! Back straight! Chin up!" Major barked from behind her, causing everyone present to give a jump of shock, everyone, besides Salvatore.

Turning around, she looked at the man before her, who stood around 6'1 with dark brown hair shaved close to his head, and hard eyes that glared at her disapprovingly, a strong square jaw and a posture and aura that screamed military. He snapped at her to finish her breakfast and startled, she had turned around, nearly stuffing her food into her mouth.

Meeting Salvatore's gaze from across the table, she noticed him smirking at her from behind his bowl of cereal. Given that his right arm was in a sling, he had ordered the guards to stock up on his favorite cereal, sipping the contents from his bowl since he couldn't hold a spoon and refused to let his mother coddle him.

"What?" Serafina narrowed her eyes at him, chewing the scone on her plate.

"Serafina Marie Regnante! Don't you dare speak with food in your mouth!" Major barked at her, startling her once more as her face flushed to notice both Salvatore and Marco snickering.

"I'm going to enjoy this," Her twin commented sipping his orange juice leisurely.

"Serafina," Vincent's voice redirected her attention to her uncle who sat beside her father, flipping through the newspaper. "Would you like to know why your guards get changed but never Salvatore's?"

"Sure? I guess? I never thought it," She shrugged, realizing that if she didn't like her guard they would get changed, but that was never the case with Salvatore, and given the sharpness of the men behind her, she knew he liked it just as much as her.

"With our dear little Salvi here, being a teenage boy, he is bound to get out of hand and try some absolutely reckless and stupid things." He stated as if though he were having a normal conversation at the dining table. "So, these two men, Alfeo i.e. Major and Daniele i.e. Gun, are the two most disciplinary men in your dad's staff. Who has been assigned to keep a close eye on Reckless here and keep him in line. You know, like a dog on a leash."