4

Iris's eyelids opens slowly to see Maximo Santino sitting just at the edge of the bed staring at her with tender loving eyes. Swiftly she sprang up, causing the bed coverlet to fell from her body, in the process revealing her white firm breasts.

With a gasp that was accompany by a shriek she immediately covers her body with the sheet, her eyes filled with horror.

Maximo Santino didn't say a word, he only watch her blankly, amused by her naiveness. Staring at one's breasts isn't a big deal, taking a woman is like a piece of soft cake to the Italian Mafia Boss. Many Types of ladies are ready to please him, not only because he is wealthy, not only because he is a sadistic Italian Mafia Boss, and not only because he is handsome. He always have the aura that Please everything in skirt.

Iris who was gazing at Maximo rather fearfully held up the sheet she used in covering herself and took a sneak peak, realizing she is naked, she again gasp. Then slowly she grace Maximo with an unread expression, making the man to cocked up an eyebrow slightly as he clenched his jaw.

" I didn't take your body forcibly when you're sleeping. If that's why you are staring at me like that " He said to Iris curtly. For some seconds the latter didn't react. " I will take my leave now that you are awake "

He stood up gently and turn towards the exit when suddenly iris's voice came very softly, halting him.

" Thank you " Her voice coming out in just a mere whispers. " I never meant what you think, I know you're an upright man "

" I'm not " He retorted as he whirled around to face her. She isn't the type of woman he should be dealing with. Strangely, Maximo Felt that Iris is out of his world, out of his reach. She shouldn't be staring at him with all the love in the world when in reality he is nothing but a murderer, a bully, a drug lord and a cruel, sadistic Mafia Boss.

All through the night as Maximo sat by her side, he realized Iris didn't deserve anything as his deceit. The poor lady deserve more and so he had made up his mind to find another way, alter his plan in getting the package and returning to Italy. Lest Iris start loving him for real, he had agreed to be cruel, to keep her at arm length.

" Max " Her voice came again. she has a frown on her face but that only add to her beauty. Her bare shoulders makes Maximo wanted to see more of her but self control was only what he gripped on. " I'm sorry if I anger you with my attitude, I was only scared for a minute "

Her tender eyes, her tender voice and the sad expression on her face makes Maximo desire to protect her forever but he can't. He simply nodded and gritted his teeth.

" It's okay, I will take my leave now "

" Max? " Her voice suddenly came again, halting him just in the doorway. " Did you... Uh stay up all night to care for me? "

Now, One thing about the Italian Mafia Boss, he detest lies and liars. He would rather avoid the question if he wish not to reveal the truth yet. That was the First lesson he learnt from his father.

Admitting he had stayed up all night to watch over her will only add to her emotions , he doesn't want that but since it's obvious Maximo decided to nod in response.

" Yes, I was worried you will be lonely when you wake up alone " He replied smoothly.

Slowly, he saw tears welling up in iris's eyes. Tears of joy and of gratitude.

" Thank you so much " She whispers again.

Again, Maximo start feeling suffocated. He quickly nodded and walk out of iris's apartment with his jaw clenched.

" I can't do it " He said in a low tone to himself. He realized he can't afford to bring Iris into his conflict with Konstantin Dmitri.

I had to do it alone. He thought to himself as he walk towards his own apartment. Abruptly Maximo stopped just at the entrance of his new home.

A small frown appeared on his face, making lines of worries to appear on his forehead.

The door of his apartment was opened slightly, telling him someone had been into the house. Either the person is a rookie who had done a lousy job or the culprit wants his presence to be known. Very cautiously, Maximo pushed open the door further and step in.

He knows he is in a foreign land so he tend to be careful. Looking around his small lovely living room, he saw it perfect but peering closely, he notice the simple search whoever had entered did. Frowning very deeply now, Maximo walk Slowly , cautiously towards his bedroom. With much skills and carefulness , he opened the door very softly without making any creak whatsoever but no one is there. He checked the kitchen but there's no one in there either.

Someone just search my apartment. Maximo thought to himself in anger. He quickly walk into his bedroom where he open the drawer beside the bed to check if his money is still intact. It is. That means anyone that search his room isn't just a petty thieve. They are not looking for money but something else.

