Of course he would stick up for the stronzo.
“It doesn’t hurt to be one step ahead, regardless if he’s loyal or not, Uncle Giovanni. He needs us more than we need him but I don’t like surprises.” I give him a soft smile to tame down the edge in my voice.
He comes up next to me, extending a hand to my face. His eyes tell a sad story that I can’t and won't ask about. Some stories are left to be unspoken and in this life, you let it be.
“You sound just like your father. I think this calls for a celebration! Let’s go to this little restaurant in the city and have some wonderful wine.” He perks up with a smile.
Once we arrive back at the city, we park the vehicles and walk a short distance on the stone walkways. The sound of laughter and fluttering of water from the fountain fills the air. Lights stream from one shop to another, people mingle, sitting relaxed back in their chairs as children steal bites of their sibling’s ice cream.
The strum of the guitar stops me in my tracks pulling me forward. My gaze averts to a female and male as their voices begin to lull others to them. Their voices are magnetic, commanding you to stay and listen. They put on the performance as two lovers finding each other in the storm of a sea. You can see it in their eyes, the burning passion they have for one another. Couples all around emerge, taking their places in front of them, holding each other close, swaying in a sweet dance.
I snap a photo of the beautiful art in front of me and then take a selfie to remember this moment. I don’t know what possesses me but I automatically send the photos to Alaric. Once I realize what I just did, I panic but the photos are already sent. Well, now he knows I may possibly be thinking about him. I look back up noticing the area is more crowded, so much love.
A whistle grabs my attention from behind me and I quickly turn around to the boys staring at me with raised, questioning eyebrows. As if I was caught fantasizing, longing for the love that’s displayed in front of us. I flip the bird before moving past them.
My uncle wasn’t kidding about the wine and the food. It was absolutely ravishing. So much so, I didn’t know when to actually stop eating. The chicken cutlets, Risotto, and Caponata. And the wine, there are no words to explain the flavors. Maybe I won’t go back to the states. Maybe I’ll stay here, ignoring my duties for some simple peace.
It’s been a couple days since our initial meeting. The heads of the different Mafias have warmed up to me more and more each day except for Egmen. I don’t quite have his respect or trust yet but honestly I’m not even trying. All I want from him is to keep his sly comments to himself before I cut his tongue out of his annoying-ass mouth.
We’ve worked tirelessly reviewing the events that occurred with the drop raid along with inquiring about new business opportunities we would each have a share in, and our territories that are barely hovering over the line of the Albanians. I was even able to spend some time with the wives observing their roles. They’re all so sweet and I enjoy their stories they have of me from when I was a child. I feel absolutely at home. Not just being in Italy but also feeling powerful and a sense of accomplishment from stepping into this role.
When we aren’t with the others, we’re at the villa having dinners with my family, exploring Italy, and of course, the boys chasing tail. I think they agree we should stay here as well.
Now that the meetings have suspended for now, I sit poolside tanning my golden skin, reading a book. My mind wanders to the FBI agent that has me by a choke hold. I mean, I wouldn’t mind if he wraps his hands around my neck. His firm, large hands roaming my body. Fuck, lately when I’m not thinking about work, he invades my thoughts. It doesn’t help that we’ve been texting back and forth when we can and he occasionally calls me just to hear my voice, but it’s in the middle of the damn night. And each time, he forgets that I’m six hours ahead. Every time he calls, I’m groggy as hell, but he thinks it’s more sexy than it really is. Like clockwork, my phone beeps.
Alaric: One more day until I can see your beautiful face.
Me: Ah, is the big bad Agent going soft on me? May have to block your number.
Alaric: Now why would you do that? You’ll miss me too much.
It’s been a week since I met this man and I should not be so intrigued by him. He’s like a golden retriever with a splash of defiance. Normally, I’m attracted by a dominant, possessive asshole who thinks he sits on a throne as women kneel at his feet. It never ends the way they hope, or how I hope even. Be a good girl and do as your told, bear my children and stand by my side even when I fuck other women. Never will I ever be that woman.
At first it’s thrilling, the sex is great, but as soon as they realize that I’m not the typical fling, they get frustrated and possessive. Once that happens, I walk out before they get a chance to taste my rage. They’re too close, too personal, too public to get rid of them for touching me in a way that isn’t warranted. Orange would look good on me, but they aren’t worth being locked in a cage.
I’ve seen how my father worshiped the ground my mother walked on. She was his superior. He would lick the grime off the floors just to make sure she was happy. If she was still here, she would be the one sitting at the head of the table as he stood behind her. He would end a life within a snap of his fingers if anyone so much as looked at her wrong. He was one of the most dangerous men known in this city but not to her.
I yearn for that type of love one day. Smiling at the memory, I let myself enjoy this. Enjoy the attention he givesme. My life is chaotic and sometimes you need a safe space to escape all the clamorous noise.
Me: Maybe just a little. How’s work?
Alaric: Stressful. This case is kicking my ass figuratively and literally. This guy’s sick and the clock is running too close to the deadline. I’ll be happy once it’s all over.
“So, are you going to tell me who has you smiling like an idiot? Is it that guy from the coffee shop?” Antonio plops himself down in the pool chair next to me.
I nearly jump out of my skin at the interruption of my cousin.
“Are you going to tell me where those hickeys came from? You better make sure those are hidden. I can’t have my right hand looking trashy,” I counter, smirking at him as he rolls his eyes.
“I met a hot woman at the bar last night, you know the one you were invited to but opted out by staying here. She was like a cougar, pouncing on me as soon as I bought her a drink. I would definitely see her again if we weren’t leaving. She definitely knew how to ride my…” Before he can finish his sentence, I shush him, covering my ears.
I watch his chest rise up and down as he laughs at my reaction. Jesus, I need to think of something else to get these disturbing images from my head. Jackass.
“Although I love to hear that you enjoyed yourself, I do not need to imagine a woman getting it on with my cousin. To answer your question, yes, it’s the guy from the coffee shop.”
I concede to him, because if I don’t, he’ll never give up. Antonio may be my best man, but it would be a shame to carve his eyes and tongue out.
“You must like him if you’re still texting him. When do you see him next? Please say soon because you really need a release!” He plucks a piece of fruit from my plate sitting next to me and pops it into his mouth.
