Page 5 of Second in Command
Francesca Donato
My eyes stuckto my cheek, crust pinching at the corners as I force them apart. Drool soaked the side of the pillow I laid on, and I groan in disgust, pushing it away from me.
With a loud yawn, I throw my legs over my bed, and stand to stretch. The sun shined ever so slightly through my bedroom window, and I walked over to it, pushing the curtains apart, to have a look at the flower garden that rests just outside my window.
Right on time, the sun glazed over them like freshly baked donuts, and a sense of calm washes over my body as they swayed only slightly from the breeze that came with the wind.
With the beauty of the flowers, I remembered Enzo’s handsome face. When I saw him at Paradise Center last night, I knew that I had to take the opportunity. He wasTony Manerocome to life, white polyester suit and slacks, his black hair slicked back.
Whilst I enjoyed his neck, I noticed little scars scattered all over it, but his face remained untouched. His jawline was as sharp as a knife, and his flawless bronze skin etched over every feature on his face.
Enzo’s eyes were blue, only adding to the intensity of his gaze. His nose carefully sectioned on his face as if done by a surgeon. Back at the disco, when my eyes dropped to his lips whilst we stared down each other, I couldn’t stand myself anymore—I had to have him—at least, once.
I could still feel his hands on me, tugging and squeezing. His lips nipping my skin, him entering…
My lantern clock violently rang on my side table, pulling me out of my head. I walk over to slam my hand onto it.
It was time to get ready for work, another day pinching flour and salt, and dealing with only the warmest people.
Once I was ready, I grabbed my bag from my dresser, and left my room.
On the final stair, I watch as the door opens, a soldier turns around to shut the door. Butterflies fill my stomach at the sight of him dressed neatly in his suit, his hair gelled back to perfection.Enzo?No. Disappointed, I turned away from Gabriele Caldarelli, another of my father’s loyal soldiers.
“Good morning,” he says, politely acknowledging my presence on the stairs.
I don’t bother to acknowledgehim, and he turns around quickly. My face returns flat and emotionless. Until…
“Miss Donato,” I hear to the left of me.
Enzo.
Enzo Andonetto now ignoringme. I watch him as he turns on his heel, disappearing into the living room. I bite the inside of my cheek, and squint my eyes at his retreating form.
Enzo, being one of theCapo’ssoldiers, felt a sense of belonging to him. I know he feels like he’s doing something wrong thinking of, or even touching me in the way that he did, but I wasn’t some doting teenager.
For years, I sat back, and watched him from the sidelines, but something shifted last night. Maybe it was the different atmosphere, maybe it was the fact that we were all alone, but I couldn’t just let another night pass while I had him where I wanted him. He wanted me too . . . It was all over his face.
I stared at the watch in my hand before deciding that I had some time to spare. I follow him into the living room where my father, theCapo, Vincenzio Benedetti, and some of his other men sat. Enzo instantly averted his eyes once he saw me.
“Good morning, father.”
“My sweet girl,” he extends his hands, and I walk over to place a kiss on his cheek, “how was your evening?”
Enzo clears his throat, shifting on his feet, and I smile.
“It was groovy,” I reply, “I think I’ll do something like that again, very soon.”
My father chuckles, “As long as you’re safe, Francesca. I don’t trust those nightclubs, too shady.”
I nod. “I’m going to head off to work. I should be back by seven.”
He sighs, placing a hand underneath his chin, and I know what was to come.
“Papa, I don’t have time this morning.”
“Francesca, when are you going to abandon this silly idea—”
“Alberto,” Vincenzio thankfully comes to my rescue. He shrugs, “Let the girl go, she’s late.”
