“I agree. I will get some men, good men, to watch,” Stefano agrees.
“Just watch, not engage. We all saw what that man can do. Let’s not go to war unless we have to,” my father warns.
“Agreed, Capo,” Stefano bows his head.
We thankfully pull into the drive so I can use the excuse of being tired instead of having a glass of wine with Stefano. I know he’s trying, but he’s not really stimulating conversation, he might be handsome but he doesn’t know how to talk to women.
“Good night, father. Stefano,” I quickly hit the stairs, not waiting for an answer. My father will brush it off as I had a full night, and Stefano will buy it because my father says it.
And it’s not a lie, I’m tired. I’m also horrible company right now. I wouldn’t make conversation myself when I’m thinking about tonight. And doesn’t that make me an awful person for thinking of another man? Whatever it is, my one wish tonight is that I run into him again.
Fifteen
Ivan
I’ve been instructed to lay low, only going to the cage to run security for the grudge matches. It sucks having to stay inside all day, I’m going crazy, got so angry I punched a few holes in the wall. Like I said staying inside makes me angry.
I make some lunch and then swim, again, for like the fiftieth time in the last few days, before I can’t stand it. I call my cousin because he can help me.
I dry off with a towel and go to shower and change while I wait for him. By the time I’m done, I’m in jeans and a t-shirt, and signature boots.
“What’s up?”
“I can’t stay here,” I gesture to the wall.
“Well shit. It's for your own good. People will recognize you.”
“Where am I going to go that I will be recognized? It’s not like mafia types hang out at the mall or whatever,” I sneer.
“You want to go to the mall?”
“Fuck you. No, I don’t want to go to the mall, I was using that as an example. You know what today is, right?” I let him look at his calendar and then ponder it before the lights finally turn on.
“Oh fuck. Yeah, that can’t be healthy to leave you all cooped up,” he agrees. Today is the death of my fiancé. Why am I angry? Today is the day of what should be my anniversary and when it gets closer I get angrier. Nothing like being betrayed by family.
“I don’t know where I can go, but I need to get out of here,” I pace back and forth. I need to run or punch trees or some shit.
“Okay,” he looks up from his phone at me, “there is a small town not but ten minutes away from here. There is a park and a forest, with little cafes, a mill you can explore. I’ll have a car take you there. Spend the day, run in the forest, have a sandwich, take the time you need. It’s out of the way so you should be good, not that you can’t take care of yourself.”
“Thank you. I know I’m a loaded gun and your father needs that in the cage, and it’s safe for others, but I’m going crazy.”
“I get it. Car is waiting,” he says as I grab my wallet and put my gun in my hidden holster, and I’m out.
The drive is short, not sure what I was going to find here, but I like the quiet. I have the car drop me off right outside of the little town, with instructions to pick me up in five hours. I walk the road and pass that mill Tim was talking about and I decide to stop. I find a place to sit and watch the river and just relish the quiet until a person almost trips over me.
“I’m so sorry,” and I jump up so fast at that voice.
“Adelina?”
“Ivan? What are you doing here?”
“I needed to get away for a bit,” I shrug.
“Oh okay, I get that,” she nods.
“Is that what you’re doing here?” I shouldn’t be talking to her, we’re enemies.
“Yeah, just needed a breather,” she smiles at me and sits down.
