Soulless Devil:Mafia Sons of Adriano "The Don".

Adriano's voice was low and menacing, like a storm poised to burst through one thing clearly. "You will regret ever entering my world if you lie to me once more." As I gazed into those sharp blue eyes, cool and calculated but masking something deeper, my heart hammered. Though I denied to show it, fear crept up my spine. Trying to ignore the opulent but stifling magnificence of the space we stood in—his office, more precisely his lair—I straightened my shoulders. "I didn't lie," I responded, my voice firm. "I told you what I knew about Lucia. You are the only one able to help her; she is in jeopardy. Adriano slanted back on his mahogany desk, his eyes never leaving me. Depending on his mood, he seemed like a demon chiseled out of marble—sharp jawline, disheveled dark hair, and a deadly smile that would either harm or rescue you. "And why," he said, his Italian accent rendering every word seem like a challenge, "should I care about your sister?" She was the one entangled with Salvatore Ricci. Isabella, I do not tidy messes made by other people. His use of my name seemed smack, personal but patronizing. My hands came together in fists. Now I couldn't afford to lose control. "Because Salvatore is using her to get to you," I fired back, standing in front. You'll regret it if you ignore me. My sister is merely a pawn in his scheme; he is orchestrating a significant event. Adriano's smile vanished, and I could not decipher what was there. He leaned his head and examined me as though I were some problem he couldn't quite solve. His tone was softer but no less menacing, "You're either brave or stupid to walk in here and demand my help," he added. "Most people that cross me do not walk out alive." "I have no choice," I said, my voice faltering even as I tried to be firm. " Lucia is all I have left. I will do anything necessary to bring her back. Still, it means working for you. His eyes darkened, and for a second I felt as though I might see something flickering—perhaps curiosity. Amusement is Whatever it was, it disappeared as fast as it first showed. He warned, pushing off the desk and narrowing the space between me, "Be careful what you offer, Isabella." His presence was overpowering; his scent—leather and spice—made thinking difficult. There is no going back once you are mine. I drew hard, his words weighing in. "I don't give a damn whether it brings my sister back." He leaned forward, just so near that his breath touched my cheek. Then give this your first exam some thought. I will assist you in locating Lucia; you will owe me a debt, one that only I will specify. Are you set for that? I paused, my intellect shouting yes while my emotions cried at me to say no. The weight of footfall resonated beyond the door before I could reply. Adriano straightened, his keen eyes pointing toward the noise. He said, his voice like steel, "Stay here." He was gone, the door slamming shut behind him, before I could object. I walked the room, my mind racing. What had I just agreed to? Working with Adriano Donato was a death sentence, not only perilous. I couldn't, however, withdraw just now. Not with Lucia's life hanging on a knife. Minutes went by, much as hours. As muffled noises emerged from the other side of the door, my anxiousness bit at me. Pushing my ear to it, I strained to hear. "You're making a mistake, Donato," a deep voice shriveled. The Riccis won't stop until they have wrecked everything you have created. And you believe I fear Salvatore? Adriano's voice sounded cool, nearly bored. "This woman, Isabella, is a liability," the other man shot. You cannot have faith in her. My blood became cold. Was I mentioned in their conversation? Adriano’s laugh was low and terrifying. "Nothing about trust relates to it. For now, she helps me rather well. That sums everything that counts. Tight in the chest, I staggered back from the door. Relevant? Was that all I could provide him—a tool he could toss away when I was not handy? The door opened, and I almost dropped over as Adriano returned, his face incomprehensible. "Change of plans," he murmured, reaching for his coat behind his chair. We're leaving. "Leaving?," Confused, I inquired. "Now," he said, snapping. " Unless you want to be here when Salvatore's men show up." The car trip was stressful, and there was a lot of quiet between us. Adriano sat next to me; his stance was comfortable but his piercing eyes missed nothing. "Where are we heading?"? At last, unable to stand the quiet any more, I inquired. "To a safe house," he shot back sharply. "A secure residence? Why? "Because you have just painted a target on your back," he continued, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Salvatore is aware you visited me. He will come for you; when he does, I must make sure you are alive long enough to be of advantage. "Useful," I said sharply once again. Is that all I am to you? He turned to me, his focus so strong it stopped my breathing. "Don't misinterpret believing this is personal, Isabella for this is not personal. Though I need you, I do not trust you. And perhaps you will develop beyond simply a piece in our game if you survive long enough to gain my trust. Though I pushed myself to meet his look, his words ached. And what about you? Your part in this game is what? A shadow across his face, and he appeared nearly human for a split second. He responded gently, "I'm the one that always wins." The safe home was not at all what I had anticipated—a remote cottage in the forest distant from the turmoil of the city. Adriano's men walked the perimeter, their presence always reminding us of the threat we were under. I was by myself in the poorly lighted living room with Adriano as night fell. Our conflict buzzed like a live wire. His voice gentler than before, he said, "You should get some sleep." I gave my head a shake. "I cannot. Not until Lucia is under protection. He sat down next to me after lengthy periods of study, sighing. You're obstinate, he added, almost lighthearted. "And you're impossible," I fired back, startled by my audacity. He grinned, a genuine smile rather than the icy expression he normally wore. Surprised. It changed his visage so that he appeared almost...kind. He remarked, leaning forward, "Maybe that's why we make a good team." My breath seized as his face hung inches apart from mine. I ought to have reminded myself of who he was and what he was capable of, then turned away. I neglected it, though. Valentine's... Unsure of what I was about to say, I murmured. We both jumped before I could finish at the sound of glass breaking above. Ordering "Stay here," he drew a revolver from his holster. Like hell I would, I responded, pursuing him with an improvised weapon—a lamp. Tension strong enough to choke on, we ascended the steps. My heart stopped when a shadow moved across the hall at its conclusion. "Lucia?," wonders With a shaking voice, I yelled out. My blood froze as the person entered the light. Not Lucia; it was not this. Salvatore. He also was grinning. "Hello, Isabella," Salvatore murmured, his voice full of contempt. "Did you forget me?" Adriano lifting his rifle was the last thing I saw; then everything darkened.