Orange Blossom

Chapter 21

I watched as two men dragged the dead bloody body and carried a black garbage bag out of the room.

My father had cut him at least more than 30 times, gave him 17 stab wounds, and at the end I guess chopped his head off. But his killing wasn't complete until he shot him 3 times.

When I saw his body, I thanked God for having a strong stomach. I was just so upset that he'd kill somebody... It might've not been his first, but this was my first time hearing it and seeing a dead body from a murder scene.

Daniel still had his arms wrapped around me and watched them take the body away as if it was nothing.

"Zagara, I want to take you home," my Dad said walking out the room, wiping his hands he has just washed with a small towel.

"What...?" I asked him wearily.

"My home. I'm going to make sure you're well taken care of and safe," he said throwing the towel in the garbage making his way up to me.

"Daniel," he said simply, looking at his arms that were around me.

Daniel instantly dropped his hands from me and placed them on his sides.

"Zagara, lascia andare!" my dad said, making his way out of the warehouse.

I assumed he said "Lets go" and followed him without asking any questions. Once I was close enough behind him, I turned and waved to Daniel, mouthing 'thank you'.

He gave me a small grin and waved back.

Once we were out the building, we made our way to a black Bugatti Veyron.

My eyes went wide as he beeped his expensive car unlock.

"You like it?" he asked smirking at my astonished expression.

"It's alright...," I said with annoyance while I admired it.

We went into his car then making our way into his home, which was not that far a drive.

Now when he said home, I didn't think he meant mansion! The outside was beautiful....the mansion itself looked like it could have 50 rooms at the least! The only thing that ruined the moment were all the guards surrounding the house.

Once we parked into his nice garage, he got out of the car and I did the same, following him toward the house.
Once he opened the door, my jaw dropped. Peach marble floors, pearl colored walls, and extravagant art hung around the room. His furniture, the intricate details in the marble, the door, the stair case, everything!

"Come, lets eat," he said smiling weakly at me before walking further into the house and on the left was a beautiful old styled kitchen.

"You like sausage?" he asked looking into his humongous fridge.

"Yea..., I love sausage," I said dryly.

"Good," he said taking out some sausage and other ingredients.

"So.., how's your mom?" he asked randomly as he was cutting vegetables. I awkwardly took a seat on one of the stools near the island, so I could sit and watch.

"She's good... I guess," I said not knowing exactly how to answer his question.

I'm talking to my DAD for Christ sakes, who's supposed to be dead, who's always been alive..., who just killed someone not too long ago...

"What happened?" I asked playing with my mother's crest as I was talking, not wanting to look at him.

"What is that...?" he asked shockingly as he stared blankly at the necklace.

"Oh, it's my mom's," I said looking down at it, tracing the Vs with my pointer finger.

"Let me see that," he said putting the knife down. He wiped his hands quickly then stuck his hand out toward me.

I gave it to him cautiously and watched as he ran his fingers over it.
That's when I put two and two together.

"Oh my God, that's your necklace," I said slowly.

"Vincent. Vincent Valerio...," I repeated looking at him.

He smiled weakly.

"She had it all this time," he said unbelievably.

I nodded my head with a small smile, then realizing something.

"Wait, is this like the symbol for the Sicilian Mafia?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Yes, it is," he said simply.

"That's why he..."

"What?" he said raising an eyebrow.

"That's looking good..." I told him as I admired his cooking, trying to change the subject. It's not that I'm traumatized or anything, I was lucky enough to get out of that situation. All because of his crest. It saved my life. Did everyone know the Sicilian Mafia symbol?

He said thank you, brushing off what I tried covering up. I could see it in his face that he was going to get me to talk about it sooner or later.

Before awkward silence can consume us, my cell phone rang. I picked up my phone, reading the caller I.D.

It was my Mom.