Chapter 4
Natalia closed her eyes briefly as the car pulled into the parking lot of the Moretti mansion. She was so tired.
Tired of pretending like she was strong. Tired of holding back her tears. Tired of being scared for her father's life.
"We're here little bird,"
Dante's voice was surprisingly soft, she blinked her eyes open and stared at him weirdly but he was already halfway out the car as his men opened the other side of the car door for her to step out.
A guard stretched his hand to help her down. Did he think she was weak? It was the darn dress.
Natalia stared at the offending hand in contempt and got out herself. Dante's quiet chuckle reached her ears, but she didn't turn to him.
Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the opulence of the mansion before her. She didn't expect the Morettis to have such luxury.
"Like what you see?" Dante's soft whisper brushed against her ear, sending a warm flush across her cheeks.
She was saved from having to reply by a loud boisterous man.
He stalked out of the house yelling on top of his voice. "There she is! The bitch Russo Lawyer!"
Natalia winced and nudged Dante with her elbow. "That's how you introduced me?"
The Mafia Lord just shook his head, smiling as the other man got close enough for her to see his face.
Her mouth went dry immediately. Brown hair, imposing height and sculpted muscles, he was crafted like a greek God.
Her eyes followed his movements as he rolled the sleeves of his white shirt to his elbows and winked at her.
"Lorenzo Moretti at your service,"
Her lips almost curled up as she turned to Dante in exasperation. "So he's your brother! What is it with you Moretti men and pretending like you don't hate my guts?"
Lorenzo barked out a laugh stalking to his brother and slinging a arn over Dante's shoulder. "She's got a tongue on her, I like her,"
"I'm a lawyer," Natalia responded drily. "I get paid for my tongue,"
She realised her mistake, the minute she saw the brother's eyes ignite.
"No no I meant—"
"Doesn't matter what you meant love," Lorenzo chuckled, leaving his brother to hold her wrist. "Come, let's put our legal feud aside and see what that tongue can do,"
"Lorenzo!" Dante growled from behind him.
"Can do in court!" The mischeivous brother barked out a laugh as he pulled Natalia towards the mansion.
"Come on Law, let's give you the welcome you deserve,"
A delicious shiver ran down her spine as she let him lead her into the house.
An hour later and Natalia dropped her fork, feeling better than she had in weeks. Maybe this trade wouldn't be so bad. So far, the brothers hadn't been perfect gentlemen but they had come close.
Dante gave her his coat to wear, covering the stupid dress she had on. Lorenzo got a first aid kit and attended to the bruise on her cheek. Dante promised to bring her Matteo and Lorenzo made sure she got fed.
Now alone in the gigantic dining room, she wiped at the corner of her mouth and let her eyes travel around the room.
Did the Morettis have more wealth than anyone in the Mafia world suspected, or were they simply obsessed with luxury? She couldn't be sure but everything she had seen since she arrived only convinced her there was more to the brothers than anyone knew of.
She breathed in the calming smell of lavender that scented the room and stood to her feet, She was exhausted, hopefully Dante would not demand to claim his right tonight.
Natalia was almost ashamed to admit a tiny part of her wanted him to. She shook her head to clear all thoughts and made her way to the door of the dining room.
The guards at the door did nothing to stop her. Giving her freedom as she ran her hand down the beautiful art works on the wall and just walked aimlessly.
She was glad for Dante's jacket. Breathing in his smoky tobacco scent as she continued to explore.
"I don't think you understand, ten of them! GONE!" Lorenzo's angry voice made her freeze.
"You talk like I didn't lose David," Dante's bitter voice replied.
"Did you? Cause sometimes I wonder. CAUSE WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY MEETING FOR?! I didn't even know they were at the Casino until the explosion,"
She knew she shouldn't have eavesdropped but the mention of the explosion that almost killed her father had her feet moving to the front of the double doors and her ears pressing against the oak wood.
Dante's deep sigh sent a wave of dread through Natalia.
"I don't know what the meeting was about but it was important. Important enough for them to bomb Alessandro and all the men present,"
Straightening, she pushed the door open and walked in, catching the brothers by surprise.
It was a meeting room, not unlike the one she had back home. Simple leather chairs, side tables, a central table and two angry bewildered men.
"Natalia leave." Dante ground out, his eyes flashing like he was angry but too tired to question her eavesdropping.
"No," She shook my head, crossing her arms. "I'm a part of this too. Papa called me before the explosion, he mentioned the meeting,"
The brothers exchanged a look.
"Did he tell you what it was about?" Lorenzo's eyes stared intensely.
She bit her bottom lip and shook her head sadly. "Just that it was important,"
They both swore audibly.
"You think the attack was because of the meeting?"
"Did your brother know about it? He's the one with the most to gain from Alessandro's death," Lorenzo glanced from Natalia to Dante.
Marco? Kill her father? Somehow a part of her was skeptical.
"I doubt," She replied truthfully. "My father rarely shared details about the cartel with him. A meeting of that nature would surely not have been discussed,"
"We can't rule him out too suddenly," Dante shook his head. "We need to find who bombed the Casino and get all the vital information we can,"
"You lost somebody in the explosion," Natalia said softly. It wasn't a question.
The brothers didn't give an answer they just stared at each other seeming to communicate with their eyes.
"What's your plan?" She looked from Dante to Lorenzo.
"Get ready pet," It was Dante who replied. "We'll be hosting a gala to smoke out the culprit,"