O L I V I A
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I wake up and look up at the tall ceiling above me. I can feel my head already pounding and now I am about to have a massive hangover.
I turn onto my side and pick up the comforter beneath my hands. Alessio is nowhere to be found.
His confession from last night was still very fresh in my mind but I couldn’t remember much after since I apparently passed out from being so drunk.
The thought of Alessio being in the mafia was too much. Even worse was knowing he had been the one to kill Austin. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyiJQZWT9c
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What would happen now? People would be looking for him. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwRU3Cbb1J
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His friends...his family.
My stomach started to ache and I knew I was going to puke again. I sprint across the marble floors and throw up in his bathroom. My head resting against the cool of the toilet.
My mind was spiraling with every thought. I didn’t know what to do. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoDouHP8J8
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I was in the house of the Italian mafia. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1CTY8u5Qk
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Alessio kills people. He’s a monster. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC4FBwqJrI
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I can’t be here.
My throat constricts and I dry heave once more. My head pounds against my skull again and I try to pick myself up from the floor. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdOZM9QB58
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“I have to get out of here.” I whisper to myself. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtTxowIGGQ
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I couldn’t just not tell someone. Wouldn’t it be morally wrong for me to do nothing? 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfLgYLWKJg
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Murder is still murder.
I walked out from the bathroom and noticed I had been changed into a nightgown. I picked up the satin fabric between my fingers and rubbed it with my thumb. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMCs5NAWIw
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I looked over the nightstand and noticed the clothes Kimberly leant me the night before were there and vomit free. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jCLjgHQMV
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I slipped out of the little dress and back into them before grabbing my shoes and hurrying out the door. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt5CCEn8uS
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It was so silent. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjDF67yiCB
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Nobody was rushing down the halls with baskets of laundry. I didn’t see any guards and not a single Romano.
I walked as slowly as I could on the tips of my feet as I walked down the dim lit and narrow hall. I could see the steps coming into view and let fingers glide along the cool of the metal banister.
My heart was beating so loud I swear someone could hear me.
“Please don’t!” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yDOh6pbPQ
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I froze as soon as I heard the scream. It didn’t sound too far away.
I carefully descended down the stairs and down onto the first level. Still no sign of anyone. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyLFPIKoq4
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It was so strange to see such a big house so empty. It felt creepy.
“Please someone help!” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyd4jZ23la
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My head snaps towards the sound of the voice crying out in pain from the hall to my left. I look back towards the double glass doors. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvksiF8fip
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I should go. I should call the police. Why am I not running?
“Help!”
“Fuck!” I whisper under my breath and tiptoe down the hall. The hall seemed to go on forever as I approached the door at the end. I could hear what sounded like metal music coming from behind it almost to mask out the cries.
“Shut the fuck up!” A new voice shouts. I jump at the sound and stop in my tracks.
“Please! Someone!”
"Se non chiudi il cazzo!" (Translation: If you don't shut the fuck up )
The voice didn’t sound like Alessio. Maybe a guard or even Giovanni.
"Listen! I'm sorry.”
I reach the door and lean forward to press my ear against it. The music below has been turned down and I can hear someone else speaking. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygAEUcRfRf
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“Oh, I’ll make sure of it. Don’t you worry.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLr0gfz7w4
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I could pick his voice out of a hundred people. Alessio was down there.
“My dad will find me you piece of shit!”
“I’m not worried about your dad,” Alessio laughs harshly.
It’s Austin. He’s still alive. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE5XrA5oKM
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Alessio didn’t kill him...yet.
“She’s not fucking worth it, dude! Olivia is just some bitch.”
I push against the door and it groans lowly. I take a step into the darkness and stand as still as I can at the top of the stairs.
There’s a loud clank from what sounds like a pipe hitting something hard. “Don’t fucking say her name ever again.”
“You aren’t going to kill me!” Austin taunts and laughs. “Bunch of fake fucking gangsters. You are no different from the street gangs here in LA.”
