Aurora’s POV
“Why do my decisions against the Camorra make you sad?” His gentle but tricky question resonated in my head as I thought of a reply that wouldn’t make him more suspicious than he already was.
“It doesn’t make me sad. I just feel that you are using their weakness against them, besides, what will you gain from them? They don’t have anything to offer you,” I replied and his piercing gaze told me that I’d talked too much.
He cocked his head to the side and his lips twitched, “I wonder how you got to know so much about the Camorra.” He growled while I maintained our eye contact, hoping that he would believe me.
“My ears are working,” I replied flatly, fiddling with my palms.
What would happen if he decided to dig into my past? Maybe he had done that and didn’t find anything to hold onto, because I doubted that he just accepted me without having a thorough check up on me.
“You seem to know how the mafia works, but you aren’t involved in the mafia. How possible is that?” He probed, motioning that I bring his food closer.
Damn you! Aurora for being such a talkative.
I opted for a neutral reply, “I’m living with the Capo of the Outfit, and I’d be dumb if I don’t have an idea of how things goes on,”
He looked relieved and satisfied with my response, like he would have done something if I didn’t reply to him properly. He dug his fork into a piece of the soft lamb and chewed it, closing his eyes as his throat bobbed with each swallow.
His eyes opened and he glanced at me. “You’re too kind for this world.”
I nearly scoffed at his assumption. If he knew the underlying reason for my presence in his house, he’d be saying the opposite.
“What do you mean?”
“You are like a light that causes darkness to disperse. I don’t know why I’m saying this but any man would be lucky to have you,”
A blush crept to my cheeks. “Will you include yourself as well?” I flirted.
“I am.” He said then paused, “Have lunch with me tomorrow, Aurora.”
My heart raced at his request as I imagined the both of us sitting in a fancy restaurant and talking about vague stuff. It already felt weird because the Capo of the Outfit and his mere cook will go on a death.
I stared at his bare chest and his dark nipples which looked very inviting and had the urge to place my tongue on it. I wondered how many women he gave the privilege to touch him there and do whatever they wanted.
My innards tinged with jealousy at the thought of him sleeping with other women.
“Are you just thinking about how nice the lunch will be or are you thinking of anything else?” He asked, jolting me out from my reverie.
“Uh… it’s nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “Finish up so that I can return your plate and rest. It’s really been a long day,”
He smiled broadly at me which made my stomach flutter, then focused on the rice.
“You’re a good cook, you know.” He commented.
My phone rang as I watched him eat. “Excuse me, please.” I said when I saw the caller.
He nodded, giving me the permission to leave the bed. “Hi, Giselle. How are you?” I asked cheerfully.
“Aurora… I can’t find Sofia,” She cried, her voice shaky. I heard voices in the background asking her to relax.
“What do you mean?”
“I came back home and before I could get to her room, the maids informed me that they couldn’t find her.” She explained, my heart thudding hard against my chest.
“Oh no!” I said and slanted a look at Matteo who had dropped his fork on the tray and gazed at me worriedly.
“I don’t know what to do, Aurora. I can’t lose my daughter,”
“I’m coming right away, we’ll find her.” I assured her firmly and ended the call then faced Matteo who had already gotten out of the bed.
“Giselle’s daughter is missing. She got home and couldn’t find her,” I said, “I need to go to her place.”
Matteo rushed to his wardrobe and took out a shirt and flagged it on.
“Where are you going to?” I asked, watching him intently.
“I know that you are hell bent on helping Giselle and I can’t let you out of this house alone, so I’m going with you.” He said with a determined voice I knew that I couldn’t argue with.
My heart melted at his concern and I hugged him. “Thank you very much,”
He nodded and tucked a gun in his holster, snatched his car keys from the table then led me out of his room. I glanced at the food, turning around to cover it but he held my wrist.
“Don’t bother. I can eat any time I want.” He said, reminding me of his status.
He drove to Antonio’s house late like a crazy person. Subconsciously, I placed my hand on his arm and massaged it gently so that he would slow down.
We arrived at her house later on and I rushed out of his car, running to Giselle’s room. Matteo followed after me but I didn’t care, I just wanted to help her.
“Giselle, I’m here.” I said as soon as I opened the door.
She was pacing around her room, probably waiting for me to get to the house.
“I need to speak to the maids. Giselle, when last did you see her?”
“This morning. She went out with her friends but she told me that she wouldn’t be returning until evening. I’ve called her severally but she isn’t picking her calls and one of the maids said that they saw her leave the house in a hurry,”
“Do you have any idea of where she might be?” Matteo asked.
“I’ve called all her friends and they said that she isn’t with them.”
I glanced at her wall clock. It was past 9 already and Sofia was supposed to be back already.
The room was silent as we all thought of what to do when a knock sounded on the door.
“Who’s there?” I asked on behalf of Giselle who was zoned out.
“Miss Sofia is back.” The person responded