Chapter 1
Lucia's heart was beating very fast as she moved quietly through the shadows near the Corleone family's big house. She was feeling nervous and ready to run away if there was any danger. What was she thinking, risking so much for this crazy idea? She still has to do it anyways
But the thought of seeing Marco again was something she could not stop thinking about. She should not want him, because he was the youngest son of their enemy family. But there was something powerful and dangerous about him that she could not resist.
Lucia stopped at the trees and looked at the tall, strong walls that separated her from the home of these powerful people.
"Okay Lucia, you can do this," she whispered to herself as she looked at the wall again. If her father ever learned what she was doing, she was afraid to think of how angry he would be and what he was going to do to her.
Suddenly, a loud screeching sound rang out, and she froze like a hunted animal as two guards appeared above her on the wall. Her heart was pounding when their flashlight beams shone through the shadows.
"Did you hear something?" one of the guards said in a rough voice.
"Probably just another dumb cat and nothing more I guess," the other guard replied, sounding annoyed.
"But keep watching closely. Don Salvatore will cut off our heads if there's even a hint of someone getting in. No slacking! Is that clear!" he added.
"Sure, no one dares enter into the lion's den, it is impossible," the other guard mocked.
Their footsteps faded but Lucia's heart kept beating fast. She blew out a shaky breath, suddenly regretting her crazy idea. What was she thinking risking everything for this? For him? Marco would surely laugh at her if he knew how obsessed she was.
No, she couldn't lose her courage now, not when she was so close to him. Adjusting her dark clothes, Lucia moved quietly along the wall, searching for any blind spot or way to get inside. She gasped as an arm reached out, grabbing her tightly and slamming her against the rough brick wall.
Her attacker's smelly breath blew on her face as a dirty hand covered her mouth, stopping her from screaming.
"What do we have here?" a rough voice taunted as a bright light blinded her. "A lost little mouse wandering too close to the lion's den?"
Lucia was terrified as she stared into the mean face of a guard. She thrashed wildly but his hold was too strong as his other hand searched all over her body.
"Well now, this is quite the little prize," he breathed against her neck, making her feel disgusted. "The boss's men will want to have some fun with you before dealing with your punishment for trespassing," he said cruelly.
Fury gave Lucia a burst of strength and she slammed her forehead against the guard's nose, breaking it. He let go of her with a howl, holding his bloody face as she kicked him hard between the legs. He collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain.
Lucia's breathing was fast and loud, her heart pounding from the violence. But she had to move quickly before more guards came. She crouched down, grabbed the guard's fallen flashlight, and scurried over to a storm drain grate, pulling it open just enough to slide inside.
The gross, smelly darkness surrounded her, water sloshing under her elbows as she crawled slowly through the filthy tunnel. Up ahead, a beam of light cut through the bad air. She squinted at the bright entrance to the compound that was behind a heavy iron grate. Of course, she cursed to herself. Getting inside this place could never be easy.
Her mind raced, trying to find another way in. That's when she saw an opening in the ceiling grate, just big enough for her slim body to fit through. There was no other choice, it was her only chance at getting close to Marco tonight, after everything she had risked to get this far.
Shoving the dirty flashlight into her mouth to keep both hands free, Lucia carefully climbed up the slippery walls until her fingers grabbed the edge of the opening above. Every muscle hurt as she pulled herself up and twisted her body through the narrow gap. She barely stopped herself from crying out as the rough edges cut her skin. Finally, she collapsed in a puddle of gross water on the other side.
But the stinging in her wounds didn't matter compared to the feeling of triumph she felt. She stood in the shadows of the Corleone courtyard, the big manor just ahead. Lucia stuck to the shadows, creeping towards where guards were gathered near the entrance, her heart pounding so loudly she was afraid the guards might hear it. Getting caught would mean certain death - or worse, being dragged in front of Marco only to be laughed at for her pathetic obsession.
But climbing these huge walls was the only way to satisfy the burning desire that consumed her. She had to see him, to take in his presence like a thirsty woman needs water. She didn't care about rules or feuds. Marco was like the sun, and she only lived to bask in his burning light, no matter how forbidden.
This was the night she was going to get closer to the love of her life even if it meant she was going to breathe her last breath tonight.
Lucia's heart skipped a beat when one guard passed inches away, but he didn't notice her. His boots crunching on the gravel faded as he moved on. Okay, next problem: how to sneak past the entrance guards without getting caught?
"Well, what do we have here?" a mocking voice suddenly said behind her. "Did a little alley cat sneak in through the sewers?"
Truly this might be the last night of her life...