Emiliana
It wasn’t a few days at all.
I had spent a week wondering where Giovanni was, what he was doing and was it even legal. It was ridiculous for me to think that I couldn’t be without him. I knew I could, but the truth was I didn’t like it.
Oli arrived two days after Giovanni left and the space that was left was soon filled with jokes, laughter and an endless supply of cocktails. In between the distractions, I couldn’t get Giovanni out of my head. My stomach churned, unsettled by the way Giovanni left without so much as telling me where he was going.
“Who is that hunk?” Oli whispered excitedly beside me as we lounged outside in the garden. I followed his gaze to where my bodyguard and secret friend sat reading the newspaper enigmatically.
Emiliana “Em!” He called after me, but I blocked him out. My vision blurred as I made my way up the staircase. I tried to focus on every step so carefully, but it was exhausting and only slowed me down. I could hear Giovanni’s steps. He was closing the distance. “Em!” He called again, only this time his voice was harsher, angrier. My footsteps landed on the cool tiles of the second floor, and I could see the bedroom door within my reach. “Em!” Giovanni was behind me now, steps away from his grasp. Tears rolled down my face. Even though I knew this was his life, his job and it never ended; I had hoped he would have pressed pause just for
Emiliana “Please!” My voice was a mere whisper through the darkness. “Don’t do this.” I whimpered again, but my words fell on deaf ears. No one answered me, but I felt eyes looking at me, taking in my weak and beaten form. There was the distinct sensation of sharp coldness pressed against the column of my neck. I refused to swallow, refused to breathe, or make any sudden movements. The metal that glistened in the dark would cut that short. Left confused, I squinted my eyes, hoping to catch some sprinkle of light. The metal below my eyes glowed. How did it do that? “You thought you could get away from me.” The voice hissed. I opened my mouth just as the sight of piercing white eyes appeared in front of m
Giovanni I glanced down at my watch for the tenth time, my patience was waning and all I could think about was getting out of here. My phone flashed with Vinnie’s name and my heart raced. Standing abruptly I left the room to answer the call. “Hermano,” (Brother,) I grunted, hoping it would disguise the worry in my voice. Vinnie never called unless there was something serious, in fact he never called. “Voy a sacar a Emiliana.” (I’m taking Emiliana out.) Vinnie announced. He wasn’t asking, This was a courtesy call. He didn’t need to call because I knew that Emiliana would be safe with him. He had built up this profound sense of protectiveness around her and he would seek death himself before letting any harm come to her. Not once had I asked him to, but I could tell Emiliana was like a sister to him.
Emiliana “Otra vez!” (Again!) Vinnie shouted at me. The magazine unclipped effortlessly, slipping into my palm in a gentle motion. The whole movement was smooth, flowing like the gun was another body part. Dropping the empty magazine, I collected the one beside it and slid it back in. Aim. Breathe. Fire. It was my new mantra and I followed it to the tee. It was exhilarating and freed me from the fear that clung onto my thoughts. The rounds emptied one by one into the target ahead. Each mark within centimetres of each other. Every other day Vinn
Emiliana It had been two days since the ranges and I had, strangely enough, successfully removed the chilling thoughts that surrounded that night, out of my head. I had to get used to the idea that those sorts of screams would be a regular occurrence and there was nothing I could do about it. This was Giovanni’s business, and I was just an outsider making her way in. Ignoring the events of the other night, I brushed aside the disturbing thoughts and made my way to the kitchen. Vinnie sat against the kitchen island, reading his newspaper in silence. “Are we going to the ranges today?” I jumped up to the counter excitedly, perching on one of the stools that lined it. “No,” Vinnie answered without lifting his eyes to me. “It’s self defence today.”
EmilianaOne week had passed since that moment between Vinnie and I. He never asked me what went through my head, that caused me to black out, nor did he attempt to do anything but hold me. I could feel how protective he was over me. Much like Giovanni, he wanted me to overcome the fear that tormented me.Maybe it was the life that I had walked into, or maybe it was more. I guess when you’re in the Mafia you can’t afford to show weakness and that was exactly what Vinnie was trying to tear me from.After blacking out, I was exhausted. Vinnie had sent me to clean up, and I did so willingly. I wasn’t even sure that Vinnie had told Giovanni because neither had made an attempt to bring it up afterwards.We had continued working thro
Emiliana Vinnie took me in his arms and twirled me around, the gentle lace that lined my dress floated effortlessly around me. We swayed to the music that played from the orchestra and laughed together as he made jokes about some of the guests. I enjoyed Vinnie’s company. He smiled often and widely, it was something that both warmed and relaxed me. He was my voice of reason, the unwilting support that I sometimes required and up until now I had certainly needed it. I had sensed that somewhere along the line, Vinnie had realised that the world I had so willingly joined was far different from I was used to and he was ensuring that I understood the ins and outs of this lifestyle. While I didn’t have a choice in the company he kept with me, we had certainly grown as friends and I knew Vinnie woul
EmilianaGiovanni and Vinnie were in deep conversation when I returned. There was a questioning look on Giovanni’s face when I joined them but I only smiled in return. I wasn’t about to let slip what just happened in the bathroom, not if I could help it.I glanced behind me just as Veronica reappeared looking much more presentable than when I left her, but the evidence of our fight was still there, dripping from her nose.“What happened to her?” Vinnie whistled, his eyes following as she made a quick dash out the room. I shrugged in response and Giovanni eyed me up suspiciously.“Let’s dance.” I beamed up at Giovanni, wanting to change the subject.Before he