Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
“Of course,” She threw her head and laughed through the tears, her mirth mocking. What had she been expecting when the answer was obvious? He could admit that she was more than his object for self-gratification. Adele was right, he was not capable of love.
“You should -“
“I like you.” He kind of spat out the words forcefully as if his tongue had been stitched and he barely tore his mouth open.
Angelica blinked at him, what did he just say? No, she must have heard wrongly.
With the cat finally out of the bag, it was easier for him to confess the rest of them.
He said, “I like you, Angelica. However, I don’t know how to love. Most people say my love is twisted and should be barely referred to as one. But I do know how scared I felt at the thought of you dying. I would have given my life in exchange if demanded. No, I would have burned the world down for your sake. I don’t think I ever want to lose you again, Angelica. “
It wasn’t until Daniel was in front of her and wiping the tears from her eyes that Angelica realized she had been crying. That was barely a love confession, but coming from Daniel, it was enough.
” I can’t go with you…. A-Adele… ” She choked,” She would be left all alone.”
“I know. The both of us are horrible parents,” He snorted, “Perhaps, that is why we deserve each other.”
She smiled through the tears, his attempt at making her laugh working just a little.
“But then, Angelica, leaving Adele is more of a blessing than a curse right now. Both of us know she’s in no position to take care of you right now. Let me take care of you for the rest of our pathetic lives together.”
And yes, she agreed to it.
Angelica knew deep down that Adele was never going to forgive her for this. Perhaps, that was why she didn’t leave her a letter or a text. Like the coward she always was, Angelica made it seem like Daniel took her away. Like she had no choice. That way, she would not hate her more.
“Boss,” Daniel turned to Konstantine’s second in command after carefully settling Angelica in the backseat.
“I’m not your boss.” He told him.
“But you would make a perfect leader.”
“Yes, I would, but I won’t.” He said firmly.
“What are you going to do then?”
“Travel for a while? I have come to find out that in my greed to accumulate power, I have not even begun to appreciate life. I’ll do that. It’s not such a bad age to retire. “
He dropped his hand on the man’s shoulder and squeezed tightly, “You would make a fine leader if your followers don’t stab you in the back as well. But then, it’s nice knowing you owe me a favor. Who knows? I might come to collect it in the future. Now have a nice day.”
Daniel decided it was time to leave before Angelica’s vengeful daughter hunts him down.
“Eric!” Natalie hollered in excitement as soon as she caught a glimpse of her husband. She ran straight to him and leaped into his arms and he caught her, twirling her around as she squealed.
It has been days since the both of them laid eyes on each other. Eric has been busy covering and cleaning up the mess the feud between Richardo and Lukas created. Though the war didn’t escalate as many had thought, it didn’t mean the street was peaceful.
Allegiances were switched, misplaced, innocent bystanders caught in the tug of war between both sides, eyewitnesses to shut up, associates murdered as messages to respective gangs, and authorities to bribe and divert attention. He could barely catch his breath the past few days.
As for Natalie, she has been quite busy with lots of patients to treat, especially her son-in-law-to-be, Lukas. This was a special case and she took charge of it. Although she did make his pocket bleed – how dare he make her daughter worry?
Thankfully Rose was not there to comment on their public display of affection as she kissed her husband fully on the lips. The young girl was sent outside the country to go stay with her mother Karen until it was safe enough to return.
“I missed you,” Natalie breathed against his lips when they finally came up for air.
“I missed you too,” Eric said, lowering his head to steal another kiss when someone cried out
“Dear lord, the both of you should go get a room and stop tormenting single men like me!”
It was Ezra and he looked like he was going to throw up if they made another move in his presence.
Natalie pulled away from her husband with a sigh and faced him,” Or perhaps, it’s time for you to settle down as well and let the married ones enjoy their marriage. Even Elijah, your younger brother, would become a father to four kids in months to come. You are the only single person in our family and to think you’re proud of it.” She clicked her tongue in disapproval.
“So what? There has to be at least one person in the family proudly upholding the single flag higher.”
Eric snorted laughter while Natalie shook her head at Ezra like he was a lost cause.
“Moreover,” Ezra declared, “I’ll be a godfather in months to come as well.”
“Godfather to someone else’s child when you’re old enough to have dozens of yours. Perhaps, I should just set you up on a blind date….” Natalie brought out her phone, scrolling through her contacts, “I know a lot of pretty girls from wonderful families that would manage you -“
“No, thank you!” Ezra said and vanished away like the Tasmanian devil before she was through.
Natalie sighed, staring at the space, and turned to Eric, “What are we going to do with him?”
Eric shrugged, “Just let him be. It’s not like he can run away from love forever.”
She frowned, “You think so?” Ezra definitely looks like he needs lots of pushing. He was capricious and who knows the lady that would be able to handle him? God might as well throw down a wife for him.
“At least….” Eric wrapped his arm around her waist, “He’s given me time alone with my wife.”
Natalie screamed as Eric carried her off the ground, positioning her properly in his arms, and took off in the direction of their room.
Minutes later, moans and lustful groans could be heard coming from the confines of their bedroom as the couples made sweet love to each other. Although the both of them bathed together afterward, Natalie was the first to step out of the bathroom, leaving Eric to luxuriate and enjoy the soothing effect of the massage bathtub. After days away from home, the least he deserves was such treatment.
Seeing their clothes sprawled carelessly across the room made a blush creep up Natalie at the memory. She had to bend low and began to pick up their clothes, arranging them properly. However, when she came across Eric’s coat, pictures slipped out from his pocket and fell to the ground.
She bent to pick it up only to stiffen because staring back at her was pictures of her and Ruth. Dread washed over her and Natalie felt the coldness seep into her bones as she came to a startling realization. Eric knew. He knew what she did.
Natalie swallowed nervously. To think that she hid it from him. Instead, he knew and hid her crimes intentionally. Knowing Eric’s personality, he never intended to bring this up with her and probably wanted to keep this buried, but then, she found out.
Without a word, Natalie picked the photos and arranged them before settling down on the bed, awaiting his return. Not long after, Eric came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. He intentionally let it drop, showing off his perfect masculine body and tight ass.
Natalie had to dig her nails into her thighs to tamper down the lust. She knew Eric did that on purpose, but this was not the time for this. They had to discuss. Eric noticed something was off when he didn’t get the flirting response he had been expecting from his wife and then it hit him. His coat was not where he left it. He forgot what was in the pocket. Shit.
He quietly dressed up in his pajamas and when he was done, said to her carefully, “I guess you saw it?”
“How did you know?” Natalie asked, her voice low and calm.
“It was a dangerous period and yet you intentionally lost the men I assigned to keep an eye on you. I know you well enough, Natalie. You were up to something. I can’t keep an eye on you and perform my duties, so I sent more of my men to keep watch and that’s how I came to know.”