When the sun rose as usual the next day, Sicily maintained its usual rhythm of life.
The only changes, perhaps, were that Marlena had climbed into some wealthy merchant's bed, the sheriff had suffered an accidental car crash, and strippers had appeared at the naval camp. Such news and gossip gave the town's residents something to chat about after meals.
As long as the Allies did not launch large-scale bombings and the air-raid sirens did not sound, Taormina remained peaceful.
Morning light stretched across the horizon, illuminating the town.
Luke jumped down from a jeep and returned to the Peashooter Inn.
He had not slept all night, yet he was still brimming with energy.
"Tell Alessandro's men to keep a close watch. Don't let anything go wrong!"
Before entering, Luke gave his instructions.
Dum Dum Dugan, who had accompanied him, nodded vigorously to show that he understood.
At a time like this, no one could afford to make a mistake.
After a night of handling matters and tying up loose ends, the naval camp had been completely taken over by the Howling Commandos.
From Colonel Bernano, the highest-ranking commander, down to the lowliest new sailor, all had become prisoners.
According to Alessandro's headcount against the roster, there were more than five hundred people in total, including officers of every rank and new sailors.
Some had inhaled too much fear gas, suffering mental breakdowns and completely losing the ability to act;
Others had tried to resist and were dealt with by the Mafia members who had stormed into the camp afterward.
In short, only around four hundred and twenty had survived and become prisoners.
They had all become captives, locked in batches inside the barracks and warehouses, guarded by Alessandro and the Mafia members from the other families.
Using the camp's only surviving radio, Manelli sent out a message stating that the naval vessels required maintenance and would not participate in patrol or defense duties for one to two days.
During that time, no one would discover that the naval camp had already fallen into Allied hands.
It was like darkness beneath a lamp.
No one would have imagined that a secret team bold enough to defy heaven had quietly infiltrated the heart of the Axis Powers, preparing to deliver a fatal blow.
As for whether the prisoners in the naval camp would cause trouble?
Luke was not worried in the slightest. As long as they were steadily supplied with food, those Italian naval soldiers would be more obedient than trained animals.
Looking across all of World War II, the Italian military did have strength, but they had no desire to fight. Their will to fight was extremely low. They basically wanted to run whenever they saw another country's army, even when they held a numerical advantage.
The most interesting case was when the Italian army encountered the British army. The former had originally intended to follow convention and surrender outright.
However, the latter seemed to have grown tired of victories without a fight. Not only did they refuse Italy's surrender, they even executed two liaison officers.
That enraged the Italian officers. They rallied their soldiers to counterattack and beat the confident British army black and blue.
It could be said that this battle was Italy's proudest moment.
"If I were the Fuhrer, I'd probably feel despair too. What kind of teammates are these?"
Luke shook off those unnecessary thoughts and returned to his room at the inn.
"Good morning, Mr. Corleone."
The alluring Marlena sat beside the dining table. She seemed to have just bathed, her wavy black hair gathered behind her head. Her beige silk nightgown trimmed with lace could not conceal her stunning figure.
Further down, her long, straight legs rested on the carpet, adding another touch of temptation.
She truly deserved to be called the most beautiful woman in Sicily. Even this ordinary outfit was enough to drive countless men mad.
Luke calmly looked away and sat down at the table.
"Is this for me? Perfect, I'm a little hungry."
Seeing the seafood pasta on the table, he took it without the slightest hesitation.
Slurp! Slurp!
After wolfing it down, Luke looked up at Marlena, who was staring blankly, and asked, "Is there a problem?"
"I only had one bite."
Marlena said quietly.
She no longer held the same wariness toward Luke as before.
Instead, she had relaxed and no longer kept herself so guarded.
As for the reason behind that change, even Marlena herself could not explain it.
"Then I'm truly sorry. I was busy all night."
Luke said without much sincerity.
"Oh, and you can call me Luke. Corleone is only a fictional identity. I've already had Cosa send your father to Palermo. The best hospitals in Sicily are there, and they're excellent for both treatment and recuperation."
"Thank you, Mr. Corleone... Luke!"
The worried Marlena broke into a faint, delighted smile.
Holding a cup of warm milk in both hands, she spoke with gratitude in her voice.
Thinking of the sheriff's "accidental car crash," and then the proper arrangements made for her father, Marlena felt a sincere sense of reassurance. These days at the inn could be called the most relaxing period of her life.
She no longer had to worry about men's covetous thoughts or women's vicious curses.
"Don't be so polite. Oh, and I'll probably be leaving Sicily tomorrow. Cosa will take you home then."
Luke spoke as though it were of no consequence.
"Don't worry, Marlena. No one in town will bully you again. I've already spoken to Cosa."
The faint smile on Marlena's face immediately froze.
"Is that so... Have a safe journey."
The beautiful woman said it with great difficulty.
Marlena said no more and quickly rose to return to her room.
Watching that lovely figure hurry away, Luke's lips curved upward as he waited for nightfall.
The twilight glow gradually sank beneath the sea.
Even by dinnertime, Marlena had not stepped out of her bedroom.
Luke briefly packed his belongings. Tomorrow, he would no longer be Vito Corleone, but Captain Steiner from Berlin, a recipient of the Iron Cross.
When the clock hand on the wall slid to midnight, the still-awake Luke heard movement from the room next door.
He carefully pushed open the door and stood at the entrance to the guest bedroom.
His breathing grew increasingly rapid, and the sound of his heartbeat became especially clear.
Lying in bed, Luke could use his super hearing to turn the information entering his mind into moving images.
"After standing there for so long, aren't you coming in?"
Just as Marlena hesitated and prepared to turn away, the door was pulled open.
Luke, dressed in a robe, asked in a teasing tone.
The living room was dimly lit, with only bright moonlight spilling in from the window.
"If you came to see me off, isn't this a little early?"
Luke took a step forward, nearly pressing himself against Marlena.
She raised her head, her delicate body trembling as a flush spread across her beautiful face.
She looked exactly like the fiery evening clouds over Sicily!
"Actually, I thought you wouldn't come."
Luke made a brazen move, lifting Marlena's chin with a finger.
"If I hadn't come, what would you have done?"
Marlena tried to avoid Luke's aggressive gaze, but failed.
"Then I would have gone to you. Marlena, I'm not the respectable Mr. Corleone you imagined. I have a powerful possessive streak, and I like taking whatever catches my eye for myself! I'm more of a scoundrel than the Mafia, and I covet your beauty more than the men in this town do!"
Luke's finger brushed across Marlena's red lips, while his other arm wrapped around her slender waist and pulled her forcefully inward.
Mmph!
To Luke's confession, Marlena reacted with surprising lack of disgust. She wanted to say something, but her full red lips were sealed.
The night outside grew deeper.
P.S.: Thanks to Chichichichichi Chihuo for the 200-point reward, Call Me Crazy for the 5,100-point reward, and Zhulong for the 100-point reward~
P.S. 2: Well, it really did go off the rails. (;′⌒`)
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