I shiver in my place as I feel the lingering touch of his eyes on me. Finally, up to the bar, I order a glass of wine. Taking a sip as soon as it is handed to me, I shake off the strange encounter and turn to begin the dreaded mingling.
Spinning on my heels, I almost bump into another man. It only takes me a moment to realize it is Rafael standing behind me. A smirk pulls at the corner of his lips upon inspecting me. His eyes settle on the glass of wine in my hands before he shakes his head. "Gianna." He greets me. "You know when you are my wife, you will need to cut back on the alcohol. It makes women fat, and to ensure you stay as pristine as me, you will have to follow a strict diet. I picked you because you are the closest thing comparable to my looks. I can’t have a fat wife distracting people from me."
I force a cringing smile out. "Oh, how kind of you. Thank you for the compliment."
"It was more of an assessment than a compliment, but you get my point."
My smile drops at his words. I cannot stand this man, to hell with good sex. "Well, it's been lovely, but my father needed to see me. I should be on my way." I tilt my head in goodbye as I brush past him. Not wanting to hear how much of a pleasure it was for me to have seen him tonight. I roll my eyes as I walk away.
It's not long after until Amo finds me, asking me to dance with him. I'm already dreading it before I even walk out to the floor with him. Taking my hand and my waist with the barest of touches, I have to keep looking down to make sure it's still on me. He lightly moves me to the music, shifting us back and forth in the most boring steps I can imagine. "So how have you been, Amo?" I try desperately to convey small talk.
"It's good." He says, dead-ending my attempt at a conversation.
"Have you done anything exciting lately?" I ask though I already know he hasn't.
"No." He replies in a short answer. I huff out, exasperated that these two are my marriage proposals. We finish off the rest of the dance in silence. Once it's over, I tilt my head thanking him for the dance before walking away. Not giving him a chance to stop me, even though I can tell he wishes to keep my company.
Wandering around the crowd, I am beyond bored. Trying my best to mingle as I am expected to while avoiding Rafael, Amo, and most of all, Mario, who keeps trying to pin me down every time he sees me. Needing a moment to myself, I break away from the crowd. As I slip down an empty hallway, turning the corner, I breathe out a sigh of relief at finally being alone. I lean up against the wall, closing my eyes as I draw in a relaxing breath.
My mind travels to Liliana as I wonder what she is doing. I need to talk to her about the marriage situation; finally, I should have before, and maybe she could have helped me decide. I sigh to myself. I just hate that I got a choice in the matter when she got none. Ultimately, I know she won't care. She never has. Never was jealous or resentful of my life compared to hers. She will probably be upset that I waited so long to tell her though.
“Is there a reason you strayed away from the crowd all by yourself?” An unsettling voice carries ominously to me. Goosebumps rise across my flesh at some instinctive feeling I get to flee. Opening my eyes, I find the man from earlier who was staring at me by the bar. His presence fills the empty hallway.
Despite my rising panic, I draw up some of my courage, not wanting him to see he intimidates me. “Yeah, actually, I came here to do just that, be by myself.” I enunciate the word, letting him know he isn’t welcome with me.
“Hmm, well, that's a shame. A woman that looks like you should know better than to wander off by herself with a room full of malicious men watching her. You never know if one might have dishonorable intentions.” Something crawls under my skin, and my stomach settles in unease at his words. I straighten up, trying to push away the sinister feeling he gives off.
“I’m sorry, but is there something you want, or can you just leave me alone? I clearly didn’t want company.” He narrows his eyes at my impolite words as he stalks towards me. Unthinking, I take a step back, which his sharp eyes don’t miss. My retreat causes a mischievous smile to appear on his face.
“Gianna, is that any way to treat the main guest of the party?”
Enzo… His name crawls its way into my head. I suddenly am very aware of who this man is, of what he does. I have heard of his reputation, how he beats and rapes women, I have heard of the long list of women who have claimed accusations against him. And why does he know my name?
