12. Chris
CHAPTER 12
CHRIS
Seattle
A s the plane touches down on the runway, I can feel the tension radiating off Leila beside me. Three sleek SUVs wait for us, and I sigh since I asked Zack I’m not the president but still three is way better than five. Leila’s curiosity is palpable, but there's an underlying fear in her eyes that I can't ignore.
I make a silent vow to myself as we step off the plane: we need to talk about the past, but our focus must be on the future. I reach out to squeeze her hand, offering what little comfort I can. “Ready for a new life?”
Leila nods, her expression a mix of apprehension and determination.
The drive to my new home is filled with tense silence, punctuated only by the sound of the engine and the occasional honk of a passing car. I can sense Leila's unease, I know she has questions but I don't press her to speak. We have time to heal and to rebuild.
As we pull up to the gates of the estate, I can see her face lighting up as our initials create the new Bonetti crest. I reach out to touch her arm, offering her a reassuring smile. “Welcome home, baby.”
The gates swing open, revealing the sprawling mansion beyond. Leila's eyes widen in awe as we drive up the winding driveway, taking in the grandeur of our new home. I didn’t want to take her where my father’s ghost may linger. She deserves to wipe off that nightmare from her life. We both deserve it.
Once inside, I give her a tour of the house, pointing out each room and its purpose. Her eyes light up as we pass through the spacious living room, the elegant dining room, and the cozy study. I know she loved to read and I’m sure she’ll adore filling her study with books.
But it's when we reach my home office that I see her freeze in place. Her gaze lingers on an old photograph sitting on my desk, and I can sense the flood of memories rushing back to her. Si, piccola, sei sempre stata con me. Yeah, baby, you’ve always been with me.
“You still have it,” she whispers.
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from her. “It's still one of my favorite pictures.”
Leila nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Until the new ones,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. And it speaks volume, we pushed this talk for way too long.
I reach out to touch her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. “We'll talk more after dinner,” I promise. “But for now, let me show you the rest of it.”
As we walk out of my home office, she almost jumps in my arms, “She’s Stacy, my ninja maid.”
Stacy bursts out laughing. “Not a ninja but happy to meet you, Miss, welcome home.”
“My pleasure, I’m Leila.”
“The dinner is ready, if you need anything else please let me know.” Stacy smiles. I still remember how uncomfortable she was at the beginning. It took her quite a lot to actually feel at ease around me.
Leila nods, her expression grateful. “I could use some food,” she admits, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“You can go, Stacy, we’re okay for now.”
She nods and walks away, “Have a good night.”
We walk upstairs and show her around too. The view on the lake is breathtaking, not as much as the woman in front of me.
“Give me five and I’ll be ready, I need a shower.”
“Sure.” I press a kiss on her forehead. “Come downstairs when you’re ready.”
As she disappears in the bathroom, I can't help but feel a surge of nervous energy coursing through me. What if she sees me as my father? What if she's afraid of me?
When she returns, dressed in one of my shirts and a pair of leggings, all my fears melt away. She looks beautiful, radiant even, and for the first time in a long time, I feel a glimmer of hope stir within me. We settle at the table, the scent of food filling the air as we dig in. Seeing her here, in our home, fills me with a sense of contentment I haven't felt in years. That’s how it was supposed to be from the beginning.
I take her over the couch, and I pour us some wine. I know it's a risky topic, but I need to understand what she knows about us.
“What do you know about Bonetti’s business?”
She gathers her legs under her, “Nicholas always bragged to be a Mafia boss. I was always at their meetings, making sure for all of them to know to whom I belonged and that no one could touch me without Marco’s consent.”
My grip on the glass tightens. I can feel it cracking. They deserved more fucking pain.
“Drugs, weapons, human trafficking, and fighting.” She breathes. Leila's expression darkens, her eyes flashing with anger. “I discovered what he was capable of the week I moved in, but I couldn’t leave.” Her eyes are glued to the crimson liquid she’s twirling in her glass. “I tried so many times, each of them followed by a punishment that left me wondering why they didn't end my life.” Her eyes snaps up, “Chris...”
She jumps off the couch as if it were on fire. I follow her movements until she drops on her knees taking the piece of glass out of my grip. I didn’t realize it was crushed, wine spilled all over me and the couch.
“We need to clean it carefully.” She tries to drag me off the couch but I pull her on me. She cups my face and rests her forehead on mine. “Christopher, please, let me take care of you.” Her words hit hard. No one other than Viola took ever care of me. We walk in the kitchen and she places my hand under the running water. She does a meticulous job and cleans it, then turns to me and unbutton my shirt. I feel so numb I can barely move while peering in her eyes. She places a kiss on my chest igniting a fire within me. “And I know that you're nothing like your father.” She moves back, opening the counters of the kitchen.
Her words warm my heart, and I reach out to hug her from behind. “What are you looking for?”
“Salt. I need to clean it up otherwise I doubt we can save it.”
“Who cares, baby, it’s a shirt.” I open the cupboard in front of us. “Here you go.”
I watch her do her magic until she spins around. “You need a bandage.”
“I need you,” I whisper, brushing my lips with hers. “I won’t die for a cut.”
Her hands on my chest feels so fucking good it drives me crazy, but I move us away.
“You’re right. I’m not my father.” I put some distance between us because I’m sure she’ll need it. “I'm worse.”
Her eyes widen and I'm pretty sure she’s holding her breath.
“Dad was one of the little mafia men but I moved the stick higher,” I admit, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “Approaching LaTorre was a risk since he's one of the untouchable. He sits at il Consiglio table and I thought I could use him to get to Bonetti, to save you.”
