Debt to the Mafia Prince

Chapter 2

We turned into a dirt road which was covered by trees and darkness. The only light came from the headlights on the front of the car and I was beginning to worry. What if I’m not actually going to Ezio’s place? What if they’re taking me somewhere secluded to kill me? 

Soon enough, the trees parted and a large silver gate came into view. The car slowed down and we waited for it to open, allowing us to continue down the long driveway. A large building appeared and it looked like a Victorian mansion. It didn’t look quite like a castle, more like a load of houses all connected into one. A long row of fountains decorated the front of the house along with bushes and flower beds. It didn’t look as sinister as I thought it would if I was honest. 

The car stopped and the same guy who threw me in, dragged me out of the car. I struggled from his tight grip and I was getting frustrated by his heavy handed approach. I grunted and groaned as we headed to the front door. It opened a few feet from us and Ezio was standing there with a smug smile on his face. He wore a white smart shirt with his sleeves rolled up and the top three buttons undone, showing off his chest. He also had black trousers and shoes on and clearly needed a shave by the hair that was growing on his face. 

“Matteo, you can let her go now, she can’t go anywhere” he said to the man next to me. 

I tugged my arm from his loosened grip and scowled at him. He just smiled and sniggered at me. I turned to Ezio who moved away from the doorway to let me in. 

“Welcome home my darling, do excuse my older brothers forceful approach, he doesn’t quite understand how to be gentle with women” he grinned. At least that explains his rude attitude. 

The main hall was fairly big but not as big as Michele’s. It had hand crafted tables with expensive ornaments on. The hard wooden flooring creeked slightly as I walked over the old pannels. On the white painted walls hung large portraits and landscaped paintings, elegantly framed. The staircase was hidden behind a wall at the end of the room which had the bottom step on show. There were many narrow hallways connecting to this room and the house seemed like a maze. I looked up to see a large Victorian chandelier sparkling in the light. There were men everywhere which made me feel even more trapped than before. There wasn’t one set of eyes that was looking anywhere else other than in my direction, it sent a chill through my body. 

“Now Amelia...” he began, distracting me from inspecting the ornaments on the table. 

“...this isn’t going to be a holiday for you. Unfortunately I do not trust you enough to allow you to wonder around the house freely. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t earn my trust” he smirked and stepped closer to me. His hand brushed along my jawline slowly which caused my breathing to quicken. 

“Where’s Renzo?!” I growled, pulling my face away from his touch. He sniggered and looked towards the second hallway on the right hand side. 

“This way” he sternly beckoned me to follow. 

We walked down the hallway which was completely empty apart from a large wooden door at the end with two men on guard outside. They unlocked the door for Ezio and opened it. I followed in behind him and looked around at the dark room. 

There were chains, scratches and blood all along the walls. A dirty, double mattress was placed in the far right corner which had a few holes and stains on, along with a plain metal table which was pressed against the same wall. 

I was shocked in horror; sat in the middle of the room on a rusty metal chair was Renzo. His face was badly bruised and swollen from being beaten and his black shirt was clearly covered in blood; I could tell by the wetness of it and the red drops on his legs. He was in his boxers and his black t-shirt, his hands tied behind him to the chair and his body was limp. I gasped at the state he was in and rushed over. 

“Renzo! Oh my god!” I exclaimed in horror. I turned my head to Ezio who was smiling at me, I narrowed my eyes. 

“You f*****g monster!” I screamed. Ezio chuckled and then tutted at me.

“Michele hasn’t done very well at teaching you respect now has he?” He rhetorically asked. 

“Let him go now!” I demanded as I turned back to Renzo. Tears were filling my eyes when I saw the pain he has had to endure. It was breaking my heart that they have done this to him, he doesn’t deserve it. 

“Let him go and take him back to Michele!” I yelled at Ezio. 

He said nothing, he just stared at me seriously. I thought he was going to completely ignore me, but then he turned to one of the guys and nodded. The man walked over to Renzo and unlocked the chain around his wrists and feet. He fell into me and I wrapped my hands around his body to steady him.  

“It’s okay Renzo, you’re going to be okay” I reassured him and a muffled groan came from his mouth. I looked at Ezio once again and gritted my teeth. 

“Please, let me take him home. I promise you, I won’t do anything stupid. I just want to make sure he gets back safely” I begged him. I could see Ezio wasn’t willing to let me out of his sight but then he smirked.

“Matteo and a few of my guys will take him, you are welcome to ride along with them” he said and left confidently before I could reply. 

I turned my attention back to Renzo and sat him down on the ground next to me. The wounds to his face and legs were traumatising to look at; he really has been through hell. I saw a large gash on his calf which was still bleeding. I took off my jumper and tied it around his thigh to try and slow the bleeding. 

“Amelia” he groaned and I looked at him.

“You shouldn’t have come” he said rolling his eyes from the pain.  I stroked his cheek gently but didn’t speak. I knew that it wasn’t a good idea coming here but I couldn’t live with the guilt of more people dying. This was my only option.