Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
S weetest Things
Michael
“Get out of my fucking way,” the asshole who has bumped into me snarls.
I grin and step aside. The drunk bastard doesn’t realize I’m here to take his life. He’s been talking all night as he sits in this pub spewing bullshit about how he’s some big shot in America.
It’s all lies. He’s running from his boss in America who he stole some money from. He also slept with his boss’s daughter before beating the shit out of her and making a run for it.
The boss had planned to overlook the theft. Maybe find him and take a finger or two, but the beating he gave that woman earned him this visit from me. No man has a right to do that to a woman.
“You fellas have a good night,” the drunk bastard calls out as he gets ready to leave.
I bet he didn’t think anyone would find him here on this island. That was his mistake. He didn’t know his boss had access to me. There’s no one I can’t find.
I follow him out of the pub as he stumbles forward, mumbling to himself. Keeping a bit of a distance, I wait for him to enter the alley ahead. Pulling my gun, I place the silencer on it.
The bastard stops and begins to piss against the alley wall. I walk behind him just as he throws his head back and sighs in relief.
The condensation of his breath in the cold night air raises as he groans. I don’t give him a chance to put his shit away and zip up. I pull the trigger and put a hole through his skull.
His body drops to the ground as I stand over him. Placing two more into his chest, I then quickly remove the silencer and tuck both the gun and it away. As swiftly as I’ve appeared, I disappear. The job is done.
I don’t need to linger. I slip into the shadows and make my way to get off the island before I’m seen. I climb into the awaiting motorboat and make my way back home. I’m about fifty kilometers out when I toss the gun and silencer into the water.
I pull out my phone and call my brother. As I wait for him to pick up, I take a deep breath and allow the scent of the seawater to fill my lungs.
“Hello,” Uri answers.
“It is done.”
“Good. We will talk soon.”
With that, he disconnects the call. I wasn’t expecting more than that. Uri can be a man of very few words.
***
I step out of my car as I arrive at the house. The lights in the foyer are on, drawing my curiosity. Annabella is away on holiday with her friends. Nico is away with his team.
I don’t believe Uri has come to this side of the property. He usually lets me know if he’s going to drop by. Symphony and the security team should be the only ones here.
I make my way into the house and find Symphony sitting at the foot of the stairs. She’s wearing her cute little Mary Janes and a black dress.
I knit my brows, wondering what she’s up to. Not taking my eyes off her, I go to sit beside her. I bump her with my shoulder, causing her to glance at me.
“What’s up? Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I was waiting for you to finish your business and come home,” she replies.
“Oh yeah? And why is that?”
“It is our anniversary. I thought we would have dinner together.”
I close my eyes and groan. I had thought about what today is. To be honest, I didn’t know how to handle the occasion.
I wasn’t sure if I should give her a gift or say something about it. Once the assignment came in, I decided not to do anything in the end. Now I feel like an ass.
“Have you eaten?”
“No, I didn’t want to get full and not be able to eat with you. Chef George and I made dinner for us. Our meal is in the warmer.”
I give her a smile. When Symphony isn’t reading, painting, or now playing the piano, she loves to watch our chef and help when he allows. She is like an expert when it comes to chopping up the vegetables.
“Then let’s have dinner,” I say and stand.
She lifts to her feet and looks up at me through her lashes. I feel bad as I look at the effort she put into her appearance. As I take in her hair and the outfit she’s wearing, she steps forward and pulls my handkerchief from my pocket.
I look back at her curiously. Tapping the cloth to her tongue, she then wipes it against my cheek. When she pulls it away and it comes into my view, there is blood on the cloth.
“I will set the table and heat our food. Maybe you should go and shower. You seem to have brought work home.”
I chuckle. “Sorry about that. I will be quick. We’ll make a night of it. We can watch a movie together after dinner.”
“I would like that. You are just in time. We still have a few hours to do all of this before our anniversary is over.”
“Then I better hurry.”
I go to take the handkerchief from her, but she clutches it in her grasp. I give her a questioning look and hold my hand out for it. She shakes her head at me.
“I will toss it into the fire.”
“Thank you.”
Symphony
I was so nervous. I didn’t think Michael would return home for our anniversary. I didn’t think he would want to spend it with me.
I know it’s silly for me to think he would want to celebrate the occasion. He is only married to me to keep me safe. However, I wanted to have dinner with him in remembrance of the day.
I collect our now hot plates and carry them into the dining room. I take a calming breath as the vest beneath my dress goes a long way to settle me into my skin. Annabella gave it to me before she left for her holiday.
She explained she got it from a friend who said it would work like the weighted blankets. So far, it has been working wonders. I would like to show Michael I can be a real wife.
I would like for him to fall in love with me the way I’ve fallen for him. I know it’s silly and this crush may never be requited, but I have hopes and dreams. My disorder has not caused me to be oblivious to my attraction to the opposite sex.
My husband is very handsome and attractive. He’s sexy and often makes me blush. I might be fifteen now, but it is my hope that in a few years, Michael will start to see me as more than his charge.
