Mr. Regnante

by Serena Light

  Rosalie sat in silence on the bed, her knees pulled to her chest as the tears streamed down one by one. She was alone and afraid and didn't know where she was or what happened to land her here. She just wanted to go home, hug her mom and cry into her embrace, she just wanted that familiarity and safety back.

  Wiping the tears with the back of her hand, the sleeves of the sweatshirt dropped down as the white bandage on her arm came into view. The material catching her eye and causing her tears to come to a sudden halt. Pushing back the sleeves, she stared down at the gauze wrapped around her forearm, few blotches of blood seeping through the material.

  With a startled breath, she jumped out of bed, throwing the covers off her before a cry of pain stuck in her throat as her side was burning. Heaving a gasped breath she started to make her way towards the washroom with her aching legs. Letting out a quiet whimper, she pushed open the doors and gasped at what she saw in the mirror before her.

  Flipping on the light switch, she illuminated the en-suite bath before staring at the figure looking back at her from the full-body mirror. Her slim figure was drowned in a dark grey sweatshirt that was much too large and covered her till just a little over the knees. She saw her legs to be bruised and scratched and with a shaky breathe, she pulled the sweatshirt off, groaning in pain as she stretched her arms over her head.

  Tossing the fabric onto the floor, she stared at her body. Lean and slim, but her ribcage was bound by a gauze, dark bruises littering her body as she felt numb all over. Racking her eyes over her body, she gasped at the face that was looking back at her.

  She had a busted lip with a plaster just above her eyebrow. Her cheeks were blue or green with her eye black, the blue of her iris vibrant in comparison to the bruises on her face. Her hair was a mess and her breathing was painful, coming in short rapid gasps as she tried to get the air she so desperately needed.

  Placing a hand on her chest, she collapsed to her knees as she couldn't believe this is how she looked. Her beauty. Gone. Her reality. Torn away from her. Her life. In Ruins.

  And all due to one man.

  That realization seemed to sink in as her face shot up. Pulling the robe off the back of the door, she fastened it around herself before marching back into the room, ignoring the searing pain that shot through her with every step she took. Opening the door, she disregarded the two men stationed outside and she marched down the hall, looking for the stairs.

  "Ma'am?" One of them called out as she disregarded him, looking for the staircase before taking a turn down the hall, effectively being out of eyeshot of the men. "Ma'am! Please get back here!"

  Meeting their calls with a deaf ear she pattered down the stairs, seeing a few men loitering around with one or two maids bustling about. The people's gaze snapped to her before they walked away as she looked around her, feeling so completely lost as she didn't know where she was or where to go to find him. Much less did she know what his name was, or who he was in this house. But given the amount of respect the doctor showed him, he had to be someone important.

  "Where is he?!" She demanded from the people around as they all looked at one another uncertainty. "Tell me!"

  "Madam, you aren't supposed to be out here." One of the men stepped forward as he approached her very calmly. "I would have to request you to go back to your room."

  "I am not leaving until I find him!"

  "Ma'am, that's not possible at the moment."

  "Take me to him! Or I swear to God I will tear down this house looking for him!"

  The guard before her looked like he was holding back a laugh and Rosalie's anger spiked at the smug smile on his face. Raising her hand, she whipped it across his face, the sound reverberating against the walls as he stared at the floor quietly.

  Without warning, the man grabbed a fist full of her hair as a pained scream escaped her as she tried to pry his hands off.

  "Let me go!" She demanded from him as he cackled at her.

  "You think you can get away with slapping me?" He asked her lowly as he continued to invade her personal space, tears welling in Rosalie's eyes as her head pounded, her knees shaking. "Do you know who I am and what I can do to you?"

  "Do you know who I am and what I can do to you?" A bone-chilling voice spoke from behind the man as he tensed and fear clouded his eyes. "Now, release her."

  Slowly, the man loosened his grip on her, Rosalie's weakness having her collapse to the floor. The man stepped back and moved to the side as he bowed his head low to the man before her. Arcangelo stood in a two-piece navy blue suit and a black waistcoat with a cigarette in hand as he was looking at the man before him.

