O L I V I A
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyedQOWDMC
I wake up and look up at the tall ceiling above me. I can feel my head already pounding and now I am about to have a massive hangover.
I turn onto my side and pick up the comforter beneath my hands. Alessio is nowhere to be found.
His confession from last night was still very fresh in my mind but I couldn’t remember much after since I apparently passed out from being so drunk.
The thought of Alessio being in the mafia was too much. Even worse was knowing he had been the one to kill Austin. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eTXmfP9Zn
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z2MNvVOIs
What would happen now? People would be looking for him. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnXKf0ArwD
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82DCRUC5Cw
His friends...his family.
My stomach started to ache and I knew I was going to puke again. I sprint across the marble floors and throw up in his bathroom. My head resting against the cool of the toilet.
My mind was spiraling with every thought. I didn’t know what to do. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9zHlVbhYj
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoZBbCtTW9
I was in the house of the Italian mafia. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkMzCkAv2B
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecty1ViCL6
Alessio kills people. He’s a monster. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5VSa7SDAN
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlH7WrAqta
I can’t be here.
My throat constricts and I dry heave once more. My head pounds against my skull again and I try to pick myself up from the floor. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb02jO0w2Ns
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57dW6H6x5y
“I have to get out of here.” I whisper to myself. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiDsSLvd4A
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bDwU2rrig
I couldn’t just not tell someone. Wouldn’t it be morally wrong for me to do nothing? 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgPtGiqxZO
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ia5FQYxn
Murder is still murder.
I walked out from the bathroom and noticed I had been changed into a nightgown. I picked up the satin fabric between my fingers and rubbed it with my thumb. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4uz3Mm2fu
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdvXI7QQZl
I looked over the nightstand and noticed the clothes Kimberly leant me the night before were there and vomit free. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwrk0Jtmxn
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy4sgPaO5L
I slipped out of the little dress and back into them before grabbing my shoes and hurrying out the door. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNi8sAJG6A
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ru3O1xUT6
It was so silent. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyUl1pUNRj
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdLKpnjBn5
Nobody was rushing down the halls with baskets of laundry. I didn’t see any guards and not a single Romano.
I walked as slowly as I could on the tips of my feet as I walked down the dim lit and narrow hall. I could see the steps coming into view and let fingers glide along the cool of the metal banister.
My heart was beating so loud I swear someone could hear me.
“Please don’t!” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVOA23Diw2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffkcUZVdQC
I froze as soon as I heard the scream. It didn’t sound too far away.
I carefully descended down the stairs and down onto the first level. Still no sign of anyone. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7TAxRnB59
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvFEj4iN7H
It was so strange to see such a big house so empty. It felt creepy.
“Please someone help!” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNVupZd4V7
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSuZTgq5m6
My head snaps towards the sound of the voice crying out in pain from the hall to my left. I look back towards the double glass doors. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM2NbYNIDP
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsBeqcmPxf
I should go. I should call the police. Why am I not running?
“Help!”
“Fuck!” I whisper under my breath and tiptoe down the hall. The hall seemed to go on forever as I approached the door at the end. I could hear what sounded like metal music coming from behind it almost to mask out the cries.
“Shut the fuck up!” A new voice shouts. I jump at the sound and stop in my tracks.
“Please! Someone!”
"Se non chiudi il cazzo!" (Translation: If you don't shut the fuck up )
The voice didn’t sound like Alessio. Maybe a guard or even Giovanni.
"Listen! I'm sorry.”
I reach the door and lean forward to press my ear against it. The music below has been turned down and I can hear someone else speaking. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbciovPvGOs
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDrv71i1bO
“Oh, I’ll make sure of it. Don’t you worry.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY84cm0gTOs
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEcI61cVl3
I could pick his voice out of a hundred people. Alessio was down there.
“My dad will find me you piece of shit!”
“I’m not worried about your dad,” Alessio laughs harshly.
It’s Austin. He’s still alive. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkGMAnbfiR
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SeeVCYuxa
Alessio didn’t kill him...yet.
“She’s not fucking worth it, dude! Olivia is just some bitch.”
I push against the door and it groans lowly. I take a step into the darkness and stand as still as I can at the top of the stairs.
There’s a loud clank from what sounds like a pipe hitting something hard. “Don’t fucking say her name ever again.”