“Something smells delicious,” Michael says as he enters the room dressed in a fresh black dress shirt and slacks.
His hair is still damp, causing it to fall down in his face. His hair is much longer than one would think when it’s combed back away from his face. I have always wanted to push my fingers through it.
He pulls my chair out for me to sit. I duck my head and sit down as he scoots my chair in for me. My heart is racing.
This all seems like a bad idea now. What will I say to him? Will I sound weird to him like the girls at school say I do to them?
Will I sound childish to him? I keep my fingers hidden as I can’t keep them still. I long to go and play the piano.
“George said you have been on a leaner diet. I chose chicken and steamed vegetables. We went with Italian flavors. I hope you enjoy it.”
“Are you not going to eat?” he asks as he picks up his knife and fork.
“Yes, I am. I am quite hungry. It does smell delicious.”
I begin to eat as he does. He groans and nods his head as he chews. I keep my gaze on him from out of the corner of my eye.
I want to start a conversation, but I’m too nervous to think of anything to say. Instead, I keep stuffing food into my mouth. I dart my eyes around as I desperately try to find something to say.
“You really were hungry,” he chuckles, breaking the silence.
I put my utensils down and rub my sweaty palms on my thighs. Full of nerves, I scoot forward to the edge of my seat and finish chewing my food before I answer.
“Was your work successful?” I blurt out.
Michael places his fork and knife down and clears his throat. I turn in his direction, but I don’t look into his eyes. I’m not ready for him to see me.
“I was going to ask you about that. What do you know of my work?”
“I am of the belief that you take care of bad men.”
“What makes you say this?” He tilts his head to the side as he studies me.
“You train a lot, and I have seen the weapons room. You are a professional at what you do, I believe.”
“You do understand that’s not something you should ever share with anyone. We wouldn’t want anyone to come and take me away from you.”
“I would never say a word. Your secret is safe with me. I will always protect our family.”
“Good girl.”
I preen from his praises. He winks at me. Finally, I snap my eyes to his.
I search his gaze to see if he’s angry with my words, but he looks more amused than anything. I figured out months ago that both Michael and Uri are some sort of hit men. This is why Nonno believes I will remain safe with them.
“Did your sheet music come in? How has your playing been going?”
“I love to play. The sheet music has arrived. It is wonderful.
“I have taught myself to read it and play. I also believe I’ve accomplished writing down the music in my head. I have composed my first piece,” I reply excitedly.
“I’m glad you are enjoying it so much. You will have to play it for me.”
“I would very much like that.”
“We are the only ones home. You can play it after we watch our movie.”
“Does my playing disturb the others?”
“No. Nico says it soothes him. Annabella has never complained. I love to listen.”
“I will still try to be more mindful of the hours I choose to practice.”
I make a mental note to begin to set hours for playing the piano. I can get so lost in the music and lose track of time. I would hate to annoy everyone.
“Do you think you would enjoy going to school for music?”
“Yes, yes, I would. I would like that. Is it something I would be able to do?”
“I am looking into options. We will see.”
“Thank you. I am quite excited now. There is still so much I want to know about music theory. I have ordered books with my allowance to learn more, but to go to school and learn would be amazing.”
He gives me a bright smile that lights up his gorgeous eyes and makes my heart skip a beat. I drop my gaze to his lips and wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Sweat begins to pour from my hands as I wish for my first kiss.
I wouldn’t know how to ask him for one. It is our anniversary, but I don’t believe he would be amiable to a kiss. I begin to chew on my lip as I try to think of the words to use to ask.
“How is school? Do you need anything? Are you having any more trouble with those girls?”
“My grades are still all A-plus. I have not had trouble with those girls. They have left me alone since I defended myself against Sandra.”
“Good.”
Something in his tone makes me wonder if those girls left me alone because I had to resort to violence or if Michael somehow stepped in. We talk more about school, my other interests, and how my day has been before we both finish our meal. When we finish, I clear away our plates as Michael goes into the butler’s pantry to pop us some popcorn.
We walk together to the theater with our bowl of popcorn. Michael allows me to pick our movie. I almost have a meltdown as I can’t decide what would be an appropriate movie for the both of us.
Michael walks up behind me and reaches for an old black-and-white film. His cologne wraps around me and soothes me. I nod my agreement as he shows me the cover of the film.
“I think you will like this one,” he murmurs.
He sets the film up and we climb into our seats. Michael tugs me into his side and holds me close as the movie begins. I have to fight not to purr.
There isn’t any place I would rather be. My lids begin to grow heavy halfway through the film, but I fight to stay awake so I can play for him after the movie.
Or at least I thought I did. I mumble and moan as my back hits the soft mattress beneath me. I open my eyes and find Michael placing me in my bed and tucking me in.
He carried me up to my room. I lift up on my elbows as he moves to pull my shoes from my feet. I blink at him sleepily.
Once my shoes are off, Michael then kisses my forehead. “Go back to sleep, mia cara . I will see you in the morning.”
I’m too sleepy to protest or say a word. I lie back and fall out before my head hits the pillow.