  "Get out of my sight." He spoke with such venom and ferocity lacing his voice that it had everyone wince.

  With a bow of his head, the man backed away before leaving down the hall.

  Taking a drag from his cigarette, Arcangelo turned towards Rosalie who was staring up at him with wide blue eyes, suppressing the urge to tremble in fear before him. Putting out the cigarette, he crouched before her, inspecting her with his eyes as she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze, embarrassment having her cheeks flush as she stared down at the white cotton of the robe.

  "Are you hurt?" He asked calmly, softly flattening the hair the guard had previously grabbed. Wrapping her arms around herself, Rosalie shook her head, a lump forming in her throat.

  "Your bandage is coming undone." He noted as the white gauze was peeking out of the sleeve. "Come, let's fix that. Can you walk?"

  Rosalie felt too weak to stand, her entire being feeling drained of energy as she shook her head. She thought Arcangelo would have one of the men get her upstairs, instead, he slid his arm beneath her knees and shoulders before lifting her into his arms as if though she didn't weigh anything. A surprised squeal escaped her at the suddenness of the lift that she clung to his shirt upon instinct. His shoes clicked against the marble as he walked with her in his arms, peeking around from beneath her eyelashes, she noticed everyone to avert their gaze and look away with bowed heads.

  "I'm not the bad guy here, Rosalie." He told her gently as she flushed. "The sooner you realize that, the better."

  Arcangelo gave the guards one glance as they bowed their heads and walked away.

  Pushing open the door, he gently placed her down on the bed as she shuffled to a comfortable position. Grabbing the seat, he placed it right in front of her as he removed his blazer, settling down before grabbing her arm. Pushing back the bathrobe sleeve he wound the gauze over her arm again, both of them silent as she watched him with confusion.

  "Do you know the people that attacked me?" Rosalie asked as he stopped momentarily.

  "Yes." He nodded.

  "Did you send them to me?" She asked as her tears choked her up again, but this time they flowed down her cheeks as Arcangelo glanced up at her cracking voice, his eyes visibly softening as he swiped his thumb under her eyes to wipe away the droplets.

  "No. I was looking for them and arrived at their hideout when we realized they were targeting you."

  "But why? I don't even know you!"

  "Apparently, someone from the underworld saw you with me during some time and assumed for you to be someone special to me." He scoffed out a laugh at the statement. "And everyone knows that if a person has a weakness then you use it against them. And given that this is a Mafia household, people would do anything."

  "Why would they think I am acquainted with you in any way?"

  "People are stupid that way. Always first to jump the gun." He sighed as he leaned back once he had put the bandage in place and she instantly retreated the arm to her chest.

  Rosalie watched him sit silently as he had his head thrown back and his arms lying limply by his side.

  "When can I leave?" She inquired softly as he slowly lifted his head up to look at the sad expression on her face. "I want to go home."

  "I know." He nodded with a sigh, sitting up. "I know you don't want to be here, but I'm sorry, you can't leave yet."
<
br />   "But why?" Rosalie inquired with a sob, her chest feeling tight. Everything she had bottled up for so long kept surfacing and resurfacing and she hated it when she cried. "Why can't I go home?"

  Arcangelo leaned forward in his seat as he looked at her with the gentlest gaze she had ever seen on him during the limited time she had been with him.

  "Because you are marked."

  "What?"

  "That thing on your arm? They cut an 'X' into your skin. And in my world, it makes you a target. So unless you aren't protected, you will die out there."

  Rosalie stared at him in disbelief, her arm clutched to her chest as the tears started to stream down.

  "B-but why?!" She blubbered hysterically. "I-I didn't do anything! I'm just an average girl trying to become a doctor! I didn't do anything to deserve this! I didn't do anything!"

