At this point, I’m sure that Gio is related to the criminal world of Chicago-I doubt an innocent person would be able to shoot a robber’s arm without a blink of an eye. But could he be a part of the Messina Clan? If so, should I reveal to him that I’m, technically, a member of the Russian Bratva and Riccardo’s sister-in-law?
I bite my lip, watching Elena and Paolo talk about Mia’s first teething. No, it’s probably a bad idea to talk to him about my past and present too much. I still don’t know anything about him. I don’t even know if he’s gonna call me! No, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, I should keep it cool, I-
“Alina?”
I blink, immediately coming back to the present, and look up at Irina. “Yes?”
She eyes me for a moment with a smirk, her hands on her hips. “What are you thinking about? Have you got yourself a boyfriend?”
“What?” I frown with a chuckle that, hopefully, doesn’t sound too awkward. “Where did you get that idea from?”
“Relax, I’m joking.” Irina shrugs before giving me a look of
concern. “But I noticed that you’ve been spacing out all day. Is everything okay?”
I hurry to shake my head and sit up straight. “Yes, sure, everything’s fine. I just…I have a lot to think about, you know?”
Whether this a lot is related to my situation at home or the mysterious guy I kissed the other day, it doesn’t matter. And it looks like Irina buys it, because she nods solemnly and looks around, not asking any more questions.
Riccardo and Paolo have already retreated to the office to talk over their business matters, Elena and one of the servants are focused on feeding Mia, and Louis and Max are engaged in a battle over the first place in a video game. It’s been three hours since I arrived, and it looks like it’s time for us to leave the Messinas to do their own things. Besides, I doubt Irina
can leave her duties for so long.
Maxim, of course, tries to convince us to stay for longer, and Elena insists that she’ll be glad to spend more time with me and arrange for
someone to take me back home. But Mia has been getting restless, demanding a nap, and I don’t feel that it’s right to take up more of Elena’s time.
“We should meet again soon,” I offer her instead, pulling her into a hug.
“Yes, that would be nice. When are you going to leave…if ever?”
Elena finishes with a note of hesitance, glancing at Irina.
Oh. I look away. Right. I’m supposed to leave, aren’t I? Well, it’s a difficult question, but…
“I’m staying for now.” I give her a reassuring smile, squeezing her shoulder. “I won’t leave before seeing you again, I promise.”
And as if to reassure me that I have to stay in Chicago, I receive a message from an unknown number later this evening. I can take you to a new place tonight. Just reading it makes something inside of me tighten, and I can feel the warmth rising to my cheeks. Can I see Gio tonight? Will he kiss me again?
I look around. Damn. It’s already getting dark outside, and I don’t think Mom would be happy to let me go. Not that I can’t just grab the car and leave, but I’m worried she’s gonna send a bunch of Russian men after me. Shit. What should I do?
I bite my lip and look at the message again. I can’t miss this chance, I just can’t, I-god, I’m ashamed to admit it, but I want to be with this man more than with anyone else right now. The pull is too strong. Have I lost my mind? Maybe. But I can’t tell him no.
Where?
I send the message and hurry to get dressed while frantically thinking about a way out of here. I feel like a teenager planning to escape from under their parents’ noses-and well, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Because in some situations, it’s impossible to reason with your mom even after you turn twenty-two.
In the end, sneaking out of the house turns out to be easier than I thought. In fact, I don’t even have to sneak out. I don’t catch any sight of
Mom’s presence as I walk to the entrance, and when I get out of the house, I realize that her car is not in the parking lot. Looks like she has her own plans for tonight-and it gives me a perfect excuse to get out of here without any explanation.
I don’t hesitate before grasping my chance, rushing to my car, and driving away with a giggle on my lips. God, what a day!
Gio sends me directions to the meeting point, and less than an hour later I spot his long, dark hair and handsome profile in the flow of people on the street. I didn’t realize that today was Friday, but maybe it’s for the best. I wouldn’t mind holding Gio’s hand to make my way through the crowd.
I don’t even take a few steps in his direction before Gio’s gaze darts to me, and our eyes meet through the flow of passersby. Oh god. I can feel the same invisible connection pulling us together and, with my heart fluttering, I smile and hurry toward him.
“Hey,” I breathe out as soon as I stand before him, and I catch a hint of a smile on his lips. He looks tough and intimidating with his eyes dark
and his hands deep in his pockets. But when I look up at him, I can see how gentle the look in his eyes is.
