We laid down on the floor like what the rest of the customers were doing as they covered their heads as well. I continued sobbing as I held onto Stefano’s arms tightly against me. I’ve never been so scared before in my life.

  This was the life I was thrust into. This would be my life the more I was involved with Stefano.

  I had made my decision. I couldn't live this way.

  About ten minutes passed since the attack. Many of the customers and employees began to run and move out of the place. Stefano was on his phone once again. I assumed he was giving orders the way he was raising his voice.

  “We need to go.” He said standing up quickly, pulling me up to my feet. I lazily shook my head, still immobile from fear. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” I cried.

  His eyes narrowed at me. “Come on.”

  “I am not leaving here with you. No, not after that.” I turned tugging my arm back but his grip made my efforts useless.

  Stefano scoffed And began dragging me out of the restaurant. “No! No! Leave me alone!” I said throwing hits at him as he only continued to lead me out. A few of the people who were still left in the restaurant just watched us. Neither tried to save me.

  He slammed the passenger seat in, securing me in his car. He quickly started the car and took off down the road. “Take me home.” I begged, gripping my seatbelt.

  “Your mother is not home.” He said and clenched his jaw. “I don’t care.”

  “I’m taking you to my place for the meantime. I need to make sure you’re-“

  “I’m not going to your house.” I realized what I could get into if I married him.

  “Yes you are.”

  “Raelyn I will personally grab you and put you over my shoulder If I have to.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he violated a number of driving laws.

  Chapter 19

  Raelyn

  I was seated on one of the couches in the living room, my arms crossed and eyes staring straight ahead. I couldn’t think of anything else but what had happened just an hour ago at the restaurant Stefano took me to.

  If only I knew that would be the moment that would put me in this scarred position.

  Stefano had gone upstairs after I declined all types of conversation and offers to drink or eat something since I didn’t finish my food. I didn’t want or need anything from him. Me accepting any offer would just tie another knot on my bounded life.

  However, I was not alone.

  Stefano had mandated Alessio to watch me while I was down here. Well, I hoped Alessio was having fun because I was just going to sit here until Stefano decided to take me back home.

  Alessio sat in a chair around the counters of the kitchen. At the sudden turn of my neck to look at him, he gave me a suspicious look.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not going to bolt towards the door.” I scoffed.

  The nerve of him.

  Alessio smirked at me. “I’m not worried. I’d simply just bring you right back to Stefano.” He answered smug.

  My eyebrow twitched at his cockiness. It seemed as if all made men had this obnoxious high level confidence within them. “I’m not his property.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  He eyed me the same. “You belong to Stefano.” He stated, as if I didn’t know what I was talking about.

  We’ll see about that.

  Alessio gave me a look of suspicion before lowering his eyes back to his phone. As I gave him the dirtiest glare I could muster, I took in his appearance. Just like Stefano, his hair had a side part that fit him. He sat there wearing an expensive three piece suit with a handsome grin on his face and gave off a mysterious vibe.

  Geez, did they ever get tired of wearing suits?

  “Hm.” I turned back around and crossed my arms. Just then I heard descending footsteps. Knowing it was Stefano, I made sure to look anywhere but him.

  I heard quiet chatter between he and Alessio. I tried to listen in to their conversation.

  “She’s been sitting there like that the whole time?” Stefano asked him.

  “Not a word.” Alessio replied. I furrowed my eyebrows. Did he just cover for me?

  “Hm. I’ve just given instructions to deal with the Russians. Take her home, I’m going to meet with the consigliere and Adriano.”

  “Yes sir.” Alessio replied.

  I shifted in my seat uncomfortably before I heard stefano walking down the hallway and out of earshot.

  “Raelyn,” Alessio called my name.

  It bothered me how my name rolled off this made man’s tongue.

  ***

  It’s been about a month or so later since my great date with Stefano and it’s also been a month since I’ve last seen him.

