Chapter 12

Lana's pov

For the second time, I woke up in his bed.

Only this time, I am completely naked.

One leg wrapped around his own, while my left arm were hovered around his toned chest so as my head.

His breathing was steady and calm.

I took my time admiring his jawline above my forehead, his full thin beard failed to hide how sharp it was all the way up till his flat cheeks.

His closed eyes were blessed with thick eyelashes I have always envied guys for.

His thick eyebrows complimented his dark, sculpted features gracefully.

It was uncanny to me how the heat of his body was always so warm, opposite to his cold features and expressions.

I couldn't get enough of it.

Now I started to feel the numbness of both my legs, my sensations are now summed up in only one word..sore !

Blood slowly flowed through my body and a pleasurable ache consumed me, a light gasp broke free from my mouth but I shushed myself afraid that I might wake him up.

I need to shower.

I started to untangle my leg from him, removed my arm as slow as possible while holding my breathe discreetly.

I removed the sheet that half-covered me, descended from bed, quickly rushing on the tip of my feet to the bathroom.

I closed the door behind me, looked at my own reflection, I almost screamed out of I have seen.

I look like a fucking zombie.

My hair was everywhere, my tears left marks on my cheeks, my lips bright pink and double in size, my body was half coated in finger-like red marks due to the rough pressure of his fingers. I smiled.

The way he embraced me was tempting.

The manner of him cuffing me made every part of me willingly submissive.

I hope I don't regret what happened.

I really do.

The eager need of a human beings to trust someone, anything, any dream, or a belief had made them decide to wake up the next day.

Without trust the whole connection of us towards our own selves fall.

Disconnect.

Die.

I opened the water tap, a hot shower would do.

I stepped under it, cleansed every bit of my body, I stayed there for as long as possible with hot water running down my body until I heard two knocks on the door, I closed the tap and wrapped a towel around me, I remained still behind the door and said

- yes ?

- I am going to another room to shower, take your time, I'll be waiting for you downstairs in twenty minutes.

- Oh-okay.

I heard the bedroom door close behind him, I sighed in relief. I am not ready to face him.

Not yet.

I left the room after drying my hair, went to my own room to dress. I knew what I would wear in such a hot day like today. A couple of days ago I was walking in my closet discovered a white little Chanel dress hidden between long summer colorful ones.

It suited me perfectly, an off shoulder woven fabric dress with its cut-out sections from both sides, a partially open back and long, wide sleeves fall freely down my arms till elastic cuffs at my wrists.

I felt dreamy.

I put in some bronzer and a nude lipgloss, along with just a simple necklace with a square white gemstone as a pendant hanging from its gold chain.

I let my hair fall down to its short length after I volumized it with a moose and a hot air brush.

Lastly, I wore kitten white high heel slippers to match the whole angelic look.

I loved it.

I grabbed my bright orange purse from my bed and called coconut to follow me. He barked and wiggled his tail excitedly.

Once I went down the stairs, I saw Freya's little figure in the corner of my eyes in the kitchen, she made croissants for me, I took one with me as she informed me that Lorenzo is waiting for me outside.

I opened the front door, saw him inside the coral orange lambo I once smashed its glass with the golf club, brand new. I couldn't help it but devilishly smile to myself. He has seen the crazy side of me.

No surprises I guess from now on. Unless he does something. Duh.

Once he noticed me, standing beside the car, he got out, for the first time he wore casual today, a basic black T-shirt that made his toned big arms pop even more, white pants that fitted him suitably, and a black Armani shoes. He opened the door for me, I carefully held my dress to my thighs while sitting down the low seat.

He got in beside me, I didn't speak. I didn't intend to. Call what you want. I am not talking first.

- you look beautiful.

-Thank you

- I'm taking you somewhere I am sure you'll love.

- Where ?

- Care for a late breakfast ?

- I wouldn't mind.

-Good.

He gets on my nerves quiete easily. He never answer my questions. Never satisfied me with one good answer.

Nevertheless, I stayed-put this time. I won't ruin the day. I woke up with a clear head anyway. I needed to feel like my life is normal again, I wanted this day to go by in the most natural way possible.

Otherwise, a witch has cursed me.

The silence had built tension throughout the ride, I reached for the radio, to my luck one of my favorite songs was on, it was (Get you- by Daniel Ceaser), the love I have for this song is inexplicable, the flow of music, Daniel's heavenly voice, the outstandingly sexy love lyrics captivates me every.single.time.

I stole a glance at his chiseled face, on arm on the wheel, calm and expressionless as always, I thought he would fight me over the radio, as he prefers silent car rides, but he didn't.

He actually listened to the song.

