“Luca, please, they didn’t want this; I didn’t want this; how can you be so indifferent to the situation?”
“I clearly don’t work in the people-pleasing business. You’re my fiancée, and I’m not going to give up your safety so that you can live out your university fantasy. We don’t know if you’re in danger, and I prefer to be prepared just in case I won’t leave your life to chance!”
“But Luca…”
“There will be no debate or negotiation on this matter. I promised your family that I would keep you safe, and I will keep that promise.”
“Until when? I mean, how long will all this be necessary?”
“I can’t give you an answer on that. Things haven’t calmed down yet, and I don’t know when they’ll get back to normal.”
“Who carried out the attack? Can I know?”
“The Bratva, but don’t worry, we’ll sort it out!” As soonas he finished speaking, silence fell on the line. I heard Luca’s breathing become calmer, and I gained the courage to speak.
“Are you all right? Have you suffered any injuries?” I ask quietly, not sure if I should, and hear a nasal laugh on the other end of the line, making my doubt even more present.
“I can take care of myself, Chiara; you don’t have to worry about that! I have to go; I’ve got things to do; if you need anything, you know, you can call me.” Says Luca as a way of saying goodbye. I hear his breathing, and I know it won’t take him long to disconnect the call.
“Luca…”
“Yes, Chiara, do you need anything?”
“Just be careful!” I say a little apprehensively and awkwardly.
“I will, don’t worry about me. Bye, Chiara!”
“Bye, Luca!” I return, hanging up the call; I sit down on my bed with my eyes still on my phone, let out a slight smile, not really knowing why, and get up to go to the living room. I hand the phone to Paolo, and he looks at me curiously as if he’s asking me what’s taking so long.
“So, girls, are we going shopping or not?” I ask quietly, drawing my friend’s attention to me. They both nod and get up, picking up their bags. I look at the two guards who are staring at us and smile at them. “Get ready because it’s going to be a long day!” They both look at me, confused because my brothers are looking at them as if they feel sorry for them. “I think you’d better change your clothes and maybe take the opportunity to do some shopping today; full suits don’t go well with university students; everyone will assume you’re security. You also need to disguise your holster better; it’s not normal to carry guns on your chest in London.
They both look at me, frowning because of my instructions. I raise an eyebrow at them, and they just nod and go to theirapartment to change. We leave the house, heading forOxford Streetin a black armored SUV. As soon as the car is parked, we start our search.
“How about we help you choose the clothes you’re going to wear to university?” Aurora asks the two men who are following our every move. “You clearly need help looking like students; how old are you?” I look at them, and they’re wearing cloth pants and a shirt, shoes, only have taken off their blazer and tie, clearly don’t look like two students.
“I’m twenty, and Paolo is twenty-two!” Francesco says with a serious face. I look at them a little surprised; they seem to be at least twenty-six years old, and they seem much more mature than men their age. I think that’s what distinguishes normal men from the honorable men of the mafia.
“I would have sworn you were older!” Aurora says, inspecting them from top to bottom, making me elbow her on the arm to make her shut up, causing Leticia to laugh. Paolo and Francesco don’t show any reaction or annoyance at her words; they seem perfectly untroubled.
I shake my head in denial as Aurora makes a “whatever” gesture at my rebuke. We enter several men’s clothing stores, dragging both with us and making them try on a huge amount of clothes.
“I’m sorry, Miss Chiara, but there’s no way I’m wearing this!” announces Paolo, frowning, looking at a blackCeline Hodie,making me sigh loudly in disapproval; we’ve been trying to buy clothes for them for over an hour, and they’re obviously not helping.
“Why not?” I ask, slightly irritated; it’s a basic suit, black as they demanded it to be, okay, not an Armani suit, but at least a Celine.
“I honestly feel ridiculous wearing that; it’s not the kind of clothes men like us wear,” Francesco says, making Paolo nod.I roll my eyes at them both, making my friends laugh at the situation.
“For God’s sake, you’re twenty; this should be what you wear, not full suits!” I blurt out, but they’re managing to tear away all my patience. I’ve never seen anyone so difficult when shopping.
“We’re men of honor; we don’t wear these rags!”
“These rags areCeline,and you will wear them,Hodies, Swetshirs, T-shirts,jeans, and sneakers. I don’t care if you like it or not, and if you say “no” one more time, I swear I’ll call Luca and make him force you to wear it. Is that clear?” They just nod, clearly in displeasure. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to force anyone into anything, but the deal was that you would blend in, and with these clothes, it becomes impossible; you scream mafia and security!” I state in frustration, causing them to soften their expression and nod in understanding.
“Do the clothes really have to be all black?” I ask quietly toward the two men in front of me; they just nod, making me sigh.
“Why is that? It’s too much black; they look like they’re mourning…”
“Black is the color that best disguises blood!” Francesco says with a shrug, making me widen my eyes and look around, trying to see if anyone has heard his answer.
