Chapter 100 - Ninety Nine: Three Strange Men

Becca sauntered to the parking lot where she knew she would find Martino waiting for her. She was right, again, and when Martino heard the sound of heels clicking in his direction, he stepped out of the car.

" Madam." He bowed his head to greet her and Becca's eyes twitched.

He was at it again.

Martino grinned at her with amusement dancing in his eyes, he got the reaction he wanted. 

This time, Becca chose to ignore him. He was just as annoying as his boss.

Martino opened the backseat door and she stepped in. Becca took out her phone from her purse as Martino started the car and scrolled through it. She had already picked the restaurant she and Raquel were going to meet at— it was at her restaurant— no surprise there.

After checking her Instagram, Becca slipped her phone back into her purse and stare straight at the road ahead then at Martino, who was driving, humming a song that even she didn't know.

" Hey, Martino?" Becca called out, leaning forward on her seat.

" Yes, madam." He responded, his eyes fixed on the road and Becca lifted her eyes, huffing.

Why was he so determined to make her feel twenty years older than him because that was exactly what him calling her madam did. It made her feel ancient.

He chuckled when he saw her reflection on the mirror and the annoyed look she had on.

" Yes, miss." Martino corrected himself, cackling and Becca puffed her cheeks.

These past few days Martino spent as her bodyguard, she had gotten really close to him. It was like the more time he spent with her, the nicer he became, the more comfortable she became around him.

" You're a father, right?" 

" I certainly am," Martino answered and Becca nibbled on her lower lip.

" How does it feel like to be a parent?" She asked and a light heat crawled its way to her cheeks. She quickly dropped her gaze.

Becca didn't even know why she was asking, or why the idea of having kids was in her head. She wasn't ready for it yet and Leo said he would be patient with her so why was she still thinking about it?

" Becoming a parent was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me." Martino's words drew Becca out of her thoughts 

She lifted her head. " Really?"

" Si, I will never forget how I felt when my son was born, when I first held him in my arms, it was incredible. He was so small in my hands, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Kids are wonderful." Martin smiled, recalling a fond memory. " But they can be heartaches if they end up acting exactly like you, now that is not good. I have the same problem with my little boy and I feel bad whenever I scold him for doing something wrong because I know I did the same stupid shit."

Becca giggled, remembering how Leo said he would shoot himself if he got a son that acts exactly like him. Just how badly behaved were these men in their childhood?

" Were you ever hesitant when it came to taking the baby step in a relationship?" Becca couldn't help asking, not knowing why or even how to shut up at this point.

" No, I never got the chance to be hesitant actually. Let's just say that the news was a pleasant surprise." Martin grinned. " I personally think you would make an amazing mother."

" You think so?" Becca asked and Martino nodded.

" Hundred percent but as for the boss, I'm not so sure. He might need a little help." Martino's phone rang immediately after he finished his statement and he chuckled on seeing the caller. " Speak of the devil."

Becca sat up on her seat. " Is it Leo?"

To answer her question, Martino raised his phone and showed her the screen which had ' boss' boldly written on it. Then he answered the phone and held it to his ears.

" Yes, boss." 

Becca stared at Martino as he switched to Italian to speak to Leo on the phone and pursed her lips, unconsciously eavesdropping but the only thing she caught was a name.

Raphael

From what it looked like, Leo was the one doing most of the talking, whatever the conversation was even about, while Martino was simply answering.

Another word she understood soon came. Burn.

Followed by the word war.

And by the time the call ended, Martino's grin vanished without a trace and confused Becca even more, a giant question mark floating on top of her head.

What kind of conversation was Martino possibly having with Leo that involved words like Raphael, burn, and war?

Becca was just about to make her confusion known when the car came to a halt and she looked out the window. They reached the restaurant.

Before she could even move an inch from where she sat, Martino got out of the car and opened her door.

Without a word, Becca got off as well. She stared at the restaurant in front of her then at Martino and he gave her a smile. A forced one.

She ambled towards the place but paused when she heard footsteps following her from behind.

