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The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 27
SolanaAbel escorted us outside, lingering in the doorway while I kissed Helly and Frank goodbye. After they'd entered the car, and drove off, out of view, he stepped out of the way to let me pass, then closed the door. We stood in the grand foyer, facing each other, silent for a few minutes.“I'm sorry for my behavior this morning,” he spoke up first, his hands stuffed in his pockets. “I was wrong. I never should've done what I did.”I blinked, stunned. An apology was the last thing I'd anticipated. It seemed way out of place. If he'd gone on a rampage, locked me in a room, and treated me like shit, it would've made way more sense. But an apology out of the blue? Him agreeing to let me go to my sister's and even offering to drive me there?Utterly unbelievable.“I hope we can put everything that's taken place behind us, and start a new page. A new chapter. We both need each other's friendship to make this ship sail,” he added.We both stared at each other for a long time until it bec
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 28
Solana “I know it's not in my place to ask, but I want to know...if you were with a woman throughout last week.” I blurted out without missing a beat, still avoiding his eyes. “You never specified if you'd be... seeing other people while we're married.”He chuckled, the rich, vibrant sound catching me off-guard, making my face heat up in what? Embarrassment? Timidity? A mix of both, I'd say. “Yes, Solana. I was with a woman throughout last week, but not in the way you think. I'd figured that if we want this relationship to work out well between us, we must be honest with ourselves, and that's exactly what I strive to do from now on.”I opened my mouth to speak, but the right words failed me. I was confused. “I don't understand.”“It's pretty simple, dear. Why I stayed away was because I couldn't face you. I felt ashamed of my actions... treating you so... inhumanely. Making you do things you didn't want to.”I blinked, my face reddening even more. I didn't know what to make out of th
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 29
SolanaHis fingers left my thigh, tugging at the sleeve of my blouse. I raised my hands so he could slip it off, unable to say anything, my pulse quickening as the minutes rolled by slowly. He tossed the blouse aside, and used a finger to lift my chin up, so I could stare directly into his deep, blue eyes.“Never take your eyes off me.”I gave a small nod, my breath hitching as I tried not to blink, tried to avoid drowning in the depth of his gaze. He swallowed carefully as he explored my chest, his blue eyes now a frightening, excited black. My nipples tightened from the intensity of his gaze upon them, barely hidden by the white lace material.Bringing his face down to mine, he shut his eyes and inhaled deeply, his mouth close to mine, so close, I could feel his ragged breathing. He planted a kiss softly on my cheek, the rushed unexpectedness making my stomach flutter, his breath on my face making my sex throb in a foreign, delightful kind of way.“It doesn't have to be war every ti
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 30
SolanaBeing locked away at the all-girls Catholic College for seven years was certainly an easier experience than this. It was me alone, left to my own world. I didn't have to face anything. I didn't have to think about anything that I didn't want to think about, and I could get angry about anything. I could rage about my hurt behind closed doors, and wear a smile in front of everyone. I could mull over my pain, my regrets, anything without being disturbed.Now I sat beside Abel in his Ford as he drove me to what I was once considered home. What I'd once felt incredibly safe in. Now, I didn't even know what was home anymore. I felt lost, like a lone dandelion seed swaying to whatever direction the wind took me. I didn't know where I belonged. I didn't know who I was once. Who I was now. Who I was meant to be. Who they wanted me to be.Wrenching my gaze from the rapidly disappearing corn fields that flanked the road on both sides, I looked at Abel, at his pristine features. At a glanc
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 31
Solana“We don't have to stay. And we've wasted so much time already. Helen would be worried.” I whispered, not sure if it was more for him or for me. People would know who I was. They'd know either because of my father and the scores of photos of the family after his death in the local paper or because of Abel's affluence.“We won't waste much time, but we'll stay. I want us to stay.”I nodded, and let him scoot back one of the chairs. He waited for me to be seated comfortably, before he took the chair directly opposite. I noted how he'd smartly selected the seat which would give him a pretty good view of everything that was going on in the Café, most especially the customers trooping in and out. It was a subtle reminder of who he was. Who I was. The amount of power he possessed.A tall, lanky waiter sauntered out from the kitchen to clear and wipe the table.“You're sure you'll like just lemonade, Lana?” Abel asked me. I nodded, drumming my fingers silently against my thighs.He tur
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 32
SolanaWe drove to the house in silence. I no longer gave Abel directions, because as it turned out, he knew the rest of the way once we'd gone out of the shortcut zone. When he eventually pulled up in front of the large, familiar, two-storey building with the wraparound porch and swing hanging from a branch in the overgrown tree in the front yard, I forgot how to breathe.It was time. Time to face...the cruel past.Abel switched off the engine and turned to me. I swallowed hard, my breaths coming off in short, shallow gasps as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his large thumb resting on my cheek as his mouth curved into a small, reassuring smile.He knew I was nervous. I was sure he could feel it too.“Relax. I've always known you to be fierce.”“Is it...is it that obvious? My fear, I mean.” I stuttered, clutching the box of fish rolls close to my bosom for dear life.“Yeah. A lot.” His cellphone trilled just then, prompting him to pull it out. He glanced at the display, scru
