"Strangers" by Sigrid
Apollo
I stepped out of the bedroom, the door clicking shut behind me. Elena stood waiting, her foot tapping impatiently on the floor, arms tightly crossed over her chest. Fury blazed in her eyes as she met my gaze. Without a word, I motioned for her to follow me to my office.
Once inside, I closed the door behind us.
"Why are you really here, Mother?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.
"Sabrina," she said, her voice dripping with disdain as said her name, "She came by, visibly upset."
"Upset about what? My marriage?" I prodded further.
"Exactly," she chuckled darkly, her amusement not quite reaching her eyes.
"She was not happy about 'the new girl.'"
"My wife didn't deserve the treatment you gave her," I stated firmly as I took a seat.
Elena had always treated me like a son. She had once been a head dancer in Giovanni Colucci's strip club, where she had crossed paths with Leo Colucci, his brother.
Despite Leo being married at the time, Elena had been his mistress for a decade before he finally decided to marry her and divorce his previous wife. Her life had been hard, but she had always remained honest and resilient.
Whenever Giovanni dragged me and the other boys through his clubs, it was the dancers like Elena who looked out for us. And if you thought that was the extent of Giovanni's cruelty, you hadn't heard the half of it.
"You know she has to be tough if she's going to be part of the Colucci family," Elena stated matter-of-factly. "I know you wanted to make your own choice, but do you think they'll approve of her?"
Since Leo fell ill with stage four terminal cancer, he had entrusted me with leading our family, alongside four other influential families: the Colettis, De Lauros, and Gottis.
But truth be told, I never cared much for any of them.
"Colletti had Nicholas killed, and you expect me to marry his daughter?" I retorted. "You know exactly what I think of him."
"Apollo, Nicholas was a liability. Coletti did what needed to be done," Elena argued, her voice firm.
"He was still family," I shot back, bitterness lacing my words.
Nicholas and I had grown up together on the unforgiving streets, where survival was a constant battle. We were just children when we witnessed the brutal murder of a mafia don, and the men responsible gave us a choice: join the family or share the same fate as the victim, two bullets to the head.
Terrified and alone, we both chose survival, though it came at a steep price.
We found ourselves living under the roof of the Colucci family, amidst a haze of blurred memories and unspoken traumas.
Life there was harsher than the streets we had known; rules governed every aspect of our existence, and disobedience was met with swift and brutal punishment. And somehow, I always seemed to be their favored target. But being the favored one was far from a blessing for an orphaned, homeless child.
I raised us both to be strong, but it left me broken in ways I couldn't fully comprehend. Thanks to Elena, though, I managed to claw my way back to some semblance of humanity. Nicholas wasn't as fortunate. His upbringing left him with a simmering rage that only seemed to grow with each passing day, eventually spiraling into madness. When he became too unpredictable, they sent Coletti to deal with him.
"It's been two years," she said, breaking the heavy silence. "We need to forgive Coletti if we want to maintain peace."
"Elena, you know I can't do that," I replied, my voice unwavering.
"Another matter," she continued, shifting gears. "Sabrina is pregnant."
"What?" I scoffed, disbelief coloring my tone.
"That's impossible."
"She insists otherwise, Apollo. And Coletti has been meeting with Leo," she disclosed.
"Mom, I swear, that child is not mine," I asserted firmly.
"You know how this appears, Apollo. Your marriage escaping mistake with Sabrina," she cautioned, a gentle touch brushing a stray hair from my shoulder.
"Introduce your wife to the family," Elena suggested, stepping back. "If Leo approves, it could work in your favor."
"I don't want her dragged into this mess," I declared, meeting Elena's gaze with defiance burning in my eyes.
"You actually care for her?" Elena inquired, a hint of surprise tingeing her voice.
"I do," I admitted without hesitation.
"She's managed to get under my skin from the moment I laid eyes on her."
Elena smirked knowingly.
"No, Apollo, she got into your pants. Don't be naive. She could be after your money, or worse, a spy."
I chuckled, pouring whiskey for both of us, the crystal glasses clinking softly on the tray as I set it on the table between us.
"You're mistaken, Mother," I said, settling into my chair. "Remember Bernard, the old gambler indebted to Dad?"
"Don't tell me she's his daughter," Elena said, downing her whiskey as if it were water.
"We confronted Bernard last week, only to find he was broken. Threatening his family, he claimed he had none," I recounted with a laugh. "But fate intervened when a photo of a young girl with a rose slipped from his pocket."
