Page 44 of Beauty and the Mafia Boss

“Some should keep two, maybe three.” I don't know what the two men are talking about, but this conversation is certainly far from being as friendly as any passerby watching it unfold would say it is.

A smile that doesn't reach his eyes appears on Don Felippo's lips before, without any ceremony, his attention falls on me. His dark green gaze practically undresses my body before meeting my eyes.

“Delighted...” he says and extends his hand with the palm facing up, cupped, apparently hoping that, in addition to telling him my name, I will give him my hand to kiss.

I tighten my grip on Vittorio's arm, scared by the shameless way the stranger is looking at me. Last night's episode takes my mind by storm, turning my stomach and making my breath hitch.

Vittorio changes position, turning his body and placing his front against my side before his arm wraps around my waist. Still, Felippo continues to look at me as if he intends to devour me for a while before letting out a low laugh and finally shifting his attention to the man who has his arm wrapped tightly around me.

“Well trained, Don Vittorio. Bravo! Maybe we can take advantage of the fact that we're in the same city so you can show me some of the tricks she knows how to do. This would certainly be seen as a gesture of goodwill.”

It takes me a few seconds to realize what his words imply. I blink at the violation I am subjected to for the second time in just over twenty-four hours.

The silence stretches on for too long after Felippo makes his suggestion, and I'm struggling not to give Vittorio a desperate look and about to lose the battle when he finally responds.

“I'm not in the habit of sharing my toys, Don Felippo. And I'm definitely not a man of good will.” I get one more ogling glance before the disgusting man whines.

“It is a shame. It was a pleasure to see you, Don Vittorio.” Vittorio doesn't respond, just nods his head and, without losing his smile, the man leaves us alone.

“Stop shaking.” The order is given in a low voice, in Portuguese and very close to my ear. It's only after her that I realize I'm actually doing it, I'm shaking.

“I-I...” I start, but I close my eyes, needing to take a deep breath to regain control over my own body. Vittorio's free arm rises, and I feel the touch of his fingers under my chin.

“Look at me, Gabriella.” I open my eyes, a pair of blue stones stare at me, looking darker now than they were just a few minutes ago.

There's a toughness to them that I don't think any man other than Vittorio Cataneo would be able to use, even if I know nothing about him.

“What did I tell you yesterday?”

He told me many things, but the intensity of his tone and gaze are like a beacon, illuminating the certainty he is demanding I have.

“That no one, other than you, has permission to hurt me,” I say and then I nod. “I just need a minute. That man scared me. I remembered last night and...” The explanation dies in my mouth because I don't want to keep talking about it.

“He scared you,” Vittorio repeats, and I nod my head up and down in agreement. “And what am I doing for you now, Gabriella?”

“Calming me down,” I state the obvious and he laughs. Not the shadow of a smile, but a real laugh.

“Am I calming you down?”

“Yes.” I confirm, without knowing what the joke is, and Vittorio denies it with short movements of his head, the rare smile still marking his hard face.

“Your mind, Gabriella, is a little box of surprises.”

***

Vittorio walks away along with the four men who are always around him, and my stomach sinks without the controversial feeling of security that having him by my side gives me. This was why he was constantly looking at the clock, after all. He didn't come to the party just to attend, there was something behind it and, whatever it was, it demanded his presence now.

I scratch one of my eyebrows, tired of the constant judgment I've been subjecting myself to and which has only become more intense in my reunion with this man and all the feelings he has awakened.

Alone in a corner of the huge room, I look from one side to the other, Felippo isn't anywhere around, and that in itself is a relief. I make a pout with my lips and move non-stop, bringing my hands together behind my body. I let my eyes run around the party, mentally playing the same game Rafaella and I played yesterday afternoon. I look at the women's dresses and decide which ones I would take into the bathroom and make them undress so I can keep their clothes for myself. It takes me lessthan ten minutes to feel bored. Clearly, this is a two-person game.

I shouldn't leave my spot until Vittorio gets back, he was very clear about that, but the bar is so close... and for some reason the waiters who pass me only carry alcoholic drinks on their trays. At the bar, I could order another Coke, or maybe a juice. “Un succo d'arancia, per favore.”[72] I practice the request in my own head before looking over my shoulder in the direction Vittorio has gone, no sign of him.

Obviously, I didn't receive an explanation of where he went or how long it would take, just the order not to move until he returns. I take a step towards the big “U” on the left side of the room, and the world doesn't collapse on top of my head, then another, and another and one more until I'm with my hands flat on a mirrored counter.

“Ciao,” the bartender greets me, and I smile kindly at him.

“Ciao. Un succo d'arancia, per favore,”I ask, and I feel particularly proud when he nods, because he is a completely unknown Italian who understood everything I said, no matter if it was just six words.

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