After some minutes of much thought, Maximo picked up his cellphone but stop mid way in calling Marco's contact.

The cellphone might be bug. He thought to himself as he tossed the mobile into the waste basket just beside the bed. Someone is stalking him, he knew. Who must it be in new York? The last time he met the American Mafia Boss was on franseco funeral. The American Mafia boss has visited to pay his respect for Maximo's best friend. So waving away the thought that it might be the American Mafia boss, Maximo sighed.

Slowly he pulled out a cigarette pack, shaking one free, he lighted it. Maximo walk gingerly towards the window and peer out while doing some thinking.

With a puff, he sighed. As much as he think about it, he never get any hint on who might be on his tail in new York. Maximo was about to puff out smokes when suddenly he noticed a man just in the street. The Italian Mafia Boss wouldn't have been suspicious of this strange man if he hadn't been staring up at his direction determinely.

Wait a second! Maximo recognized the men before he even make any effort. Konstantin men!

" Merda! " Maximo swore under his breathe as he recognized his Stalker. He threw his cigarettes into the receptacle container and bolted off to take a quick bath. He knew he should be on his way already but dirt isn't what he could cope with anyway. He is allergy to it so swiftly, Maximo dashed under the shower and take his bath throughly. He emerges minutes later to get dress in a perfect Tshirt and a new jean. He wore one of the comfortable sneakers he could find and a sherling jacket that stop just above his knees. Just as he was done lacing his shoe lace, he received a firm knock on his door.

He is here! They are here! He thought to himself. Cold sweat broke out from his forehead and his jaw clenched tightly. Slowly, he walk towards the drawer and pulled it out. Just at the bottom of those fine , beautiful dollars was a pistol which Marco had readied for him in a time like this one.

Maximo has been trained all his life by his father, he knew everything concerning guns or weapons. Winning a judo belt and taking his top position in water polo has been the hardwork and persistence of his stern father who nurture him more cruelly than lovingly.

Finally Maximo stood behind the door, waiting for the person behind the fine door to knock again so he can take action.

" Max? " Iris's voice suddenly boomed from the outside, startling him.

" Just a minute " He replied smoothly after finding his lost voice. With much haste, Maximo ran to his bedroom and hid his pistol just back in the drawer where He had took it then he smoothen the wrinkle of his jacket, slick back his pretty hair and sighed to calm down his nerve then he plastered an unread expression on his face and open the door.

Iris stood before Maximo in a simple dress. She had her chestnut color hair packed up in a ponytail and her plumped pink lips were kinda offering itself to the Mafia Boss. Nothing else is more beauty and natural before the Italian Mafia boss than the lady whose face was devoid of make up standing in his doorway.

Gazing at her, Maximo noticed the expression on her face. She seem scared and worried.

" Max " Her voice came out shakily, making the man to frown in confusion. Gently he pulled her into his apartments and bolted the door.His real desire however was to dismissed her. He never want the man he had saw earlier to come up and caught him with her. That might put iris in danger.

" What is wrong? "

To his surprised, iris's eyes welled up in tears.

" They are men outside... They are here to ... To take me away " Now she was crying, her palm clasped on her mouth. She seem so very pitiful that Maximo feel like tearing apart whoever that has makes her cried so. Just at once, sounds of approaching footsteps drew near. " They are here. Max please help me, I don't want to go with them. I don't want to go to konstantin. " She was speaking very fast, shakily. She is shivering already and was hiding behind Maximo who only gaze at her for many minutes without moving.

That was because the Italian Mafia Boss is doing some thinking. He get the answer on what had makes Iris passed out the previous night. Konstantin had called to tell her he is sending some men to bring her. That means the men who were standing outside to keep watch wasn't here for him, they are here to take Iris.

The approaching footsteps drew nearer , increasing the heartbeat of Iris.

" Go back to your apartment " Maximo suddenly suggested.

" What? " She asked in utter disbelief. " No max please, don't let me leave. If I ... "

" Get a grip of yourself iris " He suddenly cut in hotly. " I won't leave you for anything, return back to your apartment to stall the men. I will be right just behind you. Trust me " His last statement makes Iris to nod in response. He has asked her to trust him and she is ready to.

