O L I V I A
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I wake up and look up at the tall ceiling above me. I can feel my head already pounding and now I am about to have a massive hangover.
I turn onto my side and pick up the comforter beneath my hands. Alessio is nowhere to be found.
His confession from last night was still very fresh in my mind but I couldn’t remember much after since I apparently passed out from being so drunk.
The thought of Alessio being in the mafia was too much. Even worse was knowing he had been the one to kill Austin. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTcn5P8eX1
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What would happen now? People would be looking for him. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQzZzYnB2z
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His friends...his family.
My stomach started to ache and I knew I was going to puke again. I sprint across the marble floors and throw up in his bathroom. My head resting against the cool of the toilet.
My mind was spiraling with every thought. I didn’t know what to do. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAW52YlfxG
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I was in the house of the Italian mafia. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPNGttEGtB
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Alessio kills people. He’s a monster. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTFQhmZNs6
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I can’t be here.
My throat constricts and I dry heave once more. My head pounds against my skull again and I try to pick myself up from the floor. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajzpZbSkpM
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“I have to get out of here.” I whisper to myself. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgc8ZaWpsS
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I couldn’t just not tell someone. Wouldn’t it be morally wrong for me to do nothing? 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXW7ceaEig
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Murder is still murder.
I walked out from the bathroom and noticed I had been changed into a nightgown. I picked up the satin fabric between my fingers and rubbed it with my thumb. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iBRWKK3c3
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I looked over the nightstand and noticed the clothes Kimberly leant me the night before were there and vomit free. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowOidmD02f
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I slipped out of the little dress and back into them before grabbing my shoes and hurrying out the door. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9MHeEwI0t
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It was so silent. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUaBRaFZhO
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Nobody was rushing down the halls with baskets of laundry. I didn’t see any guards and not a single Romano.
I walked as slowly as I could on the tips of my feet as I walked down the dim lit and narrow hall. I could see the steps coming into view and let fingers glide along the cool of the metal banister.
My heart was beating so loud I swear someone could hear me.
“Please don’t!” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUDtqy7iza
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I froze as soon as I heard the scream. It didn’t sound too far away.
I carefully descended down the stairs and down onto the first level. Still no sign of anyone. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoWanY2kjD
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It was so strange to see such a big house so empty. It felt creepy.
“Please someone help!” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmRwUXaWKT
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My head snaps towards the sound of the voice crying out in pain from the hall to my left. I look back towards the double glass doors. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V4kJFtlDS
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I should go. I should call the police. Why am I not running?
“Help!”
“Fuck!” I whisper under my breath and tiptoe down the hall. The hall seemed to go on forever as I approached the door at the end. I could hear what sounded like metal music coming from behind it almost to mask out the cries.
“Shut the fuck up!” A new voice shouts. I jump at the sound and stop in my tracks.
“Please! Someone!”
"Se non chiudi il cazzo!" (Translation: If you don't shut the fuck up )
The voice didn’t sound like Alessio. Maybe a guard or even Giovanni.
"Listen! I'm sorry.”
I reach the door and lean forward to press my ear against it. The music below has been turned down and I can hear someone else speaking. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg9UlGXWfe
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“Oh, I’ll make sure of it. Don’t you worry.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv7Sm9vVVU
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I could pick his voice out of a hundred people. Alessio was down there.
“My dad will find me you piece of shit!”
“I’m not worried about your dad,” Alessio laughs harshly.
It’s Austin. He’s still alive. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqaIqOQyCi
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Alessio didn’t kill him...yet.
“She’s not fucking worth it, dude! Olivia is just some bitch.”
I push against the door and it groans lowly. I take a step into the darkness and stand as still as I can at the top of the stairs.
There’s a loud clank from what sounds like a pipe hitting something hard. “Don’t fucking say her name ever again.”
“You aren’t going to kill me!” Austin taunts and laughs. “Bunch of fake fucking gangsters. You are no different from the street gangs here in LA.”
