Chapter 8
I’m still unhappy about my talk with my uncle two days ago but have since absolved myself of what I must do.
He’s right.
I’ve given myself the impression that I can protect Echo. If she stays inside my house, she’s further from harm. Once I’ve taken care of the Rossi family, she’ll be free to go where she pleases and do what she wants.
That’s a lie.
No matter where she goes, as long as she’s tied to me, her life can be forfeited anywhere. I’ve been hesitant because I know I'll blame myself if something happens to her.
I’ve never been one to show any weakness in front of anybody, never shed a tear after I was beaten once by my father for crying, never showed pain when I was mourning the loss of my mother, and I will never let an enemy see me sweat. Yet, while I know what I have to do, I still can’t help but hesitate about going in public with Echo. I understand why I feel that way.
She’s unpredictable.
She’s always calm, alert, and on edge when walking around the house. Marco and the staff say that she’s cordial towards them, always as helpful as she can be, and even cleans up after herself, but they also say that she doesn’t say much. She’s accepted duties I never discussed, but aside from Viviana, she doesn’t fraternize with anybody else. Vlad has claimed that while Echo does talk, it’s mostly at him since he hardly ever responds, but she’s typically quiet. Gio has memorized what she does daily in the house since it’s his job to ensure everything goes smoothly.
He says she typically wakes up around seven, gets breakfast and coffee, and goes back upstairs to change for her daily workout. He assumes she has lunch after showering and reads in the living room for an hour. Around three, she’ll walk around the grounds, play with the guard dogs that aren’t doing their job adequately, and then come back inside to speak with Viviana about dinner. He mentioned that she oversees the housecleaning through Marco and has even learned the schedule of the cleaners and guards.
She’s become adept at being a Mafia housewife without the legal ties, but I know she wants more. I can sense it. Something is burrowing beneath the surface of Echo with so many hidden layers, and I can’t tell what it is or who she is. I also can’t stay away from her.
I’ll try to stay out of the house working as late as possible, but when I come home and enter the room, I can’t help but lose myself inside of her. Sometimes, I even catch myself watching her sleep and have to slap myself back into reality mentally.
She probably thinks I’m trying to hurry up and secure an heir because that’s what people expect of me as the next Don, but it’s because I’m consumed by how she responds to me. For that brief time I’m with her, she’s open, engaging, and alive.
The way she reacts to my touch is overwhelming, but I can’t help doing it. Even when we’re not in the bedroom, it’s hard not to think of being between her legs.
“The funeral is tomorrow.”
I look at Gio, who is walking with me. We just returned home from my office downtown. “I know. It took them a long time to prepare his body.”
He nods. “You remember what he looked like. It’s going to be hard to cover up those scars and sew his cock back on.”
I grunt, the memory of what we witnessed coming back. “There’s still no word on who they think attacked them?”
Gio shakes his head. “None. I think they are more stunned that someone would have the balls, but Luca hurt many families.”
We’ve all hurt many families.
We continue to walk until I stop in front of the gym on the lower level. “Just make sure that we’re prepared for anything tomorrow. I know The Council said we all have to be there, and there would be no bloodshed, but I don’t like it.”
Gio nods, and we both turn at the same time. Movement from the corner of our eyes catches our attention, and we’re both temporarily speechless. Echo runs on the treadmill in a sports bra and the shortest workout shorts I’ve ever seen. She doesn’t seem phased by anything or aware of anyone else but is intent on running as fast as possible.
Like she’s running away from someone or towards them.
We both stand watching her until I realize I don’t like the idea that Gio can see her in so little clothing. “Where’s Vlad?” I ask.
He shrugs, oblivious to my disapproval. “Don’t know.”
Finally, he turns back to me. His thoughts reflect on his face. “The scars?”
My jealousy melts away, and I groan frustratedly. “Luca.”
“Ah.”
Gio shakes his head. “Many people.”
He agrees, repeating his words from earlier before he starts to walk away. “Want me to find Vlad?”
I watch Echo for a long time, enjoying the sight in front of me until I remember that we have a funeral to attend tomorrow. “No, get ready to leave in a few.”
My best friend nods and walks away, leaving me. My hand closes around the knob of the door, and I enter. Still focused on running, she doesn’t turn and look at me until I’m next to the treadmill, watching her.
“How long have you been running?”
I ask her.
Barely breathing hard, Echo looks at me. “Thirty minutes.”