There’s a pop from a gun firing and Austin bellows out in pain from the cellar below. I cover my mouth as the sound echoes through the stone walls and stifle my scream.
“Finish it,” Alessio commands and the music starts up again.
My legs don’t move. I am completely stuck to where I stand. I know if I don’t run down there, Austin will be killed within minutes. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIHxPOPQnq
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If I do, would Alessio kill me? Maybe Giovanni would?
Get to the police! Get to the police! I shout in my head.
I try to focus on my new mantra as I spin around and grab the old iron door handle. I see a bit of light as the heavy door starts to pull open. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoKX9tdooN
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I try to keep my footing on the stair as I fumble around through the door but within seconds I feel something pulling me backwards as the door slams shut again.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Olivia?” Alessio snaps out and pushes me against the wall. His hands like a vice on my waist.
"P-please, stop!” I beg as his hand clamps over my mouth. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOddnAq3ZuJ
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“You need to calm down, Olivia.” He whispers fiercely. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwniRtz4Rgn
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“I won’t tell anyone! I swear to-”
Alessio lets out a weird laugh that seems to be a mix of frustration and amusement. Before I have time to process what is going on he pulls me forward through the door and tosses me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.
I try to kick against him as he walks swiftly up the stairs and towards his room. It is not worth it though. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmhLw6HE4j
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He is too strong for me to even break an inch of his hold.
“Please! Stop it!” I slam my fists against his back. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxm9NzbgGG
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He pays me no mind and kicks open his bedroom door with his foot. We enter the bedroom and I feel my body hit the bed as he tosses me onto it.
I start to panic as soon as I land and start looking for something to hit him with. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VMd7V4FSQ
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“Olivia,” Alessio starts and raises his hands. “You need to listen to me.”
“Stay back!” I warn him. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy919rnwkP
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I look down and grab a shoe from the floor. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h7XhX3vFJ
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Good ol trusty shoe.
He stares at me with a bit of a smirk on his face and keeps his hands where they are. “Baby, l-”
“Fuck off!” I shout and toss the shoe right at his dumb head. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJixZt7J9O
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Of course, Alessio knocks it away but I make my daring escape to the bathroom and lock it just in time.
"Olivia…” Alessio bangs on the door. “Let me talk to you.”
"You're a murderer! Stay the fuck away."
"Olivia."
I press my back against the door and pull my cell phone out. “I’m going to call the police. You aren’t getting away with this.”
I try to press the 9 but my damn fingers are shaking so bad that the phone scatters across the floor. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZkF8DriHE
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“Shit!” I curse and lunge after it.
Before I even have my hand on the phone I hear a horrible cracking sound and look back to see Alessio has actually kicked through the damn wood of the door and broken in.
"No! Stay the fuck away!"
I try to rush past
him but he scoops me up with one arm around my waist and drags me back towards the bed.
He pins me with his weight and I struggle beneath him. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa6bWBjDGi
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“Are you going to listen?” Alessio says in a soft tone. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlDDzcAHgT
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I close my eyes shut tight and wait. “Just kill me! I know you have to kill me now like you did with Austin.”
The room grows silent and I brace myself. I know it’s coming.
Yet, it never does. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01AtOuDJmW
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Instead, Alessio starts laughing. I mean really fucking laughing. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS8GR39yLL
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He rolls off of me and starts laughing so hard he clutches his stomach and starts to turn red in his face.
I feel my body stiffen with anger from his reaction and have the urge to hit him.
“It isn’t funny, Alessio! You killed someone!”
He nods and grows silent. His dark eyes stare back at me as he tries to compose himself.
“I would never kill you.”
"You're going to kill Austin though."
He sighs heavily. "We discussed this last night."
“You mean you stayed silent each time I asked you and then admitted to being in the mafia.”
“I know.”
“You expect me to be okay with this? I’m supposed to just forgive you for this?” I snap.
