THE MAFIA’S CAPTIVE ANGEL

I could be doing anything with the rest of my day, probably watching Netflix and chilling, if I was up for a bit of fun, I could always go clubbing. But that wasn’t the case tonight; instead, I was being prepped for a ball I wished not to attend.

Only if there was a way to escape having to attend and watch those pretentious fuckers pretend to get along with each other.

“Do you really need me there?” I asked, letting out yet another sigh.

“Of course I do,” Bella, my childhood best friend, responded, giving me a pleading look. “I can’t do this by myself; it’s torture having to go there and pretend to care. I need you there, Athena.”

“Why don’t you just skip this year’s ball? I’m sure your parents won’t mind.”

Bella sighed exasperatedly. “I wish I could, but my dad is too stubborn to listen to reasons, he is running for a political position and wishes I would accompany him since my brother can’t attend this year. I’m really hating the fact that he had to go on a business trip at this time.”

“You know how much I hate attending this event; not even Alexander could make me go.”

“Yeah, but I’m your one and only best friend.” She grins.

“Ugh, do I at least get to eat first? I haven’t had anything since breakfast.” I asked. My head was pounding, and I certainly wasn’t ready to spend the day preparing for the ball on an empty stomach.

“Of course, I will get a maid to whip up something for you.” She was out of the room before I could say anything, and after thirty minutes, she returned with a tray of food.

My stomach grumbled in agreement as I threw off the bed covers and practically leaped towards the table. My mouth watered at the sight of the toast, marmalade, and fruits.

“So who exactly will be attending the ball? It seems important if your father is pressuring you to go. I know Alexander can’t go since he has other matters to attend to and Sin hasn’t been back in Italy for three years now,” I asked, between mouthfuls.

“um…. i . Don’t really know,” she stuttered out nervously. “I already got us a dress, so you don’t have to worry about what to wear.” She says, changing the subject, and I decided not to pry further; she probably had no clue. I just wanted to get the night over and done with.

After my meal, I immediately went to the bathroom to freshen up while the makeup artist we invited was prepping Bella. Once I was done with my shower, the women assigned to getting me ready began working their magic on my hair and face as time seemed to move at lightning speed.

When they finished, they moved away from the mirror, giving me access to my reflection. My hair was curled so that it cascaded down my shoulders in voluminous waves that looked foreign on my face. The makeup on my face was simple yet elegant and divine.

I was dressed in a deep red corseted ball gown that, despite crushing my insides, spoke nothing but sophistication. On top of my bosom lays a diamond necklace paired with similar earrings.

“Don’t you look beautiful?” Bella beamed. “You sure will be turning heads.”

“What can I say? I was born beautiful,” I replied with a bit of sass. “And you aren’t looking bad yourself. You look amazing.”

Bella looked ethereal in a lilac ball gown made of a fabric so soft, it felt like it would crumble upon touch. Her makeup, like mine, was simple yet elegant. Her hair was pinned up with two strands by each side of her face, making her green eyes prominent.

“Well, I do plan on getting laid afterward. So I might as well look my best.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“If I’m going to put up with the torture for the night, don’t I need to be rewarded?”

I scoff. “And what do I get in return?”

“our never-ending bond of friendship.” She smiles cheekily.

“Nice try….” I say with a smirk. “Dinner at your family restaurant for a month.”

“What? You can’t be serious.”

“You know how freaking expensive it is to book a table there and have been craving some minestrone. Your restaurant makes the best minestrone.”

” True.” Bella answers, bobbing her head. “Okay, fine.”

” Yes….” I squealed excitedly. “Come on, let’s go.” The earlier we get there, the earlier we get to leave.”

♤♤♤♤

The party was in full swing, and just as I expected, most of the influential Italian family was in attendance. dressed in their very best attire, looking posh and elegant. Everyone was conversing and laughing amongst themselves, pretending they were excited to see each other.

I rolled my eyes, bored out of my mind, and it had only been an hour since we got here. I couldn’t wait for the time to move faster so that I could return to the comfort of my bed.

My eyes wandered around the room, taking in the familiar faces before settling on one particularly dreadful one.

He stood there, tall and mighty, conversing with some of the influential men, and I felt the anger begin to boil in my skin. He must have noticed my eyes on him because his face was turned in my direction. His gaze met mine, and I watched as his brow furrowed before the frown on his face was replaced with a very annoying smirk.

“You didn’t tell me that Lorenzo was going to be here.” I whispered a yell at Bella. ”

“I’m sorry.” She says it with a face full of guilt. “I knew you wouldn’t want to come if you knew he was attending. Besides, you just have to avoid. I doubt he is crazy enough to start a conversation with you.”

“Well, he sure is, seeing as he is making his way toward us.” I whispered, and her eyes widened as we both watched Lorenzo walk towards us. a devilish smirk on his face that I wish for nothing more than to scratch it off.

I thought of walking away, but I knew that would only make me look weak, which was something I didn’t want. I turned to look at Bella, who had a worried look on her face. “You don’t have to worry about me; I can handle him myself. Why don’t you carry on having fun?”

“There is no way in hell I’m going to leave you.” She replies, adamant.

“Come on, Bella. I know you have been eyeing that Andrew guy for a while now, and he seems interested in you. I thought your plan was to get laid tonight.”

“Well, bros before hoes.”

