Filed to story: No Escape From The Mafia Kings Embrace
Mara smirked as she placed her hands on my chest and leaned up to my ear. “But only you get to touch it”, she purred softly, her breath tickling my ear. I groaned and gripped her thigh harder. “You are absolutely correct”, I agreed, my voice guttural. I kissed her neck before capturing her lips.
I broke the kiss and laced my fingers with hers. When I moved out of the way and Irving’s came into view, Mara’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “Wow”, she uttered. The restaurant was white brick with a gripe vine logo. A large fountain was positioned in front of the double glass doors. Different colors illuminated from the center of the fountain. While white lights lit the pathway.
I led Mara down the path towards the entrance. When we entered the building, a young host appeared. “Good evening. Welcome to Irving’s. Will it just be the two of you?”, she asked cheerily. “Yes, for Barello”, I answered flatly. The host’s eyes grew wide. “Of course, right this way, sir”, she stuttered in panic as she led Mara and I towards the back of the restaurant.
She took us to a secluded part of the restaurant. The lights were dimmed and candles sat, lit on a table for two. “Luca”, Mara gasped, as she glanced at me in awe. I grinned. I love how little it takes to make this woman happy. I pulled her seat out for her and pushed it in, once she was seated.
I ordered champagne to start. And two shrimp Alfredo pastas for entrees. When I looked over at Mara, she was staring at me in admiration. “What is it, gattina?”, I asked, arching an eyebrow at her. “I like your accent. Have I ever told you that?”, she asked, shly. It took me a moment to realize that I had actually ordered our dinner in Italian. I grinned, “You have not, but that’s good to know”, I smirked. Mara blushed, as the server returned with our champagne and poured us both a glass.
“I’m starting to think you are trying to get me drunk”, she teased, holding up the glass. I smirked, “No worries, piccola gattina (little kitten). That’s going to be your last glass”, I said, staring her down. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion before she shrugged and sipped the champagne. Her nose crinkled in disgust, “I don’t get the appeal of alcohol anyway”, she uttered, looking at me over her glass. I chuckled, “It’s usually the effects that are the appeal”, I joked.
Mara smiled softly, before setting down her glass and looking at me contemplatively. I felt her demeanor shift, and I knew something was up. “Talk to me, piccola”, I encouraged. “Luca, how’s my mom?”, she asked softly, looking down at the table. I ran my fingers over my jaw as I tried to figure out a way to tell her. Her mother is a hard-headed woman.
“She refuses to move into the apartment that I found for her. She says she doesn’t need it. She would much rather be at that house”, I explained, as gently as possible. Mara nodded, “I figured it wouldn’t be easy getting her to leave. She will have to be put in rehab or something, for her to clean up, first. That’s the only way she will move”, Mara explained sadly. “I guess just leave her there”, she sighed, rubbing her eyebrows.
Why does she put that pressure on herself? “Mara?”, I whispered. Mara sighed as she pulled her eyes back up to mine. “I will take care of it, amore (love). You don’t have to worry about that anymore”, I said gently, reaching out across the table for her hand. Mara placed her hand in mine, while chewing her inner lip. “Easier said than done. Just as you think I am your responsibility, she is mine”, Mara said softly.
“You are my wife, Marabella. That makes you my responsibility. Your mom is not yours. She is an adult”, I explained, trying to get her to understand. “Luca, is your mom your responsibility?”, she asked, looking down at our joined hands. Fuck. I rested my elbow on the table, as I rubbed my hand over my mouth. Mara’s eyes never left our hands, as I battled eternally with this one.
If my mom was on drugs, I would do what I could to help her. Of course, because as the oldest, she is my responsibility. She raised me, taught me everything that I know. Fuck! “I see your point, piccola”, I muttered, rubbing my fingers along my forehead. “I just need some time to figure out what to do”, she whispered, broken-heartily.
“Take all the time that you need, bambina. I’ll have my men continue to check on her”, I said, rubbing my thumb over her fingers and our wedding set that sat perfectly on her ring finger. I looked up at her face, her eyes slowly lifted from our hands to mine. Her hazel eyes reflected sadness, breaking my own heart. That’s not how I wanted tonight to go.
The server interrupted us by placing our plates down on the table in front of us. “Is there anything else I can get you two?”, he asked. “No, thank you”, I said, not taking my eyes off of Mara. She had looked down at our hands once again. “Enjoy your meal”, he said, before walking away.
I tugged on Mara’s hand, catching her attention. “I’ll be right here if you need, bambina”, I murmured. She smiled softly at me, “I know”, she whispered, as she released my hand to pick up her fork. We sat silently for a while, whilst we ate our food.
I know that I can’t take this burden from her, like I want so desperately to do, because I wouldn’t want anyone to come between my mother and I. But, my mother is drastically different from Mara’s, for which I am grateful. I can only imagine at what age she had to actually grow up. How old was she when she had her childhood stripped from her?
I glanced up at my beautiful wife, catching her looking out of the window towards the dark sea that bordered the restaurant. “I would have to see Zachairah’s orchard before I could begin a blueprint for a greenhouse”, Mara said, ending the silence. I smiled softly at her, “That can be arranged, bambina”, I said.
“I’m almost done with ma’s vertical garden. Then I can start on the greenhouse for the vineyard. I’m sorry, school has just been hectic with finals coming up, and-“, she began. “Piccola”, I interrupted her. “It’s okay, You can take your time. No one is rushing you, sweetheart. And, if they are, send them to me.I’ll put an end to it”, I said, in a serious tone.
Mara chuckled, actually chuckled at my comment. Most people would cower in fear, but my beautiful feisty kitten just fucking chuckled. “I know. I just feel like I should’ve already had it done”, she mumbled. “No, you can take your time, bambina. I promise, it’ll all still be there when you get to it”, I uttered, stroking her hand. Mara took a deep breath and nodded.