The road was absolutely beautiful, a coastal road on a large green hill, where the Mediterranean Sea sparkled under the early sun rays, I opened the car window all the way down to allow as much air to freshly enjoy a whiff of wind on my face, to my sudden, Lorenzo opened the lambo's convertible moonroof, I looked at him grateful and focused on the road enjoying the music and the stunning view, we eventually rode in spirals all the way up to the hill, a traditional Italian of what it seemed like a restaurant, but much fancier than any other one I have been into.

A one floor structure, with beige limestone exterior, large windows at the back, vast porche on the sea side, the place was almost empty, Only one or two cars parked at the lot. I saw the valet rush towards my door, opened it as Lorenzo was already out of the car, I stepped out of the car, gave the valet a quick thank you, as he closed the car, took Lorenzo's keys and drove to park it.

I walked slowly beside Lorenzo and the height and size difference was highly noticeable, I felt petite next to him, I felt his aura dominating my own. 

As doors opened for us, he let me in first as I felt his finger tips on the end of my back, those damned butterflies flew down my spine.

The waiter greeted us, Lorenzo in particular. He must know this place, I don't know maybe he owns it. Only for me to discover minutes after we have been seated that it's a VIP restaurant, only specific wealthy families are allowed into.

We were led to the porch, no one else but us was there, we sat opposite to each other on a table placed with the perfect view in all directions.

White roses in a small vase was centralizing the satin-covered square shaped table in a burgundy color matching the velvet lined chairs.

At first, i didn't know what's the point of this outing, he kept starting at me blankly. I avoided it as much as possible even though it felt like my skin is burning under his gaze. Until out of the blue, I heard his rasped voice questioned,

- Seriously ? No questions ?

- What ?

- You're quite this morning, something's bothering you ?

- it doesn't matter

- It does to me

- why does it ?

- Because I-

- yeah ?

- Lana, don't play games with me

- Am I ?

- Lana !

- What ? What do you want me to tell you?

- What's in that pretty little head of yours.

- Nothing

He went silent again, and just as i thought the conversation has ended,

- Ask me

- Ask you what ?

- Any question you wanna know the answer of

I rolled my eyes sarcastically and huffed in disbelief,

- Did you just roll your eyes at me ?

I looked at him challengingly,

- Do it again if you wanna get bent on this table,Lana.

I knew that he wasn't just threatening me, so I turned my face from his, acting unbothered while looking at the horizon. Storms of questions popped in my head as silence spread between us.

The waiter served me a Neapolitan pizza ,while Lorenzo settled for a cup of coffee.

I didn't touch my plate just to ask him the one question repeated in my head over and over,

- You'll answer honestly ?

He smirked,

- Maybe.

- You didn't answer my question the other day, why me ?

- Any question but that one, Lana.

-you said th-

- I said not that one.

- okay then, what did my father do to you to become your enemy.

- He killed my father.

My eyes widened and involuntarily screamed,

- WHAT ?

- lower, Lana

- You're lying !

He held his cup to his lips, gazed at me angrily as I finished the sentence.

-My father would never kill anyone.

-Isn't that almost the same thing you said when you knew that he sold you to the Russian mafia ?

- I-

- It's funny to me how you still defend him

-How could he possibly kill your father.

-An alliance was made.

- what alliance ?

- Between Salazar and Salvatore Paolo, my father's worst enemy, to kill my father for both of their sake.

- what did my father gain from such alliance, I mean, what does he have to do with the Mafia in the first place.

- He wanted to invest money, another way to join the Mafia these days, although it's unacceptable. No matter who you are, if you're an outsider you can't join a family's legacy...unless by marriage.

He paused and looked at me intently.

He resumed,

- My father whoever stood against him, he considered him a good friend, a good friend only.

Due to traditions, a meeting occurred, the three mafia leaders.

- Three ?

- Yes, My father was a Costa Nostra, the most powerful one, the other two were Camorra and Ndrangheta. These are the names of each Mafia group.

- aha, and ?

- And the two of them agreed to my father's decision, your dad's intentions were even vague and unknown to my father to even decide to form any kind of deal with him.

-So, my dad didn't take no for an answer ?

-You can say that.

-He formed an alliance with Paolo, in exchange of your sister.

I almost jumped out of my chair !

This must be a nightmare.

- Are you kidding me ??!

-That's the truth, Lana.

- Aria ?

- Yes, for a 65 year old asshole. 

- My-my dad agreed on that ?

-Unfortunately.

-But,

-My dad was brutally killed with a shot in the head by a snipper while we were driving to a family dinner.

-I-I am sorry.

I couldn't help the tear ms falling heavily down my cheeks, Lorenzo handed me his handkerchief while he assured me that he would stop talking if I want to

But I refused,

-Please, continue.

-I tried saving him, I couldn't. I was helpless.

I appreciated his silence,

-Anyway, Me and Mattia, my cosine, haunted Paolo for weeks until I killed him.

-So, Aria is fooled just as I was ?

- Mattia will bring her in the right time, for her own sake.

