Chapter 24 #2
Rudy pulls off the main road, onto a street and then around the bend to bring us to a long gravel driveway.
Groves of trees line the path and a stone wall as he continues towards a gigantic, rounded driveway that ends before a huge villa.
We park with both Animal and Rudy getting out. Owen stayed at the hotel.
“Do everything I say,” Leo says, and I nod.
Our doors open and we step out. I stare past Animal to the large villa before us.
Tall sandy walls are erected before the mansion including iron wrought gates.
Cobblestone paths lead toward the large archways of the main house, which through one of them I see a courtyard with a fountain.
Flowers are everywhere, dangling from windows and gates.
It’s sunny today, which illuminates everything with a warm glow.
If I didn’t know who lived here, I’d say it looked almost magical.
Leo comes up beside me, placing his hand on the small of my back.
“Animal, stay with the car,” Leo orders, before walking towards the courtyard. “Ringer.”
Rudy tosses the keys to Animal before trailing behind us.
The shade of the archway and small tunnel is cool as we enter the courtyard decorated with brick flower beds and sprouting florals.
Trees are planted in the beds, along with others near the villa itself which reach up towards balconies with iron railings.
I gaze up at the open hallways of the villa.
The fountain tumbles clear blue water from a statue of two angels either dancing or fighting with wings splayed. Everything is quiet. Like eerily quiet.
“Is Renato a bigger recluse than you? Thought there’d be more guards,” I whisper.
“Somewhat, but he also believes no one would threaten him. The lack of guards is to show he doesn’t consider anyone a threat,” he murmurs as we stop near the fountain.
He glances over his shoulder to Rudy, who takes a stance at the archway.
“But there are people roaming who will inform him we’re here. ”
Another chess game then.
He doesn’t say anything else as we wait quietly.
Anxiety crawls up my spine, waiting for what seems like forever.
Even though Leo explained, it feels off not seeing anyone.
I guess that’s the point. A familiar feeling yanks at me, and it’s then I realize it’s the same feeling when I was in the interrogation room. Being watched with no idea by whom.
This time I’m not sure which pieces to play. Renato’s a different opponent.
Hands wanting to shake, I intertwine my fingers as I try to distract myself by focusing on the courtyard. My eyes come across a flowerbed of white flowers, intermingled with pink ones. I’m certain the white ones are the species that Leo named his hotel after.
I start to move toward them but stop, wondering if I should leave his side, even by a few feet.
Without a word, Leo nudges me in that direction.
His hand falls away from my back as I inspect the flowers.
My fingers trail over the petals and leaves, moving to the pink ones that blossom with various shades.
“They’re called peonies,” Leo says softly.
I look up at him, smiling a little as his hand returns to my lower back. “You have quite the knowledge of flowers, mister.”
His face remains a mask of sternness, but there’s a gentleness in his eyes.
There’s a sound of shoes scuffing over gravel. Leo stands straighter and I swear his presence becomes colder. I glance up at him as I straighten next, watching as a strict look encompasses him. Someone walks towards us from the direction of the noise, and instantly I know it’s Renato.
He’s not as tall as Leo and has a rounded gut and burly shoulders. His skin is tan with age and likely from being outside, whilst his hair and beard are black, peppered with silver. His attire is similar to Leo’s with lighter colors, but wears a fedora.
He greets Leo in Italian, voice low and easy paced. Unable to understand completely, I do catch a few words.
“It…been…time, Leonardo. You were…to…alone.” Don’t need much translation for that.
“Buongiorno, Renato,” Leo responds, positioning himself closer to me. His hand dips under my jacket. The heat of his palm seeps through the thin layer of my dress, keeping himself and I composed.
They continue speaking in Italian. They talk as I carefully watch Renato Salvadori because he’s clearly watching me. His gaze skims over my attire as he speaks with Leo, voice gruff before his eyes meet mine. Under the shade of his hat, I notice he has dark brown eyes.
“This is Autumn, my fiancé,” Leo suddenly switches back to English.
“Yes, I’ve heard,” Renato says, frowning partially. “It’s a wonder that Leonardo finally decided to find a potential bride. American, even.”
I keep my hands folded together in front of me. Noticing he hasn’t truly greeted me. I smile politely, like I had when I was a barista. “Pleasure to finally meet you, Signor Salvadori.”
He cocks his head a moment as if it was the wind talking, dismissing me as he turns to Leo. “We should talk alone.”
