In a flash he was laying next to me on the floor. Blood ran down his head and I was able to make out that he has been hit. The man was still moving and then there was a shot causing him to stop.
I lifted my gaze away from him and saw Matteo standing next to the man checking his pulse. My hands were shaking from the shock and panic rushing through my body.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!", Matteo screamed at me.
"I-I just wanted t-to take a walk. I-I thought it w-was ok."
"Alone?! Do you know how dangerous that is? Clearly not."
"I'm sorry I just-"
"Get in the car. NOW!"
When he screamed at me again I flinched. His voice was filled with anger and rage. He was looking at me as if he wanted to kill me himself. I quickly stood up and sat down in his car. Driving off he gripped his steering wheel tightly and clenched his jaw.
"Thank you.", I mumbled. Matteo looked at me emotionless for a second and then turned his attention back to the road. "Who was that man?"
"One of Russos left hands.", he answered me while his grip on the steering wheel tightened even more and I was scared his teeth would crack any minute from him clenching his jaw.
"Is he dead?"
"Of course he is. Did you think I would let him get away with his life?"
"Knocking him out would be enough there was no need to kill him."
Matteo snapped his head to me and stared into my eyes with his dark ones. If stares could kill I would be dead right now.
"He touched you which means he has to die. End of discussion." Looking back at the road he didn't saw my confused expression.
Why did that man have to die because he touched me? It doesn't make sense. I know Matteo has no problem with killing anyone but this was a little over the top. We could have gotten away by only knocking him out.
The rest of the car drive back to the villa was silent. I was asking myself why he screamed at me like that. There was no reason for his actions. He has no reason to protect my life and I thought I was free to leave whenever I want.
When the car came to a stop Matteo stepped out of the car and I got out as well. He came around and grabbed my wrist leading me into the villa, upstairs and into his room. Then he pointed to his bed and I sat down. Matteo went into his bathroom and returned with a first aid kit in his hands.
"Take off your shirt.", he ordered.
"Just give me the kit I can do it on my own."
He stepped closer and was only a few inches away from me. "Take. Off. Your. Shirt."
"No. Give me the kit!".
Matteo bend down to my face and smirked. "Either you want what's coming for you or you're truly stupid and can't think."
I looked at him confused and thought about what he meant. Before I could make sense to his words he swiftly took my shirt off leaving me in a bra and top.
Thank god I'm wearing a top otherwise this would have been very awkward. And what the hell? Who does he think he is to undress me without asking. Rage took me over.
"Are you-"
"Be quiet and let me do this.", he said staring into my eyes . His eyebrows were furrowed and he seemed to be deep in thoughts. When I nodded he took a cloth and drenched it in disinfectant.
"This is going to burn a lot.", Matteo warned me.
He put his left hand on my shoulder and held the cloth in his right hand. Before cleaning my wound he looked at me with a weird expression on his face. Then he gently pressed the cloth to my chest where the man cut me. I hissed in pain and Matteo quickly pulled away not finishing.
Looking up at him I guided his hand with my left one back onto my chest. As I touched his hand warmth rushed through my body and I stared into his eyes. Matteo never took his gaze away from what he was doing.
"Stop staring. It's rude.", he said still looking at my chest as he started to apply a band-aid on my wound. I instantly blushed knowing that he caught me staring at him.
"I'm not.", I stated trying to defend myself.
"Yes, you are." He chuckled which caused me to smile like an idiot.
Did he really just chuckled? This is new. His small laugh sounded so warm and it completely caught me off guard. Matteo looked so sweet and charming. I could get used to it. Taking care of my wound he was gentle too. So unlike him.
"I'm sorry for not thinking about consequences. I forget about Russo and just wanted to enjoy a walk without feeling locked up.", I told him while looking down to my hands.
"Do you have any idea how wor-", he stopped for a second. "How witless you were? Next time ask me to come along."
"So the bad and dangerous mafia leader Mr. Rizzo would like to join me on a walk filled with long and polite conversations? I'll keep that in mind.", I said smiling at him. In return he scrunched his nose.
Matteo stood up and walked back into his bathroom putting away the first aid kit. He washed his hands and sat down next to me on his bed. Turning to look at me he looked deep in thought again.
"Do you like to draw? Last time when I talked with you outside you were sitting on the bench with a sketchbook.", Matteo asked.
Is he trying to have some smalltalk? Wait-does he actually want to talk to me?
"Yes I love it. I'm not that good though. It's just fun and relaxing."
"Show me."
"Oh, no. Really it's nothing impressive."
"I won't repeat myself again.", he said staring angrily into my eyes.
"I'll get the drawings. Wait here."
Walking out of his room I went into mine and grabbed the sketchbook. Although I'm satisfied with my skills and drawings I get extremely self-conscious when showing them to others. Mostly because my father always told me that I'm not good and they should be burned. Going back to his room I sat down next to him and showed him the drawings of some flowers and the sunset.