“Hey,” Gio repeats after me, pushing himself off the wall and glancing around. “So you’re still in Chicago.”
“Well, I couldn’t leave before seeing you again,” I say before I can catch myself.
Damn it. Was that too much? Maybe. The satisfied smirk that makes its way to Gio’s lips makes my cheeks feel hot in an instant-but at the same time, Gio reaches out to run his fingers over my wrist, and all other thoughts immediately disappear.
“We have to make sure it’s worth it, then.” And I don’t know why, but these words make something inside of me curl in sweet anticipation.
Nothing happens, though.
Well, okay, many things happen that night-like when Gio takes me to Oakwood Beach and holds my hand as I feel the cold waves with the tips of my toes. Or when he wraps his arm around my waist as if it’s nothing while we watch the sunset reflected on the water of Lake Michigan. Or when he pulls me into the corner of Burnham Park, holds my chin, and kisses me deeply until I feel light-headed and needy for more.
But it feels as if Gio is only teasing me, setting my body on fire before pulling away. Every once in a while, he slips his hand under my shirt or leans close enough to touch my ear with his lips, only to murmur something casual and innocent. And every time, I instinctively lean in, only to catch myself and come back to my senses.
Would I let him take me tonight? Probably. Would I regret it later? Probably.
So, whether for better or worse, Gio doesn’t try to take advantage of me, and by the time I come back home, my body is intact but my heart is completely on fire.
Surprisingly, Mom doesn’t scold me. She looks rather displeased, and she does comment that I should’ve at least messaged her before leaving
-but it’s clear that she’s trying to keep herself at bay. Mom only asks where I’ve been, and after I tell her that I needed some time on my own, she nods and says I should be careful next time.
Is that all? I hum, unable to contain a smile as I walk to my room. Has Irina talked to her about giving me more freedom? I don’t know, but it’s nice to feel like an adult in this house.
Whatever made Mom change her mind, it keeps working, because when Gio asks me out a few days later, she doesn’t freak out. I lie to her
again, of course, and say that I’m going out to buy myself a new lotion and a couple pairs of jeans, and Mom doesn’t bother me even though I come back home a few hours later. Thank god.
I don’t want her to know about Gio, at least not until I figure out where we stand in our relationship. Are we dating? Are we just very close friends? I keep thinking about asking him, but the nervousness and fear of rejection stop me every time. Will we be able to figure it out without openly talking about it?
I chew my lips, absentmindedly staring at the screen of my laptop. There’s a movie on pause, but my thoughts are too far from the plot to care about it. It’s been two days since our third date, and I still have no idea if Gio and I are a couple. God. I rub my face with my hand. I’ve never had a serious boyfriend, you know? So it’s hard for me to pick up the right clues. Of course, the best thing to do is just ask him, but…
I groan under my breath and push myself out of my chair. No, I need to refresh my mind. Should I text Gio? My hand automatically reaches for my phone-but you know what, maybe I need a break from him. That’s right. I’m gonna grab my camera, take some photos, and not think about
Gio or how much I like him.
And with my mind set on it, I pull my jeans and hoodie on, pick my camera up from the desk, and go out of my room. What would be a good place to capture here? I’ve already explored every last inch of the property, so maybe this time I should actually follow my excuse and drive somewhere else.
I hum to myself, walking to the living room where Mom spends her free time. Maybe she can even give me advice. I doubt she knows a lot about photography, but she should know some pretty places around here. What if I asked her to go with me? I pause for a moment to think about it and shake my head. No, it’s not-
“I think it wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
Huh? I frown and listen closer, lingering in the hallway. I didn’t know Aunt Olga was here.
“Oh, I don’t know.” I don’t have to see Mom to know she’s shaking her head. “She’s still so young. Don’t you think it’s too soon?”
“Raisa,” Olga says with a lower note in her voice, “it’s never too soon to do something for the family. Besides, a good husband will make it easier for her to get used to Chicago.”
A good…what? I freeze while my mind scrambles to understand what the hell they’re talking about.
“I have a few candidates if you’d like to take a look. They’re Alina’s age, so-”
I don’t hear the rest of the sentence-the rush of blood in my ears blocks Olga’s words while my pounding heart makes it hard to breathe. Is that why they brought me here? To marry me off to someone who is good for the family? I know it’s common in the Mafia world, but…I’m not one of them. I’m not!
I turn around, clutching my suddenly heavy heart, and rush to the doors. I can’t stay here anymore, I just can’t. I have to get the hell out of this city, this country, and this goddamn life!