7. A Wolf in Rabbit’s Clothing
CHAPTER 7
A Wolf in Rabbit’s Clothing
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE A WOMAN WITH A PRETTY SMILE
I fell asleep again and woke up to darkness. The only light was coming from the crack of my bedroom door. I could faintly hear Luca in the kitchen. I stood up and switched out of my clothes. I tugged on an old shirt and leggings.
Staring at the bed I made a mental note I would have to wash the sheets before bed. With the pain of my migraine subsiding my head now felt numb and drowsy.
Stepping into my living room I was surprised to see Dante, in my kitchen. Cooking. He turned around, surprised.
"Should you be up?" he asked quietly.
"Probably not but the pain is gone. I just feel drowsy," I said, my eyes still squinting at the light. He sighed in relief and went back to the pot on the stove. "Where's Luca?" I asked, making my way towards the kitchen.
"He called and told me what happened. I don't know much about migraines. Broken bones and bullets yes. Migraines? Nothing. But my Nona's chicken soup always makes everyone feel better." He kept his voice soft and low. I tried not to focus on the words broken, bones, or bullets. I felt taken aback though.
"That's really sweet of you," I said hesitating. He moved away from the pot to place a kiss on the side of my head.
"It's my fault for giving you a time crunch. And with everything that has been happening, all the stress." He sighed in disappointment. "Go sit on the couch and I'll bring you food and water,” he said quietly.
“I mean I think I’ve been handling everything pretty well,” I murmured. He cupped my cheek and I leaned into his comfort. I placed a hand on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. His eyes crinkled on the sides.
Through the fog clouding my brain I could see the softness of Dante for what it was. Authentic, raw and real. My rattled against my chest as a feeling long forgotten began slowly spreading. Dante pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead.
“Head to the couch and let me take care of you,” he whispered. I sighed, sagging into his body.
“I’ll listen to you this one time,” I replied, my head buried in his chest. I didn’t want to argue. Maybe I was too tired to but a part of me enjoyed this. I spent so long taking care of myself and others I didn’t know what this felt like. As much as I intrigued Dante, his gentle side intrigued me.
Dante brought over a bowl and settled next to me on the couch. The bowl was warm in my hands. The smell was enchanting. I took a bite and moaned. Dante sighed. The soup tasted amazing and it was exactly what I needed.
After a few more bites I looked at him. "I have a serious question," I said, narrowing my eyes. Dante crossed his arms as he leaned against the couch cushion. He nodded for me to speak. "If I give you a family recipe can you give me this recipe?" I asked. He choked on a laugh, shaking his head.
"You don't have to give me something in return. I'll give it to you freely," he said. My eyebrows furrowed.
"You're not the type of person to just hand things out," I said.
"What can I say? You casted a spell on me," he said. I snorted.
“How?” I asked. A part of me was fishing for compliments and I didn’t care. I wanted to know how I, a simple seamstress, grabbed the attention of a man of his nature. He raised an eyebrow .
“Are you doubtful of your charm? I didn’t think of you as someone who needed their ego stroked,” he said. I blushed in embarrassment.
“I’m confident in who I am and what I’m capable of,” I said, staring into the bowl.
“But?”
“I’m not used to this,” I said, pointing between us. “Ignoring the part that you’re in the mafia—this isn’t something I do,” I confessed. Dante shifted on the couch and tapped my cheek. I met his steady gaze.
“You are beautiful. Fierce, loyal and brave. It’s not hard to fall for you when you make it easy,” he said. I sucked in a breath, staring wide eyed. I had never had someone say such words in a sweet way filled with conviction. A tiny part of me hated that his words touched me so much, that I craved them. I took a spoonful of the soup eyeing him carefully.
"Would you give me anything freely?" I said, going back to the original conversation. His eyes flickered between me and the TV. He scratched the scruff on his cheek before answering.
"I like this side of you," he said.
"What side?" I asked curiously. Dante leaned over and his fingers swept a piece of my hair back behind my ear.
