Dario 11.
The car ride to the airport is aggravating.
The last several days have…it’s taken everything I have not to explode.
I still don’t know what happened exactly in that hallway.
One minute we’re fighting, then we’re fucking, and then before the afterglow has waned she’s slapping me across the face and demanding a doctor test her for chlamydia.
I watched her fine fucking ass strut down my hall and disappear into her room, my jaw open and my post-nut euphoria evaporating in an instant.
Then I heard her playing fucking video games with my brother and nephew like she hadn’t just completely obliterated my equilibrium.
Hands down best sex of my entire life. Our bodies joined but for those minutes I was seated inside her, the tight clutch of her pussy holding me hostage, I felt our souls touch…and I don’t know how to feel about it or what to do.
Sophie has been polite to me, but not warm.
She isn’t rude, responding to my questions, not excluding me from conversations, but her demeanor is that of customer service.
Like I’m an irritating patron that she must tolerate for the sake of her job.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so small and I really fucking hate that feeling.
It’s the distance though that bothers me the most. Prior to epic sex, she and I were forming a friendship of sorts.
I loved listening to her laugh, the way she excitedly discussed anything of interest to her, the passion that she brought to anything she was doing.
Now there is an impenetrable glass wall between us and it’s slowly killing me.
I can see her, I can hear her, but I can’t touch her.
And it’s my fault. I think. I mean, I know I fucked up… just not sure how exactly.
Desi and Oleg have both tried talking to me about Sophie, but I won’t engage. I shut that shit down fast and move on to something else. If I’m honest with myself, I know they’ll tell me what I did wrong but I’m not ready to hear it.
Tajo parks quickly, helping Sophie out of the vehicle while I step out the other side.
He escorts her to the small steps of the private plane before returning to grab our luggage from the trunk.
She steps into the bathroom, and I take my usual seat.
The security I’m bringing with me inspects the plane inside and out before climbing aboard as well.
When Sophie exits the bathroom, she spares me a quick glance, then takes a seat as far from me as she possibly can.
I release a heavy sigh, close my eyes and suppress the urge to snatch her up and deposit her in my lap where she fucking belongs.
I have known for a long time that any romantic entanglements are a bad fucking move in the life I lead.
The love I bear my brother, uncle, sister and her family is dangerous enough.
They were born into the life, as I was, though.
To bring someone else into the mix, to expose them to my enemies and put them in harm’s way is irresponsible…
How do I feel more vulnerable without her than I do with her?
As the staff prepare for takeoff, my mind drifts to yesterday.
My chest tightens at the look in my uncle’s eyes.
The disappointment and censure. Belizaro Diaz might be my father’s youngest brother, but the two men could not be more different.
Aside from Beli being alive and my father being very dead.
Uncle Beli is only 14 years older than Desi and me, but he’s always been the only family member we could rely on.
That we could trust. Our mother gave birth to us and Oleg then disappeared.
Not that we missed much when she left, she was never the motherly type.
We had nannies and tutors and Uncle Beli.
Our father was more animal than man. He ruled with an iron fist and cultivated an environment of distrust that became a ripe breeding ground for dissent.
Fear has no place in loyalty, and it was proven when I managed to rally nearly all his men to my side so easily.
Uncle Beli chose sides…his brother never stood a chance.
He has always been more of a father to me, a trusted confidant and friend.
But when he came home yesterday, I felt like a recalcitrant child.
He walked in my office and we embraced. He travelled often for El Fuego, his preference, and while as his boss I appreciated his dedication to work, as his nephew, I missed him dearly when he was gone for long periods. I needed him these last few weeks.
Before we could get into any business, Sophie knocked on my door.
She’s so beautiful, it hurts to look at her sometimes.
I introduced her to Uncle Beli and the two hit it off immediately.
In moments, they were laughing like old friends.
She is warm and open, a refreshing addition to the household since her arrival.
I shouldn’t be surprised that she fits in so well, she grew up in this life. Still, it’s jarring to watch.