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 33
SolanaOne thing I could admit wholeheartedly that I loved about the Stravkos family was that they always kept their promises. Always. Even if it meant them severing ties with important businessmen. Even if it meant giving up their wealth, their identity, their ancestors had taught them to be honest, no matter the circumstances.Which was why they seldomly made promises. Which was why I felt safe, and certain, that I could trust Abel. I could trust his words. So far, he'd made two promises to me, and I knew he'd keep them no matter what.Without a word more, I led the way upstairs to my bedroom. Fond memories haunted the hallways, and I could still feel the presence of ghosts that clung to the wall. Upstairs, Abel helped me pack up the vital things — belongings I felt I needed to keep — which were mostly old school books, diaries and jewelry I'd hidden. My bed was bare, turned on it's side, propped against the cream-coloured wall. The two windows were open, the curtains draped apart t
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 34
AbelI knew it wasn't right, and I'd probably get a lot of judgement if anyone got to find out, but I did what any man in my shoes could've done. Back upstairs, in her room, I dug out the letter Solana had stuffed into the trash can and read it.I didn't quite know what I was expecting, but I was sure of one thing now. The fucking bastard of a father was too weak to stay alive, and instead of killing himself, he had to hire assassins to do the dirty work, making everyone suspect my father had been the one who'd gone after him. I couldn't be even more disgusted. He was so evil, trying to paint the Stravkos family with blame, than take responsibility for his actions even in this, a final, crappy letter to the daughter he unwittingly gave out without batting an eye. Did he even know the amount of damage the letter would do to her mental health? Did he know it will only add to the guilt she felt already with his sudden loss?What a moron. Fucking sick bastard.I paced my private office, p
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The Mafia's Crazy Obsession Epilogue
AbelWe didn't speak for the rest of the drive. There were so many things to say, so many demons to confront, and they hovered right above up, making the air thick with a dense foreboding. Once we reached the mansion, I climbed out of the car, and straightened my shirt, clutching the envelope containing the new contract. It was not necessary getting Father to sign it — his signature mattered less — but for closure to be properly achieved, I had to do it this way.“Ready, sweetheart?”Before I could nod and respond, Lana wound her arm through mine. Since I got shot, we'd gotten much closer to each other. We enjoyed each other's company, craved each other's opinions and bodies, and when she did stuff like this, touching me like this, it made me feel lucky, special. It made my heartbeat quicken, my heart filling with a joy I'd never thought possible.I pulled her back. “You don't have to go in with me. I won't waste any time. Once he signs it, I'm getting right out of there.” I watched h
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 83
AbelFulfilling my promise to Lana had got to be the most liberating thing I'd ever done.It took away the guilt I'd felt on that day I saw her for the first time; star-strucked by those bright-eyes that dimmed when her father announced the purpose of our visit with tears in his eyes. It took away the feeling of possessiveness — the need to control her. It took away a lot of things I wasn't proud about, and left me with a warm glow in my chest. What it didn't take away, however, was my ever-increasing love for her.Andre came over to the house the following morning, and handed me the initial contract she and I had signed. I couldn't look at it — I set it aside, and had him draw up a new one. This one wrote off any debt the Williams family owed any Stravkos, real or perceived, and the two families were no longer bound in any way. In any form. I also directed him, to make that part possible to be overturned in the future at any time.I signed it immediately and had a copy sent to Helen
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 82
SolanaAbel moved into the guest room downstairs while he recovered. The doctor was against him stressing himself, and climbing stairs would be fatal to his health since he was still very much fragile. I moved into the room with him and slept beside him, taking extreme care not to touch the still tender spot the bullet had ripped into. I knew he still felt pain, but insisted on less and less medication, saying he could wing it. After a day of being home, he could walk to the bathroom and house entrance on his own, although it wore him out.“This is sickening,” he complained a week later after one of his visits to the bathroom. I looked up at him from where I was sitting on the bed. “I hate being weak. That's not the Stravkos way.”He lay back down and I helped him tuck the blanket up to his waist. “Stop whining. You're getting stronger everyday. I can feel it.”“Well I can't feel anything but my weak bones and side. I'm not healing fast enough.”“You are, but you won't notice because
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 81
AbelLana walked them out then returned to me shortly. “Frank is mischievous.”“Yes, he is. He's Andrew's son through and through. Which is why I'm staying away from that pea soup. I don't trust that kid.”The room returned to it's revered solitude as our smiles faded. Her eyes glazed over, and I could have felt like I imagined the tears if she hadn't subtly raised a finger to dab them off.“I thought I had lost you too. I couldn't feel your pulse. I couldn't feel you breathe, and you were so still. So calm. The blood was all over...oh God...” she trailed off, her voice breaking, eyes filled with tears.I was so close to crying too. Reaching up to touch her face, although my arm felt sore even with that small, gentle movement, I whispered with a nervous chuckle. “Takes more than one gunshot to kill me off. A Stravkos never dies that easily.”She sniffled, a hint of a smile on her lips. “You have no idea how grateful I am to death for not taking you. You've become my whole world, Abel.