There’s a pop from a gun firing and Austin bellows out in pain from the cellar below. I cover my mouth as the sound echoes through the stone walls and stifle my scream.
“Finish it,” Alessio commands and the music starts up again.
My legs don’t move. I am completely stuck to where I stand. I know if I don’t run down there, Austin will be killed within minutes. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7AZyerUfr
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If I do, would Alessio kill me? Maybe Giovanni would?
Get to the police! Get to the police! I shout in my head.
I try to focus on my new mantra as I spin around and grab the old iron door handle. I see a bit of light as the heavy door starts to pull open. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwLZ5L4r4s
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I try to keep my footing on the stair as I fumble around through the door but within seconds I feel something pulling me backwards as the door slams shut again.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Olivia?” Alessio snaps out and pushes me against the wall. His hands like a vice on my waist.
"P-please, stop!” I beg as his hand clamps over my mouth. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe2zi7In3V
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“You need to calm down, Olivia.” He whispers fiercely. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCne9IRmJb
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“I won’t tell anyone! I swear to-”
Alessio lets out a weird laugh that seems to be a mix of frustration and amusement. Before I have time to process what is going on he pulls me forward through the door and tosses me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.
I try to kick against him as he walks swiftly up the stairs and towards his room. It is not worth it though. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinX20zGEGZ
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He is too strong for me to even break an inch of his hold.
“Please! Stop it!” I slam my fists against his back. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYzrFZ9nrm
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He pays me no mind and kicks open his bedroom door with his foot. We enter the bedroom and I feel my body hit the bed as he tosses me onto it.
I start to panic as soon as I land and start looking for something to hit him with. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksB3pnBAkw
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“Olivia,” Alessio starts and raises his hands. “You need to listen to me.”
“Stay back!” I warn him. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6iGDha9cs
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I look down and grab a shoe from the floor. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm9C5oKcKG
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Good ol trusty shoe.
He stares at me with a bit of a smirk on his face and keeps his hands where they are. “Baby, l-”
“Fuck off!” I shout and toss the shoe right at his dumb head. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NXMo56qk9
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Of course, Alessio knocks it away but I make my daring escape to the bathroom and lock it just in time.
"Olivia…” Alessio bangs on the door. “Let me talk to you.”
"You're a murderer! Stay the fuck away."
"Olivia."
I press my back against the door and pull my cell phone out. “I’m going to call the police. You aren’t getting away with this.”
I try to press the 9 but my damn fingers are shaking so bad that the phone scatters across the floor. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15aCwqjmJ2
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“Shit!” I curse and lunge after it.
Before I even have my hand on the phone I hear a horrible cracking sound and look back to see Alessio has actually kicked through the damn wood of the door and broken in.
"No! Stay the fuck away!"
I try to rush past
him but he scoops me up with one arm around my waist and drags me back towards the bed.
He pins me with his weight and I struggle beneath him. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5BanlHdw9
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“Are you going to listen?” Alessio says in a soft tone. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxV1SCG7vW
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I close my eyes shut tight and wait. “Just kill me! I know you have to kill me now like you did with Austin.”
The room grows silent and I brace myself. I know it’s coming.
Yet, it never does. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QsjLcFj7V
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Instead, Alessio starts laughing. I mean really fucking laughing. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgarBzqX4if
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He rolls off of me and starts laughing so hard he clutches his stomach and starts to turn red in his face.
I feel my body stiffen with anger from his reaction and have the urge to hit him.
“It isn’t funny, Alessio! You killed someone!”
He nods and grows silent. His dark eyes stare back at me as he tries to compose himself.
“I would never kill you.”
"You're going to kill Austin though."
He sighs heavily. "We discussed this last night."
“You mean you stayed silent each time I asked you and then admitted to being in the mafia.”
“I know.”
“You expect me to be okay with this? I’m supposed to just forgive you for this?” I snap.
“Of course not,” He groans and tucks his head under his arms. “I just didn’t expect you to come downstairs so early.”
