Under his protection

Chapter 17

Aria

It’s been almost a week since I moved to the main house and honestly, things have gotten so much better.

Other than her usual look of disgust, Alice no longer bothers me. In fact, I’ve begun to think she’s going out of her way to avoid me, but I don’t really care.

Also, I’ve been sneaking in to use the main library since the last time Dante asked me to meet him there. To my surprise, no one else uses it. Apparently, the old Don loved to read, and that would explain his extensive collection of books.

Sometimes, I find myself spending hours in there trying to get away from my reality.

Since the night Dante told me I was basically a prisoner here, I have done my best to avoid crossing paths with him, and so far it has worked.

Even though I know the only reason why I’m being successful is because he let it happen. Which means he doesn’t want to see me too, and honestly, that hurts.

I sat outside with Gemma, taking a break from working all day. The capos’ dinner was happening that evening, and it’s been so busy. Our help will be needed to actually serve during the dinner, so it’s better we take a rest now before the guests start to arrive.

“I’m glad you started working here,” Gemma started. “Honestly, you’ve made this place less tense.”

“Well, I’m happy I’m here too,” I replied honestly.

“Speaking of,” she smiled mischievously, “my friend Sofia should be coming around this evening. She would love to meet you.”

“I’m sure I’d love to meet her too.”

“How long have you two been friends?”

“Hmm,” she paused. “A long time. We grew up together.”

“That’s nice. I didn’t really have many friends growing up,” I said quietly.

“Well, now you do,” Gemma said with a smile.

Something caught her eye behind me, and she got up quickly.

“Mr. Bianchi, wha—what are you doing here?” she stuttered before nudging me to stand.

“Hello, Gemma,” the intruder replied with an easy smile. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with Aria alone.”

Wait, how does he know my name?

I could see disappointment settle across Gemma’s features, but she quickly hid it.

Hmm, there’s something there.

She bowed her head and walked away, leaving me alone with a man I didn’t know.

“Hello, Aria,” his voice was smooth. “We haven’t been officially introduced. I’m Franco Bianchi,” he said, extending his hand.

“How do you know my name?”

“There’s not much I don’t know,” he said with a smirk.

Silence.

“Is there a reason you asked to see me?” I eventually asked.

“Yes. I would love for us to be friends.”

“I have enough friends, Mr. Bianchi.”

“Please, call me Franco,” he smiled. “And one can never have enough friends.”

Pulling something out from his pocket,

A card.

“If you need anything, I mean anything, call me.”

I took the card from him and nodded. Something about him was trustworthy, but appearances can be deceiving.

I waited in the garden for some time after he left before joining Gemma and the others. Guests had started to arrive, and it was almost time for dinner.

I stood in the corner of the large ballroom, just watching. My eyes found Dante. He looked breathtaking in his suit. He looked amazing all the time, but something about today was different.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t seen him in a while.

As if on cue, his eyes found mine, and I shifted quickly, turning away from him.

By the time I found him again, he was in a deep conversation with a very gorgeous lady.

Jealousy tightened my chest.

“You don’t have to worry about her,” Adriano said, coming up behind me, causing me to almost jump out of my skin.

“Oh my God, you scared me,” I replied, placing a hand over my chest. He laughed.

“Sorry about that.” He didn’t seem sorry at all. “It’s not my fault you were staring,” he nudged his head in Dante’s direction, where he still stood talking animatedly with the lady.

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Sure,” he replied sarcastically.

“Do you want to know who she is?” Adriano asked with a smile.

I didn’t reply, not wanting to show my curiosity.

“That’s Sofia, my sister.”

I turned to him, shocked.

“You have a sister?”

Adriano laughed.

“I have two,” he replied, looking in their direction. “Anyway, I asked him to speak with her. Besides, he sees her like a baby sister, so you don’t have to worry.”

“I wasn’t worried.”

“Sure,” he replied before walking in their direction.

I spotted Gemma and quickly went to meet her.

“You didn’t tell me Sofia was Adriano’s sister.”

She looked at me suspiciously.

“I didn’t know you knew Adriano like that.”

I realized my mistake.

“Yeah, he was nice to me when I arrived here.”

“Okay then, come on,” she said after a beat. “Dinner is about to be served.”

Dinner was filled with loud voices of drunken men having mindless chatter. The ladies sat quietly, not speaking unless spoken to. Typical.

Gemma had tried to explain who everyone was, but I couldn’t remember who was who. She pointed out the captains, which included Adriano and Franco, explaining they each have specific territories and duties. The Capos were supposed to be ten, but Matteo, Dante’s brother, was not present.

After the main meal ended, I began to clear the dishes so dessert could be served.

As I moved, I felt eyes on me.

Unwanted.

One of the captains had been staring at me hard throughout the night. His eyes were filled with lust, but I ignored and avoided him.

Now the alcohol had lowered his inhibitions, and he seemed bolder. One of the other staff tried to lift his used dish, but he asked her to leave before gesturing for me to come.

I instinctively looked towards Dante, but his eyes were already on me.

Watching.

Not wanting to cause a scene, I walked towards the captain, standing beside him.

Again, he gestured for me to lean closer. He reeked of alcohol, but not really having a choice, I leaned closer.

“You look beautiful.”

That’s when I felt it. His hands had moved underneath my skirt, and he touched me.

I jumped back, startled, and dropped the plate.

Silence.

I felt humiliated. I wanted to reach out and strangle him, but I just stood there in shock while he had a stupid smirk on his face.

Everyone stared.

And then, before I could bring myself to leave,

There was a loud sound, and the captain dropped dead with a bullet hole right between his eyes.