Pure Poison (Pure #1)

[1]

He was a like a fallen angel, maybe he was a Lucifer reincarnate. The way he stepped out of the car, there was a sizzling energy around him, on that attracted me to him like a moth but I stayed put, I couldn't open myself up, I couldn't spill my thoughts and secrets. I was to be guarded. He was my enemy and I knew I had to stay closer and careful. Have you seen little kids outside of candy stores? I am pretty sure those candies always felt so haughty and full of themselves, maybe that's how Raffaello felt, like an attractive candy.

The entire metaphor seemed so foolish to me.

He didn't feel like a candy, emotions like arrogance and haughtiness seemed beneath this man. No, was like a strong warrior, leading his army, leading his soldiers only he didn't seem as inspiring as Achilles or Hector. He was like... Vlad the Impaler. There, this seemed much more suitable. He seemed the kind of man who did probably drink the blood of his enemies.

Stepping towards my house I couldn't help but observe his large physique. He wore a fitting black t-shirt the sleeves of which tightened around his thick and muscular biceps. His shoulders were broad and his entire torso seemed so built. Maybe that's what he did in the prison, venting his anger out on his body, exercising and preparing himself for the day he would be released. He was a rugged man through and through. My eyes observed his face and I wasn't surprised to find it to be devoid of emotion. He curtly nodded at my father, Silvano reciprocated. You didn't hug, kiss or shake hands with Raffaello. His hair, dark like his aura was long and pulled back by elastic band.

I took a step forward, it was to announce my presence and announce it did. The dark orbs of Raffaello met mine and I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine. I struggled to keep my barrier up. His piercing eyes bore into mine and I knew he assessed me, tried to read me but I knew he struggled because as much as this sinister man tried to daunt me into unravelling, I was careful. I put my façade on. I couldn't let him know that I was not a dumb little wife.

It was a task, a taxing and unnerving task to look him in the eye and not spill your deepest, buried secrets to him. So I did what I had learnt from my mother, taking a step back. I lowered my eyes so that I could now stare at his chest and bending my shoulders slightly to appear timid. My blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair made me look innocent and I was sure he would have no trouble in believing my façade.

"Welcome, Don Morretti," Silvano said. My father was ecstatic yet petrified, he couldn't wait to wash me off his hands, he couldn't wait for the Don of the Morretti clan to marry me. Raffaello would be a better Capo than any of his sons could ever be. But who knew what the Don would do of this clan, wasn't it stupid to assume that he would always keep it protected? How could an outside understand the Ricci? But Silvano was a stupid man, his incompetency was palpable. My grandfather's only flaw, Silvano Ricci and his biggest strength Valentina Ricci.

"Help your Mother in the Kitchen, Valentina," my father commanded me.

I turned around instantly in the direction of the kitchen, it would be foolish to linger and observe him some more even though I was tempted to. I walked towards the corridor that led to the dining area and the kitchen and found my mother garnishing her delectable dishes. The poor woman had been slaving over the stove since the morning.

My eyes skimmed over the large serve ware. Pasta all'Amatriciana, my favourite was there too. I looked at her and smiled. She knew how to make me happy, in her little ways. She gave her maternal smile and came to me.

"I thought you would want this, after all that daunting man can definitely steal your appetite, maybe this would bring your hunger back," Lily said. I let a genuine giggle slip past my lips, I would miss her. Sometimes I felt bad for being so deceitful, sometimes I felt like opening myself to her but I couldn't, she wouldn't be able to carry the load of my secrets. And just like my grandfather had told me to do, to keep myself to only myself, I would just smile and be an innocent daughter.