Claimed by the Mafia Boss

7. Beneath the Glimmer

*ADELINE*

I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it. I stood in my spot unmoving, while everyone vanished behind a door I hadn't noticed before. I had thought I'd be dragged back to the villa, chastised for my reckless escape, yet here I was, practically waved off like an errant child. Vinvenzo had simply let me go.

"Is it too easy?" I muttered to myself, a frown creasing my forehead. The uncertainty gnawed at the back of my mind. He had to know—everyone knew how to keep tabs on everyone in this world. So why hadn't he ordered me back?

"Adeline?" The deep voice sent a jolt through me, and the world snapped back into focus. It was Marcus, the bodyguard, whose presence had been ominous yet strangely reassuring. He seemed to appear as if summoned, as if he'd sensed the turmoil bubbling inside me, or called by his now ignoring my presence boss.

"Marcus," I said, trying to mask my surprise. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Vinvenzo wanted me to... check on you," he said, a rather vague phrase that only deepened my concern.

"Which sounds more like 'watch you,'" I shot back, my tone sharper than I intended.

He offered a small, almost reluctant smile. "You know how he is."

"Yeah," I laughed bitterly, "I do know how he is." My heart raced as I recalled his piercing gaze, the way he made my skin tingle with both fear and excitement. I swallowed hard, shaking my head to clear the thoughts that treacherously squirmed in my mind.

"Want to grab a drink? The club downstairs is… lively," he suggested, nodding toward the ornate staircase that spiraled down.

"Sure," I responded, masking my unease with feigned enthusiasm. Whatever was happening, I needed to keep my composure, keep my wits about me.

As we descended into the club, the ambiance transformed from hushed opulence to electric chaos. The pulsating music vibrated beneath my feet, the bass thumping like a second heartbeat, invading my mind with its hypnotic beat. Neon lights flickered above, too bright, too loud—all a contrast to the cold calculation of the world above.

A rush of people flowed around us, laughing, dancing, losing themselves in the intoxicating atmosphere. I felt both out of place and curiously intrigued. "This is what Vinvenzo does?" I whispered to Marcus over the cacophony, moments before we reached the bar.

He leaned closer, his voice steady despite the overwhelming noise. "It's one side of him. The other… well, it's probably best you're not involved."

"More haunting mysteries?" I scoffed lightly, unsure whether I was more irritated or intrigued. "What's Vinvenzo's truth? I don't want the pretty façade; I want the filth that lies underneath."

"There's always filth, Adeline," Marcus said, his eyes darkening momentarily. "We all have our shadows."

I nodded, biting my lip. Marcus didn't need to remind me. The shadows danced around me, flitting between the glimmers of laughter and the sparkles of champagne. My thoughts whirled like leaves caught in a storm—what was Vinvenzo really involved in? I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever deal he was sealing here, it wasn't just about the nightlife.

The bartender arrived, and I ordered a gin and tonic, needing something to sharpen my thoughts. As I waited, images of the mansion erupted in my mind—the cold, sleek surfaces, the empty spaces where laughter should have been, and the ever-watchful eyes of Vinvenzo, always bearing down on me.

"You alright?" Marcus's question pulled me back.

"Yeah… just contemplating my life choices," I replied, forcing a grin that felt flimsy. The tension in my chest hadn't budged, coiling tighter with every sip of my drink.

Before I had a chance to probe further, the music shifted, evolving into a vibrant rhythm that seemed to seep into the very essence of the room. People moved closer, couples twirling with a reckless abandon that ignited a longing within me. A curious mix of envy and desire fluttered in my belly—I was here, but not really "here." I was a spectator in a world that wasn't mine, staring through glass at lives lived without the weight of obligations pressing down on them.

"Come on," Marcus beckoned, nudging my shoulder. "Let's dance."

I hesitated only a moment. With a deep breath, I let the music compel me. Allowing myself to be swept into the rhythm felt like shedding a layer of the anxiety that clung stubbornly to me. As I moved, my mind wandered back to Vinvenzo. What was he orchestrating? Did he see me as just another pawn, or was I—a part of some larger scheme that had yet to unfold?

As I swayed to the beats, the room blurred. I wasn't just Adeline the captive anymore; I was reveling in the freedom to forget, if only for a moment. The lights whirred around me, and I let the music elevate my pulse, chasing away the ominous shadows that loomed in the corners of my mind.

"See? Not so bad," Marcus grinned, his focus elsewhere, probably enjoying the sights around him.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the extravagant exterior of the club, monstrous truths lurked—like sharks patiently swimming beneath a glistening surface. My curiosity became a tether pulling me deeper into this glamorous lie.

And as I danced, I couldn't help but wonder if Vinvenzo was enjoying the show, or if the stories trailing behind him were more sinister than my imagination could fathom. Would I find out the truth, or become yet another victim of the charade, entangled in a web of betrayal that sparkled deceptively under the nightclub lights?

Suddenly, a chill coursed through me. It felt dangerously close to acceptance, but I wasn't ready to lay down my defenses just yet. I would find out what was hidden beneath the glimmer; in this dance of shadows and secrets, I needed to make sure I could still emerge whole—or at least, fighting.