Hidden Away [Mafioso Book #2] (SAMPLE)

Chapter X: What is Love?

A year had passed since Ricardo's passing, and things were settling down now. However, Paolo was expected to take over his Mafia soon, but he ordered his father's second-in-command to handle it until he finished his education – granted that nothing was to happen without his approval.

Serafina had been sitting at her desk, trying to get her homework done, but instead was daydreaming of how her boyfriend would be like as a Mafia Boss. Handsome, no doubt. Firm and determined like a Mafia Boss should be. She wouldn't mind if he was a little intimidating, granted he wouldn't scare her given she was the daughter of the world's most honored Mafia Boss.

She was brought out of her thoughts by a knock sounding on her door before it burst open to see Arsenio peak his head in with a grin and a wink in her direction.

"Arsenio!" She exclaimed in indignation, having gotten startled by the suddenness.

"Get dressed, baby sis, we're going out for lunch," He stated before leaving the room.

Shaking her head, Serafina packed away all her things and got changed into a pair of denim jeans with a black high necked shirt and a fluffy jacket with her favorite long boots. Stepping out of her room, she found Salvatore getting out of his bedroom as well, dressed in black jeans and a navy blue sweatshirt beneath a charcoal grey overcoat, his gloves, and scarf in hand. Both of them glanced up at one another, looking at their attires before meeting the other's gaze.

"Arsenio?" Her twin questioned knowingly.

"Arsenio," She confirmed with a shrug.

Both of them walked into their parent's bedroom, knocking before entering and were greeted by the sight of Arsenio and Marco seated on the sofa, their mother and father cocooned in the blankets and cuddled for warmth.

"Everyone ready?" Arsenio questioned, looking up from his phone and springing to his feet in grey slacks and a white button-up beneath a black overcoat. Marco followed his movement in faded blue jeans and an olive green sweater under his snow jacket, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "Let's go?"

"Sure," The twins spoke in sync.

They all bid farewell to their parents who told them to enjoy and for Salvatore to have his inhaler on him as he took a shot and nodded, his breathing difficult in the cold winter. Settling in Arsenio's Audi, they set off to their destination.

"Say, Arsenio?" Marco called from the back. "Why the sudden plan for lunch?"

"Well, I had the day off, and Angelica was busy overseeing the work at a construction site. I got bored and decided to take my baby siblings out for lunch,"

"And that's it?" The younger boy asked skeptically.

"What other reason would I have?" Arsenio laughed at his uncertainty. "You guys are my bros....and sister. It's not a crime to go out for lunch every once in a while,"

"I hope it's not another occurrence like last time," Serafina piped in, recalling all the out-worldly places their brother has found. Last time they had all gone out, they ended walking into a gang headquartered in the middle of a feud, having mistaken it for an abandoned diner. They were held captives until their father was called for ransom, who showed up with a unit of armed sentries and held everyone at gunpoint, negotiated his children's release while playing candy crush as if though it were an everyday occurrence. And with Arsenio, it always was.

"Don't worry, it's an actual restaurant, I checked this time."

"Thank God!" The three younger Regnante's groaned in relief as the eldest look affronted by their response.