My body stands unmoving as I watch him with wary eyes. Knowing if he tries to make a move, all I have to do is scream loud enough for anyone just down the hall to hear. He wouldn’t get away with it, not here. If any of our men caught him, he would be killed on the spot, with no hesitation, and no redemption. There are only two rules in the mafia. You don’t betray it, and you don’t mess with women and children. They are to remain untouched and pure. It’s a known rule among all, though that doesn’t mean everyone follows.
Enzo must be good at sneaking around. He hasn’t been caught yet. Despite all the women coming out and accusing him, he hasn’t been punished either. Realizing he isn’t stupid both gives me courage and terrifies me at the same time. He knows just what to do to get away with it each time, but that also means he wouldn’t dare try something here. Shuffling to close in front of me, he tilts his head, gazing down at my body with a voracious look. Reaching out, he grasps hold of my wrist, jerking me to him. I fall forward at the strength of which he pulls me to him, landing against his body. I scowl up as my body smolders with resentment.
Jerking my hand out of his grasp, I steal my gaze on him. “Get your hands off me, and don’t ever touch me again.” I bite out.
An amused look crosses over his expression. “That's what they all say at first, but I can assure you, you would love every minute of it. I’m sure in time, you would come begging me for my affection.”
I mockingly laugh at him, amazed that this man actually thinks women enjoy what he does to them, and just like that, my filter falls. “You are a disgusting piece of shit who has a brain malfunction where you think women want you when they don’t. In reality, you are just a cowardly rapist who gets off on women's pain. I have heard all about you, Enzo, and I don’t doubt any of the stories. I can see exactly what kind of man you are, and for that, you will never lay a fucking hand on me. So I suggest you get the hell out of my way before I scream. Causing my father along with Dante and all of the other men in our ranks to come running to my aid.” Straightening my shoulders at my blatant outburst, I move to push past him.
He reaches out, grabbing hold of my wrist, stopping me. I whip my head around to look at him, still fueled by my anger. The look I see in his eyes doused the fire that was raging inside, causing my blood to run cold in my veins. There is a determination in them, promising vengeance at my words. "You will regret every word you just said to me, you little bitch. You will pay for every one of those insults that you just used to disrespect me." I feel specs of spit land upon my cheek as he forces out his words before clenching his jaw. His hold on my wrist is uncomfortably tight as I debate whether to call out for help or not.
Finally, out of nowhere, he releases me, and I jump away from him. Not wasting time, I hurry back down the hallway as I hear his voice calling out to me, unnervingly calm. "It was a pleasure, Gianna. I will be seeing you again very soon. I'm certain of it." There is a cruel edge to his voice, and I don't miss the ominous threat that lingers at his words. My heart is pounding as I burst from the hallway. Now wanting to be surrounded once again by the many bodies that I had before wished to escape.
The rest of the night is spent mindlessly mingling with people as I continually search around for Enzo. Staying close by others, I make sure I don't stray from sight. It's not until later when I leave surrounded by my guards, that the worry that curled up like a snake in my belly begins to slither away. It grows fainter and fainter the more distance I put between Enzo and me. Though, I can't help but still feel on edge over his words and the calmness with which he said them.
*
**
The following morning I am awoken to an early call from my father. Groaning as I roll over, sticking my face into my pillow at realizing he probably wants my answer on who I decided to marry. Blindly reaching over, I grab my phone, accepting the call as I bring it to my ear. I answer with a muffled hello.
"Gianna, I need you to get dressed and come over right now. We need to talk about something." I pick up on the apprehension and anger in his voice, pulling my head from the pillow.
"Is everything okay, father?"
There is a brief pause before he responds like he isn't sure what all to tell me. He releases a defeated sigh before speaking. "Just get ready and come over. Wear something nice. We have important guests too." At that, he hangs up the phone, knowing I would have assaulted him with questions over what is going on if he hadn't. Dragging myself out of bed, I rush to get ready, knowing better than to dally when my father told me to hurry.