Leo’s hand presses against my back. “She stays with me.”
Renato tsks under his breath, placing his hands into his pockets. “Now, now she’s perfectly safe here, Leonardo. No one would touch her given your…reputation of late.”
I flick my gaze up as Leo’s jaw tightens.
Renato speaks in Italian, “…she know…what…done?”
“Yes…knows…I am.”
“Ahh, she…here…” his gaze roams over me again, making my skin prick, “…surprising.”
Renato then makes a dismissive sound, turning his attention towards me as I keep a blank expression. I pretend as though I haven’t caught the few words I have. Keeping that polite smile on my face.
“Signorina, why don’t you venture the grounds, eh? My villa is vast with flowers, which you seem enamored by.” He waves his hand in the direction of an archway that leads to some gardens. “We have business that is not meant for a woman’s ears.”
“You say it’s safe, but I don’t even know what your guards look like,” I retort calmly, keeping that smile. “You’re not alone here, are you?”
His eyes narrow briefly. “I prefer not to see my servants daily. They know to remain hidden, much how you and your fiancé have recently.”
He wouldn’t happen to have a maid named Rosie, would he?
“It’s hard to get privacy nowadays,” I counter, keeping my tone light.
“Sí, now go on and leave us for that. Your bodyguard will have to remain in this courtyard. Leonardo knows my rules.” He waves his hand as if I’m a child.
I don’t move.
The mafia boss stares at me, starting to scowl in a way that should be warning enough for me to listen.
Leo remains silent, stroking my back in small circles.
Although he’s tender with me, the rest of his body is coiled like a snake ready to strike.
His brows are pulled together with a deep frown and slight curl of his lip.
Oh, if he could, Leo would be landing this man flat on his back for how he just spoke to me. Not wanting to ruin any further moves for us, I play the game I know. “Should I give you privacy, darling?”
I touch Leo’s side, ignoring Renato as I look up at Leo. Slowly, Leo’s head turns towards me. His eyes piercing and dark, dissent swirling in them. He trails his hand along my arm to take my hand and kisses it gently.
“Go explore the grounds, but not too far. I’ll find you after.” Leo’s voice is a soft command.
I kiss his hand in return, spinning on my heel. I walk away towards the other gardens. Passing Rudy, I give him a quick nod as he gives one back, remaining in his spot. Walking to the gardens, I can practically feel Renato’s gaze pointed at my back.
He wants to play, fine, but he’ll learn the only man I take orders from is my husband.
Leo
“She is not Italian or from a proper family line,” Renato says when Autumn is almost out of sight.
Leo remains quiet as his uncle turns back towards the way he came.
Leo follows silently, watching him as he’s led to the large stone patio at the back of the villa that overlooks a grove of various trees.
Leo’s hand flexes at his side, wanting to hit him for how he spoke to her.
For now, they had to play the game, allow Renato to think he has the upper hand until his brothers were taken care of.
He had to let Autumn handle him in her own way, and she did.
She had shown Renato plainly, without argument, she won’t be his pawn.
“She is not, but it doesn’t matter to me,” Leo continues in Italian. “Nonna wouldn’t have cared.”
“Your grandmother was soft-hearted, especially for love,” Renato mutters, approaching a table set with late morning espresso.
Leo wanted to snort. Rafaella certainly wasn’t that.
“Your grandfather would’ve agreed with me.
She should be Italian from a proper family, not some orphan you found.
Or at least understand our native language. ”
“She’s learning.” Leo’s jaw grinds.
Renato huffs with a grunt, sitting down and gestures for Leo to follow. “Why could you not accept the girls I arranged for you? They were well-behaved. Beautiful to carry on our lineage. Long hair, too.”
Leo pauses before sitting down, frowning. He glares at him. The silence stretches, until Renato sighs and then adds, “You understand what I mean. She does not know her place.”
“Her place is beside me, whether you like it or not,” Leo argues, sitting finally. “I suggest you accept her because she is staying and will be my wife.”
Renato pours some sugar into his espresso. “Leonardo, you cannot marry her. She will not survive our way of life.”
“You do not know that. And your own wife, wasn’t from a well-known—"
“But she was born here.” Renato points at the ground. “Your mother would’ve agreed with me as well.”
“My mother would’ve wanted me happy.”
Leo leans back in his chair, scowling heavily as his uncle drinks his coffee entirely. Renato puts the empty cup down and folds his hands on the table.