Mafia Kings: Adriano: Dark Mafia Romance Series #2
Mafia Kings: Adriano: Chapter 56

In the next few minutes, we entered what I can only describe as a storybook estate.

At least, it was to me. I’d rarely been out of the city my entire life, and what I saw reminded me of a fairy tale.

We turned off the main road and traveled down a small lane through rows and rows of cedar trees. A ten-foot-tall wall loomed above us, then a massive iron gate swung open and we drove on through.

After the wall came vineyards and orchards, which looked eerily beautiful in the moonlight.

And then we arrived at the mansion.

It was three stories tall and hundreds of feet wide. Even at this late hour, many of the windows glowed with a warm light.

Adriano drove the Fiat into a circular drive in front of the mansion. I immediately tensed when I saw four men waiting for us at the curb. They were straight out of a mafia movie – black suits and white dress shirts. I didn’t see any guns, but I was sure the men were carrying.

They all said “Signore” respectfully to Adriano. Two of them helped me and my father out of the backseat.

The bronze doors of the mansion opened up and a group of people strode out.

The couple in the middle drew my eye first. The man was slightly taller than Adriano and devilishly handsome. I could see the family resemblance immediately.

The woman next to him had a kind, beautiful face. She looked no older than me – maybe even younger. From the way the man had his arm around her, I assumed they were husband and wife.

I recognized Lars and Massimo from Florence. There were also two men who looked like twins, although their personal styles were drastically different. One had slicked-back hair and a three-piece suit; the other wore an expensive but casual linen shirt.

Finally, there was the youngest man of all – a gorgeous guy about my age who looked like he could have been a movie star. But he wore a smirk that told you he knew he was gorgeous.

“The prodigal capo returns!” the guy in the linen shirt said sardonically, his arms outstretched in a parody of welcome. Then he frowned. “What the hell are you wearing?!”

Adriano had on the clothes he’d stolen from the cop. They were not only unstylish, but tight and ill-fitting on Adriano’s muscular frame.

“Long story,” Adriano said. “Everyone, this is Bianca and her father Signor Lettieri. These are my brothers Niccolo, Roberto, Valentino, and Dario, and that’s my sister-in-law Alessandra. Bianca, you already know Massimo and Lars.”

Dario walked forward and extended his hand to my father. Despite the tattoos visible at the neck of his shirt, he had the gravitas of an ancient Roman senator.

“Welcome, Signor Lettieri. I hear you’ve had quite the adventure.”

“Y-yes…” my father said timidly as he shook hands.

“We have someone who wants to see you.”

There was movement inside the foyer of the house.

My mother peeked around all the people –

And cried out when she saw me and my father.

“Blessed Virgin!” she sobbed as she ran over to us.

“Ginevra!” my father cried out as he hugged her tight.

I wrapped my arms around both of them and got misty-eyed, too.

Adriano had kept his promise: my family was safe.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” my mother asked me and my father frantically.

“We’re fine, Mama,” I reassured her.

“And you – are you alright?” my father asked her. I saw him glance fearfully at the men all around us.

I knew what he was afraid of: that Adriano’s family was like the Agrellas, and that they might have harmed my mother.

Nothing could have been further from the truth.

“I’m wonderful!” my mother enthused as she reached out to grab Alessandra’s arm. “Signora Rosolini has been so kind – they all have! They have servants waiting on me hand and foot – it’s the best vacation I ever had in my life!”

Alessandra laughed and the men chuckled.

My father looked around, stunned, like he couldn’t believe his ears.

“Thank you,” I said to Alessandra.

She smiled. “It’s my pleasure. Your mother has been a delightful guest.”

Then Dario turned to me. “Speaking of guests, you must be exhausted. My wife will show you upstairs to a bedroom we’ve prepared for you. If you need anything – food, drink – just let her know.”

I looked at Adriano.

“I… actually… can I stay with you?” I asked hopefully.

Adriano glanced at Dario – who I assumed was not only his brother but his boss.

Dario was kind but firm. “We have some things to talk to your father about.”

“Oh, come on,” Alessandra said playfully as she nudged her husband. “You sat me down in the study the first night I came here.”

Dario looked at her with a hint of a smile. “That was a little different.”

“Yes – you thought I was part of some horrible plot to take down your family. Poor Bianca’s been through hell and back, and she’s done nothing but help Adriano out. Come on… let her stay with him a bit longer.”

Dario sighed as he turned to me. “I can deny my wife nothing. If it’s fine with Adriano, then it’s fine by me.”

Adriano slipped a protective arm around my waist and drew me close to him.

For the first time since we’d left Florence, I felt truly safe.

“Sounds good to me,” he said.

I looked up at him and smiled, and he smiled back.

Niccolo stepped forward to address my mother. “Signora Lettieri, why don’t you go on up to bed? Don’t worry – we’ll have your husband back to you in no time.”

“Fine by me,” she said. “Just don’t keep him too long.”

“We won’t.”

My mother kissed me and my father, then let a servant spirit her inside.

“Alright, let’s adjourn to the study,” Niccolo said as he led the way.

“Thank you,” I said quietly to Alessandra.

“Oh, your mother’s been a delight. She’s been no trouble at all.”

“Thank you for that, too, but… I meant me staying with Adriano.”

“You’re very welcome. I remember it was a bit overwhelming when I first came here.” Then she leaned forward and gave me an impish smile as she whispered, “Plus, I can see how you two look at each other.”

I was surprised –

Was it that obvious?

But Alessandra just squeezed my arm warmly, and we all walked inside.