ALLESSANDRO’S POV

The house has a smell of dust and memories as it has not been in use for a long time now. I carefully examined each and every room myself to make sure it was comfortable for Avelina.

The silence in the walls causes tension as

the walls close in. Whenever i pass by a mirror, I see reflections of Enzo. I

walk towards the kitchen to expect it to be empty, but instead there she was,

standing by the glass window stealing glances at the garden as the candle was

the only source of light.

"You wandered off," I say, walking towards the window to shut the blinds.

She slowly turns: "First you kidnapped

me, then forced me to marry you. I am your prisoner already. What more will

they do to me?"

"You are not my prisoner Avelina, I am doing all this to protect you." I said all defensive.

She doesn't say anything. She walks out on me like this conversation was not worth having. Her hands touch me, making me lose control of myself. I pull her back gently with her back against the wall, tracing her lips with my hand.

"Do not walk out on me, Avelina."

She stares at me. Her eyes were not leaving mine. For a moment, neither of us move. I wanted to kiss her, but I couldn't because I wouldn't be able to hold myself after that. The surrounding air became heavy as i couldn't breathe.

"If i was your captor, I won't be going to this extent to make sure you are safe."

"Then what am i to you if not a prisoner?" She asks, searching my eyes for the truth.

"You are a promise i can't afford to break." I say planting my lips on hers.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

By lunchtime, Emilio returns. He smells of

sweat as he wears a dark expression.

"We found the rat," He says grinning. "It was Luke. He was paid by a rival family to give them information about Mrs Rossi. He sent them your hideouts locations and map of the estate. We traced his accounts.”

“Where is he now?" I asked, taking the envelope from him.”

"He has gone into hiding. We found out he escaped last night." He answers watching me open the envelope.

It has a handwritten letter :The girl lives.

"How much was he paid?" I ask. Enough for him to act foolish. And there is more."

"Tell me," I say, bracing myself for impact.

"It was sent through a Rossi account, Orlando, your cousin."

I felt betrayed. We grew up together- Enzo, Orlando and I. He stood beside me during Enzo's funeral. Carried the casket with me. I felt disgusted.

"Keep this safe," I say handing him back the envelope.

"I need confirmation before i can believe this and make sure no one hears of this atrocity," I say dismissing him.

________________________________________________________________________________

By evening I order dinner for Avelina and I.

She sits beside me eating in silence. She looks fragile but the time i have spent with her tells me a different story.

She turns to look at me. "You are poking holes in the plate."

"I have had worse practice." I say.

"Like kidnapping people.?"

Her words were like a grenade thrown at me. They hurt but i forced a smile. I take a sip of my wine to create a distraction from my thoughts. For a while none of us speak.

The rain has stopped now, just whisper of winds remaining. I set my glass of wine on the table.

" What was your life like before all this?" I ask trying to make a conversation even though i have been watching her from afar.

"Breakfast with my father. Oh how we love mornings, it was our favourite time of the day." she answers.

I could see her eyes sparkle. She gets up before i can say anything.

"Avelina" She stops. "If anything happens to me, do not trust anyone except Emilio. Not even your own people." I say.

"Why does this sound like goodbye? She ask with shock on her face.

"Because anything can happen."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

I couldn’t bring myself to sleep. I get up from my bed and walk towards the window.

Then i hear it- a faint noise coming from the hall. With my gun in hand i jump down the stairs. The light is on. I remember putting it off before going to bed.

Which meant someone was here. I walk towards the cellar door to find it open, they must have come through it. Beside the door i saw something beeping. It was a tracker and by it there was a letter. Same as the one Emilio had handed me this afternoon.

It reads: You can’t protect her for long. I will get her soon.

My breath becomes irregular.

It was not signed. Just the word coloured in red. No signature. Just those words and a faint fingerprint in soot.

I placed the letter in my pocket and crushed the tracker. Who every did this is closer than i thought.

Hearing footsteps i turn, aiming the gun at that direction. I look up and it was Avelina. Wrapped up like a burrito with her eyes wide open.

“I got up because i felt thirsty. But i noticed the light was on.” She says

“Go back to bed. Lock your doors and don’t come out till morning.”

“Why.?” She asks

“It’s not safe here.”

“You are bleeding Allessandro” She says stepping down, her gaze not leaving my elbow.

“Oh it’s nothing. No need to worry.” I say trying to dismiss her concern.

She is standing by me. Examining the cut where the cellar door had grazed me. But my hands are still shaking.

“It’s always nothing with you.” She says in frustration.

She grabs the first aid kit on the table and reaches for my arm. Her touch is something i can’t explain. It undoes my strict side.

“We sit there in silence as i watch her clean my wound.

“You should get some rest.” I say pulling away.

She gets up and heads towards the stairs. With her out of sight i stare at the cellar door. There was someone in this house watching us. And for the first time since Enzo’s death, I wish he was here to guide me.

Because it wasn’t just any rat in my walls, it was my own people.