“Of course not,” He groans and tucks his head under his arms. “I just didn’t expect you to come downstairs so early.”
"Well, waking up and realizing you are in the home of a mafia family isn’t very comforting.”
“Olivia,” He starts and rolls over to touch my cheek. “Take a shower, eat breakfast with me, and I will tell you everything. We can go explore the city for a bit together so you don’t have to feel trapped.”
“Why would I want to hear you out?”
He narrows his eyes,” Shower and breakfast. Now.”
I stare after him in silence as he pushes up from the bed and pulls his dirty t-shirt over his head. I try to not let myself stare at his naked, muscular chest for too long as he opens the door.
"Don't even think about trying to figure out a new escape plan. I'll be waiting for you." He says and winks over his shoulder. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2ksYZiGYv
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I sit on the bed for several minutes after he is gone. I wanted to try escape plan number two but I didn’t even have a clue of how I would work that one out. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU2C3LNHKP
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Alessio and his family have to be monsters. The mafia are bad people. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3h395ZwC4
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I can’t possibly be considering this, right? 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl73xGjukm6
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Yet...I knew I was. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKOCxIdqgB
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I wanted to hear his story. Since I first saw him and heard about him, I wanted to know more about the mysterious Alessio Romano. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi08sDZfvB3
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I had my chance.
I get up from the bed and head to his oversized bathroom to stand under the heat of the hot water for what feels like forever. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsCVaWbfal
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The steam starts to burn me after too long and I grab a towel and wrap it tightly around my body.
I wipe away some condensation from the mirror and stare at my reflection. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe660YnpudY
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I look like shit. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS0s7brND3
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My eyes were dark with circles and entirely too big for my face which was so pale I’m sure I could pass as a ghost. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YzDz0NrLe
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How could anyone find this attractive right now?599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqDyJrpzYi
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I try to focus on brushing my hair out when I realize something feels off.
Something moves behind me. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyHslsM8cv
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“Ahhh!”
Alessio leans against the frame where the door used to be to his bathroom and smiles at me.
"Do you knock?" I sneer out.599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXGMs25HbP
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He looks up at the broken door, “What would I knock on?”599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8qZAYhUPv
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“Well, you are the one who broke it.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOac9PudKR
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“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He says simply. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eIEoBtBTo
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“You mean you wanted to make sure I didn’t jump out the window or magically escape without you knowing.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqWkt7DlYm
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He chuckles, “Right.”
“I need to get dressed.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtpHCOMDSe
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“I know,” He says and puts a basket down on the counter. “I have some stuff for you. Toiletries and other items I know girls like.”
I look up at him and feel my heart squeeze. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
"I wanted to." He shrugs and turns back towards the door. “I’ll see you soon.”
I look back towards the little basket once he disappears and pick up a few items from it. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL16UOuLkS
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Bottles of my favorite perfume, toothpaste, toothbrush,hair bands, even a few tampons. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1VUYsKpif
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Surely, he had help from Anna.
I finish up in the restroom and walk out to find a super cute pale yellow sundress with sandals that was laid out on the bed. I try to dress as quick as I can before Alessio decides to get curious again and hurry downstairs.
I find him sitting in the dining room at the obnoxiously long table. Food for miles laid out along the top. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNuIWUjTrj
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Pancakes, eggs, bacon, waffles, fruit. My stomach growled immediately at the sight of it. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTldLCqIsf
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“You look beautiful.” Alessio compliments and pushes his hair back with his sunglasses. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFXqfY57as
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He looks amazing. His face was freshly shaven and he had changed into a plain black shirt and jeans. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSi7zwYCcZ
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I was so obsessed with his bad boy look. I won’t lie.
“You have good taste.”
“I had some help from Anna,” He admits. “Have a seat.”
I nod and take a seat at the end from him. I wait as a maid hurries up to my side and helps pile my plate full of food before handing me a container of syrup. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4epYu8xHbo
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I pour it all over the top of my pancakes and feel my mouth drool. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLZMIMwaDp
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“So,” Alessio says after I have my mouth full of food. “Would you like to talk?”
