Tangled in the Mafia’s Web

Episode Eleven

Ginevra hesitated for a moment, her mind toiling as she debated whether to defy Leandro's order and walk home. It wasn't like she couldn't handle a few blocks on foot, but she knew that disobeying him now would only make things worse. With a sigh, she got into the car without a word, and Leandro followed suit.

The silence in the car was much more detectable, suffocating Ginevra with its weight as they pulled away from the spot. She kept her gaze fixed ahead, avoiding the imposing figure next to her, but Leandro seemed unfazed by the tension.

The ride to her apartment was short but felt like an eternity, with Leandro engrossed in his tablet, completely focused on whatever was on the screen and Ginevra sitting stiffly in her seat, her mind going down the part of uncertainty. She couldn't shake the feeling that Leandro was angry with her, but she had done nothing wrong– she reminded herself.

In considerable terms, she would still have chosen for him to be angry with her than to have seen her a few seconds ago. That would have been a perfect hell, she thought.

If he would remain the way he was, then all she needed was to do the same and wait till she could get out of the f*****g car and into her apartment.

There was nothing a nice whiskey on the balcony won't help.

As they pulled up to her apartment building, Ginevra breathed a sigh of relief. If anything, she just wanted to get out of the car and away from his oppressive presence. She could feel the tension in the car dissipate slightly as they came to a stop. But her relief was short-lived as Leandro finally looked up from his tablet, his expression inscrutable.

Ginevra's heart skipped a beat as he turned to face her, unsure of what to expect.

But somehow, or in some way his expression seemed to shift quite ghostly, if Ginevra wasn't looking at him directly, she would not have noticed it but she did. A faint shift like he changed his mind or something and just as she thought– he did change his mind.

Whatever he was going to say, had been suspended, just like a case in the court.

Alonzo stepped out of the car and opened the door for Leandro. Ginevra followed suit, stepping out onto the sidewalk and turning to face the mafia boss, probably to hear whatever he was going to say.

She felt a knot form in her stomach as she waited for him to speak, to give some indication of what was going on because now, it was hard to say this whole facade was caused by a mere false alarm.

But Leandro didn't say a word, his expression inscrutable. However, he simply nodded at Alonzo and turned to walk into the building and her eyes immediately darted confusedly at Alonzo, hoping for some sort of explanation, but he simply shrugged and just so, she trailed behind Leandro as he walked toward the lobby of her apartment building.

They reached the elevator, and Leandro hit the button for Ginevra's floor without a word. The ride up was silent, save for the quiet hum of the elevator motor.

When they arrived at Ginevra's floor, Leandro stepped out of the elevator and turned to face her. Ginevra swallowed nervously, unsure of what was going to happen next. If it was anyone else, she would have let loose the fury that was bubbling up inside of her.

Of course, she was angry too not just him. A false alarm can occur at any time... But he seems to be reacting to it differently.

"Lead the way" Leandro finally said, his voice flat and emotionless.

"Thought you do never speak again" The phrase was right there on Ginevra's tongue but for the sake of God and hell, she fought the urge to let them through. She had half a mind to tell him exactly what she thought of his behaviour, but she bit her tongue and muttered a sarcastic "Sure" instead.

As soon as they entered the apartment, Ginevra dropped the shopping bag she was carrying on a side desk, while Leandro made a beeline for the fridge. Even though it was Ginevra's new home, Leandro acted as if he owned the place. Perhaps it was a reminder of who was really in charge.

Ginevra tried not to roll her eyes as she watched him reach for the fridge, his figure leaning just so slightly. She had a feeling he expected her to be at his beck and call, even in her own home. It was her home– wasn't it?

But her irritation turned to satisfaction when Leandro couldn't find the wine he seems to be after. If her mind serves her right, that very vintage wine had already been indulged a few days back, and it felt good to know that she had something over him.

Leandro didn't say a word and instead grabbed a whiskey bottle and a glass. A cheap whiskey he would call it– but that's what Ginevra only thought.

He goes on to pour a little into the glass and sipped just a bit of it and then his gaze was on her. She didn't know what he was thinking, but she could sense that he was evaluating her in some way. After a few minutes of tense silence, he finally spoke.

