Filed to story: No Escape From The Mafia Kings Embrace
“What is it?”, I asked softly. Mara shook her head. “Tell me, principessa”, I encouraged. “I was just trying to think of ways that I could help you unload your plate some”, she answered. “You are so wonderful, bambina. I don’t deserve you. But, you don’t have to worry about any of that”, I said, as the water came back with our food, keeping Mara from retorting.
“For now, we will focus on lunch, then on bringing Timmy’s crime lord to justice. Can you text Rex and tell him to call a meeting for thirty minutes from now? I still need to get a phone”, I explained. Mara nodded, as she pulled out her phone. “I could just have Cal get me one”, I mumbled to myself. Mara typed out a message on her phone and then put it away, giving me and her calzone her attention.
“Eat, baby girl. I know you are starving”, I chuckled. Mara giggled as she picked up her food and took a bite. “Mmm, this is amazing”, she moaned. “I know, this restaurant has the best chef”, I said. Mara nodded in agreement and continued eating. We sat in comfortable silence for the rest of the meal. As creepy as it sounds, I could watch this girl all day long. She can make any mundane task seem completely enchanting.
Marabella’s POV
When we made it to the villa, Luca took me to a quadrant that I had not been to yet. It was a smaller building at the back of the property. “This is where we hold meetings”, Luca said, as he put the car in park. Luca got out and walked to my side of the vehicle, as I observed my surroundings. My door opened, and Luca was reaching across me to unhook my seatbelt. “When you see him, let me know”, Luca whispered. “Okay”, I nodded, accepting his hand, to exit the car.
The chatter in the monumental room seized when Luca and I entered the room. “Good evening, Boss”, Sergio greeted. The room stood at attention as we walked past them to the front. Halfway through, I could feel eyes on me. I looked to the left, across Luca’s chest, making eye contact with the man from last night. I slightly squeezed Luca’s hand. He squeezed back, acknowledging my signal.
“Are you okay with pointing him out, piccola?”, Luca murmured in my ear, when we reached the front. I turned towards him, “Uh, It’s the guy, with the emerald tie”, I whispered. Luca nodded, understanding that I wasn’t quite up for that at the moment. Maybe it was the look in the guy’s eyes that made me feel off, or maybe it’s something else. I’m not sure.
“Last night, we set out on a mission to retrieve my brother. The mission turned south, and we lost quite a few men. In that fight, one of our 16-year-old recruits was injured”, Luca said, his voice loud and clear. Murmurs broke out amongst the men. “You are all aware of my rule. No children in battle. I am giving the one who sent Timmy out there last night a chance to come forward. Your punishment may not be as severe if you do”, Luca warned.
The men collectively glanced around at one another, wondering which of them was brass enough to break a rule so critical. Finally, the man with the emerald tie stepped forward. “Huh, Gibson, come with me”, Luca demanded, taking me toward a door behind us. It was a small office, with a desk and chairs. There were books in book cases and a few abstract paintings hanging on the wall, but an overall bland room.
Luca sat in the chair behind the desk and patted his thigh, silently commanding me to sit on his lap. I froze for a second, ready to protest. Luca’s eyes dared me to disobey him.
Marabella’s POV
I silently and gracefully slid into Luca’s lap, not wanting to find out what his punishment would be for disobeying him or where he might distribute it. “Good girl”, he muttered into my ear. Goosebumps spread down my arms and legs. Only visible on my shoulder though, where my shirt hangs off. “Have a seat, Gibson”, My husband ordered lowly, gesturing to the seat across from the desk. Sergio came to stand next to the desk, with his arms crossed. However, Rex and Cal stood guard by the door.
“So tell me, Gibson. Why would you stupidly send a 16-year-old into battle?”, Luca asked calmly. “I wasn’t really thinking, sir. The kid said he wanted to move up in the ranks. When this mission came along, I figured it would be a good way for him to do so. You know, aid in the return of your brother, Gibson explained.
He kept rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact and showing signs of distress. “You’re lying”, I called him out. His eyes snapped to mine. The rage that burned inside of them was overwhelming. I subconsciously gripped Luca’s hand that rested on my thigh. Luca growled, “Eyes over here, buddy. How about you try telling the fucking truth?” Gibson’s jaw clenched, the muscles working in overdrive. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I am telling the truth”, he gritted out.
“The sentence for sending a kid into battle is death. Do you think I am not below torture? You obviously have something you are hiding”, Luca’s voice was so dangerously low, that it chilled my bones, even though I knew that he would never hurt me. Gibson held a stern face. Luca chuckled darkly. “Sergio”, Luca nodded. Sergio grabbed the back of Gibson’s neck and slammed his head into the desk so hard that it knocked him unconscious. I jumped slightly, and felt Luca tighten his hold on me.
“Take him downstairs”, Luca said, patting my thigh for me to stand. Cal and Rex worked together to carry Gibson from the room. Luca stood and entwined our fingers, leading me from the little office, back into the Grande hall. All of the soldatos still stood in place, waiting. Luca walked us back to the headspot, as Rex and Cal paraded an unconscious Gibson down the middle of them and down a staircase that was positioned at the front.
“I hope you gentlemen come to an understanding today. It is forbidden to send children into battle, no matter the reason. Let this be all your last warning. Don’t fucking do it”, Luca demanded. His voice held an authority that made the room bend at his command. “Yes, boss”, the soldatos said in unison. “You are dismissed”, Luca disbanded them. The room broke apart, with scattered murmurs amongst them.
Luca turned towards me, and reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m going to send you back to the house to choose your dress and get ready. Which, people will be there to help you with that”, Luca explained. “But-“, “I know, we haven’t had time to practice. But, you’ll do great. I know you will”, he interrupted, cupping my cheeks. I poked my lower lip out in a pout, making Luca chuckle softly. “Bambina, I don’t want to take you down there. It is going to get ugly. And you are too beautiful for that”, he explained gently.
