Chapter 4: Meersburg

WOLFGAGN P.O.V.

After being with Chiara, something changes in me. I don't know exactly what, but something changes in my mind. We didn't do any prior research on her because there's not much to know about a mafia princess, they're all the same, but I can't help but be curious about Chiara now that I'm close to her. And her muteness is now one of my greatest curiosities. However, I don't let her know how much I'm attracted to her, because mob princesses grew up believing they can handle men like me. Perhaps Chiara knows how to manipulate men. Maybe she makes everyone believe that she is harmless in order to later show her true intentions.

I move away from Chiara, and sit in front of Hans's seat. Hans is something of a friend, although — friend — is not an adjective we ever use with each other.

"I want you to find out everything there is about Chiara."

Hans scratches his chin.

"Why do you want to meet her now?"

"I'm not interested in meeting her" I growl, and lie outright. "She can't talk, and I want to know why she doesn't."

Hans raises his eyebrows understandingly.

“Now I understand why she didn't scream. Although I don't understand why she doesn't resist kidnapping."

I look at Chiara, she continues to look at the sky with a small smile, as if this were a vacation and not a kidnapping. At that moment something tells me in the back of my mind, that Chiara would not have resisted, even if she could have spoken. But why?

“There is something else. Gunther told me that everyone in the cemetery tried to protect Chiara. I understand that the men who work for Aldo would protect Chiara, but it doesn't make sense that the other clans would also protect Chiara. I think she's more valuable than I thought, which makes this an even better plan."

Hans nods in agreement.

"I'll tell Klaus to check on Chiara and Aldo when we land in Berlin."

“Tell them I won't stay in Berlin, we'll settle in Meersburg for a while. So tell the boys I'll be waiting for them in Meersburg as soon as they finish their part of the job in Italy.”

Hans raises an eyebrow with a mocking smile.

"Because right now? Are you afraid that Aldo will find you in Berlin?

“If Aldo gets to set foot in Berlin he will be dead in no time, and it makes my job easier, you know it well. But I want to see Aldo desperate to find his beloved niece,” I interlock my hands. "I will play with Aldo's mind and make him believe that at any moment I will kill his niece."

Hans nods without asking any further questions, then turns briefly to look at Chiara.

“There is something strange behind that girl. But you don't really plan to kill her, do you?"

The plane is getting ready to fly, so Hans and I fasten our seat belts while I watch Chiara do the same with hers.

“I just know that Aldo didn't think twice before killing my mother and grandmother. I am not going to be white with her, Chiara knows perfectly well the world in which she grew up and what awaits her."

“There is a problem regarding Meersburg.” Hans changes the subject. "How will you explain to Magda that you kidnapped Chiara?"

“I don't have to explain anything to Magda, and I won't let her see her either. Chiara is not here to be treated the same as she was in her Sicilian castle."

***

As the jet lands at our private airport, Hans tells Chiara to get up and get ready to go down. I watch suspiciously how calmly she obeys her commands, even when we're sitting next to each other in the passenger seats of the car. Her docile movements and her lack of resistance only intensify my curiosity. What is this woman hiding behind her apparent calm? I can't help but wonder if her calmness is genuine or if there's something more behind her stolid facade. I think that Chiara was well trained to remain calm in this type of situation.

On the way to the country house, my mind wanders to my business in Meersburg. I haven't been to Meersburg for years because of my business with the mafia in Berlin. I needed to get away from the place where I grew up, where I made priceless memories with my grandmother and my mother that I knew well — they would not let me find the way to my revenge — because I never met two people as good as them, because I know that even in his deathbed, they forgave Aldo. But I didn't want to be like them. So I had made sure to leave trained people in Meersburg to handle the legal business.

The property that I own is surrounded by extensive acres of vineyards, a sample of my prosperous wine company. For decades, this company has been a family legacy, a tradition that was nearly wiped out by Aldo Bianchi and his shady interests. Now the vines are blooming again, but I can't help but think about the past and the obstacles I've overcome to keep everything going, thoughts that only motivate me to be better and more powerful.