“You aren’t going to kill me!” Austin taunts and laughs. “Bunch of fake fucking gangsters. You are no different from the street gangs here in LA.”
There’s a pop from a gun firing and Austin bellows out in pain from the cellar below. I cover my mouth as the sound echoes through the stone walls and stifle my scream.
“Finish it,” Alessio commands and the music starts up again.
My legs don’t move. I am completely stuck to where I stand. I know if I don’t run down there, Austin will be killed within minutes. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Sel2EsOF
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui6zI0NgiQ
If I do, would Alessio kill me? Maybe Giovanni would?
Get to the police! Get to the police! I shout in my head.
I try to focus on my new mantra as I spin around and grab the old iron door handle. I see a bit of light as the heavy door starts to pull open. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jdl371mKl
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98QRUT7Xbq
I try to keep my footing on the stair as I fumble around through the door but within seconds I feel something pulling me backwards as the door slams shut again.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Olivia?” Alessio snaps out and pushes me against the wall. His hands like a vice on my waist.
"P-please, stop!” I beg as his hand clamps over my mouth. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDOO0o1INd
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp8G6PzQgg
“You need to calm down, Olivia.” He whispers fiercely. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcGjDgpJiO
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV77u6uCSH
“I won’t tell anyone! I swear to-”
Alessio lets out a weird laugh that seems to be a mix of frustration and amusement. Before I have time to process what is going on he pulls me forward through the door and tosses me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.
I try to kick against him as he walks swiftly up the stairs and towards his room. It is not worth it though. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPZqFgw4Ht
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoS7I0wQPr
He is too strong for me to even break an inch of his hold.
“Please! Stop it!” I slam my fists against his back. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGaXRdIYrB
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOMEN73jK7
He pays me no mind and kicks open his bedroom door with his foot. We enter the bedroom and I feel my body hit the bed as he tosses me onto it.
I start to panic as soon as I land and start looking for something to hit him with. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9YsgQJzHE
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Bhukz4PQ
“Olivia,” Alessio starts and raises his hands. “You need to listen to me.”
“Stay back!” I warn him. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneVvYTAfvx
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaPZMfe4ot
I look down and grab a shoe from the floor. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ7GXxy3CV
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEw6VZOkCD
Good ol trusty shoe.
He stares at me with a bit of a smirk on his face and keeps his hands where they are. “Baby, l-”
“Fuck off!” I shout and toss the shoe right at his dumb head. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kIIxyiwxX
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMCN8HwdOP
Of course, Alessio knocks it away but I make my daring escape to the bathroom and lock it just in time.
"Olivia…” Alessio bangs on the door. “Let me talk to you.”
"You're a murderer! Stay the fuck away."
"Olivia."
I press my back against the door and pull my cell phone out. “I’m going to call the police. You aren’t getting away with this.”
I try to press the 9 but my damn fingers are shaking so bad that the phone scatters across the floor. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg1W0OBPAg
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPx5u6RKqu
“Shit!” I curse and lunge after it.
Before I even have my hand on the phone I hear a horrible cracking sound and look back to see Alessio has actually kicked through the damn wood of the door and broken in.
"No! Stay the fuck away!"
I try to rush past
him but he scoops me up with one arm around my waist and drags me back towards the bed.
He pins me with his weight and I struggle beneath him. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2FLIkWLuH
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZLehGXNjC
“Are you going to listen?” Alessio says in a soft tone. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu2ljSVJ8O
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXevit8YOh
I close my eyes shut tight and wait. “Just kill me! I know you have to kill me now like you did with Austin.”
The room grows silent and I brace myself. I know it’s coming.
Yet, it never does. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aZNvzwNA7
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpwoKaRnLF
Instead, Alessio starts laughing. I mean really fucking laughing. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTL6pbAIKM
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzik7MZb0wG
He rolls off of me and starts laughing so hard he clutches his stomach and starts to turn red in his face.
I feel my body stiffen with anger from his reaction and have the urge to hit him.
“It isn’t funny, Alessio! You killed someone!”
He nods and grows silent. His dark eyes stare back at me as he tries to compose himself.
“I would never kill you.”
"You're going to kill Austin though."
He sighs heavily. "We discussed this last night."
“You mean you stayed silent each time I asked you and then admitted to being in the mafia.”
“I know.”
“You expect me to be okay with this? I’m supposed to just forgive you for this?” I snap.