Upon arriving, I immediately head inside. I notice the few cars outside indicating the guests my father mentioned over the phone. As I make my way to his office, I hear Dante's booming voice echoing through the open doorway. I freeze, unsure if I should just walk in on them, knowing it would be inappropriate and considered disrespectful. About to turn and wait in the kitchen for them to finish, my father calls out. "Gianna, is that you? Come inside, please."
Why would he need me in there with Dante? Shuffling my feet forward, I enter the office. My father is sitting at his desk with Dante standing off to his right. However, another man occupies the seat in front of his desk, with his back to me.
"Father, Dante." I nod in acknowledgment to them both.
As my father begins to speak, I can see the man's muscles move under his jacket as he shifts to stand. "Gianna, this is Enzo Vastili. He came with a proposal for your hand in marriage. He wishes to strengthen the ties of our alliance between our Families." My eyes widen as my mouth drops open. I can feel myself begin to tremble at my father's words.
No. My mind tries to deny what I just heard. He can't. He wouldn't. He knows what this man is. He promised me a choice. I stand there silent as I gawk at the three of them. Unable to find my words. A sinister and triumphant smile pulls on Enzo's face as he watches me with calculating eyes- absorbing my reaction at gaining the upper hand from last night. So this is his retribution. Why take it so far? Marriage? Why me, I can't be the only one to have told him off before.
"Gianna?" My father gently asks, knowing I'm about to explode. I begin to shake my head as I take a step back.
"You can't," I tell them while knowing they very well can. My father looks down, not meeting my eyes, not wanting to watch me fall apart. Dante speaks up from his place.
"Enzo, do you mind stepping out for a moment so we may talk to Gianna in private." He calmly asks Enzo as if they are casual friends. Nodding, he steps out the door, quietly closing it behind him. At hearing the click of the door, I practically leap forward. I place my hands over my father's folded ones as I lean down, so I am eye level with him.
"Father, you can't do this. Please decline, you can't give me to him. Have you not heard of the things he does? How he rapes and beats women? Have you not heard of his reputation?"
"I have." His answer is short and distant.
"And you will still give me to him?!" My voice rises as my panic increases.
"Gianna, we don't have a choice." Dante steps in, speaking up again.
I turn to look at him. "What do you mean you don’t have a choice?"
I see the tension in his face as he grinds his jaw. "He threatened to withdraw the alliance, to start a war with us if we didn't allow him your hand. He was very insistent on you, and we don't have the resources to anger the Outfit right now. I'm sorry, Gianna. I would never do this to you if we had a choice."
"But you do, you can tell him to kiss your ass. Your Dante, the Capo of the Cosa Nostra, since when do you cower and give in to others demands!"
"GIANNA!" My father roars out, silencing me from continuing to speak to Dante that way. Tears well in my eyes as my vision begins to blur.
“I won’t do it. I won’t marry him.” I say as my head shakes from side to side.
“Gianna, damn it! You will do what I say, I have been more than kind these past years, but I need you to do something for me now. I need you to accept this. It will only be harder for you if you don’t.”
I stand up, backing away from my father, feeling as if I don’t know the man in front of me. “I can’t.” My father slams his fist down upon the desk, shaking it in his rage.
“You will, even if I have to drag your ass down that aisle, you will marry him.” He fixes me with a harsh glare as my fate is now decided for me. My heart sinks in my chest.
“I won’t. I’ll leave and run away. I won’t do this.” My father stands, grabbing hold of my wrist as he shakes me.
“You will!” He roars out at me.
“You are all a bunch of cowards. You are nothing better than Liliana’s father.” Rage flashing in my father's eyes as he reaches out, striking me across the face at my insult. I stumble back, stunned as I look at my father with wide eyes.
“You had better watch your fucking mouth, Gianna. I better not hear another fucking word come out of your mouth.” A cold reminded me that he is a part of the mafia before he is my father. When I remain there silent, he turns, nodding at one of his men standing by the door. “Go get Enzo and bring him back in.”
