Debt to the Mafia

Chapter 8

—AMELIA’S POV—

It is beginning to get chilly out here and I don’t even have a coat, all I’ve got is the black t-shirt that I’m wearing. Goosebumps rose from my forearms as the cold and gentle breeze numbed my skin. The days are getting shorter and shorter as the winter season continues. I needed to find somewhere I could sleep for the night, even if it’s just a secluded door way; I need to rest my feet. I’ve been walking around all day, trying to keep moving so that they don’t find me. 

I spoke to my mum again earlier but there is no progress with the money. I don’t understand what my dad is doing, he should be jumping at the chance of getting his only daughter back. I’m not asking for a lot, just enough for a flight home. 

I continued to hobble down a dark alleyway just off of the main road. The sound of the busy nightlife faded into the back ground as I descended down a set of concrete steps which led to an underground car park. It was the safest place I could find; well lit, dry and away from danger. I’ve lost track of what time it is but the sun is disappearing quickly and I was exhausted. 

I leant against the concrete wall in one of the corners and slid down it. Curling into a ball, I started to weep as I thought about the mess I was in. Sold by my parents to a man that they know is dangerous, being treated as a slave but shown off as a side piece, hunted by two different dangerous families in the Mafia and now sitting on the concrete floor of a car park. My stomach was rumbling and my eyes were heavy. I needed to sleep...

...20 minutes later...

“Urrggghh, get off of me!” I screamed as I was awoken by two men that were holding each arm. They wore the same leather jackets as the ones at the dinner yesterday. I knew they worked for Ezio and I was so frightened and confused. 

“What do you want?!” I yelled, trying to get some information as to why they had followed me. They said nothing and dragged me towards the exit of the car park. I struggled and scratched at the men but nothing affected them.

“Please! What do you want?!” I begged. I saw a large SUV parked on the side of the road with more of Ezio’s men waiting by the door.

“No, no! Help me!” I screamed, trying to make as much noise as I could, attempting to get someone’s attention. 

Everything went black as the man put a bag over my head. I could feel large hands tying my wrists together in front of me and then a sudden force push against my back, causing me to fall onto the back seat of the car. 

The fear poured down my face as I cried hysterically. I continued to beg the men to let me go. One of them sounded like he was talking on the phone but he was speaking in Italian so I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Then I heard Ezio’s name being mentioned which confused me further. I don’t understand why his men are treating me like this? I thought he liked me, he seemed to be impressed at the dinner. 

I heard the slamming of the car doors and the roar of the engine as we were about to set off. However before we could, a huge drama started to unfold. I ducked my head down and screamed when I heard the sound of bullets piercing the side of the car. This is it, I’m going to die and I can’t even see what’s happening. My mum and dad will never know and I’m in a car with men who think I’m worth nothing. The bullets stopped, there was no movement and I couldn’t hear anything but my erratic breathing. I whimpered as I awaited my fate. 

“Where is she?!” I heard Michele’s voice shouting at his men. I tried to catch my breath so I could yell for him. I didn’t think I would be so happy to hear his voice. 

“M-Michele! I’m in... I’m in here!” I cried out. 

After a few seconds I heard the click of the car door and then a thud. I could tell it was the sound of a body being dragged out the car which made me feel queasy. The feeling of a familiar pair of soft hands grabbed my arms and pulled me out. Then he pulled the bag off my head, I couldn’t contain it anymore and sobbed to end of every breath. 

“It’s okay Amelia, you’re safe now” he said as he untied my wrists. 

Once they were free from the itchy rope, I wrapped them around his neck and wept into his shoulder. He pulled me into his body tightly and said in a hushed tone “I’ve got you”. 

After a few more minutes, he moved away and turned to Ricco who was standing there holding a hand gun. He spoke to him in Italian whilst I assessed the scene I was involved in. 

I turned to looked at the car and it was covered in blood with lifeless bodies in each seat, apart from the side I got out of, that body was lying at my feet. I didn’t react until I saw the blood all over my skin and clothes. I shrieked and started to rub frantically at my arms to get the blood off; I was panicking. Michele turned to me and grabbed my hands. 

“Amelia, Amelia! Stop! We are going to get you cleaned up but for now I need you keep calm”. I shook my head dramatically and started to have a panic attack.

“No, Michele... they’re all dead and I could have died. They’re dead Michele! Because of me!” I started rambling. 

He turned to Ricco and spoke to him again, giving him and order before turning back to me. He placed his hands firmly on either side of my face and looked deeply into my eyes. 

“Amelia, I need you to stop and listen to me” he softly instructed.

“Ricco is going to take you back to the penthouse, you’re going to have a bath, put on some fresh clothes and get something to eat”. I nodded, glaring deep into his troubled eyes. 

“What are you going to do?” I asked without even thinking but I think he let me off this time. 

“I’m going to sort this mess out and then I will back to join you” he replied. I dropped my gaze to ground and nodded once again. Michele dropped his hands and then took a step back. 

“I will see you in a bit” he said calmly. 

I shut my eyes and let the warm bath water soothe my aching skin. I’ve never been involved in so much drama before in my life, let alone in a couple of days. I sunk deeper into the tub and let my mind drift. 

I couldn’t stop thinking about the way Michele was looking at me when he was calming me down. I’ve never seen him look so concerned or... caring. I thought he couldn’t care less if I ‘suffer’ or not. He seemed to care that I was suffering then, enough to be affectionate in front of his men anyway. Maybe I’m reading too much in to it. This is Michele, he doesn’t care about anyone. Ugh, I’m giving myself a headache, I need to stop thinking and relax. 

I opened my eyes and looked at my arms, the blood of Ezio’s men was still there. I shot up and started to scrub frantically, trying to remove any evidence of their deaths. I grunted at the burning sensation but didn’t stop scrubbing, I needed it to come off. I heard a knock at the door but ignored it as I continued. 

“Amelia? Are you okay in there?” Nico called from the other side of the door. 

I didn’t answer him which obviously rang alarm bells because he entered the bathroom even though I was naked in the tub. It didn’t seem to phase him when he saw what I was doing. 

“Amelia, stop! You’re hurting yourself!” He exclaimed as he darted over to restrain my hands. 

“It won’t come off Nico, it’s stained to my skin!” I gasped as tears rolled down my cheeks. His body slumped as he realised what was going on.

“You’ve never seen a dead body before, have you?” He asked me even though he could tell what the answer was. I shook my head and scrunched my face up as I began to cry harder.

“Amelia, there is nothing on your skin. Your mind is playing tricks on you because of the guilt you are feeling” he explained.

“You didn’t pull the trigger, you didn’t ask for them to try and kidnap you; this isn’t your fault” he spoke slowly, emphasising each word and kept eye contact with me. I was still and silent, taking in what he was saying before I nodded.

“Now come on, get out of the bath and get dressed, I’ll go and make you something to eat” he said grabbing a towel and lifting it up whilst turning his head away. I thought it was pointless because he has pretty much seen everything now but it was still a nice gesture. I stepped out and he wrapped the towel around me. 

“Thank you Nico, really” I flashed him a smile and headed to my room.