Son of the Devil

Chapter Eight: Unwelcome Proposition

Unoccupied hands could lead to mischief, and it seemed like the world of temptation had sprung up right in the hero's vicinity, courtesy of the devil himself...

Giorgio dashed across the street, adrenaline pumping as he tried to put as much distance between himself and his pursuers as possible. Turning a corner, he almost collided with a tall yet slender figure stepping out of the shadows.

"Whoa, watch where you're going!" Giorgio exclaimed, staggering back.

The man raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Easy there, kid. You look like you're in a hurry."

"You have no idea," Giorgio replied, scanning the area for any sign of his pursuers. Only then did he understand that the man in front of him addressed him as "kid" that he quickly gave him a once-over.

The man tilted his head, his gaze assessing. "Trouble with the wrong crowd, huh?"

"You could say that," Giorgio muttered, not wanting to reveal too much to a stranger.

The man chuckled. "Well, lucky for you, you've run into the right crowd now. Name's Giovanni. What can I do for you?"

Giorgio eyed him warily. Then added with a joke, "Any relation to Lucio Moretti?"

Giovanni grinned, revealing a set of pearly whites. "Brother, actually. And you are?"

Giorgio blinked, incredulous at the unexpected encounter with another Moretti. He weighed his options quickly, realizing he didn't have much choice in the matter. "I could use a hand getting out of here," he openly admitted.

Giovanni's smile widened. "You're in luck. Stick with me, and we'll have you out of this mess in no time."

Little did Giorgio know; this encounter wasn't a mere coincidence. Gio had been keeping tabs on their group on the island and was fully aware of what had transpired. It was almost amusing to him, the audacity they displayed in pulling off such a distraction. As he firmly gripped Giorgio's arm and guided him through the bustling crowd toward an empty parking garage where Gio's sleek sports car awaited, he couldn't help but notice the apprehension etched on Giorgio's face.

"Relax," he smirked. "I'm on your side."

"Well, you don't expect me to believe you were sent here like a knight in shining armor, right?" Giorgio retorted.

"Why not?" Gio's eyes twinkled as he regarded the other young man. "You look like a damsel in distress anyway."

Giorgio arched his brow. "Do you work for your brother too?"

"Everyone works for my brother," Gio said, the smile never leaving his face. "By the way, what is your name?"

"Why?"

"So, I know what to call you? Or would you prefer I call you a damsel in distress? 'Coz I don't mind, if that's how you---"

"Giorgie." Giorgio stopped and rolled his eyes, "Well, Giorgio is the name but I'd rather be called Giorgie."

"Right, my darling Giorgie..." Gio's voice trailed off in a teasing manner as he opened the door next to the driver's seat. "Care to ride shotgun? I don't want to look like your driver."

This was Lucio's brother, alright. Giorgio thought bitterly. However, there was a tangent difference between him and his older brother. Lucio was a lot more frightening whereas Gio was more accommodating.

Or so he thought...well, he didn't know the man that well.

"Don't you think it's the best disguise?" Giorgio threw in his own humor as he slid inside the car next to the driver. "You can make me appear like I'm a really important person."