Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
S tepping In
Symphony
Two years later …
I thought I would have more friends by now. Not that I’m not trying. I must say that my developmental skills have improved. I also self-stimulate a whole lot less.
Annabella took me to a specialist my first year here in Boston. The visit was good for me. I learned to help myself.
Dr. Gideon has been kind and supportive. I don’t think I would have made it through the first two years without her. I wasn’t being bullied, but it was hard to get the other dancers to like me.
It was after the night I saved Ximena from that perv who tried to rob and assault her at gunpoint that I realized why they didn’t want to be my friends. Ximena explained to me that the others were jealous that I had walked in and excelled, earning the attention of Madam Hellene and her colleagues. It all made sense.
However, I was grateful that Ximena decided to befriend me. I look forward to our time together. She is patient and kind.
“Hey, why couldn’t we do something indoors? You want Frosty to take a bite out of my ass, don’t you?” Ximena says as she joins me for lunch.
I love to eat out here in this park. The cold air is refreshing and keeps the brain alert. I often come to run here with Adriano.
I laugh at Ximena as I close the book I had been reading. Annabella has sent me copies of her textbooks and syllabus for her current semester. I’m enjoying our study sessions over the phone.
It makes me happy that I can help her study. I don’t feel as alone. I still talk to Michael all the time, but he can get busy at times, and I hate to bother him.
I love that he allows me to ramble about the latest construction articles or demolition videos I’ve watched on my tablet. He even reads and watches some of my suggestions so we can discuss them on our calls. I love it when he asks me questions as if I’m helping him somehow.
“I will allow you to arrange our next meeting. You can choose for us to be indoors if you like. Frosty is a fictional character. I don’t believe you have to worry about your ass,” I say.
She rolls her eyes. “Good thing you brought your hot-ass bodyguard along. Looking at him will keep me warm for a little while,” she teases.
I glance at Adriano. I never thought of him in that way until Ximena started pointing out how handsome he was. She’s not wrong.
He is very attractive. He has a very handsome face, and he keeps his body in shape. I would know. I train with him a lot.
I blush as Adriano smiles from overhearing our conversation. I should be used to Ximena flirting with him, but it causes my cheeks to heat every time. It’s not her words but the fact that Adriano always looks at me as if I’m the one who spoke them.
“Looking at him isn’t going to keep you warm. That’s preposterous.”
“What’s preposterous is the fact that you haven’t jumped his sexy bones. There is something more you’re not telling me because him being three years older than you isn’t cutting it. If you ask me, that makes him perfect,” she lowers her voice to whisper.
“I didn’t ask you and that’s an off-limits topic. Did you bring our lunch? That was your responsibility,” I say firmly, closing the discussion.
She narrows her eyes at me. I’ve come to know her well, so I know she’s not upset with me, just nosy and curious about things I refuse to share.
“I’m giving you these thick-ass peanut butter and jelly sandwiches just for that.”
“Oh God, no. Please, I asked you not to make those for me. You use that chunky peanut butter, and you place it on both sides. I can’t stand that in my mouth.”
“Nuts are always good in your mouth.”
Adriano bursts out with a laugh before he can stifle it. I look over at him and glare. He stops laughing audibly but I can see his shoulders shaking and the twinkle in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t know anything about what you’re insinuating. I believe you’re talking about fellatio. I have never had a man’s penis in my mouth, so I can’t give an affirmative to your response.”
Adriano chokes then clears his throat. I look at him and I’m confused by the deep blush in his cheeks. His light-gray eyes are fixed on my lips.
If I’m not mistaken, lust begins to cloud his eyes. I look away, not wanting to see what’s really happening in his thoughts. I already don’t like that I’ve become aware of his attractiveness because Ximena has repeatedly pointed it out.
“I’m going to walk the perimeter. Enjoy your lunch,” he says and walks away.
“That man wants you. I’ve been trying to throw him hints, but he’s totally crushing on you,” Ximena sings as he walks off.
I reach for the rings around my neck as I think of Michael. Our anniversary is coming up soon. I’ve been married for four years.
I haven’t seen my husband in two years. I’ve tried to understand why he doesn’t come to see me. Uri and Annabella come to Boston at least twice a year. Nico even came for my birthday this year.
I was sure Michael would appear when I turned eighteen. He sent a gift and his apologies, but all I wanted was him.
“That will never happen. It is impossible,” I breathe.
“Why?”
“You are my only friend. Why must you always ask me questions that will get you killed?”
Ximena gasps. I lower my gaze to my lap. I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings.
“You don’t joke, so I’m going to back off. I got you a turkey sandwich. I heard you when you said you hate the peanut butter ones.”
“I’m sorry. Some things you are better off not knowing. This is one of those.”
She places my sandwich in front of me and scoots closer to me to place her head on my shoulder as she wraps her arm around my waist.