"Yes."
“Go ahead.”
I swallow my eggs. “You’re in the mafia.”
"I am."
"Why?"
He sighs and stands up from the table. “Let’s continue in private, shall we?”
I stare down at my plate and take a few more bites. I was already more than stuffed.
The realization that I hadn’t checked on my parents or my friends was starting to settle in. I wanted my phone back. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa7W4n1D3n
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I knew they would be freaking out soon.
I look up at the sound of footsteps just as Giovanni enters the room. His massive muscles rippled with every move.
"Olivia." He says and picks up a piece of bacon.
Up so close I realize how deep his scars really are. I wonder what they are all from. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMissuG3RqV
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“How are you?” I ask.
"Doing well. It's nice to see you again."
I force a smile. Knowing he had probably killed Austin just a couple of hours ago made me want to puke for the fourth time. "You as well."
Alessio steps back into view and they stare at one another. He shakes his head at Giovanni and looks over at me. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclwoGbM9Mi
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“You ready?”
“Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.
He smiles and puts his hand out. “Let’s see where the day takes us.”
The two of us climb into his car and he starts our drive. The weather is beautiful and really makes the whole situation feel more innocent than it really is. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6J40rdDOt
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I tried to fight the urge to look at him the whole drive but I kept finding myself looking back in his direction. The curve of his sharp jaw flexed slightly as he inhaled on his cigarette. The hints of his tattoos under the collar of his shirt. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoNuEgiraC
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Everything about him was just so perfect. I didn’t understand it but I guess they did say even the devil was beautiful.
Alessio catches my gaze. “See something you like?”
"When do I get my phone back?"
“I need to make sure we are on the same page first,” He explains and blows out smoke. “I’m sure you can understand that.”
"So you don't trust me then?"
He sighs, “Not yet.”
I nod and look forward through the windshield. I guess I should’ve expected that response.
"Ready to ask your questions?" He asks.
“Yes,” I say confidently. “You told me you are in the mafia. How does that work? Why would you want to be part of something so violent?”
“It wasn’t by choice,” He explains and his tone seems to grow weary. “All of us were born into the family. The Romano family has been around for a very, very long time. All I’ve ever known is this life, Olivia.”599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oDg0x9xsi
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“Can you ever leave?”599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULxVH3nKew
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He shakes his head, “No, you don’t leave. You are in it forever especially because if anyone finds out or if you try to break your loyalty to the family it is a death sentence.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM8ZiIgb0x
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My body stiffens. “You told me.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy8EjOltz7
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“I know,” He nods. “That is why I need you to hear me out and swear to me that you won’t tell a soul.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAhWnZwcO4
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“If I do?” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCgEWb8SR1
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He looks over at me and pushes his sunglasses back from his eyes. “They’ll kill you and then they will kill me.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpLLij69eG
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My stomach tightens from his words. “Tell me about your family?” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ09c4QxY4r
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“My father is Adolfo, he’s the don, you have met my siblings and cousin, of course. There are a lot of Romano’s, including my uncles, some of them don’t live here in America. We try to keep it pretty spread out.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDhrHpu7re
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“Your mother?”
“She died.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp9d9sIYdK
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I frown and suddenly feel bad for even asking. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.”599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ul8ZnBCf9
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“Can I ask what happened?”
"I was only four years old when she was killed. My dad does a lot of traveling for business, as you can understand, well he was not around and there was an ambush. It was chaos and I was taken away before I could be found but my mother was murdered in her room.”
“Oh, Alessio...I’m sorry.”
“It was a family from Russia. They had once had an alliance with the Romano’s before things got tense and greedy between the two of them. My father had shot and killed the second-in-command and they fired back.”
“I can’t even imagine.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipRWzfn6or
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He shrugs, “Horrible things happen all the time. I’ve grown used to it.”
"So what happens...if your father passes? Will you take over?"