Becca turned around." I'm just meeting a friend, you can wait in the car." She said to Martino but the man wasn't ready to budge. How would he when his life and salary were on the line? Leo's words earlier were clearer than crystals. 

" I also want to order something." He lied.

" Oh, silly me. I almost forgot it was a restaurant." Becca giggled. " Follow me then, your meal today is on the house. Compliments of the owner."

She let herself in, with Martino following right behind her. She surveyed the place for a few seconds before her gaze fell on Raquel, who was waving to her.

Becca walked to the table Raquel sat at and pulled out a chair for herself, smiling.

" You have been in a really good mood lately," Raquel noted, beaming at Becca as she took her seat.

" I'm always in a good mood," Becca replied modestly and blushed when Raquel raised a brow, staring at her skeptically.

" Yeah but this time it's more. You are really glowing right now." 

Becca didn't respond, her cheeks hurting too much to allow her to and when Raquel didn't get a response, she decided to carry on with her banter.

" I bet Mr devil must be taking good care of you, that's why." Raquel giggled and Becca narrowed her eyes playfully at her.

" Leo isn't a devil. He wouldn't even hurt a fly." Becca defended and the memory of when he confessed about how he used to torment insects flashed through her mind. " Okay, he would hurt a fly but apart from that he is completely harmless. He is a sweetheart."

Raquel stared at Becca for a few seconds and took a sip of her drink. " Looks like I was wrong, it's he who has you wrapped around his finger."

Becca didn't refute Raquel's words, mostly because they were true. Even without her knowledge, her life was slowly starting to revolve around Leo and one thing was for sure, she didn't hate that she was getting obsessed with him. 

It was truly astonishing how much she had changed, if it had been her four months ago, she would have freaked the hell out and probably start avoiding Leo like a plague. 

She smiled at the thought.

Just then, three men walked into the restaurant. Tough looking, just like Martino but with the look on their faces, one could easily tell that they weren't as friendly.

Raquel's eyes followed them until they took their seat. " Damn, they look scary." She said, dragging her gaze away from them.

" Who does?" Becca asked and Raquel subtly cocked her head to the direction of the three men.

Before Becca could turn and look at them, Raquel touched her hand, stopping her.

" Don't turn around. I don't think they would appreciate the attention." Raquel said as she saw one of the men taking out his gun and placing it on the table and Becca's lungs froze, with chills running through her.

Martino sat at a table not so far from Becca's, facing the door, and frowned when he saw the men walk in. He recognized them, they belonged to Raphael Dante, Lazzerro's second son. They were enemies. They weren't supposed to even be here.

Fuck!

His eyes flew to Becca's table and saw how stiff she had become then took out his phone and dialed Leo's number. The call was answered after the fourth ring.

" Boss, we might have a problem."

Becca looked around the restaurant, except in the direction of the three men, and saw how the rest of the customers sat at the edge of their seats. They were as uncomfortable as she was.

The manager who was attending to people on another table walked towards her, close enough to whisper.

" Ma'am, those men are scaring the customers, especially the one with a gun." The manager whispered and a tremor ran through Becca but she didn't let it show. Instead, she took a deep breath to maintain her composure.

Becca leaned to whisper instructions to him but halted when she heard her phone ringing in her purse.

She took out her to see who was calling. It was Leo and she answered immediately.

" Hello?" 

" My love, listen to me. I need you to grab your purse and leave. Don't make a scene, just leave there as fast as you can."

Becca faltered. " Why?"

" Three strange men are in there, right?" Leo asked.

" Yes. How—" Becca paused when her eyes met Martino's furious ones and swallowed. He must have been the one who told Leo.

"I will explain once I get home, just get out of there," Leo ordered, his voice sounding dead serious. 

Becca looked around the place then at Martino, who was on his feet, staring intently at her and she shook her head. " But I have a friend here. People are here too."

" Damn it, Becca! Don't argue with me over this." 

Becca heard him suck in a sharp breath and steeled her spine. " I can't just leave everyone here and run away. It's my restaurant for Christ's sakes."

" I'm not there to protect you, my love. Please."

" Then let's just hope they are only here to eat."