"The side that thinks she can take control," he said. Defiance sluggishly swept through me. The drowsiness was still coursing through me. I set the soup on the table.
This wasn't how I wanted to play our game. Yes I liked control. It wasn't something I had often. Dante knew I had it which is why he kept giving in. Therefore I needed to figure out all of this mafia shit soon.
"Do I need to remind you of how I put you in your place?" I said. He leaned closely and despite my brain running at 5mph my body responded immediately.
"Do I have to remind you that I let you put me in my place?" he said. His cheeks were slightly flushed and his pupils were dilating. I smirked.
"So you enjoy it? Me putting you in your place, me having control,” I said. Dante’s nostrils flared. Got him.
"Cinderella, you need to watch what you're saying,” he warned.
"Why?" I asked innocently. I was secretly a wolf pretending to be a rabbit. Dante’s eyebrows furrowed .
"You had a massive migraine, you need to let your body relax," he said, pulling back.
I grabbed the soup from the table and settled back into the couch. He was right and it annoyed me. He let out a sigh and leaned over to carefully dust kisses all over my face. I felt every inch of me relax into the cushions. From my forehead, over each eye, my nose, across my cheeks until he hung right above my lips. I tilted back, waiting. I wanted him to kiss me. But would he still want me even after I severed my family’s agreement with his?
I felt the brush of his lips as he whispered, "maybe I do like it."
The night ended with a kiss on the cheek and I slept on the couch. The next day the suit was ready for the big charity event. I was a bit annoyed that the event was taking place during the week. Did no one work the next day? I chuckled to myself. Of course the people at this event could afford having the next day off considering their bank accounts.
I typed away a few orders I needed when my av? called to check in. My heart was pounding. My grandpa's calls were now giving me major anxiety.
"Lucia," his warm voice echoed in the phone.
" Olá av? . How is it going?” I asked. I needed to act normal before asking the questions that have plagued my brain.
“It’s good. I picked up some extra clients,” he said. I nodded along. “How is the shop?” he asked. I snorted.
“You mean the shop that seems to provide outfits for the mafias?” I asked. Yeah sugarcoating was never my strong suit. He sighed.
“We couldn’t have a few more minutes of normal conversation?” he teased. I couldn’t help but giggle.
“And risk you mysteriously hanging up? Nope,” I said, moving my way to the back of the store. He sighed again.
“There are some things I can’t say over the phone,” he said. I furrowed my brows. Was it because someone could be listening in ?
“You said I could trust Dante?” I asked, cheeks feeling warm.
“ Sim . Trust the Costa’s,” he said.
“What about Luca?” I asked, glancing at the front of the store. The sun was cutting through the store, creating a peaceful glow.
“Those boys are like my grandsons. You can trust them but don’t feel afraid to put them in their place,” he huffed. I bit back a laugh.
“I haven’t so far,” I said. My av? chuckled and I felt myself relax. Someone called to him from the other side.
"I promise to tell you everything once I'm back. Remember you are a Silva. Beijinhos ."
The phone clicked. It was time to think. My family had been working with the mafia since I was little. So something happened. Also the shop was under neutral territory. I doubt it was because every mafia preferred my av? ’s work.
He also didn’t seem afraid of the mafias although we had to be careful on the phone. There was more to this puzzle. There was also some sort of special agreement between us and the Costa’s.
The door dinged and I made my way back to the front of the shop. The devil stood before me to pick up his suit. He had a garment bag in one hand. I eyed it curiously.
"How do you feel?" he asked. He scanned my face. His eyes were filled with concern.
"A little drowsy but definitely better. Thanks again for the soup," I said. I moved to hand him his suit.
After this there was no reason for us to hang around. Our professional agreement ended here with a simple transaction of a suit. But I still had questions to ask him. He took his suit from me and handed me the bag he walked in with.
"Tonight. The charity event. You. In this dress. I'll pick you up at your apartment at seven," he said. It was a demand, not a request. A tiny thrill went down my spine. I eyed the bag.
Tonight. Tonight I would ask Dante everything.
"Seven."