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He smirks, offering me a drink, which I decline. He seems to enjoy playing this cat-and-mouse game with me, but it’s making me feel really unsafe. Still, I’m sure Bruno had plans for tonight - plans that will come to fruition as long as I follow the instructions.
“Well, my dear,” Antonio finally speaks up again. “It was never my intention for you to find out about this, of course. While you were engaged to be married to my son, at least.”
He laughs out loud, and I marvel at his ability to completely ignore his son’s tragic disappearance. It’s making me doubt him. It’s making me think Antonio himself had something to do with what happened to Leonardo.
“Well, that’s off the table now,” I smile, trying to hide how uncomfortable I am. I shift positions, making sure my dress reveals a little more with every move I make. “Leonardo is gone.”
“Indeed, he is,” Antonio muses, watching me with cool interest. “But you’re still here, Francesca. And
I seem to recall your family has fallen on hard times.”
I nod wordlessly. It’s still hard for me to speak about our situation. I feel so far detached from it since I arrived at the University.
“Well, I’m happy to help you make some money,” he smirks. “The question is, are you ready to do what it takes?”
“Yes,” I smile, trying to hide how nervous all this makes me. “I’m more than ready.”
“Good.” He never takes his eyes off me as he clicks his fingers. An older man approaches. He looks old enough to be my grandfather. “This is Carlo. You will be his entertainment tonight.”
“W-What?” I whisper.
Antonio laughs out loud as he takes another puff of his cigar. “What is it, Francesca? You didn’t expect this? Poor naïve little thing.”
“I don’t want to…” I swallow my words, not wanting to blow my cover. “What do I have to do?”
“Whatever he tells you to,” Antonio flashes me his brilliant smile while Carlo stares at me, not even bothering to hide the lust in his gaze. My stomach turns. “After all, Francesca, you just joined the most elite escort agency in the country.”
20
JULIAN
There’s an incessant knocking sound coming from downstairs. I groan, getting up and getting past all the people in my living room. The guys are throwing another party, though I wasn’t in the mood to join them. My mind is still spinning with thoughts of Francesca.
Nobody acknowledges me as I make my way to the front door, opening it wide.
On the other side, my brother Santino glares at me, accompanied by my father with a fiery, angry gaze.
“Took you long enough,” Santino hisses as he motions me to follow him outside. “We need your help.
It’s urgent family business.”
I’ve been a part of the Bernardi famiglia for long enough now to know this is serious. Without hesitation, I grab my jacket and follow them outside, where a black car is already waiting for us. Neither of us says a word. This is what I appreciate about Bruno and his sons. They’re direct but discreet, and I know we will discuss the private matter at hand once we’re in the backseat's privacy.
We get in and the driver speeds off. Both my brother and Bruno are wearing solemn expressions which makes my heart pound with expectation.
“Everything alright?” I mutter. “What’s this about?”
“Brambilla,” Santino mutters. I struggle to keep my poker face while I glance at Bruno. His penetrative gaze has me swallowing thickly, trying not to betray my emotions. “Junior or senior?” I ask.
“Both,” Bruno says. “We’re taking that bastard Antonio down once and for all.”
My stomach tightens into a thousand knots, and I struggle to keep my composure. But I know I can’t show my authentic emotions. I’ve only just been re-accepted into the family. I can’t risk losing it all again.
“Oh,” Bruno adds as an afterthought. “Your friend Francesca is there, too.”
Instantly, my blood runs cold and I stare at him with an angry expression. “What the fuck do you mean? What’s Francesca doing with Brambilla?”
“Serving her purpose,” Santino smirks, making me fight the urge to wipe that smile off his face.
Though I haven’t been completely honest about my genuine emotions when it comes to Francesca with neither Bruno nor Santino, I still hate them for treating her like she’s disposable. I’m realizing she isn’t disposable to me. Not at all. Despite my best efforts, I’ve gotten attached to the girl again.
“Is she safe?” I mutter to Santino, seeing my adoptive father’s watchful gaze on me as I ask the question. “Tell me she’s safe.”
“Thought you didn’t care about her,” Santino grins. “Thought you were over her and shit.”
I grit my teeth. I don’t want to convey my true emotions, but at the same time, it’s getting harder and harder to hold them back. I’m afraid Bruno and Santino will call my bluff.
