Episode 17

Amanda decided not to argue, especially not with Vicenzo, as she was already exhausted, hungry, and had gone days without proper sleep. Disregarding the towel - and her nakedness, indifferent to Vicenzo's lingering gaze as he sat back on the sofa, sipping his whiskey - she chose a white blouse tied in a knot at the front, impossible to wear with a bra, and donned a pair of snug-fitting denim shorts that accentuated her shapely buttocks. She slipped into flat sandals and made straight for the door, not wishing to spend another minute near the man who so utterly disrupted her life that she no longer recognized herself after being possessed by him - a single kiss was all it took for her to completely melt in his arms.

Descending the stairs, Amanda was taken aback to see a young man, looking about twenty, lounging on the living room sofa watching television. He immediately noticed her and appraised her from head to toe with barely concealed admiration and desire. Swiftly, he rose and approached her.

"Good morning, gorgeous. A pleasure. I'm Victor, and you are?" he said, seizing Amanda's hand and bringing it to his lips, planting a kiss that lingered a bit too long for her liking.

Caught off guard, Amanda nonetheless responded.

"Amanda, and it's nice to meet you, too." Victor continued to hold her hand close to his lips, his eyes roaming over her with a desire that felt like undressing. It was at this precise moment Vicenzo entered the room and, seeing the scene unfold, lunged toward Victor like a tempest. He grabbed Victor by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"I'm warning you just this once: touch my fiancee again, and I'll break every bone in your hand - one by one. Got it?" he seethed.

"Sorry, cousin, I didn't know she was your fiancee. I thought she was just another girl - the kind you usually go out with," said a terrified Victor. Vicenzo released him after the apology, silently pondering that perhaps that's all Amanda was to him - insignificant. Yet he knew he was lying to her and to himself. His feelings for her went beyond mere desire; it was as if he needed her constantly to feel whole, a sensation that troubled him deeply. Especially given the jealousy he'd just exhibited at the sight of his cousin kissing her hand - an emotion completely alien to Vicenzo, who had never felt possessiveness for any woman. He had even participated in various orgies with Victor and some of his mistresses. But he wouldn't explain himself to Victor; he simply wanted to make it abundantly clear that he expected him to stay away from Amanda.

"Well, now you know she's not just any girl; she's my fiancee," Vicenzo stated more calmly, encircling Amanda's waist with his arm. Amanda was simultaneously frightened by Vicenzo's recent outburst and disgusted by his hypocrisy - it was fine for him to sleep around, but no man was to come near her.

"Now that you understand, let's head to the patio. I've asked for breakfast to be served for Amanda and me, and you're welcome to join us," Vicenzo said, escorting Amanda outside and gesturing for his cousin to follow. Reaching the patio, he drew out a chair for Amanda, then sat, joined by his cousin. Vicenzo wondered why Victor, who lived near his father's house in Italy, would visit London unless he had news from his father.

"So, cousin, can you tell me why you're here?" asked Victor, nervously, and Vicenzo nodded for him to proceed.

"I'm afraid it's not good news. I've been sent by Uncle Patrizio, who is quite upset. He instructed me to deliver this letter and expects you in Italy as soon as you can manage," explained Victor, handing over the envelope. As Vicenzo took it, his gaze shifted to Amanda, sipping her coffee and openly eying Victor. Even fearful of Vicenzo's temper, Victor couldn't resist glancing back discreetly. Was she playing with fire, flirting with danger right in front of Vicenzo? Was it a deliberate provocation, or was she genuinely attracted to Victor, a young man just a few years her senior, unlike Vicenzo, who was twice her age? However, he doubted that a "youngster" like Victor could fulfill her in the way he could, and he intended to illustrate the distinction between boys and men.

Amanda knew full well the risk she took by flirting with Victor in Vicenzo's presence, but the immediate mutual interest was evident, and they were of similar age. She contemplated if she could persuade Victor to help her escape if he stayed longer, but then dismissed the thought, recalling Vicenzo's father in Italy would be expecting them, and she'd be even less likely to escape there. She lowered her gaze and continued savoring her delicious coffee.

For a moment, Vicenzo pushed thoughts of Amanda aside, deciding to deal with her later, and focused on reading his father's letter, which, in actuality, was from one of his father's mafia allies, the notorious Sicilian boss Don Luigi Morelli.