Mafia's Redemption: Terzo - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

DANI
I twisted and turned, trying to sleep. I didn’t know if Terzo was already sleeping because he slept like the dead. He didn’t even snore. He must be uncomfortable on the couch, knowing it was smaller for his big and tall frame.
“Terzo?” I sat on the bed. It was almost 1 o’clock in the morning, and I was still wide awake.
He replied with a hum.
“I can’t sleep.”
“What do you want me to do, Danielle?” So he couldn’t sleep either.
“Just Dani. Can you come over? Your bed is big enough for both of us.”
He grunted. The next thing I knew, he was standing at the bottom of his bed, only in his sweatpants. Damn, he had a great physique. I didn’t know a mafia this hot and fit. From what I saw on TV and what I saw on the internet. The dead mafia were short and fat.
“Are you just gonna stare at me or what?” He came to the other side. “What’s bothering you, Dani?”
Embarrassment heated my cheeks. I swallowed. I didn’t even realize he’d been watching me ogling him. “If my father agreed to meet me, what should I do?”
“I’ll take care of your security. I’ll hire men from Osmium. They are capable, and I trust them. Your father and his men can’t see us together, but I've got your back. You just have to follow what I say.” He joined me in bed, resting his head against the headboard. He looked so ruggedly handsome with his five o’clock shadow. “Stop staring at me, Dani.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s common courtesy to look at the person you’re talking to, mafia.”
“Staring and looking are different. You know English words more than I do.”
“You’re not bad yourself.” My skin prickled as I inhaled his scent, maybe his deodorant or soap. “I can’t even catch a hint of Italian accent in your tongue.”
“Lots of practice, and I went to college here in the States.”
“I’m scared,” I admitted as I lay back on my pillow. I inhaled, trying to find the right words. “What if he won’t let me go? What if he kidnaps me?”
“That’s not gonna happen. I’ll do my best to protect you and get you away from your father if you stick to the plan.”
“He won’t meet me alone.” My stomach knotted tight. I didn’t know why I trusted Terzo more than my own father.
“I know. I’ve anticipated it already, and I’ll do the same thing if I were him. But first, you should call your father and tell him you want to meet him.”
My heart pumped so hard as I scrolled down his number and dialed it.
It rang a few times before he picked up.
“Ciao. Ci e?” That was my father’s voice from the other line.
“Francesco, it’s me. It’s Danielle.”
Terzo mouthed to put it on speaker, and I did.
“Danielle, where are you? Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for months. Are you okay?” Although his Italian accent was thick, my father was also good at English.
“I’m okay. I’m back in the States.” My gaze remained on Terzo as I talked to Francesco over the phone.
“It’s good to hear your voice, Danielle. You had me worried.” Since we met, he had never called me Dani.
“My mother doesn’t want me near her and her husband, and I just lost my apartment. I’m staying at the motel temporarily while I’m looking for a job and an affordable apartment.” Terzo watched me. His gaze was strangely warmed.
“Why don’t you come to Italy? The house is big enough for you, Danielle.”
“I don’t wanna get married. I’m not marrying a man I don’t love.” I watched Terzo intently. His features shifted, jaw ticking.
“Let’s not talk about marriage over the phone. You’re the only one I have left, Danielle. Come to Italy, and let’s talk about your future.”
Terzo gestured to let me continue talking. “What future? Marrying a man someone like you? I want a normal life, Francesco. I want a normal job without looking over my shoulder all the time while your men follow me everywhere.”
“We can arrange that. Did someone come to see you?”
“No. I came back because I missed home, and there’s nothing for me there. I want to see you, but just you and me without your people? Can you do that? Can you come to the States?”
“It may take a while to arrange my itinerary, Danielle, but if you come to Italy, you can choose the place.”
I silently read what Terzo showed me on his phone screen. “Okay. Palermo, three days from now. I always want to visit Palermo.”
Terzo pressed his lips together, shaking his head.
I raised my eyebrows, asking what I said wrong. “I’ll tell you where and when as soon as I land.”
He typed on his phone and showed me.
YOU’RE SHARING TOO MUCH. IT WILL SOUND SUSPICIOUS.
“I’ll be there. I’ll see you soon, Danielle.”
As soon as the call ended, I blew a shuddering breath. “Why Palermo?”
“You’d be safe there, but don’t be too confident, your father’s men will do a recon and check that place ahead of time.” He began typing on his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Doing the recon before your father’s men can.”
I faced him and held his arm. The muscles hardened against my touch. “I’ll entrust you with my life, Terzo. I know within that tough exterior, you’re still a good man.”
He looked down at me, eyes darkening. “Don’t put too much faith in me. You don’t know anything about me. I’ve done terrible things in my life, mostly unforgivable, inhumane, but I didn’t regret it to protect my people and not to play with me. I’m the monster in your nightmare, Dani, but if I say I will protect you, that’s the words I will not break.”
I swallowed hard. “I still believe even a monster has its reason for how it became a monster. Sure thing, they were not born monsters.”
He lay down, shut his eyes, and muttered, “Good night, Dani.”
I stared at the clothes Maverick bought and gave me.
“I bought you a pretty white dress since you don’t have the time to shop. Some of these clothes I haven’t worn. Some I only used once.” She opened two suitcases before me.
“I can’t take these.”
“Take them or I will be your forever monster-in-law.” She grabbed my hand and stared at it. “Terzo?”
“What are you doing?” I felt alarmed.
“Where’s her ring?” she asked as soon as Terzo came to us.
“I’ll give it to her later,” he simply said. “Pack it up, Dani. You’re taking all of these with you?”
“Yes, she is. You won’t be coming back after Vegas, will you?”
He looked at his sister. “We don’t have time. I also have to arrange her security once we land in Italy. Thanks for loaning me your jet.”
“Not mine. My husband’s.”
“Wait. We’re going by a private jet.” I looked at them. I never imagined they were related. I guess Maverick got her looks from her mother's side. I hadn’t met Terzo’s father, but he definitely got the Italian charm and his olive skin.
“I can’t be seen in public. I’m still a dead person.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m supposed to be dead.” This again.
“He faked his death.”
“Then how are you going to get married if you’re dead?”
“I don’t have a death certificate. They didn’t find my body.” He chuckled. Terzo looked younger when he smiled. Who would have thought this man in front of us was as dangerous as the most wanted criminals?
Maverick saw me staring at her brother. She may hide her smile, but I could see it in her eyes.
“So you’re risking your dead status for me?”
He looked me in the eye. “I’m risking everything for you. So just do your part and make sure it’s worth it.”
“Thanks. I’m also risking my life here, Terzo. There’s no winner in this situation.”