Although his expressions were unreadable his voice came off not as hash as Ginevra had expected

“You called me here on false pretences, Ginevra," he said, his voice low and controlled. "False alarms can be costly, both in terms of resources and reputation. You need to be sure before you act."

Was that advice?

Ginevra bristled at his words. "I know. I made a mistake. It won't happen again."

Leandro raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of whiskey. "I hope not. We can't afford any missteps. You should know better than to jump to conclusions”

Ginevra nodded silently, chastised by his words. She knew he was right, but it was hard to admit her mistake to him. “It won't” she uttered, but then, that was more a line she told herself.

Leandro nodded slowly, still studying Ginevra's face. "Fair enough," he muttered placing the glass on the counter. Ginevra watched as he pulled off his coat, revealing his three-piece suit that fit him perfectly. The suit was tailored to his body in a way that made Ginevra wonder how many hours were spent perfecting it... Accentuating his broad shoulders and chiselled frame.

If every male was that remarkably gorgeous in such wear, she would have been after them like a bee following its queen— but then, she also wondered why he wasn't leaving already.

Leandro goes on to roll up the sleeves of his shirt, and the veins in his hands appeared prominent, displayed like a map. His skin was a shade darker than hers, with a hint of olive undertones that added to his exotic features. Now she understood why Chiara always said that men with veins were a different breed.

That doesn't mean she hasn't seen a few men with veins, except theirs seemed to look like ones possessed by some evil magic or the person is just too skinny that the veins fit for the doctors.

But this– God! Why does he have to be him—

The sound of the glass hitting the counter brought her back to the present and she almost whimpered. But then goes on to mentally cursed herself for having such thoughts about him. She watched Leandro's every movement as he carried himself with an air of enthusiasm in her apartment, almost arrogant!

The wristwatch must cost a lot, she thought gazing at the leather watch he wore.

Leandro held out a cigarette, interrupting her thoughts. "Want a smoke?" he asked,

Ginevra was surprised by his offer, considering he didn't even offer her a drink. It was as if he was testing her, testing her patient maybe.

Ginevra hesitated before taking the cigarette from him. It wasn't her first time, but it's been quite a time since her last.

"I'm going to head out after this," he said, taking a puff from his own cigarette.

Ginevra watched as the smoke wafted around them, feeling a sense of disquiet settle in her stomach. When had her apartment become a place where someone like Leandro could come and smoke like he owned the place? Though he does own the place– but not entirely. The thought made her uneasy, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

Perhaps, smoking with the mafia boss isn't as bad as she may think. She could even take the time to get some information since he looked relaxed.

She watched him smoke before taking a drag from her own cigarette, something was alluring about his presence, a magnetic quality to his sight that made her heart race and her palms sweat. And just as the thought was about to seep in, she reminded herself that she was an FBI spy, and he was a mafia boss.

And so, Ginevra reached for another glass, pouring herself a generous amount of whiskey and then adding just a little amount into his glass. Puffing a smoke, she took a sip, feeling the warmth of the whiskey spread through her body.

“Not a fan of moderation, huh?" he quipped.

Ginevra smirked, taking another puff of her cigarette. He wasn't the only one who can get comfortable– she can too. “When it comes to whiskey, moderation is overrated," she said, trying to keep her voice light.

Leandro leaned against the counter, his eyes still focused on her. "I didn't know you smoked," he said, sounding surprised.

Ginevra shrugged. "It's not something I do often," she replied, wondering why he would even care. "Why did you offer me one then?"

Leandro took another drag of his cigarette. "Just a guess," he said cryptically, before exhaling the smoke slowly and Ginevra couldn't help but feel like there was more to it than that. She wondered if he knew something she didn't, but decided not to press the matter. Instead, she took another sip of her whiskey.

“You were quick to come when I called," she suddenly said, watching Leandro closely.

He raised an eyebrow, giving her a curious look. "What do you mean?" he asked.

“Well," Ginevra replied, "If my calculations are correct, it would have taken you more minutes to get to me than you did. And that gave the impression that you were near” She said directly.