The next morning I get up and head out to go to my cove. I notice Nicoli is no longer here, as he must have left last night after he taught everyone his lesson. Walking out of the gardens toward the edge of the yard something or someone catches my eye. It takes me a moment to realize it is Dario. His face is deformed and swollen with different shades of red and purple bruises around his eyes and cheeks. I notice his arm is bandaged and the wraps are red from bleeding.
Oh my gosh… Nicoli must have cut off his hand last night. I feel a wave of guilt as he comes closer to me. As he gets nearer I realize he is glaring at me.
"You stupid spoiled bitch," he spits. I take a step back. "You will pay for this. I lost my hand because of you, you little cunt." The guilt fades and is replaced with frustration, as I feel a flash of irritation at all of these men around me.
I straighten my back as I speak back to him, stealing my voice. "You cannot lay a hand on me. He will kill you if you do. You got that because my father is a coward not because of me. Take your pathetic anger out elsewhere." I spin on my heels to storm back to the house.
"I would be careful if I were you, you still have two years here before he comes back for you. Even then you will not be safe. Don’t fool yourself into thinking he gives a shit about you. He only cares about his image, as long as it doesn’t make him look bad he will not give a shit what I do to you, death would be kind in comparison to what he will put you through once he comes to claim you.” He gives a sick throaty chuckle as I quicken my place and don't stop till I'm locked in my room.
4
LILIANA
"What the fuck girl I missed you! Where the hell have you been?" Gianna shrieks at me from across the little cafe. A smile pulls at my lips.
Hell I missed her. My father wouldn't let me anywhere for what felt like forever. Six months to be exact. It was like I was an invisible prisoner. There were no more incidents with my father thankfully and Dario hadn't tried anything either, in fact, I hadn’t even noticed or seen him around lately. No one even acknowledged my presence, it was like I wasn't there.
I get to our table and sit across from Gianna, as she looks at me expectantly. "What?" I ask not sure what she is getting at with her looks.
"So really where the hell have you been and what's been going on? You stand me up for our last lunch date, then I don't hear from you for months, I thought you were dead," she throws her hands up. I roll my eyes at her over the top theatrics as our waiter strides up to our table.
"Hi there ladies. What can I get for you two beauties?" He winks. He isn't bad looking in a laid back surfer kind of way.
"Hmm.." Gianna ponders while pursuing her lips, "what do you recommend.." she pauses as she looks up at his tag. "...Kevin. You look like you know what a girl wants." She winks back. I shake my head smiling looking back down at my menu, this girl is the biggest flirt. He chuckles back and looks her up and down, clearly he is impressed with what he sees.
After clearing his throat, he rattles off some house favorites and once he takes our orders he slips away. "Whew!" Gianna fans herself with her hand, making me giggle.
"G. You need to be careful. You know what could happen if you got involved with anyone. You know what would happen if they found out you weren’t a virgin on your wedding day." I give her a pointed look, reminding her of our expectations as women being born into the mafia.
She sighs "I know, I know. But I need to have some kind of fun. I can't sit here while I wait for my impending doom. Just sit here prim and proper, a perfect virgin. To be married off to some old man who happened to be the highest bidder. Do you realize how fucked up that sounds?" As the waiter comes back with some drinks we drop the conversation. Gianna gives him a flirty wink and wave as he walks off, returning shortly again with our meals.
Digging into our food Gianna asks between a mouthful of food. "Speaking of marriage, has your father accepted any offers yet?" My fork stops mid-bite.
"Umm, why would you ask that. Has yours?" She looks up and narrows her eyes at me as she picks up on my curious tone.
"Not that he has said but I guess there have been offers.” She stops eating to just sit and watch me. “Ok bitch spill it."
"Spill what?" I fain innocence.
"Whatever the hell you're hiding from me whore, I can tell. You're a horrible liar." She points her forks at me.
"Ggggg," I groan.
"No don't G me. You disappear for six months and I don't even so much as hear from you. Every time I tried to see you, your father said you were busy, and now you're obviously keeping secrets. Oh my gosh! You're already married aren't you???" Her eyes bug out wide like they are about to pop out of her skull.
"G shut up, I am not married," rolling my eyes at her again.
"Okay, so what the hell is going on then? He found someone didn't he?" I don't deny her accusation.
