The Mafia's Promise

large clock on the wall like it would change somethin

ws? Maybe he would actually answer that time, maybe he just didn't see the

ior, I should be used to

he worst. Did he run into some kind of trouble at work? Was he hurt on his

ic

, his eyes scanning the dimly lit living room unti

s light blue eyes never leaving mine, a gesture

y intensified his annoyance. Yanking me by the should

voice was loud enough to be heard by the whole neighborhood. "Why do you keep calling me l

were supposed to be ho

He shoved me aside and started to go inside. "Next time you embarrass me with calls like this ag

d the ticking of the clock seemed to fill the room. I didn

om

ly wiped my tears and got on all fours

closer. "Did you lose something?" He a

ntended. When he started to look around, I added. "I don'

nodded an

nial bedroom so when Caleb asked me to stay with him, I immediately agreed. The bed was big enough to ac

ed me and rested his head against my chest. "G

ight m

★

inst the ceramic plates. I wanted to break the heavy silen

could

d say anything,

your earrings?" he looked genuinely concerned as he stared at me, his deep

at Leo before replyin

stions, the housekeeper came up to the table

metimes I felt like he was always eager to leave the house. Not that I blamed

nstantly vanished, but I didn't dar

sor

Only after a few seconds did I

t, I was stressed and your

rprise. Was Leo

ct was to recoil and hide away from

te, you should know it's

d wiped his with a napkin before rising to his feet. "I'll be

as stern. I nodded again. "Um Leo?"

t is

noy him. "about my outing. Maria will be here later to-" He turned to

ou won't be

him but I had already promised Maria. "It won't take long, I

ed towards me but abruptly s

d the question but

e already causing trouble a

ecision to bring up the issue. "I'm sorry." He ste

ue eyes held no emotion but his jaw was tight as he looked into my eye

nning? Am I some

y chest tightened and I could h

to demand respect? I am

ban

hen he was angry, like it was

o remain steady. "I'm sorry, I shou

ogy, he shut his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he reope

s the stress of work is

the gesture, unsure of

led me in for a hug. As our bodies touched, I felt mine go stiff but

des, painfully missing Leo's scent and also fig