64. La Famiglia

My heart thundered in my chest as I froze under the intense scrutiny of the hefty men before me. I gulped nervously, realizing they just caught me eavesdropping.

How the hell do I get myself out of this one, "Um-Um, I-I-I, I-it's n-not what it… I w-w-was just—"

Suddenly the deep timbre of Giovanni's voice interrupted my pitiful stuttering.

"Who's there?"

He emerges in front of the hefty men, his chiseled features devoid of any emotion as his penetrating gaze bored into me. I saw his jaw clench together, I suddenly wondered what was going through his mind?

Before I could stammer out an explanation, Russo's gruff voice rang out. "Is that Emily Rivera? she should join us"

Giovanni and I both whipped our heads toward him, stunned by what he said.

My eyes widened at the unexpected invitation. "Oh, n-no, I was simply looking for Giovanni," I stammered, intimated by Russo's presence amidst the other imposing figures. "I didn't mean to interrupt..."

Giovanni shot Russo a withering glare. "