I rolled my eyes at this. “Don’t you think it’s the other way around?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I can handle Lorenzo, Bella, so don’t worry.” I reasoned with her and saw the hesitation in her eyes. I gave her shoulder a little nudge as a form of encouragement.

“Are you sure?”

” Yes.” I say it with a smile. The last thing I wanted was for her to be wrapped up in whatever was going on with Violenta and Ramirez.

” Fine. Signal if you need my help.”

“I will.” I replied, watching her walk away, but not before throwing a glare at Lorenzo, who seemed amused by it.

“Athena.” Lorenzo says, stopping a few feet away from us. My name rolls out of his lips in a sultry tone, his gaze taking in my appearance, and his smirk deepens.

“Lorenzo.” I replied, my voice filling with venom as I mustered up a fake smile.

“It’s a surprise to see you here alone, out of the clutches of your brothers,” he said before taking a sip of his drink.

“I don’t need them to protect me; I believe I can very well handle myself even from the likes of you.”

He slightly chuckles, then nibbles down on his bottom lip and thus responds. ” Feisty. I like it.”

My anger rose at how unaffected he seemed. “How exactly do you sleep at night, knowing you are nothing more than a backstabbing little bastard?” A victory smirk grew on my face when I saw the cold expression in his face and how his jaws were clenched together.

The look in his eyes was dark as he gazed at me, but it was soon wiped off and replaced with his revolting smirk. His penetrating hazel eyes meet with mine as he takes a bite of his beverage. Strong and pervasive tension prevails. We both pretended to be happy while hiding our savage animosity towards one another. There was nothing I wanted more than to go for my dagger that was concealed in my holster and sever his neck as the blood spurted out.

“Il mio esuberante angelo, if you’re so curious to know, I slept like a fucking baby.” He replies, advancing toward me until we were both out of breath. His lips brushed across the side of my ear, moving very slowly. ” e solo perché tu lo sappia, niente di me è poco (And just so you know, nothing about me is little)”

When he whispered those final words, which were dripping with sensuality, heated me to the core, my heart leaped into my throat. His tattoos, which I assumed ended at his chest, trailed up his arm before blending into his clothing.

His torso was wrapped in a skin-tight shirt that twisted, exposing the muscles rippling beneath the material. Even though a large part of me wanted to murder him, I couldn’t help but want to rip off his shirt and give him a passionate kiss.

His hazel eyes spoke so many stories and concealed so many secrets despite not being very lively or alive.

He possessed a quality that piqued my interest.

I wanted to know more about this man, yet I wanted to put a bullet through his head for what he had done to my family.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Then an idea struck me. This was my chance to get revenge for my family and make him pay for what his family did to mine, even if it meant giving myself to the enemy. In addition to seducing him, I had to play his game so that I could progressively learn more about him while he thought he was winning. When he finally drops his guard, I strike since I know all of his vulnerabilities, as well as his strengths and family information.

“Really,” I implied, biting my bottom lip. ” and how do you plan on proving it?”

“Be careful, il mio esuberante angelo, you don’t want to start what you can’t handle.”

“Then you know nothing about me.” I bit my lips very slowly, watching his eyes follow every movement. “Nothing’s more interesting than a beautiful woman who craves danger. Or don’t you agree with me, Lorenzo?”

He took a sip of his drink, and I saw that he had a rose tattoo on his left hand, that his jet-black hair was pulled back with gel, and that there were a few sparse hairs on his forehead that were dozing. His all-black suit appeared to be hand-tailored. Elegant and young

We both remain mute as we stare at one another like ravenous animals fighting for the final meal. You could feel the tension slowly escalating between us. I lick my lips in want as i slowly sweep my hair off my shoulder. Lorenzo grinds his teeth and murmurs something to himself. I struggle to control my smirk. recognizing his desire for me.

This time, I was the one who closed the distance between us. I placed my hand on his chest without breaking eye contact.

“Dance with me.” I whisper in his ear, taking his drink from him and placing it on the table before clasping his arm and dragging him to the dance floor.

I walked slowly in his direction, pressing my chest into him and encircling his neck with my hands as I did so. With our faces close to each other, I begin to move gently but seductively against his body, tease him with my fingers that are softly caressing his nape.

I smirk when I hear a slight yet husky groan escape his mouth.

“Non sarebbe meglio se fossimo entrambi nudi? (Won’t it be better if we were both naked?) I whisper as I lean into his ear and gently bite his earlobe.

Bella was watching me with wide eyes and anxiety as I was taken off the dance floor before I could process anything. I signalled to her that everything would be alright.

The process of luring Lorenzo was so much simpler than I had anticipated.

The hallway is empty as Lorenzo rings us up. He slams his lips into mine without any prior notice. The ballroom’s distant quiet music is audible.

Since he’s tall, I balance myself by wrapping my arms around his neck and standing on my tiptoes. He deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into my mouth, turning the kiss into a sloppy, hot one.

“Your place.” I moaned between the kisses, heat rushing to my core as I felt his hands dangerously exploring my body.

He doesn’t reply, but picks me up without warning and continues to walk down the hall. He stops in front of an elevator and presses the button. while we wait. I break the kiss and question him. “Where are we going?”

“my place.” He simply replies confirms my word. Then he just continued to kiss me as we entered the elevator.

“Just so you know, Athena, i don’t plan on going easy on you.”

“Good, because I expect nothing less.”