“Fair enough. I recognize the look in your eyes though. Mind if I tell you a story?”
“Do I really have a choice?”
“You do. I can’t force you to listen.”
He’s right, but Jack’s an elder. Even though I hold more power, there’s something to be said about listening to your elders.
“Go on, old man.”
He smiles warmly at me. “Back in my younger days, I had been a wild one. Did you know I used to be a boxer?”
“I did.” I know everything about the man. It’s my job.
“Well, I used to sleep with every ring rat who would bat their pretty little eyelashes my way. Man, the ass I got.” He chuckles. “Anyways, one night I met this fine young thing. She was gorgeous, like an angel. Instead of looking at me like a piece of meat, she flinched at the violence. At the end, she had been crying. I couldn’t believe she would come to a fight if she didn’t enjoy it. I found out later, my opponent was her brother. She came to support him, even though she didn’t care for the sport. Her innocence spoke to me like no other.”
I watch as his eyes zone out, as if he’s in the past, living it as he’s speaking about it.
“I met up with her after the fight, and she cussed me out. Told me to fuck off. She was a feisty one, and it made me only want her more. She told me she would never give me the time of day. I tried to let her go. I wasn’t good enough for an angel like her. She was perfect, and I was broken. Soon, I found myself forsaking all others because my thoughts were stuck with her. I decided, after a week, I needed her in my life, even if it meant I would be sentenced to hell for corrupting one of God’s own. I finally got her to agree to go out with me. It took months, but it was worth the wait. It wasn’t easy.”
His easy laugh and the smile on his face causes me to smile. He obviously really loved this woman.
“My Lucia has been gone for four years now, but I don’t regret a single moment of my time with her. She was every bit of an angel, my reason for everything.” The tear in his eye turns the moment somber.
“You really loved her. Why are you telling me this, Jack?”
“I see the same look in your eye as I saw in my own back then. I don’t know who she is, but she has to be something special to catch your eye. That aggression I saw in you? It’s the same aggression I had when she denied me. When she refused to see me as a possible option. Don’t let her get away, Lorenzo. You will regret it. I can promise you that.”
I scoff at him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, old man. There isn’t anyone.”
He gives a humorless laugh. “You sound just like I did thirty years ago, son. Remember what I said.”
I stand up, ready to leave. What’s with these people thinking I need their advice? “Whatever. I’ll be in contact.”
As I’m about to leave, his voice stops me. “Oh, and, Lorenzo?”
I don’t bother to look back.
“I’m here if you ever want any advice. Or if you want to try your hand in the ring.” He chuckles as I continue walking.
I can’t deny that his story sounds similar to mine. The only difference is I can have Mia if I want her. She would give me everything.
I’m just afraid if I take it, I will destroy her.
I would rather kill myself than witnessmio piccolo angeloin shambles.
Chapter Six
Mia
Ithought we made some progress last night, but his response to my request makes my heart fall. Maybe he really does only think of me as another slut to fuck with. I hope not, but if he does, it would be my own fault. I’m second-guessing everything I have done, every move I’ve made in the last twenty-four hours.
Did I make myself too easy for him? The magazines say a man likes a woman who takes control of what she wants. They also say men enjoy a challenge, hard to get and all that.
Fuck!
I internally cuss at myself.
What were you thinking, Mia?