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 80
AbelI was dreaming.It was one of those dreams where nothing basically happens. One of those dreams you feel your legs can't touch the ground. You feel as though you're drifting in space, not recalling anything. Not seeing, nor feeling anything but fire in your side.And then you hear voices. They sound so far away, bold, spoken words that sound like the faintest whispers. And then you're falling from space. And then you catch glimpses of the incidents that led to you having that terrible burn in your side.And then you make out one of the voices talking to belong to the only woman you had ever loved.The monitors bleeped like an endless, buzzing swarm of bees. I heard the doctor asking Lana to go home and get some rest, but she was adamant. I heard her refer to me as stubborn, and it made me smile all the time. Whenever I managed to drift back to consciousness, she was there, sitting by my side and holding my hand. Sometimes she cried, and I knew it wasn't tears of sadness. At first
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 79
SolanaWhen we arrived at the hospital, he was taken straight to the emergency unit. Andre screamed orders that they should commence surgery immediately. It was the same ward Wyatt had been into.Life truly does come full circle, doesn't it?Only this time, the doctors wouldn't even look at us. Hospital policy instructed that they only provided information about a patient to his immediate family. Helen and I weren't.“Fucking distasteful! I just want to know if he's going to live! Don't you understand?”“Ma'am,” the doctor said, exhaling calmly. “Please calm down. This is not my doing. It's just how things work over here.”“Lana,” a deep voice called behind us. I turned to see Andre striding into the waiting room, his face cleaned of blood, although his shirt was still coated in deep crimson. He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently. I relaxed.“They've begun operating. There's no news if he'll make it or not for the moment.” He turned to the doctor. “Please add Lana Willia
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 78
Solana“Abel, no!”I surged forward, almost knocking Helen to the floor and sank down on my knees beside his limp body. Tears welled up as I held his face with one hand and pressed my other hand to his side that was gushing out so much blood, I felt it'd never stop. Without thinking, I slammed my lips against him. I kissed him madly. Uncontrollably, again and again. When I tried to push his hair back from his forehead, I left blood in it's place. His blood. There was so much of it, more than I'd ever seen in my entire life. Too much.“Please don't die. Stay with me, please. Please, Abel.”It was then I realized I didn't make him promise to live. I thought he was invincible. That he could never die. That he'd always be alive, and would always be by my side. He'd made me three promises — selfish promises — and he'd never promised me that he wouldn't die.I'd never asked him to promise that. God, all these while... I didn't think he could ever be defeated. I thought Death held no candle
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 77
Abel“Andrew, give me the gun,” I said, shadowing him as he moved around the table, advancing to where Father stood, but it was like I was talking to a rock. He couldn't hear or see me. Couldn't hear or see anything but Father.“You're such a tyrant. Everything always has to go your way, and now that I'm older, I realize how stupid I've been, letting you dictate my life. I was too much of a wimp to let you know that we loved each other and she was carrying my baby. Mine, you dirty old man.”“Andrew,” I said, more firmly this time. “Hand me the damn gun. Now. Don't do something you'll regret later.”Father was unperturbed by the pistol, dragging his eyes from him to Helen for a few minutes. I couldn't practically imagine the wheels in his mind turning into place as he finally understood. But Andrew wasn't through with his ranting.“You've never loved me. Never cared. It's always about Abel. Always about Andre!”“That's not true, and you know it,” Father exhaled, too calm for a man who
The Mafia's Crazy Obsession 76
Abel“Last chance to tell me everything, little bro. It's for your own good.”“It's going to be a peaceful meeting, right? You have nothing to worry about. Go get everyone under control, now. I'll see you when it's time for the meeting.”“Suit yourself.”I strode out of the room, taking no detours to see how my Father and Andre were doing, and heading straight for Lana's room.She and Helen sat side by side on the bed conversing in low tones when I walked in. Feeling guilty, Lana shot me a nervous smile, getting up at once.I looked past her at Helen. “The meeting is downstairs, not here,” I said, then turned to Lana. “You disobeyed me.”“I had to talk to her first, Abel. She's my sister.”“Why do you always miss the point every fucking time? It's driving me to my limits,” I said.“I know this might come as a shock to you, sis, but for once I'd say listen to him. He's right. This whole thing concerns me and me alone. We've already lost so much people. I don't want you getting involved