I lean forward to look at the clock and see that she’s telling the truth. “You run all the time?”
She pushes the pause button and steps on the sides of the treadmill. “Yes, sometimes I overthink, and running helps to clear my head.”
I understand that. “But you worked out earlier, right?”
“I did.”
Echo smirks at me as she grabs a small towel off the edge of the treadmill, wiping her face and neck. “Are you watching me, Damiano?”
I lean in more and catch the scent of sweat that rolls off her. “It’s my job to know what my future wife is doing while I’m out working.”
Her brow raises. “Wife, huh?”
She smiles, angling her chest more towards me. “And here I was just thinking that I was only good for catching your semen demon.”
Semen demon?
Despite not wanting to, I laugh. “Is that how you feel about your future children?”
She laughs also. The towel hangs carelessly over her shoulder as she steps off the treadmill, looking at me. “I guess only time will tell.”
She’s right. Only time will tell if she can have babies. Lord knows I’m willing to put it to the test every day if I have to.
I outstretch my hand, and she takes it. “Come. Let’s have dinner tonight.”
“Outside?”
From her surprised tone, I can tell that she figured she would be locked away in the house forever. If I could have my way, she would, but I know better. I must trust that things will be okay and that nothing will happen outside.
“Yes, outside.”
She follows behind me, and I open the gym door, allowing her to exit before me. “My uncle was right. No matter how much I want to, I can’t keep you in the house to protect you.”
In front of me, Echo turns around, beaming. Her bright smile tugs at what little pieces my heart has, connecting them. “Do I get dressed now?”
She almost seems youthful. I've never seen her smile so hard, but now that I have, I know I’ll do everything, possible or impossible, to see it again.
She’s gorgeous.
I nod, following her upstairs to our room. “Yes, shower and get dressed. Gio is getting the car ready.”
“It will take me over five minutes to get dressed and ready. You do know that?”
“I know.”
I’m sure that Gio is aware of this as well. He’s probably doing other things before preparing to leave with some men.
In our room, she moves to the closet. “What do I wear? Something nice?”
A frown crosses my face. “Always wear something nice.”
She scoffs, and I can imagine her rolling her eyes. “Have you never just had a relaxed dinner and worn jeans and a t-shirt?”
Of course, I have.
When I was in college, I always dressed down. But as a grown man, I always dress nicely, even casually. “We’re going somewhere nice. So, wear something nice,”
I conclude for her.
A moment later, Echo exits the closet with a pair of wide-leg pants and a sheer top. I’m not sure what she plans to wear, but I trust her. The clothes we got from Alyssia’s are upscale, and Echo is always gorgeous.
I watch as she enters the bathroom, leaving the door open and removing her workout clothes. She walks to the shower, reaches inside to turn the water on, and then looks at me.
Fucking tease.
I walk to the closet, forcing my body to comply with me so I can get changed. While I do enjoy watching her, and my body’s current reaction is proof of that, I want to show her that she’s more than someone that I’m using to empty myself in.
Someone to catch my semen demon.
I shake my head, chuckling. Distracting myself from thoughts of her, I grab a button-down and a pair of slim-fit suit pants. I debate wearing the jacket but decide against it. If I want to get through Echo’s first line of defense, then I have to show some give to her. I typically do not waiver on my choices, but this seems simple.
It’s a means to get what I want.
Changed, I exit the closet and sit on the settee bench at the end of the bed, watching Echo get ready in the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. She works quickly to pull her thick hair into a high ponytail, securing it with a tie that looks elastic. She pulls a few strands loose by her ears, twirling them around her finger to curl her hair more, then looks at me.
A brief smile crosses her lips as her eyes roam over my body. “I see you know how to dress down, Mr. Bianchi.”
I lean back on my elbows and watch her. Aware that I’m eyeing her every move like a hawk, she continues what she’s doing. I casually watch as she pulls out a makeup bag and does up her face in what seems like record time. I don’t know much about women or how long it takes them to get ready, but after talking to Ilya, I know he complains that his wife takes forever to get dressed.
But Anya is gorgeous, so he says he has no complaints after that.
To me, Echo doesn’t need makeup.
Patiently, I wait while she finishes getting ready. When she’s in front of me dressed, I stand and take her hand.
I’m unsure what I’m trying to prove to myself or her by taking her out, but I hope this night ends with both of us still alive.