Matteo looked at my sketchbook for what seemed like hours. He analyzed every single detail of the drawings. Every passed second I grew more anxious. Looking down and playing with my fingers I waited for his reaction.
"You should have become an artist. Why did you even work at that crappy coffee shop if you're talented enough to get into an art school or do something else with you talent?", he said frowning at me.
That compliment caused me to blush hard. My gaze was still on my hands. Matteo gently grabbed my chin which cause me to look at him.
"I needed money.", I told him truthfully.
"Did you at least draw something after work? You could have sold your art." His right hand was still on my chin.
"I didn't have time."
"Now you do.", he said.
"Too much time, yes."
He let go of my face and looked at me confused. Slightly tilting his head it appeared as if he is trying to read my mind.
"It's getting late. I'm going to bed, see you tomorrow.", I stated.
Getting up I walked towards the door but Matteo grabbed my forearm spinning me around to face him. He leaned down closer to my face and stared into my eyes for a while. Then he got even closer and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes for a second.
"Goodnight. Rest well.", he said opening the door for me. A blush creeped its way onto my cheeks again and I quickly looked down.
Leaving his room I went into mine. Next I got ready for bed and laid down.
Why is he acting so nice? Or should I say cute..one second he is a jerk and yells at me and the next second he is friendly. I don't understand what is going on in his head. But one thing is for sure, he is a great kisser. Blushing at the thought of the kiss we shared before dinner I drifted off to sleep.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
I was standing in the kitchen cleaning up the plates we used this evening. Suddenly I felt someone yanking my hair really hard. Wincing in pain I looked around. John stood behind me with a smile on his face.
"Your father is gone. Which means we have some alone time.", he said while smirking. Taking one step towards me I took one back.
"I have to clean the kitchen."
"You can do that later!", John screamed which cause me to flinch.
He grabbed a knife and slit my clothes open. I stood there in underwear as his eyes roamed over my body. Then he took his clothes off and walked towards me closing the distance. John slid his hands all over my body and I couldn't help but feel disgusted. Tears were building up in my eyes.
"We are going to have a lot of fun.", he said as his hand went to my underwear.
I tried to push him away but he was too strong and didn't move.
"I won't sleep with you!", I screamed at him while tears were rolling down my face.
Johns face held anger. He punched my face a couple of times and I could already feel bruises forming on my left eye and jawline.
"You will regret denying me!", he said through gritted teeth and grabbed the knife again.
Stepping even closer to me a creepy smile was on his face. Then he stabbed the knife in my left thigh. Screaming in pain he didn't stop. John made a huge cut along my thigh. I saw the massive amount of blood leaving my leg and dripping onto the floor. The pain became stronger every passing second.
Struggling to stand straight I crashed onto the floor wincing in pain again.
"Do you think that was all? I won't stop. I'm going to make sure you regret ever being born!", he screamed at me.
John kicked my stomach very hard. My ribs were still fractured from the last time he did that. I couldn't breathe properly and everything ached. Then he kicked me with all of the force he posses again.
"Please stop!", I begged. But he didn't stop. Instead he kicked my ribs once again.
"STOP YOU'RE HURTING ME!", I screamed.
"Emily, please wake up."
—————————————————————————————————————————————
Sitting up I looked around trying to see who woke me up. But I couldn't see anything. Tears were making my vision blurry. My whole body was shaking intensely and my breathing became frantically.
Two big arms pulled me towards a warm hard chest and wrapped around my waist tightly. I continued sobbing but hugged that person back.
"I'm here. Everything's fine. I won't let anyone hurt you." It was Matteos voice. Those three sentences immediately calmed me down and he stroked my hair gently.
After a few minutes I wasn't shaking nor crying anymore and Matteo pulled away.
He was still sitting close to me and stared into my eyes. Maybe I'm still dreaming but he looks concerned.
"What happened?", he asked with a soft and quiet voice.
"I just had a nightmare.", I told him looking down to my hands. Fiddling with my fingers I waited for him to do or say something.
"It was more than that. Tell me.", he said and put one hand over mine to stop me from playing with them. I looked up at him noticing that his concerned expression remained visible.
"I'm extremely tired. Can I tell you some other time?"
"Promise?", he asked me with an doubting countenance.
"I promise."
We remained there for a few seconds and stared into each other's eyes. Then Matteo got up and went to the door. I couldn't help but feel a little sad and I don't know why.
He turned around and closed the door still standing in my room. He went back to my bed and stood in front of the free side.
"Do you mind if I stay?", he asked me.
"I don't.", I answered him with a small smile on my face.
When he got in I laid back on my side of the bed and closed my eyes. A few minutes later I felt my eyelids getting heavy knowing that sleep would consume me any second. Drifting off to sleep I felt Matteo wrap his arms around me and pulling me against his chest. His grip was tight and in that moment I felt safe and happy.
.........
What do you think about this chapter?
I took the picture at the top a few days ago when I was walking with my dogs. It doesn't look special but the sunrise and hearing the birds chirping was so beautiful. I thought why not share a little light in dark times. Love you🖤