I took a sip of whiskey, relishing the warmth as it spread through me.
"He proposed a deal—his daughter, Rose, in exchange for clearing his debts."
"And you agreed to this?" Elena's eyes narrowed.
"Not exactly. I wanted to ensure the girl was genuine and capable of handling the demands of marriage, providing me with a solid reason to decline Coletti's marriage proposal," I explained.
"But instead of Rose, it was Belle, her older sister, who greeted us at the door with a frying pan in hand, threatening Jimmy."
Elena's laughter filled the room.
"Tell me you married Belle?"
"Of course, I did," I chuckled.
"When Jimmy called, frantic, talking about facing off against Rambo with a pan, I had to see it for myself. And when I laid eyes on Belle, I was captivated. She offered herself in place of her sister."
"And if she hadn't?" Elena raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by the story.
"I would have chosen her regardless," I declared confidently.
Elena laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"You always did have a knack for getting what you want. It's why Leo chose you as a boss."
"I'm serious, she's different. I won't let her slip away," I affirmed firmly, finishing my whiskey with a decisive gulp.
"Handling Jimmy was a piece of cake, he's soft. Now, bring her to the family dinner tomorrow. Let's see how she handles Giovanni and Leo," Elena challenged, pouring another glass of whiskey.
"Fine. We'll be there at eight," I agreed, meeting her gaze with determination.
***
Belle
Apollo returned to the bedroom, a grin spreading across his face as he closed the door behind him. His eyes danced with excitement as he caught sight of me sitting on the bed, clutching a pillow tightly to my chest.
"I don't think Elena liked me," I murmured, adjusting the pillow defensively.
"Elena doesn't like anyone, not even herself," he chuckled, taking a seat beside me.
"I know this marriage started as a contract, so technically we don't need approval," I said, meeting his gaze.
"But?" he prodded gently.
"I just didn't anticipate your family being so... intimidating," I confessed, feeling a pang of unease.
"Bloodthirsty, you mean?" He laughed softly.
"You do realize my family is a bunch of criminals. That's not news to you, right?"
"I do, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for it," I admitted, the knot of apprehension tightening in my stomach.
"Ready or not, Elena has invited us to a family dinner tomorrow," he informed me, his tone matter of fact.
"Do we really have to go?" I asked, my reluctance evident in my voice.
"Yes, we do," he replied, his expression turning serious.
"This marriage, unconventional as it is, was my choice. I need to show them why I chose you."
"And why is that?" I questioned, a touch of sarcasm creeping into my tone. "A convenient solution for a debt?"
He leaned in, his touch tender as he cupped my face.
"No, Belle. I saw a courageous woman willing to sacrifice everything for her family."
His lips brushed against my forehead gently.
"And I think, deep down, Elena might actually like you."
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, momentarily dispelling my worry.
"I'm scared."
"Don't be. I'll be right by your side," he reassured, guiding me back onto the bed with a gentle hand.
"You better be," I laughed nervously. "Can I see Rose soon?"
"How about I have Jimmy bring her over tonight? She can stay with you while I sort some things out."
"Now? It's almost midnight. I was hoping you'd stay with me tonight," I confessed, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.
He smiled warmly.
"Rose is a teenager; she's probably still awake. And I'll join you as soon as I'm done."
"Maybe I should stay at Aunt Ginny's then. You can pick us up when you're finished?" I suggested, hoping for a compromise.
"Whatever makes you happy, Bellissima," Apollo said with unexpected softness.
His voice softened, shedding its usual tone of authority, and for a moment, a flicker of authenticity danced in his eyes.
Should alarm bells have rung? Perhaps.
Yet, instead of fear, a surge of adrenaline pulsed through my veins, accelerating the rhythm of my heartbeat.
Was this sincerity, or merely another calculated move in his intricate game?
Doubt gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, but in the depths of his presence, questions dissolved into insignificance. I was already submerged, lost in the undertow of his influence, my fate sealed within the grasp of his hands.
"Hmm," I studied him closely, "and what about you, Apollo? What do you want?"
He offered a wry smile. "I want us to actually make this work."
Our eyes locked, and a genuine smile spread across my face.
"If we make this work, does that mean I might be free?"
"Bellissima, as long as you are mine, you will never be free, but I can show you how to live with me."
I chuckled softly, my fingers grazing his cheek in a gentle caress.
"Apollo, you can't confine someone who's already a captive within themselves."