“Yes, sir.” He walks out of the room before shortly coming back with an eager looking Enzo in tow.
“Enzo, we have all accepted your proposal. Please sit, and we can discuss the details of our arrangement.” He gestures for Enzo to have another seat. “Gianna, you may leave now. I will call upon you when I have everything arranged.” My father coldly dismisses me from their presence. Turning, trying my best not to flee in my haste to get out of the room, I hear Enzo clearing his throat.
“I was hoping I may be allowed a moment alone with my new fiancee.” Possessive darkness washes over his face as my own falls. My pulse begins to race as panic grabs hold of my throat, threatening to squeeze it, cutting off my air. I don’t want to be left alone with him, terrified of what he may do once the doors are closed, leaving him free to do as he wants.
“I am sorry Enzo, but until you are married, there will not be any alone meetings. You may speak with her but only with myself or her guards present. She still belongs to me and will be under my protection until otherwise.” My father's stern voice commands his authority. I let out the breath I was holding as he came to my rescue. A scowl appears on Enzo’s face at my father's words and having denied him his chance to gloat.
“Yes, of course, we will talk another time then.” I see his jaw clench as he rolls his shoulders, clearly unhappy. He turns back to my father, allowing me to slip out of the room without needing another dismissal. Making my way outside, I burst from the front door into the salty humid air. Gasping for air as I felt myself begin to suffocate in the room just now. I don’t speak as I am driven home, feeling numb to what awaits me.
5
GIANNA
The next day my father calls to inform me that Enzo will be leaving town, going back to Chicago. With his father on his deathbed, he has a lot to take care of before inheriting the title of Capo. I am relieved at hearing the news, though I know my relief will be short-lived. At some point he will come back to claim me. I am grateful when the conversation is short, feeling strangled and awkward between us after what happened.
While Enzo is gone, I do everything I can to put a stop to this arrangement. Each conversation I have with my father ends in a screaming battle of wills, though he refrains from hitting me again. I refuse to sit back and accept my fate. I won’t. I would rather perish than be forced to the psychopathic horrors I will have to endure if given to Enzo.
At my unacceptance, my father has become wary of me. Taking extra precautions as he knows I am unpredictable, like a wild animal backed into a corner, he worrie
s what I may do out of desperation. He has increased my guard details, ensuring I don’t run away. He threatened to take away my apartment, forcing me to move back into his home if I didn’t give up on fighting him. It has gotten so bad I have begun trying to avoid my father altogether, as much as I can.
I hold off on telling Liliana about my news as I haven’t entirely given up, hoping I will find a way out of this. I don’t want to stress her out with her own wedding looming and struggling to get used to her new life in New York. She doesn’t need to add my stress on top of it all. I busied myself the next few weeks trying to develop a master plan to figure out a way to get to Liliana’s wedding. I need to take my mind off of Enzo and e this may be the last time I get to see her.
I spend most days moping around, unsure what to do with myself as depression starts to take control of me. Unsure how I will manage to get to New York, the days begin to tick down until I only have two weeks left to get something figured out. I’m half contemplating running away and boarding a plane and be damned with the consequences until I am startled by a call from an unknown number.
Upon answering the phone, a smooth, rich voice greets me on the other end. “Miss me yet, darlin’?”
“Daveon?” I pull the phone from my ear, looking at the screen. “How did you get my number, and what do you want?” Curiosity etched in my voice.
“I am quite resourceful when I need to be. I’m calling to figure out a way to get you to New York for Liliana’s wedding. I was going to have Antonio try to pull some strings, but it seems he has up and disappeared now.”
Hope fills my chest where it had begun to hollow. "Eeekkkk!" I screech out in my excitement. “So, what's the plan?”
"Damn, woman. Don't ruin my eardrums." He huffs out, though I blow him off unconcerned.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked again.
A Burning Flame Page 3