Episode 13

Gabriel

I give her a self-satisfied smile as her dark eyes meet mine. Yet, Sofi never reacts as I expect her to. I should have seen it coming, but I didn't.

Before I know it, she's on top of me, as I've dreamt many times, but not exactly in the way I'd like to have her.

"Stop," I command, trying to restrain her hands, which are trying to hit me wherever they find an open space. "Stop," I insist.

"Idiot," she mutters. "How could you just pull me out like that?" she asks while trying to bite my jawline. Again, not exactly as I've dreamt of her doing it.

Her nails dig into my neck, and her mouth reaches my ear.

"Stay still, little wildcat."

"Don't call me that!" she yells while trying to keep striking my chest.

Finally, I decide that words won't stop her. I grab her hands with one hand and firmly hold her waist with the other, immobilizing her straddled across my legs.

Her black curls partially cover her face. Sofi blows them away from her face, allowing me to see how relentless fury consumes her beautiful eyes.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," she grumbles.

"I needed to find you alone. You know how to defend yourself when there are people around."

"I won't work with you again. Not after how you kicked me out of your house."

A sorry tries to escape my lips, but I hold it back; the Capo of the Camorra never apologizes to anyone.

"You know why I dismissed you."

"And you keep bringing up your father. I don't even know the man, I could walk by his side and wouldn't recognize him."

"You know that's not what I mean."

She sighs. "And we're back to the same thing. I don't know what you're talking about, Gabriel," she insists.

I fall silent upon hearing my name on her lips. I think it's the first time she calls me that. Idiot, moron, sure, but never by my name.

I like my name on her lips. It sounds more tempting somehow. My mind wanders thinking of what other words I might coax from those lips, but I decide to return to the present.

I'm on a mission. To retrieve the nanny for Mia.

Not for me. I guess I have to repeat that to myself over and over until my brain can grasp it.

"I'm talking about what happened in my room."

"Your room?" she inquires, scandalized.

"Outside of it, I suppose is more accurate to say."

"I don't even know where your room is."

I frown. "But that didn't stop you from snooping around while I was entertaining myself with a whore."

"I don't know what you're talking about. You are definitely crazy."

I pull her closer to my chest. "I'm talking about the night you practically begged me to take you when you got turned on hearing me with the whore. I'm talking about the night you told me I was big and you wanted to touch it."

She laughs. "You're hallucinating. It's impossible that I would..." She stops, and her face turns beet-red. "Oh, crap. Wasn't I dreaming?"

"You thought it was a dream?"

She nods and then hides her face in my neck. "I'm so sorry, I'm so very sorry. Please forget it."

"That's the damn problem. I can't forget it, Sofi."

"Please," she pleads in almost a sob.

I take a deep breath and let go of her, noticing her body is too tense to attack again.

"I'll forget it only if you come back to me."

She lifts her head. "I can't, I have a good job now. I finally have a place for myself."

"Mia misses you," I stop her. "She hasn't stopped crying. I've tried with two nannies and some employees, but nothing. I've even tried to soothe her, but I couldn't. I don't want her to get sick because of me," I confess.

She separates from my body.

"Take me to her," she demands.

I knock on the glass separating us from the driver, and the car starts moving.

"My men will take care of bringing your personal items." She nods but says nothing. "I'll pay you more than before. You will have days off, as many as you want."

"Okay. I just need to talk to my former boss and explain the situation. He will understand; he's a good man."

"Good man?" I ask.

"Yes, the best."

I cross my arms. "I see you grow attached quickly," I say.

"When people deserve it, yes, I do," she retorts, still looking anxiously out the window. "How much longer?"

"A little more."

"How much?"

"Twenty minutes, maybe more."

She shakes her head and tears start streaming down her face. She leans over and knocks on the window separating us from the driver non-stop.

When the window rolls down, Sofi sticks her head out. "Please speed up," she asks. "It's an emergency."

"Do you feel sick?"

She nods. "Of course, the little one is suffering because of me."

"Mia can hold out for a few more minutes."

She turns to me, surprised. "Did you call her Mia?"

I look out my window. "I had to name her something, right? Mia is as good as any."

"Thank you," she says, and although I can't see her, I'm sure she's smiling at this moment. "It's a beautiful name," she adds.

"I know," I return, and then we both fall silent.

The car speeds along the highway while I think about what to do with this desire consuming me. Sophia is too young for me, and I don't think she's interested in a no-strings-attached sexual relationship, especially if she's a virgin, as she told me that night.

I guess I'll have to focus on my work again. My wounds have healed; I need to return to the battlefield. I have to kill a few rats and conquer their territory.

The Sinaloa Cartel is losing patience, and I don't want to lose them as suppliers. I want to prevent them from dealing with the cowardly Chicago Outfit. Those conformists won't take my supplier. Not the ones from La Cosa Nostra either, as there won't be any of them alive in the coming months if everything goes as planned.

I want to eradicate that contaminated blood. I want to finish the ones responsible for Mom's death and some of the best captains and soldiers that the Camorra has had in its history, like Leonardo.

I look at Sophia and know I have to keep my distance. She is a danger to my plans. If I had her, I couldn't think of anything else, I couldn't concentrate on anything else, and I can't allow that.

Sophia starts to move as we approach the house.

Before the car completely stops, she's already outside, running towards the door.

I follow and watch her climb the stairs two at a time, chasing the source of the annoying crying.

Suddenly, it stops, and when I enter the room, it's no surprise to find Mia in Sofi's arms.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I promise I'll never leave again," she swears, and those words manage to calm me.

Mia sighs and begins to suckle on her nanny's chin. And I'd be lying if I said I don't wish to be in my daughter's place at this moment.

I did it, Mia, I kept my promise, I think before leaving the room and letting them be alone.

Now I must work.

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