"Well, waking up and realizing you are in the home of a mafia family isn’t very comforting.”
“Olivia,” He starts and rolls over to touch my cheek. “Take a shower, eat breakfast with me, and I will tell you everything. We can go explore the city for a bit together so you don’t have to feel trapped.”
“Why would I want to hear you out?”
He narrows his eyes,” Shower and breakfast. Now.”
I stare after him in silence as he pushes up from the bed and pulls his dirty t-shirt over his head. I try to not let myself stare at his naked, muscular chest for too long as he opens the door.
"Don't even think about trying to figure out a new escape plan. I'll be waiting for you." He says and winks over his shoulder. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6lQa65iE7
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I sit on the bed for several minutes after he is gone. I wanted to try escape plan number two but I didn’t even have a clue of how I would work that one out. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy03w4tof0I
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Alessio and his family have to be monsters. The mafia are bad people. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHHEQYTrpS
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I can’t possibly be considering this, right? 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhHaOSTSOm
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Yet...I knew I was. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdwVIAjGU0
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I wanted to hear his story. Since I first saw him and heard about him, I wanted to know more about the mysterious Alessio Romano. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEXys6uVpe
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I had my chance.
I get up from the bed and head to his oversized bathroom to stand under the heat of the hot water for what feels like forever. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdK8m8LJ2e
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The steam starts to burn me after too long and I grab a towel and wrap it tightly around my body.
I wipe away some condensation from the mirror and stare at my reflection. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTuSnrOVD6
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I look like shit. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR7t5976Do
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My eyes were dark with circles and entirely too big for my face which was so pale I’m sure I could pass as a ghost. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL7HmF49Qc
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How could anyone find this attractive right now?597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOwSixocTI
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I try to focus on brushing my hair out when I realize something feels off.
Something moves behind me. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmg2WnazbB
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“Ahhh!”
Alessio leans against the frame where the door used to be to his bathroom and smiles at me.
"Do you knock?" I sneer out.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjgBcgndyh
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He looks up at the broken door, “What would I knock on?”597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMJCw6nG63
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“Well, you are the one who broke it.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnesZ9nb9VB
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“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He says simply. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Hrx7W4qg
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“You mean you wanted to make sure I didn’t jump out the window or magically escape without you knowing.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6KXBfugdg
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He chuckles, “Right.”
“I need to get dressed.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNsu8Alpnx
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“I know,” He says and puts a basket down on the counter. “I have some stuff for you. Toiletries and other items I know girls like.”
I look up at him and feel my heart squeeze. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
"I wanted to." He shrugs and turns back towards the door. “I’ll see you soon.”
I look back towards the little basket once he disappears and pick up a few items from it. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI2UW2EOqy
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Bottles of my favorite perfume, toothpaste, toothbrush,hair bands, even a few tampons. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7ui2qBaHp
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Surely, he had help from Anna.
I finish up in the restroom and walk out to find a super cute pale yellow sundress with sandals that was laid out on the bed. I try to dress as quick as I can before Alessio decides to get curious again and hurry downstairs.
I find him sitting in the dining room at the obnoxiously long table. Food for miles laid out along the top. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYYx8E5heM
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Pancakes, eggs, bacon, waffles, fruit. My stomach growled immediately at the sight of it. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfatTmSG3lF
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“You look beautiful.” Alessio compliments and pushes his hair back with his sunglasses. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt6TyRKjvR
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He looks amazing. His face was freshly shaven and he had changed into a plain black shirt and jeans. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe3PJWi1H0
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I was so obsessed with his bad boy look. I won’t lie.
“You have good taste.”
“I had some help from Anna,” He admits. “Have a seat.”
I nod and take a seat at the end from him. I wait as a maid hurries up to my side and helps pile my plate full of food before handing me a container of syrup. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytdLEBDfMI
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I pour it all over the top of my pancakes and feel my mouth drool. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0WcDb1R7A
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“So,” Alessio says after I have my mouth full of food. “Would you like to talk?”