"Damn, Belle," he sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice, "maybe we're both in need of some therapy."
His smile mirrored mine as he brought his nose to mine, a silent laugh escaping my lips.
"Our therapist would need therapy after dealing with us," I quipped.
He pressed a tender kiss against my lips, the taste of whiskey lingering on his breath, coaxing me to surrender further into his embrace.
"I'll provide you with some therapy," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes as our lips remained locked.
His touch wandered beneath the fabric of my shirt, tracing a path that ignited a spark within me. But the moment was interrupted by the shrill ringtone of his phone, jolting us back to reality. With a resigned sigh, he pulled away to answer the call.
"Yes, Jimmy... I'll be there."
Kissing my forehead, he rose from the bed, his departure leaving a void in the room.
"Sorry, Bellissima, duty calls."
"And Rose?" I couldn't help but inquire, a tinge of worry coloring my voice.
"I'll have Jimmy bring her to you," he reassured me before slipping out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Apollo
I ran outside, urgency propelling my steps toward where Jimmy patiently waited in the car. Slipping into the front seat beside him, I could sense his unspoken concern and confusion in the furrow of his brow. Yet, without probing further, he simply asked, "So, boss, what's the plan?" before smoothly steering the vehicle into motion.
"We're heading to Bernard's," I replied curtly, my tone brooking no argument.
"I need to have a word with Belle's father. Meanwhile, you'll pick up Rose and take her to Belle."
"Understood, boss," Jimmy nodded in acknowledgment, his focus shifting back to the road.
***
An hour later, we arrived at Bernard's secluded residence, nestled on the outskirts of the city. The dilapidated facade of the house mirrored the decline of its owner. Stepping out of the car, I watched as Jimmy drove off.
The decrepit interior of the house bore witness to Bernard's struggles. With a firm knock, the door creaked open, revealing Bernard's bruised and wearied face.
His expression betrayed a mix of surprise and apprehension as he reluctantly invited me in.
"Is this about the contract? Was Rose not... satisfactory?" Bernard's words stumbled out, his uncertainty palpable.
"I'm not here for Rose," I retorted icily, my simmering anger barely contained.
"I have nothing left to offer," he muttered, his desperation seeping into his voice.
"I'm here for information," I asserted, gesturing for him to take a seat on the worn sofa.
"Information?" His confusion was genuine.
"The man you sold Belle to," I demanded, my fists clenching in frustration. "What's his name?"
"I... How did you...?" Bernard faltered, his shock evident.
"Who was the man?" My voice sliced through the air, its cold edge piercing the room.
"I don't remember," Bernard muttered, his gaze flickering away from mine.
My patience snapped like a taut wire. I seized his collar, delivering a sharp blow that sent his glasses clattering to the floor.
"Tell me the name of the man who harmed Belle," I demanded, my tone low and menacing.
"I was drunk, I don't remember," he gasped, blood staining his lip. "They called me from the hospital the next morning."
Another punch landed, fueled by my fury.
"How can you not remember?" I seethed.
"Please, I don't know!" Bernard pleaded, his voice trembling.
I dragged him upright, desperation driving my actions.
"Tell me something useful!"
"His name was John. John Smith," Bernard stammered.
"John Smith? That's a false name! Even in your drunken stupor, you must know that" I snapped, disbelief and anger intertwining within me.
"I know, but that's all he gave me. I was intoxicated," he insisted, fear glinting in his eyes.
I struck him again, this time aiming for his gut.
"What did he look like?"
"Short, overweight, with a sickly-sweet scent, like candy..." he wheezed.
"Do you find this amusing? That description fits a clown," I said, my rage barely contained.
"No, it's true! He had a scar across his face," Bernard added hastily.
"Fine," I conceded, landing one final blow.
"I'll return tomorrow. We'll revisit this conversation. Don't even think about fleeing; my men are fast."
Leaving him sprawled and defeated, I exited Bernard's house, wiping his blood from my shirt.
As I reached for my phone to contact Jimmy, I noticed nine missed calls from him, a knot of dread tightening in my stomach.
"What's the situation, Jimmy?" I inquired, tension coiling in my voice.
"Boss, we've got a problem. Rose is gone. She disappeared yesterday, and her aunt has no clue where she is," Jimmy's urged.
A curse slipped past my lips.
"Keep this from Belle. I can't have her fretting right now. Pick me up immediately," I instructed, my mind racing with concerns for Rose's safety and the delicate balance of keeping Belle shielded from distress.