AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stood there quietly for a moment.
That sounded way too good to be true.
Only… this wasn’t just any old ordinary assignment now, was it? We weren’t discussing the assassination of just a nobody. The mark in question was someone who controlled the entire underbelly of Italy, and that came with its own price. To Francesco, the worth of my freedom must pale in comparison to the demise of one of his biggest rivals.
“Why me?” I still felt the need to ask.
He could have sent someone older, more trained and experienced, to do his bidding, and yet he chose me.
A small smile touched Francesco’s lips, and it was anything but kind. “Because I believe that you’re the most suitable one for the challenge.”
I couldn’t see how that was true.
Although I was well aware of my own skills — it was one of the things I felt the most proud of — this particular task was well beyond me. Beyond most people, really.
“If you do this, all of your debts toward me will be repaid,” Francesco reminded me once more, like dangling a sweet in front of a child. “You’ll be free to go wherever you want, dowhatever you wish. No longer bound by any duty and obligation to anyone but yourself.”
In other words, I’ll get to have my freedom.
How could such an abstract word be what I wanted the most in the world?
The one thing that I thought I’d never get to have.
But now, it was finally within my grasp, so close that I could almost graze it with my fingertips.
“So, what do you say?”
If I succeeded in killing the Don, I was guaranteed my freedom. If I failed, a certain death was going to await me — which was still a vast improvement from the life of servitude that I was living in now.
There was no other answer left for me to give, other than an unwavering in its finality,“I accept.”
Two
Dahlia
Aburly bodyguard was walking in front of me, his broad shoulders blocking my view, while another one was following closely at my heels. They were clearly under strict orders to not let me out of their sight, but — despite being pretty much sandwiched between them — I still couldn’t resist taking a curious look around the place.
The grand foyer was stunningly beautiful, closely resembling a royal suite with its elegant and opulent decor. A vibrant maroon carpet was laid down on the floor, and when I raised my gaze upwards, I was met with the sight of chandeliers that hung low and sparkled like a thousand glittering diamonds.
The bodyguard in front of me stepped aside, revealing a towering wooden door, crafted from some kind of beautiful, dark wood and adorned with intricate designs. Standing in front of it was an older woman, her face etched with stern and harsh lines. Her critical gaze swept over me from head to toe, and the close scrutiny of it almost made me take a self-conscious step back.
“You’ll do, I suppose.” The woman finally gave her judgment. “Before you proceed, there are some rules that you have to be aware of first,” she continued, her serious expression conveying just how important her next words were going to be. “In that room, you are not allowed to roam around or touch anything. Youcanwait on the bed, but as soon as the Don arrives, you are to stand up. You must stay quiet unless he asks you a question, and only then you may speak. You, however, are not permitted to ask him any questions in return.”
Can I look his grace in the eyes?I almost asked, but I swallowed it down. It wouldn’t do me any good to be turned away right at the door.
“Listen to every instruction he gives you,” the woman continued in a stern tone. “And as soon as everything is done, you’ll be extorted outside and the previously agreed upon amount will be deposited into your bank account. If the Don is happy with you, you might even get a bonus.”
She looked at me expectantly for a moment, and I nodded. “I understand.”
Satisfied, the woman finally reached out and grasped the door handle, pulling it open.
After a brief pause, I gathered my courage and took a cautious step inside. The sound of me signing my own death sentence rang in my ears as the door closed behind me with a softclick.
I tried not to dwell on that — it wasn’t like there was anything that could be done about it now — and instead, I let my eyes wander curiously around the spacious and extravagant bedroom in front of me.
The walls were painted in a pristine coat of pure white and a plush, Persian rug sprawled across the polished hardwood floor, muting the sound of my footsteps. The focal point of the room was a king bed draped in sumptuous fabrics, silk and velvetcombined. Its headboard was a work of art, the wood carved to showcase ornate patterns. Matching nightstands stood on both sides of the bed, each hosting a delicately crafted crystal lamp that cast a soft, golden glow across the room.
This only served to validate my earlier impression of the Don — he had an expensive taste that ran more toward old-school, slightly outdated but still a classic.
