Under his protection

Chapter 11

Aria

“You want me to what?!!!!!” I sounded borderline hysterical, but I didn’t care at this point. This morning I felt bad about bringing up the stuff about his wife, especially since I don’t know what’s going on between them, but now I just want to throw something at him.

Adriano was the one who replied this time.

“It will just be for a short period, at least till we find out who wants you dead.”

This is ridiculous. We were still at the kitchen island after having breakfast, one which I almost ruined but Adriano salvaged. Dante was leaning against the wall, relaxed like he hadn’t just said something utterly insane. Adriano sat on one of the stools. He wasn’t his usual playful self, so I knew on some level they were serious.

“We aren’t even sure the attack was for me.” At this point I was reaching, but it’s better than going through with this ridiculous idea.

“We found a tracker on your phone.”

I froze.

“A tracker… wait, why would there be a tracker on my phone?”

“We don’t know yet, but that’s what we need to find out,” Adriano said.
“You have to understand, those men were well trained assassins. Our best bet is to keep you hidden until we find out what’s really going on.”

For some reason, Dante was completely quiet.

I can’t believe this. My life has turned completely upside down and I don’t even know why.

“Okay, so your brilliant idea is to have me working as a live-in maid to the Don?”

Adriano looked at Dante, like he was asking for help.

“Why can’t I just stay here?” I continued, looking between them. “I mean, I won’t go anywhere, I promise.” This time I was almost begging.

Dante scoffed. Really??

“Safe houses aren’t built for long stays, Aria,” Adriano offered. “Men coming and going will eventually draw attention to this place, and we can’t risk it. Our best bet is to hide you in plain sight, and you’d be untouchable in the Don’s house.”

I scoffed at this and rolled my eyes.

“This is crazy. I can’t even boil water without hurting myself and you want me to play maid?” I mean, it’s clear considering how I made a fool of myself in the kitchen this morning.

“Yh, we’ll definitely keep you out of the kitchen” Adriano almost laughed causing me to roll my eyes but he turned serious again and continued

“It really is to keep up appearances. Greta, the head housekeeper, is already aware of the situation, so you won’t exactly be doing a lot of heavy lifting,” he said it like it made the situation better. I rolled my eyes.

Everything Adriano said made sense, and I might be in more danger than I thought. If they really found a tracker on my phone, who knows how long these men have been following me. Also, there’s the fact that they might somehow be involved in my parents’ death.

I want so badly to figure out what happened to them, but is all this really worth it?

This life.

This world…

I realized they were waiting for my answer.

“No.”

“Excuse me?” Dante finally spoke.

Adriano let out a breath and leaned back into his seat.

“You heard me. No,” I replied, louder this time.

“Take me back. I’ll take my chances.” I had a perfectly good life before I was taken, so I will be fine.

“You think you have chances?” Dante’s voice was low, almost threatening.

“A bunch of dangerous men are after you and you think you have chances…” he continued.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve involved the police—”

“The police??” He chuckled. It wasn’t his usual laugh. This sounded

Deeper.

Dangerous.

“You can’t be that naive, Aria.” I felt offended and stupid, because he was right. The police wouldn’t do much. Besides, what proof do I have?

I don’t know what he saw in my face because he spoke more softly this time, taking a step closer.

“Listen, Aria, if these men get their hands on you, they will hurt you. This is not a game. Let me protect you.”

“What is it to you?” resignation already filled my voice.

“What?” he asked. We were closer already.

“Why do you care?” I replied.

Silence.

“Why do you care what happens to me?” This look in his eyes showed he was holding back, like he had so much to say.

He turned to Adriano, both of them exchanging a look before he replied, his voice firm

“Because you are mine to protect now and nothing touches what’s mine.”

It was a lie. They were keeping something from me. But in that moment, and that moment only, I believed him.

The tension between us was palpable, but I had come to a conclusion that this was my only option. There was still something I needed to clarify.

So I turned around, facing away from both Dante and Adriano.

“Would I be required to serve your wife as well?” I needed to know the full story. Was she aware of the situation? Would I be acting with her as well?

There was a long pause before Dante finally replied.

“Lucia is not around at the moment.” Great, now I knew her name.

“Why? Where is she?” I turned around.

Dante looked visibly uncomfortable, his jaw tightening

Silence

I almost thought he wasn’t going to reply but then he did

“I don’t know.”

I waited for more, but it never came. I even looked at Adriano, but his face gave nothing away.

“I don’t—”

“You don’t need to worry about that right now,” Dante cut me off.

“You are to assume no one other than Greta and the five of us know about this arrangement,” he continued, referring to Victor and Carlos as well.

“Fine,” I huffed.

“But on one condition.”

Dante looked at Adriano, who simply shrugged. They were probably thinking I was going to ask for something ridiculous.

What I wanted was well within their mafia capabilities.

Dante let out a breath before asking,

“And what’s that?”

“I want a phone, and you will get me any book I want. Hard copy, I mean.”

He smiled, very brightly I might add.

“Is that all, princess?” That name again. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or hated it.

“I mean it. Even the limited edition ones.”

“I’m sure I’d be able to get them,” he replied, like I was being ridiculous, but I knew how hard some books were to find.

It doesn’t matter anyway, I’ll take it.

“Great! We have a deal.”