Chereads / When Paths Cross / Chapter 5 - 5. Fidelity

Chapter 5 - 5. Fidelity

Camryn's POV

Well she was...pleasant.

I opened the door to my room to see a white box on the bed that wasn't there when I left. Besides them was a note:

Wear this to dinner tonight.

Tomorrow I'll stop by your room, and we'll go out to get

you more accommodating clothes for your stay here.

- Angello

I opened the box. The clothes he gave me consisted of white high waisted dress pants, and a black sleeveless blouse. Next to them was a pair of white pointed toe stilettos heels. I ogled at the expensive looking shoe and almost cried.

After taking a quick nap I walked over to the bathroom. I still had red lipstick and mascara on from yesterday night and my hair was a tousled mess.

I had very few scrapes and bruises from last night's crash and quickly washed away the old makeup and blood. I can't believe I was walking around this place looking like a hot mess and no one told me.

I slipped on the expensive looking clothes, tucking the black shirt into the pants. The clothes fit my curvaceous form perfectly, and the outfit oozed boss lady.

I checked the clock on my nightstand and I had about 10 minutes to spare. I wet my hair a little trying to make it look less messy, and lastly slipped on the pointed heels and made my way downstairs to dinner.

I received stares from every passing person as I looked around the dining hall for a place to sit. Some people gave me curious looks, others seemed to grimace at my presence.

I felt a warm hand at the small of my back and almost jumped before noticing it was Angello.

"Did I scare you princessa?"

I gave him a pout and he only laughed.

"Seems like the others don't really like you, I wonder why."

He smirked mischievously, and pushed me forward guiding me with his hand towards an available seat.

Everyone chatted away, laughing and I couldn't help but feel...unwanted, and out of place.

"Give it time."

I looked at Angello who was sitting to my right, giving him a curt smile before all was silent.

The man before in all his lethal glory walked down the stairs and stood at the head of the table. Not one person spoke.

"Good Evening everyone. Tonight we'll welcome a new addition to our mafia. I'm sure by now word has gotten around that yesterday night my brother was attacked. I'm sure you are already aware that the person who attacked him last night is none other than our newest recruit, Camryn Reed."

Whispers of displeasure broke out amongst the crowd, before his hands flew up, and once again there was immediate silence.

"She will pledge Omerta to La Rosa Dei Diavoli gang, and she will be treated like everyone else here. Those who oppose this idea are more than welcome to take it up with me, but you might not like what will happen. Now...let dinner begin."

He sat in the chair at the head of the table as maids and butlers brought out dishes of food and placed them down the middle of the tables.

There was lasagna, Fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti, garlic bread, bread sticks, meatballs, cheese, ravioli, salad, roasted vegetables, and more. Just the smell of the food made my mouth water and my stomach growl.

Everything tasted so good, and I've never been so happy to be surrounded by carbs in my life. Everything was impeccable, from the food, to the wine.

Dinner lasted a good hour and a half before he rose from his chair, beckoning me to follow him. We walked in silence for what seemed forever before we reached giant double doors, leading to his office.

"Please have a seat," he gestured to the chair in front of his desk and I took it quickly.

He walked over to a fireplace that was on the opposite side of the room and in his hand held a metal stick to the fire. The metal changed in color signaling that it was hot.

"Where do you want it?"

My heart stopped knowing what was going to happen.

"Don't make me repeat myself," his voice was stern and I trembled lightly thinking of the place it would hurt the least.

For fucks sake it would hurt no matter what, I was about to be branded with a hot metal rod. I gulped as he walked towards me; the end of the metal rod showing a print of a rose.

"Where?"

I licked my chapped lips, nervous for the pain I was about to receive. "The back of my neck"

He stood behind me, his fingers gently moving my hair to the side to reveal the back of my neck. His cool breath fanned against my ears, he whispers, " this won't hurt...that much."

I could feel him smile and before I could even get the words out I felt the hot metal thrust upon my skin mercilessly.

I yelped but kept the scream inside, my body trembled with pain. It was only for a few seconds but I had been in more pain then than I had ever been before.

Hot tears fell down my cheek and my mind was clouded with unbearable pain. I hadn't even noticed him begin to care and clean the burnt rose now embedded in my neck.

"The rose you now possess on your neck is a symbol of La Rosa Dei Diavoli. You belong to me now and your fidelity lies within this mafia till the day you die. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Good," he said, walking over to the doors of his office.

"Keep the burn clean and if you have any issues go see the house doctor. You're excused."

I stand up shakily and he opens the doors for me to leave but I stop.

"What do I call you?"

He looked at me surprised but I'm sure realized that he had not given me one.

"Axel, but you can call me Mr. DeRicci."

"Goodnight...Mr.DeRicci." And with that I left.