Finally, she turned to address me and confirmed our travel itinerary, alerting me that she didn’t require any assistance with luggage.
She didn’t have any. It burned my gut to hear her say that so casually, forgetting once again how her life had been uprooted so abruptly weeks ago.
She bid me goodnight, then hugged Uncle Beli with the promise of reaching out once she was settled back in North Carolina.
Somehow, as I stared at her like a starving man at an all-you-can-eat buffet, she and Beli were becoming besties.
He and I stared at the empty doorway long after she disappeared from view. My chest tightened as it usually does when she’s gone, my fists flexing, and my legs restless with the need to chase after her. Weeks! I’ve known her for a matter of weeks…how can I—
“No.” My head whipped around to stare at my uncle.
“What?”
“No.” He pointed to the doorway. “That isn’t happening.”
I swallowed hard. “Me and Sophie?”
“Yes. I do not approve, let it go.” His tone was hard; unlike the warmth I’m used to from him.
“Why? You’ve met her, she’s perfect. I would think you would be encouraging me; she’s a mafia princess.
If anyone understands the expectations of this life, it’s her.
She’s gorgeous, obviously, but she’s so much more than that.
” I took a breath and let my mouth run free.
“So smart in a way that translates to the real world. A good sense for business. Sharp wit. She’s open and honest and welcoming to those around her.
She’s like the Pied-Fucking-Piper of El Fuego.
Everyone from guards to the cook to my own siblings sings her praises.
If given the chance, I have no doubt Oleg and Desi would happily trade me for the chance to keep her.
And she’s strong. You should have seen her, Uncle, when we found her.
Confident, capable, level-headed.” I threw my hands out in exasperation recalling her conversation with her family.
“Sophia Goldman was the intended target, blamed herself for Sophie’s abduction and went catatonic because of the guilt.
And Sophie…she consoles Sophia and practically thanks her for the privilege of mistaken identity because she would do anything to protect Sophia. Who does that?”
I tugged on the ends of my hair, paced the length of my office.
My chest cracked wide open listening to that phone call.
I couldn’t resist pulling her into my lap not because I felt she needed the reassurance, but I did.
I wasn’t kidnapped, sealed up in a bathroom for a week with no running water, naked and alone.
But I’m the one who needed comfort, the warm weight of her body to anchor me, to remind me that she was now safe.
I would see to it that she remained that way for as long as I drew breath.
Uncle Beli laughed, a dark chuckle with very little humor.
I stopped, stared at him in surprise. “I know. I just met her and I know all that. She’s too good for you.
” Running me through with a sword would hurt less than hearing those words come from him.
“You’re still a fuckboy. She deserves a man.
” Looking me up and down, his top lip curled in disgust. “A man who takes care of his house.”
I laid awake nearly the entire night, his words in that tone running repeatedly until I felt insanity pressing in from all sides.
Have I grown jaded during my reign as leader or was I always this…
apathetic? I killed my way into a position I never wanted to protect those most dear to me.
I do not regret my actions and would do it all again if required, but has some underlying resentment grown into something else?
My nieces and nephews are a source of great joy in my life, knowing my sister is happy, free, and well-loved comforts me.
But what else do I have? I work, I spend time with my family, and I fuck.
Even saying it to myself it sounds depressing. Empty.
The plane lands smoothly, and we depart once the door is open. I wave Sophie ahead of me, watching the sway of her ass in the one-piece jumper she’s wearing. It looks familiar, must be Desi’s. It looks far better on Sophie than it ever did on my sister. I’ll keep that to myself.
By the time we come to stop at the front of the grand estate of the Kosher Nostra, every muscle is coiled tight, my jaw clenching so tight it aches.
The electricity that always sparks between us is alive in the confines of the car, and I practically leap from the vehicle to escape it.
For the first time since I saw her through the busted plaster, she feels like a stranger.
It is disconcerting and unpleasant. And my fault.