Chapter 14
~Elle~
Half an hour later.
I approached the winding staircase from the second floor.
There’s light spilling inside through the beautiful stained-glass windows that runs along the entire left side of the stairs.
The projection of colors lights in hues of red, blue and yellow washes the stairs and surrounding walls in a vibrant shifting pattern of light and shadow. Creating a peaceful ambiance.
The bottom of the staircase leads into a wide open foyer with a pristine white and black marble flooring.
Directly ahead is the arched front door to the mansion.
Hanging from the ceiling is a massive crystal chandelier.
This illuminates the entrance to the mansion.
On the left of the foyer is a sitting room.
My sneakered feet pauses just as I’ve almost completed my descent.
Familiar voices that are hushed in conversation interrupt my appreciation of the beautiful interior aesthetic of the mansion.
“Our last shipment was intercepted on its way to the docks, Dom.” I recognize Dario’s voice.
“How the hell did this happen? Weren’t there men posted along the route?
” Dominic asked, obviously annoyed by this information.
“Yes, but somehow they were—” Dario stops abruptly when he looks up to see me standing on the stairs.
“Oh Elle, how are you? You’re looking well.” Dominic, who was facing Dario, swiftly, turned around to look at me. “I’m fine Dario.” Without sparing Dario a glance, Dominic dismisses him. “We’ll continue this discussion later.” Dario takes the hint and exits the mansion. Leaving us alone.
I appreciate the sight of Dominic in his grey track pants that hang low on his hips and a sweatshirt which is open at the color.
Tattoos peak giving me a glimpse of the markings I’ve been dying to trace with my fingers.
I force my eyes to move down his big frame to the grey and black, Nike sneakers on his large feet.
His casual, sporty look is drool-worthy.
Clearing my throat I complete my descent to the bottom of the stairs. Dominic's intense gaze tracks my movement. I feel scrutiny of my lavender yoga pants and white tank top that fits me snugly. It’s paired with a lavender sport jacket that's not fully zippered. My hair tied up in a high ponytail.
He doesn’t utter a word as I follow him outside.
I’m awestruck by the enormity of the compound.
When I was brought to the mansion three days ago it was dark and I was too distraught to take in my surroundings.
Dominic had lifted me out of the car as soon as we arrived, taking me directly to a guest bedroom.
A room that I assume is very close to his room.
How else was he able to hear my screams each night?
I study my surroundings ignoring the chilly outdoors.
There’s a circular drive at the front of the mansion.
It intersects with a tree-lined driveway.
At the end of which is a large wrought iron gate.
A tall white stained wall surrounds the mansion that isolates it from the rest of the world.
There’s a security booth adjacent to the gate.
Security cameras are visible at various locations.
This place seems to be more impenetrable than Fort Knox.
At the center of the circular driveway is a fountain.
There are perfectly manicured gardens on either side of the house.
Attached to the right of the mansion is a wide garage.
From the outside it looks as though it could hold at least ten cars.
Dominic leads me to the pathway that runs along the entire interior perimeter of the wall.
We both begin a brisk jog in silence. After half an hour of following the path we made our way back to the front of the house.
The physical activity has me feeling like my old self again. Despite the cold weather, I’m sweaty and a little breathless. Meanwhile, Dominic looks as if he has hardly worked up a sweat. Based on how fit and muscular he is, I’m sure he works out regularly.
I’ve missed my early morning run that helps me relax. I also find peace in dancing. Not in public of course. I’m too self-conscious to do that.
“Dominic, I needed this, thank you for making me come out today. I usually jog every morning before work.” He stops and turns to me. There's a brief flicker of emotions in his eyes that I can quite decipher.
“Of course, hiding out in your room for so long can’t be healthy.
The exercise has already added some color back to your cheeks.
” He brushes a finger on my right cheek bone.
Then he moves the hair that has become loose from my ponytail away from my face and tucks it behind my ear.
“I know that I didn’t tell you this before Dominic. Thank you for saving me.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. It was my fault that you were attacked in the first place.
” He says as I’m led around the side of the mansion to a gazebo.
It’s enclosed with glass to keep the cold air out.
Dominic leads me inside where there's a glass table set for two. “I know you haven’t had breakfast yet, so I asked Anna to bring it out here.”
Anna is the housekeeper who has been bringing food to my room for the last three days. I refused to leave my room. I was too overwhelmed with misery to pay attention to her or to appreciate her efforts. She probably thinks that I’m a spoiled brat.
As we sit at the round glass table Anna comes bustling in with a tray.
The smell of the food makes my mouth water.
I’ve hardly had anything to eat recently.
“Good morning, Miss Elle. I’m happy to see you out of your room.