"Yes."
“Go ahead.”
I swallow my eggs. “You’re in the mafia.”
"I am."
"Why?"
He sighs and stands up from the table. “Let’s continue in private, shall we?”
I stare down at my plate and take a few more bites. I was already more than stuffed.
The realization that I hadn’t checked on my parents or my friends was starting to settle in. I wanted my phone back. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiQinlWWWG
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I knew they would be freaking out soon.
I look up at the sound of footsteps just as Giovanni enters the room. His massive muscles rippled with every move.
"Olivia." He says and picks up a piece of bacon.
Up so close I realize how deep his scars really are. I wonder what they are all from. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPM72jOarF
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“How are you?” I ask.
"Doing well. It's nice to see you again."
I force a smile. Knowing he had probably killed Austin just a couple of hours ago made me want to puke for the fourth time. "You as well."
Alessio steps back into view and they stare at one another. He shakes his head at Giovanni and looks over at me. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbFOMqNwZ4
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“You ready?”
“Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.
He smiles and puts his hand out. “Let’s see where the day takes us.”
The two of us climb into his car and he starts our drive. The weather is beautiful and really makes the whole situation feel more innocent than it really is. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKadqRTDMF4
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I tried to fight the urge to look at him the whole drive but I kept finding myself looking back in his direction. The curve of his sharp jaw flexed slightly as he inhaled on his cigarette. The hints of his tattoos under the collar of his shirt. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCBChyFJxf
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Everything about him was just so perfect. I didn’t understand it but I guess they did say even the devil was beautiful.
Alessio catches my gaze. “See something you like?”
"When do I get my phone back?"
“I need to make sure we are on the same page first,” He explains and blows out smoke. “I’m sure you can understand that.”
"So you don't trust me then?"
He sighs, “Not yet.”
I nod and look forward through the windshield. I guess I should’ve expected that response.
"Ready to ask your questions?" He asks.
“Yes,” I say confidently. “You told me you are in the mafia. How does that work? Why would you want to be part of something so violent?”
“It wasn’t by choice,” He explains and his tone seems to grow weary. “All of us were born into the family. The Romano family has been around for a very, very long time. All I’ve ever known is this life, Olivia.”597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj394vTGWeN
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“Can you ever leave?”597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpRltGIYSX
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He shakes his head, “No, you don’t leave. You are in it forever especially because if anyone finds out or if you try to break your loyalty to the family it is a death sentence.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix1DN8DPLb
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My body stiffens. “You told me.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdpfivaBQU
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“I know,” He nods. “That is why I need you to hear me out and swear to me that you won’t tell a soul.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUT8fji3Ae
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“If I do?” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8olbHPrpd
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He looks over at me and pushes his sunglasses back from his eyes. “They’ll kill you and then they will kill me.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofJChAwaFf
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My stomach tightens from his words. “Tell me about your family?” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI6YqJvrcv
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“My father is Adolfo, he’s the don, you have met my siblings and cousin, of course. There are a lot of Romano’s, including my uncles, some of them don’t live here in America. We try to keep it pretty spread out.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPd9eEghpr
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“Your mother?”
“She died.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTKxtmZPwY
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I frown and suddenly feel bad for even asking. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.”597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBreOTwSsY8
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“Can I ask what happened?”
"I was only four years old when she was killed. My dad does a lot of traveling for business, as you can understand, well he was not around and there was an ambush. It was chaos and I was taken away before I could be found but my mother was murdered in her room.”
“Oh, Alessio...I’m sorry.”
“It was a family from Russia. They had once had an alliance with the Romano’s before things got tense and greedy between the two of them. My father had shot and killed the second-in-command and they fired back.”
“I can’t even imagine.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBP8MDEFlq
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He shrugs, “Horrible things happen all the time. I’ve grown used to it.”
"So what happens...if your father passes? Will you take over?"