“Yes,” He replies and turns into town. “Giovanni will be my second-in-command and I will take over as don soon.”
I grow silent. Being in the mafia is terrifying but the idea of Alessio having to lead it was a lot to take in. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WnjidwO2m
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“Olivia?”
“It’s just a lot to take in.” I admit. “Can I ask you about Austin now?”
His hands grip the wheel. “Okay.”
"He's dead?" I ask."Did Giovanni kill him?"
"Giovanni did as he was told."
"I don’t understand how you can get away with this. He was only 18 years old, I understand he was a shitty person but-”
“Olivia,” He interrupts and looks at me. “You need to understand that there was more to him than what he presented at the surface. Austin’s father is a chief in San Diego with the police department. His son has been involved in several assault cases involving women since he was a freshman. He never learned and was constantly bailed out.”
I scoff at him, “There’s no way! I’ve met his parents, how could they afford such large payoffs for him?”
“His dad has connections to some local street gangs. The police ignore them in exchange for a cut of the profit. It’s just a few bad cops involved and he happens to be one of them.”
I open my mouth to say something else but he continues on, “I don’t want to make up your mind about me, Olivia. I just need you to understand that I do what I have to do.”
“I’m trying,” I say quietly. “I just don’t understand how you can just avoid people finding out you did this.”
"We’re the mafia, Olivia. We have our ways.”
"I feel like there’s more to this.”
"Give me time." He mutters and reaches out to hold my hand.
I squeeze it in response and feel my body relax a little, “Okay.”
I decided to change the topic to something else. “Why did you go to Italy?”
"I went with Giovanni."
"For what?"
"Business."
"What kind of b-" he cuts me off quickly.
"What did I say about time,” He reminds me gently. “Let’s take it slow.”
“Let’s go back to before you left for Italy.” 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBicdhAiqb
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“Sure.”599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFdoXFL1ui
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“Do you still feel the same way?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
He looks over at me and his expression softens up. “I’m in love with you,Olivia Moore. I’ve never been so sure of something.”
“How are you so sure? This is so...new.”599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJdnmKRfCn
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“I’m a simple person. I’ve never wasted my time with love and everything else in between has just been so trivial.” He explains, “I do know that I have never felt this way about anyone and I need to have you in my life.”
Millions of emotions flood over me and I stare back at him. He seems so genuine. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKhtOxkgLm
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Alessio Romano...loves me?599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUL3E0XfmL
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The car suddenly comes to a stop and I look up at a store front sitting before us.
"What's this?"
"This is Boutique di Anna." 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODm2Xf6YYy
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Alessio walks around to my side of the car and extends his hand.
"Anna?" I ask him.
"Yeah. It's her store," He grins and looks up at it.
“I like the idea of Anna wearing normal teenager clothes.”
"It keeps her feeling fulfilled and normal." He chuckled and took my hand.
The two of us enter together and start to browse the cute little store. It reminded me a lot of the one he had taken me to before, except it was more modern and not as expensive compared to a 10,000 dollar dress. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUOOlDvEIv
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“I brought you here for a reason,” Alessio explains. “Come here.”
I walk with him over to the counter where a perky, brunette greets us with a smile and hands us a little black box.
Alessio thanks her and puts it in my hands. “For you.”
I stare up at him for a moment before pulling the lid back. I found a cute gold charm bracelet inside with real diamonds. There’s a palm tree, paint brush, skyscraper, and a gorgeous heart dangling from it. 599Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TeizMLD6K
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It was almost like the one Austin gave me but obviously very real and probably expensive.
“What do you think?” He asks by my side.
"It's so beautiful."
“I wanted to make up for breaking the other one, plus this will have good memories attached.”
I look up to his dark eyes and smile. We start to bend towards one another and I feel my heart skip a beat as our lips touch.
"Olivia?"
I freeze mid kiss and pull away from Alessio like he had shocked me. My stomach turns as soon as I hear his voice.
“T-tucker?”
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