“I love you, Sim. I only want to make sure you’re not missing something that’s staring you in the face.”
“If what you say is true, I will need to send him back to—I would need to request a replacement.”
“Relax, I don’t think he wants to leave you. He’s not going to tell you how he feels. I’m going to mind my business.”
“Ximena?”
“Yeah, Sim?”
“I love you too. Thank you for being my friend. I like this sandwich. The pickles are delicious.”
She giggles. “That shit is still gross.”
“You have never tried it. How can you say this?”
“I asked you the same thing about sex. What did you tell me?”
I blink as I think her words over. The other girls in school were talking about boys and sex. Ximena asked me why I had been so quiet.
“When it’s for me, I will try it,” I say as I remember my words.
“Exactly. That nasty shit ain’t for me, sugar. I’ll happily make them for you but that’s a no for me.”
My phone rings as I go to respond. I look at the screen to find it’s Michael. A smile comes to my face.
“I have to take this. Please wait for me,” I say and stand.
I walk out of earshot and answer the call. Butterflies fill my belly from knowing it’s him. I take a deep breath to steady my voice so he doesn’t hear how happy I am for his call.
“Hello,” I say.
Michael
I close my eyes as I hear her voice come through the line. Gone is the voice of the young girl I rescued four years ago. Symphony has changed so much.
Her speech still comes off as robotic at times, but she tends to find a rhythm and flow when we speak for long hours. I live for our conversations. Hearing about her friend and her classes always brings a smile to my face.
“Are you busy, cara ?” I croon into the phone.
“I am having lunch with Ximena, but I’ve missed our calls. You’ve been busy this week. I haven’t gotten a chance to speak much with you. I hope everything is well.”
A grin comes to my lips. I can hear the concern in her voice. My little wife worries for me.
She doesn’t have to. I have things under control. I am a problem for my problems.
“Everything is fine. I have been working. Are you all set for graduation?”
“Oh yes, I am ready. I have my dress and cap and gown. However, I am most nervous about the final recital. I will have a solo for both piano and dance,” she says.
This is her last year of high school. She’s been accepted to a performance arts program right there in Boston. Sim has a real future as a performer.
“You will be great. I’m sure you will.”
“But you have never seen me dance. I might be terrible?—”
“Never. I know you will be phenomenal. You were accepted to dance and play piano at one of the top college programs. That wasn’t by accident and certainly not an easy feat. I am very proud of you,” I cut her off to say.
Since her graduation is coming, I plan to surprise her with a visit. Coming back here is the last thing I want for her right now. I don’t want this life for her.
While Sim has been gone, there have been several attempts on her grandfather’s life. The problem is none of the attempts have had confirmed sources we can provide to Don Locatelli. Leonardo has proven to be crafty at this game he is playing.
He has involved families outside of the Italian families. Russians, Irishmen, Scotts, and others. We’re not afraid to respond.
However, it would be stupid and serve no purpose. Our problem is with Leonardo. Uri and I aren’t willing to burn bridges I may need once Don Trovati hands over the family.
The don has rightfully asked us not to respond. Sim’s great-uncle is trying to force a war, but all he has managed to do is piss us off.
Uri and I have become like a pressure cooker. We are boiling with rage because this has a simple solution we’re not allowed to enforce. This is the reason why I was happy to hear Sim applied to college in the States. We know for a fact Leonardo still believes Symphony is hidden somewhere in Europe.
After killing his right hand, I was able to infiltrate his crew with one of my men. Salvatore is smart and resourceful. Leonardo ate that shit up and promoted him immediately. Don Alessio has remained safe because of the heads-up from Salvatore each time.
The only information he hasn’t been able to provide is who Leonardo is hiring and how. It’s the one thing Leonardo has kept to himself. That asshole Leonardo still hasn’t figured out he has a mole.
He’s already proving he doesn’t deserve to run a family. We’ve been running circles around him, even without knowing how he’s getting the others to make these hits for him. We have kept him from accomplishing his goal.
“Michael?”
I’m pulled from my thoughts by her soft voice as I grind my teeth. The latest attempt was about a week ago. Because of this, Don Trovati won’t be joining us for Sim’s graduation.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“Can I come home for the summer?” she whispers, causing my heart to squeeze.
“ Cara , I don’t think that’s a good idea. Things here are still complicated.
“Okay. I understand.”
“You haven’t told me what you would like for graduation. Should I call you back after your lunch for you to tell me?”
“I don’t think you can give me what I want.”
“Try me.”
“Michael, I have to go. I hope we can talk later.”
With that, the line goes dead. I toss the phone down and rub at my tired eyes. There are a number of reasons I haven’t been to see Sim. However, one of the biggest reasons is the way she broke down the last time I had to leave.
It still haunts me. I don’t know if I can handle that again and leave her behind. Boston is best for her. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.