~B.~

I clenched my eyes together as I woke up. I was laid on my back while Marcello was on his side. His head was above mine on the pillow while his hand cupped my boob under my shirt.

I craned my neck to look down at his hand. I hiked my shirt down to cover myself, as I hadn't fallen asleep with underwear.

"Nothing I haven't seen before," Marcello's morning voice was heavenly before I scoffed at him.

I rolled over on top of him. I smiled widely while wrapping my arms around him. I poked my head up to meet his gaze.

He grinned up at me before kissing me. I traced his bottom lip with my tongue playfully before pulling away.

Marcello ran his hands up my thighs. Thankfully, the shirt was just long enough to cover me but unfortunately, my core was pressed snugly against his abdomen.

I ran my hand down the ridges of his muscles and licked my lips. Marcello cupped my jaw and tilted my head towards him.

"You're drooling il mio amore." I knew enough of Italian to know what that meant as my breath hitched. I didn't question it as I nipped at his thumb that was against my lip.

He rolled me onto my back and covered my body with his. My eyes drifted shut as he pecked my lips repeatedly. I smiled as he pulled away and got up. I tried to ignore his very large morning wood as he looked for clothes.

"I'll make breakfast, you stay here," I groaned in response as I stretched out. He slipped on sweatpants and made his way downstairs.

My body buzzed with satisfaction with how last night and this morning played out. It seemed crazy that over a few weeks I would trust someone as much as I currently do. Not only do I trust Marcello with my life I am starting to trust him with my emotions.

And on top of that, I was building friendships and becoming close to people. My heart jumped at the idea of a normal life. Of course, as normal as it can be with said people all involved in or running the organized crime business.

I glanced down at my exposed self and rolled off of the bed to find underwear. I lazily pushed things around in my drawer and searched for cotton boy shorts I could wear.

I pursed my lips at the cheetah print ones I found and couldn't bring myself to look any further no matter how tacky they looked. Just as I was about to step into a pair of sweats, yelling erupted from downstairs and I tripped over my pants in fright.

Quickly forgetting the task at hand I hurried downstairs and tried to get to whatever the altercation was as quick as possible.

My bare feet padded against the floor before I halted abruptly. My jaw hit the floor as Marcello and two other men held guns to Corrine's head. She stood calmly while looking around curiously.

Everyone turned at the sound of my arrival and Marcello and Corrine spoke at the same time.

"Bambina get behind me."

"Babe! I told you I'd find you."

With my jaw still ajar as Marcello took a few steps backward and drew me behind him. When I finally snapped out of it I placed my hand over Marcello's gun.

"I know her we worked at the school together. Her names Corrine- everything's okay Marcello." Marcello narrowed his eyes at my friend and hesitated to lower his gun. I quickly stood in front of her to signal we were okay.

Marcello only lowered his gun a little before sending the two guards away.

"Bells you don't have any pants on," Corrine whispered from behind me. I sighed before turning to her and strangling her while shaking her head back and forth.

"What. Were. You. Thinking." I spoke with every shake of her head. She laughed loudly while grabbing my hands.

"I told you I would find you. All I had to do was triangulate your phone call, once I found you here I had to find a way through the security system!"

"Which I'm assuming is your system?" She pointed at Marcello who was watching us skeptically.

I rubbed my hand over my face as I felt a headache coming on. Marcello placed a hand on my shoulder while pulling me closer.

"Corrine this is Marcello, the guy I told you helped me out. And Marcello this is Corrine she's my friend from work."

Marcello lowered his lips to my ear as he spoke quietly, "I thought you said you didn't have friends before."

I shrugged, "Corrine and I had just been getting close before everything went down. She's the computer teacher and knows way too many things about hacking."

I threw Corrine a look at my statement while she smiled innocently. Corrine's appearance did not scream innocence, however. Her originally blonde hair was dyed a dark purple that contrasted her blue eyes.

Her lips were painted with a sensual red and she wore dark clothing per usual. Her face was lit up with joy like always despite the stereotype of her style.

Corrine grabbed my hands and pulled me away from Marcello and hugged me tightly. Corrine was 5'10 so I was completely tucked into her chest. I grumbled while wrapping my arms around her. Despite my current shock, I wrapped my arms around her tightly.

"Come this way," Marcello directed us to the kitchen. Corrine picked me up and waddled our way to the table. I let go of her and saw that Marcello had been in the middle of making breakfast. I internally awed and behind the counter, I patted his butt. He jumped comically and narrowed his eyes at me.

"Thank you," I craned my neck to meet his gaze and he shrugged it off.

Hershel had just sauntered into the kitchen, ready to be fed. Corrine lit up at the sight of my cat and was quick to help me feed him.

Once everything was settled I turned to Corrine across the counter, "Okay Cory I've got a few questions."

"Me too, like how long have you two been together? Did you know you have a bunch of hickeys on your thighs? And he's got a shit load of scratches on his back." My stomach flipped at her observations and I went scarlet. I wanted to melt into a puddle at the moment as I tried to speak.

Marcello wasn't one to help the situation as he smirked and ran his hand up the back of my shirt.

"We've been together for a couple of weeks." I almost scoffed at Marcello's fib, if he means we've been together since he locked me in his car then sure.

"Now, for our questions." Marcello began, "How did you get through my security system."

Corrine nodded before grabbing her bag and pulling out her laptop.

"I wasn't sure if I would have to James Bond this shit. So, I spent fucking hours trying to find out a backdoor through your security. I actually had to use Belle's phone again and gain access through that." I opened my mouth to object but she only continued.

"After I finally got through I check out how loaded you were with defense tactics and knew you were the real deal. But nothing is too costly for my Belle so I unlocked the gates and introduced myself to your guards and hoped for the best."

We both stared at her when she revealed her poor planning skills.

"Corrine you could've gotten really hurt. You need to go home and stay out of this stuff. I really appreciate everything believe me, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you were hurt in the process."

Corrine frowned and squeezed my hand, "I did some research on you, Mr. Milano. And your father Belle, I unsealed some files and put two and two together. You need as much help as you can get babe."

Marcello beat me to reply but I hoped he would insist her to go back to her normal life.

"Want a job?"

I choked on my own spit as I slapped him, "No!"

"Yes! What do you need me to do?"

"That doesn't matter because it's not happen-"

"You would up our security, get your hands on some information for me. It's a better salary than a teachers I can assure you."

"Marcello!-"

"Mia Bella it'll be fine. Stay calm."

"Yea Bells this is the type of job that I've always wanted! All of the legal ones were boring."

I covered my face while leaning against the counter. The last thing I wanted was to drag my only friend before Marcello into all of this. Marcello's hands cupped my cheeks and kissed my lips lightly. His nose brushed mine and I failed at hiding my smile.

"Just because I'm smiling doesn't mean I'm happy with either of you."

"It's alright babe. I hate teaching anyways. I want this Belle, it'll be fine."

Famous last words.