I hang up before Leo can ask me even more personal questions. The woman who came by a week ago was a wife of another mafia man. She was looking for a fun time away from her old, ugly husband. I gave it to her and sent her on her way. As head of the mafia in Florence, I have a lot of power. It makes women want to be with me, despite my scarred face.
But it’s always quick easy fucks. Someone I don’t have to give a shit about. Emotional connection means letting people in and I hate letting people in. That’s how you get hurt in this world.
My mind flashes to Aurora. How she selflessly saved her father’s life. I’ll be honest… I’ve never seen anyone be that selfless before. It makes her effortlessly beautiful face even more beautiful.
Soft brown hair and wide doe eyes. Fair complexion. Petite, like she doesn’t eat enough. She looked like she would snap in half when I touched her and yet, she didn’t. She remained strong.
A powerful presence in such a small package.
Why did I invite Aurora to dinner? I’m not quite sure but what I do know is that I want to keep looking at her face longer. I want to hold onto the softness she possesses.
Maybe her goodness will rub off on me, a mafia man trapped in darkness.
Aurora
I wake up to the sound of my door opening. The same woman as before comes inside with a tray full of food.
“Hello, dear. I’m Maria.” She sets the tray on the bed. “I brought you breakfast. Mr. Romano told me to take care of you.” With a shake of her head, she steps away from me. “I thought I told you to hurry. You were supposed to get your father and leave.”
I stare at the food on the tray. Pastries filled with jam. Warm, brown coffee. Pasta mixed with green vegetables. I haven’t seen this much food for breakfast… ever.
“I tried to get him to leave,” I respond. “But he wouldn’t come with me.”
“So you took your father’s place? The entire house is talking about it. Child, how naïve could you be?”
“I was trying to save my father’s life.”
“And now you’re stuck here forever. Like the rest of us.”
I sit up straighter. “What do you mean by that?”
“I just mean… this place is not warm. It will suck the warmth out of you. I get paid so I can leave.”
“Why do you keep coming back then?”
“Because I’ll never find a better paying job for my skills. But you, child, are Mr. Romano’s prisoner. You’re stuck here. When you showed up on our doorstep, I could see how innocent you are. You don’t deserve this. You should never have come.”
“And let my father rot away in a prison cell? No. Never.”
Maria sighs. “I commend you on your selflessness. I’ve never seen it before. I guess I forget what it was like.” She taps the tray. “Now, eat your breakfast. I’ll be back later.” She leaves before I can ask any more questions.
Despite not wanting to, I scarf the food down. It’s all so delicious and delectable. I never knew it felt this good to be completely full.
I pass the day in my room. Take a shower. Eat more food when Maria brings me lunch. Try to ask her questions but she bolts from the room before I can get a word out.
Maria eventually returns, carrying multiple garment bags in her arms.
“What are those?” I ask. She opens each one of them up, revealing beautiful dresses. Each one made out of a soft fabric. One green, one pink, one blue. All pastels. “What are these for?”
“For your dinner with Mr. Romano. He wants you to wear one of these. You can pick.”
“What if I choose none of them?”
Maria hesitates, wringing her hands together. “That wouldn’t be wise, child. Mr. Romano is not known for his kindness. You should wear one of these dresses.”
“So he can make me into a show pony? No thank you.”
“Child, think of your father. Do you want him to get hurt?”