  "I know." He murmured quietly as he placed his hand on the back of her head before cradling her to his chest, her sobs wracking through her as she bunched his shirt into her fists. "I know this is all hard and new for you, but I promise to protect you. No one will hurt you as long as I'm alive, I owe you at least that much after you saved my life."

  "I say what I mean, and I do what I say." He assured in a low rumbling voice that had her transported back to older times as she buried her face into his chest, her tears staining his clothes. "And when I say I will keep you safe, believe me, not even a single hair on your head will be touched."

  "You have my word."

  Chapter VI: Johnnie Walker

  The cloudy night brought a twilight feel long before the sun was ready to set. The colors of the forest become less bright as if one is viewing them through dark glasses. The breeze has a dampness to it that wasn't there a short while ago; it's cooler and fresher too. Arcangelo didn't have to be somewhere yet, giving him plenty of time to daydream and admire the heavens above, brilliant shafts of light bolting through the ever-changing cloud layer.

  The night-time falls like a film noir curtain, bringing spies from the shadows and the dames that shun the sunlight hours. From his window frame curls cigarette smoke, arcing lazily into the black. This isn't a city of starlight or moonbeams, it is cracking tarmac under storm-cloud and thick air drenched with the promise of rain.

  The wind whistled through the trees during this time of night, the interior of the estate completely silent as most of the inhabitants were sleeping. The only sound that was actually there was that of the clocks ticking. That is until a soft note broke the silence.

  That note, followed by another and another before a symphony was swimming through the air.

  Arcangelo sat on the bench as he played away at the piano, his fingers dancing over the keys as the sound of the music brought a soothing, almost peaceful air, to the Mafia estate. Playing with one hand, he grabbed the glass with the other and finished the contents, placing it down on the surface again as he resumed playing.

  "Want a drink?" Vincent's voice arose behind him.

  "Yeah,"

  "What do you want?"

  "Johnnie Walker Platinum."

  "Platinum coming right up." He murmured under his breath as he grabbed a fresh crystal glass from the decanter table, placing two ice pieces into it before pouring the amber liquid inside.

  Arcangelo stopped playing as he turned around with his back against the grand piano. Grabbing hold of the glass, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees with the glass placed against his forehead.

  "You look tired," Vincent noted as Arcangelo couldn't help but scoff at his words.

  "I'm exhausted,"

  "Then rest," He suggested as he took a sip from his amber liquid.

  "Can't. Too many things to do,"

  "That's what I am here for. Take the burden off you,"

  "Nah, man. You have a family waiting for you every night. I don't want to take you away from them."

  "Hey, if it wasn't for our friendship, I wouldn't have this family." Vincent rebuffed, raising his glass. "The only reason I fell in love with your sister was that I spent so much time around you and she was there all the time, and if it hadn't been for you, I'd be just like you. Alone, drunk, and miserable." He joked light-heartedly as Arcangelo gave him a half-hearted glare.

  "I'm not alone." Arcangelo denied. "And neither am I drunk or miserable. I am very content with my life and it takes a lot more than one drink to get me drunk."

  "Still, man. Don't you think it's time to dip your feet back into that pool?" Vincent inquired in concern as he leaned forward in his seat. "I mean, come on, it's been four years."

  "It's not that simple."

  "It is! Arcangelo, brother. Come on man, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known."

  "That's the thing!" Arcangelo exclaimed. "I should have known! Because of my carelessness, my nephew suffered the price! He shouldn't have to pay for my sins."

  "Arcangelo, it wasn't your job. It was Onof-"

  "-Shut up!" He snapped before Vincent could complete his sentence. "Not another word! Not. One. Word."

  Vincent closed his mouth and raised his hands in surrender, watching his best friend down the contents of his drink in one go.

  They both sat in silence for a moment before Arcangelo rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache forming as he was trying to fit the pieces together in his mind, but something just didn't seem right.

  "How is the girl doing?" Vincent asked in attempts to stir up a conversation. "I heard you left without security detail when you figured out they were targeting her."

  "I couldn't risk being late." Arcangelo shook his head. "Not again."