“Yes,” He replies and turns into town. “Giovanni will be my second-in-command and I will take over as don soon.”
I grow silent. Being in the mafia is terrifying but the idea of Alessio having to lead it was a lot to take in. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIax5HA9Tf
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“Olivia?”
“It’s just a lot to take in.” I admit. “Can I ask you about Austin now?”
His hands grip the wheel. “Okay.”
"He's dead?" I ask."Did Giovanni kill him?"
"Giovanni did as he was told."
"I don’t understand how you can get away with this. He was only 18 years old, I understand he was a shitty person but-”
“Olivia,” He interrupts and looks at me. “You need to understand that there was more to him than what he presented at the surface. Austin’s father is a chief in San Diego with the police department. His son has been involved in several assault cases involving women since he was a freshman. He never learned and was constantly bailed out.”
I scoff at him, “There’s no way! I’ve met his parents, how could they afford such large payoffs for him?”
“His dad has connections to some local street gangs. The police ignore them in exchange for a cut of the profit. It’s just a few bad cops involved and he happens to be one of them.”
I open my mouth to say something else but he continues on, “I don’t want to make up your mind about me, Olivia. I just need you to understand that I do what I have to do.”
“I’m trying,” I say quietly. “I just don’t understand how you can just avoid people finding out you did this.”
"We’re the mafia, Olivia. We have our ways.”
"I feel like there’s more to this.”
"Give me time." He mutters and reaches out to hold my hand.
I squeeze it in response and feel my body relax a little, “Okay.”
I decided to change the topic to something else. “Why did you go to Italy?”
"I went with Giovanni."
"For what?"
"Business."
"What kind of b-" he cuts me off quickly.
"What did I say about time,” He reminds me gently. “Let’s take it slow.”
“Let’s go back to before you left for Italy.” 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFrWYPT9fe
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“Sure.”597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCZpPFtX4Z
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“Do you still feel the same way?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
He looks over at me and his expression softens up. “I’m in love with you,Olivia Moore. I’ve never been so sure of something.”
“How are you so sure? This is so...new.”597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz4zjoBj7O
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“I’m a simple person. I’ve never wasted my time with love and everything else in between has just been so trivial.” He explains, “I do know that I have never felt this way about anyone and I need to have you in my life.”
Millions of emotions flood over me and I stare back at him. He seems so genuine. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TlPR55Lbk
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Alessio Romano...loves me?597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5MXv2gSZs
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The car suddenly comes to a stop and I look up at a store front sitting before us.
"What's this?"
"This is Boutique di Anna." 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqtKTGTh1o
597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVbgFD9uIL
Alessio walks around to my side of the car and extends his hand.
"Anna?" I ask him.
"Yeah. It's her store," He grins and looks up at it.
“I like the idea of Anna wearing normal teenager clothes.”
"It keeps her feeling fulfilled and normal." He chuckled and took my hand.
The two of us enter together and start to browse the cute little store. It reminded me a lot of the one he had taken me to before, except it was more modern and not as expensive compared to a 10,000 dollar dress. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2uhrBMyrZ
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“I brought you here for a reason,” Alessio explains. “Come here.”
I walk with him over to the counter where a perky, brunette greets us with a smile and hands us a little black box.
Alessio thanks her and puts it in my hands. “For you.”
I stare up at him for a moment before pulling the lid back. I found a cute gold charm bracelet inside with real diamonds. There’s a palm tree, paint brush, skyscraper, and a gorgeous heart dangling from it. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyPPlc6166
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It was almost like the one Austin gave me but obviously very real and probably expensive.
“What do you think?” He asks by my side.
"It's so beautiful."
“I wanted to make up for breaking the other one, plus this will have good memories attached.”
I look up to his dark eyes and smile. We start to bend towards one another and I feel my heart skip a beat as our lips touch.
"Olivia?"
I freeze mid kiss and pull away from Alessio like he had shocked me. My stomach turns as soon as I hear his voice.
“T-tucker?”
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