I come back to the present and to be fully aware of Chiara's weak presence, her little neck is turned towards the window, this girl is stressing me out with her serene look as we move through the area, especially when we enter the streets surrounded by vegetation. The inexplicable serenity of this woman contrasts with my growing intrigue and with the certainty that there is much more than what she appears. I am determined to unravel the secrets that Chiara keeps inside her while I destroy her uncle.

As Hans approaches the territory of the country house, the atmosphere is permeated with a serene and silent atmosphere, interrupted only by the soft whisper of the wind that caresses the leaves of the vines that have already caught up with us on the road. The sun shines overhead, casting its warm glow on the idyllic landscape around us. It is a sunny day, but the heat is not oppressive, but rather comforting.

I focus on the meticulous and imposing structure that stands before us. The mansion we call the 'country house' rises majestically before my eyes, its greyish stone façade reflecting the sunlight in a muted way. The windows, neatly lined up, peek discreetly from the solid walls, like empty eyes that watch without expression. The design of the house is classic and sober, with straight lines and impeccable symmetry. There are no frills or extravagant details, everything is austere and functional. The simplicity of the structure reflects my own focus on efficiency and practicality.

Then, when we are closer, I can distinguish the impeccable state of conservation of the house. The surrounding gardens are meticulously manicured, with trimmed shrubs and perfectly aligned flower beds, which reminds me of Magda's husband, Bruno, who looks after the gardens and also runs the business when I'm not around. He hasn't done it, but they do a great job with everything.

Finally, upon arrival, Chiara waits patiently for the door to be opened on her side, like a princess, and not like a woman who came to suffer. I look at her pretty body and her curves when she gets out of the car, I would be lying if she didn't admit that she is beautiful and that imagining her in my hands doesn't turn me on.

Chiara walks beside us toward the entrance, her eyes shining with a glint of wonder and admiration. I watch her reactions as she walks around the place, noticing how her gaze falls on every detail. It's funny, despite her apparent lack of enthusiasm and her haggard face, there's something about that twinkle in her eyes that she hadn't noticed before. I stop looking at her, I'm angry because I'm aware of every detail of her, as if she were a magnet, a magnet that has special power over me.

I turn my attention to Hans and speak to him in German.

“You can announce our arrival to Magda, but make sure that she does not know of Chiara's presence, and that she does not cross the north wing of the house. That area is strictly prohibited, only you can pass."

Hans nods, and leaves to perform the assigned task. Then I grab Chiara by the forearm and we change directions. Leading Chiara, we came to a small room, austere and devoid of any luxury. The gray and worn walls contrast with the simple bed in the center of the room. Without frills or comforts, the environment reflects my goal to deprive Chiara of any enjoyment or comfort.

I stop in front of her, keeping my gaze cold and showing no compassion.

“This is where your torture begins,” I tell him calmly. “Don't flatter yourself that you'll feel the wind on your skin or the sun on your face again. You will spend 24 hours a day locked in this small room.”

However, something puzzles me. Chiara details the room with her gaze for a few seconds, and to my surprise, she smiles again. Chiara is not desperate or scared by my warning, which arouses my indignation. How can she stay calm in this situation? It's unheard of. How much does that smile so stripped of fear and carelessness cause you?

I decide to leave her in the room and close the door behind me. As I walk away, a question takes over my mind: 'Is Chiara crazy?' My curiosity about her grows even more, and I feel the desperate need to discover what is hidden behind her apparent tranquility.

At that moment, Chiara's uncertainty and mystery captivate me in a way I didn't expect. I never had an addiction to anything, but suddenly I find myself not only wanting to unravel the mysteries of her body in my bed, but my mind is filled with questions, and the need to unravel the secrets that this little girl keeps in her head, I They are filling with an unprecedented addiction.