Chapter 2
***Zeno's POV**
I was in my study when I heard some shouting and struggling.
What was the commotion?.
Fear nearly entered my body as it reminded me of what happened 14years ago. But then I had to remind myself that I am no longer that 14 years old boy anymore.
I walked out of my study, keeping my gun behind me, I walked down the stairs to see someone in a sack and cuffed.
Did I ask for a leverage over my enemies?
"Herberto, what is going on?" I asked my right hand man.
"Capo. The Macini family couldn't pay off the debt, gave a collateral". He said.
That's nice. A collateral human?.
"Remove the sack". I said. And soon my eyes was met with the most innocent, big doe eyes, I've ever seen.
She's beautiful.
"Remove the gag". I said again. And immediately my men wanted to touch her, she started struggling.
"Stai tranquilla". I told her, staring deep into her eyes. And this act seemed to calm her down. " They won't hurt you, unless I tell them to". I said. (Stay calm)
And they removed the gag.
"What's your name, Bella?". I asked her. (Beautiful).
"Aurora. Only daughter of Mr. Thomas Macini". She said, looking at me with no iota of fear.
I love.
I finally walked infront of her. We were just an inch apart. I titled my head and looked at her neck, I used my hand to reach for her chin and I saw her flinch.
Not good with men?.
"Let's get you comfortable, shall we?". I said and turned around to go, giving a hint to my men to make her feel at home.
"Why did my father borrow money from you?." She asked me.
Borrow money?. Is that what she was told?. Funny.
"I wouldn't say money". I said without looking at her. "Your father, you see, used to work for me, he used to help me traffick drugs, in and out of Italy. Until he stole from us".
"What did he steal?". She asked, cautious.
"Quando lo vedi, chiedigli". I said and went upstairs. ( When you see him, ask him).
My men following closely behind.
"Capo. She looks like Sofia". Herberto said, speaking my mind.
"We can't be sure yet. I'll love with meet with Thomas myself". I said, shaking my head. How is she alive?.
"When we went there, it was Thomas and Sofia that she called parents. What other convincing do you need?". Douglas asked me.
"Nessuno ne parle con lei". I said to my men. ( No one speaks of this to her).
"Sure, boss". Herberto, my right hand, said. And with this, they all left my office.
"But why did she call him, Thomas Macini?". Douglas said, bringing everyone in the room to think on his thoughts.
That true. She said, only daughter of Thomas Macini.
"Are you sure it was Thomas you saw?". I asked Douglas, just to be sure.
"Yes. It was him, standing before me in flesh and blood". He repeated.
I massaged my temple. This is confusing.
Why did she know him as Thomas? Did he change his name?.
And if truly she looks like Sofia as my men claim, does that mean, he didn't kill the child?.
But if he didn't, why didn't my father kill him?. Because there is no way he wouldn't have known that he was betrayed.
"Mi duole la testa". Enrique said. ( My head aches).
"Non sei solo". Douglas said and they both left my office.
Soon, everyone left as well.
Father, it seems like I can't get to love anything that has your stink on it.
Just that this time, I feel a drawing to her. A different type of urge to protect her.
I stayed in my office looking at the pictures of Thomas and Sofia that my men took, when we heard that he was still alive.
And there was a knock.
"Avanti". I said. From the knock, I knew it wasn't any of my men. So there is only one person. (Enter).
And there she was, in her shorts and singlet that showed that she wasn't wearing anything underneath.
"Aurora". I said, swallowing every urge to strip her and take her, here and now.
"Zeno. I came to talk with you". She said, her chest heaving up and down.
Probably fear.
"Rilassati". I said and stood up. I walked to her and carried her chin up with my hand. (Relax).
We stared at each other's eyes. None willing to look away. Her innocent eyes, drawing me in.
"Speak". I said again.
"What did my father steal from you?". She asked.
"You are one persistent person". I said to her.
"Well, if you must know, he stole drugs from me". I said and smirked when she looked at me wide eyed.
"That's..". She began, but I wasn't willing to let her finish.
"Not true?. Listen, darling. You don't know your father. And believe me, you are safe not knowing". I said, looking her dead in the eyes.
I saw her relax. And the fear in her eyes turned into an intense gaze.
"Are they safe?". She asked me.
"Well, the shit your father's in. I'm not sure, the word, safe, is something you should throw around". I said, looking at her.
She just breathed out and nodded her head.
"Then, am I safe?". She asked me, looking at me, like she was expecting a 'yes' answer.
"Well. In our world, there is nothing like safe". I said, and I saw the fear return.
"So I'm gonna die?". She asked.
"Well, if you don't ask too much questions and you mind your fucking business, then you'll live like a year or two".
She looked at me, baffled.
"I'm just joking… I'm here. So I'll give you my word, that I'll protect you to the best of my abilities but, you'd have to know when to stop asking questions". I told her.
And she nodded. "Thank you". She said and turned to leave.
"And, Aurora", I called out to her and she turned. " The next time, you come in here, with your breasts seeking for attention, I'll give it my undivided attention". I said and I saw her look down to her singlet.
Her face flushed and she blushed hard, when she saw her nipples begging for freedom through her singlet.
"Right. Goodnight, Zeno". She said and left.
She looks beautiful when she blushes. I'll make sure to keep that permanent.
But she was too innocent for this world. My world.
And the fact that I am beginning to put the puzzle together, I'm sure my father is doing the same.