  His best friend nodded in understanding as another silence lapped between the two. Both of them finished their drinks as Vincent watched Arcangelo remove his blazer, followed by his waistcoat before he rolled up his sleeves, exposing the tattoo on his arm. Running a hand through his hair, he disheveled his tresses before leaning against the wooden surface of the grand piano at his back.

  "You know," Vincent chuckled at a memory as he placed away his glass. "Alyna told me that guys become 'ten thousand times hotter' when they do that."

  "Do what?" Arcangelo inquired with an amused smile.

  "You know, roll up their sleeves." He laughed in response. "Girls find that to be quite the turn-on apparently."

  They both laughed at the statement since they didn't do it to impress girls, they did it to allow more freedom for movement, but apparently, girls like it.

  "Hey, want another drink?" Arcangelo asked as he stood from his place, grabbing his glass from the piano.

  "Who am I to say no to Johnnie Walker?" Vincent smiled as he handed his glass over to him.

  Arcangelo made his way over to the decanter, pouring two glasses of Johnnie Walker scotch with ice before returning back to the sofas. Making his way over to Vincent, he noticed a thoughtful expression on his best friend's face as he took the glass from him.

  "What's on your mind, Vinnie?" He asked as he settled down beside him, taking a gulp of his drink, enjoying the swirl of taste across his tongue as he took out a Cuban cigar and lit it, taking a drag before exhaling into the air above their heads.

  "Don't kill me," Vincent spoke slowly as he also lit a Cuban cigar. "But what do you think about her?"

  "About whom?"

  "Rosalie."

  "What's there to think about her?" Arcangelo shrugged. "She saved my life and I got her in danger because of it and now that's she's in trouble, she's under my protection. It's purely business, Vinnie."

  "No, it would have been business if she had something to offer you in exchange for your protection."

  "She saved my life." Arcangelo scoffed. "If it wasn't for her, I would have been dead. I owe her."

  "But all that aside, what do you think about her?"

  "What are you trying to say?"

  "Like...I heard she is absolutely gorgeous. Is it true?"

  "I don't know, man. I guess she's kinda pretty."

  "Kinda?" Vincent scoffed in disbelief as h
e looked at his best friend disapprovingly. "Are you sure you're not secretly gay? Because if you were, I'd be pretty chill with it. Whatever gets your motor going."

  Arcangelo looked at him with a deadpanned look before taking the cigar out of his mouth.

  "Oh shit, the secrets out, I'm hella gay for you, man," Arcangelo spoke jokingly as he leaned closer to Vincent making kissing faces as his best friend laughed and pushed him away, his face a light pink. Both of them chuckling as they leaned back in their seats, taking a drag from their cigars as the smell and smoke infiltrated the room.

  They smoked in silence as they enjoyed each other's familiar presence, something calm and old between the rushed and dangerous lifestyle they led.

  Arcangelo's mind swam with thoughts as he couldn't let it go, he needed to put the pieces together. It's been three weeks and he still couldn't figure it out..

  Taking the cigar between his fingers he sat up as he rubbed his temples.

  "I don't get it."

  "What?"

  "The Bandits," Arcangelo spoke as if though it were meant to clear everything. "They had the name before they had the face."

  "What?"

  "Look, they found out Rosalie's name before they had an image of how she looked or how she might have been connected to me. Someone must have tipped them off."

  "Are you saying there is a mole in the estate?" Vincent asked to clarify as he also sat up straight, looking at his best friend in confusion.

  "It's not possible." Arcangelo groaned at how it wasn't making any sense.

  "How so?"

  "I can't have a mole in the estate because I never spoke of her, I never took her name. Not to anyone." He stated as he opened his mouth to resume his sentence before a sudden thought struck him, the pieces fitting in. "I...I didn't tell anyone of her name...besides you."

  "W-what?! You can't possibly be-" Vincent stammered in disbelief as he stared at Arcangelo's ice cold eye staring him down, his friend long being replaced by his boss. "You know I wouldn't! You know me! I would never do something against you!"