Debt To The Mafia King

Chapter 7

—AMELIA—

“Hey Sal, have you seen Michele?” I asked as I walked through the main foyer. 

“He’s down in the gym” he replied. I flashed him a confused glance and he chuckled.

“Didn’t you know we had a gym?” He laughed. I shook my head and smiled back at him. 

“Come on, I’ll show you where it is” he beckoned me and walked towards the garden door. 

Once we were outside, Sal turned right and led me to a set of concrete stairs on the right side of the house. A black metal hand rail ran along the steps, leading down to an underground gym. I had no idea that this was here. We stopped in front of a brown wooden door which opened into a spacious room. 

The space was clearly split into sections according to which part of the body is being focused on. Running machines and other cardio equipment was on the right side closest to the door along with mats, yoga balls and more spreading down to the back wall. On the left was the more intense machines, used to work on strength. The right wall was completely covered in mirrors, whereas the left and back brickwork was painted a light grey. 

I searched the room with my eyes for Michele but I couldn’t see him at any of the stations. I turned to Sal who grinned at me before walking out and leaving me in the room with no indication as to where Michele was. There was a faint thudding sound echoing against the walls, but I couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. As I walked through the room, the sound got louder followed by a grunting noise. I noticed a handle which was connected to a door that you could hardly see because it was painted the same as the walls. 

I placed my hand onto the handle and opened it gently. When I entered, there was a smaller room with a door to the right. As I took a step in and turned to my left, a row of different boxing equipment came into view. Benches ran along the left side and on the right was a wooden table with a half-drunk bottle of water. 

Michele was attacking one of the large punching bags and he looked furious. He punched away at the bag with such aggression, I’ve never seen him look so angry, so... broken before. I made my way over to him.

“Michele?” I called out. He glanced over at me and wiped away some sweat on his top lip.

“What do you want?” He grunted and then continued punching against the bag. I noticed few spots of blood on his forearm and cheek which made me panic. 

“Who’s blood is that?” I asked. He gazed down at his arm and then ignored my question. 

“Michele, what’s going on?” I pressured and he punched harder. 

“Nothing for you to worry about” he dismissed. 

“Look, I’m sorry about earlier. Alexandra knows how to get under skin and I just flipped out. I’m really grateful for what you have given me and I shouldn’t have made a scene like that” I apologised. Michele raised the corner of his mouth slightly to show acknowledgement but didn’t stop attacking the bag.

“Something or someone has pissed you off and it can’t have just been me and Alexandra, not to this extent”. 

“Amelia, just leave it” he groaned between punches. I folded my arms and stared at him. He looked over at me, recognising my stubborn expression and sighed, grabbing the bag to stop it swinging. 

“I know who killed my mum and I know who gave the order” he blurted out.

“What?!” 

“Not only that, but my dad was killed before he got to take revenge so he never killed the shooter”. I unfolded my arms and parted my mouth in shock. 

“Michele... I’m so sorry” I said sympathetically. He shrugged and then continued unloading his aggression. 

“So, the guy that shot my mother probably killed my dad as well”.

“Do you know that for sure?” I asked and he narrowed his eyes at me.

“No, but it would make sense” he deepened his tone. 

“Is that Marcelo’s blood?” I changed the subject and he nodded without remorse. 

“Did you kill him?”.

“No... I’m not done with him yet” he increased his rage.

“So he’s the one who told you about this. You know you can’t trust a word he says” I advised but it seemed to piss him off even more.

“I know how to get the truth out of people Amelia!” He snapped. 

“Okay, so who did it?” I asked him, trying to ignore his outburst. He bit his lip and then quickened his punches before pausing to answer.

“Matteo”

My eyes widened and I lowered my brows. It was shocking to hear but I suppose I wasn’t that surprised considering how psychotic the man can be. I reached out to Michele and placed my hand gently on his cheek to stop him from hitting the punching bag. He lowered his arms and panted from the intense rage he had inflicted on the man-sized bag. 

He turned to me slowly and I cupped the other side of his face, wiping away the spec of blood with my thumb. I could see the pain and hurt in his eyes as I gazed at him deeply. I wanted to take it all away, make it stop even if it was for a second. I stroked his cheek and pressed my lips together. 

“He will pay” I growled quietly. Michele continued to stare into my eyes, acknowledging my reassurance. 

I dropped my hands slowly to his gloves and pulled the strap to release his hands. After taking them off and throwing them to the floor, I ran my fingers down the front of his torso, all the while maintaining eye contact. When I reached the bottom of his shirt, I lifted it over his head and ran my palm down his cheek. He grabbed it to stop me and closed his eyes, opening them a few seconds later. 

“Amelia, I don’t want you to do this if you’re only doing it for me” he said. I smiled at him and ran my fingers through the back of his hair.

“I want this” I whispered, leaning in closer to his mouth. 

“Lasciami portare via la rabbia” (let me take the anger away) I breathed.