GRAZIE MILLE

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" Where am I going?" I asked hesitantly after 20 minutes of driving.

" Why can't women just do what they're fucking told?," He snapped. "Impara qual è il tuo posto —learn your place"

I bit my lip.

He has a gun pointing to my ribs and he seems to be a bit agitated so I think it's best I keep my sass to myself, for now. We were both silent for another 10 minutes — other than him giving me the ocasional "turn right here" "turn left"— before my phone buzzed on my lap. I tensed.

" Gimmie" He held his free hand out for me to hand him my phone.

The caller ID said Jackson Miller.

I silently thanked all things holy and promised to be a nun if I didn't get shot.

My subconscious snickered.

" Ciao, baby" Andrew smirked.

I could hear Jackson yelling at him from the other end of the line but couldn't make out anything he was saying, then just when I thought I couldn't get anymore confused Andrew shot me a look and switched from English to Italian. I don't think i've ever heard Jackson speak fluent italian. He probably sounds really sexy, woah where did that come from?

My mind wandered back to the passionate night we had previously —the way he looked at me made me feel...well, good and his hot body pressed against mine...

NO.

What the hell? I'm about to die and this is what I choose to think about. I had all those hormones building up so last night when he...nevermind. I forced myself to tune back into the conversation. Of course I still had no idea what was being said. I wish I paid more attention in foreign language class, although that was Spanish not Italian.

It's like Andrew knew what I was thinking because he suddenly said " I think your girlfriend is getting confused with all this gibberish nonsense. We're pulling over, if you're not here in fifteen minutes —lei è mia "

Apparently Jackson said something he didn't like because as soon as he hung up, he threw my phone against the dashboard and screamed "CAZZO," then turning to me he said " Are you gonna pull over or do you actually plan on running away with me?"

I pulled over to the side of the road and listened to the slow ticking as the gears cooled down. I snuck a glance at Andrew who was furiously glaring at me.

Jackson please hurry up.

I tried to see if I recognized anything about where we were. The road was big but the matte race car seemed to be the only one on it. The place looked pretty deserted, it reminded me of a california desert except the weather was 50 degrees a little too chilly to be a desert at the moment. Maybe he was taking me back to Vito? Panic rose in the back of my throat, I can't go back there, no way. I thought of the old man that told me Jackson would rescue me, Harold? no Henry.

"So what's cuzzo? Is that Italian slang or...?" I tried to stall just incase Jackson came in sixteen minutes instead of fifteen.

" You mean cazzo?" He seemed genuinely amused. Too amused if you ask me. " It's what you seem to be getting on the daily —dick"

" Funny" I mocked and looked away as I felt the heat rush to my cheeks.

" It's not too late you know?" He sighed.

" Not too late for what?"

" To run away with me"

" Sorry," I faked sympathy. "I have a boyfriend"

" You were mine first"

This made me upset. " I'm nobody's property"

"Oh miele you're dad's a Mafia boss and you're fucking his second in command —you are property, why do you think everyone is fighting so hard for you?," He laughed. "It's certainly not because they love you"

My eyes burned.

I love you vanilla bean.

Did I hear that right or was that just something I wanted to hear after such an intimate moment? I kinda wish I hadn't been so tired because I would've known for sure what he said and if he said anything at all.

I didn't respond, instead I sat quietly and stared at the chipped nail polish on my fingers.

Andrew chuckled. " You're too eas—"

Just then both the passenger and driver side doors swung open. On the passenger said was Jackson wearing all black gear looking like he's ready for a war. I could see the relief in his eyes when he realized I was still alive. On the drivers side a pair of strong toned arms grabbed me and pulled me out, I stumbled a bit before looking into a pair of familiar brown eyes.

God how can one woman be so gorgeous?!

" Zara" I muttered.

" Seems like i'm always saving your ass out of some mess" She joked.

" Yeah well apparently that happens when you're property so get used to it"

" C'mon" She walked me over to her red ferrari. I paused at the passenger door after she got in on the drivers side. My gaze was set on Jackson and Andrew fighting. Both of them had discarded their weapons indicating that this wasn't just about betrayal or trust —this was personal.

"Hey!," Zara yelled through the open window "he'll be fine."

He already had a scratch on his right cheek.

As if he knew I was looking at him he turned and winked in my direction before upper cutting Andrew under his jaw.

"Yeah," I sighed. "You're probably right"

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