Sold to the Capo

ADRIANA'S POV

"Who are you?" I croaked out, struggling to my feet. He seemed far more dangerous than the men who he just killed and I wasn't too keen on finding out if my father also owed him.

The rain had subsided but I still couldn't see his face clearly as he sighed and took off his gloves.

"The name's Vincenzo LaRosa" He said, hesitating while he waited for some sort of reaction from me.

I staggered back on hearing that name. I had heard it before and suddenly it made sense. Hazel eyes. I knew that I had seen those eyes before and it didn't bring about good memories.

After what seemed like an eternity but was only just half a minute, he sighed and shook his head.

"As much as I'd like to continue this conversation…I believe I have places to be…" He paused and I felt a little relieved that he would leave me alone then he continued speaking. "...with you, of course"

My eyes widened and before I was able to talk, something hit the back of my head and I fell to the ground, darkness enveloping me.

I felt numb, my dreams a tangled vision of unreal entities that left me troubled, memories from high school came rushing back, the laughter and the taunts…the name ringing in my head. Vincenzo LaRosa.

My eyes flew open and I scrambled up in time to notice that I was on a couch while someone casually sat on the opposite black leather couch drinking what seemed to be coffee

"You!" My voice came out as a squeak and he smirked.

If he was who I thought he was, then wow…he had grown…handsome or should I say ethereal because I knew he was always good looking even though I would never admit it but this…this was pure artwork. His sleek black hair was parted casually, defined jawline and accentuated cheekbones, hazel eyes that I could never forget and a plump rosy lips. The perfect definition of the person who would try to kill me.

"Well my reputation precedes me" He chuckled and I gawked at how deep his voice sounded. Holy shit. I was losing it. He didn't always sound this good.

I didn't know where I was. Some mansion of some sort and it was something straight out of a movie.

I was surrounded by luxury. The interior was a sleek, black view that greeted me. black marble floors, black leather furniture, and black crystal chandeliers refracting light. Walls adorned with black and white art pieces and floor-to-ceiling curtains in a rich, black velvet. The air was thick with the scent of cigar smoke and fine whiskey. A sweeping staircase curved like a dark ribbon, leading upstairs. Every detail screamed extravagance and power, a testament to Vincenzo's status and his personality.

My gaze landed back on the devil who was smirking at me with his legs crossed as he carefully dropped the mug back on the glass table

Vincenzo LaRosa. Oh Lord. The name gave me chills till now and tears rushed to my eyes as I remembered everything. The taunts, pranks, lies, bullying…he was a horrible person who made my days in high school a living nightmare and now my high school bully was sitting right in front of me after Saving my life and I knew I was in big trouble.

"Ah so you do remember. Huh? Sono piuttosto difficile da dimenticare, vero Tesoro?" (I'm quite hard to forget, right Tesoro?) He said in Italian.

My heart plummeted at his words.

"Please… I'll leave. I swear, I'll leave Italy…I'll never come back" Tears began to drop from my eyes while I stood up from the couch.

He caught sight of the tears dropping and something flashed in his eyes. Disgust? Disappointment? Whatever it was, it was gone immediately and there was a mask of indifference.

"I didn't ask. Sit down" he ordered.

I immediately shut up and sat back down, my palms sweating.

He muttered something under his breath and sighed. "I'll be brief, it's been what…8 years? Things have changed… you may not have heard of me but now… I run the biggest group in Italy, I own this town" He said with an air of pride.

I shuddered. "Your family…you're a mafia group" I muttered.

I had heard of it from a few friends I lost contact with. My high school enemy became the don of the biggest mafia group.

"Why are you telling me this?" I said through gritted teeth.

He waved his hand nonchalantly and sighed again. "You're smart so I'm sure you understand that you're in trouble…I knew that a lot of people are looking for you and I assure you that if they get their hands on you, you'll die a slow painful death", His tone had turned serious and though it wasn't a threat, I shuddered.

"Are…are you one of them? Is that what you want to do? Kill me?", I asked with wide eyes. I don't know where I got the bravado but I was putting ideas in his head.

He looked disgusted again. "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have saved you" He reminded.

Oh right. Stop talking Adriana. You're making matters worse for yourself.

My eyes caught a glimpse of the gun resting on the table. He hadn't even bothered to hide it and I knew he was purposefully hinting that he could easily kill me. I was in his space after all.

"Then what do you want?" I asked. His name always carried bad luck with it and I don't know if he wanted to continue the terrorizing of my life again.

He looked conflicted for a second as he saw the fear in my face. "It's simple…marry me"

The wind was knocked out of my windpipes and I gulped. What the fuck?

"I'm sorry?" I squeaked, unsure if I heard right.

"It's very simple, Tesoro. A life with me or be torn apart by them. If you marry me then I assure you that you can stay in Italy and look for your father because I know that's why you're here and no one would dare to go after you. I offer you protection" He finally said, waiting for my reaction.

I didn't know what to feel. Pain. Shock. Anger. Confusion. Everything washed over me.

"And if I say no?" I whispered.

He leaned back on the chair and his eyes hardened. "Then I have no use for you"