  I stood in the school library nervous as I waited for a certain someone to show up. I haven’t talked to him since my engagement to Stefano and I was anxious to see how our encounter would play out.

  I saw Vincent’s tall frame make its way to the back of the library where I was standing next to a table. I watched him scan the area before beaming when his eyes met mine. I could feel my stomach drop.

  I prayed I wouldn’t regret this.

  “Raelyn,” I heard him say with heavy breaths. I put my phone in my back pocket and gave him a nervous smile. When vincent was just a foot away, he opened his arms wide for a hug and leaned into me with his eyes closed anticipating a kiss.

  My eyes widened and I shook my head, slightly pushing him back with my hand pressed on his chest. He opened his eyes and gave me a heartbreaking look of rejection.

  “No, we talked about this.” I reminded him. I texted him letting him know what this was going to be about.

  “I’m sorry baby, I just can’t control myself around you.” He said and bit his lip, taking another daring step towards me.

  “Vincent…” I warned.

  “Fuck, I missed hearing that.” He said lowly again.

  “You know we can’t do that anymore.” I said quickly, taking out a chair and sitting in it, ceasing his actions.

  Vincent sighed and pulled out a chair, sitting in front of me. He took his time examining my face, his fingers drumming on the wooden table at the same time.

  “Vincent, there’s something I have to tell you. I haven’t even told Gigi...” I trailed, hesitantly looking into his eyes for him to focus.

  He gave me a concerned look. “Yes?”

  “I'm running away.” I said small, looking around the library. “What?!” He said aloud. “Vincent!” I said harshly. Was he trying to get us kicked out the library? “Raelyn…” Vincent trailed in disbelief. His lips were parted as he looked at me.

  “I'm running away, Vincent. I can’t do this anymore. Nothing’s changing my mind.”

  He continued to stare at me, speechless.

  “If I stay here, I marry Stefano. If I run away, I can restart my life and do what I want with it. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” I quickly said. “I can’t live like this.” I said repeating the same words I said during the shooting at the restaurant Stefano took me to.

  “Are you serious about this?” Vincent said reaching over and grabbing my hand, squeezing it. I wanted to pull my hand back but he didn’t let me go. “I’ve made my decision.” I said again.

  “How will you do that, Rae?” He asked. I noticed the shift in his voice. He was now intrigued. “I’ve already started withdrawing some money from the bank, and I have the money from the performances I used to do, in cash. I’ve stashed it somewhere. I think it’s enough to sustain me.”

  Vincent’s eyes were lowered to the table. He then brought them back up to my eyes. “Well there’s a few things you’re missing, Raelyn.” He said lowly.

  “What?” I asked tilting my head to the side so he could elaborate.

  “A fake ID and a partner in crime.” He said and smirked.

  I widened my eyes. “Vincent you’re not serious.” I slightly chuckled. “I’ll help you run away, I’ll go with you. We’ll both get what we want.” He started, moving his thumb in a circular motion on the back of my hand. “You’ll get your freedom, I’ll get to be with you.”

  Vincent...

  “My wedding is very soon. I overheard my mother and father. I’m planning to run away a week after graduation.” I said again.

  “Let’s run away together.” Vincent pressed, his eyes lowered.

  “Vincent, i’m not going to drag you into this. That’s the last thing I want. I just wanted to let you know I’m never coming back, so you’d move on.” I said to him honestly. I didn’t want him still thinking he had a chance even after I’ve left the town.

  “You’re not dragging me, I want to be a part of this.” He said holding my stare. “Your life is here.” I said trying to convince him to stay. “I’m tired of this damn neighborhood.” He said and cracked a smile.

  I couldn't help but to smile as well. “Where’s the final destination?” He asked me. “New york.” I answered optimistic about my plans. Where you want to go to school, right?” He chuckled. “You’ve been listening.” I noted.

  “Of course.” Vincent squeezed my hand again.

