"See you later sorellina!" Riccardo shouts as they make their way down the hallway.

Paolo runs after his father and I try to grab him but he moves way too quick for me.

"I don't think he should be going with them," I say while turning to Vincenzo with worried eyes.

"He will be fine, just let him go," he says while running both his hands down my arms. "You worry about that child like he is yours."

"He's your brother's son." I roll my tongue in my mouth before dropping my eyes to our feet. "I just love the kid, ok?"

"Ok, amore, but he will be alright. Don't worry so much." I nod while lifting my head and a smile stretches across his face for only a short second.

He becomes serious once more and I pout, because it's not nice seeing him like this. He looks more tense and angry when he is so serious.

"Sorry for how my uncle was acting," Vincenzo apologises while pulling me into his chest.

"I won't let anyone disrespect you like that," he adds before placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

I nod against his chest because I don't really know what to say about this. It's sweet he's ready to defend me at any given moment against any type of enemy.

"You two are just perfect," Aurora coos which causes me to lift my head from his chest.

She smiles at us like a proud mother does whenever her son brings home a good girl.

Vincenzo let's go of me and slips his hand down to mine. I smile while looking down at our feet, a bit embarassed he's doing something so small, but so trivial, in front of his parents.

"I think it's time she gets a little breather, Emilio," Loredana huffs while folding her arms.

Vincenzo quickly wraps his arms around my body and pulls me closer to his chest, almost knocking the wind out of me in that powerful, swift motion.

"Why?" He grits while squeezing me.

"Exhibit A," she says while pointing at his arms around me. "You never want to let her go," she laughs while shaking her head.

"She's right," his mother comments. "You are on the poor girl twenty-four-seven."

"Where are you taking her?" He asks while loosening his hold on me.

"Shopping," both Aurora and Loredana pipe.

I look up at him and his stormy eyes meet mine. "Fine," he sighs and looks back at his mother and aunt. He releases me from his strong, and very comforting, hold and I already miss it.

Simp.

"Just use my card," he says while pulling his bankcard out of the cover of his phone.

That's the last place I would've thought his card would be...

"Enjoy amore," he whispers while handing the card over to me.

He places a gentle kiss on my forehead and I lean in to get a bit more. The moment is cut short by Loredana who grabs my arm and pulls me away from Vincenzo.

I turn my head back and quickly wave goodbye at Vincenzo like a fifth grader, and he does the same.

I complain about being couped up in this penthouse, but today I actually want to stay in.

Loredana and Aurora start to gossip about what goes on in families that are part of the mafia, and I just focus on where I'm stepping.

We make our way to the elevator as I just listen to them because I don't have anything to contribute to their gossip party. I don't know any other families in the mafia besides the Riccis and Martinellis.

Aurora enters the code for the elevator and places her hand on the palm scanner. We step into the elevator once the doors open up for us. It doesn't even take long before we get down to the underground parking lot.

A tall man in a dark suit stands by the backdoor of a black Range Rover. He opens the door for us as we approach him and I thank him as I climb into the car. He closes the door behind Aurora and moves to the driver's seat.

There's already another man in the passenger seat so I'm guessing these are Aurora and Loredana's personal bodyguards.

"So where are we going first ?" I ask with a wide smile.

"Anywhere," Aurora says with a shrug.

>>>

Loredana and Aurora have been talking non stop about multiple clothing items and I haven't really said much.

We've been going from one high end store to the next and I haven't bought a single thing.

Their bodyguards have been quietly following us, making sure that no one approaches them or me.

I would've preferred having Angelo and Nicola with me right now, but these two guards will suffice.

Aurora suddenly stops which causes me to almost walk into her back. She spins around and I take a step back just in case she decides to do something drastic.

"Maybe you'd like some new shies," Aurora says while leaning forward.

"You will look great in a pair of YSL heels," Loredana chirps while grabbing my hand.

"I don't really wear high heels," I say and they both stop walking.

"Then what do you wear?" They ask and I smile a bit.

I look around for a few seconds, but smile when I see a Nike Store. I tell them to follow me and they are hesitant in the beginning, bjg end up following me into the store.

The first thing that catches my attention is a giant white hoodie with small black swoosh marks printed all over it.

I grab it and fold it over my arm before moving on to the next part of the store.

Thirty minutes later, I'm standing by the till with six new hoodies and two boxes of sneakers.

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Am I the only one who would go to the mall just to get a new hoodie?

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