“Of course not,” He groans and tucks his head under his arms. “I just didn’t expect you to come downstairs so early.”
"Well, waking up and realizing you are in the home of a mafia family isn’t very comforting.”
“Olivia,” He starts and rolls over to touch my cheek. “Take a shower, eat breakfast with me, and I will tell you everything. We can go explore the city for a bit together so you don’t have to feel trapped.”
“Why would I want to hear you out?”
He narrows his eyes,” Shower and breakfast. Now.”
I stare after him in silence as he pushes up from the bed and pulls his dirty t-shirt over his head. I try to not let myself stare at his naked, muscular chest for too long as he opens the door.
"Don't even think about trying to figure out a new escape plan. I'll be waiting for you." He says and winks over his shoulder. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTjG4XRusP
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T7VRmLyTL
I sit on the bed for several minutes after he is gone. I wanted to try escape plan number two but I didn’t even have a clue of how I would work that one out. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtsGjnZJf5
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF5zybTHEk
Alessio and his family have to be monsters. The mafia are bad people. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmD4AfFIgV
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKYGkm6hy2
I can’t possibly be considering this, right? 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qUlNMxc2G
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0i4HhxhRD
Yet...I knew I was. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVFDORZjr4
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTABCrA6OLi
I wanted to hear his story. Since I first saw him and heard about him, I wanted to know more about the mysterious Alessio Romano. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAX3H8c5Ex
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuiQBj0UPO
I had my chance.
I get up from the bed and head to his oversized bathroom to stand under the heat of the hot water for what feels like forever. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpYWDiBEe2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CCkztbSf9
The steam starts to burn me after too long and I grab a towel and wrap it tightly around my body.
I wipe away some condensation from the mirror and stare at my reflection. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUMwPCzFhG
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZYb2eMOYE
I look like shit. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs8ALvl1aj
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXClBvnCqF
My eyes were dark with circles and entirely too big for my face which was so pale I’m sure I could pass as a ghost. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA1YzW4dkK
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnNI6o0SW5
How could anyone find this attractive right now?630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0AXAONxZ2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVFRpG6SyE
I try to focus on brushing my hair out when I realize something feels off.
Something moves behind me. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38uG7dgcC3
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8KUQ0UqQZ
“Ahhh!”
Alessio leans against the frame where the door used to be to his bathroom and smiles at me.
"Do you knock?" I sneer out.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwJPszJdTp
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBChTwL3ay
He looks up at the broken door, “What would I knock on?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIyT5awduH
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLbCaUul89
“Well, you are the one who broke it.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQkw3S3NME
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc50BaEOKt
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He says simply. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEObGspnxfM
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTtAiF8g7v
“You mean you wanted to make sure I didn’t jump out the window or magically escape without you knowing.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17M2kbKh6k
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFQD8cfO5M
He chuckles, “Right.”
“I need to get dressed.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG5W6MRdNl
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gB8NvyKaF
“I know,” He says and puts a basket down on the counter. “I have some stuff for you. Toiletries and other items I know girls like.”
I look up at him and feel my heart squeeze. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
"I wanted to." He shrugs and turns back towards the door. “I’ll see you soon.”
I look back towards the little basket once he disappears and pick up a few items from it. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSn8aeecn2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSoBRLXofe
Bottles of my favorite perfume, toothpaste, toothbrush,hair bands, even a few tampons. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rD0b9sIAI
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0M9z7lMml
Surely, he had help from Anna.
I finish up in the restroom and walk out to find a super cute pale yellow sundress with sandals that was laid out on the bed. I try to dress as quick as I can before Alessio decides to get curious again and hurry downstairs.
I find him sitting in the dining room at the obnoxiously long table. Food for miles laid out along the top. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4HhgWdtnx
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Ho4HyY3C
Pancakes, eggs, bacon, waffles, fruit. My stomach growled immediately at the sight of it. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA3IVvGxF8
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sKPaoBiTf
“You look beautiful.” Alessio compliments and pushes his hair back with his sunglasses. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQkohUQEyL
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCcPWQd29E
He looks amazing. His face was freshly shaven and he had changed into a plain black shirt and jeans. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5zCIdKGbB
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9MPcSZXiE
I was so obsessed with his bad boy look. I won’t lie.
“You have good taste.”
“I had some help from Anna,” He admits. “Have a seat.”