I hope you enjoy your breakfast.” I smile shyly.
“Thank you, Anna. I’m sorry. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.
That’s why most of the food you brought for me remained untouched.
I didn’t mean to be rude. But I’ve built up quite an appetite after jogging and this all looks very delicious.
” I rumble nervously as Dominic stares at me.
Anna pats my hand into a motherly fashion and beams with pleasure.
“It’s understandable child—after what you’ve been through.
” Dominic observes our interaction in silence.
When Anna leaves I find myself feeling ravenous.
I place Dominic’s plate heaped with omelet, bacon and toast in front of him before taking mine.
“Coffee?” I offer. When he nods, I pour each of us a cup.
“Sugar or milk?” “No, I like mine black, no sugar.” While he sips on his coffee his eyes go wide looking at me as I load mine with milk and sugar.
I take a sip and close my eyes with pleasure.
When I open them again it’s to see him looking at me strangely.
“Aren’t you hungry?” I ask him as I start shoveling food into my mouth. Dominic nods before picking up his knife and fork to follow suit. After I finish my meal, I wipe my mouth gently with a napkin then cradle my cup of coffee with both hands enjoying the warmth.
“Dominic, don’t you think it’s about time you tell me why there are people after me? And please, I don’t want to hear the same bullshit answer about you having enemies.” He puts his knife and fork onto the table and leans back into his chair. And sighs. “Elle, the less you know the better.”
“How has being kept in the dark so far worked out for me. I couldn’t protect myself Dominic.
And do you know why? Because I didn’t even know that I was in danger.
” His jaw clenches briefly. He then shakes his head and has a look of resolve on his face.
“You’re right of course.” Dominic combs his fingers through his hair and he sighs again.
“Elle, we aren’t supposed to reveal ourselves to anyone who is not a part of our world.
” He lets out a breath. “I’m the head of the Italian mafia in New York, the Don of the Cosa Nostra.
” He looks at me as if he expects to see disgust. As if at any minute I would lose my shit and start to throw the dishes at him.
Dominic probably expected me to demand that he let me go home.
Throwing up my hand I smile at him in relief.
“I knew it!” Then I laugh. “I suspected from the beginning that you all didn’t live like normal people.
Dante’s refusal to take you to the hospital when you were injured.
The silence when I enter a room. The talk of shipments.
All of it now makes sense. I had a feeling you were involved in some sort of nefarious activities.
So, are you like Tony in the Sopranos?” I smile at him.
Dominic seems to be completely baffled by the reaction to his revelation.
“Ah, I really didn’t expect such a response from you Elle.” “I’m not stupid Dominic. I knew that you were involved in something. I just couldn’t figure out what.” “You’re one of the smartest women, I know Elle.”
“So, tell me who’s after me.” “I think that you owe me an explanation as it’s my life that has been upended.”
“You know that my uncle had me kidnapped and tried to have me killed. He wants me out of the way and he hasn’t been satisfied with how I run things.
I’m not sure how they found out that you saved me.
After I sent you back to your life, I left a couple of my men to guard you.
” When I jerk in surprise, he reaches across the table to take my hand in his.
A light squeeze expressing his need for my understanding.
“Please understand that I had to make sure that you were safe. But when it appeared that the bastard wasn’t aware of your existence, I believed you to be safe…so I took them away.” I raised an eyebrow at this. So, I wasn’t going crazy or being paranoid. No wonder I felt as if I was being watched.
“The night you were attacked, I was informed that the Albanians, who I suspect are allied with my uncle, were after you. If it wasn’t for the warning, I wouldn’t have been able to get to you in time.”
“I remember my attacker saying that ah ….Alban wanted me.” As if to comfort me, Dominic gently rubs his thumb along my palm. "I think that they realized that you meant something to me.” My heart skips a beat. “I believe that they were going to use you as bait.”
What! I mean something to him. No, it can’t be.
He was only grateful that I saved him. “Why would they think that you would come after me? I mean, I’m just a stranger who was taken to save you when you were injured.
” He shakes his head. “I had my men protecting you Elle. I cared. I would’ve gone after you.
” I look at him startled by this admission.
We stare at each other. The heat in his gaze makes me tremble.
What does this all mean? Why would he come after me?
Ana reenters the gazebo again, before I could ask him to clarify. She seems pleased with the empty plate in front of me. She clears the dirty dishes from the table. Dominic looks down at his cellphone when it vibrates. Then he stands up suddenly.
“Anna, please show Elle around the house. Elle I’m sorry, something urgent has come up. I’m needed in the office. Please don’t leave the compound, it's not safe.”
Then he’s gone.