I didn't expect to have this much fun.
The night air was beyond refreshing.
Streetlights glimmered on the cobblestones, neon signs reflected in puddles from an earlier drizzle, and music floated out of every bar, café, and plaza.
The air smelled of salt, fried food, and something sweet I couldn't place.
Matteo walked beside me, relaxed, like the city belonged to him. I realized I hadn't laughed like this in months.
At least…not with Dante.
"You need to try this," he said, nudging me toward a tiny food stall. "Arancini. Fried rice balls. Best in Amalfi."
I bit down, the cheesy explosion of flavor making me hum in delight. "Oh…wow. That's amazing!"
"See?" Matteo grinned. "Little things. You have to let yourself enjoy them."
I leaned against the stall, savoring it. "I forgot what that felt like…just…being normal."
He laughed. "You are normal. Just…living an extraordinary life"
"Extraordinary? More like chaotic" I snorted.
"What can I say. The Mafia world is a bit…adventurous"
I laughed fully, a sound I hadn't realized I'd been holding back. I let myself spin a little in the square, ignoring the glances from passersby. For a few minutes, I could pretend life was simple.
As we wandered, I started asking the questions I'd been holding back. "Matteo…why this life? Why the mafia?"
He shrugged, eyes scanning the streets like he expected trouble to pop out from a corner. "It chose me as much as I chose it. Family, power, respect…money doesn't matter. It's influence. Control. That's the game."
"And love?" I asked, softer now. "Does a man like you…want love? Marriage? A family?"
A shadow crossed his face. "I've had…things," he admitted. "But you learn quickly that this life doesn't leave space for softness. Or maybe it does, but you have to fight for it."
I studied him. There was honesty in his gaze, a weight behind the casual grin he usually wore. "Do you regret it?"
"Sometimes," he said quietly, eyes flicking to mine. "But you know…we do what we must to survive. And survive, we do. Especially Dante."
I hesitated. "Dante…?"
"Dante's…complicated," Matteo said, shoulders tightening as he spoke. "He's not cruel for cruelty's sake. He's…angry, wants revenge, control. He's dangerous, yes but not evil and he'd never let anything happen to you…I can assure you."
I glanced down at my hands. "So you think…he's a good man?"
"I do," Matteo said firmly. "You might hate him now, resent him, fear him but he's just a man. A man who's been shaped by the worst of the world, by betrayal, power, revenge. Give him a chance. Don't let anger blind you."
I swallowed, digesting his words.
I didn't fully understand Dante. He was like a difficult puzzle. I wanted to feel maybe Matteo and Alessio might understand him more than me but he wasn't exactly an open book to anyone.
"And you…do you give chances?"
He smirked faintly. "Depends who's asking."
The streets opened to a plaza alive with music and dancers twirling in colorful skirts. I let myself follow the rhythm, laughing as Matteo guided me through a dance, my arms brushing against his lightly.
I hadn't been so free in a while. I started to forget what my life had turned into.
I ignored the heavy rock sitting on my finger.
We paused at a fountain, breathing hard, my chest lifted with adrenaline from the music and movement. I dared a glance at him. "You really know Dante well, don't you?"
"I do," Matteo said. "We've been through hell together. Fought side by side, covered each other's backs. He's loyal to the bone…once he decides someone matters."
"And me?" I asked quietly.
He didn't answer right away. Then, with a small shrug, he said, "He's…decided you matter. That's all you need to know."
A strange warmth spread through me. I felt lighter, freer. Not safe because this world was never "safe" but for a moment, I could breathe without fear pressing down on me.
"Do you think he is…changing?"
Luca's statement rang through my ears.
Matteo wiped a little sauce from his lips.
"Well…I hope so"
The rumble of a car engine cut through our moment.
My stomach clenched instantly.
Before I could process it, Dante stepped out of the sleek black car, his presence filling the square like a storm. His dark shirt clinging to his chest, the air around him taut with authority.
"Amalia," he said sharply, striding toward me. "It's time to go."
I checked the time on my wrist watch.
"Now? We have barely spent up to 2 hours here. I still want to check out some other places"
"No. We leave right now"
I frowned.
"Why? I'm having a good time! Why does it always have to be your way?"
His eyes narrowed. "Because it's my way or it ends badly for you."
"That's it? That's all you care about? Ordering me around like I'm some puppet" My hands flailed in frustration. "I'm not a child!"
"Then stop acting like one. Damnit" Dante shot back, grabbing my arm.
I yanked it free. "Don't touch me!" I shouted sudeenly feeling my anger rising. "I don't belong to you!"
"Amalia—" he started, his voice low, dangerous, but I cut him off.
"No. I'm tired of being locked in. Tired of being watched every second! You don't get to decide how I live"
My voice cracked. I turned, running without thinking, following the crowd, the music, anything that felt like freedom.
I was happy tonight . Truly happy. I had tried my best to forget about what my life was actually like and then he just had to show up and remind me that I'll never ever always be this happy.
At least not with him.
"Amalia! Come back here!"
The plaza blurred around me. Street lights became streaks of gold. I didn't care where I was going, just away from him, away from rules, away from suffocation.
But Amalfi was unfamiliar at night. And suddenly, I realized…I didn't even have my phone. My lifeline. I was alone.
"Damn it!"
I cursed underneath my breathe.
Where the hell am I?
I stumbled into a narrow alley, chest heaving, legs trembling. The cool stone walls pressed in around me, muffling the distant music of the plaza. I sank against the bricks trying to calm my racing heart.
Just…just a few minutes. Just enough to breathe. To think.
My ears strained, listening for footsteps, for the sound of Matteo or any of Dante's men. For once, I didn't want to think about Dante. Not now. Not tonight.
I closed my eyes, trying to slow my pulse.
Then a sharp, high whistle cut through the darkness.
I froze. My chest seized.
A shadow moved across the far end of the alley. And then another. And another.
Three men emerged from the darkness. Broad shoulders, tattoos crawling up their arms and necks, scars marring the skin of their faces. Their eyes glinted with something I didn't want to understand.
One stepped forward, his face partially hidden under the brim of a hat, but I could see the cruel curve of his mouth. He spoke first, voice low and menacing.
"Well, look what we have here…"
I didn't dare move.
The only sound I could hear was my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
"Are you lost sweetheart?"