CHAPTER THREE

The sun scorched so hard against my skin; my throat was dry from thirst. I wanted to stop for a brief moment as my legs could no longer keep moving, but a few meters behind me was Salvador’s men. I leaned against a huge tree for a few seconds trying to catch my breath then I heard one of them order from afar,

“Search over there”

I had to keep going, but immediately I moved, I felt the sharp end of a broken tree branch slice through my flesh. I covered my mouth with both hands to hold back the scream of pain. I looked down at the fresh red meat exposed on my thighs bleeding profusely. I couldn’t stop, I kept running through the bush, tree branches and leaves slapping my face as I maneuvered my way up the hill. I heard the search party drawing nearer, they seemed to be following the trail of blood from my wound that had stained the leaves behind me.

I tore off a loose end of my already torn dress and tied the wound as hard as I could and when I raised my head, I could see a road in view. This iota of hope propelled my foot forward as I kept running, dragging my injured leg behind me. I stretched out my hand to stop the first car that passed immediately I got to the road but it just drove by. I was desperate as Salvador’s men were nearing the road too, I need to survive I said to myself then run right into the middle of the road holding up both hands and waving vigorously for the high speeding convoy approaching me. The tyres of the car came to a screech right in front of me. Boom, blast of gunshot was heard and bullets started flying towards me. I ducked behind the car; its passengers came down immediately firing bullets towards Salvador’s men.

“Get down” one man shouted at me just before a bullet flew pass me right into the windshield of the car. A hand grabbed me and orders “get in the car!” I obeyed without hesitation and within seconds the engine came to life and the car drove off, the remaining convoy following with Salvador’s men still shooting behind us.

We drove for a few minutes before the driver spoke to me again. “Who are you and why are people after your life?” I couldn’t bring myself to talk.  “Were you hit” he asked.

“No, just a minor scratch” I managed to say. He changes the gear, then firmly holds onto the wheel with one hand and then turns to pick something from the back seat.

“Here, tie it up properly,” he said handing me a white shirt.  I did as he ordered then I looked at his face as his eyes were fixed on the road. He was a well-built man with full beard that had a few patches of white in it and for whatever reason my eyes shifted to his hands on the wheel, he had no wedding ring.  “Antonio”, he said

“Huh”

“My name, Antonio” he clarified, turning the car to an unclear path on our right.

“Oh… erm… yes… erm Ma…Marcella” I stammered.

He smiled on one cheek and erased it quickly before asking again. “Who were those men and why are they after you?”

“My…erm… my husband’s men… I mean he is dead now but, but we were married, not for long though…briefly I don’t know but he died.” I blabbed. “I killed him” I added, fidgeting with my fingers.

The car tyres screeched as Antonio hit the brakes hard bringing the car to an abrupt halt jerking me forward sharply.

“You did what?” He demanded with a frown

“No… no… it’s not what you think” I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and then I narrated the whole incident to him.

“Well the man deserves it” he said simply and then started the car again.

Before long, we drove into a cottage house, there was a river behind it flowing gently. It was basically surrounded by trees and no other houses in view. It was quiet and I loved it. As we entered the room a nice petit woman approached us with a tray, but she suddenly stopped in her tracks, the tray almost falling from her hands.

“Careful Alberta” one of Antonio’s men exclaimed.

“Sorry” the woman apologized regaining composure. She put the tray on the table and grabs a first aid box from a nearby shelve. “Sit” she ordered me. I did, she carefully untied my wound and cleaned it gently. Antonio had entered a room nearby.

“Where are you from” she asked tying the final loop of bandage around my thigh.

“Please don’t send me back, they will kill me” I pleaded tears already streaming down my cheeks.

“No dear I’m not even in a position to ask you to leave or stay.” She said without even looking up at me.

“You can stay” Antonio said walking in with a class of water which he handed over to me.

“Thank you” I said gulping down the entire glass.

“On one condition” he added.

Anything to keep me safe. I nodded vigorously flinching from the pain of the wound as I turned my leg to face him.

I had learned from our conversation in the car that Antonio is a Spanish mafia boss who had just arrived in Italy for a transaction. I didn’t know how long he planned on staying, but I was willing to remain under his protection till I figured out what to do next.

“Be my mistress” the words came out of his mouth loosely.

He doesn’t know me from Adam neither do I, and he wants me to share his bed?  My back straightened as I blinked repeatedly.

“I’m sorry what?”

“Yes, you heard right. The condition under which you can remain here under my protection is to be mine, as a contract of course.” I stretched my hand to pour myself another glass of water, Alberta came in to inform us food was ready.

“Thanks” Antonio said to her and then hands me a file one of his men had brought in earlier.

“This is the contract, everything you need to know is in there. Sign it when you make a decision” and with that, he left to the dining area. I sat staring blankly at the fine prints on the piece of paper.

You cannot join any other mafia while under my care

You will not reveal our location, identity or any other mafia information to any person outside of this house.

You will not make secret phone calls; all calls will be on speaker to my hearing.

You are not sexually obliged to me

That’s was all, four simple rules to be safe from Salvador’s men. I grabbed a pen from the nearby shelve and without bothering to read any further, I signed the contract and made my way to the dining table. I handed over the file to Antonio and after seeing my signature he smiled briefly. That’s it. I had signed my life away to a total stranger twice in forty-eight hours.