CHAPTER 04 – Obscured Emotions

POV: DAVINA

"Observing him walk away... Indeed, Adam is an intriguing man. His amusement irritates me deeply, but of course, he's not the one most affected!

Anyway, these thoughts won't lead me to my objectives, and I must fulfill the mission! That's right, not to focus on this damn marriage, but rather to gather as much information as possible about the English Mafia... They won't get away with what they've done to us!

Determined, I return to the hall and spot my father at the top of the stairs, staring at me. I quickly ascend, stopping by his side.

'I think your little act moved Dom, excellent! He seems softer than his father... Proceed with the plan flawlessly, I don't need to remind you of the consequences if things don't go as planned.'

'Yes, Sir...' I reply with bitterness.

'Keep your rudeness to yourself; from today on, you'll be sweet to your future husband!'

'As you wish, Father.' I say, lowering my eyes... It bothers me SO much, but I know he's right. I know the high price I'll pay if nothing goes according to plan.

We enter together and are led by a friendly man who introduces himself:

'Miss Davina, what a tremendous pleasure to meet you. I'm impressed with the luck Dom has in life!'

'Excuse me, luck?'

'Of course, a great alliance and a beautiful woman. Everything a man desires!'

'I would say you men desire little, but it's expected, given that you often think more with the lower head than the upper one.'

My father widens his eyes at the malicious comment, and before he could reprimand me, he's taken aback by a loud burst of laughter...

'Hahahahahahahaha, OMG!'

Micael's eyes were teary from laughing so hard, and I couldn't help but let out a smile.

'My God, you have a sense of humor! Who would have thought... With your reputation, I was expecting more aggression and maybe an attack.'

'Who knows, if you're lucky enough to be my target, you'll get to know that side of me.'

'Please, don't even joke about it. Far from me to irritate the Elite assassin from France! Pas même (not even in French).'

'I see you know a bit of our language...'

'I confess I'm a bit rusty, but I understand a thing or two.'

'Hunf... too difficult for the English?'

'Hun! You seem tense; let's go to the bar in the hall. I believe you need to relax before your fiancé returns for dinner.'

I glance at my father, seeking permission. Unfortunately, in the mafia, we women are forced to be submissive to men and ask for permission for practically EVERYTHING!

With a slight nod from Mr. Bruce, I feel Micael pull me and lead me to the bar.

'A pure whiskey for me and a wine for the lady, please.'

'Tequila with squeezed lime inside, please!'

I interrupt him, and Micael smiles at my audacity..."

"Strong drink for a lady, isn't it?"

"I need something strong to deal with everything that's to come..."

Micael seemed to ponder my response for a moment as our drinks arrived. He sipped his Whiskey in silence, as if contemplating something in his mind... until he finally broke the silence:

"He's not all bad, Davina. In fact, deep down, he's just a man who has suffered too much and can no longer see himself as a human being."

"That's something he makes clear, but we all suffer... it doesn't justify his actions!"

"You don't understand, it's as if his soul has been ripped from his body..."

I look at him indignantly...

"Micael, in the world we live in, there's no room for soul or heart... We are what we are, because we were raised to be just that, soldiers of the mafia!"

"Well, I can see that you're as lost as Adam... You know, Davina, despite everything, Dom is an honorable and just man! He saved my life even when I didn't deserve it..."

I say nothing, just observe him... his story intrigues me.

"I was on the verge of death by my own merit; I betrayed the mafia because I couldn't bear their training. I was almost a deserter, not worthy of being someone, but Adam saw something in me... Something worth saving, and he accepted all the consequences of my judgment..."

"Wait, are you saying that he..."

"Yes! To save me, he endured all the tortures that were meant for me, and believe me, they lasted 6 long months. I believe that because of this selfless act, many in the Mafia saw him as a great leader! Not only someone who would use us as puppets, but a true comrade in war who treated us as equals.

*(Mafia Law: If a high-ranking mafioso judges redemption for a deserter, they must endure double the punishment in place of the deserter... The law is designed to discourage forgiveness and eliminate the weak!) *

I'm perplexed by Micael's revelation; I don't understand why... It goes against everything we know about him!

Suddenly, I hear a firm voice from behind...

"Aaa, there you are!"

I turn to see who it is.

"Hello, Miss Davina! Pleasure to meet you, but I'm afraid you're late to take your seat at the dinner table next to your fiancé."

Micael: "Wow, such formality... Soon to be in-laws!"

Filipe completely ignores Micael's comment and continues to look at me intently, though his expression is lighter than his brother's... Something in that look unsettles me, my instincts sense some danger, something I don't quite grasp yet.

"Pleasure is all mine, Mr. Filipe. I apologize for my inattentiveness; I assure you it won't happen again!"

"Thank you. Please, follow me."

"Yes, sir."

I hated the submission more than the physical and psychological torture... I could easily take down more than half the men in this place...

Calm down, Davina, calm down... You were trained to maintain self-control, follow the damn plan, or everything will go very wrong!

I approach the table, and Dom stands up and pulls out my chair. I sit down, and we proceed with the dinner without exchanging any words, which suits me just fine. Formalities are exchanged among the men until Adam stands up and taps a spoon against his glass, grabbing everyone's attention before he speaks:

"Gentlemen, I want to announce that the wedding will take place in 3 days at our Cathedral, in keeping with our traditions. Enjoy the rest of the dinner; we're concluding here."

I look around and see the shock in everyone's eyes, just as surprised as I am with the quickness of this marriage.

"Well, esteemed Dom, thank you for the announcement. If you'll excuse us, we have a lot to organize before the wedding. We're leaving!"

"We don't need so much formality, Mr. Bruce. From today, we are a union, part of our English family, our legion!"

He stretches out his hands in a gesture of greeting.

"It's an enormous honor, until soon..."

Adam nods slightly, and as I get up, I do the same. I silently distance myself and follow my father outside.