Who was it again? The one who warned me that my stupidity will bite me in the ass? Was it Tyler? Or River? I can't remember. All I know is that I fucked up. Is there a way to turn back time? Back to when my life was peaceful? Back to when I can breathe easily without fear of someone stabbing my back?
"Sir? Would you like a bigger shovel?" I blinked slowly and glanced at the man beside me. He was wearing a black suit with white gloves, with a pin on his breastpocket, carrying the logo of the Il Volo family. I think he is around forty years old, his head peppered with black and gray strands. He is the head butler of the family, but from now on, he will be serving me, per Mariano's orders.
With dead eyes, I nodded. "Please. Also, bring back two helpers. I have to finish digging before he comes back."
He smiled and nodded. "Yes, Sir. Whatever you wishes."
I wiped the sweat on my forehead and continued to dig. Since I am only allowed to use a gardening shovel at first, I cannot finish my project right away. I have been doing this for thirty minutes now and I am getting tired. I guess William cannot stand the sight so he offered to help, for the tenth time.
"You're so busy," a familiar baritone voice quipped, a slight amusement in his tone. He was standing in the gazebo, holding a glass of cold water and a cotton towel.
With a glare and a rebellious pout, I stomped my way towards him and grabbed the water while he lifted his hand to wipe the sweat trickling down my neck. I was about to protest when he mouthed, 'Behave. We have eyes everywhere.'
Inhaling deeply, I was able to muster a smile and tilted my head so he can dry my sweat. With a pleased smirk, he dabbed the towel on my skin with gentle movements, and I couldn't help but stare at him as he does it. I'm not going to lie, Mariano is sinfully attractive. The way he threw his gaze at me makes my heart race for no reason; most of the times, it's me who shy away because I feel like a prey about to be devoured if I keep my gaze on him. Even with black pants and dress shirt, his appeal explodes. Any woman or man would be attracted to him.
Maybe it's because he is from the mafia but he has muscles in the right places, giving off the aura of a strong and dominant alpha male. How would it feel if I happen to be in his embrace? Will I feel safe? What kind of training does he do to have such a toned body?
"I have a picture. Want me to send it to you?"
I was dragged back to reality when I heard his teasing voice. "What?" Frowning, I downed the whole glass and snatched the towel from him when I heard footsteps coming from the house. Two male servants emerged with two huge shovels with William carrying a slightly bigger gardening shovel, just a size larger than the one I used.
"Are you kidding me? I thought you were going to bring me a bigger one?"
William nodded. "I did, Sir. This is one size larger. The handle is longer so technically, it is bigger."
I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. Calm down, Arden. Do not get stressed or you'll lose. You are not a fucking loser. "Fine. Start digging. I'm going to rest for a few seconds."
"You still haven't told me what your project is," Mariano approached me and ordered the men to continue working.
"Why would I tell you?" Stay strong, Arden. Keep your guards up. Do not get swayed by his charming smiles, which keeps happening on the daily. I thought this man didn't know how to smile but everytime our eyes meet, he always has a teasing smirk ready.
"Well, since I'm letting you ruin my perfectly maintained and lawned garden, I should at least know what the fuck you're doing." I glanced at him and he doesn't look angry, only amused. In fact, he was ordering them to work properly.
"They're digging my grave," I shortly replied and that caught his attention. With raised brow, his index finger brushed the strands away from my face and tucked them in my ears. I gulped hard and fixed my gaze on William and the others, hoping that he won't notice the heat slowly flooding in my cheeks.
"I thought they were digging mine," he answered casually and I snorted at that.
"Your frame is bigger than mine and it would take longer if I had them dig your grave," I retorted and I think I heard a low chuckle.
He leaned in to my ears, close enough to feel his warm breath tickling my senses. "My body is not the only thing that's big, Arden," he whispered in a sultry voice that sent chills to my spine.
Gripping the towel so hard and my cheeks about to explode from hotness when I got what he meant, I swung the fabric so hard but Mariano's athleticism helped him dodge the attack. "I will kill you, you fucker!"
"You're always welcome to try, Arden," he teased with a laugh and ran inside. Fuming from such a scandalous act, I turned to William and the others who became our small audience from the start.
"Keep on digging, and make it bigger. I'm going to bury your boss' body if it's the last thing I'll do!"
I'll kill him!
****
Softly relaxing in the tub, I let the wonderful scent of summer roses permeate to my skin as I closed my eyes. It's been five days since I agreed to Mariano's request because of compelling circumstances.
Rubbing the side of my forehead, my mind recalled what happened in the cafe. Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fist and glared daggers at him when he showed me the contents of the box: my precious cuff links. It was a memento from my mother; the only one I brought because everything in our house reminds me of my deadbeat father.
"I'll kill you if you don't give them back," I growled lowly and the anger inside of me has started to build up. For a moment, I forgot his proposal and his threat to sue me for stalking.
"I'm not that evil; I know how important this is to you, that's why I'm returning it. Take it," he urged me and I snatched the box lightning-fast before he changes his mind.
"What's with the flash drive?"
"My evidence. The only copy. It's yours," he replied nonchalantly and just stared at me.
The wrinkles in my forehead deepened. "You're giving it to me?"
"Sure, but that would mean that you agree to marry me."
"No way. I'll hire a good lawyer." If I was offered this option before, I would not refuse. But things have changed. I can't afford to go to prison, for the sake of my child. "I deeply apologize for what I did but I swear to you, I will not get close to you ever again. I will make sure that our paths will not cross and--"
"Too late for that, Mr. Coleman," he interjected in a slightly annoyed voice, his brows deeply furrowed. "You should have thought of that before you attempted to get close to me."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know who I am?"
Blinking slowly, I answered. "You're a famous businessman; incredibly famous."
He changed his stance and crossed his legs, his right index and middle fingers tapping on the wooden table. "You barely scratched the surface. I'm in the mafia," he said in a straightforward manner, his serious gaze still fixed on me.
I gasped at the revelation and felt all of my energy leaving my mortal body. "Please be kidding, please be kidding," I chanted over and over again until someone drags me out of this hell of a nightmare. What was the line again? Be careful what you wish for? "I'm just dreaming. Please wake me up--"
"This is not a dream and I'm not kidding," his calm voice snapping me out of the much needed trance. "By now, my enemies have already caught wind of the fact that I'm favoring someone. This would mean that the safety of that person will be compromised. To clarify, that person is you," he explained succintly, as if he's explaining how one plus one becomes two.
How should I process my emotions? Am I afraid? Fucking yes. I'm pregnant and mafia groups could be after me because of this dangerous and gorgeous bastard-- stop complimenting him, Arden! He's attractive but you need to focus!
Taking another deep breath, I rubbed the sides of my head in a circular motion. The man in front of me was just observing my expressions as he calmly sips his cup of coffee. Everytime he raises his cup, the outline of his muscles hidden by his three-piece suit becomes visible, and yes, it is sexy. I have eyes, and they are not blind.
Every part of this man is sinfully sexy: the way he moves, the way his lips lift for a smirk, the way he shamelessly fixes his gaze on me, and the way he carries himself with a hint of elegance. However, his sexiness will not get me out of the situation I'm in, so I better stop admiring him and start thinking of solutions.
"Tell me." Clearing my throat to gain composure, I straightened my posture and looked at him with a newfound determination.
"What?" His composed expression morphed into a confused one.
"Tell me everything about you. I'd like to know who I am facing up against, because I will not go down without a fight, mafia or not."
****
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