Without another word, Iris quickly left for her apartment with her heart thudding crazily against her chest. She stood still at the entrance with her eyes wide open when almost immediately, the door flew open and two evil looking men walk in with evil smirks.

" Oh, this is the lady boss told us to bring forward " The first man who has a red hair said softly. His name is Lev and his look told Iris he is a Young man.

" But you shouldn't be flirting with the guy next door. You will only bring death to him. You should be happy we couldn't make out his face from down there. " Kirill advice Iris with an evil smile laced on his scarred face.

He took a step towards Iris, making the Lady to gasp in fright. With her eyes glued on the door, awaiting Maximo she bite her lowered lips to stifled a Yelp.

Kirill's hand reach Forward towards Iris. The latter quickly shut her eyes, in great fear and unsurity. And then, Maximo opens the door all of a sudden and walk in.

The two men were startled by the sudden occurrence. They turn to face the New comer but Maximo was swift enough to start a clean fight. He doesn't want the men to recognized him and blown off his cover. Maximo had thought Lev and Kirill whom he had fought with years ago hasn't improved but he was wrong. The men provided a neat cute knife as weapon. This only whiten the face of Iris as she suck on her breathe.

" Turn around " That was the only advice Maximo gave to the woman who had already stole his heart. Iris quickly obeyed . She shut her eyes hastily and clasped a palm unto her ears, not desiring to see or listen to the clattering of the knifes but she was out of luck. Even her hands couldn't stop her ears from hearing The grunts, the groans and kicks. Finally the fight stop just as suddenly as it has begun. With a shaking feet, iris turn around slowly to see what had happened. Who had win and who had lost.

Relief washed over her like never before when she saw Maximo standing tall over the two men who had already passed out.

" Max " His name formed on her lips when she saw blood trailing down from his sleeve and down to the floor slowly. Air left her lung totally at the sight of blood trickling down from Maximo's hand. " You are hurt. Oh no! Max you are hurt " She whispers in utter disbelief. She is already weeping for a minor bleeding, making Maximo to stare at her in disbelief.

" It's okay, I'm... I'm fine " He said, trying to ease her from worrying over nothing. Minor cut like this one is like a tip of an iceberg , comparing to what he had been through.

Iris wasn't convinced, she only stood crying bitterly.

" I will get the First aid box " She quickly said before dashing into the kitchen without waiting for reply. Maximo wanted to tell her he had his own doctor, that he hate to use anyone's First aid kit but somehow, he stop himself.

Iris emerges seconds later on with the kit. She lead Maximo to the small living room where she advice him to sit.

" I will care for the cut myself, get off your t-shirt "

" Iris , I'm fine. This is just... "

" Please... Don't make this any harder please " A new tears welled up in her eyes that sank Maximo's heart. " I will care for this cut myself... Just.. just "

Tears doesn't allow her to finish her words. She bit her lower lips in somewhat agony as the memories of how her parents died while saving her flashed through her mind.

" Iris " Maximo breathe softly but the lady wasn't listening. She only focused on undressing him, pulling off his sherling jacket slowly. Maximo didn't protest, he allowed iris's fingers to graze his body, sending him an unfamiliar sensation. Just as she was about to get the t-shirt off him, Maximo realize she was sweating abnormally.

What's wrong? With the back of his palm, he felt her temperature.

" Iris " He breathe out shakily " You are burning up " But she wasn't listening, she only focused on the t-shirt. " Iris calm down, you are pale and... "

Maximo didn't have the grace to finish his words. Iris suddenly started gasping for air. Her face went white and pale immediately. She clutched on her heart as her face got strain in deep agony.

" My pills... My pill max, in my room " She was saying, almost whispering. Adrenaline pumped life into Maximo's legs. He ran swiftly towards iris's room where he pulled out a drawer, searching for the pills she had spoken of. After an hasty search he found the pills case. Swiftly he rushed back to offer one to iris who was already on the floor, wheezing. Nothing had ever scared the Italian Mafia boss more than loosing iris Saint that bright morning.

To his awe, Maximo opens the pills case just to realize there isn't any left. Empty and useless, Maximo finds out the pills remain none. With deeply frown face,he slammed the pills case against the wall angrily as he look for another alternative.