  “By the way, this side of you is so hot.” He said once again, shaking his head and biting his lip.

  ***

  Since that day, Vincent and I have been keeping things between us very low-key. Our relationship was still platonic and we didn’t talk to each other at all. We had already established a plan together and even the date we were going to leave this neighborhood together.

  It would be too dangerous to discuss such an event through the phone not only because of that, but because I’m an engaged woman. Well, for now that is.

  Vincent still made advances at me which I wish he’d stop. I was wandering around the halls of Stefano’s home. As I passed the mini statues and breathtaking paintings, examining the dimensions of the home, I begin to wonder if I’d ever get used to this place.

  Each turn I took was capricious as I’d never guess correctly what hall would lead me into another. I remember a maid showing me around here before that night I came here for dinner, but all of her directions went over my head.

  There was one door with the door cracked open. I debated whether I should go in or not. Then again, I’ve already walked aimlessly around the main floor. Stefano was on the phone with who I assumed was his uncle. If I knew anything, it would be that his conversation was not going to be short.

  Stefano had told my mother he wanted me to come over to his house. I didn’t want to, but I decided to cooperate. I wanted them to believe I was going to be the obedient wife they expected me to be.

  I made it down one hall and as I walked, I noticed a door was ajar. It was quite odd since all the other doors were closed. Perhaps Stefano was in here earlier and forgot to close it. Then again, it seems so unlike him to forget. He doesn’t look like the forgetful type.

  I stood by the door and peeked inside. There was this cozy feeling about the room. What seemed like family pictures were hung up on the wall, there was one couch in the side of the room, a small coffee table, and there was a sweet cinnamon aroma through the space.

  I debated on whether or not it would be a good idea to venture into the room but then I remembered Stefano telling me to, “Feel free.” Or whatever that meant to him anyways.

  I stepped in, keeping my arms wrapped around myself as I glanced from wall to wall taking in the pictures. I stepped closer to one that was a picture of a beautiful woman with long black wavy hair.

  It was just a simple portrait but she made the shot look so breathtaking. I assumed this woman was Stefano’s mother since in the next picture over, she was seen hugging a little boy.

  The little boy looked around 5 years of age maybe, and stared at his mother in adoration. I smiled and my eyes danced to the next picture. This time it was a family portrait. I analyzed the figure of who I assumed to be his father. He stood tall, a frown on his lips as his hand was placed on his wife’s waist and his other on his son’s shoulder. His wife beamed with happiness and Stefano-who looked to be 10 years old- looked at the camera with scared eyes.

  It was quite off to me.

  I didn’t know how long I was in this room, but as I looked at picture to picture, I felt almost like a detective, putting the pieces and glimpses together.

  As Stefano aged he began to resemble his father, and his smile began withering away. His father never wore a smile, but his mother smiled in almost every picture. There were pictures of Stefano playing instruments, playing soccer, and just he and his family at banquets and charities.

  When I got to pictures of Stefano around his uncle and cousins, I knew what Stefano had told me about his parents death was confirmed. I saw through the pictures how his demeanor changed. Through his adolescence I think I only found one picture of him smiling.

  He either smirked or frowned. He looked more handsome when he smiled.

  In some pictures I noticed how Adriano looked at Stefano. In a few, he looked delighted to have the brother he always wanted, in some, he looked very annoyed.

  I also found it adorable how cute they looked standing next to each other in their suits. I found books on the shelves about the Vanzetti history dating back to the 1920’s. I skimmed through some pages reading about their legacy and good works.

  There was one book that caught my eye though. It was labeled, “playbook.” And had a bookmark in the middle of it. I opened up the first page and it welcomed me with an italicized quote. “You’re either at the table, or on the menu…” I read aloud.

  I jumped and gripped the book as I heard two soft knocks on the door. I turned my head to see Stefano leaning on the opened door, sleeves rolled up and his shirt unbuttoned. “How’d you get your hands on that?” He asked intrigued, beginning to walk in my direction. It suddenly became hard to swallow when he was standing behind me, looking over my shoulder. I could smell him, meaning he was very close.