I nod and take a seat at the end from him. I wait as a maid hurries up to my side and helps pile my plate full of food before handing me a container of syrup. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJuGXhLViW
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVmbS5OLmq
I pour it all over the top of my pancakes and feel my mouth drool. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPta6jZrqO
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDRJvjxlzj
“So,” Alessio says after I have my mouth full of food. “Would you like to talk?”
"Yes."
“Go ahead.”
I swallow my eggs. “You’re in the mafia.”
"I am."
"Why?"
He sighs and stands up from the table. “Let’s continue in private, shall we?”
I stare down at my plate and take a few more bites. I was already more than stuffed.
The realization that I hadn’t checked on my parents or my friends was starting to settle in. I wanted my phone back. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjjzIc0JQT
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gni8Se9pQ
I knew they would be freaking out soon.
I look up at the sound of footsteps just as Giovanni enters the room. His massive muscles rippled with every move.
"Olivia." He says and picks up a piece of bacon.
Up so close I realize how deep his scars really are. I wonder what they are all from. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBuOFzymCF
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83YHeua4am
“How are you?” I ask.
"Doing well. It's nice to see you again."
I force a smile. Knowing he had probably killed Austin just a couple of hours ago made me want to puke for the fourth time. "You as well."
Alessio steps back into view and they stare at one another. He shakes his head at Giovanni and looks over at me. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjpWhp8rjP
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPqEee2FhA
“You ready?”
“Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.
He smiles and puts his hand out. “Let’s see where the day takes us.”
The two of us climb into his car and he starts our drive. The weather is beautiful and really makes the whole situation feel more innocent than it really is. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6rXacTfsP
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtwrYP59my
I tried to fight the urge to look at him the whole drive but I kept finding myself looking back in his direction. The curve of his sharp jaw flexed slightly as he inhaled on his cigarette. The hints of his tattoos under the collar of his shirt. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRQqyaRXPz
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAvJd76qfW
Everything about him was just so perfect. I didn’t understand it but I guess they did say even the devil was beautiful.
Alessio catches my gaze. “See something you like?”
"When do I get my phone back?"
“I need to make sure we are on the same page first,” He explains and blows out smoke. “I’m sure you can understand that.”
"So you don't trust me then?"
He sighs, “Not yet.”
I nod and look forward through the windshield. I guess I should’ve expected that response.
"Ready to ask your questions?" He asks.
“Yes,” I say confidently. “You told me you are in the mafia. How does that work? Why would you want to be part of something so violent?”
“It wasn’t by choice,” He explains and his tone seems to grow weary. “All of us were born into the family. The Romano family has been around for a very, very long time. All I’ve ever known is this life, Olivia.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s8iwzUbGc
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwYAnyA6xt
“Can you ever leave?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGXAKWA9nO
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldc53mlrke
He shakes his head, “No, you don’t leave. You are in it forever especially because if anyone finds out or if you try to break your loyalty to the family it is a death sentence.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj5w9AyZTo
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37c3qowVVj
My body stiffens. “You told me.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQGEw8K3M6
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDhebIkSTW
“I know,” He nods. “That is why I need you to hear me out and swear to me that you won’t tell a soul.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasvKSwm2ar
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iTYe502Im
“If I do?” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgWhBRCpQB
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt74zK5gp5X
He looks over at me and pushes his sunglasses back from his eyes. “They’ll kill you and then they will kill me.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtCty0VqpX
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PkjDRs84J
My stomach tightens from his words. “Tell me about your family?” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauaRDnL4tu
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH0XQLMTL8
“My father is Adolfo, he’s the don, you have met my siblings and cousin, of course. There are a lot of Romano’s, including my uncles, some of them don’t live here in America. We try to keep it pretty spread out.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe56eMCCDA
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ThKLHyG2
“Your mother?”
“She died.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1h3nCUYee
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFw1q2CG3v
I frown and suddenly feel bad for even asking. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s7uL4m8Tr
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq8dF7JJ89
“Can I ask what happened?”
"I was only four years old when she was killed. My dad does a lot of traveling for business, as you can understand, well he was not around and there was an ambush. It was chaos and I was taken away before I could be found but my mother was murdered in her room.”
“Oh, Alessio...I’m sorry.”
“It was a family from Russia. They had once had an alliance with the Romano’s before things got tense and greedy between the two of them. My father had shot and killed the second-in-command and they fired back.”
