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We pull up in front of a mansion. Mr Harley escorts me inside after we exit the cab. The mansion is beautifully decorated, white roses line small bar-top tables and soft music plays throughout the marble entryway.
We're greeted by a smiling waiter holding onto a tray full of stemmed glasses. No champagne, but red and white wine in different shades. I opt for one of the whites, it will be calmer on my nervous stomach than a rich sweet red.
The waiter goes to attend to other guests and Mr Harley lean's over to me. "Sip it." He says in a small voice. "I need you alert. If anything goes down. We aren't going to stay very long, understand?"
Why would anything go down? I ask myself.
I give a subtle nod, taking a few small sips to attempt and calm my nerves. "But I won't let anything happen." He adds with a cocky smirk. With Mr Harley's arm extended to me, I lean against him, having a hard time walking in heels but from the looks of the other women in attendance, I'm thankful I wore them.
All the men are in crisp black suits, the women in colourful gowns with matching masks. It's definitely a formal affair so I'm glad we fit the part, still, I can't get used to the heavy thought that something is going to happen.
I try my best to blend in but occasionally a few people shake Mr Harley's hand and speak to him, in Italian of course so I don't know what they're saying. It reminds me so much of Hunter. He smiles, they laugh, we move on.
I guess this is like a marketing event in some ways. The allied mafias meet together and keep their bonds strong. It does look like a group of mafias using this ball as a distraction or something.
Once we are alone for a moment I lean over to him and whisper, "Why do you I need to be alert?"
"well, if you are smart you would realize that this is a party with a lot of mafia leaders and associates. Now you should understand" I nod, knowing I was right. I see an elaborate table with fancy finger foods. Meat, crackers, and cheese.
I guide myself, knowing I need something in my stomach besides wine. Mr Harley, being a gentleman fixes a small plate for me. I note the way his eyes slightly move around the room ever so often, I guess he's looking for something.
I take small bites, then I grab another glass of wine from a nearby tray. A smiling woman comes up to us, her black hair wrapped in an elegant twist, her uniform ironed to perfection.
"Ti piace il vino?" (Enjoying the wine?) The woman directs her question at me, I take another sip as I wait for Mr Harley to say something so that I don't have to.
"Lei lo adora, viene fatto qui?" (She loves it, do you make it here?) He asks her, she nods with a smile. Her features becoming animated as she speaks to him. Grabbing my long-stemmed glass she tops it off. I know I shouldn't be drinking so much but it does keep me from having to speak.
She gestures down a hall and then walks away, I see a small smile playing on Leo's lips. "We're going to the cellar." He says, extending his hand towards a door at the bottom of the long hallway.
"Why?" I ask in a low tone as we descend the stairs.
He pats my arm, his lips curved into a smile. "Well my darling, because the waitress saw how much you were enjoying the wine. The property behind this mansion is a vineyard, and the hosts love sharing their homemade wines with trusted allies. It's all made here and they're holding tastings in the cellar." He winks at me. I look down, not knowing how to respond to his gesture.
I hold my breath as we make our way down the intricate and rough stone steps if I wasn't so terrified I would be in awe of the ornate design of the mansion. Everything is so beautiful.
I hold Mr Harley's hand tighter as he escorts us further down, there's a fork ahead. A small sign says "degustazioni di vino."(Wine tastings.) A small scrolled arrow points left. We go right, passing through an open archway and down a small corridor.
With my arm looped through Mr Harley's, we make our way slowly, my eyes looking through each room we pass. One, in particular, has a faint golden glow in it, it's too my left.
I glide my head to the left, and that's when my heart drops at the sight in front of me.
Hunter.
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hey guys, I know I didn't keep to my promise and I'm really sorry. I'll try to make up for it
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