  “Famous words by Alphonso Capone, hm?” He said at the page I was just reading. “Is this some kind of playbook?” I asked flipping to another page.

  “Something like that.” He said, his voice so deep and overbearing. “Live, laugh, love. When that doesn’t work, load, aim, and fire.” I read again, my lips parting in shock.

  Stefano chuckled. “That just ties into the history of how or society started. It was hard to survive so we made a way out of no way.” Stefano explained. I nodded my head, trying to register what he was saying. “Do you believe in these?” I asked him, digesting every quote.

  “Most of them.” He answered me.

  It’s easy to fool the eye but hard to fool the heart. I read to myself. Stefano was still looking down at the book, hovering over me.

  “Do you have any friends?” I asked him out of curiosity.

  “I don’t need friends.” He said and turned to walk away to a picture across the room. “Alessio and Sacco aren’t your friends?” I asked him.

  “They are my soldiers.” He said. “They’re not even your body guards?” I asked again in confusion. They followed him everywhere. “I don’t need bodyguards. I trust them and they are convenient.”

  “The loudest one in the room, is the weakest one in the room.” I read from the book in a barely audible voice. I guess that meant made men could hear me loud and clear the day of my engagement. I have never felt so weak and powerless in my life.

  The most dangerous person is the one who listens, thinks, and observes… I continued. Stefano must be very dangerous then. I watched him as I closed the book and put it back where I found it. Stefano stood in the same spot and I walked over to him until I was standing in a good enough distance to look at the picture he was looking at.

  In this picture, Stefano was much older. He was surrounded by a more recognizable Adriano and Caterina. Stefano glanced at me. “I was sixteen at that time. Eight years ago I’m sure.” He said suddenly.

  “What happened on this day?” I asked him, thinking it was the appropriate thing to do.

  “It was Caterina’s birthday…” he trailed. I almost laughed at how uninterested and bored Stefano and Adriano looked as Caterina’s held but of their hands as she beamed in the center. “I can see how excited you and Adriano were about it.” I chuckled. Stefano shook his head and then rolled his eyes. “She’s the sister I never wanted.”

  “Did you all get along?”

  “Sometimes. Adriano and I bumped heads of course. Caterina on the other hand was very annoying and pushed our buttons purposely, most of the time. She’s my uncle’s everything. The apple of his eye. You can assume where I’m going with this.”

  “I can tell.” I replied back. After a bit of silence, I decided to break it. “Your mother...she was breathtaking. Do you remember what she was like?” I asked him. Stefano looked at me for a bit before replying.

  “She was comforting. She always wore a smile. Around ten my world started getting dark. She was the only light that surround me. My mother was the only one I could look at as the same.” He said. I was actually surprised he was opening up.

  “You couldn’t separate her and I before gritting your teeth first. My father didn't exactly like that.” He said crossing his arms. “Why?”

  “He was raising me to take his place. Me clinging to my mother’s leg was not a good look. He’d beat me for it.” He said. I almost shuddered. I knew his beatings could be regular beatings. “Did your mother ever…” I started, hoping he got my hint.

  “She’d try but she was powerless against him. Sometimes he even turned his anger towards her.”

  “Oh.” He almost looked like he was in a daze. The images were probably putting him in a trance. “I didn’t like him much, but like my predecessors, I respected him for what’s he’s done for others.”

  I turned my head to look at the picture he was looking at.

  “You played piano?” I asked him. He looked at me intensely again before answering. “Yes. My mother played piano often and thought it would be wonderful if her son knew how to play too.“

  I cracked a smile. “I’m assuming you didn’t like playing the piano?”

  “Not at all.” He answered me. He then turned his body towards me. “You play it wonderfully.” He complimented me. “Oh...thank you.” I didn’t expect him to say that.

 

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