Bound by Secrets

ENZO

A stranger I hardly knew sat on the edge of my bed, her presence more unsettling than the raging storm outside. Rain lashed against the windows, but it was the least of my concerns. She wore a torn blue dress that once looked elegant, now in tatters, and her hair was a wild mess, partly hiding her striking face. Cuts marked her arms and legs, painting a grim picture. I stood frozen, unsure how to handle the situation especially since she now knew my secret.

God, I hated men who abused their wives.

Stefano, I need your help to investigate something. A man called Sylas. Once you are done, send his information to the police. Make sure nothing traces back-” I said as I stood by the window speaking to my Captain on the phone.

A hand suddenly gripped mine and I turned to see the woman who had just entered my room. The look of fear in her eyes made something turn in my stomach.

“ Please don't tell the police.” She begged, her voice barely audible.

“F**k!” I said hanging up before I turned to her. “Fine. Tell me, Signora. What do you want me to do then?”

“ I…….I” She stammered as she stood.

“How do I know you're not lying? Everything you told me. Your husband said you were unwell.” I walked past her and sat down on the bed. Staring at her, I pulled out a cigarette lighting it. “Maybe all of what you said happened is just a fiction of your imagination.”

“My imagination?” She scoffed, running a hand through her hair. There was a deep cut on her cheek, but she still looked stunning. "It’s not. My husband wants to get rid of me so he can be with my sister. I can’t let that happen, not now, especially since I’m pregnant."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I quickly dropped my cigarette into the ashtray, extinguishing it.

“ You're pregnant?” I asked staring at her.

The sound of my phone ringing suddenly caught my attention. Seeing Leonardo's name, I tensed up immediately knowing it was mafia business. Running two worlds wasn't easy. At day, I was the CEO of Santoro Empire and when I wasn't, I was the Mafia King that everyone respected.

“ Change out of the dress you are wearing. You're pregnant. If you catch a cold, it'll be bad. You can change into any of my shirts.” I said, staring at Lauren, watching as she gave me a subtle nod before I got up.

Heading out of the room, I closed the door, moving away from the hallway, and my expression changed as I answered the phone. Leonardo's voice came on immediately.

“ Don, we have gotten the painting,” Leonardo said catching my attention immediately.

“ Are you sure the painting is real?” I asked clenching the phone.

“ The painting is real. However, we got word that the Ricciardi family has also sent their people.” Leonardo said.

The Ricciardi family had been our bitter rivals for as long as I could remember. The painting Whispers of the Forgotten Sea held the key to the vault where Marcello had hidden our fortune after he ran away. I’d spent years hunting down every missing piece, and now, with the fifth fragment finally in my hands, I wasn’t about to let anyone steal it from me.

“Let them come,” I said, my voice steady but laced with a promise of danger. “They’re on our turf now. We’ll handle them. Bring it to my house.”

Suddenly, the door opened and my eyes darted to Lauren as she walked out shivering. My eyes darted to her as I saw her standing in my white shirt. She looked so small yet sexy in my shirt that I instantly wanted to protect her. She wasn't mine but there was something about her that I couldn't resist.

“We'll talk later, Leonardo,” I said holding her gaze as I hung up.

Lauren’s eyes met mine, and something about the way she looked at me didn’t sit right. It wasn’t just curiosity. It was as if she was wondering what to do next. I couldn’t let her leave, not even if I wanted to. She’d seen me standing on my own two feet. That alone could destroy everything I’d built. The world believed I’d lost my legs in that so-called accident. Someone in La Famiglia had orchestrated it, and I needed to find out who.

Minutes later, we sat in the living room. Lauren’s eyes darted around, wide with wonder as she took in the luxury that surrounded her. Part of me wanted to set her free, to forget she’d seen me like this. But another part. The cautious, ruthless part knew I couldn’t. If she was a spy, letting her go could cost me everything.

“I’ll leave in the morning,” she said softly, her voice breaking the tense silence. “Once Sylas goes to work, I’ll sneak out.”

I shook my head slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. “I’m afraid that’s not an option,” I replied, my tone low and unyielding. “You know my secret now.”

“ I won't tell anyone.” She said immediately, trying to convince me, but I knew better. “ I'll leave as soon as possible and you won't see me again. I won't tell a single soul.”

“ You see, I wish it was as simple as that, but it's not. I can't trust that you won't say anything. My enemies are very dangerous people and I'm sure that someone must have watched you run in here. You're pregnant. For your own good, you should stay here.” I said staring at her.

“Are you abducting me?” Lauren asked making me shrug my shoulders.

Her question hung in the air like a loaded gun, daring me to answer. I leaned back in my chair, my gaze steady as I flicked the lighter in my hand, watching its flames go on and off.

“I wouldn’t call it abduction,” I said evenly, my tone as cold as the storm outside. “I’m offering you safety. But if you leave, I can’t guarantee what will happen next. To you or your baby.” I said watching as her face turned grim because of my words.

The lights flickered once, then went out, plunging the room into darkness. The storm outside raged louder, the wind howling as if it were warning us. Just as I reached for the lighter, a movement caught my eye making me stop.

I froze, my heart pounding. Without a word, I motioned for Lauren to stay still. Her wide, terrified eyes locked onto mine as I silently moved toward the curtains. With steady hands, I pulled them aside just enough to see the figure moving toward the door. Gun in hand, I crept toward the door, every sense alert. My breath hitched when I heard it. A soft creak of the handle turning, slow and deliberate. I stopped, my finger hovering over the trigger.

“Don't move,” I said aiming the gun at the intruder's head.