“Fuck, I’m not going to be able to move at practice tomorrow,” I mumble as he leads me hobbling out of the colosseum of death.
“This is the easy part. Trust me, when you’re learning the exact arteries to cut in order to kill a man, you’ll wish for the innocence of an obstacle course.”
Fuck. How am I supposed to kill someone?
We walk in silence until we reach the grand foyer. “Misha, I don’t know if I can be what you and Mila are asking of me. I…I don’t think I could take a life like that. I don’t want to let anyone down, but it’s just notme.I’m not some dark, brutish Bratva boss. I’m just Teddy.”
His eyes soften as he turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “This isn’t a world any of us would choose, Theodore, but it’s the life we were dealt. I’m not going to lie and tell you that we aren’t all going to hell, but there is bad, and then there is pure evil. Your father and sister are the former. They’ve done some ruthless things during their rule, but for every wrong they’ve done, they’ve done twice as many good deeds.”
Misha pauses and looks around the room.
“Remember what I said about the florals? The Taranov Bratva is a lot like that. It’s a dark world to live in, there is no denying that, but it isn’t all darkness. Nobody is forced to join our branch. Yes, this is the only life some people know, but most of the men who join do it to keep their loved ones safe and provided for. Their devotion runs so deep that they would lay down their lives to protect them. There’s beauty in that kind of love. One that transcends the darkness. Surely, you have someone you love strongly enough that you can understand.”
I nod my head in agreement, recalling all the people who have meant enough to me that I would sell my very soul to save—Mom, Grandma, Thatcher,Ellie.
The image of my newest obsession flitters across my mind, and I can’t help but smile. “Yeah, there are several.”
Misha pats my back before opening the door for me. “It’s not so bad. I promise.”
Walking to my car, I pull out my phone and shoot Ellie a text.
Me:When can I see you again, pretty girl?
Ellie:Next Wednesday?
Me:Perfect. Dress casual??
Chapter 9
I pull intothe parking lot and smile when I see Teddy’s truck already parked in the corner. He offered to pick me up, but it’s only our second date, and my family is…a lot, so I opted to meet him. I wasn’t expecting him to choose Mimi’s for our next date, but if the smorgasbord of a picnic he planned didn’t convince me he’s a keeper, choosing my favorite mom-and-pop Italian shop has me sold.
He told me to come straight inside, and after the picnic extravaganza, there’s no telling what he has planned. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the entire place was decorated, but at first glance, everything looks normal, aside from the lack of customers. It’s technically after hours, but some of the staff stay a few hours later to get set up for the next day.
“Ah, Ellie! Are you Mr. Teddy’s mystery woman?” the owner’s son says, smiling at me from behind the register.
“Oh hi, Fredo! It would seem so! You wouldn’t happen to know where he is, would you?”
“Kitchen!” He gestures to the doors I’ve actually been through plenty of times, taste testing for Mimi herself.
I grin and make my way around the counter, stopping to give Alfredo a kiss on the cheek as I pass.
“Oh Ellie, try not to let him burn the place down!”
I walk into the kitchen, and the image of the man waiting for me silences my laughter. Teddy is dressed in khaki trousers cut perfectly to his leather shoes. His white button-up shirt is mostly covered by the apron he’s wearing, but I can tell it’s been tailored to his measurements. He’s broad but lean, and there’s no way a shirt off the rack would hug him like this. He’s delicious, and I’m glad I decided to go dressier rather than casual again, this time with a looser black knee-length wrap dress. It’s not quite as special asthe dress,but the V-cut makes my breasts look amazing, and the wrap-tie cut accentuates my hips. Nonna approved, which is really the only test that matters.
“What is this?”
He looks up, giving that lazy grin that makes me melt, and rakes his hand through his hair. My attention catches on the way his forearm flexes, and I follow his muscular arm up to his elbow, where his rolled sleeves are pushed. Even under the fabric, I can make out the cut of his biceps, and having felt those arms wrapped around me before has me weak in the knees. His glasses are nowhere to be found, and I briefly mourn their absence.
“You, um, said you liked to cook. I would’ve brought you back to my condo, but I, uh, didn’t want you to think I was just doing that to get in your pants. Not that I wouldn’twantto get in your pants. I mean, I would very much love to, uh…” He momentarily closes his eyes, then looks up at me, flashing me those dimples. “Sorry. Let me start over. You look radiant tonight. Some…coworkers of mine know the owner and helped me set this up. You said you liked to cook, but if you don’t want to, we can go somewhere else.”
In a blink, I’m across the room and flinging myself into his arms. “This is perfect. Thank you for setting this up. What are we making?” His blue eyes sparkle under the bright industrial lights as he smiles down at me. As thoughtful as it is that he chose a public kitchen, I secretlywishwe had the privacy of his. He’s correct about one thing, though. We wouldn’t end up cooking at all. Nestled against his chest, all I want to do is lie back on the counter and let him take me to heaven.
“Alfredo set me up with everything we need for gnocchi and cannoli.”
Ugh, he doesn’t even know that he chose two of my favorite dishes here. “I love gnocchi! When I was a little girl, it was all I ever wanted to eat. My papa used to tell me I was going to turn into a little potato if I didn’t add variety to my diet.”
“Well, let’s get to it, then!” Teddy grabs a smaller apron and loops it over my head, then ties the strings around my waist. He’s testing my ability not to climb him like a tree in the middle of Mimi’s kitchen, where food will be prepared tomorrow for people of all ages. Wholesome people who just want to bring home a nice meal to their wholesome family.Okay, reign it in, Ellie.
