Chapter 4 Beneath The Surface

The sound of Marco's phone ringing broke the spell, shattering the tranquility of the moment. He hesitated, reluctant to leave Samantha's embrace, but duty called. He answered, his voice low and gravelly.

"Sì?"

The voice on the other end was urgent, speaking in rapid Italian. Marco's expression turned grim, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Capisco," he growled, his jaw clenched. "I'll take care of it."

Samantha's eyes widened, sensing the sudden tension. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Marco's face softened, his eyes locking onto hers. "Business, amore. Nothing to worry about."

But Samantha knew better. She saw the storm brewing in his eyes, the danger lurking beneath the surface. She knew that Marco's world was one of shadows and secrets, and she was determined to stand by his side, no matter what.

"Tell me," she whispered, her hand reaching out to touch his face.

Marco's gaze faltered, his mask slipping. For a moment, Samantha saw the man behind the mafia enforcer, the man who loved and feared and fought to protect those he cared about.

"Later," he promised, his voice rough with emotion. "First, we need to get out of here. Now."

And with that, the moment was gone, lost in the urgency of Marco's world. But Samantha knew she would be back, demanding answers, demanding the truth. For now, she followed him, into the unknown, her heart pounding with anticipation.