Back in the bedroom, Echo noticed the room was filled with romantic Italian touches. The decor in every corner radiated a sense of deep romance, though, to her, it felt almost overly sentimental. Seeing such a style in the heart of the Mafia’s headquarters wasn’t at all what she had imagined.
But then, spotting a casually placed handgun on the table gave Echo a sense of where she really was. Real or not, she could tell the difference. Using a gun as a decorative piece? It definitely added a certain dangerous flair to the room. An odd style, but damn, it worked.
Not thinking too much of it, she took a long bath, changed, and collapsed onto the soft bed, ready to sleep. It wasn’t often Ryan didn’t demand her attention, so when the chance to sleep came, she wasn’t going to waste it.
“Mmm.” Half-asleep, Echo felt like she was being crushed by something heavy, almost like a mountain had settled on top of her.
Still half-conscious, she cracked her eyes open. Being used to Ryan holding her while they slept, she figured he must’ve joined her at some point. He felt heavier than usual.
Opening her eyes fully, she saw Ryan’s head resting next to her, his arm draped across her chest, and her legs locked in place by his. Echo couldn’t help but roll her eyes. A human body pillow-no freedom of movement at all. She pitied herself for the lack of space.
Just as she was about to drift off again, Ryan’s deep, cold voice broke the silence. “I’ve known Adolph since we were ten. He’s the heir to the Mafia, and I was the bastard child of the Dark family. We went through a lot together. Over the years, Adolph saved my life more than once and helped me out in ways I can’t even count. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
Echo’s eyes shot wide open as she stared at Ryan’s calm face, which showed no trace of emotion. His eyes were closed as if he hadn’t just spoken at all, as if someone else had delivered those words.
In just a few simple sentences, he explained his relationship with Adolph and why he was helping him.
This was his way of giving her an explanation.
Echo blinked, slightly surprised as she looked at Ryan.
She never would’ve guessed that Ryan was a bastard child. How could someone with that status have risen so high in the Dark family?
Staring at his steel-like, chiseled features, Echo suddenly started to understand. Ryan’s coldness, cruelty, ruthlessness, and sheer dominance made sense now.
In a century-old family like the Dark family, rising to the top meant paying a price most people couldn’t even imagine. And for Ryan to get to where he was from such a background? The cost must’ve been unimaginable.
Echo sighed softly. She wasn’t sleepy anymore.
Looking past Ryan, through the window behind him, she realized it was already dark outside. Then her stomach let out a loud growl. She hadn’t really noticed it before, but now she felt like she was starving-she’d skipped both lunch and dinner.
She shook Ryan gently, putting on her best pleading face. “I’m hungry.”
No response.
Echo raised an eyebrow and tried to push him off quietly. No luck.
She pushed harder. Still nothing.
She gave it her all, but it was like trying to move a mountain.
Exhausted and frustrated, she finally blurted out, “I’m hungry! I need to eat!”
“You missed your chance,” Ryan’s cold voice replied, his tone icy. He shifted, pinning Echo even more firmly beneath him.
Echo, clearly annoyed, struggled harder, but Ryan just frowned and barked, “Stop moving,” tightening his grip around her.
She fought until she was drenched in sweat, but it was useless. If anything, she just felt hungrier.
Seeing that Ryan wasn’t budging, she let out a dramatic sigh.
How did she end up with this guy? He wouldn’t even let her eat!
No, Ryan wasn’t just a monster-he was like some kind of tyrannical landlord, exploiting her labor and not even feeding her.
Despite being hungry and frustrated, Echo somehow managed to fall asleep again. When hunger woke her up, she found herself oddly impressed by her own ability to sleep under such conditions.
Noticing that the bed felt cooler, she realized Ryan was no longer there.
She sat up, glancing around. It was still dark outside, and Ryan had disappeared.
This was the first time Ryan had left her alone while she slept.
Her eyes landed on a tray near the bed, filled with food, and she raised an eyebrow.
What was this all about?
The next morning, as soon as Echo stepped out of the room, she was greeted by Adolph, who was sporting his usual playful grin. “Good morning, beautiful lady. Did you sleep well?”
Seeing such an attractive man so early in the day, Echo couldn’t help but smile.
She wasn’t the type to be swayed by looks, but she did appreciate beautiful things.
She nodded and said, “Can’t you tell?”
Adolph chuckled and gestured toward the dining area. “Breakfast is already prepared, beautiful lady. Please, follow me.”
“I’m Echo,” she said, clearly not a fan of being called ‘beautiful lady.’
She walked straight toward the dining room, not paying much attention to Adolph, who smiled, amused. It wasn’t often that someone seemed so unimpressed by his looks.
“Where did Mr. Ryan and the others go?” Echo asked, half-frowning, half-raising an eyebrow, as she stared at the spread of soup and other nutritious dishes in front of her.
Adolph laughed. “You were there yesterday, weren’t you? Didn’t we make it clear enough?”
Echo wasn’t too surprised by Adolph’s response, but it was a little unexpected. She figured Ryan had gone to deal with the swapped weapons, but the fact that he didn’t take her along was strange.
“Cecily isn’t someone to take lightly. This trip might be dangerous, and since you’ve only just recovered, it’s better for you to stay here. Echo, these next few days, I’m your personal bodyguard. Whatever you want to do, just say the word,” Adolph said with a smile.
Echo looked at Adolph for a moment, then nodded slightly. “So, you’re saying Mr. Ryan’s not going to be around for a few days? I don’t have to follow him through hell and back?”
Adolph couldn’t help but chuckle at her serious expression. “Exactly. You’ve got some freedom for the next few days.”
“Great. I want to check out the Dark Prison,” Echo immediately said.
Adolph looked at her, clearly surprised. “Why would you want to see the Dark Prison? There’s nothing worth seeing there.”
The Dark Prison was essentially a concentration camp under the mafia’s control.
“I just need to know-are you taking me or not?” Echo raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Adolph. Ryan had her under his thumb, but she didn’t owe the same respect to everyone else.
“Nope,” Adolph replied with a quick smile.
Africa, concentration camps… He had no reason to go there right now, and besides, he had other important things to handle.
Echo raised her brows and nodded. “Okay, then tell me where else I’m not allowed to go. Let’s get it all out there.”
Adolph grinned, amused by her directness. “There’s nowhere off-limits. You can go wherever you want.”
“Alright, get me a car. I want to go out for a drive.”
“Aren’t you going to eat breakfast? I seem to recall you ordering food from the kitchen in the middle of the night,” Adolph teased, giving her a knowing look.
Echo shot him a glance. This guy didn’t seem like a mafia boss at all-he was such a gossip. Ryan was better, at least he didn’t talk so much.
Without a word, she got up and said, “You’re not Ryan, so you don’t get a say,” then walked straight out.