-Why would you wanna save us both ?

-I only saved you. It was never planned to discover that your sister is half innocent, you must remember, she agreed to your father's decision to give you to that motherfucker,Luca.

-But she could b-

-No, Lana. Stop giving excuses to those who knew they'd hurt you.

-But there must be something wrong.

-I am responsible for all of this. Keep yourself out of this.

I paused.

-Are you-g-gonna kill my dad,too ?

He narrowed his eyes at me, but turned his head to his right.

That was my que to end the questions.

I need to process all these terrible information.

The shock was too much for me to handle.

I played with my food,unable to eat a thing.

He ordered the waiter to remove the plates, ordered something I couldn't recognize its meaning. Probably a dessert of some kind.

This place gave international vibes, that I am not adapted to. I love Italian food, never grew tired of it.

I sometimes vary between English and French breakfast, some middle-eastern desserts are delicious,too. The Knafeh, for instance, I crave it every once in a while. But nothing beats the Italian Gelato.

-How about you, Lana ?

- what ?

- Don't I get to ask a question in return ?

-Depends

-Depends on what ?

-If i can give you an answer or wether I decide not to.

I smirked, Yes. I play dirty to Mr Lorenzo. 

And there it was, something I have never seen before, I could have sworn it was the most attractive thing that has ever existed, a smile flickered across his lips, lighting up his whole face.

He had a dimple on only his right cheek, it was deep and cute.

Damn, Lorenzo ? cute ?

I couldn't get my eyes off of him, he's multiplied by a hundred more attractive when he smiles.

I wanted him to smile again..He saw the ghost of satisfaction in my look. I knew he wouldn't smile again just to tease me.

-Go ahead, ask me.

-Why did you hate me once you saw me at the party?

- I hated you before I even meet you.

-How unfortunate.

Fucking cold.

-Sure it is for you.

He waited for my answer patiently,

-Because you make and sell weapons

-What's wrong with that?

-Do you think that every deal is clean ? That any gun you're gonna sell to won't kill someone innocent ? A child? A woman ?.I mean, can you even tell a good policeman from a bad one ? Are you hundred percent sure that it would fall into the right hands ?

-What am I a babysitter ? I am not responsible for people's actions.

-But you're responsible for easing the way for them to do awful things, you won't be able to read their minds or know the intentions.

- Exactly, I am not a god, Lana. Nor the devil.

-You actually might be the devil, Lorenzo. A mother who loses her child because of a gun your factory has made won't be able to forgive you.

-No, A mother who loses her child because of a murder who happened to be using a gun I didn't intentionally made for him won't be to forgive him, not me.End of discussion.

-Have it your way, I am not convinced by any of this.

-Well, one day you will.

-Doubtful.

-It's an art.

-Killing ?

-No, taking revenge, is an art.

-Explain.

-You can't just call what you do art, art could be formed in plenty of ways, it depends on te artist.

I had a minute to think of his words, but his fingers were tapping on the table lazily distracting me.

He asked,

-What is the definition of art in your point of view ?

- Art is what helps to escape immobility, the stillness of life.

-But some people would kill to experience the quite,still life you're trying to avoid by art.

-Even those will find their way there by art.

-Then I consider myself one of those people.

-How so ?

-My revenge's plans and actions are based on reasonable causes. I am not a mad man.

-....

-But when a mad man comes near me or my family, he must face my own madness.

-Art is madness.

-Exactly.

We both went quiet as the waiter served a delicious lemon tart, the smell of fresh lemon tickled my nostrils, I happily-danced as I always do when i am about to eat something I know would be exceptional.

A little shake of my shoulders back and forth one at a time, I caught him watching me entertained.

I ignored him. I closed my eyes as I moaned at the first fork I entered my mouth at the delicious strong flavor . Now that's what I can call a food orgasm.

-God, I missed that voice.

I opened my eyes quickly to meet his own looking at me intensely while his right elbow rested on the armchair with his thumb sliding onto his lip, he slid to adjust himself, Am I ? Turning him on ?

I payed no attention afterwards till I was done with the whole dessert.

*RING RING*

His phone rang bluntly, he picked up,

- Talk !

What's up with him and orders ?

-Good, very good

A moment later,

- I will be right there in twenty minutes.

He hang up, stood in a hurry, I obliged

- I have to get you home now.

-Is everything alright ?

-Yeah, I need to go to work.

We rode all the way back in silence, I didn't bother turning on the radio. My head was occupied with tons of thoughts I had to process.

He drove away once he made sure I got inside, but I decided to go to the swans, my favorite spot to think.

I brought coconut with me, Pride & Prejudice novel, and told Freya to tell when Lorenzo comes back.

I had to be alone for now.

I need to think of a way out for Aria from all this mess she's been put into.

I can't stand knowing that my sister is with the devils themselves and stay quiet.