“I can’t even imagine.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH9C5ZvNDQ
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6klYP05Jzn
He shrugs, “Horrible things happen all the time. I’ve grown used to it.”
"So what happens...if your father passes? Will you take over?"
“Yes,” He replies and turns into town. “Giovanni will be my second-in-command and I will take over as don soon.”
I grow silent. Being in the mafia is terrifying but the idea of Alessio having to lead it was a lot to take in. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25Y0RaA0HD
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVoFkB9xKQ
“Olivia?”
“It’s just a lot to take in.” I admit. “Can I ask you about Austin now?”
His hands grip the wheel. “Okay.”
"He's dead?" I ask."Did Giovanni kill him?"
"Giovanni did as he was told."
"I don’t understand how you can get away with this. He was only 18 years old, I understand he was a shitty person but-”
“Olivia,” He interrupts and looks at me. “You need to understand that there was more to him than what he presented at the surface. Austin’s father is a chief in San Diego with the police department. His son has been involved in several assault cases involving women since he was a freshman. He never learned and was constantly bailed out.”
I scoff at him, “There’s no way! I’ve met his parents, how could they afford such large payoffs for him?”
“His dad has connections to some local street gangs. The police ignore them in exchange for a cut of the profit. It’s just a few bad cops involved and he happens to be one of them.”
I open my mouth to say something else but he continues on, “I don’t want to make up your mind about me, Olivia. I just need you to understand that I do what I have to do.”
“I’m trying,” I say quietly. “I just don’t understand how you can just avoid people finding out you did this.”
"We’re the mafia, Olivia. We have our ways.”
"I feel like there’s more to this.”
"Give me time." He mutters and reaches out to hold my hand.
I squeeze it in response and feel my body relax a little, “Okay.”
I decided to change the topic to something else. “Why did you go to Italy?”
"I went with Giovanni."
"For what?"
"Business."
"What kind of b-" he cuts me off quickly.
"What did I say about time,” He reminds me gently. “Let’s take it slow.”
“Let’s go back to before you left for Italy.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaFSHRiAe2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7EJaG6sYT
“Sure.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdCspyJaYn
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xz5qXTU3s
“Do you still feel the same way?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
He looks over at me and his expression softens up. “I’m in love with you,Olivia Moore. I’ve never been so sure of something.”
“How are you so sure? This is so...new.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmc19daDpq
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsEbEtxRR3
“I’m a simple person. I’ve never wasted my time with love and everything else in between has just been so trivial.” He explains, “I do know that I have never felt this way about anyone and I need to have you in my life.”
Millions of emotions flood over me and I stare back at him. He seems so genuine. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr9R6LSlHn
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MNB4zppbz
Alessio Romano...loves me?630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGLt6apfgM
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRyg8svHTS
The car suddenly comes to a stop and I look up at a store front sitting before us.
"What's this?"
"This is Boutique di Anna." 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aaeAg3wU2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Tp16O2lD
Alessio walks around to my side of the car and extends his hand.
"Anna?" I ask him.
"Yeah. It's her store," He grins and looks up at it.
“I like the idea of Anna wearing normal teenager clothes.”
"It keeps her feeling fulfilled and normal." He chuckled and took my hand.
The two of us enter together and start to browse the cute little store. It reminded me a lot of the one he had taken me to before, except it was more modern and not as expensive compared to a 10,000 dollar dress. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sgzMRbxAv
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPXy4di3MY
“I brought you here for a reason,” Alessio explains. “Come here.”
I walk with him over to the counter where a perky, brunette greets us with a smile and hands us a little black box.
Alessio thanks her and puts it in my hands. “For you.”
I stare up at him for a moment before pulling the lid back. I found a cute gold charm bracelet inside with real diamonds. There’s a palm tree, paint brush, skyscraper, and a gorgeous heart dangling from it. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5HAAnzPQ
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjJCzN2vax
It was almost like the one Austin gave me but obviously very real and probably expensive.
“What do you think?” He asks by my side.
"It's so beautiful."
“I wanted to make up for breaking the other one, plus this will have good memories attached.”
I look up to his dark eyes and smile. We start to bend towards one another and I feel my heart skip a beat as our lips touch.
"Olivia?"
I freeze mid kiss and pull away from Alessio like he had shocked me. My stomach turns as soon as I hear his voice.
“T-tucker?”
⟡ ⟡ ⟡630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8GgC865jq
