SECRETS PROMAX

There is no comfort in life

Chapter Two – There is no comfort in life.

Salvatore Conti is a Don, so he knows when he is being tailed, of course, especially by a woman who stands out like a sore thumb. This event was personal and intimate, so the second she walked in, he saw her, and he ordered an investigation. Florence Bennett, a British woman in Italy, tails him.

“Any last words?” He asks, and he sees her stunning brown eyes clouded with tears, and he grits his teeth.

“You can kill me, I have lived a life, but they will kill her, they will kill my sister. I am only doing this for her, so, go ahead, kill me, but please save my sister.” She whimpers and his brows furrow. He knows this is an assassination attempt, obviously, but who sent a weak and fragile British girl to kill him? It is an insult.

Salvatore looks at her, keeping his gun leveled at her. He pulls out his phone and calls Luca.

“Come to the Library with ten men, Mom and Sofia.” He says and ends the call. Luca Ricci is his best friend. He knows Luca will be here as fast as possible, so his gaze goes back to the little assassinator, and he studies. She has dark skin, and it glows under the light. The dress she has on accentuates all parts of her. He looked away. That is the last thing he needs.

The door opens, Luca, Sofia and his Mom walk in.

“The men are stationed at the door. Who is this?” Luca frowns and Florence's heart pounds. Is she about to die? They really should have stayed in London.

“Salvatore, what is going on?” The older woman asks, and Florence sees the similarity between the woman and the Don.

“This is Florence Bennet, she claims she was forced to kill me, said some people are holding her little sister hostage.” Salvatore gestured, stepping back and his sister’s eyes widened.

“Bennet? Florence Bennet, I see.” The older woman frowns, and so does Florence, because they have zero ties to the Italian Mafia.

“Where is your sister being held and give us a run-down of the people with her.” The taller man demands and Florence gulps, but she does as he says.

“We – we live in London, but she got a scholarship to Cambridge. She is seventeen and a genius, so I decided to gift her a vacation. We got to Italy today and the second we got to the hotel room, we were accosted by big, muscular men. They took us to a lair of some sort, and a blonde woman came. She said the only way we could be free was if I killed the Don of Camorra. I had no choice.” She whispers, biting down tears.

The younger woman frowns and asks, “Did you really think you, a British and inexperienced woman, would take down the Don of Italy Mob?”

“No, it was a long shot, but at least I tried, and my sister could be free, or something. Look, I don’t know, okay? It was a stupid plan, but I was out of options. I have taken care of Zara for six years alone, and I won’t stop.” She shrugs, frustrated, and Salvatore looks at her. Luca asks her more questions about where she was being held, and he leaves, with forty men, but she does not know this.

“We should kill you; we really should kill you, Miss Bennet, but I believe we can come to a compromise. We will save your sister from the henchmen, which means you owe us, twice – first, you came here to kill my only son, we should kill you, but we are granting you your life, as a gift, and saving your sister is the second gift. It comes with a price.” His mom says and Salvatore frowns, wondering what she means, because that sounded really shady, and he knows her.

Florence is shocked and wary. “Oh, thank you.” She says, confused, and the younger woman chuckles.

“‘Oh, thank you’ that is all you’ve got?” She mocks, and Flo frowns.

“My sister gets to live, and the bad people get what they deserve. I would do anything to get that. No matter the price.” Flo says, determined, and the older woman nods, pleased.

“So, you will marry my son, and all debts will be cleared. We will begin on a clean slate. I believe we agree.”

Salvatore freezes and looks at his mother in surprise. Getting married to the woman who tried to kill him is the last thing he wants to do, but he knows when his mother decides, nothing changes her mind. He also knows that she always has a reason behind every decision. He exhales, and looks at the woman he has to marry. She is understandably in shock.

“M – m – marry your son?” She stammers and his mom nods.

“Marry him?” She exclaims, with disdain, and Salvatore glares at her.

“Yes, marry him.” His mother affirms.

“For – for how long?” Flo frowns, her heart is pounding violently, and her palms are sweaty, the dress suddenly feels so tight.

“What do you mean for how long?” The younger woman asks, curious.

“Like, for five years, or less? God forbid, ten years?” Flo gasps, she feels a panic attack coming.

“Oh, no. Here, marriage is till death, we hold our vows close to our heart. I was married to my husband until he died. Love will grow, and if it does not, you will tolerate each other. They are perks attacked to getting married to a Conti, you will be comfortable.” She says, and Flo shakes her head, terrified.

“Wh – what if I say No?”

“Then, you are a liar and your sister will die because of your inability to see the bigger picture. Purpose is more burden than glory, and you should not be the person who avoids it because you can’t live with the burden. There is no comfort in life, you just chose your burden.” She states and tears cloud Florence’s eyes, and she nods, knowing her life is over, oblivious to the way it is just beginning.