Leila's eyes widen in shock, and I can see the pain and betrayal written all over her face. “You what?” she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion. “Chris, it was a huge risk.”
“I didn’t care. I needed you safe. I was ready to do whatever to get you out of there.”
“Why?”
My head snaps at her, “Why?” I can't help but chuckle, “Because you mean the world for me, Leila. You’re the oxygen that keeps me alive. And I admit the wedding invitation made me lose my mind but I never stopped to hope that one day you'll be mine. I couldn’t accept it.”
“I'm here now.” She comes to hug me. It feels like I finally found my place in this world. “I'm ready for a new beginning.”
The morning sun filters through the windows of my office, casting a warm glow over the sleek mahogany desk and plush leather chairs. I sit at the head of the table, poring over a stack of papers, while Zack and Janet make sure we’re ready for the meeting. It may be a mistake but following my gut always worked marvel. Ferdinando is the last one to join us with Alex.
“We’ll start head-on, there will be minor changes especially with the new delivery. The FBI seem to have lost interest in us and that’s what I wanted.”
“Human trafficking is a high risk and I’m glad you gave up on it.” Ferdinando nods in approval. Never been a fun of it and there’s more ways to fill in the money we made with it. Not to mention the one rule I adopted from LaTorre: zero tolerance for rape. I’m sure he wouldn’t even get in business with us but together both our businesses increased, expanded and conquered new territories, cutting off the minor clans.
The door opens drawing everyone’s attention until Leila freezes in place. “Shoot, I’m sorry.”
I wave her over, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Come here, sit with us.”
Zack starts to rise from his seat to offer it to her, but I shake my head, motioning for her to sit in my lap instead. She hesitates for a moment, her cheeks flushing pink, before finally relenting and settling into my embrace.
“What’s next?”
“Japanese delivery.” Zack opens his folder, “We’re expecting a huge one and I’d suggest on the northern dock.”
My attention is focused on Leila since she starts to fidget in my lap, her movements becoming more restless with each passing minute. I can sense her discomfort, her unease at being the center of attention, and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt for putting her in this position. She takes my pen and scribbles something on a piece of paper and raises it to let me read: I’m so sorry, I thought you were alone, I’ll meet you later.
I shake my head with a gentle smile. “No,” I say softly, “You stay here where you belong, Leila. With me.”
She looks over her shoulder, her eyes wide with surprise, and for a moment, I can see the flicker of gratitude in her gaze.
“Make sure everything goes smooth, it’ll be split in three containers and sent away tonight.”
“On it, Sir.”
“Unfortunately the second delivery will be two days late.”
I turn to look at Massimo. “The second delivery?”
He shifts his eyes to Leila and back to me.
“Okay, listen up cause maybe you didn’t get the memo. There are no secrets between me and my woman and the respect you have for me will be equal for her. If something ever happens to her, heads will fly without even asking you to explain what happened. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good, now, I had no problems talking about the coke delivery and I won’t have any to talk about the AK-47. Why is it late?”
I can see him swallow, “They had a hitch with some documents.”
“Not my concern. We’ll pay twenty percent off, and next time, the more time passes the less money they have.” I drink some water. “Next?”
“Payroll.” David gets on his feet pushing a few folders my way which Leila catches right away and hands them to me.
“Too bad the Golden Shark is not on it,” Ferdinando mumbles.
“Time to time. I promised you’d have her.” Just I won’t tell him yet how to catch that big fish. “Next?”
“You got invited at the TBA charity in May, June, and October. I asked more details about AMAF in New York and we’re waiting for a reply. The Leukemia Gala awaits for a confirmation.”
“Pass the details to LaTorre and Stacy too. We do have a few more in Italy to attend.”
Ferdinando nods. “We have everything sorted over there and I’m impressed with some of the Gala.”
I can’t help but grin when Leila squeezes my hand. “AMAF? Which one is that?”
“AIDS and HIV research.” I kiss her shoulder.
“Okay, that’s it, see you next month.” I set them free as I see Leila waiting. “Is everything okay?”
“Since when do you do charity?”
“I started a while ago. We needed to clean up rumors and also shred away the feds’ attention on us. It was a risk but it was worth it.” I let my hand casually caress her hip.
“I’m proud of you.” I'm done. She knocked me out with something no one said to me. I pull her closer and take hold of her mouth. The noises in the background pops my happy bubble I share with her reminding me I’m still in a meeting.
As my men leave to attend to their duties, I turn my attention to Ferdinando. He's been a valuable ally in the past and my friend, and I know that I can count on him anytime, and same goes for me.
“Tell me,” I begin, leaning forward in my chair, “have you had any luck reaching her?”
He shakes his head, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Not yet,” he admits. “But I have my ways.”
I nod, knowing LaTorre is a master at pulling strings behind the scenes. If anyone can track her down, it's him. I push a folder in his direction. “Take a look at this,” I say, my voice low and intense. “It's a case that she won't be able to resist. And if you can get her on board, we'll be unstoppable.”
Latorre takes the folder and flips it open, his eyes scanning the contents with interest. I watch as a smirk plays across his face, knowing that I've hit the mark. “This is good,” he says, his voice laced with approval. “Very good indeed.”
But before we can discuss the details further, his attention is drawn to Leila. “I have an opportunity for you.”
She looks at me, her brow furrowed in confusion. “For me?”
“I want you to join the company,” he offers, his voice steady. “As our event organizer.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment, she's speechless. But then, a smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and I know that she's considering it.
“I'll think about it,” she says finally. “Thank you, Mr. LaTorre.”
“Ferdinando. You earned that privilege.” He winks at her.