He clears his throat. “No. I need to know.”
I reach my hand out to him and he takes it and sits back down. I take a deep breath and continue my story.
“That’s all I told Uncle Tony. No one knows the rest.”
I keep my eyes on Bash the entire time determined to make it through this story, but also willing to pull back if I thought he was going to lose it. He nods at me to continue.
“He beat me really bad one night. All because I wore a tank top to check the mail. He wasn’t even home so I don’t know how he knew, but he came home in a blind range. By the time he was done, he had to call an ambulance for me. At the hospital I found out that he told them that someone broke into the house and that he found me like that when he came home. Of course, I couldn’t speak at the time and by the time I woke up no one bothered to ask me. It took weeks to recover, but he didn’t touch me. He apologized every day. Tried to show me he had changed. I didn’t believe him. The nurse told me I was lucky to be alive. I knew then I needed to get out. I was able to send a letter to Uncle Tony. I told him a little of what was going on. Somehow, he was able to get a burner phone to me. I called the only number listed and begged him to help me. He asked me where Ryan was. I told him work. He told me that I was likely being watched so I needed to go straight to the bus station. He told me that there would be money and instructions waiting for me. I didn’t hesitate. I ran all the way there. Once I got on that bus I didn’t look back.”
Bash’s eyes turned soft as he reached out and swiped my cheeks. At some point I started crying even though I didn’t notice.
“Why didn’t you go to the police?” Izzy asks as the men scoff.
She glares at each one, but I understand why they scoff. There isn’t a mafia in Arizona. Not that I know of at least.
“He is the police, Iz. He is an FBI agent. That’s why they never questioned me about the supposed burglary. Why would they? He gave my statement for me. He told them I was too traumatized to talk. Who is going to argue with a fed? Besides that, he threatened to kill me if I ever told. Trust me, He would do it too, which is why I have been hiding.”
Bash jumps up and walks over to a wall and slams his fist in it. I jump at the loud bang.
Bash turns around and stares at me. The anger in his eyes should scare me. Hell, that’s all I ever really saw in Ryan’s eyes.
Instead, his anger comforts me. He isn’t mad AT me. He is mad for me, he’s livid for me. Behind that anger is a protectiveness. He is angry because he couldn’t protect me.
How could he? He didn’t even know me.
I get up slowly and take a few tentative steps towards him.
“Sofia, you shouldn’t.” Lorenzo says from behind me.
“Shhs.”
I keep walking forward until I am standing in front of him. He is shaking he is so angry. He looks like he could hit something else. I get why Lorenzo said to step back. I am sure this anger scares most. It doesn’t scare me though.
I reach down and grab his fisted hand, the one he used on the wall. He jumps a little as I touch him, but his eyes don’t leave mine. He doesn’t move. I bring it up to my lips and I kiss the bloody knuckles.
“Bash.” I kiss them again. “Thank you for caring, but please don’t hurt yourself.”
He moves quickly. The next thing I know, I am wrapped within his arms and he is murmuring things to me in Italian. While I know some small words from growing up in an Italian home, I have no clue what he is saying now. It doesn’t really matter though. I feel what his words aren’t saying. He is promising to care for and protect me.
And for one moment, just one small moment I imagine that maybe this man cares for me more than he admits.
Maybe just maybe there could be something here.
Sofia
It has been five days since I last saw Bash. Five days since all that drama at the club went down. After my torrid tale, the men took us home. Seeing as their car was only a 5-seater and there were six of us, I drew the lucky straw of having to sit on Bash’s lap. Let’s just say I was less than thrilled.
It didn’t help that he wouldn’t let me go. That decided it for them. I wasn’t really given a choice in the matter.
Once we got to the home Mia and Izzy share, the men searched the place before we could go in. I attempted to go home, but all Bash said was I needed to stay with them tonight. With a kiss on the top of my head, he headed out the door. After that, it has been radio silence.
Well, I suppose it’s not exactly radio silence. I have noticed I am being watched. No matter where I go, either Lorenzo or Giovanni is with me. I know this, because I catch glimpses of them every day. When I am at work, there is now a man who sits at a two top in the front drinking coffee all day. I haven’t officially met him, but I knew he is one of Bash’s. A different man sits in front of my home in a car. I should feel weirded out that I am being watched, but I feel safe. Protected. Even with feeling that way, I am still going to tell Bash it is unnecessary. He has already made it clear what he expects from me. Short of a quick lay, I am nothing to him so he shouldn’t be wasting his men’s time watching out for me. While Ryan scares the hell out of me, I am also prepared for him. The Beretta I now carry on my person assures me of that.
I found out that Mia and Izzy were also being followed. Mia thought it was sweet, especially since Lorenzo also made an appearance for her. On the other hand, Izzy was irritated by it. She claimed she could protect herself and didn’t need a body guard. I didn’t disagree, but I felt better knowing she had one. Who knows what Ryan would do to them now that they have been seen with me. I could accept if he hurt or killed me. I would never forgive myself if he went after one of them. I might reject the protection from Bash for myself, but I will beg him to keep it on them if I have to.
Uncle Tony appreciated the extra protection Bash offered. Of course, he also yelled. A lot. Especially since he told me to stay in Brooklyn. There are clubs in Brooklyn, he says. Why couldn’t I go to one of them, he asks.
Too late to go back now.
